Life expectancy of a Sig p226?

[9mmepiphany]

i have a old folded/stamped slide 226 out in the garage that has in excess 70K rounds through it. it was used by a couple of SigArms shooting team members and is now a teaching pistol. it has had springs and pins replaced at regular intervals and shoots straight and runs reliablily.

the stories about cracked frames were the early 226 with "sand cuts" in the rails..they installed a fix long ago.

the determining factor of a sig's lifespan are the rails. if not properly lubed, they'll wear thought the finish. once you're through the finish, the frame is pretty much toast...but there is a fix in the pipeline.

$600 is too much for a CPO 226...but that round count does seem right for a retired LE gun

 

[Fire-4-Effect]

Guys,

Too be clear the gun is being offered for $600 with 4 mags and 300 rounds of 9m. It was bought new by a guy who shoots IDPA and put 3000-2000 rounds through it practicing and competing. Not a LE pistol.

Given the 4 mags (hi cap) and 300 rounds of 9mm the price for just the gun is more like $500

Thanks

 

[Dobe]

...but there is a fix in the pipeline.

What does that mean?

 

[9mmepiphany]

well, since you asked...

Bruce Gray, www.Grayguns.com, is working on a fix for folks who have worn through the rails on their frames. this should rejuvenate all those $250-300 Israeli 228s from awhile back

 

[KBintheSLC]

I am looking to buy a used one for $600 but it has about 3000-4000 rounds through it. It was purchased new in 2006.

That is just a good break in IMO... 20K-30K with proper maintenance. Toss a tiny bit of Tetra Gun Grease on the rails, and it will last forever. Take a good hard look at the rails... if most of the finish is worn off, the owner did not lube it properly and the lifespan will be shorter.

From what I hear Sig frames crap out around 10K-20K rounds, the alloy developes stress fractures and then it's game over.

I'd rather listen to what I know than what I hear. 10K is way low for a Sig 9mm. I'd say that 30K is more realistic if the gun is cleaned and lubed regularly.

 

[Ber17]

From P226 owner

Hi all.

I am new here, so hello to everyone.

SigSauer P226 9mm German-made is considered to be an absolute champion in reliability, sharing perhaps the first place with the famous Glock 17, 19 and 26 models. I am talking about the "All-Steel" model without light alloys and/or polymers. In "Quality" nomination Sig shares the first place with Heckler-Koch P2000. And, IMHO, in "Beauty" Sig has no rivals at all (maybe Steyr M9-A1, though...)!

Reliability means that till ~30k you do not need to change anything at all - if, of course, the pistol is cleaned and lubricated properly after every 1000 or so. After 30k a change of firing spring is recommended but not mandatory. After 60k a change of main recoil spring is recommended.

I own a P226 X-Five Allround All-Steel model with ~12k now. With Swiss-made Geko 9mm ammunition I did not have any problems at all. My wife had a few mis-ejects, probably due to the weaker grip. No structural defects whatsoever.

So, I would heartily recommend P226. And believe me, with your prices, I wouldn't even think of anything else. (I really envy your prices .

 

[Rat Robb]

Definatley glad I kept reading down the page.

For my first .40, I was looking a P226 because my thought process was if they are good enough for the seals they are good enough for me.

When talking to my gun buddies, I've never heard any of them down a SIG.

-Robb

 

[brett30030]

For $500, you could probably find one with less rounds, but the value is whatever someone is willing to pay for it. If you have the money to spend and like the gun, it is worth your money. Keep in mind that you will likely have to spend $ on springs, etc. and factor that into what your paying for the gun. Good luck!

 

[sernv99]

I havent found a CPO 226 for less than $550 so I don't know where all this talk about $400 or $500 CPO Sigs comes from. Post a link to a dealer offering such low deals on a CPO.

best I could find was $579 for a 226 in 40 SW.

 

[Calhoun321]

Check out Summit Gunbroker. They often have good deals.

 

[sernv99]

I did, this past week, he said he isn't getting any CPOs in as of late, at least not in 40SW that I'm looking for. He told me he was expecting some but he doesnt know when they will come in so other than that, there isnt anyone around offering $500 CPO Sigs.

 

[D!rty H@rry]

offer him $550 and you got yourself a deal. the extra mags and ammo seem to be worth $100 extra.

 

[sernv99]

I just went out and paid $579 for my CPO 226 40SW from SSG Tactical in VA. This gun is like brand new, I don't see any wear on any of the parts/surfaces on the entire gun. It doesnt have night sights but I don't shoot in the dark anyway so I don't care LOL

Google him, nice dealer.

 

[MadMercS55]

I have a 1988 vintage P226 pushing 11k through it and its FAR from being used up. So far I've replaced the slide roll pins twice and all the springs. The frame does show signs of wear, however nothing to indicate pending failure of any kind. Some older Sigs did suffer frame rail fractures but they have long since changed the design. A current production P226 in 9mm should last far beyone the 20k mark with routine maintenance. My local Gander Mountain has a couple of older 80's and 90's vintage German P226's from $459-$559, some with night sights, extra mags, etc. Most have a fair bit of external holster wear, but look real nice on the inside.

 

[ppcgm]

The 60,000 round estimate is the closest I see here. I have an old "folded" slide 9mm made in '84 that I've put over 25,000 rounds through in IPSC and IDPA, including the practice for both and the gun is no more worn than it was when I bought it. Do check the SIG forum for spring replacement advice. I replace the springs in the 229/40 that I carry and in the 220 that also fills a defense role. But the 9mm, being strictly a target piece, I have yet to do the first bit of maintenance to beyond cleaning it after every range trip and keeping it well oiled. That is the point you should be most aware of, SIG's like oil, lots of it and won't run for beans if you shoot them dry. Other than that, the gun will probably outlast you.

 

[Hikingman]

Two things, if you've observed...first, lots of owners do not exercise their firearms to anywhere near one thousand rounds (try 4 to 5 boxes of white box ammo), and second, the idea that these pistols are not worth near $800-900 dollars in today's used market is incorrect. I know plenty of young Dad's that collect them and hardly shoot them. The little used ones may not be the typical 'used' examples on the market, but the pristine ones are worth plenty to some of us when they hit the market. And, I don't particularly like someone trying to low ball on in-demand stuff that is like new, it's an insult to offer way less than a popular item is worth in general.

 

[PPGMD]

From what I hear Sig frames crap out around 10K-20K rounds, the alloy developes stress fractures and then it's game over.

Ummm.... No.

There are some springs that need to be replaced periodically, but with proper lubrication Sigs should last much longer then 10-20k.

Todd over at Pistol Training has been shooting Sigs for 5 years, one of his Sigs have 36k through it.

http://pistol-training.com/archives/1210

I've personally exceeded the 10k marker on two of my Sigs, both are still in excellent condition.