Tell me about the Sig P226

[Lennyjoe]

I’m falling in love with the .357 Sig round and have a G32 in that caliber but I really want one offered by Sig Saur. I’d also really like one with a hammer so the 226 is of interest to me.

I haven’t handled one and am interested in how big it is compared to the G32 along with weight difference and conceal ability.

Lemme know the benefits of the full size 226 and what I’d gain over the Glock.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

I’m falling in love with the .357 Sig round and have a G32 in that caliber but I really want one offered by Sig Saur. I’d also really like one with a hammer so the 226 is of interest to me.

I haven’t handled one and am interested in how big it is compared to the G32 along with weight difference and conceal ability.

Lemme know the benefits of the full size 226 and what I’d gain over the Glock.

The Sig will be a touch bigger in height and length, if I am remembering the G32 correctly.

The main difference is DA/SA trigger vs the Glock trigger. DA/SA isn't for everyone but it is a great system, IMO.
The Glock will likely be lighter weight.

after that, they essentially do pretty much the same thing.

I think the recoil on the Sig in 357 might be a touch nicer than that of the Glock.

some say the ergos on a Sig are not as good, but IDK about that. They are different, though.

I prefer the triggers systems that incorporate hammers, so the Sig suits me just fine.

 

[FL-NC]

I was issued a 228 for a while, and I have some experience with the 226 in 9mm. While I don't care for pistols that are DAO or transitional DA, the Sigs are well made guns of that category, and were my personal preference to pistols like the Beretta M9.

 

[JR24]

226 is great!

Yes, a bit bigger than your 32 but I've found my 226 conceals really well, rounded grip and it's not as long as many other full size grips means it conceals, on me, almost as well as a compact Glock. I've found they conceal the same as a 228/229 for me.

Weight, however, is far more noticeable. An advantage for recoil, sure, but too much for my back to handle all day any longer.

You could look into a 229, still handles the .40 recoil very well (I assume .357 is pretty close, I've never shot it) and is a lot closer to the 32 is size and weight. Still a good deal heavier but easier to carry all day for me. The 229 does have a wider frame though, so I personally like the grip feel of the 226 or the older 9mm 229/228 skinny frames.

 

[AK103K]

I had 5 P Series SIG's in 357 SIG for a while there, and the P226 was (and still is) my favorite. They are great guns, as are the others. SIG has a weird idea as to what "compact" is, or was at that time, and I never figured out how the 229 was "smaller" than the 226. Its like a 226 was wearing pantyhose and sneezed and farted and stuck there.

Seriously, if you're looking at them, Id try and get my hands on each, and better yet, shoot each, before you decide. Otherwise, its likely to get very expensive.

I shot mine a good bit and never really had any issues with them. The usual rail chipping/wearing, but other than that, nothing. I had a 31 in 357SIG and it was beating itself to death, and didn't seem to be doing as well as the SIG's. Not sure why, but it was a lot more noticeable.

The only thing you're likely to notice going from Glock to SIG, is going to be the feel of the gun in your hand and the higher bore axis will likely be noticeable or seems a bit off.

I went the other way, from SIG to Glock, and picked up on that pretty quick. I had never noticed the SIG slides set up so high.

I still have a 226 and 228, and shoot them regularly, and that's just something you notice right off. I see the same thing with my Berettas and 1911's too. No biggie, or any detriment in shooting them well, just something I notice.

The other thing will be the trigger, especially if you're not a DA trigger shooter. Thats not a biggie either, but you'll probably have to work on it a little. Plus side, a snap cap, and some daily DAO dry fire at all you're favorite people on the nightly news, and you soon wont notice it at all. You wont notice the transitions either.

SIG has nice, out of the box, DA triggers and you don't have to upgrade them unless of course you have the money and feel the need. I think if you work on the dry fire, you wont have any problems and you'll save money for ammo. You remember what that is right, that stuff you used to buy to put in the mags and shoot.

 

[cslinger]

If you cut your teeth on strikers you might give yourself some frustration as DA/SA has a learning curve. I far prefer DA/SA to strikers in general terms for my own reasons not because of an inherent flaw or pro with either.

All that said the P226 is a FANTASTIC pistol. I would put it in that legendary class of handguns with the HiPower, Glock 17, Beretta 92 etc.

What will you gain? In simplistic terms looking at them PURELY as defensive tools, nothing really. One fantastic 9mm crunchenticker is as serviceable as the next.

In more esoteric terms there is something so nice about an all metal, hammer fired pistol that feels like it was actually crafted and engineered vs “splooged out into the mold”.

Also learning a DA or DA/SA gun will make you a better shooter across most all actions IMO as it is more likely to bring your faults to light.

Besides you can holster it as God intended with your thumb on the hammer.

Short answer AWESOME GUN, less durable long term then tactical Tupperware, much more enjoyable to shoot and own yet won’t do anything in practical terms your Glock won’t.

Kinda comes down to are you a gun guy who appreciates the intrinsic elements of various firearms or are you simply looking for a good defensive weapon.

 

[JR24]

I still have a 226 and 228, and shoot them regularly, and that's just something you notice right off. I see the same thing with my Berettas and 1911's too. No biggie, or any detriment in shooting them well, just something I notice.

I really don't notice it as much with my 226 and 228 (though the 226 is a legion with the undercut that helps some) but everytime I pick up a 320 the slide feels just so tall, shoot fine but it just bugs me.

 

[cslinger]

Oh and blah blah SEALS blah blah.

 

[AK103K]

Oh and blah blah SEALS blah blah.

LOL!

Mine has an anchor on it, so its REALLY Navical!

 

[Lennyjoe]

[QUOTE="Corpral_Agarn, post: 11836764, member: 195091”]
I prefer the triggers systems that incorporate hammers, so the Sig suits me just fine.[/QUOTE]

I do as well but most of my semi autos are Hammerless with the exception Kimber and FNX.

 

[Jimbo80]

I have a 226 Navy and a 229. I love them both but prefer the 229. I do have a bias towards smaller pistols. You can't go wrong with a Sig.

 

[SimonRL]

You can’t go wrong with a 226. I have a 226 Legion and it’s a phenomenal pistol. It’s a bit biggish and a little on the heavier side, but that all goes away when you shoot it. The DA/SA takes some getting used to but it’s not as big a deal as a lot of people make out. And if you really don’t want DA/SA, you can get the 226 Legion with an SA trigger. And a red dot, if that’s your thing. Not to mention the 226 comes with gobs of street cred. And if you get the Legion you get to walk that little bit taller among the Sig fanbois.

 

[Old Dog]

Lemme know the benefits of the full size 226 and what I’d gain over the Glock.

Accuracy, ergonomics, far better trigger, superior sights.

And weight, to be fair. But softer-shooting, less snappy recoil and for many males, feel better in the hand and point more naturally.

The full-size SIG P-series shine in 9mm, .40 S&W and the underrated .357 SIG.

 

[JR24]

far better trigger

Certainly debatable. I finally learned how to shoot a Sig DA/SA well, but I still shoot a Glock trigger better and easier.

Of course my SAO Legion is certainly superior, but once again I still shoot a Glock just as well inside 20 yards.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I personally feel the "learning curve to go from a striker gun to a DA/SA gun is overstated. It isn't all that hard and I switch up and back all the time. In a SD situation, I really don't think it will make a significant difference.

If you want a bullseye or target gun, you may be better off picking one type and going with it, but that's boring. SAO is best IMO for that application, but I have a few guns that are traditional DA/SA guns and are very accurate and easy to shoot.

Sig P226 is a great gun, and in my opinion makes any Glock look like a steaming POS, despite their functionality.

 

[JR24]

Sig P226 is a great gun, and in my opinion makes any Glock look like a steaming POS, despite their functionality.

I certainly don't disagree here, even if they are just as functional in my hands, and as noted the heavier slide and frame really eat the recoil of .40 or .357 Sig better than the Glock's, IMO.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I certainly don't disagree here, even if they are just as functional in my hands, and as noted the heavier slide and frame really eat the recoil of .40 or .357 Sig better than the Glock's, IMO.

I've never done aside by side, but I'm guessing you are right. The low bore axis of Glocks might help mitigate the difference, but to me it's irrelevant. I like hammer guns made of metal, and aside from my VP9, no longer own any full size polymer guns. Polymer is a carry efficiency item only IMO, and trigger type doesn't matter much. I really would like a P226 Legion SAO.

 

[JR24]

I've never done aside by side, but I'm guessing you are right. The low bore axis of Glocks might help mitigate the difference, but to me it's irrelevant. I like hammer guns made of metal, and aside from my VP9, no longer own any full size polymer guns. Polymer is a carry efficiency item only IMO, and trigger type doesn't matter much. I really would like a P226 Legion SAO.

I guess my comparison was technically a Glock 23 and a Sig 229, but just the feel between my 226 9mm and the 17 I had I'm sure it translates to the full size too.

Highly recommend the 226 Legion SAO, fantastic gun. Trigger could be considered a little disappointing if you are looking for a 1911 trigger, the Legion is more of a roll but once I figured it out it shoots lights out, and the reset is really fast. The undercut trigger and beavertail are heaven in my hands, even compared to my beloved 1911s.

The only issue I have with mine is it's over 43 oz loaded, so my back can't tolerate carrying it any longer.

It sits with a streamlight and mec gar 18 round mag as my nightstand gun.

 

[.455_Hunter]

The P226 is a fine weapon, but it definitely a full-size platform. Generations of shooters successfully executed DA/SA operation- you can too.

 

[crestoncowboy]

You could look into a 229, still handles the .40 recoil very well

If I was only wanting a 357 sig I'd take the 229. For me the 226 is a better 9mm. The 229 is the better 40 and 357 probably. I have both in .40. I consider both full size. They are pretty dang close in size/ weight etc.

I like the sigs. Excellent SA triggers. Acceptable DA triggers. Far better than some other highly regarded guns. And the Sig p 22x and Beretta 92/96 are the best feeling in my hand I think.

As far as the SEALS....they also had the USP.

Ditched them all for the Glock.........flame on

 

[JR24]

The P226 is a fine weapon, but it definitely a full-size platform. Generations of shooters successfully executed DA/SA operation- you can too.

I personally feel the "learning curve to go from a striker gun to a DA/SA gun is overstated. It isn't all that hard and I switch up and back all the time. In a SD situation, I really don't think it will make a significant difference.

I agree here. I didn't used to but one nice thing about the lockdown and ammo shortage is it gave me lots of time to actually get a good dry fire routine down, and incorporate the iTarget Pro laser system for working on the DA pull for speed and accuracy.

Didn't take too long until I could run a Devil or FAST just as well as my Glock or 1911 (prior I had a tendency to throw that first shot if I didn't really slow down, especially on the 3x5 card), or at least close enough.

So, practice is all ya really need, I do really like those laser systems for a little more feedback in the dry fire routine, keeps it a bit more interesting and fresh instead of just staring at a front site an inch from my white basement wall.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I agree here. I didn't used to but one nice thing about the lockdown and ammo shortage is it gave me lots of time to actually get a good dry fire routine down, and incorporate the iTarget Pro laser system for working on the DA pull for speed and accuracy.

Didn't take too long until I could run a Devil or FAST just as well as my Glock or 1911 (prior I had a tendency to throw that first shot if I didn't really slow down, especially on the 3x5 card), or at least close enough.

So, practice is all ya really need, I do really like those laser systems for a little more feedback in the dry fire routine, keeps it a bit more interesting and fresh instead of just staring at a front site an inch from my white basement wall.

Agree, it's all about familiarity with your guns, repetition, and the discipline that comes with learning a good trigger pull/squeeze. Regardless of trigger type, you have to keep the gun still, and for me, that means pulling the trigger steadily no matter which gun I'm shooting. Short and crisp triggers decrease travel distance and thereby the time that the gun can be inadvertently moved, but as with all things, practice makes perfect. OR at least in my case, practice makes less horrible. LOL!

 

[AK103K]

Ive always found, if youre not careful, short crisp/light triggers tend to breed anticipation of the shot and loss of focus on the sights and push it towards the trigger. They tend to make you want to rush the shot.

DA triggers, on the other hand, force you to focus on the sights, and holding the alignment through the stroke, and worry less about what the trigger is doing.

Less worry about the trigger = better shooting.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I have a blend of both DAO and SA/DA pistols so going back and forth isn’t an issue. I also have several Glocks that I love to shoot. But it would be nice to have a 226 or 229 in my collection in .357 Sig.

 

[WrongHanded]

Whilst I don't own a P226, I do own several metal frame Sig's in the same line. The P229 is wider and of course heavier than the G32/23/19 Glock pistols, but not much taller. The P226 is (if I remember correctly) closer to the size of G31/22/17, except still wider. So for concealed carry, I'd suggest you'll find the same benefits in size reduction from P226 to P229 as you would from a G31 to G32.

I like my P229. However, between the sights being regulated to drive-the-dot with .40S&W, to swap to .357 Sig would mean new sights for me, due to the POI shift between the two cartridges. And the Glocks are lighter and slimmer.

Based on .40S&W I'd certainly say a P226 or P229 will be a reduction in felt recoil over a Glock. Even my P224 and wife's P239 are mild to shoot with .40. Nothing's free though. Lower capacity of greater bulk and weight.