Straight and to the point review. I live in California and while I was on my 10 day wait period I watched several P226 reviews. This one was one of the best.
The SIG P 220 is originally made in 9mm for the Swiss Army and is still in service today. It is a construction of the Swiss SIG Factory in Neuhausen, where the original SIG P 210 (issued in the Swiss Army in 1949) were made. Around 1958 the SIG factory tried to simplify the P210 to cut the costs. First with sheet metal slides, aluminium frames, simplified small parts and such steps. But luckily the expensive SIG (without sauer) P210 stayed in service until 1975 almost without changes. The development of the P220 started in 1966 in Switzerland. The goal was to have a cheaper and safer pistol in the army for combat use. The cost of a SIG P 220 was almost half of the cost of a P 210. I guess the double action trigger was chosen because of safety reasons. In Switzerland every soldier had to make a repetition every two years. And shooting (and of course pass) at least once a year a mandatory program. Not everyone is interested to shoot monthly, weekly or daily. So for some soldiers who just shoot once a year, a double action pistol with a heavy first pull is much safer than a strikerfired or single action pistol! And safety comes always first!!! The SIG factory in Switzerland couldn't export the new P220 easily because of the restricted Swiss export laws. So they decided to move the production abroad. They went with the Sauer Factory in Eckernforde Germany. The army pistols were still put together in Switzerland but with the parts from Sauer Germany. Today at a shooting range in Switzerland, every honest competitor who wants a chance to win, shoots still with the old original SIG P210 in 9mm or 7.65 Parabellum (Pistole 49). Some even with the Parabellum (Swiss Luger) who is almost as precise as a P49. The SIG P 210 with a precision of less than 2 inches at 50m, is still the finest and most precise servicepistol ever made. And i've never seen one fail! I've talked to an old army repairman, what spare parts for the P 210 I should have. He said:"nothing, they do not break". Even if, the 220 is also a very good peace of hardware and still comparable with the new ones on the market. And wich pistol has a similar track record, durability and reliability except the Glock. Source: the book "Die SIG Pistolen" from 1981
I just got a P226 legion. Love it! It has a recessed slide lock where you can't rest your thumb! Shoots like a dream. Everybody that shoots it thinks so. From beginner to more advanced shooters love it.
Another great review. I almost feel like watching your videos is like taking a class. Very educational and information packed. I personally think Sigs have the best location for a slide stop and decocker. I HATE SLIDE MOUNTED DECOCKERS!
It's an old habit, not one I would have others duplicate. You're better off not doing it. The P226 is one of my first 9mm's going back a couple of decades. Back then I had all sorts of bad habits including that. When I pick up a Sig I revert to those bad habits it seems. The gloves are Mechanix Tactical gloves and can be purchased on Amazon.
One of the things I have always love about the SIG 226 is that it fits like a glove in my hand like the 1911 . As far as accuracy I was able to put 45 rounds at 15 yards about the size of a golf ball, well worth the money...it's like driving a Cadillac. 👍
I just purchased a sig p226 elite recently during this crazy pandemic and the world falling apart. I feel pretty safe. Great video also, I love watching your videos. So concise and professional. Loved the NFA nutkicker video!!!!
I love my Glocks but my Sig P226 and P229 are by far the absolute best weapons on the market as far as I'm concerned. DA/SA are superior to striker fire in many ways but the main reason is the 3lb pull in single action. It allows for more accurate firing as opposed to the striker fire 5lb pull. The ability to carry it chambered with a 9.5lb pull in double action mode is so important. Sig Sauer P226 is perfection but a little difficult to conceal carry. P229 is perfect for CC.
areyouready22 I completely agree. I've carried many different weapons over the years. The P229 is my favorite, it's perfect for me. I've said pretty much the same exact thing that you wrote, many times to many people. Be Safe..
I have the MK25 with short reset trigger. So far it is beyond nearly everything I own and really only competes with my HK USP 9mm. Glock 19 and 26 are good but take the back seat.
Chelsea Fischer one video of a dude dunking his gun into random shit destroys the reputation of the 226? how often do you drop your gun in the mud or sand? i hate the ‘but muh special forces use it’ excuse but the 226 has been in service for a long time. i bet you don’t even shoot if it’s raining 🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️
Dont forget if you have a light primer strike with a da sa gun on that first round just pull the trigger again.. where a glock etc you must run the slide to get it running again.. my edc is a p226 legion in 357 sig.. amazing weapon
I'm a Sig guy, love my P229 in .40. The double safety you mentioned is actually called a drop safety, intended to keep the hammer from being forced against the firing pin causing a negligent discharge in the event of a drop or tumble to the floor.
This is my favorite of the firearm review and instruction channels. I don't any firearms my self but I watch the handgun videos so that when I look to make a purchase I'll have an idea of what might fit me best based around price/performance. I appreciate the focus on safety presented on this channel too.
im so glad you pointed out the safety and racking the slide on the Beretta m9 !!!!!! love sigs , glock and a number of 1911 makers !!!!!!!!!!! I don't like pistols with little glitches !!!!!
MAC, A few years back SIG made a series of 226 called the 'S4', which stands for 'suppressor series' and came with a threaded 1/2x28 barrel, which is unusual for SIG. This accompanied with my AAC Tirant is simply amazing. Not sure why, but the suppressor performs best on my 226 (from a sound suppression stand point) as compared to my Glock 17 & beretta 92. For those wanting to suppress the 226, you won't regret it. It's just beautiful.
I have a standard p226 - and a Sig Sauer p226 xfive supermatch. Go get the supermatch! That is, by my opinion, one of the worlds best pistols. When you have fired a 1000 rounds through the supermatch, to get tuned in, the gun never ever malfunctions! I can fire 500 rounds through the swiss precision tool, that the supermatch is. Without cleaning, and it still works! And supermatch precision and shootability. Oh man! The supermatch is the true grandson of the legendary sig p210.
Thanks for this video. It was a lot harder to find a straight forward comprehensive review of the 227 than I would have expected. Exactly what I needed. Great delivery of information.
I was in the British army and we were taught to disassemble these pistols. Fowler one of the lads pulled back the slide and locked it back. Disengaged the part that locks the slide. Without holding the slide released the slide barrel assembly and went flying like a bullet into Mc cabes face. Of course he was a little cross and processed to try and strangle Fowler who made an honest but funny mistake.
Carried that baby for years wias a fed LEO. After retiring a few years ago, I went with an EDC much lighter and smaller. First the G26, and now I’m back to Sig with a P365. cant go wrong with Sigs or Glocks.
I've been trying to find someone that does a better gun review than you do. I'm still looking.... as someone who likes to do reviews, I consider you to be the bar to reach for. I also tend to thumb the slide lock on several types of handguns. Glad to see someone else does it too!
Fox Mulder carried a P226. It was funny how quickly they changed handguns. First he had the Glock 17, then the Beretta M9, S&W 4506(?), and then the Sig.
I carry a p229, which is basically a short version of the p226. It is my go-to for reliability and I shoot it better than any other semi-auto pistol. I keep it with a .40 S&W barrel and mags though, even though it is nothing to swap the barrel out for .357 Sig or 9mm. I love the modular nature of the pistol for allowing me to do that as well.
I like this channel good clear commentary from an experienced reviewer explains why I decided the P220 in .45 would be my carry pistol over 20 years ago.
I have the Sig P226 Tac-Opps model. Love it ! I've put over 2000 rounds through it and have had no problems. The Newer models have slimmer grips (E2) and are an easy trade out. I like the de-cocker and ride my ATV with one in the chamber. I've tried many times to make this safety system fail, with no luck. It works.
Great review. I'm loving the P226 Extreme. The short reset trigger is really nice to shoot, night sights, and G10 grips. It is the best side arm that I own. I also have a G36 that I shoot and the high bore axis on the P226 doesn't bother me at all and I have not had any issues with my US made Sig.
Favorite for what purpose? For carry I use a G19, for walking around the property I carry a G17 and for discrete carry I've started carrying a S&W Shield. Somewhere in the middle of all that I'm a die hard 1911 fan and try to get one of those out of the safe regularly for some target shooting fun.
I had one of the 1st P226s in the early 80s. I put 6,500 rounds through it in 6 months. I returned from a snowy shooting trip to find that the rails had fractured from the mag well, to within 1/2" from the muzzle. I loved the gun, having gone through a stack of 16 to find the best double action. Sig was great, they replaced the weapon within 2 weeks. I never had a great deal of confidence after that.
Back in 2003 I bought 2 Sigs sold as Police Dept. surplus. They are inscribed "Made in W. Germany" so I guess they were made some time in the 80's. I have fired more than 15K rounds in IPSC and it has never failed me. Of all the pistols I have, this is the one in my night table.
My first semi-auto was a well used West German P220. Never appreciated just how good it was until I worked on some others. Worth every dime and then some. Lots of people make a big deal about the DA to SA, not so, the DA pull is sweet. It's a grab and go .. safer than a Glock, IMO.
when I had a M9, I racked it by the safety pin. I never had any issues with the safety doing that. With that said I've since gone to Sig, The P220 & P226, for better ergonomics
just a note, when I had a Beretta M92 I found that racking the slide by the bar of the safety. I did this when I had one because I had caught my hand between the slide and barrel. That and the fact I had issues hitting the mag release are the reasons I sold it a year or so ago
Yes, it does. It drop harmlessly in front of me, which is normal. There's nothing dangerous about what happened, the bullet fragment carried no speed. Had it hit me it wouldn't have left a mark. The key to safety when shooting steel is to remain 7 yards away from it, use good high quality targets and to wear safety glasses. The chances of being hurt are minimal.
I own p226 since in early 80’s German made; to me this is my survivor side arm, very reliable and accurate. I own Berretta 92, Glock 17 and S&W 59 series 9mm. Which I sold.
I also own a west German made P226! It was a factory refurbished used gun. It literally was like brand new and even came with a warranty as it had been through the factory and touched up and had night sights put on it and all new springs as well! It is one of my favorite handguns! Yet all my handguns are my favorite but I feel the West German made Sig is a little bit more special due to the fact that those are getting harder and harder to find!
I bought my daughter a stainless 226 on her 18th birthday.( It was the only thing she wanted) Fourteen years later she is a special agent for US customs service and she still carries it as her primary service handgun. On a side note, from the very first of her customs training she could out shoot any of the instructors.
I came here from Hickok45 and I'm impressed with your reviews. They are brief, thorough, no-nonsense, informative and great to watch. I love them. Very well done and I'm looking forward to the sub so I can watch all your past and future videos over and over. Regards, Ben (AU)
I currently carry a Beretta 92fs in the desert somewhere in the middle east gulf region which translates to humid hot climate and sometimes very dry. W weapon has seen a significant amount of rust. Then again, my Sig p220 was a rust bucket in south Florida. Both have proven reliable though. My glock has never rusted and has been equally reliable. Take from it what you want. I will say that this 92 fs has taken some physical punishment that would surely rip off the plastic sights of a glock.
They both have their following. From a functional standpoint both have good reputations for reliability (I have read reports the snubby PX4's have feeding issues but I've not confirmed this in my own testing). If I were to choose one I would go with the Sig because I have more experience with it, not because it's notably superior functionally to the PX4. I would head to the shop and handle both and see which one works best for you. I do have a SMLE but I'll have to pick up some .303 for it.
That's good to hear you really like the G19. That was the pistol I have been looking at most closely for my first handgun purchase (and CCW). So far everyone I've mentioned that to has had nothing but good things to say about it.
Boy isn't that the truth with the slide release, I do that with my sigs and my CZ too. Same thing, 1911 is what I started learning on and all of the things I learned there transfer to other weapons. My wife's favorite gun in the safe is her Sig 226 in 40, it is something to see how well it shoots.
I actually have to disagree with you, I shoot high thumbs just like you and I’ve noticed that being left-handed I can ride the slide with both thumbs and not accidentally disengage the slide stop as I do with many modern ambidextrous polymer pistols. I’m also used to shooting a right hand gun, dropping the magazine with my left middle finger, so working the decocking lever with my left hand isn’t in issue
I have a P226 Legion and a P225 Single stack. The 225's slide lock is easy to access but when I purchased the 226 Legion the slide lock was very difficult to lock open and I could not use it to release the slide. I went to a gunsmith and he welded an extension on and ground out the grip a little and it worked fine. I used it at a Strategos security workshop and had no malfunctions in 600 rounds. I've not read of others having this problem.
