Developed for the military, the P226 became a premier police service pistol.
Introduced in 1983, the P226 evolved from the P220 as a large-capacity 9mm. It was SIG’s entry in the U.S. trials for what would become the nation’s new military service pistol. When those grueling and I comprehensive tests were done, only two handguns stood at the top of the heap: The SIG P226 and the Beretta 92F.
Beretta won the contract. Some said that they had underbid SIG, either on the pistols themselves or on the combined package including magazines, parts, and accessories. Others hinted darkly that a deal had been brokered. Rumor had it that the U.S. wanted to place cruise missiles in Italy, and that Italy in return wanted a fat contract for their military arms industry, which included Beretta.
One thing is certain: the SIG came through the test with flying colors. Even Beretta fans do not attempt to debate the fact that the SIG P226 at the very least tied their favorite gun. Firearms historian Larry Wilson wrote the following in The World of Beretta: An International Legend.
“In winning the contract,” Wilson stated flatly, “the Beretta was one of only two candidates to complete satisfactorily the testing program. The other finalist was the Swiss-German firm of SIG-Sauer.” (1)
Three generations of the 9mm SIG-Sauer P226. Top, the first classic: note unique checkering pattern on grips, internal extractor, hollow slide pin. Center, the next generation: note cobblestone pattern of grip roughening, external extractor, solid slide pin. Below, the latest: same as center gun, but with Picatinny accessory attachment rail integral to dust cover of frame.
Let’s look at the perspectives of some other authorities. Vietnam combat vet and world-renowned authority on military small arms Chuck Karwan commented, “The P226 9mm was designed specifically to compete in the U.S. trials to replace the M1911A1 .45. It was co-winner of the trials but lost in the final bidding process to the Beretta M92F. Many, including the author, felt that the P226 was the better pistol.” (2)
Another noted handgun expert, Tim Mullin, has this to say about the P226 in those U.S. military trials, “This is the pistol the U.S. military forces actually wanted when they adopted a 9X19mm pistols. …(it was the choice of) many elite military units, the most famous being the Navy SEALS. After they broke the M92 repeatedly, they refused delivery of any more Beretta pistols and bought SIG P226 pistols instead. This pistol is also used by many federal law enforcement agencies.” (3)
Top, P226 from the early 1980s. This one has been retrofitted with short-reach trigger and Crimson Trace LaserGrips, and Trijicon night sights installed aftermarket in the mid-80s. Below, its successor: this is the “rail gun” variation, with SIGLite night sights and standard length trigger. Both of these specimens are chambered for 9mm.
Chuck Taylor is another highly respected authority on combat handguns. His take on the JSSAP trials goes thus, “(The P226) was originally designed to satisfy the criteria of the infamous U.S. military Joint Service Small Arms Program handgun trials, wherein many ‘in the know’ claim that the P226 actually outperformed the eventual choice, the Beretta M92.” (4) Appropriately enough, Taylor’s comments on the SIG P226 appear on p. 226 of the book in question, the fourth edition of the Gun Digest Book of Combat Handgunnery.
All these authorities have good opinions of the P226 pistol, and all are on record explaining why. “…while I feel the concept around which the modern high-capacity auto is based to be dreadfully ill-advised, I also feel that the P226 is one of the best-designed and best-built examples of the breed,” says Taylor. “It is extremely well made and finished, featuring a black anodized frame and Parkerized slide, and presents a formidable appearance, backed by solid functionality. It is one of the most accurate self-loaders I have ever fired and possesses well-conceived human engineering features.”
Continues Taylor, “Its decocking lever and slide lock/release are all centrally located for quick, easy manipulation. In addition, it feeds most anything you care to stuff into the magazine, including the latest exotic JHP designs. It field strips in less than five seconds. A rebounding hammer and white-dot-front, white-outline-rear sight combination completes its formidable package…One of the most user-friendly large-capacity DA autos produced, the P226 also points well and presents few edges to cut skin or abrade concealment clothing.
“So,” he concludes, “if you’re one of those who prefers a large-capacity auto, you can’t really go wrong with the P226. In fact, while it’s certainly no secret that I’m not an advocate of the concept, I find the P226 to be a pleasant gun to shoot and prefer it hands-down over all other large-capacity DA 9mm pistols. It isn’t a cheap gun, but it’s well worth its price.” (5)
“The SIG pistols of any style are always quite accurate,” explains Mullin. “They vary from excellent to outstanding in my experience.” He concludes, “I agree with the SEALS: if you can, pick the SIG over the Beretta…You can’t go wrong by selecting this pistol if you are looking for a full-size battle pistol.” (6)
For many years, the P226 was standard with FBI SWAT and was issued to FBI Academy classes, as was the P228.
Karwan quantifies his appreciation of the big SIG 9mm. “Of all the high-capacity 9mm pistols, the P226 has one of the most comfortable and naturally pointing grip shapes. The trigger reach is a little long for some people with small hands but SIG offers an optional short trigger to help in that regard. With good ammunition the P226 is on the average one of the most accurate service pistols on the market. Its double-action trigger is quite smooth and reasonably light, making the transition from a long double-action first shot to the subsequent single-action shots easy to accomplish…The P226 is expensive compared to some of its competition but it is a superbly made, very accurate, and very reliable fighting handgun.” (7)
Since the thumb does not have to manipulate a safety catch on the frame or the slide, shooter with SIG P226 can take this extremely powerful “master grip” with thumb curled down and actually touching middle finger. It’s the strongest start for handgun retention if there’s a struggle for the gun, and no grasp is stronger when a pistol is fired one hand only. When thumb is curled down, it cannot ride the slide lock lever and prevent the slide from staying open on the last round, a common problem with some other right-handed grasp techniques.
Wiley Clapp brings both police and military experience to the table when he evaluates handguns, which is something he has done successfully full-time for a number of years now. In the Gun Digest Book of 9mm Handguns, he wrote, “Apparently the (P226’s) magazine was designed with considerable care, as the gun fired without a single glitch in the course of hundreds of rounds. When the magazine design is increased to nearly double capacity, the butt
