SIG-226
Summary
| Country | 🇨🇭 Switzerland |
| Category | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Manufacturer | Sig Sauer |
Technical specifications
| SIG-226 | |
|---|---|
| Fire Rate | 30 rounds/min. |
| Caliber | 9 x 19 mm Parabellum |
| Magazine | 15 - 20 rounds |
| Length | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Weight | 0.867 kg (1.9 lb) |
| Range | 50 m (164 ft) |
Description
The SIG Sauer P226 is a full-sized service pistol manufactured by SIG Sauer. It is chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum, .40 S&W, .357 SIG, and .22 Long Rifle. Sharing the same mechanism of operation as the SIG Sauer P220, the P226 was developed to accommodate higher capacity, double-stack magazines, unlike the P220's single-stack magazines. The P226 design has led to further variants, including the compact P228 and P229, and the subcompact P224. The SIG Sauer P226 and its variants are used by numerous law enforcement and military organizations globally.
Historically, the P226 is connected to Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft (SIG), a Swiss entity now known as Sig Sauer AG. SIG collaborated with German gun manufacturer J.P. Sauer & Sohn starting in 1975, leading to the development of the P220, the first SIG Sauer handgun sold in the US, initially marketed by Browning. The P220 built upon the Petter-Browning design of the SIG P210 but featured a different locked breech design pioneered by SIG Sauer. The P226 was specifically developed for the US Army's 1984 XM9 Service Pistol Trials, part of the Joint Service Small Arms Program, aimed at replacing various handguns, including the M1911A1. In the trials, only the Beretta 92SBF and the SIG P226 successfully completed the requirements. The M9 contract was awarded to Beretta for the 92F based on a lower total package cost, although the P226 pistol had a lower individual price. Initially imported by Saco Defense for the XM9 trials, Interarms later handled civilian sales. SIG Sauer subsequently founded SIGARMS, Inc., later renamed SIG Sauer, in the United States for importation.
The P226 is a double-stack handgun. It was originally produced with a stamped-steel slide on an aluminum alloy frame, though the slide design was later updated, similarly to the milled slide design of the P229. The pistol is available with options including accessory rails and forged stainless steel frames. Conversion barrels allow caliber changes between .40 S&W/.357 SIG and 9mm. The P226 E2 variant, focusing on "Enhanced Ergonomics," featured a reduced grip size and a trigger reach shortened by over 13 mm, incorporating a Short Reset Trigger, aggressive grip texture, and a new one-piece grip panel configuration. The E2-style grip system has since been incorporated into other P226 variants. Commercial versions may feature a universal accessory rail and an anchor engraving on the slide.
Variants of the P226 include:
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The P228 compact model: It features a shorter 99 mm barrel, typically chambered in 9×19mm with a 13-round capacity, though it can use P226 magazines. Visually, the P228 has a curved trigger guard compared to the P226's slightly hooked one and is about 15 mm shorter.
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The P229 compact model: Introduced in 1992, it is similar to the P228 but features a CNC-milled stainless steel slide designed to handle calibers like .40 S&W and .357 SIG in addition to 9mm. The P229 is offered in both DA/SA and DAK (DAO) configurations. Many variants available for the P226 are also produced for the P229.
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The P224 subcompact variant: It featured a 3.5-inch barrel and was available in 9mm, .357 SIG, and .40 S&W before being discontinued in 2016. It was initially DAO, later reintroduced as DA/SA.
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The P226 Navy: Adopted as the Mk25 Mod 0 by the US Navy SEALs and DEVGRU, commercial versions like the P226-9-NAVY feature an anchor-engraved stainless steel slide.
Copies of the P226, such as the Norinco NP22 and its variants, and the ZOAF clone, are manufactured internationally.
In its operational history, the P226 competed in the 1984 US Army XM9 trials but was not selected for the general service pistol contract. However, the US Navy SEALs began using the P226 in the 1980s following evaluation by German Kampfschwimmer and formally adopted it in 1989 as the Mk25 Mod 0. The compact P228, designated M11, serves with various law enforcement agencies and the United States Armed Forces. The M11 in Army and Air Force service is scheduled to be replaced, with the SIG Sauer P320 Compact (M18) being selected as the Modular Handgun System replacement in 2017.
The SIG Sauer P226 and its variants are utilized by a wide range of military and law enforcement entities worldwide, including the US Navy SEAL teams and DEVGRU, who adopted the P226 (Mk25 Mod 0), and the P228, designated M11, which is also in service with various law enforcement agencies and components of the United States Armed Forces.