The Classic P226: a quick first look

[Harry Callahan]

Dang it, I miss my old one. It was an ex-RCMP piece from 1984.

Buttery smooth and shot like a dream.

It sure does shoot like a dream.

I still have “my shooter” which is a few months older than the one shown in your pictures. An early ‘85 yellow box 226 that I enjoy shooting from time to time. It’s in perfect shape compared to the forces ERT guns that were cosmetically abused but with the right care and maintenance are still fully operational and quite accurate.

The force bought their first large run in the U120### range in mid-late ‘84 and a few were also bought in early ‘86 in the U136### range with the famous mud-rails. Most of them were sold to a few gun shops in the early 90’s and had the left side of the slide “smooth off” to remove all RCMP markings before landing in civilians hands.

 

[Odd Shot]

Thanks for sharing the history, Harry. Very interesting.

Just curious though: how do you have a nice gun like that and not shoot it for almost 30 years?

 

[Livingston5]

This is just so beautiful.

 

[Harry Callahan]

Thanks for sharing the history, Harry. Very interesting.

Just curious though: how do you have a nice gun like that and not shoot it for almost 30 years?

I’ve owned multiple W. German SIG’s through the years, and my main shooter is from ‘85. This one was kept unfired in it’s factory box with papers and test target along with some RCMP marked pistols in their factory yellow boxes that I also sold recently.

 

[Odd Shot]

Harry, I wish I clicked open your ad in the EE.
Now I'm kicking myself for missing out.

Master-G, congrats again on the purchase. Very nice!

 

[Retriever]

I bought my " Certified Pre Owned " ( not kidding) 226 about 8 years ago when I was ordering a 220 Equinox.The dealer then showed me this older style,non rail 226 with a case,2 mags,a lock and the usual Sig manual with " Certified Pre Owned " stamped on the cover for $795.The gun was in perfect condition without any holster wear or scratches.I bought it on the spot and I think he explained that some organizations lease their firearms before they are sent back for re-conditioning ( maybe to Exeter or some other contractor ).He mentioned the U.S postal service as an example of where this gun had come from.

Maybe the gun had a " best before date " before being used in a work place shooting in the U.S Postal service.

 

[toyboy]

this is a police tradein i just got in the states.it's in ok condition.
cost me (with FFL fee) 435USD(in case you're curious)

a bit more wear on the outer barrel area and aluminum frame than i'd care for but it's a .40 s&w police tradein with E2 grips it came with
and weak night sights.

shoots good but double action a bit long for my small hands.

 

[Chuckbuster]

Dang it, I miss my old one. It was an ex-RCMP piece from 1984.

Buttery smooth and shot like a dream.

Out of curiosity, did those RCMP guns have the Mountie on horseback stamped on them? Or were there other agency stamps?

Edit: Just saw the answer to my question in a post that I had yet to read; all RCMP identifiers were removed.

 

[TK-Hryciuk]

That thing is in almost perfect condition, that's a good find. I love late 80's handguns. I have a 1982 Swiss P75 that shoots like a dream but it is not in nearly as nice of shape as your 226.

 

[Harry Callahan]

this is a police tradein i just got in the states.it's in ok condition.
cost me (with FFL fee) 435USD(in case you're curious)

a bit more wear on the outer barrel area and aluminum frame than i'd care for but it's a .40 s&w police tradein with E2 grips it came with
and weak night sights.

shoots good but double action a bit long for my small hands.

Good price. That’s a US made slide with external extractor mated to a German frame. The full German pistols are triple serial stamped , on the frame, slide and barrel.

 

[Hitzy]

My first hand gun was a P220 9mm, these were New from Milarm for $650, originally made in 38Super and converted to 9mm at Sig for sale as I guess 38 super was not popular. Mags are double stamped 38Super/9mm and have had the 9mm spacer and follower installed. It's the most accurate 9mm I have ever owned, great shooting little gun.

 

[rkm456]

I’ve owned a Norinco copy of the 1911 before. While a decent gun it wasn’t the real thing and wasn’t as nice in fit, finish or function as the real thing. Maybe the Norinco clone of the 226 is different but I’m uneasy about them

It's not and anyone who says it is is lying to themselves and others.

 

[Meroh]

I’ve owned a Norinco copy of the 1911 before. While a decent gun it wasn’t the real thing and wasn’t as nice in fit, finish or function as the real thing. Maybe the Norinco clone of the 226 is different but I’m uneasy about them

I have a W German one and have handled the Norinco clone.

The finish on the clone is a little rougher than the P226 but it is definitely better than the Norinco 1911 which I didn't care for and sold for an SAM 1911.

For $350, the Norinco clone isn't a bad choice. But I can understand wanting an original

It's not and anyone who says it is is lying to themselves and others.

Actually, the newer Nork pistols have a lot better finish than they did just a few years ago. The Sig Clone is a nice pistol, I had a NP59; beautiful fit and finish, but the grip was large for my hand, and since I grew up shooting High Standard .22s, 1911s and CZ clones, (Nork and Jericho, and I still have both) I never got used to the long reset; very accurate though. I think the fixed that on Sigs newer pistols. Trigger pull was OK, just long. I love the Sig pattern de-cocker; got the one on my Jericho beat by a mile.

Get a new Nork for 340, put a set of better grips on it (20-50 bucks) and shoot the hell out of it. If you decide you like the Sig pattern and want to buy a real one; sell the Nork for $300.00 If you get a Sig for 1200 and decide you want something else, you can sell it for 800 or 900; more of a loss than the Nork

 

[pacobillie]

I’ve owned a Norinco copy of the 1911 before. While a decent gun it wasn’t the real thing and wasn’t as nice in fit, finish or function as the real thing. Maybe the Norinco clone of the 226 is different but I’m uneasy about them

The Norinco NP-22 (copy of SIG 226) that I have shot with was the least disappointing of all the Norinco handguns that I have handled.

 

[MattE93]

If the tigger is okay. Maybe I’ll pick one up. It’s my first 9mm handgun so I don’t need to get a $1000 competition grade gun. I am mostly looking at something that is easy enough to shoot that I can learn better fundamentals before I move up to something expensive

 

[Bartok5]

Nice write-up! Among my other handguns, I run a SIG P226 Legion SAO and a (recently-acquired) SIG P226 Long Dust Cover (LDC) with Short-Reset Trigger (SRT). Both pistols are equally accurate to the extent that even I can tear a single ragged hole with 10 rounds at 8 yds. That said, the LDC is by far the tamer of the two pistols to fire due to the added weight of the full-length Dust Cover and the Stainless Frame, Slide, Barrel and Guide-Rod. The LDC is a much heavier pistol and it just soaks up both recoil and muzzle-flip. If I were able to carry one however, my choice would be the much lighter weight Legion SAO.

SAO:

LDC:

 

[Odd Shot]

Delete

 

[MattE93]

I’m out in Calgary. I have the option map of a Norinco NP22 for $300 or a Canik TP9SA for $410 not sure which route to go

 

[Bartok5]

I’m out in Calgary. I have the option map of a Norinco NP22 for $300 or a Canik TP9SA for $410 not sure which route to go

The Canik TP9SA is without question, the far superior of the two economy-priced pistols that you have down-selected. Given the two choices, dispense with the Chinese clone. Norincos are (in my personal eperience) all sharp edges, rough metal work and thin finishes. The Caniks are actually high-quality, duty-grade handguns manufactured on modern CNC machinery. Go with the Canik and you won't regret your choice (unless you happen to be one of those folks with a hate-on for all things Turkish....).

 

[Meroh]

The Canik TP9SA is without question, the far superior of the two economy-priced pistols that you have down-selected. Given the two choices, dispense with the Chinese clone. Norincos are (in my personal eperience) all sharp edges, rough metal work and thin finishes. The Caniks are actually high-quality, duty-grade handguns manufactured on modern CNC machinery. Go with the Canik and you won't regret your choice (unless you happen to be one of those folks with a hate-on for all things Turkish....).

Newer Norks are finished much better; however the Caniks, some have written that they are an improvement over the Sigs; better trigger, shorter reset, improved ergonomics. I have not seen very many in the used market either; that is a good sign; but considering the number of norks sold, have not seen all that many of their NP22 in this used market either.