WTH do Sig Sauer's terms mean?

[skimmer]

There's Elites, Legions, there's RMX's and other stuff. What's it mean?
I hate how a company would go through the trouble of making 15 different models of the same platform and not bother to delineate anywhere what separates them. I'm not interested in searching through multiple pages figuring out what separates two identical looking guns.
Grinds my gears dagnabbit!

Does anyone have some input on this?

 

[ArmedGinger]

Each model has certain differences than the other. It could be a difference in the beavertail, the trigger, the finish, the grips etc.

It's sort of like models of cars. One might have a different engine or a special paint job not found on the baseline model.

 

[Wendell]

 

[Wendell]

 

[nitroxace]

P226 Rail

The P226 Rail (or P226R) is the same as a P226, but it has a rail on the underside of the frame, just forward of the trigger guard. The P226R's rail has a more rounded contour than the military standard M1913 Picatinny rail and while most Picatinny-rail accessories will fit, not all will. This has now become the standard P226.[SUP][1][/SUP]
P226 Tactical

A P226R with an extended 127 mm (5.0 in) barrel and external threads to accept a suppressor.
P226 Navy

U.S. Navy SEAL teams started using the SIG P226 in the 1980s.
The first Naval Special Warfare mil-spec P226 pistols to be offered to the public were the NSW Commemoratives, issued in early 2004. The SIG P226-9-NAVY is a version of the SIG P226 that is produced to the exact specifications of the pistols supplied to Navy SEALs, including special phosphate corrosion-resistant finish on internal parts, contrast sights, and a stainless steel slide engraved with an anchor to designate them as Naval Special Warfare pistols. SIGARMS raised $100,000 for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation through the sale of these NSW serialized pistols. The pistol bearing serial number NSW0001 was sold during a live auction on the nationally syndicated Laura Ingraham radio show for an additional $25,000. Later produced commercial versions also included a universal rail for accessory attachments while retaining the anchor and phosphated internal components but no night sights.[SUP][6][/SUP]
P226 MK25

Released in 2011, the MK25 has been advertised by SIG as being identical to firearm carried by the U.S. Navy SEALs. Features that help identify it amongst other P226 variants include the gold anchor on the left side of the slide and the UID identification label on the right side of the pistol, a mil-spec picatinny rail and the UID identification label being most important as SIG also has a firearm called the P226 Navy (item number: E26R-9-NSWG), which is listed as a discontinued product. Mechanically and functionally, the two pistols are identical.[SUP][7][/SUP] Other features of the firearm include an anti-corrosion coating applied to all of the internals of the pistol as well as to the controls and SIGLITE Night Sights.[SUP][8][/SUP]
P226 Blackwater

Introduced in 2007, the SIG P226 Blackwater was designed in cooperation with the Blackwater Training Center. It featured SIGLITE front and rear night sights, the Blackwater USA logo on the slide and wood grips, an integral Picatinny rail, black anodized frame, and Nitron-coated stainless steel slide. It was only available in 9×19mm Parabellum, with a double-action/single-action (DA/SA) trigger. The gun was sold with five 15-round 9mm magazines. The P226 Blackwater was discontinued in 2009 with the release of the P226 Blackwater Tactical[SUP][9][/SUP] - a nearly identical pistol also with 20 round 9mm magazines.[SUP][10][/SUP] The Blackwater Tactical has since been discontinued, having been replaced by the Tactical Operations. It is essentially the same weapon, but lacks Blackwater markings.
P226 SCT

The P226 SCT (Super Capacity Tactical) is an all black, Nitron finished P226 featuring front cocking serrations, accessory rail, a SIGLITE rear night sight, a TRUGLO Tritium Fiber Optic front sight and comes with four newly designed 20-round magazines for the 9mm version or four 15-round magazines for the .40S&W version.
P226 Equinox

The P226 Equinox comes chambered in .40 S&W and features a two-tone accented design. The design is achieved by the brush polished flats of the slide and nickel accents of the gun's controls. The P226 Equinox comes with a TRUGLO Tritium Fiber Optic front sight, rear SIGLITE night sights, SIG accessory rail, and gray laminated wood grips.
P226 ST

The SIG Sauer P226 ST was a limited production all-stainless version of the SIG P226 pistol. It is heavier than a standard P226 because the frame was made of stainless steel instead of aluminum. Weight with the magazine was a hefty 1,196 g (42.2 oz) vs 964 g (34.0 oz) of the standard aluminum-framed version. The added weight of an all-stainless frame is claimed to provide greater recoil reduction and a quicker return to target between shots making it a common choice among Practical Shooting competitors. The P226 Stainless had a blued barrel and featured an M1913 Picatinny rail. These frames were made in Germany. Prototypes were tested in 2004 and it went into production in very limited numbers. The P226 ST is no longer manufactured.
P226R HSP

On sale 2005-09-11, SIG Sauer Homeland Security Pistols (HSP) are the same models SIG builds for the United States Department of Homeland Security. This is a limited production run of 1,000 P226R HSP pistols available engraved with the American flag and Homeland Security X of 1000. Additionally, each pistol comes in .40 S&W caliber and is engraved with serial number barcoding just like those which were shipped to DHS. The HSP also features the new DAK trigger, a stainless steel Nitron slide topped with SIGLITE night sights, and a light weight alloy frame with rail.
There is also a P229R HSP model available with the same features.
P226 X-Five

German 226 X5
The SIG Sauer P226 X-Five is a competition only variant of the P226 with a 127 mm (5.0 in) slide and barrel, beavertail grip, and an adjustable rear target sight. Intended for IPSC Wa1500, bullseye and other centrefire competitive shooting, the X-Five is hand-fitted and assembled in Germany, and its resulting accuracy accordingly rivals the SIG P210. Available in 9mm or .40 S&W, there are five models being offered in the United States:

• The "Competition" model has a single-action-only (SA) trigger, ambidextrous thumb safety, flared magazine well, and high-capacity magazines (19-round 9mm/ 14-round .40 S&W).
• The "Level-1" model adds a special adjustable SA trigger and Nill wood grips.
• The "Lightweight" model is similar to the "Level-1" but with an alloy rather than stainless frame. (US models only chambered for 9mm.)
• The "Allround" model has a double-action/single-action (DA/SA) trigger, a decocking lever and a standard magazine well designed to accommodate P226 magazines.
• The "Tactical" model comes with a black Ilaflon finish, and features a heavy-weight alloy frame with a SIG rail, and fixed contrast or tritium night sights. Available in single action only (SAO) configuration. The X-Five Tactical model is only available in 9mm.[SUP][11][/SUP]
• The "Norway" is a very limited edition model that was created for the Norwegian Special Forces and comes completely made of stainless steel with a PVC coating. There were approximately sixteen of these imported to the "USA" total making them extremely scarce.

All SIG P226 X-Five models include a factory test target with a sub-50 mm (2.0 in) 5-shot grouping from 25 m (27 yd).
P226 X-Six

The SIG P226 X-Six is designed, manufactured, and marketed as a precision pistol under SIG's sporting firearm line. The X-Six features an extended slide and frame to accommodate a 152 mm (6.0 in) barrel, an ambidextrous manual safety and a trigger adjustable for pull weight, distance and stop. To further enhance the X-Six's sporting pedigree the pistol features as standard low profile adjustable sights, grip grooves cut into the front of the frame, lightweight magazine extension and NILL sporting grip plates.

• The P226 X-Six is also offered with an aluminum frame. This model, designated the P226 X-Six AL is identical to its steel frame counterpart in every way yet weighs in at only 1,070 g (38 oz).

P226 Elite

A SIG Sauer P226 Elite Dark with attached Streamlight TLR-1s weapon light. Note the extended beavertail.
The P226 Elite adds an ergonomic extended beavertail, forward cocking serrations, front strap checkering, custom wood grips, adjustable combat night sights, and the Short Reset Trigger (SRT). SIG engineers designed the SRT to provide the same safety and action of the SIG DA/SA trigger with a reset that is 60% shorter for faster trigger return during high speed shooting. The Elite Dark is equipped with alloy grips produced by Hogue instead of wood. The Platinum Elite also has aluminum grips. The P226 Elite line is available in 9mm, .357 SIG, and .40 S&W.
P226 Combat

Like the P220 Combat before it, the two models, P226 Combat and P226 Combat TB (Threaded Barrel), are available in DA/SA. Their frames are "Flat Dark Earth" in compliance with the Combat Pistol program. The Combat model comes with night sights, a Nitron-finished slide and barrel, fore slide serrations, desert tan polymer grips and a military standard M1913 Picatinny rail as well as phosphate coated internals. The TB model features an extra 15 mm (0.59 in) on the barrel, and external threads to accept a suppressor.
P226 E2

SIG Sauer P226 E2. Note magazine capacity in this picture is capped at 10 rounds.
Introduced at the 2010 SHOT Show, the P226 E2 at the time was a significant update to the P226 line. 'E2' (pronounced 'E-squared'), or otherwise known as "Enhanced Ergonomics", is SIG Sauer's attempt to make the large frame gun more ergonomic for persons with small and medium sized hands. A reduced grip size and reduced reach trigger bring the trigger face back more than 13 mm (0.5 in), thus potentially allowing better trigger manipulation and control for a greater number of shooters. Other standard features include the Short Reset Trigger, aggressive grip finish texture, and a new wrap-around, one-piece grip panel configuration.[SUP][12][/SUP] The gun was discontinued from the P226 model lineup at the end of 2010 but the E2-style grip system has been adopted on and carried over to other P226 variants.
P226/P229 Classic 22

This .22LR models primary purpose is as practice or range pistols. The Classic 22 has an aluminum slide with a nitron finish (instead of the centerfire stainless steel slide) and a barrel chambered in .22LR. The Classic 22 slide assembly is complete with a lighter recoil spring and plastic guide rod. It also incorporates the same frame and operation as center fire P226 models. The Classic 22 model is available as a stand alone firearm or as a conversion kit to an existing center fire P226 or P229. Likewise, conversion kits (the Sig Sauer X-Change Kits) exist to convert a .22LR into 9mm, .40 S&W or .357 Sig.[SUP][13][/SUP][SUP][14][/SUP] The conversion can be accomplished by field stripping the firearm and replacing the slide assembly and magazine - a process that can be accomplished in seconds.
The Classic 22 use a 10-round polymer magazine in lieu of the steel magazines used by the center fire models and conversion kits.
The P226 Classic 22 should not be confused with the Sig Sauer Mosquito .22LR pistol. The Classic 22 is a full-sized P226 while the mosquito is modeled on the P226 but is 90% of the size. Also the Classic 22 is manufactured by Sig Sauer while the Mosquito is made under license by German Sport Guns GmbH.

 

[pirate604]

Thats a pretty comprehensive explanation. Lots of models with extra features. I like my standard 226r.
One that is not mentioned is the 226 LDC.

 

[skimmer]

Thanks a lot nitroxace!

 

[Light Infantry]

The post should be a sticky

 

[SigWig]

the LDC is the best out of all of them


legion has the most American hype

The SIG Sauer P226 Long Dust Cover, in stainless, Made in Germany

The full dust cover and accessory rail give this stainless beauty some great lines, features adjustable rear sights and a bright green fiber optic front sight.

Easy pointing, gets on target fast and stays there with a factory SIG short reset trigger.

Caliber: 9mm

- Long Dust Cover
- Hand stippled legacy grips (not E2)
- Stainless Finish
- 1913 Rail
- Skeletonized Hammer
- Hiviz Front Sight
- Adjustable Rear Sight


Stainless Frame Long Dust Cover (LDC) with SIG SAUER Rail Due to the Long Dust Cover the weight balance is optimized and the recoil jump is significantly reduced.

SRT (ShortResetTrigger) The new SRT Speed Trigger System with a reset of only 1,2mm allows unseen firing rates. An additional adjustable triggerstop enables the shooter to set the triggerstop to his needs.

Adjustable LPA rear sight ‘TPU’ 3-Dot An adjustable micrometer rear sight and the HiViz front sight provide a fast and clear aiming.






A note on the ldc; it uses a white tipped P229 recoil spring

 

[nitroxace]

Thanks a lot nitroxace!

No problem at all. I have to agree it can get confusing. I have taken a special interest in Sigs especially the older ones and deciphering the proof marks and date codes to see when they were produced.

I will post some info below regarding proofing and date codes.

 

[nitroxace]

Here is a very interesting article on SIG Sauer Proof Marks and Date Codes - Ferrari Steve March 17, 2016

https://www.realgunreviews.com/sig-sauer-proof-marks-date-codes/

If you’ve heard someone mention proof marks or date codes when discussing a SIG Sauer pistol, but weren’t quite sure what those were, then the goal of this article is to bring you up to speed. And even if you’re already familiar with proof marks, maybe this article can broaden your knowledge and teach you something new.
What are Proof Marks?

Proof marks are stamps embedded in certain parts of a firearm following (and sometimes during, depending on the firearm type) its manufacturing to indicate that the firearm has been “proven” to be able to handle the specific type of ammunition for which it was designed. In modern years, they truly do serve that purpose. But like many government regulations, their origins have more to do with self-interest than safety.
The first proof marks started appearing in 15th century France, and by the 17th century, European firearms guildsmen were heavily promoting their use — and lobbying their governments for laws requiring them — primarily to dissuade competition from non-guildsmen and scare potential purchasers away from un-proofed guns.
In 1637, after heavy lobbying from the London Gunmakers Company, a London-area firearms guild, King Charles I issued a Royal Charter setting firearms safety standards. The London Gunmakers Company set up a “proof house” in London, and not surprisingly… firearms makers who were not part of a guild tended to fail testing more often than the guild members. Guns that passed testing were stamped with a mark representing the proof house. Over the next few decades, other countries established their own safety standards and proof houses, along with their own unique marks. Much like reciprocity of modern concealed carry permits between states, some European countries began to recognize each others’ proof marks as a high enough testing standard for foreign countries’ firearms to be legally imported.
Fast forward to 1914, when a number of European countries formed the CIP (Commission Internationale Permanente pour l’Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives) as a formal standards group to ensure consistent testing among member countries. As of 2015, the CIP includes 14 member states. In order for a civilian firearm produced in a CIP member state to be legally imported to another CIP country, it must bear the proof mark of a CIP member state (military testing standards are, predictably, different than civilian ones). The United States does not participate in CIP, but instead formed its own standards group named SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute). While the CIP and SAAMI do share information and cooperate, neither has a requirement regarding selling in each other’s countries. Because the US is not a CIP member state, foreign guns do not need a CIP proof mark to be sold in the US, nor do US guns need a US proof mark to be sold in CIP member countries. This is an important fact that will become relevant again later in this article.
Examples of German Proof Marks

Here’s an assortment of mid 20th century proof marks used through Germany’s (and West Germany’s) history:

The top row (a) indicates the German (or East/West German, depending on the year) city in which the proof house is located. The column marked (b) shows various German/West German proof marks after 1945, while the column marked (c) shows German proof marks used from 1939-1945.
Here’s another image showing the marks of German/West German proof houses, along with the approximate year they were first in use:

German proof house marks and their dates of use


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Proof Marks on SIG Sauer Pistols

Depending on it’s vintage and model, you might see proof marks on a German / West German SIG’s frame:

Proof mark on a West German P220 frame


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Or on its barrel:

Proof marks on SIG P245 barrel


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On the slide chin (the underside of the slide near the muzzle end), which is the most common location for West German and German SIG Sauers:

Proof marks on the slide chin of a West German SIG Sauer pistol


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To make sense of these proof marks, let’s look at those on the above slide chin. Kiel Proof House Mark

The top proof mark indicates the Kiel Proof House. Since Kiel is only 17 miles from SIG Sauer’s manufacturing facility in Eckernförde, that’s the proof mark you should expect to see on a proofed SIG Sauer. Many refer to the Kiel mark as a “squashed bug,” while others have claimed it’s an oak leaf. Actually, the proof mark is based on the city of Kiel’s coat of arms:

City of Keil’s coat of arms, circa 1910


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…which in turn is based on the district of Schaumburg’s coat of arms:

Coat of arms of Schaumburg
​

The shape represents a Nesselblatt, or nettle leaf. Tradition held that the leaves of the nettle were symbolic of the nails used to crucify Christ, so the three larger leaves represent the nails of the crucifixion.All true German and West German SIGs were test fired at the Kiel proof house, so the Nesselblatt proof mark is an indicator of a true German or West German SIG. I’ve also heard one report of the Ulm proof house’s stag antler mark appearing on a the frame and slide of a 1993 SIG P226 (in addition to the Kiel mark on the slide), which would imply that the firearm required repair and re-proofing… and presumably the repair took place at a location that was closer to Ulm than Kiel. Normally, you’d expect to see the Ulm proof mark on a Walther or H&K firearm.

The German Definitive Mark and Nitro Testing

Underneath the Kiel Nesselblatt (though the order of the marks is not important), we find the image of an eagle with the letter “N” underneath. Some incorrectly believe that the eagle mark is a remnant of Nazi-era Germany, particularly since Germany’s firearms proof mark was a previously crown, and was changed to an eagle in 1939.
In actuality, the German Reichsadler (literally “Eagle of the Realm”) dates back to the eagle on the standard of the Roman Empire, and was used as a symbol of the Second German Empire as early as 1871… long before the National Socialist German Workers’ Party. The same eagle design has continued its use in West Germany since 1945, but under a new name of Bundesadler, or “Union Eagle.”
The Eagle-N mark signifies that the firearm was proofed in Germany (or West Germany, depending on when the firearm was proofed), while the “N” indicates that the firearm was proofed using a Nitro Beschuss load. “Beschuss” translates as “bombardment,” “shelling,” or “firing” depending on context, and “nitro” is short for “nitrocellulose,” a highly flammable compound used to creates pressures inside the firearm higher than standard gun powder.
Pistols are delivered to the proof houses in their fully assembled form for proofing. For pistols, CIP standards require cartridges that generate pressure 30% higher than the standard ammunition for which the pistol is designed, so the two high pressure nitro rounds are fired through the pistol. Technicians then disassemble the pistol and examine it in a dark room using a fluoroscopic lamp, looking for magnetic flux leakage. Provided everything looks good, the pistol is re-assembled and receives the country’s CIP proof mark indicating what type of test it passed (the Eagle-N or “definitive” mark in the case of a German gun), the mark of the proof house, and marks indicating the date of the tests. The firearms is then returned to the manufacturer who can legally sell the firearm domestically or export it to another CIP country.
The “nitro” proof mark is also referred to as the “definitive” (or final) mark of the proof house, as opposed to a “provisional” mark which would generally only apply to shotgun barrels in an early stage of manufacture, which are tested at proof houses to prevent the manufacturer from continuing work on defective tubes.
Date Codes

Looking back at our photo, the “JK” under the definitive proof mark is the date code. Date codes are two-letter indicators of the year that a firearm was proofed. Major German firearms companies such as Heckler and Koch, Walther, and SIG Sauer all used a similar date code format:

German gun manufacturers used these letters in place of numbers for date codes


​

Just to keep things interesting, SIG Sauer chose not to use the letter “I” because it looked too much like the numeral “1,” so J = 8 in SIG speak. The proof house in Koln (Cologne), Germany also follows this format. Walther and Heckler & Koch chose to use “I” for 8 but skip “J,” except that you will see a “J” on an H&K magazine’s date code. Gotta love German logic. ��Using the above table, we can determine that the “JK” date code in the photo stands for “89” — meaning this firearm was proofed in 1989… which coincidentally happened to be the year the Berlin Wall came down. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the pistol was manufactured in 1989. It’s quite possible the barrel was made in 1986, the frame in 1987, and the slide in 1988… but that all the parts weren’t assembled together into a firearm and delivered to a proof house until 1989. Or it’s possible that all the parts were actually made in 1989, and then assembled and proofed that same year. There’s no way to know. A true German / West German firearm isn’t technically “born” until it’s been proofed.

Note that a gun’s date code is different than its serial number. It’s impossible to decode a SIG serial number to determine when it was proofed, although you can try to locate the range of your SIG’s serial number in this list to approximate when it was made, or call SIG Sauer with the serial number and see if they have any info in their system. Serial numbers aren’t always truly representative of the chronological order of a firearm, but they can sometimes get you close. Only a date code can tell you the year of proofing.
Proofed vs. Non-Proofed “Made in Germany” Guns

If you’ve read my article on West German vs. German vs. Other SIGs, you’ll know that proof marks are one of the primary indicators or whether a SIG Sauer (or any other firearm) is truly “made” in Germany (or West Germany) as opposed to assembled in the US using German-made parts… even though the parts might be stamped “Made in Germany.” Because the US is not a CIP country, guns marked “Made in Germany” do not need to be proofed in order to be sold here, as long as they are assembled in the US.

In my opinion, a gun without German proof marks (with very few exceptions) is not truly a German gun. Whether that actually affects the desirability or quality of the gun is for you to decide. But you should at least be aware that for most SIG purists, the existence of proof marks is what determines whether a gun is correctly referred to as “Made in Germany.”
Putting it All Together

Now that you know how to decode proof marks and date codes, see if you can figure out where and when the following firearms were proofed. Most are SIGs, but I threw some other German guns in there just for fun. ��

Proof marks on a SIG Sauer P220 barrel


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Normally, the proof house mark is above the definitive mark on a SIG, but this is a very early SIG P220
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H&K 93 proof marks
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Walther P99
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This gun has clearly got around
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[Meroh]

I have had the chance to fire a "Navy"; worst trigger on any firearm; pistol or rifle I ever fired. Norks have a better trigger (not even joking).

 

[pubb]

• The "Norway" is a very limited edition model that was created for the Norwegian Special Forces and comes completely made of stainless steel with a PVC coating. There were approximately sixteen of these imported to the "USA" total making them extremely scarce.

Impressive and exhaustive listing, but is it PVC or PVD? I am trying to figure out how a gun coated in 1/8" plastic dip could function