I think the stainless steel would offer slightly more durability over the nitron framed Sigs. The stainless steel ones are noticably heavier though. My Elite Stainless 226 weighs almost twice as much as a Glock 19. Its the softest shooting 9mm I've shot though due to the added weight.
Stainless Steel Sigs more durable than Alum Alloy?
- Thread starter evolture
- Start date
Gosh, and I was impressed with the Glock endurance/torture test that went more than 100,000 rounds. Well, assuming target range rental guns arewell maintained and not really abused, still 2M rounds is mind-boggling.
So my next decision is whether to buy two hideously ugly Glock 17s or one gorgeous Sig Elite Stainless
I would buy the Sig Elite Stainless over the Glock any day.
BTW, I'm also a huge Glock fan. However I just feel the Sig is a much better pistol.
It's true, the stainless framed guns recoil much less. Interestingly, I had a stainless P220 in .45 Auto, and decided to sell it becuse it didn't kick enough! I'm not joking...I went back to the alloy version because it felt more fun to me.
Nice to know they can last that long.
This http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=39115 is one of the reasons as to why I bought a SIG. It just seemed to be a reliable and long lasting firearm.
I'm not sure who told you this ( a salesman maybe?) but I am pretty doubtful about that number. Not that the SIGs do not outperform most other guns in the durability area. But TSE only uses about 800,00rds of 9mm over a year. So that SIG would have had to have been the only 9mm range gun for three years to amass a total that high.
FWIW the aluminum framed SIGs lasted more than several years too. Given the sample size, it is possible that the steel framed guns last longer, but the issue is still open to interpretation.
Danimal247
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toronto, ON
I think a stainless slide on a stainless frame is more durable than a stainless/aluminum combo - but regardless both should outlast us so it's not really an issue.
#1bcshooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- North Of The DMZ (US border)
Before BP7 gets hysterical, for comparison purposes, I'm going to refer to aluminum alloy as alloy.
I just bought a used P226 in 40 calibre. It's the stainless model, and it really is quite heavy. It weighs 4 ounces more than a standard P220. It's much easier to stay on target with the extra weight. With a full magazine, it's as heavy as a 1911 government model. The accuracy factor should make carrying 4 ounces around well worth the effort.
As for durability, the heavier model might actually be more prone to failure than the lighter model. Remember, if you feel less recoil, that means less shock was transferred to your hand. That shock has to be absorbed by the frame. The steel in the heavier frame needs to be stronger than the "alloy" in the lighter model, or it will deform over time. If it's a softer material, it might begin to bend, and derform. If it's a brittle material, it will crack. There are some very strong, and very light, alloys out there. Without an actual formula for each model, it's kind of hard for us to predict what happens after thousands of rounds.
Personally, I'd put my money on steel, any day of the week.
I just bought a used P226 in 40 calibre. It's the stainless model, and it really is quite heavy. It weighs 4 ounces more than a standard P220. It's much easier to stay on target with the extra weight. With a full magazine, it's as heavy as a 1911 government model. The accuracy factor should make carrying 4 ounces around well worth the effort.
As for durability, the heavier model might actually be more prone to failure than the lighter model. Remember, if you feel less recoil, that means less shock was transferred to your hand. That shock has to be absorbed by the frame. The steel in the heavier frame needs to be stronger than the "alloy" in the lighter model, or it will deform over time. If it's a softer material, it might begin to bend, and derform. If it's a brittle material, it will crack. There are some very strong, and very light, alloys out there. Without an actual formula for each model, it's kind of hard for us to predict what happens after thousands of rounds.
Personally, I'd put my money on steel, any day of the week.
I'm gonna start calling guns cheesegraters from now on, since you feel like calling aluminum an alloy and calling steel a steel. Why not call steel an alloy and call aluminum aluminum?
Last time I checked, steel was an alloy and aluminum wasn't (unless it was specified as to the type, which would then also tell you how strong or brittle is and likely what heat treatment it got, as in 6061 or 7075 with a -Tx after it)
Last time I checked, steel was an alloy and aluminum wasn't (unless it was specified as to the type, which would then also tell you how strong or brittle is and likely what heat treatment it got, as in 6061 or 7075 with a -Tx after it)
What do you do? Stalk websites for syntax errors? If they actually made anything but screen doors with pure aluminum, you might have a point. The word "alloy" has become universally accepted when referring to materials other than traditional mild steel.
You need to calm down, you're embarrassing yourself.
You need to calm down, you're embarrassing yourself.
So what's the difference between steel and alloy? And why is titanium called titanium and not alloy when talking about guns, bikes, etc?
Just cuz it's universally done doesn't make it correct - especially when someone is asking to compare steel to alloy parts.
Which is lightest - carbon fiber, aramid, or composite?
Just cuz it's universally done doesn't make it correct - especially when someone is asking to compare steel to alloy parts.
Which is lightest - carbon fiber, aramid, or composite?
Why not just say aluminum (aluminium is correct but I'll not split hairs) framed 226 and stainless steel framed 226 and discard the term alloy which seems to be inflaming some people here.
There, problem solved we'll say stainless or aluminum form here on.
There, problem solved we'll say stainless or aluminum form here on.
The stainless P226 was one of the first guns available for loan when TSE first opened from what I was told. I can see 2.0M rounds having gone through that gun. It was very popular when I was working there. And yes, it did go through several barrels, a few springs, extractors, ejectors.
EDIT: Just read CIE's post, that throws my math right out the window then... So never mind. Either way, we abused the hell out of that gun and it still kept running. Worth it? Yeah.
Last edited:
