My new [to me] SIG 226R...a few questions

Tengoo

Tengoo

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As a result of some horse-trading, I'm now the owner of a SIG P226R in .40S&W. I can see why people are enthusiastic about these guns...fit and workmanship are excellent. Mine has a few cosmetic dings on the frame, and a lot of wear to the finish on the barrel, but is in great shape otherwise. It's one of the German-frame/Exeter models, serial# U 72N NNN which dates it to about 2005.

I don't know the round count on it, but I'm wondering of I should install a spring kit as a precaution...I see Questar gets them in for $40. Also, I'm wondering if I can get a 357SIG barrel for it, just for grins. I'm also considering trying out a Short Reset Trigger [SRT] kit.

Finally, apparently this particular gun has some problems with locking open on an empty magazine. I know this is an issue with SIGs, with various explanations to do with grip on the gun and riding the slide stop lever, or faulty or dirty mags. The fellow I got this gun from told me that a gunsmith had a look at it and said the slide stop lever appears to be one from a .45 caliber SIG... Does that seem feasible in any way? When I look at the stripped frame with a mag inserted, it looks to me like the mag follower doesn't really touch the slide stop...

Anyhow, I'm planning on heading out to the range with it tomorrow to give it a try. SO looking forward...
 
When you rack the slide (while the gun is empty) with an empty mag in the gun, does the magazine follower keep the slide locked back?
If the round count is unknown you could always get the kit and swap 'em all out as a precautionary measure. Wouldn't hurt.
Never heard of a .45 (P220) slide stop on a P226.
Midway USA lists the "Magazine catch stop" as the same part for the P220 and P226, amongst other Sig models. I really don't know.

Either way, great gun. Pics? What colour are the frame rails?
 
Yes, you can expand to 22lr, 9mm or 357 sig with the exchange kits on your 226 frame (won't need another mag for 357sig if you have the dual purpose mag). My Sig's have always held the slide open on an empty mag, so I'm not sure what the problem is. There are some Sig experts that may weigh in later. Congrats on your purchase.
 
mr00jimbo said:
When you rack the slide (while the gun is empty) with an empty mag in the gun, does the magazine follower keep the slide locked back?

Midway USA lists the "Magazine catch stop" as the same part for the P220 and P226, amongst other Sig models. I really don't know.

Either way, great gun. Pics? What colour are the frame rails?
Click to expand...

Nope -- the slide doesn't stay back on an empty mag, no way, no how. I'm wondering about a weak spring somewhere, or perhaps a couple of duff mag followers [same thing happens on both mags...] That's interesting news about the part numbers being the same...thanks for the tip.

I'll try to get some pix up tomorrow... This gun is the basic black-on-black. Only colour on the frame rails is a little bare metal from wear to the finish...
 
st1264 said:
Yes, you can expand to 22lr, 9mm or 357 sig with the exchange kits on your 226 frame. My Sig's have always held the slide open on an empty mag, so I'm not sure what the problem is. There are some Sig experts that may weigh in later. Congrats on your purchase.
Click to expand...

Thanks...SIG pistols were never really on my radar, but when this one came my way for an easy trade...well, I like .40 cal pistols. So far I haven't fired this thing, so it may be I don't like shooting it much [that's why my pal traded it away...he decided he was a 1911/Glock guy exclusively]. If I decide to keep it around, I can certainly see wanting to get a .22 kit for it.
 
I haven't heard of Sigs having any issues with locking back on empty. Probably 90% of the time I've seen them not lock back was because of the shooters grip, the other 10% was mags. As for shooting it and not liking it, make sure you put at least 500-1000 rounds through it. I find a lot of people hate the Sig when they first shoot it because they can't get used to the switch between DA and SA. Once you get a hang of it this is one of the best pistols out there (IMO anyway).
 
Tengoo said:
Finally, apparently this particular gun has some problems with locking open on an empty magazine. I know this is an issue with SIGs, with various explanations to do with grip on the gun and riding the slide stop lever, or faulty or dirty mags. The fellow I got this gun from told me that a gunsmith had a look at it and said the slide stop lever appears to be one from a .45 caliber SIG... Does that seem feasible in any way? When I look at the stripped frame with a mag inserted, it looks to me like the mag follower doesn't really touch the slide stop...
Click to expand...

If you remove the slide and insert an empty mag in the frame, you'll clearly see if the mag follower lift the slide stop lever correctly or not. I've seen once a pistol where the little arm on the slide stop was too short to reach the follower. If it does reach it and lift the slide stop, it might be an issue with weak mag springs.
 
can you borrow (or purchase) a newer mag to test it out ? Maybe the mags you've got are just a little worn in the spring dept ? Have you taken them apart and cleaned them yet ? Maybe give that a shot.
 
If your mag spring is in upside down or backwards, it will cause the slide not to lock on a empty mag.
 
As for precaution, you can get a rebuild kit for your Sig P226. It will include de recoil spring and other bits. I don't think that the P220 slide release is compatible with the P226, they are 2 complete different animals. Maybe the magasine spring is weak/installed incorrectly or the follower is worn out. Try with a new mag/different mag.
 
vermintrex said:
can you borrow (or purchase) a newer mag to test it out ? Maybe the mags you've got are just a little worn in the spring dept ? Have you taken them apart and cleaned them yet ? Maybe give that a shot.
Click to expand...

AS a matter of fact.... I shot my SIG today...about 100 rounds. It is as accurate and reliable as I would want it to be, although it's a very different experience from my pet M&Ps. I particularly like the sights...the dot-on-post system works much better for me than the 3-dot sights you see practically everywhere else.

After shooting I had a look in the sales area and whaddaya know? A bunch of SIG magazines, including a .40-cal P226 mag. I had a look and the follower seemed somewhat different than the ones in my mags. So I splurged on a new mag and gave it a try. Guess what? The slide locks back EVERY TIME with the new mag. Note that the old mags that I got with the pistol are the Italian made numbers with the thick plastic baseplate , and the one I bought is American with the thin metal base. The follower is distinctly different...the little shelf that lifts the slide stop sits up 2 or 3mm higher than the one on the old mag followers. Note also that the old followers go as high as they can in the mag body, so I don't think it's a matter of the springs not being in the right position...and yes, I cleaned the old mags thoroughly before using them. IN any case, I'll play around with the old mags and see if I can make them work, but it looks like I may be in the market for some new SIG mags. I sure wish they were as cheap and plentiful as Glock mags.
 
Tengoo said:
AS a matter of fact.... I shot my SIG today...about 100 rounds. It is as accurate and reliable as I would want it to be, although it's a very different experience from my pet M&Ps. I particularly like the sights...the dot-on-post system works much better for me than the 3-dot sights you see practically everywhere else.

After shooting I had a look in the sales area and whaddaya know? A bunch of SIG magazines, including a .40-cal P226 mag. I had a look and the follower seemed somewhat different than the ones in my mags. So I splurged on a new mag and gave it a try. Guess what? The slide locks back EVERY TIME with the new mag. Note that the old mags that I got with the pistol are the Italian made numbers with the thick plastic baseplate , and the one I bought is American with the thin metal base. The follower is distinctly different...the little shelf that lifts the slide stop sits up 2 or 3mm higher than the one on the old mag followers. Note also that the old followers go as high as they can in the mag body, so I don't think it's a matter of the springs not being in the right position...and yes, I cleaned the old mags thoroughly before using them. IN any case, I'll play around with the old mags and see if I can make them work, but it looks like I may be in the market for some new SIG mags. I sure wish they were as cheap and plentiful as Glock mags.
Click to expand...

Haha...maybe it's just me, but it's funny that the Checkmate mags everyone rags on have worked for you. Regardless...great to hear you figured it out.

Love my P226...have fun with yours !
 
Hey brother. Hope you enjoy your new sig.

Swapping the spring kit, although may not be necessary would be a cheap form of personal insurance.

You can get a .357 barrel, and guess what? .357 and .40 use the same mags!

Sounds like your slide issue could be your thumb riding on the slide release? Or could just be good old worn mags...if that's the case grab 4-5 mec gar mags and your golden.

I'm somewhat jealous, I sold my 226 early this year to get a gen 4 19

Best wishes
 
Mec-Gar "Italian made" mags are better in 9mm, seems that they are not as good in 40. If this is an older pistol, these would be the factory mags that were shipped with it, most likely. Your Sig should be flawless with the new mags, enjoy. I love my Sig 226 in 9mm and 220 in 45, but my HK USP 40 is a little better in 40 cal, in my opinion. Still, Sig's have the best ergonomics for me, by far.

Just learned that extended followers on your factory mags will make them work properly if you can buy them somewhere...
 
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