Old German Sig P226 vs New P226
- Thread starter Balance
- Start date
- Location
- Lower Mainland BC
I cannot recommend which one you get, I can say only what I like and why...for me is always the old German model & shape of SIG P226, has lighter stamped/folded slide, no Picatinny rail, slimmer grips....lighter and slim compared with the new ones made in US.
- Location
- Fleeing the Regime
^^^THIS^^^
I much prefer the lighter pistol, slightly slimmer profile, lack of rail (if ya ain't gonna use it, why have it?), and especially the old school serrated trigger. I also like the bar & dot sight much more than 3 dot. But that's just me - maybe because I bought mine brand new back in '94 and anything else in my hand just feels weird. I put G10 grips and SRT in one and will be doing the same soon with the other. I will be buried with both of them - perhaps sooner rather than later if the Lieberals have their way.
It will really come down to preference. The only ones to truly stay away from were made between '86 and '88 I believe. They had what are called mud rails, and the frame rail life was significantly shorter than on any of the others (cracked frames around the 10,000 round mark). Even then, if you aren't going to shoot a lot, they are a fine piece to own. I've owned many Sigs. I like the look of the older ones with the internal extractor and no rail... a thing of beauty. But when it came to shooting them, I always pick up my new one. The trigger is ridiculously nice.
It depends on the vintage of the particular German or American made gun. German guns made for a few years in the mid-late 80's had scalloped rails which are prone to cracking. Pre-1998 German guns also had a problem with the trigger return spring "eating" into the frame. Eventually Sig redesigned the trigger return spring (which is why you cannot use the old style grip panels on newer P226's and vice versa).
Early American-assembled guns were as good or almost as good quality-wise as their German counterparts. They usually but not always had German-made frames and American-made slides. These guns are known as "Pre-Cohen" (Cohen being the former Kimber CEO who became Sig CEO in 2004 and who is often blamed for lowering quality control standards at both companies). After the mid 2000's, quality decreased somewhat, both in terms of fit and finish and component quality (i.e plastic guide rods and MIM parts from India).
A "Pre-Cohen" American-assembled P226 would be my choice. It will have a much stronger slide than the older folded steel version, redesigned trigger return spring and a high level of quality that Sig was known for in that era. Or, get a German made, new style (stainless slide) gun if you can find one. These are quite rare in Canada.
Early American-assembled guns were as good or almost as good quality-wise as their German counterparts. They usually but not always had German-made frames and American-made slides. These guns are known as "Pre-Cohen" (Cohen being the former Kimber CEO who became Sig CEO in 2004 and who is often blamed for lowering quality control standards at both companies). After the mid 2000's, quality decreased somewhat, both in terms of fit and finish and component quality (i.e plastic guide rods and MIM parts from India).
A "Pre-Cohen" American-assembled P226 would be my choice. It will have a much stronger slide than the older folded steel version, redesigned trigger return spring and a high level of quality that Sig was known for in that era. Or, get a German made, new style (stainless slide) gun if you can find one. These are quite rare in Canada.
Just bought myself a brand new one (226R) Nitron with Sig night sights...
I got the U.S. one ...I chose the US one ...not for better or worse... I had the choice between the US one and a german one ,,, the only reason I chose the us one was because It had the E2 grip....and night sights that I prefer.
the E2 grips are awesome .
I got the U.S. one ...I chose the US one ...not for better or worse... I had the choice between the US one and a german one ,,, the only reason I chose the us one was because It had the E2 grip....and night sights that I prefer.
the E2 grips are awesome .
I have 3 P226s and prefer the German made ones. My favorite is the one from 1984. I think it may be the first or second year these were imported in. Although mine do not have the hideous import markings on the slide. I could be wrong, but I think the hammer and mag release was made from tool steel, they have a redish hue. Trigger is the best out of all 3 as well.
I also have a German made one with railed frame and stamped slide, which is not common here. Lastly, the one made in USA with stainless steel slide is my least favorite. If you want, check out my thread comparing these 2. http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1085338-German-P226-Grade-1-Review
I also have a German made one with railed frame and stamped slide, which is not common here. Lastly, the one made in USA with stainless steel slide is my least favorite. If you want, check out my thread comparing these 2. http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1085338-German-P226-Grade-1-Review
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it was new also
- Location
- South Ontario
I have seen them on the EE shop wise no idea
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if you want a brand new german sig p226 ill pm you with info to my local gun shop. were I bought the us one .
and left the german one there for you
iamcanadianeh
CGN Regular
- Location
- Vancouver Island
I've had a bunch of Sig P226 and P220. The older ones have better triggers and they shoot better in my experience. I had a $1500 P220 Combat a while back, it had by far the worst trigger I've ever seen on a DA/SA, but it looked awesome.
- Location
- Lower Mainland BC
hey that SIG P226 X5S is a real beauty, congrats!
Durham outdoors and Bullseye have new German production P226 & P226 X-5 short for $1049 & $1299. These won't be around for long with the export ban and our pathetic dollar. If you are looking to buy it's worth the extra for the X-5, the stainless frame balances the gun perfectly and the Ilfalon finish on the German guns is incomparable to the nitron, the pictures don't do it any justice. Comparing it to my P226 al frame and my elite stainless the fitment and lockup is so tight, coming from a machining background it's the quality of what I wish we could produce at work! The only complaint I have is that it doesn't have the SRT installed but at the price I can't complain.
