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P226 not as durable as any of the H&K usp models?

42K views 39 replies 26 participants last post by  Deputydave 
#1 ·
This piece (link below) states that the p226 is accurate and reliable but not as durable as any of the h&k usp models. Is that right?

SIG-Sauer P226
 
#8 ·
Yeah, I know that's an old article. That comment about durability bugged me cause I love my p226 and sigs in general ever since shooting my father in law's old p228.
This is the reason I love this forum, informative and interesting responses.
Thank you guys!
 
#3 ·
P226 durability

My 226 was made 1987? The slide says made in W.Germany. The wall came down in 1988. I fired it a bunch, carried on duty, qualified with it until it was replaced with an H&KS. Then in 2004 that was switched to Glocks. Last year SIG offered an upgrade and in it went. Now it's still in my stable after 25 years and still going good. Durability?
 
#5 ·
this is just my opinion, but i believe most firearms produced by reputable manufacturers today are durable. now my durability standards are different from say the military because my firearms aren't subjected to mud, dirt, abuse, etc. Sig, glock, hk, etc are plenty durable for average civilians. i enjoy seeing torture tests but i don't buy into them too much. if you maintain your firearms and treat them right, they will return the favor from my experience.
 
#6 · (Edited)
"By now you can tell that the P226 is one of my favourite pistol models, they aren't as durable as a Glock or an H&K USP, but they are more accurate than most of the competition, have a better trigger pull and are extremely reliable. They also fit my hand better than nearly anything else!"

Actually he referred to "a Glock or an H&K USP" meaning at the time poly frame pistol. Of course now there are many poly frame pistols available including from SIG such as the highly regarded SP2022 of which I own one.

An alloy frame P226 should be good for at least 60,000 rounds and many have been documented to go well over 100,000 rounds. Of course recoil springs need to be changed on schedule (3000-5000 rounds) and the frame rails need to be kept well lubed and many use grease for high volume shooting.

Poly frame pistols have steel inserts in the frame for the steel slide to ride on which certainly have a potential for a very long life that may well exceed that of an alloy frame P226 including SIGs own SP2022 poly frame pistol.

If you have a P226 and have worn out the frame at 60,000 rounds then you probably have spent $15,000 in ammo costs. If you can afford $15,000 in ammo then you probably can afford a new P226 at that time.

I echo the reviewers comments on how he favors the P226 for accuracy, trigger pull, extreme reliability, and feel in the hand. To me that is MUCH more important than worrying about how long my P226 is going to last. Of course one could always buy a stainless steel frame P226 and have no worrys at all on that issue. Just replace spring and parts as needed and a new barrel probably every 30-40 thousand rounds.

When I first started driving the Dodge slant six engine was the most durable auto engine bar none. That did not mean I wanted to drive/own a car that had a Dodge slant six engine in it though. :D

As far as I am concerned I have my self covered with two SIG P226s, more than a few other metal frame SIGs including a stainless steel frame GSR 1911, and then a SIG SP2022 and Walther PPQ also. I would have to spend more than a couple years salary in ammo costs to wear all them out!
 
#11 ·
Just a bunch of nonsense really. The seals actually prefer the 226 over ANYTHING on the market. They have the budget but still use 226's.

Handgun 101 is that owners of their choice of firearms bark and bark loudly. The worst offenders, in my opinion are the Glockophiles. They bark like nobody else. You'll find the same snobbery, to a lesser extent among the HK aficionados. Then there are the 1911 folks, the Sig folks, etc. Then there are caliber snobs (9mm guys being the worst), striker fired snobs, etc.

When I see youtube videos of guys burying their rifles and handguns in the mud for a torture test I laugh. I've seen guns run over (SigPro), guns literally shot (the Russian FPS guy), guns thrown in lakes, swamps, deep mud, etc. It's just stupid. If you are military and about to get dropped in the sand, well, big difference to a sheepdog or a LEO.

Whether striker fired or hammer fired the best firearms are numerous. M&P's with the apex trigger kit are solid, as are the new Walthers (PPQ is getting a heap of praise due to the trigger), Sig P series and Pros (The Cohen guns, 290, 238, etc, to me aren't as good), HK's, Glocks, XD's, Beretta's PX4 line. These are all quality pieces that are going to go bang when you fire them.

You might find some real discrepancy shooting any of these firearms uncleaned for 1k rounds or more but in the real world most clean their guns more regularly than 1k rounds. Myself I clean them after every round trip because I'm anal, use grease on the rails, along with oil.

Take what you read from gun guys with a grain of salt. Some are full of it, some are biased, some probably get free guns from some mfr.
 
#23 ·
I think it was pretty universally reported that it was a carbine not a pistol that was used on Bin Laden. Obviously they would be using primary weapons as much as possible and would not likely have gone to a backup. We'll likely never know the official "true" story however. It was also reported though that the team's loadout contained 226s, I don't recall a Mk 23 or any HK pistol being mentioned but again it's not like we'll ever get confirmation.
 
#33 · (Edited)
Well.....some of the SEALS may be choosing to use Glocks....some of the time. It would be more accurate to say that Glocks are what they are currently issued. Doesn't mean that's what they are all choosing to carry. ;)

But this is a good reminder that I'd STILL rather have a HK or Sig!

Nice thread necro, btw.
 
#36 ·
The new forum software contributes to the current rash of Lazarus sightings. Unlike other threads that are being resurrected, #29 does seem to acknowledge the time lapse. I too, enjoy reading the old ones. In my short history on SigTalk, I've missed a lot. The best ones are when someone inquires about a long sold item. The turnover of regularly posting members is fascinating too.
 
#39 ·
As mentioned above, SEALS (and most other Tier 1 units) pick up whatever they want. The whole big deal that is made about what they are officially issued is kind of silly.

I would DEFINITELY agree with that.
I'd tend to agree with that as well, esp. these days.
 
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