P226 Question

Tenebrous · 01-13-2012, 09:15 PM

Hello all, first time poster here. I plan on buying a new Sig Sauer P226, but am not sure which one - so many choices! Not too surprisingly, I am torn between a few. I plan on using the gun at the range on occasion and for home defense. Obviously, I want the gun to be reliable and have great accuracy - that is why I am looking at Sigs - and I would like the gun to be durable and look good over time - even after use in-and-out of a holster. Generally, I prefer .40, but am not married to it. Below are the choices I am considering:

P226 Stainless Elite
P226 Elite Dark
P226 Tac Ops
P226 MK25
P226 Stainless Nitron

Any an all suggestions/recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Also, if anyone has any experience, which is more durable - nitron or stainless steel? Thanx.

Reliable · 01-14-2012, 03:19 AM

First off, Welcome to the forum from Pennsylvania.

For the most part they are all the same with different levels of bling or features. All the models you have listed are equally accurate, however, due to the weight of the Siainless Elite you may be able to shoot this one better (to a point, heavier pistols hold on target better than lighter ones due to the laws of physics). The Stainless Elite will also show less holster wear. No pistol giong in and out of a holster, leather or kydex, is immune to holster wear. How much wear is usually driven by frequency and the cleanliness of the gun AND holster. Stainles can also show scratches easily in the right light. I some times feel that the natural character aging due to normal hoster wear is better than scratches. To me scratches are a better indication of care. More scratches = less care.

To be honest, pick the one that you like with the features, bling or functional, that appeal to you. Those differences are the drivers of the difference in price between models.

Myself, in my situation and needs, I would select the Stainless Elite and my primary reason would be that it is heavier. If you have intention to carry, that weight my become a burden.

GreyCoupe · 01-14-2012, 05:38 AM

Consider an X Five. Just a little more than some you have mentioned, great in the hand, with a really smooth trigger. All stainless and .40 go together well.

lateck · 01-14-2012, 07:39 AM

All of the ones you listed are good, get them all...

No, (well yes if you can) any one you pick right down to the plain jane's will last a long, long time....
And as it has been noted, the X5's are a little more refined....

Welcome to the SIGness....

Lateck,

LeRI · 01-14-2012, 09:46 PM

My plain old P226 .40 nitron has served me well for a little over a year. Accurate, durable, cool-looking. Has the SIGLITE night sights.

As it goes, any P226 in any caliber will work for almost any situation. You'll want a fancy model for competition, though.

T34C · 01-17-2012, 07:59 AM

Just another option, that I recently did, was to purchase a 226 in Classic .22 (with or without beavertail) and use the enclosed coupon that comes with the gun to get the 40 upper. You end up with the same gun as buying the 226 in 40 up front but have the benefit of getting a .22, night sights for free.

jeep · 01-17-2012, 08:53 AM

I,d get a MK-25 while you can. And 9mm is fine.

AlexV · 01-17-2012, 01:27 PM

I own a P229 Stainless Elite. It shoots like a dream. My next Sig I think is going to be a SAS P229. Many videos on youtube on the P226 stainless Elite.

sigp229r · 01-17-2012, 06:22 PM

I like the P226 stainless nitron...

Tenebrous · 01-23-2012, 04:36 PM

Well, I made my decision - a P26 Stainless Elite.

Here are some brief notes; the grip seems slightly smaller than the P226 Equinox; the gun is not too heavy and feels so good and balanced in my hand - however, a slightly larger grip would have been nice. I decided to go for the Stainless Elite over the X-five due in part to the rails - first, they look good and second it is nice to have the option of adding accessories. Also, the duck-tail, which I was indifferent to, actually feels really nice.

Simply stated, I love it! I cannot wait to get out to the range.

Finally, I wanted to thank everyone who posted a response - it was a difficult decision, though one of pleasure, and it was nice reading other opinions.

Reliable · 01-23-2012, 04:42 PM

Sweet! A very nice pistol. Shoot safe and enjoy.

Tenebrous · 01-23-2012, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reliable

Sweet! A very nice pistol. Shoot safe and enjoy.

Thanx!

01-13-2012, 09:15 PM	#1
Tenebrous Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: PA Posts: 5	P226 Question Hello all, first time poster here. I plan on buying a new Sig Sauer P226, but am not sure which one - so many choices! Not too surprisingly, I am torn between a few. I plan on using the gun at the range on occasion and for home defense. Obviously, I want the gun to be reliable and have great accuracy - that is why I am looking at Sigs - and I would like the gun to be durable and look good over time - even after use in-and-out of a holster. Generally, I prefer .40, but am not married to it. Below are the choices I am considering: P226 Stainless Elite P226 Elite Dark P226 Tac Ops P226 MK25 P226 Stainless Nitron Any an all suggestions/recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Also, if anyone has any experience, which is more durable - nitron or stainless steel? Thanx.

01-14-2012, 03:19 AM	#2
Reliable Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,391	First off, Welcome to the forum from Pennsylvania. For the most part they are all the same with different levels of bling or features. All the models you have listed are equally accurate, however, due to the weight of the Siainless Elite you may be able to shoot this one better (to a point, heavier pistols hold on target better than lighter ones due to the laws of physics). The Stainless Elite will also show less holster wear. No pistol giong in and out of a holster, leather or kydex, is immune to holster wear. How much wear is usually driven by frequency and the cleanliness of the gun AND holster. Stainles can also show scratches easily in the right light. I some times feel that the natural character aging due to normal hoster wear is better than scratches. To me scratches are a better indication of care. More scratches = less care. To be honest, pick the one that you like with the features, bling or functional, that appeal to you. Those differences are the drivers of the difference in price between models. Myself, in my situation and needs, I would select the Stainless Elite and my primary reason would be that it is heavier. If you have intention to carry, that weight my become a burden. Last edited by Reliable; 01-14-2012 at 03:23 AM.

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01-14-2012, 05:38 AM	#3
GreyCoupe Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina USA Posts: 57	Consider an X Five. Just a little more than some you have mentioned, great in the hand, with a really smooth trigger. All stainless and .40 go together well.

01-14-2012, 07:39 AM	#4
lateck Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Arizona, USA Posts: 41	All of the ones you listed are good, get them all... No, (well yes if you can) any one you pick right down to the plain jane's will last a long, long time.... And as it has been noted, the X5's are a little more refined.... Welcome to the SIGness.... Lateck,

01-14-2012, 09:46 PM	#5
LeRI Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 45	My plain old P226 .40 nitron has served me well for a little over a year. Accurate, durable, cool-looking. Has the SIGLITE night sights. As it goes, any P226 in any caliber will work for almost any situation. You'll want a fancy model for competition, though.

01-17-2012, 07:59 AM	#6
T34C Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 4	Just another option, that I recently did, was to purchase a 226 in Classic .22 (with or without beavertail) and use the enclosed coupon that comes with the gun to get the 40 upper. You end up with the same gun as buying the 226 in 40 up front but have the benefit of getting a .22, night sights for free.

01-17-2012, 08:53 AM	#7
jeep Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: ohio Posts: 84	I,d get a MK-25 while you can. And 9mm is fine.

01-17-2012, 01:27 PM	#8
AlexV Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 66	I own a P229 Stainless Elite. It shoots like a dream. My next Sig I think is going to be a SAS P229. Many videos on youtube on the P226 stainless Elite.

01-17-2012, 06:22 PM	#9
sigp229r Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: California Posts: 1,706	I like the P226 stainless nitron...

01-23-2012, 04:36 PM	#10
Tenebrous Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: PA Posts: 5	Well, I made my decision - a P26 Stainless Elite. Here are some brief notes; the grip seems slightly smaller than the P226 Equinox; the gun is not too heavy and feels so good and balanced in my hand - however, a slightly larger grip would have been nice. I decided to go for the Stainless Elite over the X-five due in part to the rails - first, they look good and second it is nice to have the option of adding accessories. Also, the duck-tail, which I was indifferent to, actually feels really nice. Simply stated, I love it! I cannot wait to get out to the range. Finally, I wanted to thank everyone who posted a response - it was a difficult decision, though one of pleasure, and it was nice reading other opinions.

01-23-2012, 04:42 PM	#11
Reliable Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,391	Sweet! A very nice pistol. Shoot safe and enjoy.