Sig P226
The Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft (SIG)-Sauer P226 is a full-sized, service type pistol originally chambered for 9mm Luger. Its design is based on the venerable SIG-Sauer P220. The P226 has come to be known as one of the most distinguished combat pistols in existence because of its reliability and durability.
The P226 was designed for entry into the XM9 Service Pistol Trials, which were held by the US Army in 1984 on behalf of the US armed forces to find a replacement for the M1911. Only the Beretta 92F and the P226 satisfactorily completed the trials, however, Beretta was ultimately awarded the contract for the 92F due to overall cost. Once the standard issue pistol of the FBI and currently in the arsenals of such esteemed groups as the US's NSW (SEALs), France's GIGN, and the UK's SAS, among others, the P226 has an impressive record.
A compact version of the P226, the P228, is also respected worldwide and is currently in use with the US military, designated the M11. It is slightly smaller than the P226 and only available in 9mm Luger. From a distance, the P228 can be differentiated from the P226 by comparing the trigger guards (the P228's is curved, while the P226's is slightly hooked) and the barrel and slide lengths (the P228's barrel is 12.7mm shorter, thus having a corresponding shorter slide). Side by side, the P228's shorter height (2.5mm shorter) may be noticed.
Specifications
- Action: DA/SA (Double Action/Single Action), DAO (Double-Action Only), or DAK
- Caliber: 9mm Luger, .357 SIG, .40 S&W (latter two since 1998)
- Overall length: 7.7 inches (195.6mm)
- Overall height: 5.5 inches (139.7mm)
- Overall width: 1.5 inches (38.1mm)
- Barrel length: 4.4 inches (111.8mm)
- Weight without magazine: 28.3 oz (30.6 oz for .357 SIG and .40 S&W) (802.3g and 867.5g, respectively)
- Magazine weight: 3.4 oz (96.4g)
- Sight radius: 6.3 inches (160mm)
- Magazine capacity: 15 (9mm), 12 (.357 SIG, .40 S&W)
External links
Categories: Semi-automatic pistols