The SIG-Sauer P226 was developed from the original P220 model and was used exclusively for US Army pistol trials in the early 1980s. The US Army is looking for a new standardized 9mm sidearm to replace their aging - albeit very successful - Colt M1911A1. The Colt M1911A1 was designed to fire .45 AKP rounds and survived two world wars and other "minor" conflicts, becoming a fixture in the U.S. arsenal. John Browning's designs have found more homes through legal and illegal representation around the world.
In any case, the origins of this weapon go back to before the start of the First World War (1914-1918) and should be changed. So the U.S. military examined all available, inexpensive options for its redesigned military.
The program was called the "XM9 Service Pistol Trials" and the competition took place in 1984.
The P226 is a lightweight derivative in the SIG Sauer range, leveraging most of the factors that made the P220 and P225 series successful. To meet U.S. requirements, major changes to the P226 include an ambidextrous magazine catch and a larger-capacity 15-round magazine with an offset post for 9mm Parabellum ammunition. The P226 retains the release lever and automatic striker safety features of earlier models.
At its core, it remains a short-recoil, locking-breech, double-action, semi-automatic pistol. Visually, it has the same clean, sharp lines as SIG Sauer products, proving to be a durable, reliable and well-made weapon. With an overall length of 7.72 inches, the barrel consists of 6 grooves drilled clockwise to a length of 4.41 inches. The muzzle velocity is about 1,150 feet per second.
The final product itself was excellent and performed so well in all the required tests that no other entrant could boast.
However, fate will eventually find a different path for P226. When going head-to-head with the equally impressive Italian model Beretta M92F, it loses out compared to the Italian template due to cost considerations and - allegedly - durability. The Beretta M92F received an order from the US Army and the M92F will now be produced for the Americans under the designation "M9". Despite the rejection, the P226 found its way to other American elements, including the U.S.
Navy SEALs, and proved to be a favorite of various security companies. The US Navy SEALs passed the Beretta 92F after some glitches with this particular system, preferring the SIG-Sauer P226. The U.S.
Coast Guard and Federal Air Force Marshals and the FBI also became major U.S. operators of the P226 series. In addition, the P226 has been accepted by similar organisations around the world including the British SAS ("Special Air Service").
Operators (Security, Police or Army) now include Canada, Finland, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malaysia, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United States of America.
The P226 continues to see itself as a .40 software and .357 SIG round in addition to the standard 9x19mm Parabellum round. The P226 led to the development of the P228 ("M11" in US inventory) and P229 compact pistols, using the P226's staggered magazine column method. Other P226 forms include the P226 "Rail" (or "P226R") which mounts using the Picatinny accessory rail, the P226 "Tactical" with a 5" threaded barrel used as a silencer, the P226 "Navy", which is used exclusively for US seals Commando, P226 "Blackwater" exclusively contracted to American Blackwater, P226 "Equus" as .40 S&W, all stainless version P226 ST, DHS P226R HSP ("Homeland Security Pistol") for competition 9mm P226 X-5 and .40 S&W chambers, precision pistols P226 X-Six, modified P226 "Elite", military variants P226 "Combat" and P226 "Classic 22" chambers.
22LR cartridge.
As with other SIG-Sauer brand firearms, the restrictions on handguns in Switzerland are very strict, forcing the Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft (SIG) in Neuhausen am Rhein, Switzerland, to join forces with J.P. Sauer & Sohn in Germany, Eckernforde, Germany SIG-Sauer label.
This allows SIG's products to tap into a larger and potentially more lucrative world arms marketespecially in the United States. SACO is responsible for importing the P226 for the XM9 weapons test in the United States.
Interarms later assumed responsibility for importing this weapon into the U.S. civilian market.
Today (2015) this pistol is available in Exeter, Germany (manufactured by J. P. Sauer und Sohn GmbH) and SIG Sauer, Incorporated (formerly SIGARMS, Incorporated) in Exeter, New Hampshire, USA Production.
China's NORINCO MA-6 is an illegal unlicensed replica of the Swiss P226 series. The weapon has also been replicated by Iran (PC-9 "ZOAF") and the state of Myanmar.
In 2015 it was announced that US Navy SEALs would start moving away from the P226 and replacing it with the Glock 19 model.
- Close Combat (CQB) / Personal Protection
- Sidearms
196 mm (7.72 in)
112 mm (4.41 in)
1.90 kg
Post notch; retweet the post.
semi-automatic; short recoil; double action
1,150 ft/s (351 m/s)
45 rounds per minute
165 ft (50 m; 55 yd)
P226 - Base Series Name
P226/P226R "Rail" - Equipped with Picatinny rail system.
P226 "Tactical" - Comes with 5" barrel; supports suppressor.
P226 "Navy" - US Navy SEAL Model
P226 "Blackwater" - American Blackwater Model
P226 "Equinox" - For . 40 S&W Cartridge.
P226 ST - all stainless steel version
P226R HSP - US Homeland Security Pistol
P226 "X-Five" - ??Competitive Model
P226 "X-Six" - Precision Pistol
P226 "Elite" - Redesigned P226 with 9mm, .357 SIG and .40 switches.
P226 "Combat" - Combat Model
P226 "Classic 22" - For . 22LR cartridges.
P228 (M11) - Compact P226 model
P229 - Compact P226 model
P229R DAK - "Double Action Kellerman" production model.
MA-6 - Unlicensed Chinese military copy; produced by North Industries.
PC-9 "ZOAF" - Unlicensed Iranian/Burmese military copy.