Sig P226 Sport II SL - First Impressions

[TMan]

The only guns I've ever gotten complements on were the Browning Hi-Power Standard and the Sig P220 Sport. The first was on its looks and the Sig was on its performance. So at the verge of blowing my budget for the year, I got the Sig P226 Sport II SL, which is the 9mm Sport version.

This is not for concealed carry!!! You would have to have suspenders made out of 3/4" steel cable to hold your pants up. It weighs slightly over 3lbs. I'm afraid if I extend my arms all the way, I'll fall over. ;D

Like the P220 Sport, this is a double-action pistol with the takeup associated with double-action. It has an extension on the front that contains the front sight. This is the same type of extension that is on the P220 Sport, but this doesn't have a compensator. It also has the same type of wire-wound recoil springs that are found on other Sigs. Unlike the S&W 952 and the Sig P210, it does not have a magazine disconnect. This might account for the 3.25lb trigger pull vs. 3.75 on the S&W. Interestingly enough my P210-6 also has a 3.25lb pull even with the magazine disconnect. Those Swiss know how to make something besides watches.

After taking the pistol apart, I found it went back together just like any other Sig until I tried putting the extension back on. I slapped it on and then tried feeding the 3 allen screws back in. None of them would thread. Great, I then had to pull the extension forward away from the frame to get the screws back in.

Since this is basically the same design as the other Sigs, I do believe that I'll enjoy shooting it - i.e. it won't consider my forehead a target for shooting brass at. I don't expect it to be as accurate as the P210, but the hammer won't get me either. I'm almost positive that it won't be as accurate as the S&W 952. If the people at the S&W Performance Center made cars, I wouldn't be driving German cars.

Anyhow, I can't weight to shoot this thing.

[TMan]

Sunday was finally over and bright and early Monday morning I went to the range. Okay, I'll admit it - I was wrong - this thing is really accurate. I'm usually a bit wild when shooting a new gun (flinching mostly), but not with this thing. The black sights weren't really a problem either, I was shooting Dirty Bird targets. Then it happened: Click, but no Bang. Cocked and pulled the trigger again and Bang. Strange, but could have been the ammo. It wasn't, it started happening about once every other magazine.

Then a couple of times I would pull the trigger and the hammer wouldn't fall. After a hammer drop w/o ignition, I extracted the round to see the impression on the primer. There wasn't any. I thought it might be a breaking in problem, and put 150 rounds through it, but the problem persisted.

Sunday afternoon was spent disassembling, cleaning, and applying Wilson grease to the slides, etc. So, I knew it wasn't a lack of lubrication. After disassembly, and careful examination, I concluded there wasn't anything wrong. Based on the symptoms, I came to the conclusion that the slide wasn't returning all the way. Time to read the manual. Hmmm, according to Sig this can be caused by too much lubrication.

Okay, pulled it apart again, but this time went with the Wilson oil vs. grease. Back to the range this morning determined to check the slide position after each round. After the second round, I noticed that it wasn't all the way forward. I gave it a nudge, and had no more failures for the next 98 rounds.

Accuracy: my results were not quite as good as they were the first time I shot the S&W 952. Twenty rounds in a Dirty Bird yielded a 2 1/2" group vs. a 2" group with the S&W. The difference was that the sights on the Sig were right on, but the S&W shot off to the left (probably S&W guy was part of a union). ;D

I let 3 other people shoot it, and they were all impressed at the accuracy and lack of recoil. Although it did not get the emotional response that the P220 Sport did. I would strongly recommend this pistol. It is worth the money. Just learn by my mistakes and lay off the grease.

["DoubleAction"]

TMan; I'm kind of a nut about lubing a pistol, and your right, too much lube can cause binding. I apply some lube on the barrel cam, as well as the bushing. These Sport pistols are handfitted to very close tolerances, once they're broken in they become smooth as glass, as you already know.
I had a problem with my 220 in .38 super not going into battery when I first bought it; I called Sig for a new recoil spring and it was too tight on the guide rod. Called them again, they sent another spring and it did not fit. I then ordered a pack from Wolff Gunsprings and my problem was solved. Seems that the P220 in .38 Super is a little unique, but no big deal, I can use the other springs in my 226.
There once was a time when such an occassion would spoil my whole day at the range.

[9mm]

You handgun nuts are too far out of my league to compete.

Congrats on the new toy!

[TMan]

9mm, I can't compete!!!! DA is to handguns as Eric Clapton is to guitar. DA is the guru, I just kneel at his feet.

["DoubleAction"]

You guys over estimate my modest collection; True, I have a few good ones but I usually acquire most of them through trades and second hand purchases.
I learn more through this forum than any member here, especially my spelling, grammar, punctuations, and computer skills. It took me over a year to find out how to post images on these forums.
I wanted a place to visit where average people could get into logical discussions about handguns. Seems like too many people have stereotyped images and thoughts embedded in their minds, due to negative media publicity, political brainwashing, incidents of negligence, and ignorance; Just to name a few.
On our list of things made from steel, guns would probably be at the top of the page; For others it might mean a new rake for their flower garden or a new set of wheels.

[TMan]

DA, I'm out of sync here. I wasn't really addressing your gun collection, I was addressing your knowledge of the subject. I've never met anyone as knowledgeable as what you are. There may be others on the forum, but they haven't replied to my many questions, misconceptions, etc. the way that you have. That is why you are my guru.

By the way, I almost bought a S&W 686P today. They wanted $519 for it, but didn't have one other than the display model, which was showing a little bit of put away every night, take out every morning, wear. They also had a Ruger GP100 in .357M, and they wanted $419 for it. Tempting, but again only the display model was available.

At another store they had a Tarus Tracker in .357M. I was tempted, but thought their price of $400 was a little high. Also, the factory grease had hardened into some kind of varnish like substance.

Still looking, but really enjoying the 617, but those 10 little holes in the cylinder are a bit of a pain to clean. What I really like about the .22LR revolver vs. my pistols is that I don't get any blisters from hot brass landing on my arms. My range isn't air conditioned so long sleeve shirts are out of the question in the summer. I'll shoot the pistols this winter.

["DoubleAction"]

Thanks TMan; I'm glad I've managed to help a few on occassions. About the 686; I think I mentioned the fact before about the round butt grip frame of the 617, and that of the round butt 686 sharing the same grips. Although the 617 is the K-Frame, and the 686 is an L-Frame, both feel fairly the same in the hand. Both might also share the same size hammers and triggers. The 617 and 17 were used as practice revolvers to the 38 specials and .357 magnum revolvers; Good to get close to the same between both.