Recently a good friend of mine posted this comment on his Facebook status. “Looking to buy a Sig Sauer please share your thoughts”. I remember reading this great article by Bruce Alexander several years ago about the Sig P226, which happens to be my favorite duty weapon. I thought it would be a great article to revisit. So without further ado,
Ode to the SigArms P226 An Executive Protection Classic.
August 31, 2007 by Bruce Alexander
I couldn’t help commenting on this great article by Frank Borelli at Officer.com on that classic Executive Protection pistol, the SigArms P226 9mm pistol. I was introduced to the P225 (Sig Sauer) as a EP pistol while attending a Dignitary Protection course at a German Police academy many years ago. The P225 is a German Police duty weapon although its been years since I’ve worked with the Germans, I’m not sure how extensively it is currently being used. Regardless, the P225 is a superb weapon which is not surprising given the superior quality of Sig weapons in general.
In later years I had the opportunity to carry a P226 as a Special Agent assigned to a U.S. Government protective detail with a great detail of comfort in the reliability and durability of the P226.
For all of the same reasons Frank Borelli praises the P226 as a Police duty weapon, I have to stand up for the P226 as the Executive Protection pistol of choice.
I’ve carried my 226 since 2001 and it’s been thru hell and has not missed a beat. I carry it on duty as a deputy and as P.P.O. the only thing I had to do to this firearm is to have it re-blued to keep that new look. I lost count of how many rounds I’ve put through it and it keeps on working! It’s been in snow, freezing temps, down pours, hot and humid conditions you name it it’s been in it with out a flaw, just your normal cleaning and checking it is all I have to do. I did change the grips to the rubber finger groove style. SIG is pricey but worth every penny, but my life depends on it so price is no problem because you can’t put a price on life!!!
Of all the guns I have owned the Sig P226 was my favorite. It was extremely accurate and I always felt safe with it, not one single jam after thousands of rounds. It became too heavy though for 12 hour shifts, but I was carrying it exposed with 3 extra mags on a night shift in a gang area. I switched to a Sig 229 40 Caliber and it was like butter. The Sig’s are pricey but very accurate, very durable and highly reliable. I think I switched when they brought out a cheaper version of their guns the “Pro” or something (it’s been awhille). I now carry the Springfield XD40 Compact and Springfield XD45 Service. Both of these guns fit perfectly into my Blackhawk holster and it too is a great set-up, yet much lighter w/more options. Can’t go wrong with a Sig!