How to ID a pre-Cohen Sig P226?

[jhr1986]

I don't post here often, but there seems to be a good knowledge base here that will likely know the answer to my question.

I want a P226 with a rail. I want one that is made before Cohen took over the operation.

If I'm looking at a (obviously) used P226R, how can I ID it as a 2005 or before model?

Thanks fellas.

[Symmetry]

This might help.
http://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/430601935/m/7320040262

Unfortunately that is a hard year to come by for the railed models. Railed Sigs came out just before Cohen became CEO, so nailing down the right serial number will be tough. Personally I'd just go for a W. German one and live without the tac light.

[jhr1986]

Thanks for the link; I think that's all the info I need.

[RHINOWSO]

Honestly P226s have tended to remain reliable even through the Cohen era, but I understand your desire. I've owned a bunch of SIGs and only have my 1995 P220 now, all German goodness there.

[Tiny86]

As Symmetry said that is a hard one to come by. If your not dead set on a 226 with a rail Surefire makes a rail that clamps onto the trigger guard of a railless 226. A pre 2005 226 is not to tough to come by so you could go that route also.

[gtmtnbiker98]

Just buy a new MK25, they are just as good as the pre 2005 P226's and have a chrome lined barrel, true pic rail, and phosphate internals. I have two and they are just as good or better then my "pre Cohen" P229's.

[Robsthestig]

^ I have to almost fully agree. I just sent mine back tho for a trigger reset issue. Other than that, no issues, its eaten everything I've fed it.

[w3453l]

Please excuse my ignorance; I've never really had any experience with Sigs, but is Cohen still at Sig? Are we currently in this Cohen era?

[jhr1986]

Are we currently in this Cohen era?

Correct. Ron Cohen was hired as CEO at Sig in late 2004 (was at Kimber prior). He is responsible for making Sig a much more profitable company and the reason there are 500 versions of each model. I certainly won't fault him for his business acumen and shareholders should be happy with him, he has grown the brand tremendously. Unfortunately sometimes in order to make a business more profitable and effecient, product quality or QC (or both) suffers.


I didn't come here to debate the merits of one era of Sigs over another, there are countless threads on this and other forums devoted specifically to that subject. I simply wanted some info and it was offered in the first reply. Thank you to those who have contributed.