View Full Version : Sig P226 .40 Cal
Heavyweight
01-10-24, 08:51
So I inherited a P226 .357 Sig barrel and a metric shit ton of .357 Sig ammo. I have no host gun currently. But I’m seeing a lot of .40 S&W P226 guns in my area for sale. At really cheap prices. I’ve got a guy holding one for me….LNIB for $500….comes with 500 assorted rounds of ammo. This isn’t a police trade in or one with the DAK system. I’m seeing prices as low as $350 for guns with some wear. Has .40 S&W become so unpopular that people can’t sell these pistols? Or was the market so flooded by police trade ins that prices dropped? Or does the P226 not perform well in .40?
I just want to make sure I’m not missing something before I buy. I can always sell the .357 Sig barrel and ammo and move on if there are known problems.
Appreciate any insight!
Heavyweight
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
@SteyrAUG will want to jump in here, but as I recall the Sig p22x was originally used for 45 ACP. .40 will be no issue. I've owned several Sigs in 357Sig and they've all been flawless.
Based on the kind of deal you're getting, with the various ammo and barrel, I'd say it's a good deal. Even though I'm consolidating calibers and platforms, I would jump all over it personally.
Has .40 S&W become so unpopular that people can’t sell these pistols?
Yes. That said, it's still a more effective cartridge than 9mm, so there's no reason to avoid it. Back after 40S&W came out in the early '90's, the federal AWB went into effect. If you could only have 10rds, why not 10rds of a more effective cartridge. Since the AWB sunseted, that logic is gone (unless you live behind the lines) and the difference in effectiveness between 40S&W and 9mm has decreased (though 40S&W is still more effective). The cost difference between the two cartridges also enters the equation.
@SteyrAUG will want to jump in here, but as I recall the Sig p22x was originally used for 45 ACP. .40 will be no issue. I've owned several Sigs in 357Sig and they've all been flawless.
I believe the 220 was originally setup for 45ACP and the 226 was originally setup for 9mm.
Has .40 S&W become so unpopular that people can’t sell these pistols?
Tragically the Vaginization of the shooting world has placed most pistol shooters in the 9mm/Womens division.
(but it's all about shot placement!)
Has .40 S&W become so unpopular that people can’t sell these pistols? Or was the market so flooded by police trade ins that prices dropped?
Yes...Both.
The P226 is a good gun and I still like 40. However, if I were in your position, I think I'd just sell the 357 Sig ammo and call it a day. You could get around a $1/rd for it fairly easily...
I have 3 p226's. One of them is a 40 that I also have a 357 Sig and 9mm barrel for. She purs like a kitten running 40. In a gun this size, the increased recoil is barely noticeable.
Almost every gun I have bought in the last year has been a 40 because they are giving them away.
For the longest time, I was a 9mm only guy. I couldn't afford to stock multiple calibers. I told myself 9mm was just as good, and that the recoil was not worth it on the 40. Now that I have spent more time with them, I do think it has an edge on 9mm. I also think recoil is very manageable as long as you are not running it in a mouse gun.
I now have a G22, P226, p30, and P2000 in 40. I got the p2000 for 500 new, plus it had a rebate for 4 free mags. I purchased a bunch of police trade in ammo for less then 9mm.
The trend right now are tiny light weight guns with high capacity. I think the pendulum will swing back eventually. 10mm is making a come back.
Sent from my LM-Q720 using Tapatalk
Has .40 S&W become so unpopular that people can’t sell these pistols?
Or was the market so flooded by police trade ins that prices dropped?
Or does the P226 not perform well in .40?
Basically, yes.
Heavyweight
01-10-24, 12:25
I’m just so used to seeing retail on the plain old P226 being at least $900 that it caught me a little off guard.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240110/70c62c0dc16cd117ecc9b6e55927dba3.jpg
This is the exact pistol I think I’m going to pick up. You guys are just confirming there isn’t any reason not to.
Really appreciate the feedback.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Heavyweight
01-10-24, 19:17
Gotta say…..this thing is sweet. I’m diggin’ the E2 grips. I’m gonna see how it carries after I get it out and shoot it. Gotta see which I shoot better…..357 Sig or .40.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240111/9979e1fad8b2eb9d96b64675d10998c6.jpg
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Gotta see which I shoot better…..357 Sig or .40.
Make sure you have effective hearing protection. 357-SIG is a bit feisty.
Heavyweight
01-11-24, 09:25
Make sure you have effective hearing protection. 357-SIG is a bit feisty.
What’s funny is that .357 Sig is the one caliber I have never fired. I’ve never owned a pistol chambered in it. Is recoil similar to .40 S&W? It should be….and I’ve fired boat loads of .40. I’ve never had an issue with .40.
I’m also a big 9mm guy. Always have been. But it’s not a perfect caliber by any means. I agree with Mark…..we’ve basically moved to managing to the least common denominator (vaginization I believe you called it Mark). Why else would LEOs like the Secret Service switch from .357 Sig back to 9mm? Seems to me they would have a clear need for a caliber with a bit more oomph and penetration. If I need to punch through a car door or windshield I know which round I’d rather have. 9mm works for me most of the time because I’m just a civilian needing basic self defense. But if I was a professional, I would want every reasonable advantage I could get. Including more power. I just don’t get the dumbing down. That’s why I’m totally blown away at the pricing on these fantastic pistols in .40 cal.
I know I got way off topic but would love to hear your thoughts too. Does it make more sense to just move everyone to 9mm like the current trend suggests?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
What’s funny is that .357 Sig is the one caliber I have never fired. I’ve never owned a pistol chambered in it. Is recoil similar to .40 S&W? It should be….and I’ve fired boat loads of .40. I’ve never had an issue with .40.
I had a P239 in 357 Sig for a minute back in the early 2000's. I found the recoil to be noticeably harsher than the 40. Honestly it was a nasty little thing and I hated shooting it so I sold it pretty quick.
Some of that is probably the form factor, though. It might not be as bad in the full-sized gun.
Still have loads of 40's...It's a great round and I find it pretty easy to shoot, even in the G27. I have absolutely no interest in owning another 357 Sig though.
Does it make more sense to just move everyone to 9mm like the current trend suggests?
I think so. 9mm is "good enough" for LE and gives them higher capacity in a package that easier for the common-denominator officer to handle. Let's be real...The majority of cops are not gun people and don't train enough to be completely proficient. They can get better results from half-ass training with the 9 than with other things. Best situation is probably officer's choice for caliber, but for large departments with a diverse officer pool, I think 9mm makes sense. Being able to piggy back ammo contracts is also a benefit for the feds.
In the "civilian" world, most people that buy a gun treat it as a talisman to ward off evil. They don't even shoot regularly much less actually train. You think they're gonna get good hits with a 10mm or 357? Most of them would be better off with a .22 if I'm completely honest.
What’s funny is that .357 Sig is the one caliber I have never fired. I’ve never owned a pistol chambered in it. Is recoil similar to .40 S&W? It should be….and I’ve fired boat loads of .40.
I'd say that the recoil is a step up from 40S&W. It feels sharper like the slide is moving faster.
The P226 in .40 is a nice shooter, mine always surprises me how soft and accurately it shoots. .357 Sig is also very accurate, it does have a noticeable bark. I have 10s of thousands of rounds through the .357 P226 (back when it was my duty gun). That $500 deal for a non-LE trade, non-DAK, with 500 rds sounds like a good deal. I like E2 grips as well.
mpddoug162
01-13-24, 06:50
I carried a 226 in 40 for just over 16 years as a duty weapon. They and it performed well when needed throughout my agency. One of the first things I did was get a 357 sig bbl. My issued 226 had standard grip panels that I switched out with the E2 grips making it even more comfortable for me. You might as well invest in some mec-gar 226 extra capacity mags for it as they are the oem sig mag supplier and they fit flush.
Heavyweight
01-13-24, 07:55
I got a chance to shoot it with .357 Sig and .40 yesterday. LOVED it in both calibers. Recoil I thought was extremely manageable. I can’t say that I really noticed any difference in .357 except it was loud as ****! It’s a fire breather but recoil? No worse.
I can see why you guys carried it for duty guns for so long. What a great pistol…..and accurate! If I can manage to find an x-change kit in 9mm I’m all over it. Or **** it….maybe I should just pick up a Mk25.
I’ve always been a huge fan of the CZ75. It pains me to say that the P226 is a better gun.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I got a chance to shoot it with .357 Sig and .40 yesterday. LOVED it in both calibers. Recoil I thought was extremely manageable. I can’t say that I really noticed any difference in .357 except it was loud as ****! It’s a fire breather but recoil? No worse.
I can see why you guys carried it for duty guns for so long. What a great pistol…..and accurate! If I can manage to find an x-change kit in 9mm I’m all over it. Or **** it….maybe I should just pick up a Mk25.
I’ve always been a huge fan of the CZ75. It pains me to say that the P226 is a better gun.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Cool, man!
I've only had / fired .357 auto from Glocks. Pretty similar to 135 gr .40...go figure. Less push than .40, more snap.
I tend to shy away from ear splitters for SD though. That includes .357 auto, .327 fed, light weight .357 mag, and .44 mag.
7.62 Tok is a loud one, too.
anachronism
01-13-24, 22:09
357 SIG is a favorite of mine. There's something very satisfying about 357 on steel targets. I haven't had any problems with the recoil either. It is an attention getter at indoor ranges though:)
I got a chance to shoot it with .357 Sig and .40 yesterday. LOVED it in both calibers. Recoil I thought was extremely manageable. I can’t say that I really noticed any difference in .357 except it was loud as ****! It’s a fire breather but recoil? No worse.
I can see why you guys carried it for duty guns for so long. What a great pistol…..and accurate! If I can manage to find an x-change kit in 9mm I’m all over it. Or **** it….maybe I should just pick up a Mk25.
I’ve always been a huge fan of the CZ75. It pains me to say that the P226 is a better gun.
Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkI own and have owned multiple variants of the p226. The MK 25 being one of them. IMHO, unless you want that model from a collection standpoint, it is way over priced.
I would pay a little more and get a legion. It will have better sights, an extra mag, g10 grips, srt trigger, better grip checkering, and the newer models are optic ready. They also have a gray guns trigger in them. The undercut and beavertail are also nice on them. I spent more on upgrading my mk25 then I did on my legion. Grabagun had the older non optic legions on a good sale if they still have any.
You can also just drop a stock 9mm barrel into a 40 p226 and it will function and give you a cheap practice option.
Sent from my LM-Q720 using Tapatalk
My former department issued the .40 226 and 239 for many years. I never found recoil an issue and I don't believe many, if any, did. The size of the weapon proved problematic for some smaller officers (thus the 239 option). The grip does feel slightly larger than the 9mm version.
While we had occasional mechanical issues, things came to a head during an annual inspection and detail cleaning of agency pistols. Multiple 226's and one 239 had developed cracks in the frame. SigSauer was responsive to the problem, supplying E2 grips for all weapons and replacing frames and even entire guns. Unfortunately, we were unable to determine why the particular weapons had problems. (SigSauer would not offer an hypothesis.) My guess is probably the age of the pistols though that isn't clear.
Nonetheless, it was a good weapon until that point.
I'd say that the recoil is a step up from 40S&W. It feels sharper like the slide is moving faster.
Don't forget the nice flash from shooting type of hollow points.. The recoil is more of a thump as the round is moving....
I’m just so used to seeing retail on the plain old P226 being at least $900 that it caught me a little off guard.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240110/70c62c0dc16cd117ecc9b6e55927dba3.jpg
This is the exact pistol I think I’m going to pick up. You guys are just confirming there isn’t any reason not to.
Really appreciate the feedback.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I had an LE trade in P226 gun in 40SW that I traded in a few years ago....I look back now and should have kept it...you can get some LE trade in mags for a good price..pop an SRT kit in and enjoy it at the range
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.