First Handgun; Sig P226 .40

[Bloodyshoe]

I just paid for my first handgun yesterday and learned a lot about just how ridiculous the gun laws are in this state. I'll try to throw up some photos in a couple weeks. It is a Sig P226 .40. I had exchanged emails with the store owner and he had told me they had some used 226's in 9mm which was what I was looking for. When I went to the store a few days later, the owner was gone and his sales associates helped me out.

I was halfway finished filling out the DROS for the 9mm when their faces dropped and they informed me that they couldn't sell me this particular model. Apparently the 226R is ok and this one was not. The only difference, they said, was that the California legal version had a rail while this one didn't. Otherwise the same gun.
We discussed options for a bit and I decided to look at the .40 which I ended up purchasing. Probably a newb move to buy a caliber you haven't tried but the gun felt good in my grip and I felt it was an ok deal. I understand you can get conversion kits to switch to a 9mm (at least I hope that is true).

I'd like to hear your thoughts on this caliber and whether it is advisable to convert to 9mm. Who knows, maybe I'll love .40 and never bother trying to convert.

[Albs]

I just paid for my first handgun yesterday and learned a lot about just how ridiculous the gun laws are in this state. I'll try to throw up some photos in a couple weeks. It is a Sig P226 .40. I had exchanged emails with the store owner and he had told me they had some used 226's in 9mm which was what I was looking for. When I went to the store a few days later, the owner was gone and his sales associates helped me out.

I was halfway finished filling out the DROS for the 9mm when their faces dropped and they informed me that they couldn't sell me this particular model. Apparently the 226R is ok and this one was not. The only difference, they said, was that the California legal version had a rail while this one didn't. Otherwise the same gun.
We discussed options for a bit and I decided to look at the .40 which I ended up purchasing. Probably a newb move to buy a caliber you haven't tried but the gun felt good in my grip and I felt it was an ok deal. I understand you can get conversion kits to switch to a 9mm (at least I hope that is true).

I'd like to hear your thoughts on this caliber and whether it is advisable to convert to 9mm. Who knows, maybe I'll love .40 and never bother trying to convert.

I personally prefer to shoot 9s and/or 45s. That's just me. I shot a .40 at the range and didn't like the recoil that much. People are going to say, but 45s have a stronger recoil... sure, but when you're shooting a 1911, it's a more manageable. But that's probably because I'm not use to it, so after that I never shot a 40 or will ever think about purchasing one. I'm too comfortable with 9 and 45 to change to anything else. That may be different for your case. Shoot what you're comfortable with, not what others tell you is best.

[Khromo]

A full size gun like the P226 soaks up recoil well, as long as the grip fits your hand. The .40 is objectionable to some people, but many folks handle it very easily. For me, the difference is negligible, but others would disagree. Give it a chance and you'll probably be fine.

You can get conversion kits online, although they are out of stock often. I bought a .40 kit for my 9 mm. P226 here, and it shipped without the giant loaded chamber indicator. Nice! This vendor is pricey, though. You can probably find a better price elsewhere. Midway used to have them for a good price, but they don't seem to list them any more.

http://shop.sigsauerguns.com/Conversion-Kits/P226-Conversion-Kits/Sig-Sauer-CALX-226-9-BSS-10.html

I would prefer the .40 if I were limited to 10 round mags. I've got some 15's from back when I had a job, so I sometimes use that top end. That P226 is my home defense gun.

Work on mastering the double action trigger, and work on mastering the double action-to-single action transition.

[gwhiz]

If this is a new pistol, you can go to the Sig website and register for the warranty. Sig will then give you a code for 20% off an order from their store. They sell caliber xchange kits that will convert you to 9mm if you decide to go that route.

[geoint]

OP, sigs are good guns so you wont be disappointed.

But 40 is a pointless caliber. Even the agency that created it (the FBI) is giving it the ax and replacing it with 9mm.

Sure, 30 years ago with the available bullets at the time, 9mm wasn't that great. But with current weapons and bullets, 9mm can do everything 40 can, for less money/round, greater mag capacity* and way less felt recoil.

*and even in CA mag capacity isn't totally meaningless. For example, a Glock 26 holds more rounds than a Glock 27, same thing with a Shield in 9 vs 40...etc.


Id keep the 40 for one reason. Because its a pointless caliber, it usually doesn't disapper off gunstore shelves during panics (cuz everybody who knows their business is buying the better calibers lol). But if youre in a drought, you take what water you can find

Definitely get a 9 or 45 when you get the chance. Way more fun to shoot

[Barang]

P226 .40 is my first Sig and it is my home defense gun. Since then I bought 2 more (one full stainless & two tone plus one P229 all in .40). There was a time when ammo were hard to find and there were plenty of .40 available.

And yes, you can get a 9mm conversion kit or be patiently looking in the market section for dedicated P226 9mm.

[camaroguy2012]

You wont have any problems with the sig .40 it is a great gun, i love mine

[L84CABO]

It would be hard to pick a better first gun than a Sig P226. I'm not wild about .40 but that's just a personal thing. I'm sure this will serve you well.

Congrats...and welcome!

[Nrai2020]

My sig 229 in .40 has about the same recoil as my glock 17... But the sig has an SRT which IMO is amazing and better than most 1911 pistols..

I still kinda prefer the g17 because of its lower bore axis i m able to point and shoot better.

[SkyHawk]

I have a lot of 40 and 9. 40 is hardly pointless, and until the FBI really moves away from it, all talk about that is just rumor and speculation that has been going on for 10+ years.

And if you buy into rumor, the Army is moving away from 9 and going to 40. So somehow the detractors have to reconcile that with their idea of 'pointless'.

I can carry any gun in nearly any caliber I choose, and I carry a Glock 23, the same .40 the FBI carries.

I have a Sig P226 in 9mm and one in 40. The P226 in 40 is by far the softest shooting 40 in my collection. It is a pleasure to shoot. You did good, you will love it. Congrats!

[MosinVirus]

OP, I am actually thinking of selling my 226 (9mm no LCI) and my 220 (.45 acp) because I started riding the slide stop when I shoot. When I first bought them it wasn't an issue, but after shooting many other pistols and learning to grip high I started holding down the slide stop/release when I shoot. Not sure if anyone else has ever had a similar issue.

Also, the trigger on the 220 feels weird to me. I am sure it is probably just me but it feels like it breaks too far back.

Otherwise, both pistols are great.

My sig 229 in .40 has about the same recoil as my glock 17... But the sig has an SRT which IMO is amazing and better than most 1911 pistols..

I was actually thinking of upgrading to SRT on both of my sigs. So far I haven't felt a better trigger than a 1911. Is it really that good?

[Munky]

Welcome and there's nothing wrong with a fotay.

[gsparesa]

Welcome and there's nothing wrong with a fotay.

Add me to that list.

[hedemark20]

The 226, in any caliber, is one of the finest pistols in the world for $1k or less. Although, I believe it to be the 220, many contend the 226 is SIG's signature pistol. I don't own anything chambered in .40, but have shot it. It's a good happy medium between 9mm & .45. To me, felt recoil is much more like 9mm than .45. .40 rounds are pretty big & some people love big holes. Ammo is cheaper than .45 &, as has been noted, I've never been anywhere that sells ammo that didn't have a couple boxes of .40 in stock. Congrats on your new 226! There's a thing us SIG guys call the SIGness. It's real. More than likely, your new pistol won't be your last

[Bloodyshoe]

Welcome and there's nothing wrong with a fotay.

Wait...what are we talking about here?

I appreciate the comments. I'm feeling less anxious about the purchase (not that I was all that anxious) and have some things to think about. I will definitely give the .40 a chance before rushing to get a 9mm conversion.

If this is a new pistol, you can go to the Sig website and register for the warranty.

It is well used and showing a bit of wear but otherwise appears fine. Was most likely owned by a PD. Paid five even after tax+DROS.