1911 vs. SIG P226

[Rob360]

I'm in the market for a new gun, but I am having a hard time deciding between a 1911 and a SIG P226.

The P226 fits in my hands perfectly. I've never held any gun that feels like such a natural extension of my hand as the SIG. I've not been able to shoot one though, and I am a little concerned about the take-up and re-set that this gun is known for. How big of a deal is it?

Also, I'm not quite clear on how the DA/SA works.

It seems that a 1911 would be better in some ways since they are only SA. I love the looks of 1911's, but I don't know how much sway that should have in my decision.

The 1911's that I have held feel good, but not as good as the P226.

How would a 1911 compare to the P226 in terms of reliability? Would the 1911 require a lot more maintenance?

If I go with a 1911, it will be a 9mm version, which limits my choices.

I sum, what are the pros and cons of each of these? Thanks in advance!

[Black Majik]

My P226 is, without a doubt, my most reliable handgun. Times when my Glock has failed (my fault really for changing/testing spring weights and such) my P226 has always kept ticking.

DA/SA would be double action first (hammer down), single action for subsequent shots. It should be carried decocked (located on left grip) in double action. After the first shot, the gun cycles, and cocks the hammer. The rest of your shots will be in single action. The shooter can decock the weapon at any time in his course of fire.

For the range, DA isn't necessary. The shooter may choose to shoot in SA only. Load magazine, chamber, the gun is cocked. At this point the shooter can either choose to decock the gun into DA, or leave in SA. Never carry it in SA however.

SIGs are great guns. Well... for the most part. Some are weary of current production SIGs (I'm one of them). Chances are, the SIG will beat the 1911 in reliability. The longer slack and reset isn't really too big of a deal once you become used to it. I (I'm sure many others as well) still prefers the shorter slack and reset.

1911s are fun as well. One mode to carry (condition 1). Cocked hammer, safety on. Point, safety off. For the most part it'll have a more user friendly trigger. Short slack, non-hinged trigger, very short reset and for the most part a cleaner break.

They're really two different guns. Best thing would be not only to try a P226 and a 1911, try out many brands and models the 1911s have to offer. They're all different as opposed to the one maker for P226s.

Good luck.

[Noobert]

Sig>1911

[will227457]

two totally diffrent syle of guns...

It's like comparing apples and oranges....

go with the one that fits your hand better

[Scorpiusdeus]

This seems like a real no brainer to me.

The 1911 is a wonderful weapon and it shoots a respectable round. Nothing wrong with it....

The Sig however is simply handgun perfection. Your first comments are really what a gun is all about all other things being equal.

Most modern day 1911s come out of the box ready to rock and roll. Older models sometimes required some fine tuning for reliability.

The Sig Sauer P226 has ALWAYS been out of the box reliable. You can shoot 9mm, .40 S&W (my favorite) or .357 sig in one gun. I have owned at least 5 P226s, I still own two in .40 S&W and I have a Bar-Sto barrel for 9mm.

Nothing against the 1911, but really the Sig is a modern day combat weapon that is as good or better than all others.

IMHO,buy a P226 in .40 S&W, then buy the .357sig barrel and a BarSto 9mm conversion barrel and you'll have 3 SUPERIOR guns in one.

The DA/SA, like so many other concerns, thing is a non issue once you train on it.

IMHO the P226 is easier to break down and clean.

Ammo cost and availability may or may no be considerations for you, but the 9mm and .40 S&W are less expensive than the .45. If you go the three caliber route that I've suggested, you'll almost always be able to find one of those caliber somewhere.

[cineski]

Rob, what do you shoot now? This can play heavily on a few things. Not as much, though, as what this new gun will be used for. Range use? Self defense? The SIG 226 is a stellar gun. I'll assume you mean to get a 9mm for any of these choices? The 1911 is a great gun, too, but much more specialized if you intend to use it for self defense. For target use, it's really hard to beat a 1911. Especially in 9mm and I'd like to get one someday myself.

[mike452]

You just need to handle a nice 1911 before making your decision. You have limited options for a 9mm. My Kimber 9mm is great. You may like the fat grip of the P226 vs. the single stack of the 1911. Try to handle double stack models if you can find one.

You have to shoot them both! Don't make your decision base on the grip feel!
I really dislike the HK USP45 because it jumps too much. Now I have the Expert and it is much better.

Maintenance for the 1911 is simple. I clean it once every 3 trips to the range and more often on the expensive models. Just need someone to show you how not to make the idiot mark the first time and you are set. I will get my first P226 in 11 days.

Warning: Don’t start on the 1911s if you don’t want to start an addiction!

[Black Majik]

Wise words.

[Rob360]

Thanks for all the great replies thus far, it is appreciated. I'm new here, and I think I'm going to like this place.

Rob, what do you shoot now? This can play heavily on a few things. Not as much, though, as what this new gun will be used for. Range use? Self defense? The SIG 226 is a stellar gun. I'll assume you mean to get a 9mm for any of these choices? The 1911 is a great gun, too, but much more specialized if you intend to use it for self defense. For target use, it's really hard to beat a 1911. Especially in 9mm and I'd like to get one someday myself.

Good questions, and I should have mentioned more of these issues in my original post.

I currently shoot 9mm (an older Ruger P85) and that's what I want to stay with. But this next gun purchase will be used largely for target practice, although it will also serve as home defense. I will not be carrying.

[BossHog]

My P226 is, without a doubt, my most reliable handgun. Times when my Glock has failed (my fault really for changing/testing spring weights and such) my P226 has always kept ticking.

Exactly my experience as well.

[Rob360]

You just need to handle a nice 1911 before making your decision. You have limited options for a 9mm. My Kimber 9mm is great. You may like the fat grip of the P226 vs. the single stack of the 1911. Try to handle double stack models if you can find one.

You have to shoot them both! Don't make your decision base on the grip feel!

The hard part is finding a way to shoot a 1911. The gun ranges don't rent them!

I've already tried a Glock 19 and Beretta 92. Both were fine, but neither fit my hands nearly as well as the SIG 226. I have not shot the SIG yet either.

[cineski]

Well, a 226 is perfectly adequate for target practice. But any platform that's used for home defense should be well thought out. I never recommend 1911's simply because it's a specialized platform that you must dedicate yourself to in order to use successfully while under stress. A 1911 is meant to be cocked and locked. Every time you draw a 1911 you flip the thumb safety off. Unless you're going to train exclusively with a 1911 for self defense, you're much better off getting a DA/SA or DAO platform for home defense. Even a DA/SA semi auto takes a bit more training than DAO. Gotta remember to decock. Easy enough at the range, but remember that in a home defense situation you're going to be pumping with adrenaline.

Thanks for all the great replies thus far, it is appreciated. I'm new here, and I think I'm going to like this place.



Good questions, and I should have mentioned more of these issues in my original post.

I currently shoot 9mm (an older Ruger P85) and that's what I want to stay with. But this next gun purchase will be used largely for target practice, although it will also serve as home defense. I will not be carrying.

[cineski]

Springfield XD. Problem solved. They're the best polymer for people who don't like Glocks. Much cheaper, too. Will leave you some money for ammo, weaponlight, training.

The hard part is finding a way to shoot a 1911. The gun ranges don't rent them!

I've already tried a Glock 19 and Beretta 92. Both were fine, but neither fit my hands nearly as well as the SIG 226. I have not shot the SIG yet either.

[Boo_Radley]

You know, it's funny because I felt the same way the first time I held a 226; it fit like it was designed for my hand. On this particular range trip, I was trying out my friend's HK USP & Sig226, both in 9mm.

What made me purchase the HK USP instead was determined after I fired 100 rounds through each handgun. Although the 226 felt perfect to me, at the end of the trip, my groupings were much tighter with the USP than the 226. Now, I wouldn't call this the perfect scientific case study, because I kept alternating between the two every 10 rounds, and perhaps there is a learning curve for each make/model. But for me, I think I felt an instant connection with the USP. Your results may be different, but I highly recommend renting a 226 (and a USP) at a local range before you make your decision.

[Rob Roy]

Springfield XD. Problem solved. They're the best polymer for people who don't like Glocks. Much cheaper, too. Will leave you some money for ammo, weaponlight, training.

I tried to like XDs, but couldn't convince myself; there is something in them that I feel falls short from Glocks.