Reviving a P226

[Rhyyke]

My coworker and I were talking about guns the other day, and he told me he had a Sig 226 that was heavily damaged in a house fire back in the mid 90s. We discussed whether it was possible to restore it to firing condition, and I said I'd ask around here.

I had a chance to see the gun, and all the steel looks to be in good shape. The grip completely melted and has been removed since. The main problem is that the slide and trigger are all stuck. The pistol was in a holster when the fire occurred, and so when he first recovered it, it was completely encased in melted plastic. since then he has chipped off the plastic shell, but there is probably still plastic inside that prevents the slide from moving. Some of the springs etc are probably missing/damaged too.

Is there any dealer in CA that can repair this pistol, or do we have to send it back to Sig? As far as I can tell the slide/frame/barrel are all in good shape, just needs a little cleaning, so ultimately I think its salvageable? Thanks in advance for the help guys!

[ChrisTKHarris]

Call up Sig and see if they can repair/replace it or find a local Gunsmith that might be able to restore it.

[slik556]

I dano, Sig frames are made of aluminum and it don't stand up to fire really well... All that stuff that does not work may be due to a warped frame.... I say hang it on the wall and get a new one....

[elberettas]

I would contact these guys.

http://grayguns.com/contact-us/

[redcliff]

I vote no on restoring it; no telling how much temperature it was subject to or what it's done to the heat-treating in various locations of the pistol.

[SkiDevil]

The best suggestion given was to contact SIG SAUER directly and inquire with one of their technicians/ gun smiths. I would specifically request for one of these individuals because customer service personnel usually do not possess the required knowledge to answer such a question.

The main component that would be required to revive the gun would be the receiver. CDNN Investments in Texas has sold replacement slides for the various Sig Classic line over the past few years as well.

However, as another member already alluded to in the fact that the gun has been already exposed to over 1200 degrees F of heat the integrity of the metal may be questionable. Aluminum is a pretty tough metal and in some ways better than your typical steel, but that degree of heat would give me some concern.

But, as was already suggested consult with the experts at SIG. I have some knowledge of metals because my father worked within the metal fabrication industry for over 30 years but I would defer to the manufacturer.

If your friend sends the gun in to SIG or anyone else, remind him to obtain some form of WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION requiring an estimate AND his approval prior to work commencing. It may turn out that the costs of the repair equal or exceed the price of a replacement pistol.

Personally, I think I would just look for a clean used 226 and call it a day.

Sig Sauer
Exeter, NH
Eastern Time Zone
Telephone#: (603) 772-2302

Good Luck,
SkiDevil

[Rhyyke]

thanks guys! I told him to basically contact SIG and go from there. thanks again for the help.