Sig differences?

[soulfresh]

hey everybody. im debating if i should get a sig 226 for my next 9mm, but ive heard some stuff about the US made sigs. if sig people can enlighten me, what is so much better about the west german or german made sigs 226 compared to the US made ones? how can you tell which is which? and i know there are other models but they seem to be made of the same materials and finishes. so what makes the other ones more expensive? thanks.

[Sky_DiveR]

So far as I know, the difference is the slides. US made slides are one piece milled stainless steel while the German made slides are stamped and welded steel with a pinned breech block.

Some say the German Sigs balance better and the workmanship is better. Also the Sigs with German slides are no longer sold here except on the used market (IIRC). I've used and had both types and can't really tell the difference.

There may be other features that I'm sure the experts will tell ya about.

[golfrj]

Ask the same question over on the Sig Forum, everyone seems to like the folded slide (earlier version) better because of balance.. I 've had both and could not tell the difference (except I felt the non rail gun was better looking).. Have Fun searching for your answers.....

[thai562]

Most of my Sigs have German frame and US slide. They all work great.
The west German Sig have West Germany written on the slide and they look old in style. The slide is made from stamped sheet metal, not milled from a block of ss.
They also have Sig with German frame and US slide, These are much more modern in design. Slides are milled from a solid block of stainless steel. Their serial number start with a "U"
And there are your all US Sigs. They are similar to the German/US Sigs, but their serial number start with "UU"
Sig also have an all Stainless Steel p226 and P220. They are hard to come by these days. Most Sig have Alum frame SS slide.
They are all great.

[CrossedRifles]

I have a Exeter Made Sig P226. Shot 300 rounds of Federal HST 9mm + P and not a single problem.

I'm currently running stock and Mec-Gar magazines also.

[9mmepiphany]

As said the main difference are the slides. Besides the obvious weight and balance difference between the milled stainless and folded/stamped carbon steel...I own a a folded one and the department issued me a milled one...the other differences were minor.

The folded slides used a internal extractor while the milled slides used an external one. The folded slides have a "flat" milled into the top of the slide ahead of the ejection port which tapers toward the front sight. The folded slides are blued while the milled slides are coated in Nitron

[LazyDog]

2000 rounds through my Exeter made Sig 226 and not a problem so far.

[Scorpiusdeus]

The answer is YES, you should buy a P226. I own 2, both newer manufacture. Both work great, never had a problem.

I don't buy the whole German vs American thing, but that's just me.

[sigfan91]

Easy solution to the OP's dilemma: buy one of each.

All my P226s have stamped slides so I can't comment on the differences. I have a P220 Combat with stainless steel slide and a West German P220 with stamped slide. I can feel the weight difference when I pick them up. The P220 Combat has more heft and balances differently.

[GWbiker]

Of the five Sig handguns I own, my choice for daily carry would be the P-239-9.
Made in Exeter, NH and as reliable as it's West German cousins.