Sig P226 Lifespan

[Ferdinandd]

There's another thread on general glocking about the lifespan of glocks. I used to shoot at a range that had a rental 17 with 250,000 rds through last time I was there.

How about a P226? Anybody have any experience with guns with high round counts? I remember a while back there was talk of P220 frames cracking, and I think there was some substance to the rumors. But how about a P226 shooting 9mm? I figure they must be pretty robust considering the fact that the Seals opted for them. Thanks in advance.

[grindchug]

If you replace springs and such I think they will outlast you.

[adamg01]

I have a 228 from the Clinton ban era with at least 8,000 rounds through it. It is reliable as hell and looks not so used.

[DAIadvisor]

You can expect at least 50k+. Keep it clean and oiled, and it will outlast you. Make sure you get some spares - especially springs and firing pins, and you're good to go.

[seed]

Yeah, I heard the alloy frames could develop cracks at around 25,000 rounds (not sure about the exact estimate) -- especially the bigger calibers. But I also heard that they will continue to shoot for a while after the crack starts, so you probably don't need to worry about them being useless in the middle of a battle...unless you knew about a crack ahead of time and chose to ignore it for a long enough period of time.

And I heard that Sig will replace the frame without any hassles. So personally it is not an issue to me.

[nosuchagency]

i was always under the impression that 30,000 was a reasonable service life for an alloy-framed pistol (probably read something to that effect in a rag back in the day when the wonder nines first broke out).

[seed]

i was always under the impression that 30,000 was a reasonable service life for an alloy-framed pistol (probably read something to that effect in a rag back in the day when the wonder nines first broke out).

I wouldn't doubt it...although it probably depends on the caliber. But like I said before, to the best of my knowledge Sig will replace the frame if if cracks, so a Sig will last you longer than the life of the frame... Of course, if your's lasts 25-30K rounds, you should probably also replace the barrel and as many springs as possible.

[magiaaron]

If you shoot 30k rounds through a sig or 250k rounds through a GLOCK and it starts to break down... For Heaven's sake, treat yourself to a new gun! Obviously you can afford it too if you're buying that much ammo.

-magiaaron

[Cobra64]

I wouldn't doubt it...although it probably depends on the caliber. But like I said before, to the best of my knowledge Sig will replace the frame if if cracks, so a Sig will last you longer than the life of the frame... Of course, if your's lasts 25-30K rounds, you should probably also replace the barrel and as many springs as possible.
Sig has what I call a "tune-up" package. From the Sig Sauer web site:

SIG Service Plan - The best way to protect your used pistol!

SIGARMS now offers a special service for used SIG SAUER® pistols called the SIG Service Plan (SSP). When you buy a used pistol, whether it's from a shooting buddy, a retail store or at a gun show, contact SIGARMS Customer Service for shipping instructions. Then, ship your pistol to the factory for a complete cleaning and our “full service package” for just $129.95. This special offer includes installation of new SIGLITE® Night Sights* – a $120 value. Our expert armorers will inspect your pistol top to bottom. Should your pistol show signs of misuse or damage caused by a previous owner, SIGARMS' armorers will advise you and offer cost-effective solutions to repair your pistol. The SIG Service Plan includes*:

- Full disassembly of pistols down to frame and slide
- Complete detailed cleaning
- Expert factory inspection of all critical components
- Replacement of springs (recoil, slide catch lever, trigger bar, decocking lever)
- Reassembly and lubrication to factory specifications
- Installation of SIGLITE® Factory Night Sights (excluding P232)
- Function test

This service, valued at $225, is yours for just $129.95 and brings your used SIG SAUER® pistol back to peak operational readiness."

Link: http://www.sigsauer.com/CustomerService/SSP.aspx


.

[Rinspeed]

If you shoot 30k rounds through a sig or 250k rounds through a GLOCK and it starts to break down... For Heaven's sake, treat yourself to a new gun! Obviously you can afford it too if you're buying that much ammo.

-magiaaron



I always laugh a bit at threads like this and mention the same thing. If you've spent $8000 wearing out a firearm most likely you have gotten your monies worth out of the original purchase. Also if you are that serious about shooting there's a good chance you have multiple handguns.

[lastevolution]

I believe that the SEAL Teams switched to the SIG after encountering slide issues after a high number of rounds with Berettas.

Seeing as how much SEALs shoot with nary a complaint (that we've heard of at least) with the issue P226, I'd say they're good to go for a long time.

[TacticalBling]

i was always under the impression that 30,000 was a reasonable service life for an alloy-framed pistol (probably read something to that effect in a rag back in the day when the wonder nines first broke out).

Isn't 30K the expected service life for the M9, accoring to the Army? Or am I thinking of another pistol?

[WAPS]

In another lifetime when I was the owner of an indoor shooting range, I had a Sig P-226 which was there from the day the range opened 7 years prior. This weapon was rented extensively and rattled like a rattlesnakes tail. However and while I cannot provide an exact round count, I feel it is safe to assume that this gun had at least 200K + fired through it over the years and the only maintenance it ever received / required was cleaning and lubrication. It also maintained its accuracy until the day I moved on to bigger and better things.

Just my experience with Sigs.

Be Safe

Bryan S. Williams
President / Chief Instructor - Williams Associates Protective Services, LLC
Director of Training Operations - Grey Wolf Training Specialists, LLC

www.wa-protective.com
www.greywolftraining.net
www.wttrw.com

[Ferdinandd]

Thanks for all the feedback. Here's what prompted me to ask; almost 20 years ago, I used to shoot a friend's P226. I struggled with the SA to DA pull, but otherwise, it was awesome. I've never shot a pistol that felt like it since. I shot a G21 in practical pistol competition - around 150 rounds per week between matches and practice, didn't clean it often, and it performed great. It was sold to fund another purchase a while back. I now have a G17. It's reliable and robust, as you would expect, but it doesn't feel as nice and shoot as smoothly as the P226. I'd say that I shot the P226 more accurately as well. I can only afford one 9mm, and was considering selling my G17 and switching to a P226. Yes, I know that's blasphemy here... Also, my shooting rate has slowed a lot in the past 20 years, but I just always liked knowing that the G17 was so darned tough, and would likely deliver a quarter million rounds of lifespan. I could put that many rounds through a pistol, if I shoot at my current rate until I'm 80 or so.

Thanks again.

[Cobra64]

Thanks for all the feedback. Here's what prompted me to ask; almost 20 years ago, I used to shoot a friend's P226. I struggled with the SA to DA pull, but otherwise, it was awesome. I've never shot a pistol that felt like it since. I shot a G21 in practical pistol competition - around 150 rounds per week between matches and practice, didn't clean it often, and it performed great. It was sold to fund another purchase a while back. I now have a G17. It's reliable and robust, as you would expect, but it doesn't feel as nice and shoot as smoothly as the P226. I'd say that I shot the P226 more accurately as well. I can only afford one 9mm, and was considering selling my G17 and switching to a P226. Yes, I know that's blasphemy here... Also, my shooting rate has slowed a lot in the past 20 years, but I just always liked knowing that the G17 was so darned tough, and would likely deliver a quarter million rounds of lifespan. I could put that many rounds through a pistol, if I shoot at my current rate until I'm 80 or so.

Thanks again.I'm not a big Glock fan, but if you like it, I'd find a way to keep it. Wait a few more months and then get your Sig.


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[bigdollars]

Isn't 30K the expected service life for the M9, accoring to the Army? Or am I thinking of another pistol?

i thought it was 50-70K for an M-9...far more than the 5k the contract called for.

[bac1023]

I'm not a big Glock fan, but if you like it, I'd find a way to keep it. Wait a few more months and then get your Sig.


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Agreed, trading guns is not the way to go.

[TacticalBling]

Agreed, trading guns is not the way to go.

Big +1!

I don't think I've ever traded/sold a gun, and not later kicked myself for not keeping it.

[PillBox]

Big +1!

I don't think I've ever traded/sold a gun, and not later kicked myself for not keeping it.

I HAVE sold some guns and definitely regret it, even my Springfield Compact (which I have made a habit of trash-talking in every other thread here).

I'm definitely not selling any more weapons.

PillBox

[TacticalBling]

I HAVE sold some guns and definitely regret it, even my Springfield Compact (which I have made a habit of trash-talking in every other thread here).

I'm definitely not selling any more weapons.

PillBox

That's what I meant to say: DON'T sell unless you absolutely have to, or the gun repulses you to keep, like a cross to Dracula.

Sorry my post was confusing! :supergrin: