Let the games begin, this is our Glock 17 VS SIG Sauer P226 Review!

In 1984, the U.S. military asked gun manufacturers to place bids on an upcoming project. The armed forces were looking for a new service sidearm. SIG Sauer submitted their P226 model, which was an advanced model of the already-popular P220. The military ended up choosing the Berretta 92F over the SIG, though some units chose to go with the P226 in spite of Beretta getting the coveted government contract.

Is so happens that around that same time, the Austrian military and police were also looking for a gun to replace their older models. The Glock Company, who until that time had not dealt with real weapons manufacturing, submitted their Glock model 17 to the competition. Glock came out the winner, coming in first and passing some major names. Soon enough, Austrian forces were using the Glock 17. Use of the Glock spread quickly, and it took Europe by storm.

There are a lot of reasons to draw comparisons between these two very popular handguns, and this is an attempt to make things easier for those who are deliberating between the two. Ultimately, we each have personal preference and a different taste, different aesthetics, different grip, and what not, so this won’t be a “good vs bad” kind of deal. Both guns are great, hands down, whether for everyday carry or as a service weapon.

To get started, let’s do a quick side by side comparison. This list doesn’t cover every aspect of these firearms, but it should give you an idea of their technical specifications.

Respective Tech Specs

So, those are the rough numbers. Both of them are full-size, service-type handguns. The SIG Sauer’s width is significantly wider, and some people see that as an issue.

The Similarities Only Go So Far

Both guns can handle the recoil of a 9mm round. They both have a safety system made up of several internal mechanisms (more on those soon). These are comparable, yet very different, and you can see that from the get go. The Glock is polymer-2 based, while the SIG is made mostly of steel. The Glock 17 is significantly cheaper than the SIG Sauer (although this is not specific to the P226). The manufacturer suggested retail price for these gun is around $500 for a new Glock, and $900 or $1000 for a new SIG Sauer.

Both of these handguns are tough and reliable. Again, it very much depends on personal preference, grip size, and – in some cases – concealability. Both are chambered in 9mm, and the P226 has the advantage of being chambered in different calibers. There are over 20 different models of P226 currently being produced and sold, whereas the Glock 17 is limited to Gen2, Gen3, or Gen4 models. Much like the Glock 19, the most popular Glock 17 generations are probably Gen3 and Gen4.

Safety Mechanisms

These guns also differ on safety mechanisms. Neither one of them has an external safety switch on the gun itself, but instead they both make use of an elaborate system of internal safeties, in order to guarantee (to the best of the manufacturer’s ability) that no accidental discharge occurs.

The SIG Sauer P226 has what is called the 4-point safety system ( It’s found on all it’s models like the P229 and P228), while the Glock employs a Safe Action system. Both systems are highly effective, include a drop safety, and have the ability to prevent any unwanted or accidental discharge. The only way a bullet is coming out of that barrel is if the shooter pulls the trigger.

Still, there are some crucial differences in the safety mechanisms of these two guns. With the Glock, once you rack the slide, the only way to de-cock the weapon is by pulling the trigger. That means that if you want to be in a “ready to shoot” position, you need to walk around with a cocked gun. The SIG Sauer, on the other hand, allows the shooter to safely lower the hammer while there is still a round in the chamber.

Personal Experience And The Bottom Line

Let’s take a look at some “bottom line” stats, based on personal experience:

Accuracy – both are very accurate, and if you are talking combat accuracy it is a tie. In a range setting, though, the SIG has some advantage for me over the Glock.

Weight – the Glock is lighter. If you are going to be carrying this on you, open or concealed, weight is definitely something to consider. Polymer versus steel.

Trigger – here it varies between first shots and follow-up shots. The SIG handles follow-up shots easier, but the Glock usually has a better first shot.

Grip – perhaps the most subjective item on this list, since it literally varies by hand size and shape. The SIG fits my hand better, but your hand’s mileage may very well vary.

Craftsmanship – there is something about the SIG which seems to make it better quality, and it is probably why it costs significantly more. Make no mistake – I would trust the Glock 17 with my life, but there is something about the SIG Sauer materials and feel which puts it above the Glock.

Customization – both guns are very customizable, but the Glock does seem to offer more aftermarket accessories and parts than the SIG. One user, writing on the SIG gun forums, stated that for him a Glock 17 is like a Harley-Davidson which can be customized, while the SIG is like a Ferrari which already comes with everything you need.

Appearance – for some, firearm aesthetics matter a great deal. They want a gun which looks as good as it shoots. The SIG probably has the advantage here. It looks nicer, overall.

Final Thoughts

Before making any decision, it is best to try both guns. See what fits in your hand, see how you handle both weapons, and see which one feels more natural to you. There is a good chance that once you try them both out, you will form an opinion that will make your decision easier. Or, you can rid yourself of the question altogether, by purchasing both handguns.

(Take a look at our Glock 17 vs 19 article for more info about some of the most popular handguns on the market)

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Table of Contents

• Brief History of the P229
• The P229’s Specifications
• 4-point Safety System
• Users of the P229
• In Summary

This neat little handgun is a relative of SIG’s famous P226 9mm. It is a compact-sized gun, which also takes 9mm cartridges, as well as .40, and .357 SIG. In fact, the P229 was the first handgun that could chamber the .357 SIG round. It was also the first handgun to be manufactured in SIG’s Exeter, New Hampshire location. Until then, the company facilities were in Virginia. In this SIG Sauer P229 Review we’ll take a closer look at one of SIG Sauers’ most popular offerings, the P229.

Brief History of The P229

The P229 is considered to be ideal for concealed carrying, and for that reason it is very popular with law-enforcement and military personnel. Secret Service also carry this weapon. Of course, you don’t necessarily have to carry this gun in concealment, in order to appreciate its look and feel, its relatively smooth action, and its accuracy.

Being a mid-size, this gun can technically be compared to the Glock 19, and many feel that that comparison is certainly in order. However, because the P229 is a double action/single action (DA/SA) handgun, and because it is made of steel, not polymer, it is probably more easily compared not to a Glock 19, but rather to the Berretta 92. They both employ the same kind of action, and are even comparable in size and makeup.

Fun fact! – SIG lost a government contract to Berretta, in the mid-1980s. SIG’s full size P226 came close in the trials, but the weapon which was ultimately chosen was the Berretta’s 92. Still, there were some units who opted to go with the SIG, in spite of its inability to obtain the contract.

The P229’s Specifications:

• Caliber – chambered in 9x19mm, but it also takes .40 S&W, and .357 SIG rounds
• Length – 7.1 inches
• Height – 5.4 inches
• Width – 1.5 inches
• Weight – 29.6 oz. (including magazine)
• Barrel length – 3.9 inches
• Trigger pull – double action 10 lbs., single action 4.4 lbs.
• Magazine (9mm, standard) – 10 rounds
• Magazine (9mm, extended) – 15 rounds

4-point Safety System

As for safeties, there is no safety switch located on the gun itself. Instead, there are 4 different internal mechanisms, which guarantee the safety of the pistol. SIG calls this its 4-point safety system. The safeties are:

1.  the de-cocker, which allows the shooter to lower the hammer safely, while there is a round in the chamber. When the de-cocking occurs, the hammer is lowered but it still stays away from the firing pin.
2.  the safety notch, which is another way of keeping the hammer apart from the firing pin.
3.  the firing pin has its own safety, which makes sure that the pin will not move forward. That is, until the trigger is pulled, at which time the safety is removed and the pin is pushed forward to meet the cartridge’s primer. This third safety is also the gun’s drop safety. Even when dropped from a reasonable height, with a round in the chamber, the gun will not fire.
4.  the slide has a notch, which separates the firing pin from the cartridge. Unlike the aforementioned firing pin safety, this one is there to make sure that the gun doesn’t accidentally discharge a round while it is cycling. This is called the “trigger bar disconnector”.

With all of these safety features combined, it can be said without a doubt that this is a very safe handgun to use. Obviously, precautions should always be taken at any moment. But, it is also good to know that SIG’s engineers gave a lot of serious thought to the weapon’s safety.

Users of the P229

The SIG Sauer P229 currently comes in 10 different styles, and there are even a few other which have already been discontinued. The different versions of the P229 are discernable by type of finish, frame material and coating, rail system, caliber, sights, engravings, and other features which set the different models apart. However, regardless of those features, they are still all P229s, and are basically the same reliable handgun.

And yes, this thing is highly reliable. For this reason, it is used by many military organizations, police departments, and government agencies, in the United States and the rest of the globe. Users of the P229 include:

• Bangladeshi Special Forces
• Canadian Special Forces
• Greek counter-terrorist police units
• Pakistani Special Service Group
• Swedish Police
• Turkish Special Forces
• British Armed Forces
• And, obviously, the United States, which has issued this handgun to Army, Coast Guard, Homeland Security, Secret Service agents, and various departments of law-enforcement all across the country.

 In Summary

As with many SIG Sauer products, there is the issue of pricing. This gun, compared to its fellow compact 9mm contemporaries, is on the pricier side, with the manufacturer suggested retail price being over $1000. This can be a major deterrent for some, which is probably why it is best to shoot this gun before you buy it. Obviously, that would be the ideal situation with any weapon you would like to purchase, but sometimes you can let it slide. With this gun, because of its features, size, and price, I think it is better to be sure that this is the gun for you.

Another possibly hindering fact is that this thing has some weight. It is a bit of a heavy gun, for a compact. Not machine gun heavy, mind you, but still pretty heavy. All the more reason why you should try this gun out, before deciding to buy it. This is true especially if you plan on carrying it in concealment. You want to be comfortable, since this thing is going to be concealed on your person.

As for its shooting abilities, they are top notch. After you sling some lead down-range, you will be able to quickly get used to its DA/SA operation. Some see this as an issue, citing that the first and second shot could technically be further apart than you would like them to be. But, that isn’t really an issue – in my opinion – because it depends mostly on practice and skill. A novice, who is not used to DA/SA guns, may need some time to get acquainted with this system.

A good gun, like the SIG Sauer P229, will provide you with excellent results from the get go. Obviously, if you continue to train with it, you will get even better.

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SIG has been making guns for over 150 years. SIG is actually an acronym, and it stands for Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft (Swiss Industrial Company). In the 1970’s, following a change in Swiss gun-manufacturing laws, SIG created a partnership with Sauer & Sohn of Germany, which is how SIG & Sauer was born. This partnership has been a very successful one, spawning subsidiaries in Germany and the United States. In this SIG Sauer P226 Review we’ll take a closer look at one of SIG Sauers’ most popular offerings, the P226.

Brief History of The P226

The P226 model was developed in the mid 1980’s, as a competing design in a bid for a U.S. military contract. The P226 was an improvement of the P220, which was Germany’s service handgun. The P220 is a single stack gun, and it is chambered in .45.

SIG was looking to change things up for this bid, because the trend at the time was gravitating a lot more towards the 9mm cartridge. And so, SIG put in a bid with the P226, a full size, 9mm, double-stack handgun.

The company’s entry did not get them that contract, but it got very close to winning, surpassing several very popular brands on the way. In fact, the P226 came so close, that there were units (Navy SEALs and Texas Rangers, to name a couple) which decided to go with SIG’s model, even though the gun had failed to secure the coveted government contract. That plum went to the Italian Berretta company, and its 92F model.

Conspiracy theory time: it is suggested that the reason Italy got the nod from the U.S., was due to a semi-shady under-the-table kind of deal, whereupon Italy agreed to place U.S. missiles on its land, and play host to some U.S. military bases.

Like the Glock’s model 19 which I have previously reviewed (If you haven’t read it check it out here – Glock 19 Review), the P226 is considered by many to be SIG Sauer’s ‘SIGnature’ handgun. It is not hard to see why. It’s a great-looking gun, easy to operate, a breeze to maintain, and it is very accurate to boot. It comes in a variety of sub-models, so it is very easy to find a P226 which is just right for you.

The P226’s Specifications:

• Caliber – chambered in 9x19mm, but it also takes .40 S&W, .357 SIG, and .22 Long Rifle cartridges
• Length – 7.7 inches
• Height – 5.5 inches
• Width – 1.5 inches
• Weight – 34.0 oz. (including magazine)
• Barrel length – 4.4 inches
• Trigger pull – double action 10 lbs., single action 4.4 lbs.
• Magazine (9mm, standard) – 10 rounds
• Magazine (9mm, extended) – 15 rounds
• Magazine (9mm, optional) – 17/18/20 rounds

It’s What’s Inside That Counts

The P226 has no external safety mechanism. It is designed as a service pistol, and that means that it was created with the intention of being ready to fire at a moment’s notice. Draw, aim, shoot. This gun is one which is meant to be carried with a bullet in the chamber.

It is important to note that while the P226 does not have a safety switch or lever, it does have 4 internal (or ‘passive’) safety features, which are a part of the handgun itself:

1 & 2 – the de-cocker, and the safety intercept notch. It’s two for the price of one, so to speak. When the de-cocker is engaged, the gun’s hammer may be lowered safely. The notch makes sure that the hammer stays away from the firing pin, making it impossible for the gun to go off unintentionally, even with a round in the chamber.

3 – a third safety is the firing pin safety, which is also the gun’s drop safety. Unless the trigger is pulled, the firing pin will not move. This stays true, even when the pin is struck with significant force by the hammer. It is the trigger which disengage this safety feature.

4 – the trigger bar disconnector, located in the slide itself. There is a kind of lock built into the slide, which keeps the firing pin away from the chambered cartridge. The lock is disengaged only when the slide is in the proper position. This is a safety which comes into play when the gun is cycling, and it makes sure that no round is discharged before the gun has reset itself to its normal firing position.

The P226 has many variants, like a lot of other SIG models. Over 20 variants of the SIG P226 are still being produced and sold. Other ones have been produced in the past, but have since been discontinued. These variants differ in many ways, although they are all essentially the same P226. Some of them are merely engraved with a special insignia, or feature a different kind of finish. There are several P226s which sport more significant changes, such as the addition of night sights, a picatinny rail, grips, or a frame made of a lighter material. It should be noted that the P226 isn’t for shooters with smaller hands due to its trigger placement. There are modifications one could do to solve this problem but for those that would rather not bother there are a ton of different types of small handguns on the market to suit your needs. One such gun that I really love is my Glock 26, It’s super lightweight and efficient.

As stated earlier, SIG’s P226 is definitely an all-time favorite. It is the go-to gun for many a-shooter, and it constantly appears on various lists of popular handguns.

Making Its Mark World Wide

While the P226 may have not gotten that particular U.S. government contract, many military organizations and security forces have been using the SIG P226 ever since.

Some examples of countries and armed forces which use the P226:

• Bangladesh – Special Security Force, Navy
• Canada – Special Forces, Mounties, various police departments
• Finland – Finnish Army
• France – Tactical Squad of the French Gendarmerie
• Ireland – Army Rangers
• Israel – Special Forces
• Norway – Emergency Response Unit
• Netherlands – Netherland Marine Corps

Portugal’s Armed Forced, Singapore’s Armed Forces, Sweden’s Police Forces, Turkey’s Special Forces, many United States Police Departments, United Kingdom’s British Army – the list goes on and on.

In Summary

It is obvious that the SIG Sauer P226 is one handgun which will not be easily replaced, not even with the next-generation of handguns, rifles, and light-sabers being just around the corner. Well… perhaps I’ll make an exception for the light-saber.

The P226 is a no-brainer. It is an easy purchase, because you know exactly what you are getting into. With SIG’s lifetime warranty, and its proud history of outstanding gun-making, you know you are purchasing a quality item, which is sure to last a long time.

Obviously, like all weapons, you take the good with the bad. One very obvious con is the price. There are no two ways about it – the SIG Sauer P226 is relatively expensive. Depending on the model, and its technical specifications, a P226 can run somewhere between $700 and $1000. This is not a cheap gun, nor is it meant to be. If you want a cheap handgun, there are plenty of those out there.

The reason many organizations and individuals invest the money in a SIG, is because it is worth it. It works, it shoots, and it barely ever fails. Now, that is one bottom line which every shooter can get behind.

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