SIG Sauer P226
SIG Sauer · Pistol · In Production · 1984
Also known as: Mk25 Mod 0, P226 Navy, P226 DAK, P226 X-Five
Overview
The SIG Sauer P226 is a semi-automatic pistol chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum, produced by SIG Sauer since 1984.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 964 g (34.0 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 1145 g (40.4 oz) |
| Overall Length | 196 mm (7.72") |
| Barrel Length | 112 mm (4.41") |
| Height | 140 mm (5.51") |
| Width | 38 mm (1.50") |
| Sight Radius | 160 mm (6.30") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Double Action Single Action |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Trigger Pull | 20 N (4.5 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 15 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 351 m/s (1152 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 496 J (366 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1800 m (1968 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 250 mm (9.84") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Slide Material | Stainless Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Nitron |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9x19mm
- .40 S&W — also known as .40 Smith & Wesson, .40 cal
- .357 SIG — also known as .357 SIG Sauer
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Decocking Lever, Firing Pin Safety, Trigger Bar Disconnect
- Features: Da Sa Trigger, Alloy Frame, Accessory Rail, Siglite Night Sights, Short Reset Trigger, Interchangeable Grips
Variants
- SIG Sauer P226 MK25 — Military
- SIG Sauer P226 Legion — Premium
- SIG Sauer P226 Elite — Enhanced
- SIG Sauer P226 Nitron — Standard
- SIG Sauer P226 X-Five — Competition
Service history
Operators
- United States Navy SEALs · adopted 1989 · as Mk25 Mod 0
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- British Special Air Service (SAS)
- German GSG 9
- Canadian Armed Forces
- Singapore Armed Forces
- New Zealand Defence Force
- Finnish Defence Forces
- Indian Armed Forces
- Swiss Cantonal Police
Conflicts
- War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
- Iraq War (2003-2011)
- Falklands War (1982-1982)
Production
Production years: 1984-present
One of the most widely produced SIG Sauer pistols, exact production numbers not publicly disclosed
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Notes
The P226 evolved from the earlier P220 design, scaling up from a single-stack to a double-stack magazine. Though it lost the XM9 trials to Beretta, it won on technical merit and only lost due to a higher per-unit cost. The Navy SEALs independently adopted the P226 after testing demonstrated its reliability in maritime conditions. The MK25 designation includes phosphate-coated internal components for enhanced saltwater corrosion resistance. As of the mid-2020s, the U.S. Navy SEALs have been transitioning to the SIG Sauer M18 (P320 variant). Also available in .40 S&W (12-round capacity) and .357 SIG (12-round capacity).
Background
The P226 beat the Beretta 92F on technical merit in the 1984 XM9 trials but lost the U.S. Army contract by a fraction of a cent per unit. The Navy SEALs independently adopted it after the Beretta M9's slide failures, designating it the Mk25 Mod 0 with phosphate-coated internals for saltwater resistance.