Sig P226 -- is All Steel worth the cost?

[BearArms2]

I noticed two different Sig P226's in 9mm ... they are both NEW guns.

one is E26R-9-RTSS (2-tone) and has a stainless steel frame
and that would cost me about $775


other one is E26R-9-BSS-SRT with a hard anodized frame
and that would cost me about $635



My understanding is that an all stainless pistol will have less recoil and also will be more durable. I am using this mostly for self defense and the weight wont be an issue for carrying. For a guy who doesnt know much about these pistols...is that $140 a fair price difference...and if so...is it worth the added cost for an all steel P226?

Thank you to anyone who can offer advice!!

[xanth]

I had a P220ST, stainless frame and slide in .45. Loved the way it shot, very low felt recoil and just a great feel. I don't know about being more durable, the silver did show more marks thank a black one would have, from being holstered.

I will say that, while I didn't CCW it, the wight would have gotten old real quick to CCW. I recently got rid of it, but will be picking up another stainless frame one soon. I liked it that much.

[sigarms228]

I like any and all P226s and think they are well worth the money and yes the stainless steel frame ones are worth the extra money IMO if that is what you want.

Are you sure the E26R-9-RTSS has a stainless steel frame?? That sounds awful cheap for a SS frame new P226.

The only new , non X-FIVE, P226s that I know that have a stainless steel frame are the stainless steel elite, and a stainless steel frame P226 available from Top Gun Supply.

http://www.topgunsupply.com/sig-sauer_p226r-elite-9mm-ss-siglite-night-sights-da-sa-srt.html

http://www.topgunsupply.com/sig-sauer-p226r-stainless-9mm-siglite-night-sights-da-sa-all-stainless.html

There is new black colored SS frame P226 that is in their catalog but I have not see it yet am I believe it will be around $1000 or more.

http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/p226-stainless-nitron.aspx

[BigJimP]

Yes, I think the all stainless Sig 226's are worth the extra money...to me at least / but you have to make that choice for yourself.

[David the Gnome]

The stainless framed SIGs don't come in two-tone, they are completely matte stainless. Almost all new production SIGs have stainless steel slides and aluminum frames. There are only a very few models that have stainless frames in addition to the stainless slide and all of those models are one-tone guns. It wasn't until recently that SIG even offered a blackened stainless frame and that's only on the Stainless Nitron guns (http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/p226-stainless-nitron.aspx) which are still one-tone.

[BearArms2]

if it helps...the frame is made in Germany
and its actually a REVERSE 2-tone

[BearArms2]

Are you sure the E26R-9-RTSS has a stainless steel frame?? That sounds awful cheap for a SS frame new P226.


i only saw this gun online....has a pretty good rep -- do you think its worth questioning?? something may not be right?!?

Thanks!!

[BearArms2]

it isnt this exact gun, but looks just like this one:
http://www.gunsamerica.com/901930334/Guns/Pistols/Sig-Sauer-Sigarms-Pistols/SIG_226_9_RTSS.htm#


and its said to be "Factory New" -- does that mean i get the full Sig Warranty? does anyone know??

[sigarms228]

i only saw this gun online....has a pretty good rep -- do you think its worth questioning?? something may not be right?!?

Thanks!!

It could just be an honest mistake by the seller. Be SURE you are getting what you want before ordering.

[BearArms2]

Sigarms228 -- what do u think about the link listed just above your most recent post?? isnt that an all steel sig p226 with the same model # ?

[sigarms228]

Sigarms228 -- what do u think about the link listed just above your most recent post?? isnt that an all steel sig p226 with the same model # ?

I am very skeptical. The model number listed is the one that has a cerakote finish that looks a like like SS frame in a picture but really is an alloy frame.

[BearArms2]

really? that picture is an alloy frame?? youre sure?!?

[sigarms228]

I can't be sure from a picture but that model number is an alloy frame with a finish that looks very like SS in a picture anyhow.

Contact the seller and ask to clarify and also the full specs including the weight. A SS frame P226 weighs over 40 ounces while an alloy frame P226 weighs 34 ounces.

[gc70]

I found a few advertisements for model E26R-9-RTSS. It is very interesting that the advertisements (example #1 (http://www.armslist.com/posts/204382/louisiana-handguns-for-sale--sig-sauer-p226-9mm-reverse-two-tone-w-night-sights--e26r-9-rtss-) and #2 (http://www.gunsamerica.com/991404852/Guns/Pistols/Sig-Sauer-Sigarms-Pistols/P226/Sig_Sauer_P226_9mm_Reverse_Two_Tone_w_Night_Sights_E26R_9_RTS.htm)) state "Reverse 2-Tone with Black Hard Anodized slide and Stainless frame." I have never heard of a gun with an anodized slide. The advertisements list the weight of the gun as 34 oz., which is consistent with a P226 with an aluminum frame.

[David the Gnome]

I would suggest calling SIG and asking them about it. :)

[bitttorrrent]

Looks like reverse two tone crelite?sp.
They have been in that price range online. Full steel but not a ss frame.

This reverse doesnt sell as well as all black i think so is less money? Looks pretty good to me if u like the way it looks u can get a sig for less then 1k. I might look into that also.

[Robk]

Personally, in my parts that would be a very good price for new Sig. Either one. I know things at Sig have changed and I am not up with all their model designations, but a true stainless pistol used to come with the "ST" on the gun or sticker. So, I would more trust it as being all stainless if there was an "ST" somewhere. ie P226ST on the gun.

[dgludwig]

If using the pistol "mostly for self-defense" includes carrying it a lot, I can assure you that 34 ozs. (alloy) vs 40 ozs. (steel) will make a significant difference in terms of "carry comfort" over a day's time. I spent thirty years wearing a sidearm as part of my job and, as much as I prefer steel over alloy for many reasons-certainly, everything else being equal, steel pistols are easier to shoot well than lighter variants are (I'm not convinced that increased durability is a meaningful factor, if it's a factor at all); that extra weight is a meaningful factor.

If you plan on carrying the pistol much and if it's possible for you to do it, I'd suggest carrying each one for a day or two before you make your decision as to which kind of metal to buy.

[trex1310]

Bear:
What you are looking at is a satin nickle finish and I can
assure you it is alloy since I have one:

http://i765.photobucket.com/albums/xx294/trex1310/Gunpics/Sig_P226_1.jpg