SIG Sauer P226 SAO Legion Review

[Sterling Archer]

It seems that it takes special versions of pistols for me to be interested in new models. I didn't get into Beretta's until their partnership with Wilson Combat. My Beretta fits my hand like it was built just for me and since I don't really prefer a double action/single action (DA/SA) trigger I only needed one to stay in practice. When it came to SIG Sauer it wasn't until their Legion line that they caught my eye, specifically their Single Action Only (SAO) model.

Up this point I had been considering buying a double action only (DAO) Beretta and having it converted to a SAO but I'm one of those weird people who don't like owning multiples of the same gun. I understand having a back-up of a duty weapon or competition pistol but I've never understood the people who proudly proclaim "I have 7 (stock) Glock 19s!" I just scratch my head and wonder why. So ultimately purchasing another fullsize Beretta just didn't excite me but I really wanted an all metal double stack SAO 9mm.

A good friend of mine, George, purchased a P226 SAO Legion and knowing I was interested in them shot me an email with his review. Everything he said about it made me salivate for one even more. The problem was I would need to sell a pistol to buy one. Selling a gun I know for one I don't is a tricky proposition. I emailed my friend back explaining the situation and asked if he would be willing to lend me his to try out. He immediately agreed and asked for my local FFL info.

Upon receipt I immediately fell in love with it. It didn't fit my hands quite as well as my Beretta but was certainly nothing to complain about, plus the 3# 9oz stock trigger was wonderful. I put 200 rounds through it and was amazed at how easy it was to shoot, especially during rapid fire. Lending to this is the undercut trigger guard, reduced profile beavertail, high visibility front sight, front strap checkering and the surprisingly grippy G10 grips. Every pistol I've ever purchased has ended up modified. I usually start with the sights, improving the grip of the pistol in hand and usually a trigger job. This was the first pistol I had ever shot that I didn't want to change something on. I knew I had to have one and listed a pistol for sale. I priced it to sell and it did that same day. I sold it for just enough to cover the cost of the Legion and FFL fees. I tracked down a good deal on GunBroker and anxiously ordered it up.

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j356/codenamedutchess007/20170111_150232-1_zpsa83i8pzu.jpg

Unfortunately my excitement waned significantly when I picked up my Legion. While George's had a nice crisp break mine had a ton of creep, well over 1/16th of an inch. It's actually the most creep I've ever felt in a single action trigger. This was completely unacceptable so I started looking around for options. In the mean time I put 200 flawless and very accurate rounds through it. Everything was great, except that horrible trigger!

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j356/codenamedutchess007/20170111_150628-1_zps32usrvm3.jpg

Above is the case and challenge coin you get after registering your Legion with SIG. I thought it was going to be the standard "You'll receive your free gift in 6 to 10 to 18 weeks." To my surprise it arrived within a matter of days. Registering also gets you access to a 'Legion owner's only' store where I decided to pick-up an interesting looking holster.

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j356/codenamedutchess007/20170111_152711-1_zpsrxz2onod.jpg

Made for SIG by BlackPoint Tactical it's a*kydex*holster with leather wings. The wings make the holster much more comfortable than traditional kydex I've used. My leather carry dress belt is relatively thick and has a kydex core so it doesn't handle sharp bends well. This always kept me from being able to use it with other kydex holsters but with the leather wings it finally fits.

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j356/codenamedutchess007/20170111_152729-1_zpst19jy2bw.jpg

Made specifically for the SAO the thumb safety is accounted for.

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j356/codenamedutchess007/20170111_152807-1_zps1ubkoczn.jpg

I love weapon mounted lights. They not only provide light but add several ounces in weight to reduce muzzle flip. My chosen light for this SIG is a Surefire X300U I had floating around. I was really enjoying the BlackPoint Tactical holster and decided to pick up their light accommodating version. This was ordered directly through BlackPoint as the Legion store only had the standard P226-X300U combo and I needed the SAO thumb safety notches. On their website they project 3-4 weeks to receive your holster and I received mine after only a couple.

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j356/codenamedutchess007/20170126_153716-1_zpsfd7oclye.jpg

Before I had ever even carried the gun I had to have several holsters that would fit it. This is how you end up with a box full of holsters! My preferred IWB (Inside Waist-Band) holster, the Comp-Tac MTAC.

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j356/codenamedutchess007/20170126_153918-1_zps4vnvkyzy.jpg

For when you aren't wearing a belt I like using a shoulder holster and picked up a Galco Gun Leather shoulder system component. Galco isn't designed for locked and cocked (hammer back, safety on) carry but it isn't a hindrance.

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j356/codenamedutchess007/20170126_154015-1_zpsnxzxoplg.jpg


Fixing The Trigger
I called SIG and explained the issue but they offered no help. The SIG Custom Shop won't perform their Action Enhancement Package on SAO models and they apparently considered the horrible trigger to be within spec. Gray Guns is a well know SIG and HK smith with good reviews so I emailed them. I asked to have the creep fixed, the trigger weight reduced and inquired as to the cost. Below is the reply I received.

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j356/codenamedutchess007/2017-01-14_03-29-15_zpstvxof1f6.jpg

Their reply didn't elicit much excitement in me. I don't like the idea of sending something in for work when they won't quote me how much my bill is going to be. *So I sat on the gun and continued looking for options. Around a week later George emailed me and told me about <a href="http://www.thesigarmorer.com/">The Sig Armorer</a>, who seemed to have just as good of reviews as Gray Guns. I noticed his phone number had a 972 area code which would imply he was local to me. I sent him the same requests I sent Gray Guns and got this reply back.

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j356/codenamedutchess007/2017-01-14_03-20-35_zps05yripoq.jpg

Now that is exactly what I was looking for! I replied that I would stop by the next day. Upon arriving at his shop I was warmly greeted and offered a seat. Upon dry-firing my pistol his brow furrowed and his first word was "Eww!" I was glad it wasn't just me that thought it was a horrible trigger. He talked me through exactly what he would do and even drew out some diagrams of how their trigger and safety systems work, which was very much appreciated. I requested a weight between 3.0# to 3.25# and was quoted a week turnaround. True to his word it was completed in exactly a week.

Arriving at his shop I was warmly greeted again and we sat to discuss the work done. He had TOOL playing in the background and I complemented his choice in tunes as I'm a big TOOL fan. Turns out he was as well and we got a bit distracted talking music for the next 15 or so minutes. During this time he pulled out my Legion and passed it over. I took it in hand, closed my eyes to concentrate and pulled the trigger as slowly as possible. It was a perfect crisp and clean break. As said in his email he reduced the take-up (while keeping the firing pin safety intact), eliminated the creep and improved the already very good reset and over-travel. Now this was a pistol I was proud to own!

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j356/codenamedutchess007/20170111_152217-1_zps0fmjmtsy.jpg

[Sterling Archer]

Getting Dial In
Any time I get a new pistol I like to bench test it at 25 yards to find its preferred bullet weight and see how it groups. I hadn't shot in a couple of weeks and wanted to try out a new rest and test out a few different target styles as well. I brought a healthy mix of ammo; Remington UMC 115 grain FMJ, Fiocchi 115 grain FMJ, American Eagle 124 grain FMJ, Aguila 124 grain FMJ, Federal HST 124 grain JHP, and American Eagle 147 grain FMJ. Unfortunately I left my standard shooting rest at home and the Caldwell Pistol Rest and I didn't get along well. My preferred rest holds the muzzle tighter allowing both less vertical and horizontal play. It wasn't my best outing but I'm confident that switching rests will bring it all inline.

In my initial 200 round 'make sure it all works' outing with the Legion it shot the UMC especially well. I didn't initially put much stock in this because it was the 3rd ammo I shot that day and I was already 150 rounds in, maybe I had just settled in with the gun. Still though who knows, so I flagged it in my mind to follow-up on. Part of the reason I didn't consider much of it at the time is because Remington UMC is pretty cheap ammo and can be had for under $200 per 1,000 rounds. I don't use "cheap" and "inexpensive" interchangeably, I consider them quite different, and to me UMC has always been cheap ammo. It's the dirtiest of the ammo I shoot, which isn't saying much as I buy good ammo, and it has never proven to be a spectacular performer in my other 9mm's. In the Legion though the results are quite interesting.

https://gunpowdermeditation.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/umc-115-25-yards-2.jpg

That was the 3rd group I shot in practice and the first with UMC. I was, obviously, struggling with managing my vertical. As a 5-shot group it's nothing great at just under 3.5 inches but they're all within a 0.5 inch horizontally, and check out those 3-shots touching for 0.458 inches. That gives me some hope that this may be a great shooter. Here was a second group of UMC I shot later.

https://gunpowdermeditation.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/umc-115-25-yards.jpg

The vertical was dialed in better and the overall group size shrunk by just under an inch. But check out those 3-shots all hanging out at 0.763 inches. I can't wait to test it again, I'm really hoping it turns out to be a solid performer. How cool would it be to have one of the most commonly available and affordable rounds shoot supremely well? I could shoot even more with the savings!

When picking up the pistol from Robert I mentioned an ammo test I was going to do and he gave me a box of Aguila 124 grain FMJ to test out. He told me that he found it to be particularly accurate and soft shooting for him. I was happy to try it out. I only shot a few groups with it as I only had one box and given my issues with the rest I didn't want to burn it all. Still though, I was pretty impressed with how it performed.

https://gunpowdermeditation.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/sig-ag-124-25-yards.jpg

2 inches isn't bad for one of the more inexpensive rounds available. I dropped a shot low right and if you bring that it gets quite a bit better.

https://gunpowdermeditation.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/sig-ag-124-25-yards-2.jpg

For just FMJ practice ammo that's impressive in my book! This is another round I'm really looking forward to retesting. Next up is my preferred carry ammo, Federal HST in 124 grain. It surely didn't let me down.

https://gunpowdermeditation.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/sig-hst-25-yards.jpg

I was getting a bit more dialed in by this point, having saved my carry ammo for later in the practice session. Results like this are what I've come to expect from Federal's HST. I've never found a gun it didn't perform exceptionally well in and its ballistic performance is unmatched, in my opinion. Like with the Aguila ammo I still had a shot low right, which if we remove makes for a fine group.

https://gunpowdermeditation.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/sig-hst-25-yards-2.jpg

That shows some pretty impressive potential, to me. Plus it shoots nearly dead center of the front sight dot. I love not having to adjust my sights to my preferred ammo!

Some may say that discounting the outlining shots aka flyers is cheating, and you could make a solid case for it. There's a couple of reasons I'm not worried about it. One being the aforementioned struggles with the Caldwell Rest. The other is Massad Ayoob. He has said that taking the best 3-shots of a 5-shot group that is fired from a rest can be indicative of how a pistol may perform in a Ransom Rest. Considering he's been shooting for longer than I've been alive I'm certainly not going to dispute it. Though I would love to find a ransom rest and test out the theory! Anyone in the DFW area who may read this someday and owns a Ransom Rest that would like to participate in that please shoot me a message.


800 Rounds Later
I've put, as you may guessed it, 800 rounds through it so far and it has run perfectly. Not a single bobble anywhere. This is unheard of for me, I know many people who buy guns and they never encounter any malfunctions but my luck has never been that good. Every autoloader I've owned, including 3 Glock's (a Gen3 fullsize, Gen4 compact and Gen3 sub-compact) all experienced several malfunctions by this point. I didn't clean or re-lube it during this time thinking that maybe something would eventually happen. Nope.

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j356/codenamedutchess007/20170131_172447-1_zpspflqnw1b.jpg

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j356/codenamedutchess007/20170131_172453-1_zpsgitligiz.jpg

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j356/codenamedutchess007/20170131_172522-1_zpsq1umoqyw.jpg

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j356/codenamedutchess007/20170131_172652-1_zps37dwxzyf.jpg

One thing I'm pretty disappointed in is the fragile finish. I first noticed this when I borrowed my friend's SIG and I ended up scuffing the rail. I'm really surprised at how fast it wears, even with minor physical contact. I like guns that are used and look like it but I prefer to earn that wear.

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j356/codenamedutchess007/20170127_185624-1_zpsv0tbwgsf.jpg


Wrap-up
Dislikes-
Safety issue with one pistol and trigger quality issue with other.
No SIG support for trigger work.
Exceedingly fast finish wear

Likes-
Incredibly easy to shoot.
Unmatched reliability.
Fantastic accuracy.

The bottom line, I love this gun. Even with the trigger and finish issues the end result is such a great pistol it doesn't bother me, much. The frame/slide fit is nearly as tight as my Dan Wesson Custom Shop CCO and it runs perfectly. I've only begun to explore its accuracy potential and can't wait until my upcoming 9mm Match and Duty Ammo Test to see what it can really do!

-SA

https://gunpowdermeditation.wordpress.com/2017/02/04/sig-sauer-p226-sao-legion-review/

[El Cid]

Thanks for the review! I really want one of these but am waiting to see if they can address the finish issues.

[Vic51]

I had the SA/DA version of the Legion but just did not like it. The grip did not fit my hand well and the battleship gray color was off putting for me. I have had a lot of Sigs, all of the all metal P series. A new Sig with a SRT costs hundreds less and the grip fits my hand better. So I sold my Legion and bought a Police trade in P226 DAO which does not seem to have been shot a lot but had a tiny bit of holster wear. Plus I got another gun too and never looked back. I still rather have one of the other enhanced Sigs with a SRT or DAO. They look nicer and I shoot them as well or better than I shot the Legion which had grip texturing for where a thumb, but not mine, would go. I have nerve damage to my hands so any aggressive grip texturing feels like pins to me. I like the old grips and all black colors. Just my preference. The Legion membership was just access to very high priced goods with the Legion logo on them and which I bought much cheaper without the Legion logo. I think the whole thing is a market ploy because you can get a great Sig for less that looks much better.

I am not taking anything away from the gun but for the money I could get a nicer looking gun that feels better in my hand, and shoots just as well for defensive use. I do own guns that are just for my collection that shoot as well as less expensive versions, so I am not deriding anyone for buying this gun, but for me the gun was not one that would look as good as my other guns on display.

[Sterling Archer]

Thanks for the review! I really want one of these but am waiting to see if they can address the finish issues.

My pleasure!

I'm not sure the finish issue is even on their fix-it list. The pistol isn't exactly new to the market and with the release of a new Legion model wearing the same war paint I'm not optimistic. I didn't let it slow me down as I can get it Cerakoted for $200 locally or send it in for NP3/Cerakote/IonBond, and the like.

The finish on the barrel after 800 rounds is perfect. I'm guessing it's their Nitron/Melonite finish. In fact I may just contact them and see what they'll charge to Nitron my slide. The frame wear should be limited to the light rail and trigger guard where the holsters retention is. The more I think about it the more I like the idea, a grey frame black slide Legion would be different!

[Lon]

The Legions are a good looking pistol. That's good shooting. I like some of the Legion features. My duty gun now sports a Legion slide stop and the GG trigger (P-SPIT?). Although I took the overtravel set screw out of it.

But for a $11-1200 pistol, aren't you a little pissed that you needed a $245 trigger job and probably another $200 refinish? I'd be pissed.

[rjohnson4405]

I'm a Sig fan, been running the new 225 for a while and will continue to. Mine is wearing in the same spots from my kydex holster, but I've been using it for 7 months dry and live fire and it doesn't look as bad as yours.

I think I'd be pissed, but I'm not sure there are really any good alternatives to a SAO double stack so I can see how it would be worth it to someone who wanted that setup.

[Jim Watson]

"Safety issue"
What did I miss?

I have only gotten my hands on one Legion SA and while the trigger was not as light as George's, it was still a very fine trigger and would not call for adjustment.
So of three guns selling on the strength of their SA trigger, we have one great, one very good, and one poor. Seems like simple mass production at the factory with no fitting or selective assembly.
I don't think I would mailorder one. If I saw a nice one in a store I would consider it but I would not take the chance on a pig in a poke. I might pay more for the gun but I would not have a gunsmith bill.

[Sterling Archer]

"Safety issue"
What did I miss?


My bad, this was written for my main forum stomping grounds and blog where I had already discussed the safety issue. I found this issue on the Legion my friend George loaned me.


https://youtu.be/SvM0pubVzHw

[fishing]

is there a serial # or date cutoff after which the finish issues were corrected, according to sig?
I remember this being an issue with early legion pistols - surprised but not really surprised to see that it is still present.

[Sterling Archer]

But for a $11-1200 pistol, aren't you a little pissed that you needed a $245 trigger job and probably another $200 refinish? I'd be pissed.

I'm more disappointed in the finish than pissed. I don't mind my guns looking used just this one is wearing particularly fast. Considering it's a PVD finish I was expecting something more along the lines of IonBond in its resilience but unfortunately not.

The trigger I was a bit more annoyed about. Had it been a nice trigger pull I could have just swapped in a lighter hammer spring and been on my way. The real let down for me was no direct support for SIG in resolving it. However, after getting the trigger worked over by The SIG Armorer I was really glad I had it done. The pre-travel reduction and other fine tuning he did made it significantly better than even my friend George's. In fact, after I told George how great the trigger job was he sent in the Legion he loaned me for a 2.25# trigger job.

It may be because I'm so used to 1911's and paying for custom work on them that it didn't bother me as much as someone who doesn't customize every pistol they buy. So I can appreciate someone else being quite dissatisfied with the issues.

[Sterling Archer]

I'm a Sig fan, been running the new 225 for a while and will continue to. Mine is wearing in the same spots from my kydex holster, but I've been using it for 7 months dry and live fire and it doesn't look as bad as yours.

I think I'd be pissed, but I'm not sure there are really any good alternatives to a SAO double stack so I can see how it would be worth it to someone who wanted that setup.
Mine wore that way after one range session running drills.

You nailed it. There aren't many single action metal framed double stacks out there. Everything nowadays is usually polymer striker or metal framed DA/SA.

[Nephrology]

Mine wore that way after one range session running drills.

You nailed it. There aren't many single action metal framed double stacks out there. Everything nowadays is usually polymer striker or metal framed DA/SA.

Why not a hi power? I'd probably even go with a CZ 75 over a SIG for SAO, but thats obviously just my 0.02 USD on the matter... don't mean to be disparaging of your pistol.

[Sterling Archer]

Why not a hi power? I'd probably even go with a CZ 75 over a SIG for SAO, but thats obviously just my 0.02 USD on the matter... don't mean to be disparaging of your pistol.

They're certainly great pistols. Maybe shooting one would change my mind but I've just never warmed up the design. The biggest issue though is I don't believe either have a rail and that's a requirement for me.

[ReverendMeat]

They're certainly great pistols. Maybe shooting one would change my mind but I've just never warmed up the design. The biggest issue though is I don't believe either have a rail and that's a requirement for me.

SP-01 or Jericho 941 might please ya

[Sterling Archer]

SP-01 or Jericho 941 might please ya

They have single action versions?

[Sterling Archer]

For those interested in the accuracy capable with the Legion the results are here: https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?24423-9mm-Match-and-Duty-Ammo-Accuracy-Test

[ReverendMeat]

They have single action versions?

Missed this earlier. They arent sao but they both have frame mounted safeties, not decockers, and i run them as sao

[JHC]

Sterling, you are great at this. Any mid-high end 1911s due a review? ;)

Seriously, great stuff. Thanks!!!

[Sterling Archer]

Sterling, you are great at this. Any mid-high end 1911s due a review? ;)

Seriously, great stuff. Thanks!!!

Thanks, man. I'd love to review some, the problem is getting my hands on them! I'm currently on the 'buy then review' plan and only make so much money. :D

[Sterling Archer]

Including an update in this review after my pistol rusted.

https://gunpowdermeditation.com/2017/04/19/rusted-sig-p226-sao-legion/

[LockedBreech]

Well, that's fairly infuriating.


Including an update in this review after my pistol rusted.

https://gunpowdermeditation.com/2017/04/19/rusted-sig-p226-sao-legion/

[Luke]

You should forward your review as far up the chain as possible.

[El Cid]

Including an update in this review after my pistol rusted.

https://gunpowdermeditation.com/2017/04/19/rusted-sig-p226-sao-legion/

Incredible! I'm SO glad I canceled my order.

[Sigfan26]

Including an update in this review after my pistol rusted.

https://gunpowdermeditation.com/2017/04/19/rusted-sig-p226-sao-legion/

While PVD is more anti glare and cosmetic, that rust is outrageous. What kind of stainless are they using? I have sold a lot of PVD treated stainless steel firearms components that get carried a lot, and I have never had a customer report anything close to this.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MSparks909]

Damn Sterling...you got a major lemon. I can only imagine your frustration. I had some rust specs on my 226 Legion's sights and on the backside of the magazine release. I, too found the PVD finish to be extremely fragile. Less than 100 holster presentation and it was all scuffed up and worn down on the high sides and edges. Pretty crappy finish. Much worse than the Cerakote on my FDE MK25 (although this shows wear too).

[Sensei]

Including an update in this review after my pistol rusted.

https://gunpowdermeditation.com/2017/04/19/rusted-sig-p226-sao-legion/

Well, I warned you about trying to Captain Koons Carry that thing...;)

15810

All kidding aside, there is something up with your gun. I'm sorry you are having problems. I have a P229 Legion (~1000 rounds) and a P226 SAO Legion (~800 rounds) that are fine in terms of function and finish.

[MattyD380]

Great review. Thanks for putting in the time. Sigs were pretty much my "first love" when it comes to guns. Though I have to admit, I've been a little bit "cautious" when it comes to the newer ones. Glad yours is shooting well for you. Especially glad to hear it's 100% reliable.

[breakingtime91]

reestablishes what others have been telling me, if I want a sig buy an older slightly used one.. sorry you got such a lemon brother, I can only imagine your frustration.

[LSP552]

reestablishes what others have been telling me, if I want a sig buy an older slightly used one.. sorry you got such a lemon brother, I can only imagine your frustration.

Really not sure that I would say that. Anyone can get a lemon from any company. I will say I'd prefer a regular model to the Legion.

[Lon]

Six out of 30 226's we received at work were "lemons".

[deputyG23]

Sterling, this is truly sad for you to shell out four figures for a pistol that has these issues. It is even more infuriating for SIG not to make it right. I was sorely tempted to sell some safe queens and buy the same Legion you tested. Not now.

[fixer]

Wow. I usually don't get into these types of threads but man that experience is really bad. I was considering making the legion my first 226. Was.

By comparison I have a 92 that has tremendous holster wear. The front of the pistol has several spots where the coating has been rubbed off after thousands of holster presentations. I train and jog with this gun and have had it covered in sweat hundreds of times. No rust. not a spec. Like others...what in the heck stainless are they using?

I've had Glocks rust through the finish but only after extreme exposure to sweat. Not from normal usage.

[breakingtime91]

Really not sure that I would say that. Anyone can get a lemon from any company. I will say I'd prefer a regular model to the Legion.

Sigs handling of that situation though?

[Sensei]

I'm still wondering if this pistol came in contact with some corrosive along they way. Perhaps it happened at the factory or dealer. It just seems odd that both the slide and sights, 2 distinct parts made from different metals and presumably at different factories, would have this problem. Moreover, the Legion line has been a success for Sig (so I've heard), and there are enough out in the wild now that I'd expect other reports if this was a systemic issue.

Regardless, Sig should have replaced the gun. I'll keep an eye on my two Legions as we approach the Summer months; NC can get humid.

[Zincwarrior]

reestablishes what others have been telling me, if I want a sig buy an older slightly used one.. sorry you got such a lemon brother, I can only imagine your frustration.

Sounds like what happened with Kimber. Originally Kimbers were quite nice (I have an old one), then started running into problems with quality control and poor CS.

Having said that my latest S&W broke almost right out of the box, but it was off to them with the next day with free shipping.

[psalms144.1]

My first agency was Sig-only, and we carried P228s made in the mid-late 90s. I carried those pistols literally all over the world, in a variety of truly foul conditions, and they ran like raped apes all the time, and I never saw any rust on any of our pistols (even after a 12 hour day carried IWB with soft armor on doing largely foot-mounted stuff in August in Islamabad - I sweat through my armor that day - but no rust on my 228). In 2004, working for another Sig-only agency that allowed personal weapons, I acquired a stainless slide P226 and P239. I was working in coastal SE Texas - the definition of hot & humid. I was also issued a P228 (mid-90s production). Never had a rust issue on the P228, but the P226 and P239 required DAILY wipe down and re-application of rust inhibitor. After a day of walking around, if I didn't wipe down and re-apply on the stainless/Nitron guns, I would wake up to find the slides, controls and sights covered in a patina of rust.

In 2008, we transitioned to P229R/P239s in .40. The roll out of the P239s was very flawed, the pistols had a huge variety of reliability issues across any number of operators. At one point, on-site Sig transition trainers couldn't even start to diagnose the failures, so they were all pulled and eventually replaced. At the same time, I obtained a P229R DAK (personal) to get acquainted with the new pistol. The first one I bought had grip screw holes so far off that the grips were barely able to touch at the rear. Sig replaced it, and the pistol I was returned had a trigger pull that was so heavy that a trigger pull gauge couldn't measure it. Sig replaced that one and, within two weeks of carrying, it was rusting so badly that I had to wipe it down during the duty day to keep from pitting. At that point I cut my losses and went to all Glocks.

I had heard from a number of folks that I trust that, in the 2012ish timeframe, Sig had made a conscious decision to refocus their energy on making top-quality, reliable pistols. I know that the Legion was supposed to be the flagship of reliability and dependability. It's sad to hear that you Legion has been such a disappointment. Your experience would piss me off it was a $398 "Blue Label" Glock. To have those problems with a pistol that costs well upward of $1000 is simply a kick in the nuts.

Hope Sig makes this right for you!

[LSP552]

Sigs handling of that situation though?

Not good at all and I would be pissed! I hope they make it right. I've had really great rust resistance on both the 239 (2015) and 226R (2007) that I carry. And my sweat is so corrosive that I would rust old folded slide SIGs in a single day without a daily wipe down.

[Sterling Archer]

Six out of 30 226's we received at work were "lemons".

That's crazy!

[taadski]

Six out of 30 226's we received at work were "lemons".


What sort of timeframe are we talking? During the conceded dark days of Cohen? Or more recently?

[Lon]

What sort of timeframe are we talking? During the conceded dark days of Cohen? Or more recently?

We receive them at the beginning of 2014. On two of them the pin that is pressed in that holds the sear spring under tension sheared off. On four of them the triggers would not reset. They had out of spec trigger bars.

[taadski]

We receive them at the beginning of 2014. On two of them the pin that is pressed in that holds the sear spring under tension sheared off. On four of them the triggers would not reset. They had out of spec trigger bars.

Copy. Thank you.

[StraitR]

Wow. Pretty disappointing experience. I've had soft spot for Sig P series guns ever since I can remember. When I first started buying guns in the mid 90's, a P-228 was one of my first. Loved it, and the P-228 remains one of my favorite designs ever. I even checked that pistol into the ships armory when I deployed in 97. It was a gem, and selling it is my biggest regret, but such is life for a poor E-3 needing beer money. I bought two P-226's by the end of the 90's, and that's all I shot along with 1911's until going all glock in 05'. They were all fantastic pistols, in every capacity, and it really stinks that Sig has not maintained that level of quality. Too busy making 437 various models pistols & rifles, and ammo, and optics, and suppressors, etc etc... to focus on one thing long enough to make it right.

Hope they take care of this in a way that let's you get out from under it with minimal loss.

[MGW]

If it were me I would not stop calling until Sig fixed the finish. I would ask them to refinish it with Nitron or what ever they call their black finish. That stuff is tough as nails.

I just picked up a used TDA 226 Legion. Because of this thread I'm being really liberal with wiping it down with oil after I handle it.

[Chef]

Is this issues showing up everywhere? I haven't heard of any other issues anywhere.

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[Chef]

On a side not I had a Les Baer that I took to the range, some overspray of what I thought was lube from another shooter hit my pistol and I thought nothing of it. Next day every single spot where the spray hit had removed the blueing from the pistol. I now assume what I thought was lube may have been chlorinated brake cleaner.

Weird shit happens sometimes.

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[Sterling Archer]

Is this issues showing up everywhere? I haven't heard of any other issues anywhere.

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Rusting, no. Finish issues in general though have been well documented with the Legion series. It's the softest finish I've ever had on a gun. I would take bluing over their PVD.

[MSparks909]

Rusting, no. Finish issues in general though have been well documented with the Legion series. It's the softest finish I've ever had on a gun. I would take bluing over their PVD.

Sig's PVD is just their way of helping all of the Legion "operators" achieve a "battle-worn" finish that gains mad tacticool points ;)

[Jaywalker]

I'm not a chemist, but I understand Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) will not prevent rust. Your piece might well have been inadequately cleaned before the PVD process and had the rust bubble up from underneath. It's more of a "wear" coating and it doesn't sound as if it's very good at that, either.

[Sterling Archer]

I wanted to bring this thread full circle so here is how my Legion looks now.

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j356/codenamedutchess007/C6_zpsuwwhieqo.jpg

More pictures are viewable here (https://gunpowdermeditation.com/2017/04/30/cerakote-firearm-finish-review/) as part of my Cerakote review.

[Balisong]

That looks DAMN good! I've heard Cerakote can be problematic, but maybe I'll look into it a bit more.

2 questions: what are those specific colors?
Why the taping off of the rails to preserve anodizing? I'm completely ignorant of what would be good or bad about the rails being coated.
Thanks for the reviews! Sorry your 226 has been such a problem

[Sterling Archer]

That looks DAMN good! I've heard Cerakote can be problematic, but maybe I'll look into it a bit more.

2 questions: what are those specific colors?
Why the taping off of the rails to preserve anodizing? I'm completely ignorant of what would be good or bad about the rails being coated.
Thanks for the reviews! Sorry your 226 has been such a problem

Thanks! It can be, if improperly applied. Since anyone can buy and apply it with no experience and call themselves a "Cerakoter" it makes it hard to gauge the overall quality.

Colors are Graphite Black and Sniper Grey. The sheen can be controlled by how they mix it, I asked for a light sheen. You can make the same colors look matte if you wanted.

Regarding the rails; it was a tip from a gunsmith. From what I understand the anodizing is what hardens the aluminum and can blasted off before a new finish is applied, exposing the soft aluminum below. Keeping it on the rails makes them wear longer and since it can't been seen from the outside it's not a big deal.

My pleasure. It has been quite a ride but I'm ultimately pleased with the end result.

[OlongJohnson]

If the rails weren't masked for blasting, that step would take them straight to Wear Level 7. Basically, paying someone to destroy the gun without even shooting it.

https://grayguns.com/guide-to-sig-sauer-pistol-inspection/

Also, the Cerakote buildup, if applied to the rails, would change the clearances with the slide. It might not even go back together, depending on how it all worked out.

[Sensei]

The P220 Legion SAO has now been released for those interested. Mine is in-bound and will be reviewed next week in a new thread.

[Sensei]

122559

Now updated with an RXP slide, Armory Craft magwell, and Romeo-X Enclosed. Plan to zero tomorrow.

[Rotundra]

122559

Now updated with an RXP slide, Armory Craft magwell, and Romeo-X Enclosed. Plan to zero tomorrow.

Did you go with the aluminum or steel magwell?

[Sensei]

Aluminum. I’m trying to keep this gun on the lighter side for carry. I have a P226 X-Five Legion that plays the heavy tank role.

[kev8287]

What height sights are you using? I got the same slide and have that optic enroute to me, great minds, I was think about using a slightly taller set of sights, the Night Fusion stealth sights but I’m concerned they might be to tall. Your gun looks great, but you know that.

Kev

[Sensei]

What height sights are you using? I got the same slide and have that optic enroute to me, great minds, I was think about using a slightly taller set of sights, the Night Fusion stealth sights but I’m concerned they might be to tall. Your gun looks great, but you know that.

Kev

Those are standard Sig factory X-ray3 sights that came with the gun’s original slide. You can use standard height sights with the Romeo-X sights mounted directly to a Sig’s DPP / Pro cut slide.

The RXP slide came with suppressor height sights that I swapped out with the standard sights from the original slide.

[kev8287]

Those are standard Sig factory X-ray3 sights that came with the gun’s original slide. You can use standard height sights with the Romeo-X sights mounted directly to a Sig’s DPP / Pro cut slide.

The RXP slide came with suppressor height sights that I swapped out with the standard sights from the original slide.

Thank you. I have already pulled the sights off my slide. I wish SIG made a plain black rear for their sights, Thanks for the info.

[Sensei]

Now zero’ed with 147 grain HST. Here is 5 rounds at 20 yards fired untimed offhand.

122721

A total of 100 rounds were fired today (124 grain SB x 50; 147 grain HST x 50) and no lateral shifting in zero.

Thus gun has about 600 rounds through it now. I don’t remember any failures other than the front sight coming loose from the original slide. That was replaced by Sig.