This is an early Christmas present for a forum member. Kidding aside, the 226 has had a lot going for it, for a long time.
A dovetailed front sight. Tapered magazines that go in the magwell easily. MecGar mags available. A design that supports an optic, first direct milled, and now with factory slides. Great accuracy and reliability. Plenty of accessory support, as in holsters, sights and grips. A short reset trigger early on. Gray Guns support. Right at the height of "Cohen product improving," I bought a new one and ran it 10,000 rounds without a stoppage with just an occasional pass of a bore snake and squirt of oil.
Oh, did I mention Todd really likes them.