It’s 2024, and the Sig Sauer P226 is now 40 years old! To celebrate that milestone, the company has announced a year-long celebration.
Sig Sauer will be offering special programs and promotions throughout the year, with February 26th being declared as P226 Day. They’ll also be releasing a series of videos that detail the historic development and service of the P226 over the years. And to top it off, they’re making a special edition commemorative pistol.
Sig Sauer P226 Origins
SIG SAUER developed the P226 to compete in the 1984 U.S. Military’s XM9 service pistol trials. With the same basic design as the P220, the P226 was chambered in 9mm with a double-stack magazine to hold 17-rounds.
Even though it was not ultimately selected, the performance and capability of the P226 captured the attention of the elite U.S. Navy SEALs. They would officially adopt the P226 in 1989 to become the MK25, and it would serve throughout the Global War on Terrorism as their official service pistol.
The selection by the SEALs marked the beginning of a rich history between Sig Sauer and the U.S. military and the P226 became the cornerstone of several future successful partnerships to include the M17, M18, and the Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) program.
The P226 Today
The gun is highly regarded for its enduring quality, superior reliability, and accuracy. Today, the legendary P226 has seen decades of refinements. The gun now chambers a wide variety of calibers: 9mm, .40 S&W, .357 SIG, 7.65 PEvwllum, 9X21 IMI, and .22LR. It is carried by law enforcement, military members, shooting enthusiasts, and concealed carriers.
There are currently nine variants available on the Sig Sauer website:
- P226-XFIVE Legion
- P226 MK25 Full-Size
- P226 Nitron Full-Size
- P226 Pro-Cut
- P226 Equinox Elite Full-Size
- P226 Legion Full-Size
- P226 ZEV
- P226 Elite Full-Size
- P226 XFIVE
