I have a SIG P226 with the anchor on the slide. For those in the know, this is the combat firearm the US Navy Seals have been using for some 30 years. When the US Army chose the Beretta 92F, the Seals said, “No thanks, we’ll take the SIG.” I love the gun. It’s a tack-driver. It fits my hand well and it shoots like a dream. This is an old-school DA/SA gun. If you’re new to pistol shooting, let’s take a moment and understand what that’s all about.
The SIG Sauer classic pistol line (the model numbers all start with “P”) have the same basic internals. Not unlike the Walther PP series (including James Bond’s gun, the PPK) one racks the slide to chamber the first round. This action cocks the hammer. If this were a Colt 1911, we would push on the thumb safety and holster the handgun. But the 1911 is Single Action. This gun, like the Walther, is Double Action AND Single Action. To carry the gun safely we use the decocking lever and drop the hammer safely. Now we have a longer double-action pull on the trigger. Holster and you’re ready to roam. When it’s time to fire, the heavier double-action pull is not unlike a revolver. But in this case, after the first shot is fired, the gun cycles and cocks the hammer again. All subsequent shots are a crisp, short single action pull. And it is VERY nice. I installed the short-reset trigger parts so my follow-up shots are incredibly accurate.
The SIG Sauer P229 is to the P226 what the GLOCK G19 is to the G17. This is the compact or carry model. The barrel is slightly shorter, but the rest of the gun is a mirror of it’s older sibling. Since I already have a sweet P226, I decided that my foray into the new Legion Series models would be with the P229. Oh my goodness! What a pistol.
NRA host Colion Noir has a YouTube video about his introduction to the SIG Sauer P229 Legion Series. It’s a must-watch video. Welcome to the Tactical Illuminati… SIG is offering a special “club” to those “elite” shooter’s who purchase a Legion Series firearm. What guy (or gal) doesn’t want to be considered Elite?? Who doesn’t want to be part of an elite group of Shooter’s?? Wow, they’re pulling on all the right heart strings. Enough of the marketing and wooing, what about the gun?
The SIG Sauer P229 Legion Series has everything I could or would do to a handgun – and I tweak a LOT of my handguns. Custom trigger job? Check. Short-reset trigger? Check. Stippling anywhere I would want extra purchase – and some places I never thought of? Check. Match grade barrel? Yep. Combat-tough finish? Gotcha. Awesome combat night sights with a larger front site for easy pickup? Check. Night sights that work in the daytime? Absolutely. Redesigned, less bulky controls? Yes. Checkering on the levers? Check. I’m an advanced armored for several gun companies and a budding gunsmith. I can’t think of anything I would do to this gun other than put my name on it!
How does it shoot? It’s a great shooter. To be honest, I’m trying to practice more at 20 yards than I normally do, and this gun is tougher for me to hit well that far out because the larger front sight is designed for easy pickup and combat accuracy. Can I hit a man-sized target at 20 yards? Without even thinking about it. Yes. Can I hit one of the normal 3×5 cards I like to
practice with? Um… Nope. Not every time. But If I empty a few mags the 3×5 card will fall on the ground because I’ve obliterated the cardboard all around it.
If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line combat pistol that has every custom tweak you could ask for, this is the gun for you. The model is irrelevant. It’s a great pistol. Everyone of us thinks we’re a better shooter than the guy/gal in the next lane. This gun could actually make that a reality.
Being a Legion member unlocks some other purchase opportunities (brilliant, isn’t it??) that I have taken advantage of. When you register your Legion firearm you are sent a cool case into which you can put your new toy. It comes with a Legion challenge coin and an extra spot for a SIG Legion knife. They’ve partnered with three or four high-end knife makers. I got one for Quartermaster Knives and I’m impressed. The knife has a stone washed look that I really appreciate. I’ve added it to my EDC (every day carry) list. The knife sits flat in my pocket and opens effortlessly.
I clearly don’t believe a person needs TWO Legion pistols (my wife is relieved) but having one as my “go to pistol” when the zombies come is comforting. It’s also great fun with which to practice. If you’d like to shoot a Legion Series pistol, give me a shout and I’ll meet you at the range. My treat. You’ll love it… But don’t say I didn’t warn you! 🙂