gun review: Sig P226 SAO
decocking lever. Also, the slide lock is slightly extended for ease of operation. T e other vis- ible feature is the “elite” frame’s beavertail grip tang that helps control recoil. During initial handling and dry fi ring of the SAO, I found it had a short and crisp trigger similar to the Browning Hi-Power. T e SAO’s trig- ger broke right around 4.5 pounds. Sig built other single action-only “P” style
pistols as well. T e X5 series of pistols have been built mainly for the competition mar- ket. Part of the X5 family is the X5 Tactical, which was designed for law enforcement ap- plications and has been purchased by several tactical teams around the world. Sig wanted
to build a handgun that would bridge spe- cial applications/competition and the duty market. Built on the proven P226 frame, the pistol uses the same magazines as the P226, will fi t standard 226 holsters, and for duty applications is equipped with a Picatinny rail machined into the frame. While built for the personal protection and duty market with its fi ne trigger, it works well in IDPA and USPSA competition as well.
Other noticeable items on the P226 SAO are the front cocking serrations (to make press checking your pistol easier and safer) and atop the slide are Siglite night sights. T ese sights are boxy, bright and accurate.
When folks think of a single action pistol, they are sometimes concerned about how safe it is to unload. T e Sig SAO is unlike a 1911 style pistol in that the slide will still move with the manual thumb safety applied. While the pistol will not fi re, you can safely oper- ate the slide to clear the chamber or check to see if there is a round in the chamber. T is greatly reduces the chance of a negligent dis- charge during loading and unloading. To further enhance the pistol’s safety, the
P226 SAO utilizes a fi ring pin safety, com- mon in many other modern service fi rearms. Over the years, I have never had a pistol with a fi ring pin safety fi re without depressing the trigger. T ese safeties prevent fi ring if the pis- tol is dropped and, in my opinion, are a must for duty weapons. Some folks frown upon the use of single ac-
tion fi rearms for duty saying they are unsafe. T is group seems to be the polymer pistol mafi a. T ese striker-fi red pistols are, for all in- tents and purposes, single action-type pistols; but without an external hammer. A pre-cocked striker is OK to some, but a cocked and locked pistol with a manual thumb safety is not. It’s diffi cult to understand this thinking. When it comes to duty, the single action pistol is far easier to use than a traditional double action. T ere is no transition from double to single action, which means you have a consistent trigger pull shot to shot. T is makes training easier and improves ac- curacy. T is is why the 1911 and Hi Power have been the choice of special operations teams worldwide.
Holsters are not a problem for the 226 SAO, shown in a Safariland ALS, with holsters from BLACKHAWK!, Blade Tech, Kramer Leather.
17 The Police Marksman May-Jun 2014
For duty use, one of the best features of the P226 SAO is it fi ts in standard P226 holsters. T is may not sound like a big deal, but if you have to equip your new pistol with carry, duty and competition gear, it gets expen- sive. I tested the fi t of the “elite” frame with holsters for traditional Sig Sauer 226 models from Blade-Tech, BLACKHAWK!, Comp- Tac, Kramer, Safariland and Rusty Sherrick. T ey all fi t and functioned perfectly. Once I determined that my support gear for the P226 SAO was ready, it was off to the range to see how well the pistol functioned and if it lived up to the accuracy for which Sigs are known. I gathered mixed reloads and factory ammunition from Black Hills, Fed- eral, Freedom Munition, Hornady and HPR. T is mix included training/competition and duty/carry ammunition with bullet weights from 115 grains to 147 grains in full-metal
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