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| P226R with Surefire X200 WEAPONLIGHT |
The 9mm P226 is an updated version of the P220 and designed to compete in the XM9 Service Pistol Trials to replace the venerable M1911 in the 1980's. Despite being one of the last 2 to survive all phases of the test, it lost to the Beretta 92. Later, the Navy SEALs adopted it as well as other military and police forces from around the world. After 3 decades it still enjoys popularity in the civilian and law enforcement markets. The P226 was updated recently to the P226R. It replaces the non-railed model with a picatinny rail for mounting accessories such as lights and/or lasers.
ERGONOMICS
The P226R in the basic form has not changed at all but for the addition of a picatinny rail underneath the front of the frame. For the traditional semi-automatic pistol user, the P226 feels awkward because some controls are in opposite locations. Although they are located on the left side of the frame, they are not in the familiar places and it needs some getting used to. There is no safety, the decocker is way forward, and the slide release is in the back. About the only control that is familiar is the magazine release which is located on the left side of the frame. The sights on my sample P226R are very easy to align. The front is the normal post with white dot and the rear is the contrast with single bar at the bottom. Night sights are an option, and I highly recommend it. The grips on the P226R is made of polymer with a rough textured on the sides and in the backstrap, which for me, makes it secure and comfortable to hold.
SHOOTING IMPRESSIONS
As I mentioned earlier, the sights on the P226R are very easy to align, so it shoots instinctively. The grips are excellent for my hand size, and it doesn't feel wide even though it's a double-stacked magazine. It has a double action/single action trigger and the double action is long and a little on the heavy side. However, it's the single action trigger that makes this an excellent shooter. It's an accurate shooter and I was able to get 5" groups at 25 yards. Of 300 rounds, there were no failures or stoppages.
MY BUY RATINGS
The P226R is a smooth shooter. It's a tough, reliable and accurate handgun. In my opinion, it's one of the top handguns out there. And I would recommend it to intermediate shooters since it requires a little getting use to, but once one becomes familiar with it, it's a terrific gun.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Item Number:
E26R-9-B (9mm, Contrast) E26R-9-BSS, (9mm, Night Sights) E26R-40-B (.40S&W, Contrast Sights) E26R-40-BSS (.40S&W, Night Sights) E26R-357-BSS (.357SIG, Night Sights)
Category: Full Size Pistol, Semi-Automatic, High-Capacity
Operation: Short Recoil
Caliber: 9mm, .357 SIG, 40 S&W.
Action Type: DA/SA
Trigger Pull DA: 10.0 lbs
Trigger Pull SA: 4.4 lbs
Overall Length: 7.70"
Overall Height: 5.5"
Overall Width: 1.5"
Barrel Length: 4.4"
Sight Radius: 5.5"
Weight with Mag: 34.0 oz.
Mag Capacity: 9mm 10 or 15 Rounds, .357 SIG 10 or 12 Rounds, .40 S&W 10 or 12 Rounds.
Sights: Contrast, SIGLITE® Night Sights availableGrips: Black Polymer Factory Grips
Frame Finish: Black Hard Anodized
Slide Finish: Nitron®
Accessories Rails: Yes
Features: Accessories Rails
MSRP: $975, $1050 with Night Sights
CA Compliant: Yes
MA Compliant: Yes
The P226 is available here:
