I've come to the realization that I want a 226 with a rail. I also want the folded slide of the classics.

Is it sacrilege to buy a folded slide example, and a railed pistol, swap parts until I get what I want and then move on?

Nothing wrong with that. It's your gun.

I don't think so, although I'd keep all of the parts on the chance you want to swap back. One of these days, I'll do the same in order to have a 9mm P220 SAO.

Why would it be deviant? There's tons of them out there and they are at the end of the day service grade pistols to begin with. Have fun with it and enjoy!

You may come out a lot cheaper if you bought the railed P226 and then the folded slide assembly separately. If it isn't too cost prohibitive, you can always sell the newer slide later.

I did the same thing with a Glock. Just about the coolest Glock around and only cost $350 out of pocket.

Mine is a Springfield that I call MixMaster A.
It comprises the aluminum receiver of a Loaded Lightweight .45 and the barrel + slide of a 9mm Loaded Target.

MixMaster B, the all steel .45 found a new home.

I don't see anything wrong with that at all. But then I just got done upgrading my JK 226 to "Legion"ize it. While mine was old, there was absolutely nothing special about it collectability wise, so no harm in it.

I did the same thing with a P220.
Put a stamped slide on a P220 Compact SA frame.
My favorite SIG now.

You could also try to locate a E26R-9-BSS-GER on the used market.

Looks like that model would check all the boxes.

YES!!

Now the search begins

Lots of used 226Rs in 40 kicking around for around 450-550 now. Might be an option for you.

quote:

Originally posted by fullmann:
I've come to the realization that I want a 226 with a rail. I also want the folded slide of the classics.

Is it sacrilege to buy a folded slide example, and a railed pistol, swap parts until I get what I want and then move on?

I wouldn't worry about it for one second!

I've got a railed 220 frame with an old school pre-front dovetailed stamped slide on it. Biggest complaint? The serial numbers don't match but the gun is bank vault tight and I'm in the process of converting it over to da/sa from DAK. There was a recent "frankensig" post on here and all of them are interesting.