Any advice on installing E2 grips on a P226? I've tried to install these brand new grips on 3 of my 226's with no luck. I've tried about 6 times on one of them, then twice on my other 2. I've installed the correct (new) main spring guide with the new, shorter foot. I've installed the grips with a credit card, without a credit card and using zip ties to hold the grips open. I can't seem to get the grips to lay flat on the frame. Every single time the grips are held slightly away from the frame on both sides, and they rock a bit at the top.

I've spent hours trying to get these grips installed. Like I said, I have 3 guns that I've tried this on.

Any help? Is that the way they are supposed to fit? I'm losing my patience with these grips.

Your E2 grip kit should have come with a plastic rod with a handle on one end and a wider piece in the middle. It is used to spread the grip so it will fit over the frame. Spread the grip with your fingers and put it part way on the frame. Insert the plastic rod into the bottom of the grip and twist to spread the sides of the new grip. You will have to work it on with your fingers to make certain it doesn't mess with the springs on either side of the pistol. It will snap on when it's in the right position.

Ugh, with the grips installed, I can't get the install tool out of the mag well. I can insert the tool and it pops the grips off. I can then leave the tool in the mag well, put the grips back on, but after they are in place, I then can't get the tool out.

This is so frustrating.

I've installed 4 sets of these recently. I did not need to tool to install them, just seem to need it to remove them. The way I did it was slip the grip on partially, first making sure that the trigger return spring was not moved out of position. The grip was then hung up by the grip screw inserts. I manually popped each part over each grip screw insert, then I basically popped them in place and then function checked to make sure nothing was amiss. Range visit was good for the first two....next two need live fire check.

That certainly should work as well. There are a number of installation and removal videos on YouTube for the E2 grips which should help reinforce the process

A kinda heads up: I have wanted to like the E2s, but after I got them on, there was a slight shift or movement when I gripped the gun. Not really a problem but it bugged me. I hope yours dont have that.

I've only owned one P226 w/ E2 grips, and while they required some care, strength, and patience while installing or removing, once lifted/ wiggled past the frame threaded screw 'barrels' and properly snapped into the frame magwell cut out windows, were rock solid.

A few forum members have reported that their E2s became loose over time and wiggled a tiny bit, but that never happened with mine, although I didn't shoot the gun much and only owned it a few years.

The fact that you tried the E2 on three different guns and it not fitting on any of them (assuming they all had the correct Main Spring Seat) leads me to wonder about your specific grip.

Is your E2 grip new or used? If used, I wonder if a previous owner either modified or damaged them in some way? Shaving some plastic or perhaps using a heat gun on them to correct a fitment issue?

If new, I wonder if there might be some small manufacturing defect or casting artifact that is preventing the correct fit to the frame. E2s are tight, and I could see a small defect preventing them from snapping correctly into place.

I'd suggest shining a light into the inside of the grips and doing a careful inspection, and attempting to match the features inside the grips to the frame of the gun.

Also, can you confirm that you have the correct Main Spring Seat for use with the E2 grip?

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
A kinda heads up: I have wanted to like the E2s, but after I got them on, there was a slight shift or movement when I gripped the gun. Not really a problem but it bugged me. I hope yours dont have that.

The P226 ergonomics fit my hands and fingers well, including the stock OEM plastic grips, although over time I found that a slightly thinner grip helped optimize my index finger placement on the trigger.

Early on I didn't feel a need for the E2, but once I bought a used P226R with the E2 installed, I found that I liked the feel of it and the tiny improvement in trigger reach for my individual ergos.

But, I wasn't happy with the increased risk of damaging the TBS every time I removed or installed the grips, or the extra time that it required to do this.

My end analysis was that while I liked the ergos of the E2 grips, I wasn't sure the downsides were worth the small gain in comfort and performance, especially when considering the other aftermarket options available that used the traditional grip screws.

I'd really like the opportunity to try E2s on a couple different models of SIGs, and also to do a side by side shooting comparison between a P226 w/ E2 and say a P226 w/ aluminum grips and a P226 Legion with stock grips and undercut.

While only you can tell for sure, it sounds like the grips might have been pulled too far apart at some point. If so, they have lost the necessary tension to lie flat after being properly installed. They are supposed to lie perfectly flat.

Eyeball the grips and see if the two side panels are parallel or slightly inward. If they appear splayed outwards, that's the problem. If so, could be a manufacturing defect as well as user caused. If they are splayed outwards, try putting them in boiling water and gently bend until they are roughly parallel.

FWIW, I've run factory OEM, E2 and Hogue G10's on my P226 and P229. Personal preference and hand/finger size factor in to suitability for a given shooter, of course. Here's my prior post on the subject:
https://sigforum.com/eve/forum...160084984#3160084984

quote:

A kinda heads up: I have wanted to like the E2s, but after I got them on, there was a slight shift or movement when I gripped the gun. Not really a problem but it bugged me. I hope yours dont have that.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Yep. It is a Sig problem. The E2 fit well on my 226 but not on 229. I got Sig to send me a new set. Same problem. I got G10 grips from Hogue problem solved.

These are brand new SIG brand grips I bought from Osage and were delivered on Friday. I bought 2 LEO 226 trade ins, so I bought a set of Hogue G10 checkered and these. I really like the look and feel of the G10 checkered. I don't have big hands, so I figured I'd give the E2 a shot. I don't mind the factory 226 grips, was just looking for something different.

I did inspect them, and everything seems fine. I don't see any defects.

I'm pretty confident I didn't stretch them too far. Maybe I'll let them sit for a few days as I have lost my patience with them. I'll try again next weekend, sigh.

1967GOAT, Sorry that has turned into such a frustration. I had very good experience with an E2 grip on a P224. It worked great, especially on the small grip of that pistol. Unfortunately, I no longer have the 224.

I’m not sure why there would be difficulty removing the special tool once the grip is fully on. I’m assuming from your statement that you did get the grip completely on the frame. Correct? And the slide is off while trying to install the grip?

I reviewed some of the YouTube videos, and they mostly show the special tool being used for removal. However, one of the hosts - Steve - uses the tool for installing part way, then inserts a couple of doubled up zip ties between each side of the grip and the frame to open the grip up a bit more. He then slides the grip on further, being careful of the springs, until it’s fully on the frame. He pulls the zip ties and it snaps in place. Have a look. That might work for you.

I doubt you’ve altered the shape of the E2 grip, but it might be worth checking, as someone above suggested, to see if there is a burr or a rough edge that is causing the install difficulty. Sometimes just walking away for a couple of days will solve the issue.

Finally, do you still have that ‘67 GTO?

Goat, I just received my P226 E2 grip yesterday, and it fits exactly like yours. I have E2 on my P228, and P229 and they fit with the frame perfectly. Not this P226's E2, it's frustrating. I'm keeping eye on this thread.

ps: I bought the E2 kit directly from Sig.

And the plot thickens. Call Sig CS.

So, it appears that some new batches of the P226 E2 grip are out of specs.

Thanks, I'll call SIG tomorrow.

Yes, I do have a 67 GTO...along with a 69 GTO and a 67 4-4-2. I bought the 67 GTO in 1988 when I was a freshman in high school. Frame off restoration project with my dad.

Very cool, as my generation would say. Drivetrain parts still readily available?

A potential lot of out of spec grip modules is interesting.

I called SIG and they told me to return it where I bought it, which is Osage county guns (web order). The CSR said there's no known issues with the grips not fitting. There's a number on the bottom of the box, I assume its a lot#.

Mine is 8590145 REV03.

I Emailed Sig Customer service and have not received an answer. My lot# is exactly the same as yours. I'll give them a few days for the email, before calling them for an RMA's number, if at all.
Thanks for the update.

I personally hated the E2 grips. Went back to the old style. Im on the lookout for some nicer grips.