With the recent 40th anniv. P226 release it has awakened the itch for a possible re-entry into P series pistols but I'm a little hesitant due to the discontinuation of many of my old favorites.

I have massive OCD when it comes to maintaining my weapons systems since Chris put out his P series maintenance video years ago. Naturally, this begs the following question; for those of you running the classic WG guns and short extractor guns what has your long term parts replacement program looked like? Can you get extractors, springs, screws and small parts for the P225/P228 WG guns or are you keeping these early pistols as part of your collections?

I'm definitely going to grab the new P226 release and will grab any other anniv. guns released in time.

TLDR - would you buy an original P225/P228 today and shoot the blazes out of it?

I appreciate your insights and recommendations.

Plenty of aftermarket parts from several vendors.

Matrix Precision
Numrich
Midwest Gun Works
TGS
Fleabay

I'm still running my P229R and don't plan on stopping any time soon (or ever?). Parts are still readily available as Q said. Also, I keep on hand known replacement items like recoil springs and even an extra F.P.

I still shoot mine as the ammo presents itself.

The added plus of 7.65mm is that nobody runs off with my brass.

It’s unlikely that anyone would care if I ran a pistol to destruction. What am I saving it for?

quote:

Originally posted by MNSIG:
It’s unlikely that anyone would care if I ran a pistol to destruction. What am I saving it for?

Indeed. My worry was breaking an extractor or wearing out a spring and having a paper weight till I could source a replacement. Seems that there is still stuff out there I can pick up proactively.

Thanks for the weigh in gents. Cheers!

Love my Sig Classic line P series pistols but I no longer own any older models with breech block / internal extractor. No interest in buying one again. You can buy pretty much any part for milled slide models but I don’t trust access to, availability of the internal extractors that Sig no longer sells.

My circa 1988 German 226 went straight back to Sig for the SSP treatment when I bought it a few years ago. I have about 2K through it since then. No issues so far!

I must be getting old - I remember when the P-series guns were newfangled...

Can’t say I’ve run it hard, but my P226 is at 5k rounds of .40 S&W, nothing changed other than grips, sights, and slide lock (apparently the little leg that the mag follower pushes up on is different for standard guns and CA limited mag guns). It’s not a duty or carry piece so I haven’t even swapped spring yet, probably run it til it’s needed and see what that number is.

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:
Plenty of aftermarket parts from several vendors.

Matrix Precision
Numrich
Midwest Gun Works
TGS
Fleabay

A bit off-topic, but I live about 1/2 hour away from Numrich. They used to have a walk-in customer service counter. They closed it down a few years ago, and I'm still pissed off about it. I miss being able to jump in the car and be back home with the part I needed in an hour or so.

Most parts are still available, but I'd be collecting a stash now if you're planning to commit to the platform for the long term. Some of the slide parts for the older folded-slide guns like internal extractors and breech blocks are getting harder to come by.

The extractor and firing pin would be the parts I'd be most concerned about...the breech block isn't likely to break unless something catastrophic happens that destroys the rest of the gun, and springs and pins can be sourced from other applications if necessary.

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:
Most parts are still available, but I'd be collecting a stash now if you're planning to commit to the platform for the long term. Some of the slide parts for the older folded-slide guns like internal extractors and breech blocks are getting harder to come by.

The extractor and firing pin would be the parts I'd be most concerned about...the breech block isn't likely to break unless something catastrophic happens that destroys the rest of the gun, and springs and pins can be sourced from other applications if necessary.

Thanks for the reminder, I scored a pair of the old internal extractors a while ago, I hadn't thought about firing pins.

quote:

Originally posted by ah3:
Love my Sig Classic line P series pistols but I no longer own any older models with breech block / internal extractor. No interest in buying one again. You can buy pretty much any part for milled slide models but I don’t trust access to, availability of the internal extractors that Sig no longer sells.

I just purchased a Sig-manufactured internal extractor (well, it's supposed to be Sig-manufactured anyway) off Ebay. So yes, if you're scrounging for OEM parts that way it kind of is scrounging. Other parts seem a lot more available.

You just have to know where to look and how to do internet and ebay search's, also theres a place that makes replacement internal extractors.

I have a lot of Classic Sigs and I've had to replace parts but they were basically cheap so I have tons of firing pins, springs, roll pins for everything and more.

I suggest getting those parts now while their available, and get as many extra sets as you want to last, check the SIG Armorer subfoprum here for the most common replacements you'll need.

Everything is still available and you wouldn't need too many sets of the things that need to be replaced often.

Most civilians will never shoot their guns enough to wear them out, or maybe one change or 2 tops.

If you want to run stuff for 20K rounds, get some spare parts, and if you can't find them, look harder, a bit too many in here saying these parts are not available and acting like "Chicken Little"..

However, It does annoy me that SIG doesn't ever support old models, its a bad business practice but they have always done that.

Robertsons Trading Post makes replacement internal extractors and classic style firing pins, they are easy to find on Gunbroker.

I alse found a store on e-bay based out of Texas that have a ton of SIG parts, stuff like P239 SRT kits and other things that aren't made anymore.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Austin228,

I bought one back in maybe 1984 or so and sold it to a friend came in the yellow box with dark red foam liner I think its still in mint cond, he wants my old 226 Navy real deal Mk 24 and wants to trade mine back and give me boot money , I may do this .Got me thinking on it .