Ive been searching online for thigh holsters for a 226 SAO. I really like the Safariland ALS and SLS holsters but they told me NO and pretty much everywhere else has said the same. They do, however, make holsters for a 220 SAO....am i correct that it "should" fit?

It should. I used the same safariland ALS holster for both a P226R and a P220R for several years. I have no direct knowledge about the SAO models though.

I have a safariland drop leg holster that I use with my P226 SAO. It is marketed for a standard P226 DA/SA but it works fine for my SAO models.

If you find a suitable belt holster, you can buy the Safariland thigh rig platform and attach the holster. All Safariland stuff uses the same three hole pattern.

I use bladetech stuff, no issues on using the 226 version for SAO. but need to respect the rail issues.

I'm running a Safariland ALS for duty with my Legion SAO 226 and it works just fine.