My dad and I were up in the mountains for buck season in the winter of 1996. At the time I was 14 years old and every time we went to Clearfield County Pennsylvania to hunt we would stop at two guns stores before opening day. The two were Grice Gun Shop and Bob's Army Navy Surplus; both FFL dealers. At that time Grice Gun Shop catered to the Hunters and Bob's was into all things from hunting to militaria and self defense.

My dad surprised me and said I could choose one new pistol from the case, I think at that time his cut off was around 900 dollars which was hugely generous. I saw four guns that mainly interested me. The HK USP 9mm full size DA/SA, Beretta 92FS, Glock 17 and Sig Sauer P226.


At this time I was already a budding gun expert/connoisseur and it came down to the USP and P226. I chose the P226 because I knew two things. The FBI and the Navy SEALs were issued the Sig and that checked all my boxes. I never looked back and have cherished it everyday since.

Conservatively, the gun has seen 7k rounds of factory and my own reloads and has only had a recoil spring and buggered grip screws changed by me. One failure, my first day out with my dad shooting it we had a squib. I think 3 rounds in to the shooting session. We had to take it back home and he had to gently pound the FMJ round out of the barrel. Not the weapons fault - obviously those dubiously sourced reloads my dad got from who knows where. (valuable lesson learned that day too) Ain't that how it always works out when you're that excited about something!

26 years and counting...

Awesome gun, and great personal history there! You made a wise choice at 14!

They still look classy to this day.

Great story!

I just did something similar for my boys.

What a great memory, thanks for sharing.

My SIG history with started with the gift of a P220 from my wife.

The very best.

Ever.

Appreciate the story about your dad's generosity.

You chose wisely.

Thanks for the story. My P226 was also my first SIG and I got it the same year as you and by my father as well. I was 16 at the time. I still have the pistol. Lost dad in the fall of 20. He’s the reason I’m into guns and the profession I am as well. Taught me a lot. Your story obviously hit home. Thank you and take care of that great pistol!

I'm surprised you were able to get checkered grips in 1996.

quote:

Originally posted by jljones:
They still look classy to this day.

And decades after this, just like the 1911.

quote:

Originally posted by iron chef:
I'm surprised you were able to get checkered grips in 1996.

I dont remember anything but this style grip back then. I used to watch The X-Files and Mulder uses this exact pistol.

The one with Sig Sauer on one side and P226 didnt starter until around the 2000's I thought but I am really not sure. These are better grips IMO

They changed P226 grips to the logo style in 1997. So, yours is the last year of the old style grips.

Good dad's are harder to find than good pistols. Congrats on having both. You too RR. Great memories I'm sure.

Similar story with me and my old man. Except he got me a P220. Still my favorite 45acp. I miss him every day.

Thank you for sharing your story!

I've had my 226 since 1994, only work I had done was sending it out to Teddy Jacobson to do some trigger-work and periodically replace the main spring. Otherwise, it's still my best shooting blaster.

quote:

Originally posted by jimb888:
Good dad's are harder to find than good pistols. Congrats on having both. You too RR. Great memories I'm sure.

Thank you

Great story and a great SIG! I grew up not far from there and know both of those businesses well. The weekend before the traditional "1st day" sees Grice packed with hunters like sardines in a can. I have a pair of Mickey Mouse boots which I'm pretty sure came from Bob's. There's a place called "Sid's Sub Shop" as you enter Clearfield (coming from the direction of Curwensville). They have good subs so you might want to add that to your visit list.

I have a 226 thats a little older than yours , I live in PA and go to the same two shops about every 2 to 3 weeks , and hunt deer around Black Moshannon area since 85 . Grice is a Master seller of Sig one whole wall is all Sig . Have about 7 K through my old 226 .

Cool story, indeed. I think social media calls stuff like that a "core memory" these days.

I've got one folded slide 226 that is a former police gun that I got used in 2006. It is one of a very few guns that I own that I am certain I have never seen a malfunction with.

Nice gun. No rails, no nothing you don't need.