Sig Sauer Legion P226, A 2 Minute Review: The Sig Sauer Legion P226 is one of the best pistols I’ve ever used. In fact, it’s now my go-to home defense firearm. And for a good reason: It’s comfortable, accurate, and reliable. But is it worth the hefty price tag? Here is what I would say.
Accuracy
The accuracy of the SIG Sauer P226 Legion is impressive. I can shoot 2” groupings at 25 yards. Not bad at all for a pistol! And as you will see, this level of accuracy is no accident.
For starters, SIG uses an X-Ray Day/Night front sight. This means that the bright green front sight is easy to see in full daylight. It’s also easy to see at night, thanks to a tritium insert in the fiber optic ring. Also, it’s easy to distinguish the front sight from the rear notch, which aids accuracy as well.
Reliability
There are no complaints about the reliability of this gun. Just like the Hi Point .45 ACP carbine, it’s well-made from low-friction internal components to the Cerakote Elite Legion gray coating. Take care of this gun, and you should have no trouble putting hundreds of rounds through the SIG Legion P226.
Handling
The Legion feels comfortable and secure in your hands. There are G-10 grips around the stock and backstrap, plus checkering on the front strap and trigger guard. These all help keep your grip on your weapon, even in wet or sweaty conditions. It also reduces the risk of running into firearm safety issues.
The thoughtfulness in design doesn’t stop there. SIG Sauer made what they call an X-Five undercut for the Legion series. Basically, this is a slightly deeper curve behind the trigger guard. That way, your dominant middle finger rests comfortably and securely while gripping the gun.
Your grip on the P226 Legion also benefits from the contoured beavertail. The beavertail helps stabilize the gun by resting at the top of your hand, between your thumb and forefinger. It also encourages a higher grip. This amounts to even more steady and accurate shooting, without getting in the way too much.
Trigger
Whenever anyone mentions the SIG P226 Legion, they always rave about its DA/SA trigger. Why? Only because it’s one of the best triggers many shooters have felt.
The double-action trigger pull weight is about 10 pounds, while the single-action pull is around 4 to 4.5 pounds. But what shooters love is this trigger’s smooth pull, crispy break, and SIG Sauer’s short reset upgrade. These features mean that you can control the trigger better as you shoot. Better control translates to better accuracy downrange.
It’s no surprise that folks love the SIG Legion’s trigger. Designed by Grayguns, the P-SAIT trigger is an intermediate adjustable trigger. Grayguns works in customizing and perfecting SIG Sauer and H&K handguns. And with the P-SAIT trigger on the SIG Legion series, they scored a home run.
Magazine & Reloading
The SIG P226 Legion comes with 3 magazines. Changing between mags is quick and easy due to the spring-powered magazine ejection. Rather than gravity dropping your empty mag, you can pop it out and reload fast.
The Legion’s DA/SA model also features lower profile decocking and slide catch levers. (The mag release, similarly, is flush with the grip.) This adds to the gun’s sleek profile and feel. It also reduces the chances of catching one of these levers on your clothing or through your grip.
Length & Weight
The SIG Sauer P226 Legion weighs 34oz. It is 8 inches in length, with a 4.4-inch barrel. Since it is a full-size pistol, it is a little heavier than what you might want for concealed carry. But it is still doable if you don’t mind the weight or relative bulkiness.
Recoil Management
Recoil is minimal with the Legion P226 (and Just Right Carbine). It’s a full-sized, relatively heavy handgun, so recoil is less from the start. An all-metal guide rod helps balance the weight throughout the gun. This more even distribution of weight reduces recoil and muzzle flip as you shoot.
The bore axis for the SIG Legion P226 is higher than most pistols. This, along with the stabilizing feature of the beavertail, help reduce recoil further. The superior G-10 grips and checkering keep the gun more stable and secure in your hands. With great sights and very little recoil, there is nothing keeping you from enviable accuracy with the SIG Legion series.
Price
The P226 Legion has only one real disadvantage: its price. This handgun will easily set you back $1,100, and can cost closer to $1,500 depending on where you shop.
Something to note is that you buy more than just the gun when you purchase a SIG Legion series. If you register your Legion pistol with SIG Sauer, you gain access to an exclusive online club for Legion owners. Plus, SIG will send you a special carrying case for your gun, which also includes a neat “challenge coin”. Legion members also have access to special sales and promotions on the SIG Sauer website.
SIG P226 Legion Review: Is It Worth It?
If you want to buy a semi-auto handgun, the Sig Sauer P226 Legion is a terrific choice.
It’s durable, reliable, easy to shoot, and most of all, comfortable. It has upgraded grips, trigger, sights, guide rod, and even a thoughtful, stylish design.
In short:
The SIG P226 Legion is a well-made pistol that exceeds expectations. If you’re looking for a handgun that won’t fail you, then look no further than the SIG P226. It’s truly a masterpiece.
Richard Douglas is a firearms expert and educator. His work has appeared on large publications like The Armory Life, Daily Caller, American Shooting Journal, and more. In his free time, he reviews optics on his Scopes Field blog.
