Why do Navy Seals Use a Sig P226? (2024)

FAQs

Did Navy SEALs like the P226? ›

It is a compact version of the Sig P-226, just 7.1 inches long and only 1.5 inches wide. The Navy SEALs and Special Boat Teams consider it a favorite, and use it as their standard carry pistol as it is small, light, durable, accurate and easy to conceal.

The Glock G19 saves weight compared to the Previous pistol of the SEALs, the Sig P226. In fact, it's 7 ounces lighter, which is quite significant. A lighter pistol is faster to maneuver, and it saves valuable weight in one's gear. A full set of military gear (guns, ammo, armor, clothes, pack, etc.)

The P226 bucks just a bit, but it is a flat shooting, easy-to-control pistol. It's pleasant to shoot without snappiness, at least in 9mm. Even in 40 S&W and 357 SIG, it's quite controllable. I love to shoot drills, especially drills involving target transitions and rapid-fire follow-ups.

Accuracy – both are very accurate, and if you are talking combat accuracy it is a tie. In a range setting, though, the SIG has some advantage for me over the Glock. Weight – the Glock is lighter. If you are going to be carrying this on you, open or concealed, weight is definitely something to consider.

For now, the M9 continues to be the primary sidearm for U.S. uniformed personnel worldwide and the P226 continues to be the primary handgun of the SEALs.

The M4A1 carbine is the primary weapon used by SEAL operators. A shorter, more compact version of the M16A2 rifle, it was specially designed for U.S. Special Operations Forces.

Starting off with handguns, John Wick uses a slew of high-quality pistols. In the first movie, he is mostly seen with two HK P30L pistols outfitted with compensators. The P30L is an incredibly durable and reliable double-action/single-action pistol used by military and law enforcement units.

Both are rugged, reliable pistols that have and/or are been used in military service, police service and in competition. The P226 is only "better" if you prefer a DA/SA system, and some people do. The P320 is "better" if you don't. The P226 is also a lot more expensive.

The Colt M1911 is a legendary firearm within Delta Force weapons and gear. The design of the sidearm has remained relatively unaltered since the M1911 was first introduced in 1911. It was a welcomed introduction to the firearms market and the U.S. Army quickly inherited the pistol for its needs.

Is SIG discontinuing the P226? ›

P226 Nitron Full-Size - Discontinued.

We're always down for a good wild speculation! We know that FBI SWAT uses the SIG Sauer P226 in 9mm and custom Springfield M1911A1s in . 45 ACP, so one or both of these guns may be used by some general field agents as well. Based on the use of the P226, they may also use P228s in 9mm.

The Glock 19 has become the official sidearm of numerous special operations forces. Army Special Forces, Delta Force, Rangers, and even the CIA and FBI use it. The Navy SEALs call it the Mk27, the British call it the L131A1, the Marine Corps calls it the M007, but most everyone else calls it the Glock 19.

The Sig P365 is one of the most popular handguns, and for good reason. Their moniker is accurate — they make machine guns, optics, suppressors, rifles, handguns, and so much more. Not bad for a Swiss-German conglomerate that made its name producing high-quality handguns.

The M9 semi-automatic pistol offers a short recoil with single and double action alternatives. The 15-round magazine provides a legitimate backup weapon for soldiers, even special ops. In fact, the M9 is carried by many U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) including Army Rangers.

The SEAL Recon Rifle (also known as the "Sniper M4" and "Recce") is a heavily modified M16-series rifle intended to provide US Navy SEAL snipers with a versatile, accurate, lightweight, and relatively compact weapon chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO.

On the handgun side, the SEAL Team guys wield the Glock 17 and Glock 19 handguns, which are entirely believable. SEAL Teams and SOCOM as a whole have adopted the Glock series. Interestingly enough, we never see them use the rail with a light, and I only saw one using a red dot.

a Remington 700/300, Later type classified as a MK13 Mod 1, .300 Winchester Magnum sniper rifle with McMillan stock and customized barrel, which was later replaced with a .300 Winchester Magnum Accuracy International, Various rifles chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum used for long-range shooting.

The core Green Beret rifle seems to be the M4A1 Block 2 rifle set. The 'Block' rifles refer to a certain setup and accessory package utilized by Special Operations forces.

Sig Sauer P226

The 9mm pistol is compact and the designated carrying pistol for any SEAL. Sig Sauer pistols are designed in Switzerland, however they get manufactured in both the United States and Germany.

What was John Wayne's pistol? ›

The Colt Single Action Army revolver can be seen used by Wayne in such films as True Grit, Rooster Cogburn, and The Cowboys, among others. Included with the revolver was Wayne's holster rig, numerous authenticating documents, and a 1972 copy of Life Magazine with Wayne on the cover wearing both the rig and gun.

Joker carried a customized Smith & Wesson Model 15-3 revolver with a telescopic 21 inch barrel.

By far the most popular police service pistol in the United States, the GLOCK 22 fires the potent 40 S&W cartridge and holds more rounds for its size and weight than most other full-sized handgun in its class.

SIG MPX Carbine (with Taran Tactical upgrades)

The model featured in John Wick 3 has numerous modifications, including a Taran Tactical +11 baseplate. Wick uses the MPX in conjunction with his Glock 34 to engage opponents in the first half of the Continental shootout.

During the Daniel Craig era, from Quantum of Solace and SPECTRE to No Time to Die, James Bond is armed with the Sig Sauer P226 in conjunction with his preferred carry handgun, the Walther PPK. The handgun is carried in both the standard and railed models throughout these films.

The Glock's polymer construction makes it the lighter choice. However, that means that when you are using a higher caliber, the SIG handles recoil better than the Glock does. If you are looking for a well-concealed carry weapon, or a lighter one, the Glock will edge out the SIG in this category.

Previously, the classic . 45-caliber Colt 1911 was one of three pistols that Raiders were allowed to carry, but now the 9mm Glock 19 is the only pistol that Marine special operators can take into battle, said Maj.

Smith and Wesson M1917/ Hand Ejector Model 2 revolver

Jones packs two different guns in his quest for the Lost Ark of the Covenant. His primary sidearm, was the large frame Smith & Wesson M1917 revolver of the 'Hand Ejector Second Model Type' variant.

The P226 MK25 is identical to the pistol carried by the U.S. Navy SEALs, the fleet's special warfare operators. The railed P226 chambered in 9mm and engraved with an anchor on the left side of the slide is the official sidearm of the SEALs.

The P226 has proven itself as a reliable gun. It does need to stay lubed – when I've run it in the rain and dry it got a little fussy – but I'd still say it's reliable. And considering the variety of ammo it's eaten I'd say it is good to go with just about anything you throw at it.

What is the difference between P226 and P226 Legion? ›

The main difference between the handling of the Nitron and Legion is in the grip. Legion features custom G10 grips and has checkering on the front strap and under the trigger guard. There is just more skin-to-gun contact on the Legion, making for superior purchase and more comfortable shooting.

After Three Decades, Navy SEALs are Replacing the P226 Pistol with Glocks. In late 2015, Naval Special Warfare Command made the decision to add the Glock 19, the compact nine-millimeter version of the Glock series of handguns, to the SEALs' handgun arsenal.

The Sig Sauer P320 Pistol Controversy

In many cases, this bump occurred when the firearm was dropped but many other cases involve the gun firing when still holstered. The P320 has sold hundreds of thousands of units across the country with law enforcement utilizing the weapon extensively.

The SIG Sauer P226 is my top choice for a home defense pistol. There are a ton of variations of this pistol, and all are great options. I prefer the P226 Stainless Elite (now discontinued), but the MK25, Legion, and standard Nitron models are solid contenders.

Firearms and protective gear

The primary handgun for marshals are Glock pistols in .40 S&W caliber (22, 23, 27), and each deputy may carry a backup handgun of their choice if it meets certain requirements.

U.S. military services adopt the M17 and M18

The services plan to procure up to 421,000 weapons in total; 195,000 for the Army, 130,000 for the Air Force, 61,000 for the Navy (M18 compact version only), and 35,000 for the Marines. In 2019, the Marine Corps selected the M18 to replace several pistols.

A glass-bedded, scoped, bolt-action rifle with a heavy free-floating barrel is the most popular weapon used by teams. The 40XB, the Remington 700BDL, and the Ruger 77V are among popular makes. Members not required to carry a specific weapon because of their position often favor semior fully automatic weapons.

The SIG P210 is quite possibly the most accurate service pistol in the world. Designed to Swiss Army specifications to replace the Swiss variant of the Luger, the design saw service in multiple national militaries and has been produced in three different countries.

While the Army, the Marine Corps and even the rest of the Navy toted the Beretta M9 pistol, Navy SEALs carried an entirely different handgun altogether: the Sig Sauer P226. In the mid-1980s, the U.S. military finally moved away from the M1911A1 . 45 caliber handgun to a new pistol, the Beretta 92FS.

Do Navy SEALs carry shotguns? ›

Navy SEALs use the Benelli M4 Super 90, Mossberg 590, and Remington 870 combat shotguns. The Benelli M4 Super 90, also known as the M1014 Joint Service Shotgun, is generally preferred.

According to the United States Government, the Navy SEALs do not have an official watch.

Since 1998, the Secret Service has armed its agents with a duty carry SIG Sauer P229 pistol in . 357 SIG. That weapon and the round it fired quickly became the “go to” round as many agencies, including the FAMS, NJ State Police and others switched.

The Sig Sauer M17

This is known as the US Army pistol since it was contracted after winning the Army's Modular Handgun System contest in 2017. However, it has actually been adopted by all US Armed branches, including the Space Force.

Sig P320 Compact

And it's still one of the best Sig weapons for concealed carry. Dimensions and specs are essentially identical to those of a Glock 19, putting it squarely in the compact category, and it has a standard capacity of 15+1 9mm. With a little searching, you can also find it chambered in . 40 S&W, .

Reliability: 5/5

The P226 has proven itself as a reliable gun. It does need to stay lubed – when I've run it in the rain and dry it got a little fussy – but I'd still say it's reliable. And considering the variety of ammo it's eaten I'd say it is good to go with just about anything you throw at it.

It's smaller than most duty-sized handguns, like the M9, M17, and M1911. The Glock 19 is a good in-between size that allows it to serve as both a duty handgun and a concealable firearm. The CIA and Marines specifically wanted a concealable pistol with the Glock 19.

My personal Sig P226 in 40 S&W held up for about 65,000 rounds before it experienced a frame rail crack. Sig warrantied it with a replacement gun, but said that at the service life of that pistol was at the upper limits. It had been meticulouly maintained by myself, all springs replaced at 5000 rnds.

So when the new agents come to us, the Firearms Training Unit, we train them on three specific types of weapons. Their primary weapon, their sidearm, is a Glock 19M; it's a brand new weapon—that's predominantly what we're going to teach them with.