need help with sig 226

[kennedy759]

I have an older 226 .40 police trade in, came in a black plastic box with law enforcement on it, anyway the more I shoot it over the years the worse it groups, looks like a shotgun pattern, I know it could be me getting older, but not having the problem with my other hand guns. Can these wear out after a bunch of rounds? I have a sig .357 barrel for it I thought I would try next. I am using reloads, but they are the same I have always used. most of the bluing is gone on the rails and there are patches of orange color coming thru.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

If no cracking (around 7,500) then, depending on ammo, 20,000 rounds on a 226 barrel.

Very subjective, especially in COTS world where, usually, no one is writing down stuff.

 

[Squid556]

What kind of handload are you using?

Could be a bullet / fowling issue.

Does it do the same with factory ammo?

 

[VulpesForge]

Among the other suggestions, check the crown of the barrel for leading or damage. It's amazing what a knick will do to your groups.

 

[Colt556]

Inspect the frame very closely for cracks and also look at the frame rails for wear. How is the slide to frame fit? Like mentioned above inspect barrel crown. Try the 357 barrel and see if there’s any difference.

 

[88E30M50]

I've not heard a lot about Sigs losing accuracy with age unless there is noticeable barrel wear with rifling. Have you checked trigger pull to see if that might be higher than it used to be? Assuming that you are shooting DA, a heavier trigger might cause groups to open up.

 

[pewpewINpewpew]

All good recommendations, I'd spend the $150 - $175 on a new barrel. It won't hurt to have a new barrel if you plan to keep it. Plus, 2 barrels is better than 1, not a good as 3 but you'd be getting close. One would want to assume LE was putting thousands of rounds through it, getting proficient with their tool, but who knows. I have a Macro I picked up when they were first released, August 22, and already have close to 7500 rounds through it.

 

[shootersix]

According to Bruce Gray your gun still has life.

Guide to Sig Sauer pistol inspection - Grayguns

I’ve had a handful of e-mails asking how to tell if a used Sig is still in good shape or not. After writing the same e-mail over and over for the last five years, I figured it was time to post my thoughts on what to look at when you’re going to purchase a used…

grayguns.com

So here’s what I’d do, do a good cleaning on your barrel, make sure your lands and groves are clean, then inspect your crown, make sure it’s not nicked or gouged, after that buy some new factory loaded ammo, use a rest, fire a few rounds and see how she groups.

If she still patterns like a shotgun, beg borrow or steal another barrel from a friend, drop it in your gun and try the rest and same ammo, if she groups, then it’s time to address your barrel, and by address I mean replace.

And most police (but not all) don’t put thousands of rounds through their duty pistols, most shoot enough to qualify with.

 

[88E30M50]

Now might be a good time to pick up a factory 9mm barrel and 9mm recoil spring. See how well that shoots at 9mm prices. That and some rounds through the. 357 Sig barrel will give an idea what the gun can do.

A 3 caliber P226 is a handy thing to have.