swhiteh3

A practical magwell retro fit to the standard 226 is not likely mainly due to cost. However, according to one of the VPs at SIG the standard p226 frames may come from the factory with the magwell mounting rails in the near future. If the machining is all that is necessary, is GGI or any other Sig company set-up to machine these two cuts in while they're working on a pistol?

I've been using a S&W 22A for the Ruger Rimfire series. Overall, I've been very happy with the gun. It started very ammo finicky and with extraction problems, but S&W worked on it under warranty (outstanding Customer Service BTW!!) and it's been great ever since. I shoot Federal Auto Match in practice, and Eley Club in matches. Bang for the buck it can't be beat, but I'd be lying if I didn't say I was shopping for a Model 41 to replace it with. This gun has always shot an inch or two high at 15yards (a typical steel plate range). I've adjusted the rear sites down all the way, and it only helped a bit. I've notched the rear site slightly (making it wider and lower for a faster site picture acquisition at the expense of some precision) but that doesn't really move the POA/POI relationship unless you cut the top edge down. Has anyone had this issue? Are there any options? -Scott

I wanted to follow up on this thread, beacuse it's already discussed what Sigs fit into what classes. I currently compete with a P226 TacOps, and I'm just getting into USPSA, IDPA, and 3-gun. I only have limited experience (about 20-25 local matches, mostly rimfire steel matches). I've decided I'd like to stay with Sig P226 platform guns (for now, while I learn). Since my TacOps is my "tactical" gun, I'd like to add a single gun which can be modified to be a competition gun, and which will keep me in the lower competition levels in all three groups I'm looking to compete in. I think I've decided on a steel frame (although I'm still trying to find one local to me to get a little experience with first). Whatever I shoot will be sent to Bruce Gray for trigger work, and will be shooting minor power factor, 9mm. So I think that limits my choices to: P226ST, Used (42.2oz per Sig-Sauer) http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/p226-stainless.aspx P226 USPSA, Two-Tone (42.2oz per Sig-Sauer) http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/p226-uspsa-two-tone.aspx P226 X5 All Around (45.0oz per Sig-Sauer) http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/p226-x-five-allround.aspx In USPSA, I'd like to shoot production. http://www.uspsa.org/rules/production_list.php According to the gun list, all three can shoot Production, but I've heard comments about needing to mill a little off of the X5 to make it legal for weight. I'd probably send the gun to GGI to have this work done, but it certainly adds to the cost if it's even necessary for Production. Sig-Sauer's listed weight of 45.0oz is close to the USPSA weight of 45.2oz, so it doesn't seem to require this lightening. In IDPA, I'd like to shoot SSP. http://www.idpa.com/Documents/IDPARuleBook2005.pdf The catch here is the weight and size. All three guns are over the SSP limit of 39.0oz, and would need lightening. I'm not sure what size issues would come up with the box, but hopefully someone can tell me. Since "Slide Lightening" is not legal, but "internal modifications" are okay, I'm not sure if you could make weight. Anyone have experience with this? I know magwell grips are not legal, so whatever I'm using will not have a magwell. I noticed that the P226ST apparently does not have a full beavertail, while the USPSA does. Odd that they have the same listed weight then. My TacOps has a full beavertail, and I really like it - I'd like to have one on my competition gun. That's a strike against the P226ST, *IF* the Beavertail does not create an issue with the IDPA box. Can anyone comment on this? In most 3-gun matches, you can shoot just about anything that fits into the caliber and sites requirements. Being they will all be iron sites, and all 9mm, I don't think there is anything that I need to consider here. Am I right?

Our local range, Point Blank Range (I'd include a link but I'm not allowed with my post count) has one in it's rental collection. It was actually our "mystery gun" in our recent Motorsport Team Steel Plate Challenge matches. (Sorry, I'd like to include about these matches too...). While I don't have much experience with "open" class guns, I thought the Czechmate was VERY impressive. It shot smooth with very little muzzle rise or felt recoil, and it was very comfortable. I was immediately far faster with that gun than my normal P226 TacOps plate shooter, and the C-More was only part of that gain. If I had the money, I'd probably have one right now... Damn nice gun!

+1. They did a great job on my P226 TacOps. I love it!

Thanks for the recommendation. Do you attend those events at Eagle Guns? It's certainly an easy drive for me, but the website only lists 8/21 (last week). Are they on a regular basis? -Scott

Since I start with the TacOps model P226, my stock magazines are 18rd Mec-Gars with the +2 rd Mec-Gar extension. Roger told me that his extensions would be +5 with stock followers (for 23rd) and +6 with his followers (for 24rd). I decided to order only the extension, and since installing them, I'm easily able to put 22 in a magazine. I tried 23, and it seemed a little resistant, so I didn't push the matter. I think he did mention that getting the full +3 might require trimming the stock follower just a bit, now that I think about it... so it might well be my fault I didn't get the full +5 out of my extensions. Either way, if I understood him right, the follower is what gets the Mec-Gar 18rd magazines to be +6 for a total of 24rds. I didn't ask him about any other magazines specifically, so I suppose it might be slightly different for other Sig magazines.

Awesome looking piece. I am hoping that you might figure out a way to attach one to a P226 without the milled slot. Maybe a set-screw? Fingers crossed.....

Outstanding write-up by Bruce. I need to keep that somewhere I'm going to read it regularly. Thanks. -Scott

I've done quite a bit of Mixed-Martial Arts in my years, including some cage fights. Our saying goes along with that nicely - "Even the best plans rarely survive first contact." Stress, and an unpredictable opponent, guarantee that keeping with a game plan can be VERY difficult.I hope it's OK that I'm responding to such an old thread, but I thought it was one of the best I've read on this board so far... My trick before a fight, or anytime I was preparing for a fight, was to picture myself in an Asian garden, meditating. Now, I have no real experience with meditation, but that sort of calm seemed to work well for me. I would try to stop thinking of myself as sitting in that garden, but rather I would try to "zoom out" and see myself doing it, and experience all the things (primarily flora and fauna) that was going on around me. I find after some time of this, my concentration and focus was extremely high.From Brian's comments in this thread, to comments in a recent thread about concentrating on something other than your right hand during a draw stroke, clearly removing your conscious thought from the process will make you quicker, better, and smoother.

I think the difference in the two kits is the addition of the follower, right?

+1 on Roger's Extensions! I just recently started using them on my P226 TacOps and I love them. I love my TacOps, but I hope to shoot an X5 when I grow up... I love them!!! I wish SOMEONE (either Staudaucher or GGI) would make a magwell that will work on alloy-frame guns like my P226. It's SUCH a nice piece on the X5. -Scott

Well I had a nice response written, but it deleted my response and kicked me back because I don't have enough posts to include a link. How frustrating! I should have written in my initial post that I'm especially interested in hearing from people in my area, because I'd really like to participate in more local events. I've been mostly to competitions at Point Blank Range [no link due to post count] and mostly on weeknights since my job has me traveling nearly every single weekend. But I'd like to do more events in the area, especially once the race season is over. I'll check out the website you posted. Thanks.

While checking ammo and feed lips are all good suggestions in general, I can tell you as a TacOps owner that these Checkmate magazines that are being supplied with the newer TacOps are well known to be garbage. Many MANY owners are having issues, and two other TacOps owners I've personally shot with had issues as well. In nearly every case, switching to Mec-Gar magazines has completely resolved the issue. I would purchase a single Mec-Gar magazine to test with if you're not convinced (Top Gun supply has a good price on the 20rd magazine, but it can be found in numerous places), and unfortunately, I would plan on retiring the Checkmate magazines completely (although I kept one to practice failure drills with - that's what I think of them....). It sucks that this is necessary, but I'd plan on replacing your entire set of magazines. I've heard of a few people calling in to Sig Customer Service who got "help" replacing their magazines, but I'll leave that up to you how hard you want to push that avenue.

For those of you with Oakley's, can you share what lense colors you've used? I have an "in" with Oakley, so I want to stick with that manufacturer. I shoot both indoors and out, from steel plate to 3-gun. My prescription is pretty strong, but I know they can fit it into some of the Oakley frames.

Just another introduction here... I'm from the Charlotte area, and an engineer in NASCAR by trade. I kinda dove into competitive shooting headfirst about a year ago (with previous experience in the tactical side of shooting), and have been doing quite well in local Ruger Rimfire, Steel plate, and other small matches. I have a LONG ways to go, so I'm looking for guidance as I start working my way towards USPSA, IDPA, and 3-gun competitions. I will be at the Ruger Rimfire Nationals in PA this year for my first taste of high-end competition. I can't wait! -Scott Whitehead