Expect to pick up my new 9mm Sig 226 Extreme from the dealer this week (according to local PD my permits should be ready prior to Turkey Day!) - this is my first handgun that is purchased and not inherited. So my question - out of the box, is the pistol ready to fire, or will it require being broken down, cleaned and lubricated first? I'm getting mixed messages from the few folks I have asked this and want to know if I should plan on going right to range with this after picking it up, or if I should plan on heading right to the kitchen table and cleaning kit. I just want to treat this right, and have something I can hand down to my kids some day as my dad did to me w/ his.

 

Thanks for your time and for entertaining the noobie question.

 

(I tried searching this topic, so if previously discussed I missed it, sorry).

 

Tom

At a minimum I would break it down, verify the barrel is free of any obstructions, and oil/grease the parts that require it.

In some owners manuals it says to field strip, clean, lubricate first before shooting.

It only takes a few minutes so not a bad idea. Sigs are very easy to field strip.

Yes. put a few patches through the bore and a few drops of oil at key oiling points described in the manual. Do a basic function test before shooting.

Like everyone else has said. Besides the barrel, make sure you oil the rails.

 

Sigs do not like to run dry and you will see increased wear on the rails if not oiled properly.

Thanks for the quick and informative replies everyone. Off to the kitchen table with the cleaning kit it is!

Welcome and an early congratulations on the new gun, and as others said, yes field strip it, and clean it.

 

I take this as a good time to get to know the gun, unless I have one of the same make, each one may have something different about it. It also let you see if anything isn;t right before you shoot it, as well as when you clean it, your removing the grease/oil that they ship with and replace it with your good quality lube of choice.

yes this is true each gun is a little different... I have p226r and my thinking is since the sig is an all metal gun, she likes grease on the slide/rail area vs the oil that I normally use on my polymer guns...

On a gun that will be brought to the range or shot a lot in a competition, grease is good. I use oil otherwise and especially on a carry gun. I always use the same oil and always lube my rails between usage.

I picked up a new P226 USPSA a couple of months ago. I took it home and field stripped, lubed it before I shot it in order to get to know the gun, and also to practice getting used to the controls, decocker, how best to grip since it was my first handgun I've owned. I'd also highly recommend joining the SigForum.

 

In terms of lubrication - I go by Florks Lubrication Guide for Sigs. He wrote this when he worked at Gray Guns who are noted as one of the top Sig gunsmiths if you want trigger jobs etc - In fact both my P226 and my wife's P228 are there now for some work.

 

Flork's Lubrication Guide is also posted on the SigForum, the summary is that this guide recommends a high quality grease and a lot more lubrication then you would do on a Glock.

 

congrats and welcome to the Sig Club.

 

BTW - if you have small hands then the E2 grip conversion costs around $45 to order from TopGunSupply and is easy to fit. TopGunSupply is also a highly recommended place for buying a lot of Sig parts, e.g. new springs, components etc.

 

Enjoy!

 

TheWombat

Thanks all again for the tips, especially putting me onto the grease. Lot of reading there with Flork and the thought of grease v oil - I've always just used Hoppe's oil, so guess I need to rethink that for the 226. Many thanks again for the time and tips.

Thanks all again for the tips, especially putting me onto the grease. Lot of reading there with Flork and the thought of grease v oil - I've always just used Hoppe's oil, so guess I need to rethink that for the 226. Many thanks again for the time and tips.

 

No worries, I really like my Sig and learnt a lot just from lurking on forums. About time I helped others :-)

 

If you want to learn how to completely strip the 226 then there is a very good DVD you can buy from TopGunSupply that was created by one of the SigForum members. I bought it and managed to completely strip my 226 and then put it together successfully... and I was a novice.

 

enjoy!

 

Alex

Another question for you sig folks, I picked up my 226 tonight cleaned and lubed it ready for the range. I notice when I insert the magazine it doesn't fit exactly flush w the bottom of the grip. I can push it w my thumb a bit tighter. The space is small,...maybe I could fit the edge of a credit card or maybe two in the gap. Gun seems to function fine and rounds feed into chamber ok. Is this normal for a sig? This is case w both magazines. I oiled the well, the mags themselves a bit as well. Thanks for your thoughts.

Another question for you sig folks, I picked up my 226 tonight cleaned and lubed it ready for the range. I notice when I insert the magazine it doesn't fit exactly flush w the bottom of the grip. I can push it w my thumb a bit tighter. The space is small,...maybe I could fit the edge of a credit card or maybe two in the gap. Gun seems to function fine and rounds feed into chamber ok. Is this normal for a sig? This is case w both magazines. I oiled the well, the mags themselves a bit as well. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

If there is a small gap the thickness of a credit card, dont see an issue. Are you loading a full mag on a closed slide? is it wobbling in place? stay in place?

If there is a small gap the thickness of a credit card, dont see an issue. Are you loading a full mag on a closed slide? is it wobbling in place? stay in place

 

I loaded ten rounds in two different fifteen round mags. Neither seem to wobble but just has that small bit of give that allows me to push it in just that small bit further which makes it totally flush. As soon as I release my finger the magazine slips that same small amount back out. Clambering a round doesn't seem to impact it one way or another.

Normal IMO. Always seems to be a slight amount of give

Mine does the same. Nothing to worry about.

Thanks for the reassurances. Given the length of time it takes to get a permit and having just picked up the 226, I can't tell you how disappointing it would have been to have to send it back already.

My first call this morning prior to logging on here was to Exeter, NH....their rep pulled out a few 226's from their inventory and inserted mags and said he found the same thing on all of them, and it was a normal feature.

Thanks to this group for helping avert my heart attack....

Now to find time to go to the range on Thanksgiving weekend to try it out without "she who makes decisions" for the house letting me have it!!

Just a comment on Flork's lubing.

 

Grease on the rails are no issue but if you grease the internals of the gun, it should be a gun that is used often. Recently, I have seen several sigs all malfunctioning because the grease was like paste from being on there forever. If your storing your gun, oil is a better idea in my opinion.

Thanks again for the replies. Managed to hit Shore Shot 3 times this week since picking up the 226 to work on getting familiar, so far just love it! It really did need a good cleaning when it arrived, so far 3 range trips and 3 cleanings in all is good. Thanks again for all the tips and advice.

Wow, 3 times in 1the week? Extremely jealous lol. How many rounds downrange already?

3x this week, loved it! Probably won't happen again until some other holiday and I get a few days off right around the time I get a new gun. Unfortunately back to the grind tomorrow and limited to weekend visits given the distance to SS from the house. 700 rounds downrange total, been keeping my practice to 200-250 rounds per session so far.

Very nice! Nothing like the intoxication of a new firearm. Sounds like a really fun week, and to be honest I am finding myself a bit jealous lol! I am averaging about 300 rounds per week and I thought that was a decent amount haha.

After re-reading the thread title, first thing I thought was,,, Won't be your last..

That's funny you say that. Been reading a lot of the 'what new gun should I buy' threads posted to see what folks have been thinking about. I have 1 more permit I can use within next 60 days, and the Sig will need a brother! I've inherited an old Hi-Standard Sport King 22LR from my dad, and have been wondering if I should pick up a more modern 22, go bigger with a .45 (and go broke shooting it) or dip into the revolver market....decisions decisions.