SIG P226 / SIG P228 / Sig P229

The Sig Sauer P226 is a semi-automatic 9mm pistol that has been in use with the US Navy SEALs since the early 1980s.

It's more compact cousin, the P228, designated as the M11, is now the standard carry pistol of the SEALs and the SWCCs as well as some other US military units such as Air Force flight crews.

Sig Sauer pistols are designed in Switzerland and manufactured in Germany and the United States. They feature a mechanically-locked, recoil operated single/double action.

The P226 can be chambered to fire 9mm Parabellum, .40 S&W or .357 SIG rounds. The P228 can only fire 9mm Parabellum. A later compact pistol, the P229, was released that can be chambered in all 3 calibers.

A variant of the P229, the P229 DAK, chambered in .40 S &W, is carried by Coast Guard units such as MSRTs.

Sig P226/P228 Specifications

Sig P226 / P228 - Images and Further Info

SIG P226 pistol - side view. The P226 can also be chambered in .357 SIG and .40 S&W, although these calibers are not typically used by the US military (the US Coast Guard, however, uses the P229R DAK which is chambered in .40 S&W).

photo by Rama | used under license

SIG P228 pistol - side view

photo by Rama | used under license

A US Navy SEAL armed with a SIG P226 Navy. This variant was specially developed for the SEALs and features phosphate corrosion-resistant finish on internal parts, contrast sights and a slide engraved with an anchor.

US DoD Photo

A member of a US Coast Guard Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF) fires a P229R DAK at a firing range. The P229R DAK in .40 S&W is the standard sidearm in the Coast Guard. The DAK stands for 'Double Action Kellerman', an action designed to provide a consistent 6.5 pound double-action only trigger pull. The P229R DAK features a rail for mounting lasers or lights (as fitted on the above pistol). The weapon features a recessed hammer and lacks the decocker found on the regular P229. The P229 (.40 S&W) is fed via a 12-round magazine.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Shawn Valosin/released

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