SEALs upgrade to SIG Sauer P226 Mk25 Pistol
Back in the 80s the US Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) procured SIG Sauer P226 pistols for the SEALs. The NSWC version of the P226 was later sold to the public as the SIG P226 Navy. Unbeknown to me, the Navy has recently given the latest version of their P226 the designation Mk25 and SIG is now selling the Mk25 to public.
As far as I can tell, the only differences between the P226 Navy and P226 Mk25 is the inclusion of SIGLITE Night Sights.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 9mm Luger/Parabellum |
| Capacity | 15 |
| Finish | Hardcoat anodized / Nitron |
| Grip | Polymer |
| Barrel | 4.4" |
| Overall Length | 7.7" |
| Weight | 34.4 oz. |
| Sights | SIGLITE Night Sights |
| MSRP (Price) | $1,142 |
The Coast Guard uses the 40sw not the 9mm Navy Special warfare center Sigs 226 Navys.
The Navys allways had one piece stainless nitron coated slides and the early non -railed were phased out in the early 2000,s. When railed 226 Navys were issue in the early 2000,s. The Navy Mk24 and the newer Mk25 are the preferred service pistol not the M9 or over the hill 1911. The welded carbon slides are not used because of there weakness to rust and hotter 9mm ammo.
The Sig Sauer P226 Navy is for use throughout the Navy and not just a SEAL gun. I’m sure the Coast Guard either has it or will be soon.
I bought this because of the true Picatinny rail which will allow more options rather then the standard sig rail. I wish it didn’t have the anchor, because I’m not a seal and I feel kinda silly but oh well. And it comes with 3 mags and I got it for around the same price of a regular p226 so why not!? Wish it had the e2 grip though but I’ll live.
THe first thing the navy wanted was a one piece stainless coated slide,coated inside parts. THe rolled welded slides were weak and prone to fail with hot 9mm ammo and they rusted were not used on Navys. Railed Navys were put in service in the 2000,s ,but the standard sig rail was found to be losse on some millspec condiments,so with the mk25 the flat 1913 milspec rail, My new Navy 226 made in Oct.2011 has phospated inernals and nite sites with the sig rail which is rounded slightly not flat like the MK25.
..one of the aspects of survival taught early on by my drill instructor was attention to detail. I don’t have any idea what the production rate for the P226 pictured above is but QC should have rejected this weapon JUST on the fact that the serial/spec label is crooked. COME ON MAN!
When are they going to start selling them and where can I get one
If I were to pick any 9mm to carry into combat, it would be a P226, Glock 17 or Hi-Power, in order of preference. The M9 is fine, but simply doesn’t feel as balanced as the P226 or Glock. The P226′s track record speaks for itself, and the Glock can be modified to shoot underwater.
I wonder if SOCOM needs a more powerful round though, it seems that they are trained to double tap to the head with a handgun (Howard Wasdin’s book, section in Somalia). .357 SIG in the Glock or Sig is far superior to 9mm. Our special operations use relatively niche calibers (e.g. 300 Win Mag), so supply shouldn’t be a significant issue.
Most SOCOM operators use Glock or M-1911 .45s. Strange we have opposite taste in 9mm I prefer the M-9 over a SiG 226anytime. But Glock 17 is my 2nd choice.
“Most SOCOM operators use Glock or M-1911 .45s.” …and M9s, SIG P226′s, M11′s, and Mk 23s.” there. fixed that for you.
The 92FS/M9 just feels to front heavy to me. The trigger guard feels too snug. The 1911 may be labeled as an antique by some, but it’s a top choice for. I was issued the MEU(SOC) and between that and the M9, it’s not even a contest.
No I can agree a 1911 is a great gun. Its not obsolete.However a 226 vs a M-9 I like the M-9 its better balanced and is more accurate.
for sure, just because the basic design is 100 years old doesnt mean the pistol isnt relevant now-a-days
The SEALs specifically ditched the Beretta due to an incident where one failed to cycle due to sand getting into the frame; they’ve used SIGs ever since then.
Yes, there was an incident of an M9 malfunctioning and injuring a Naval Special Warfare operative (didn’t say if he was a SEAL). I heard in DEVGRU, like 1st SFOD-D, they can pick and choose (to some extent) their sidearm.
I like that approach, even if it may cause a big logistical issue. When a sailor/soldier/Marine draws their sidearm, it’s an instant life-or-death solution, and you don’t want anything but the gun that you’re most comfortable with in that situation. Standardize the caliber and what ammunition to use to abide by whatever laws. Another approach could be to take custom molds during boot camp (not too expensive) for their M4A1/M16 and their sidearm. Make it soft enough to grind/sand/file, so they can customize it further, but tough enough to withstand any situation they’d be in. Our nation’s finest don’t deserve anything less than the finest.
With DEVGRU or CAG you’re only talking a few hundred operators anyway; pistol ammo isn’t much of a deal (especially with CAG, which as far as I know still mandates .45 1911-type pistols.) Not much of a logistical issue when you consider they’re all rocking 5.56 or 7.62, with a few using .338 and .50.
CAG = 1st SFOD-D, right? Haven’t been keeping up with the Army.
As far as I know, some of those guys are pretty satisfied with the Glock. I would think the SEALs would need a much tougher handgun than the Army, being subject to grimy, watery environments.
Yes, CAG=Delta.
When you get down to it, I doubt the SEALs’ requirements really mandate a more rugged/reliable handgun, or weapons in general. They used more or less “stock” weaponry for quite a few years, starting with S&W Model 39s and M16s in Vietnam, and continuing forward from there. DEVGRU issued some fairly unusual weapons (for a military unit) at its inception if Richard Marcinko is to be believed, the S&W Model 66 .357 revolver and the Mini-14 carbine, but other than that, there has not been a great deal of deviation from what everyone else issues as far as I’m aware.
As far as I seen Glock 21SF and M-1911A1 by Kimber were used by Delta. The Navy as far I know have HK Mk23s and M-9s and SiG 226s in use.
I once heard a SeAL joke that the only navy SeAL that uses the mk23 is bruce willis
i know nothing about sigs, but could someone tell me if the frame is poly or some form of metal?
It depends on the model. Most Sigs frame (226) are made out of aluminum alloy and stainless steel slide. Newer design like the 250 are made out of Polymer.
I wouldn’t recommend Sig as of this post. There QC has gone down the past few years. Get a Glock or S&W MP.
I always flet a M-9 was better for a 9mm. BUT a Glock is better than a SiG for heavier calibers. SiG never impressed me as Beretta, Glock, and S&W have done.
thanks guys, was just curious. and i dont worry, i cant afford a sig even if i wanted one hahaha
I read the reason the Navy Seals use the Sigs is that they are the fastest to disassemble. And this is considered important as pistols clog up with sand.
Why can’t the US military buy and use guns made in America by American firms?
These foreign companies that produce firearms are in countries that have very restrictive gun laws.
Support and buy only firearms “Made in the USA”! Help save jobs and companies in America.
They do Colt makes MARSOC 1911s now and S&W sells cops M&P 45s. Beretta USA is made right in Virgina and so the M-9 is US made.
Its like Cars. Honda may be a foreign auto maker, but they have several factories in Ohio. Most of the Hondas in the USA are made in the USA. Made in the USA doesn’t mean USA owned Brand. Nothing wrong with that.
id personally like to see more U.S designs being used by our troops, but lance is right alot of the weapons the armed forces use are made here even if they are of foreign design
Yes I agree. The Beretta 92 is made here so is the M-21, M-24(2010), M-110, and M-107 sniper rifles are made here. As well as M-4 carbine and M-16 rifles.
The MK25 is made in the US in Exeter, NH. The company has some roots back to Europe, but the product is made right here in the US. They have a factory with about 500 workers I believe.
If a Coast Guard helo was pickin’ your ass outta the water would you care that’s it’s made in France? Your semi-patriotic comment/question doesn’t really make sense. In life and death situations I’d like to think that most people would want to use whatever is the best. Lot’s of military hardware is made somewhere else. It’s just the way of the world today. From the Boeing airplane to the reduction gears of a nuclear engine, the actual country of origin is unimportant.
There are a lot of inaccuracies showing up in here, just wanted to throw this out;
Original contract guns were U.S. supplied 226 models with contrast sites and phosphate or nickel coated internals (some parts are nickel-plated). These guns were originally carbon-steel, folded slides made in Germany with black phosphated slides (HOT BLUE is all this is) and Nitron frames.
As the U.S. production shifted to railed frames and stainless slides, this is what was still being provided, along with the treatment to the internals.
The civilian-sold models originally matches the spec. with coated internals. This was changed later to having standard internals, and just kept the gold anchor on the slide.
This new-contract Mk25 has the coated internals, 1913 rail instead of the Sig rail, and night sights. This is the contract gun and is sold in the same configuration to civilians as the P226 Mk25.
As far as Sig USA is concerned- MIM parts are being used in Germany too. The older guns were built and finished by hand. Stampings stay in spec for a long damn time. Newer production techniques are making the guns vary a bit more since tooling causes a lot of production issues.
I have an ’88 226 and an ’08 226 and they both shoot wonderfully, reliably, and have gone thousands of rounds without anything more than an oil change.
run em wet and sloppy and they’ll serve you forever.
cc19,
The service should supply you with rifle, machinegun, etc… But your sidearm is a secondary weapon. When used, it should not require more than a magazine or two and only when the work is close and you need to use your other hand (opening doors or searching bodies).
I understand that some would argue “what if you need to toss someone a magazine?” That is too rare of a scenario to worry about. I would rather every shooter have a familiar gun in his/her hand that is comfortable and they have practiced using. Standard load is 3 magazines (in the M9 that is 45 rounds). If you have fired your sidearm to the point that you have unloaded 3 magazines, then you should have switched back to your primary weapon.
I would rather we let our service members choose a gun that fits their hands, they are comfortable shooting, and that they can practice with in the evenings and the weekends.
Interesting idea. Perhaps in this type of scenario, the military could issue a small list of “acceptable” sidearms and calibers. I’d assume 9mm would be the main or only caliber, since it is NATO standard. The individual soldier would be responsible for the weapon and parts, etc. Probably would never happen, but is an intriguing idea. They’d definitely be less likely to mistreat or lose the weapon if it was theirs, and perhaps more likely to practice with it if they could do so on their own time and dime.
All it would take is one story about a soldier or marine dying due to weapon failure, and that program would end pretty fast, though.
nice, though i thought the SEALs unofficially adopted the SIG P226 after the M9 was developed? still, these are fine handguns and they can’t go wrong using them. They are a outstanding 9mm handgun.
Yeah I highly doubt this is the same pistol the new are getting. Don’t real operators need to suppress their pistol sometimes?
Becarefull of buying this. The SEAL version of the Sig P226 is different from the version commercial version that is offer to the general public.
The first few pistol of the SEAL P226 that was offered to the general public (forgotten the serial range) are identical to what the SEAL used. However since than ALL SIG SEAL 226 that claim to be identical version of what the SEAL used 226 are complete BS. This version is no exception. Pure marketing using Navy SEAL name.
Two concerns with civilian market Sigs:
1. Dice roll after sales service and parts support – especially outside of the USA.
2. Durability of the roll-pin arrangement for breech block retention – this critical part can “let go” after as few as 5-7,000 rounds. The only warnings you get are sudden off-center primer strikes and the protrusion of the broken pin-ends from the slide.
Other than that the P226 is a fine piece that only needs the addition of a lightpipe front sight.
Always been happy with my sig pistols. the P226 is a good gun
Yup. My 226 is fantastic.
As to Burton. Every experience I have had with Sigs makes me wish, from the depths of my black little heart, that the Air Force would swap out the M9 Beretta FOR Sigs! IMHO, if I have to carry a 9mm, these are the far sweeter option. And they won’t let me bring my own gun to work.
We are in the killing business. As much as we try to look away from that, we are the tip of the spear. I have served in the both the light infantry and the MPs. There is nothing but “policy” standing in the way of allowing service members to purchase thier own sidearm. As in the days past, you would think that service members having a handgun that fits them would be a good thing.
Honest question about that. It’s obvious for a primary weapon you want to be sharing the same magazines and ammo as the guy next to you as much as possible. Is this doctrine not as vital for a secondary sidearm? I know that various LE agencies want duty carry fairly standardized, but when it comes to off-duty, don’t really care what their officers are packing.
but the issue of endless different weapon designs, lack of armorer support, non-interchangeable magazines and calibers, different shooting habits, and different safety features will make this a mess. You cannot train soldiers how to use 10 different firearms at the same time, but you can train them how to use all M9s.
Sig finally figured out how to make a Picatinny rail to spec. Or at least APPEAR to spec.
I can’t stop staring at it. Dear Santa…
This blog has turned so freaking negative with gun brands/calibers some don’t like being trashed at length for whatever perceived reason on every new topic. We should have some respect for out fellow firearms enthusiasts who have different preferences and realize that we are all in the same boat. I used to be a huge fan of the old firarmblog where people disagreed respectfully with one another without this thumbs up or down stuff. This is fast turning into a typical vitriol filled gun-forum. Sorry for my rant.
I assume you’re talking about my comment. I did not feel that my comment was negative or “filled with vitriol” about Sig Sauer or this model of weapon at all. I was merely pointing something out and asking a question, while still claiming to be largely ignorant of the subject.
I was not stirring up dissension or doing anything negative. In fact, I was asking if someone more knowledgeable could address my concern.
Just because there are problems associated with a weapon system does not mean it shouldn’t be talked about because people get personally offended over it.
@ Burton
The original comment wasn’t directed at you otherwise I would have addressed it directly towards you If I disagreed. I think I’m not in the minority here who think that some of the bashing or personal attacks are turning fast uncivil on the blog as a hole. You don’t have to believe me just go back to the last 15 topics to see for your self. Anyone who remembers the old firearm blog knows what I’m talking about when compared to today. Sadly this is the trend now with so many other public gun-forums whom I witnessed slowly turn from great knowledgeable member content into what they are today where things turn unpolite and go into bashing when ever it differs from the group.
I agree. This blog is far less civil than it used to be. There is still a lot of great, up to the minute content but, there is a lot of content that seems more suitable for Guns & Ammo. As far as the SIG goes, I’d rather see our guys carrying weapons made in the USA, by an American company.
I wish I had money to burn. I’d buy six 18 Round Mec Gars for each SEAL’s Mk25. Or 20′s if that’s what they would rather have.
I know they are probably more than fine with their standard 15′s. But more never hurts.
Okay, I shouldn’t let it bother me but what is so horribly disagreeable about my post? (thumbs down in 3…2…1….)
“As used by operators operating in operational environments.”
Operated by operators, operating in operational environments.
Operated by operational operators, operating in operational operations.
Can someone school me on if the ones NSW uses are German made or American made? I don’t own a Sig, but I’ve heard a lot of rumblings the past couple years that their QC is on a pretty bad backslide and that the American Sigs are hit or miss.
This is certainly an odd juxtaposition considering I hear lots of Tier 1 guys love them. I have to admit, given the rumors and the multiple contracts that Sig has lost recently, I would be a little concerned if my life might depend on the weapon.
Just wanted to hear what people’s thoughts on this were, as I am hardly an expert on Sigs.
Burton,
Gotta agree. My conversations with the HSLD crowd makes me wonder about SIG quality assurance. I’ve been told on more than one occasion to look for an old, German-made pistol. This coming from folks in uniform that wear them and/or are responsible for maintaining them.
I’d be glad to buy one of these… from Crane. Just don’t make the assumption that the MK 25 coming out of the NSWC is identical to the “MK 25″ that Sig is selling to the public.
Do a search between real SEAL SIG 226 and the commercial version of the same type that have been offered to the general public. Unless you have an early version, the commercial SEAL SIG is different.
The slides also appear to be rolled pinned instead of riveted. Most of the P226 models, including the so-called Combat model, are riveted.
To whoever the genius is that voted me down for a mere stating of fact;
Having a roll pinned slide allows you to remove the firing pin/firing pin spring and the firing pin blocking safety and spring. Since the SEALs are obviously dealing with a salt water environment, it’s crucial that they can completely strip the weapon.
I’m pretty sure you got voted down for being wrong. I’m not aware of any current or recent production Sig’s with ‘riveted’ slides. Older slides were folded and welded, and for around the last decade they have been machined from a solid block of steel, but I’ve never seen rivets anywhere.
When they switched from folded to milled slides, they also changed the pin that holds the breech block in place. The folded slide models all used the roll pins (like those pictured on this MK 25), but they changed to a solid pin for a while with the milled slides. They have now returned to using roll pins instead of the solid pins. It is still a pin though, and you can push it out with a punch. I’m guessing that you are thinking of this change from roll pins to solid pins and back, but I’m really not sure.
The original (and still widely used) Sig 226 used by the Navy Seals were unrailed blued German made guns with or without night sights (depending on whether or not they were available. Those guns were used (with a few modifications like US-made stainless steel slides with external extractor) well into the 2000s. The Mk25 provides a rail, which was not part of previous contracts.
Plus, they seem to be US-made guns.
Fun fact : the Navy considered getting the P226 Elite as the Mk25 (226 with the beavertail).
I see they added the $300 Tier 1 tax to the price…
Only the rails and sights are different from any other SiG 226. They also back in the day helped improve the M-9 by adding pressure relief in the back and can make a M-92FS shoot under the water like a modified Glock can. Wounder if they can ditch the stiff trigger pull SiGs have problems with.
The internals are all phosphate coated, versus just the slide and frame. This help protect against salt water.