I imagine this short video peaked your curiosity as much as it did mine the first time I saw it! A few weeks ago I was contacted by the SIG rep and asked if I would like to take part in the Legion introduction. Of course I had no idea what “Legion” was but it sounded like something above and beyond a single new gun announcement. Well, it was certainly a lot more it was an entire new line of not only guns of all types but other new SIG products like knives, pistols, gun cases, rifles and other products not yet announced. The Legion Series is more than just products. The Legion is also intended to be a group of users who use their gear in hard use situations and demand more than the standard gear. Let me have SIG take over in explaining the idea and purpose behind the Legion!

The new SIG Legion P-229 in it’s hard case with three mags, challenge coin and folder knife.

The Legion P-229

From SIG Sauer:

SIG SAUER® Introduces Legion SeriesTM Featuring Exclusive Firearms, Programs NEWINGTON, N.H. (October 6, 2015) — SIG SAUER, Inc., the world’s premier manufacturer of complete weapon systems, is now inviting professional users worldwide to become part of the new Legion SeriesTM.

By joining its ranks, Legion members will receive access to a new line of enhanced products from SIG SAUER®, developed with the input of the most elite professionals from around the world. These products have been built to meet and exceed the demands of the elite. These are serious tools, for serious users.

The Legion is also a community, a brotherhood of like-minded individuals who push themselves and their gear to the limits. Legion members will receive exclusive product offerings and information from SIG, gain access to premium accessories built specially for the Legion, and find lifestyle items representing their membership in the Legion.
The Legion name has roots reaching back to the great Roman armies, and to this day designates elite membership among the world’s military and professional communities.
“We have worked with elite SIG users for years as we have developed the Legion,” said Jeff Creamer, Executive Director and General Merchandise Manager for SIG SAUER, Inc. “We wanted to know what custom features professionals were seeking as factory enhancements. The result is a line of high performance firearms and accessories that deliver not only what elite users need, but what they want.”

After customers purchase a Legion product, they simply call SIG SAUER with their serial number to register the product. SIG will then send a complimentary custom Thermo-Mold case, cut for their specific firearm and featuring a slot for their challenge coin matched to that firearm.

The new Legion member will also receive a web account login, which unlocks the Legion portion of the SIG website. Here Legion members can learn more about the privileges of being a member of the Legion and find exclusive products expressly designed for them. Partnering with companies like Surefire®, Peltor®, Blackpoint Tactical® and others, members can purchase top-of-the-line accessories made exclusively as part of the Legion Series.

SIG SAUER has also partnered with some of the finest blade makers in the industry to offer Legion-specific knives available only to members. To name just a few, Emerson Knives®, Rick Hinderer, Daniel Winkler, Duane Dwyer of Duane Dwyer Customs and Strider Knives®, and Quartermaster Knives® are designing and building these exclusive offerings specifically for the Legion.

Additional lifestyle accessories from premier manufacturers such as Gramm Works® humidors and Key-Bar® products will also be exclusives to the Legion base.
Legion members will have exclusive access to SIG SAUER product news and training tips from the SIG SAUER AcademySM faculty. They will also be among the first to see new Legion products as they come available.

The Legion will launch with the two most prevalent SIG SAUER handguns in use within the professional community. The P226® and P229® have served countless military units and law enforcement agencies for decades. These trusted firearms are counted on day in and day out to protect those who protect our freedoms.

Both models will be finished in a proprietary Legion gray PVD coating, custom G-10 grips with a Legion medallion, the new SIG SAUER Electro-Optics X-RAY3TM high visibility day/night sights, and will ship with three magazines.

The P226 and P229 in DA/SA include a reduced and contoured Elite beavertail, which allows for a higher grip, but a reduced profile, to eliminate printing while carrying concealed. More aggressive front strap checkering and additional checkering under the trigger guard enhance the grip, even in adverse situations. A high undercut has been machined behind the trigger guard, allowing for a higher grip and greater control. Front cocking serrations provide greater purchase for cycling the action, clearing the firearm, or conducting status checks. The P226 and P229 DA/SA guns will first be available in 9mm, followed by .40 and .357SIG.

The DA/SA also features low profile decocking and slide catch levers to reduce the risk of snagging. An enhanced polished action with the SRTTM (Short-Reset Trigger) is augmented with a Grayguns, Inc., Intermediate Adjustable Trigger. In addition, a solid steel guide rod adds weight where it matters most. These enhancements maximize the user’s accuracy potential, while increasing their split times between shots.

The P226 SAO variant brings the same feature set to the table in a single-action only package. The addition of the SIG Master Shop Super Match Flat Trigger provides exceptional feel and consistent trigger pull
regardless of finger placement. Additionally, the Legion SAO debuts the new single action SRT (short reset trigger) and is available in 9mm. The P226 SAO is projected to begin shipping in November.

I think this press release does a much better job of explaining the Legion Series and the ideas behind it than I could. To begin with SIG has chosen to start this program with the release of a customized Legion P-226 and P-229. Two weeks ago I received the Legion P-229 along with it’s unique hard case with the Legion logo molded into the top as well as a SIG Black Point single mag carrier and Black Point holster.

SIG Legion 229 and 226

The Legion P-229 I received has an all gray PVD finish with all the upgrades mentioned in the press release. Just to run these changes down again. The top of the slide has Legion engraved into the slide just in front of the rear sight. SIG has also created a new set of sights for this series from what they call the electro optics division. So, these are SIG designed sights with two small tritium dots in the rear sight and a slightly larger tritium front sight encircled by a bright green material which shows very well during the day and night. This makes for a nice sight picture and one easily lined up quickly. The beavertail is similar to the one on the Elite series but trimmed down and reshaped to allow for a higher grip.

Checkered controls

SIG Electro Optic Sight

Checkering on the front strap and trigger guard

There is also an undercut at the bottom rear of the trigger guard which combined with the undercut beavertail does indeed allow a higher grip which is something SIG owners have been wanting for a long time. The front strap checkering is more aggressive than the usual P series pistol. SIG has also added additional checkering along the front and bottom of the trigger guard. The controls are also modified by making them slightly smaller with a checkered finish which gives the user a better purchase on the slide release and de-cocker. Something I really like about the Legion 229 is the G-10 grips with the logo medallion inlaid. Some thought was put into the grip with areas with a more aggressive finish providing a very secure grip.

P-229 in the Black Point holster which sports the Legion logo.

This holster is a combination of kydex and leather. Nothing new with that combination but the way the holster is designed the holster forms around your hip keeping the pistol in close providing easier concealment.

The Black Point Holster

The action has also been tuned/smoothed with a short reset trigger standard on this model. One trigger is from Grayguns and is fully adjustable. This is the flat trigger on the Legion P-226.

Legion P-226 trigger

I mentioned the Legion hard case being unique. While the shell will protect the pistol and contents the case has some give to it and closes with a heavy zipper. The way the case is designed it’s much easier to carry around being about 30% as thick as the usual hard shell case. It should fit well in a range bag and leave room for a good deal of other gear because of it’s thin profile.

On to the range:

I’ve taken this 229 out to the range numerous times since it arrived and it has been flawless. No malfunctions of any kind after several hundred rounds of not only ball ammo but SIG JHP ammo.

Accuracy was excellent not only because a SIG P series is just an accurate pistol but this one shined because of the trigger work, higher grip and those X-RayT3 sights. With these changes SIG has also made this a natural pointer. Standing unsupported at 15 yards I was able to draw and fire a full magazine by just looking over the top of the slide in the old instinctive shooting style and hitting the 1/3 size IDPA steel target. All 15 rounds struck the target! I was quite honestly surprised since in the past that first round from my 226 fired double action has always gone high unless I slow down. If you ever had trouble with the change from DA to SA this one will probably cure that. The trigger is really well done.

I also backed up to 25 yards to do some slow fire and was able to keep my groups just under two inches if I did my part. One thing I mentioned that I can take it or leave it is the full length guide rod. It’s purpose is to add weight and make follow up shots faster. I didn’t notice any difference but then I’ve shot SIG pistols a lot.

To sum things up I really like what SIG has done with this pistol and I plan on buying it and believe me I don’t buy many guns I test. I think any reader that tries the Legion 229 will be hooked just like I have been. MSRP should be right at $1300.

When a buyer registers their Legion pistol they are mailed the hard case and enrolled in the “Legion”. The Legion website should be live shortly. www.legionseries.com

I really look forward to testing the Legion 226 as well as some of the other guns that will be introduced in this series. There will be rifles as well as other handguns so stand by for more to come.

Legion Series Knives