Sig Sauer P226 Elite .40 S&W
Model: E26R-40-BSE
Sig Sauer P226 Elite .40 S&W
Model: E26R-40-BSE
Full Specifications
About This Firearm
The Sig Sauer P226 Elite is a full-size hammer-fired .40 S&W built for duty and deliberate range work. It is no longer made, so it is a used buy. Its aluminum alloy frame carries an accessory rail machined into the metal and SIG's E2 grip, a single piece that wraps the frame where the DAO and DAK classic pistols use two grip halves and screws.
The decocking lever takes the place of a thumb safety, and SIG's automatic firing pin safety lock keeps the pistol safe to carry without one. The magazine catch can be set up for left or right hand operation. SIG offered the classic line's sights in high-contrast and SIGLITE night versions and in several heights, so the sight picture on a used Elite depends on how it was ordered. The slide has no optic cut.
If you're cross-shopping, the Sig Sauer P229 is the compact in the same family and also a used buy, holding 12 rounds behind a 3.9-inch barrel at 7.1 inches overall, with a single-action pull SIG rates at 4.4 lbs. The HK USP40 is still in production at an MSRP of $1,259, holds 13 rounds and puts a safety and a decocker in one frame lever where the P226 gives a decocker alone.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- Interchangeable grips are standard across the classic line, which SIG describes as adapting the pistol to the individual user.
- SIG lists X-Ray night sights and adjustable sights for select classic line models, so a sight upgrade uses parts the family still shares.
- A metal frame with the rail cut into it means no polymer dust cover to flex under a heavy weapon light.
- Nothing in the classic line is cut for a red dot, so mounting one means paying a shop to mill the slide.
- The .40 is gone from SIG's current catalog, so magazines and spares come off the used and surplus market.
- A long first pull followed by a short one needs practice, and the decocker returns the pistol to the long pull every time.
Category Rankings
How the Sig Sauer P226 Elite .40 S&W ranks among full-size .40 S&W handguns.
Ballistics Calculator
Calculate trajectory, drop, and energy for .40 S&W ammunition.
.40 S&W Ballistics →Where to Buy
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does it have a manual safety?
No. The decocking lever is the external control, and SIG's automatic firing pin safety lock makes the pistol safe to carry with the hammer down.
What does the decocking lever actually do?
It releases the sear so a cocked hammer resets into the double-action position without the trigger moving. That is how a loaded classic P-series pistol gets holstered.
Can the trigger shape be changed?
Yes. SIG lists three trigger styles for the classic line, standard curved, straight and adjustable, and they fit the DA/SA frame this gun uses.
Which trigger actions did SIG build on this frame?
Double action with single action, single action, double action and SIG's DAK. The DAK and double-action frames take two-piece grips, so grip parts do not cross over from them to an E2 gun.
