Posted: 12/3/2025 8:39:55 PM EDT
[Last Edit: dump1567][Edited]
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It took a week to ship, but I'm happy with my $499 P226 Trade-in. Mine has a "AB" date code and minimal wear. Even the rubber grips don't look too bad. It's better than I expected. After shipping and my dealers transfer fee, I'm in it for $585. I've put in a SRT and 18Lb MS and will shoot it tomorrow morning. Per RTI, these came from the Czech Republic. Mines the $499 version with one mag. https://royaltigerimports.com/?s=sig&post_type=product&dgwt_wcas=1 As Received: Attached File Attached File After clean-up and touch-up bluing. Attached File  Unboxing the SIG Sauer P226 | Classic Precision and Reliability |
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Originally Posted By progkiller: My Google Fu search mentions tritium... so for night sites? Even cooler if it's "hot" from being stored with nukes! Yeah, this came with dead night sights, so I’m assuming that’s why the sticker was there. I couldn’t find any info. on who would require such a sticker. I emailed RTI to see if they’ll tell me where these came from. I don’t see any need to re-finish these. I’ve been using Brownells Oxpho-Blue on all my Sig rolled slides, and it does an excellent job of matching and restoring the finish. Attached File Attached File |
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Here's what GROK Ai says about Sig 226's and the Czech Republic. Not sure how accurate it is? The Czech Republic (both the Czech Army and Police) has been one of the largest and longest users of the SIG Sauer P226 outside of the United States. Here’s a detailed overview of their use: Czech Military (Armáda České republiky) Official designation: 9 mm pistole vz. 88 (later changed to 9 mm pistole CZ 26, not to be confused with the CZ 26 submachine gun) Adopted in the early 1990s to replace the aging 7.62×25 mm vz. 82 (CZ 82) pistols. Model: SIG Sauer P226 (first generation, West German-made frames with “Made in W. Germany” or later “Made in Germany” rollmarks). Finish: Almost all Czech military P226s were delivered in the classic blued (actually a nitron-like black finish) with black plastic grips and fixed sights. Quantity: Approximately 15,000–17,000 pistols delivered between 1991 and the mid-1990s. Exact numbers are hard to confirm because some sources say 10,000 and others 20,000. Markings: Czech military acceptance proof is a small lion crest (Český lev) with the last two digits of the year of acceptance stamped on the right side of the slide, trigger guard, and sometimes frame. Example: lion + “93” = accepted in 1993. Current status (2025): Largely phased out of first-line service. Since 2020–2021 the Czech Army has been replacing them with the CZ P-10 C (designated 9 mm pistole Phantom), but many P226s are still remain in reserve stocks, training units, and special forces. Czech Police (Policie České republiky) Adopted around the same time (early 1990s) in smaller numbers than the army. Most police P226s are also West German-made, blued, but some later batches have phosphate gray slides (similar to U.S. Navy MK25 finish). Still widely used in 2025 by regular uniformed police, rapid-response units (URNA – counter-terrorist unit), and some detective branches. Police guns usually have “PČR” (Policie České republiky) property markings electro-penciled or laser-engraved on the frame or slide. Special Versions & Notable Details A small number of P226s with factory threaded barrels were delivered for suppressed use with special units. URNA (Czech counter-terrorist police) has used stainless P226s and even some P226 X-Five models for competition and training. Czech 75th Special Forces Brigade (601st SFG) and military intelligence still use worn but well-maintained legacy P226s alongside newer CZ and Glock pistols. Current Surplus Market (2025) Many of the original Czech Army P226s have been declared surplus in the last 5–8 years and sold on the commercial market (mostly through Czech companies such as Zbrojovka Vsetín or directly from Ministry of Defence auctions). These guns typically show holster wear but are mechanically excellent because the Czechs maintained them rigorously. Prices in Europe and the U.S. for genuine Czech military P226s usually range from €600–€1,000 depending on condition and whether the lion proof is present. In short: The SIG P226 was the standard Czech military and police sidearm for almost 30 years (≈1992–2022) and remains in limited service today, and Czech-contract guns are considered some of the most authentic and collectible “Old World” P226s available. |
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Originally Posted By M4Michael: Learn something new every day! Is the assumption that these came out of the Czech Republic because they were listed concurrently with the large batch of CZ pistols RTI had as well? No, RTI told me that’s where they came from (I updated my OP). I’m assuming Police due to the lack of abuse that the Military would probably put on them. Just a guess. |
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Originally Posted By thomasplaster223: Where on the pistol did RTI apply the import markings? It on the bottom of the back strap tail right above the grips. Aluminum bluing darkened mine up so it’s hardly noticeable. Attached File |
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Originally Posted By dump1567: Yeah, this came with dead night sights, so I’m assuming that’s why the sticker was there. I couldn’t find any info. on who would require such a sticker. I emailed RTI to see if they’ll tell me where these came from. I don’t see any need to re-finish these. I’ve been using Brownells Oxpho-Blue on all my Sig rolled slides, and it does an excellent job of matching and restoring the finish. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/19737/IMG_2358_jpeg-3670002.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/19737/IMG_2359_jpeg-3670003.JPG I only hope the one I get looks as good as yours. That thing looks great. How's the barrel? |
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Originally Posted By dump1567: Ready to carry. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/19737/IMG_2382_jpg-3673877.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/19737/IMG_2383_jpg-3673878.JPG Man ,that is fine as a fiddle! |
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Originally Posted By dump1567: Ready to carry. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/19737/IMG_2382_jpg-3673877.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/19737/IMG_2383_jpg-3673878.JPG That just keeps getting better and better. The wood grips look really sharp and it looks like a new gun. What brand of grips are those? |
Be the change you want in this world.
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Originally Posted By patw: That just keeps getting better and better. The wood grips look really sharp and it looks like a new gun. What brand of grips are those? I added Hogue grips and screws, SRT, 18 lb MS, Talon tape to the front strap, and orange dot night sight front. |
