wmg1299
Professional
I've wanted a Sig Sauer P226 for some time, but the current prices of $999-$1299 kept me from buying one. I saw that one of the online dealers I trust was selling a batch of LE Trade-In .40 S&W P226 pistols for $458 ($508 after taxes, shipping, and transfer). I've never purchased a Trade-In/Surplus LE firearm. I might have considered an LE Trade-In Glock, but I qualify for the Blue Label program which makes almost all new Glocks cheaper than the retail price for used models. The option to buy a P226 for approximately half the price of a new one was enough for me to take a chance, even if it wasn't in my first choice of caliber.
I have enough LEO experience to know that most police handguns are frequently carried, but rarely fired. The mid-size department (approx. 400 officers) that employed me took firearm training very seriously, and built an incredibly nice training facility. While our officers had to qualify twice per year at 85% or above, the state only required officers to qualify once a year at 70%. Almost all of our officers were extremely proficient with all of their issued firearms, but we often allowed smaller departments to use our facility for their qualifications. I saw many officers, who may have been competent professionals, but who possessed only basic firearm skills at best.
A field-strip and cleaning of my new-to-me P226 revealed that this particular pistol was most likely only fired during annual qualifications. There is some wear on the grips, but the barrel and internals are in excellent shape. I won't know for certain until after a range session this weekend, but I am very pleased so far.
I have enough LEO experience to know that most police handguns are frequently carried, but rarely fired. The mid-size department (approx. 400 officers) that employed me took firearm training very seriously, and built an incredibly nice training facility. While our officers had to qualify twice per year at 85% or above, the state only required officers to qualify once a year at 70%. Almost all of our officers were extremely proficient with all of their issued firearms, but we often allowed smaller departments to use our facility for their qualifications. I saw many officers, who may have been competent professionals, but who possessed only basic firearm skills at best.
A field-strip and cleaning of my new-to-me P226 revealed that this particular pistol was most likely only fired during annual qualifications. There is some wear on the grips, but the barrel and internals are in excellent shape. I won't know for certain until after a range session this weekend, but I am very pleased so far.
