ZEV Technologies P226, a classic rewritten

Launched on the market back in 1994, the SIG Sauer P226 was proposed as a competitor to the US Army trials, which at the time had decided to replace the glorious Colt 1911 as a sidearm. The two finalists in the competition were the P226 and the Beretta 92, which eventually won out over its rival. The defeat of the Swiss-German pistol was only partial, however, because thanks to its undeniable handling and safety qualities, the P226 was adopted by the Navy Seals and several federal agencies in the United States and around the world. Among the most interesting features of the SIG Sauer P226 we would like to mention the DA/SA trigger, the stamped sheet metal slide with pinned-in breech block, the light alloy frame and the double-stack magazine. The locking system derives directly from that of the SIG Sauer P220 – of which the P226 can be considered an evolution – which uses the forward edge of the barrel chamber locking into the ejection port, instead of the classic rings on the barrel and slots in the hood of the slide like the Colt 1911 or CZ75.

Over the course of its more than forty years of life, the P226 has been produced in numerous variants, and the one we present here is one of the most recent, offered by the American company ZEV Tech, which specialises in high-quality aftermarket components. Initially founded as a manufacturer of aftermarket accessories and components, Zev Tech has in recent years also been offering complete pistols, based on Glock or, as in this case, SIG Sauer.

Zev P226, a magnificent 40-year-old

Today, the world of pistols for military and professional use is dominated by polymer-framed, striker-fired DA/SA pistols, but when it was introduced just over forty years ago, the SIG Sauer P226 was extremely modern and in some ways innovative. Its ease of use and the high level of safety allowed by the double-action trigger with external hammer, which made it as safe as a revolver, and its light weight, made it an instant "instant classic", especially for special forces and law enforcement officers around the world, from Egyptian paratroopers to Australian SWAT teams. Thanks to Zev Tech, the P226 is back in a refined and modified version that retains the design of the original gun, adapting it to today's trends and taking some liberties especially with the trigger system.

The ZEV P226 is chambered in 9mm Luger and has a single-action only (SAO) trigger with a straight blade. The thumb safety is on the frame, in the usual 1911-style position, operated by an ambidextrous lever. This allows the P226 ZEV to be carried in "condition one", i.e. with a round in the chamber, hammer cocked and safety engaged, a technique very dear to tactical shooting guru Jeff Cooper and one that has fallen somewhat out of favour in a world dominated by striker-fired pistols. The design is that of an "evolved" service pistol intended for use by well-trained personnel, such as members of the special forces, who in all corners of the world have shown a great liking for the SIG Sauer P226 in its basic version or in one of its many evolutions.

The steel slide retains the recognisable p226's original profile, adapted to contemporary requirements. The cocking serrations on the front are also present on the slide top, reducing overall weight noticeably, thanks also to the two cuts on the side, which allow a glimpse of the stainless steel barrel. The ZEV P226 is fitted with set of dovetail-mounted fixed sights, with fiber-optic front sight. 

The slide is optic-ready and, thanks to the PRO footprint interface, it can receive a SIG Sauer Romeo 1PRO reflex sight. The frame is equipped with a SIG-type accessory rail and features a pair of G10 grips of proprietary design. The barrel is 4.9 inches (124 mm) long and has a threaded muzzle for the mounting of a silencer. The barrel body is lightened by dumplings, which are not visible when the gun is assembled. The magazines of the ZEV P226 are made of sheet steel, with a capacity of 15 9mm rounds.

ZEV P226 technical specifications