SIG SAUER’s P226, born from the crucible of the US Military’s XM9 Service Pistol Trials in 1984, may have taken second place, but its build quality, performance, and reliability spoke volumes. Despite narrowly missing the top spot, the P226 became a legend, embraced by special forces units and SWAT agencies worldwide. Now, as SIG SAUER celebrates its 40th Anniversary, the P226 stands tall as an enduring industry icon, a testament to its decades of service and unwavering excellence.