SIG SAUER, Inc., is famous for making reliable firearms, silencers, optics and ammunition. Now Sig has launched a new line of Advanced Sport Pellet (ASP) air pistols which look and feel like their handguns. I got to shoot their P226 Air Pistol, a great training aid at a modest price.
Never an outfit who do things half way, Sig has formed a whole new air products division. Sig is now making air guns, ammo, and targets tailored for training to use Sig guns.
SIG SAUER, just hired Ed Schultz as engineering manager for the SIG Air Division. Schultz will spearhead leading-edge product development for the division. “Changing the way people look at airguns has been my focus from the beginning,” says Schultz, “so becoming a part of the world-class team at SIG SAUER is incredible for someone with a lifelong passion for airguns.”
SIG SAUER Advanced Sport Pellet (ASP) rifles and pistols are semi-automatic CO2 powered guns designed for training and recreation. SIG engineers have carefully matched their air guns to the original models in weight and trigger pull. Current offerings include the P226, P250, MCX, and MPX air guns.
The first thing every body does when they pick it up is try to clear it like a Sig 226, then they can’t believe it is an airgun. These air guns are made to the engineering drawing dimensions. They look and handle just like their steel cousins.
There is no ejection port, pellets don’t eject. The slide lock latch is non functional, but remains to use as an index point for your grip. Sig’s iconic de-cocking lever serves as the safety.
They fit in your Sig holsters and the slides reciprocate when you shoot. All your gear; holsters, lights, and lasers work as intended. The difference is that you can shoot in the den with out having your wife call the SWAT team.
A panel in the back strap opens to accept a standard 12-gram CO2 cartridge. A cam mechanism pierces the canister as you close the door charging the action with gas.
The pistol 16-round magazines fit into the pistol grip. They have an eight-round rotary feed on each end. The rotary action puts a new pellet into place as fast as you can pull the trigger. After eight shots, you eject the magazine, flip it upside down, and reinsert the magazine to get another eight. Each CO2 cartridge gives you about 70 shots.
