March 10, 1986.....January 30th, 2010

Services Pending...

I knew it had to happen. We all did. Sooner or later it happens to everyone. She's been with me for almost 24 years. She was new to this country, not even understood by most. I even had to explain her to the sheriff and get his permission before I could use her. He'd never even heard of the lady from overseas. I had to convince several of her worthiness and dependability in the early years.

Several had come before her. And others had chances since we met, but none could ever take her spot away. She stuck with me through thick and thin. Snow and rain, dirt and dust. She put on a few ounces over the years, new eyes a couple of times, and later in life she learned to shine in the dark.

She lead me into the unknown sevearl times. Into dark scary places for most, but together she and I went many many times to the brink. She only got angry twice, once at a dog, once at a man. Day in day out, through many days and many ordeals, she was flawless to the end.

Late in life she turned into a deer hunter, scoring once, and also harvesting many pigs. She claimed two coyotes, one pretty close and one a long ways away. Glad she had witnesses for both those tremendous occasions. But her place was seldom in the field, as she stayed by my side. She even put down my best old dog for me, when it was his time to go.

It happened on a cold winter day in Texas. She just couldn't go on anymore. She looked kinda sad today, laying on that cold steel table, broken, unable to function as she had for years, and for the first time in nearly a quarter of a century, I'll head out tonight without her. While I will be sad, she'd want me to go on.

I'll be taking her younger and slightly more petite sister with me and try her out in just moments. Some will call me a dog and shameless, but she will do fine, however she'll never be #1 to me. The younger smaller sister has a new American name, and was born here, not an immigrant. And today I won't have to convince others she's OK.

That's right... literally with a tear in my eye as I type...glancing over to my right here on the counter beside me, sits my dearly beloved Sig-Sauer P226...after 24 years and over 60 thousand rounds...She jammed today.

Cause of death, a Broken extractor, and a fractured roll pin when a round of Winchester 124 gr JHP case ruptured... it still wasn't her that failed me.

SO I am finally taking that Brand New Sig Arms P228 Tactical out of the safe for a couple of hundred round shakedown this afternoon....

I'll get back to you later with details on the wake...

We all knew it had to happen someday.

Good Lord, I thought that your wife, sister, or dog had just died.

Glad to hear it wasnt any of the above.

Vernon, I feel your pain.. ...So Sorry for the loss in action.....She has been good to/for you...

It breaks after 60,000 rounds? Cheap import junk! She probably was just with you to get her Green Papers.

BTW, I just traded the PC4 so never mind about the PM I sent earlier.

At least you kept it in the family.

So it's not fixable?

At least you didn't walk in and catch her "frolicking" with a Jennings. She maintained her reputation as a clean lady to the end.

Pictures of the deceased?

She can be fixed, but it's hard for some of us to ever overcome a failure in a defensive weapon. But for her situation, maybe I can over look her one time lack of discretion.

There is a resurrection in the future. She's going back to Sig though, has a mark inside I am scared of, and a the roll pin was cracked longtitudinally. Let them get her a MRI and a catscan and some X-rays, and heck they can K-Kote her while she's there too...

Im all teary eyed. Sorry for your loss.But it sounds like she may come back "enhanced".Thats always good!

Some cosmetic surgery can always help a 24-25 year old lady...

I just don't care about enhanced women...It's not nice to fool with Mother Nature
Those Austrian women included

What was her name? If you liked her that much I know she had one...

How was the P228 shakedown?

I am so sad for your loss. However, before I would move on to the union labor American made junk I would get an H&K. I just got my second USP and all I can say is that is some quality engineering at it's finest.

I offer my condolences I know this must be a hard time for you.

The P228 went well, as expected. Only got 100 rounds down range, it was cold.... Everything went great except at 100 yards, only 3 hits in 10, just don't make them like the old ones anymore...

Thank you all for your thoughts. Glad to see that some understand.

HK does make great guns... they were one of the mistresses over the years, but still not the chosen one... I'll stick with Sig.

Betsy....

Good grief,i first thought it might be a woman but then at almost 24 it had to be a horse,no it's a dog,poor thing.Read to the finish and glad it wasn't a woman/horse/dog but it is heart breaking to find out it was your best partner.Sorry for your loss and i know she will be hard to replace.
RIP Betsy

Thanks John. Still getting used to the little sister. ANother 100 rounds today. Really don't like to carry one without 500 through them, but having to work around that. Got 6 of ten last time at 100, that's more like it...

My 20 round mags don't sit well in the new girl, little long for her short loins, need the deeper well...

little long for her short loins, need the deeper well...[/quote]

I have that same problem often with mine

vernon,

Being a very fond fan of Sigs, and myself having a pristine W.German 226 9mmm I dread the day when this happens to my baby.

Good luck and hopefully she can be fixed.

In the words and fluent Schwartzneggerian,,,, "She'll be bock!!!".

60K documented rounds in schools and training, more just BSing. She saved my life. I'll do the same.

Unless they see something deeper, new springs overal, extractor, K-kote, grips, needs new sights (eyes)...

email from my Sig Rep said they'd take care of her for me, about $135 out of pocket for a "new" version... cant beat that...






Mesiah, that's not entirely accurate now is it???? Surprised there's not a S&W remark in there somewhere...

BTW, this is your fault, it's that damn possum you made me shoot... her last shot...

Aw heck, send her in for some cosmetic procedures, maybe some implants or something. She'll feel like an 18 yr old again. Perk her right up.

Hey Vernon, why dont you tell the story?? You know the one about cheating on her... when u shot my S&W M&P.. from 198 yards... one time at tin man... and hit him... and never fired another shot from her lest you be tempted to cheat again... Its not her extractor and roll pin broken.......... Its her heart you cheating bastage...its her heart

My USP has held up with me through the thick and thin. She is by my side every day in a Safariland level III duty holster. It causes a little slide wear but she is never fearful to jump in or out of that holester. I cannout count the number of rounds that I have put through this weapon with out a malfunction. I will trust no other.

HK No compromise.