military XM9 trials, the P226 was imported by Saco Defense. Sauer & Sohn to facilitate an export market for their products. Consequently, SIG entered into an agreement with German gun manufacturer (and eventual owner) J.P. Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft is a Swiss company and Swiss law severely restricts the export of firearms. The Navy SEALs, however, chose to adopt the P226 later. The P226 cost less per pistol than the 92F, but SIG's package price with magazines and spare parts was higher than Beretta's. According to a GAO report, Beretta was awarded the M9 contract for the 92F due to a lower total package price. Only the Beretta 92F and the SIG P226 satisfactorily completed the trials. The P226 was originally designed as a 9mm version of the SIG-Sauer P220 for entry into the XM9 Service Pistol Trials (see also Joint Service Small Arms Program) that were held by the US Army in 1984 on behalf of the US armed forces to find a replacement for the M1911A1.

It was used by Lifer to keep Colonel Sam Trautman from ordering a rescue in Rambo: First Blood Part II. It is chambered for multiple calibers, including 9mm. The SIG-Sauer P226 is a full-sized Swiss service pistol that was first produced in 1984.