What does the premium German-Swiss brand have in common with the Brazillian budget brand Taurus? Fair question, and if you get particular about it a lot. They both make guns, and they are both foreign companies, etc. That’s true, but specifically, what they have in common today is magazines. Kind of anyway. Two of their respective flagship handguns share a source of magazines.
The rather popular Taurus G3 series of handguns, including the standard G3C compact variants, can make use of the famed Sig P226/229 magazines. I heard this rumor early on and sought out a P226 magazine to confirm the phenomenon. I tossed it in my G3C, and bam, I was pleasantly surprised that it worked and worked so well.
Yep, Taurus designed the firearm and its magazine to be compatible with Sig’ s famed P series pistols. Why?
Well, designing magazines is tough. Seriously, trying to get a magazine to work right isn’t always simple, especially if you build a new firearm. It’s much easier to use an existing magazine platform. Especially if the magazine is known to work and is widespread around the world. Choosing the Sig P226 magazines makes a ton of sense for the G3 series.
Why does this matter?
The biggest reason this matters is for magazine availability. The Sig P226 series has been around for almost four decades now, and the magazines are everywhere. They come in a wide variety of capacities, and reputable aftermarket companies produce them. Sig’s own magazines are expensive, but Mec-Gars aren’t so bad.
Mec-Gar makes a ton of great magazines that are extremely well made and reliable. These magazines cost less than Sig and even less than Taurus magazines. They are widely available and reliable. The use of an established magazine platform makes it easy to find more magazines, even when Taurus OEM magazines are sold out.
Plus, maybe you want an extendo? If so, you can find Sig P226 extendos rather easily.
Just the G3?
I’ve only confirmed this event in the form of the G3 series, but according to the internet, that’s not the only platform. Apparently, the G2C utilizes Sig P226 pattern magazines as well. That being said, I have not confirmed this. There does appear to be a variety of videos showing the function, though, and it makes sense to move from the G2C to the G3 series.
Let us know below if you know of any other oddball magazine swip-swaps that work.
What about the G2 serries
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/fd526aec24761b220442a82a4a55fbe0105183695d105a757f8a39cb6c39de41.jpg Also works in the G2 (except for Slimline models) …
is it a G2 or a G3 and does it function
I think there is a company that makes a spacer when using a Sig mag in the G2C.
There is. I posted the inserted mag, without spacer, to show that it is in fact a Sig 9mm magazine. (this particular one manufactured by MecGar)
The spacers are quite nice in their fit & finish, available from Lakeline LLC
The Sig 226 mags work in the G2 series as well (but for some reason, a Meg-Gar 226 mag didn’t in mine). I’ve used Pro-Mag 226 magazines that worked without any issues and are cheaper than other brands.
I am torn between a Taurus G3, G4 and a Glock 26 or Hellcat. I have a Glock 17 and like the interchangeable mags for that to use with the 26. I don’t have any Springfield guns.
For those who kept their Taurus PT145 instead of turning them in for a lesser caliber they can use Para Ordinance P14 .45 acp magazines. I couldn’t find P12 or P13 magazines to try. The 14 round magazine works well.
The earlier model Millenium PT-111 G2 also readily accepts the SIG P226 mags very handily!
I own a Taurus G2C in .40 S&W, does the Sig P226 make a .40 that will fit?
Thanks, Jack
Yes I want to know as well. Does it work for the G3c in . 40 s&w?? Someone please answer?? 🙏
Taurus G2C/G3/G3C, 24/7 Gen1 9mm, Millenium PT111/Pro (?).
The G2C/G3C comes standard with two or three 12rd mags respectively, and all of these 12rd mags will fit both pistols. The G3 15rd & 17rd mags and Taurus 24/7 Gen 1 9mm mags will fit in the G2C and G3C. Larger (longer) mags fit into smaller pistols, but not the other way around. Other Taurus mags may work. I assume that P226 mags will work in Gen 1 24/7 9mms, too!
The SIG P226 18/20rd mag by MecGar (the 20rd is the 18rd with a +2 base plate) fits and locks in a G2C/G3/G3C. It is reported to work fine with occasionally finicky mags not locking back after the last round. Other P226 series mags should work depending on pistol grip length.
Zigana PX-9 Striker fired 9mm comes with P226 Mecgar mags.
Canik TP may work. There is a small difference in the mag catch slot.
BTW, Optics Planet has a Strike Industries Taurus G3 5-round Enhanced Magazine extension for G3 mags (which might also work Sig mags) priced at $19.99 which is very reasonable for a mag extension and probably a cheaper alternative to buying Sig mags. One advantage of them is that they fill the space that exists from using a Sig mag in a G3. Here’s the link: https://www.opticsplanet.com/strike-industries-enhanced-magazine-plate-for-taurus-g3.html
Will the Taurus mags work in the Sig?