REVIEWS
SIGarms P226 X-Five
Even if you're not a competitive shooter, it would be almost impossible not to appreciate this beauty.
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| MAKER: | SIGarms |
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| TYPE: | Recoil-operated semiauto |
| CALIBER: | 9mm, .40 S&W |
| CAPACITY: | 15 + 1 (9mm), 12 +1 (.40) |
| BARREL LENGTH (in.): | 5 |
| OVERALL LENGTH (in.): | 8 3/4 |
| WEIGHT (lb.): | 3 1/2 |
| SIGHTS: | Fully adjustable rear, blade front |
| STOCK: | Checkered walnut target |
| METAL: | Matte Stainless Steep |
| PRICE: | $2,500 |
Specifications
Refined "target" pistols always fascinate me. For example, the Smith & Wesson Model 52 is a prize in my collection, and shooting .38-caliber wadcutter bullets with mild charges of propellant makes precision shooting fun and painless.
When I moved into the IPSC circuit, a modified Colt Gold Cup helped me into the big leagues without having to go through expensive custom add-ons like adjustable sights or target triggers. Now, with the introduction of the SIGarms P226 X-Five, I have a new toy to play with.
Fully equipped with all the accessories that make a true target gun, I found it easy to shoot and very accurate when I did my part. The frame, slide and related parts (including the enlarged magazine well) are of stainless steel, and the lightweight aluminum magazine bumper is more than generous, which makes reloading the gun a snap even under the most stressful conditions.
The gun checks in at 3 1/2 pounds unloaded and is decidedly heavy in the grip section, which gives it the right sense of balance even if your game is paper targets. The wood grips are rather large in girth, so folks with smaller hands might want to handle the P226 X-Five Competition model, which has thinner polymer grips, before making a final choice. In any event, the wood grips are finely checkered and finished, and combined with the checkered frontstrap and integrated beavertail, they provide a secure grip.
The gun is professionally finished in a smooth, matte luster without tool or polishing marks to be found on any surface. The oversize trigger guard is squared off Weaver-style and includes a small panel of serrations, which is handy for those favoring this offhand style of shooting.
Rear sights are fully adjustable for both windage and elevation and are "melted" into the top slide for snag-free drawing out of any holster. The blade is rounded on the exposed corners, tilted to the rear to eliminate glare and has a well-defined notch. The front sight is the typical post, which is adjustable for windage via a drift and is cut so perfect that it is sharp to the touch.
