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.

The author praised the pistol's performance for both its accuracy and general handling, the latter thanks in large part to a decidedly heavy grip section.

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.

SPECIFICATIONS SIGarms X-Five
MAKER:	SIGarms
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

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.

For competitions that might include weak-hand shooting, the safety lever is ambidextrous and more than ample in size. One feature I particularly like is the position of the slide release. It is located right in front of the left-hand safety lever and makes closing the slide a breeze. Ditto on the magazine release; it is positioned more than a quarter-inch outward to allow a swift recharge of the pistol even if you're shooting with gloves on.

(Left)The two-stage trigger can be adjusted by the user. The trigger on the author's test gun broke at a crisp three pounds. (Center) A substantial but lightweight aluminum magazine bumper combines with an oversize mag well for fast, sure reloads. (Right) An extended beavertail safety and checkered wooden grips are standard on the X-Five, as is an ambidextrous safety.

The trigger pull is adjustable via a hole just above the trigger guard and at the base of the frame. The two-stage trigger on my sample was set at about three pounds and released without a hint of creep once the slack was taken up, so I left it alone. Trigger location can be adjusted to fit the length of your finger by backing out the Allen screw on the side of the trigger and sliding the trigger back and forth on a rail that is enclosed within the frame itself. You can also adjust the trigger stop to suit your shooting style.

The slide catch resides just above the trigger. By unloading the gun and moving this lever downward, you can remove the slide and related parts for maintenance.

ACCURACY RESULTS: SIGarms X-Five
LOAD	BULLET WEIGHT (gr.)	AVG. VELOCITY (fps)	STANDARD DEVIATION	AVG. GROUP (in.)
Remington JHP	155	1,716	38	2.25
Winchester Truncated Match	155	1,147	45	1.50
CCI Blazer PHP	180	1,120	57	2.0
NOTES: Velocity record 10 feet from the muzzle with a Shooting Crony Chronograph. Accuracy tested off a Midway pistol rest, and the result are the average of three five-shot groups at 25 yards. Abbreviations: JHP, jacket hollowpoint; PHP, pointed hollowpoint

While testing any gun is a pleasure, a fine-tuned pistol like this just adds to the fun. In addition, while I wanted to work up some handloads, commercial loadings in the popular .40 S&W cartridge proved to be very accurate when shot in the braced rest position.

Working with a five-inch barrel and combined with the .40 S&W cartridge, I actually did better than the factory-supplied target. The best group of the morning went to Winchester's 155-grain truncated jacketed bullet, with five shots going into a 11?2-inch circle. Later I finished the session with casual shooting at metal targets positioned 25 yards down the line.

If you are into competitive sports or just have a yen to own a finely tuned pistol, the SIGarms X-Five is for you.