That’s right—SIG has introduced the single stack 45ACP 1911 platform to the red dot age. One has to wonder why it’s taken so long. Could it be that manufacturers mistakenly labeled single stack 45ACP 1911 owners as not appreciative of red dot benefits? Anyone clinging to their single stack 1911 isn’t progressive enough to adapt to the times? That’s doubtful, I’m just trying to stir you up. Let’s just say SIG was taking its time, exploring the best way to make the 1911 red-dot-compatible, and the long-awaited result is the 1911-XFULL.

SIG invested the time and brain power to figure out the best way to mount a red dot to the slim 1911 slide, then committed the necessary resources in terms of machines and personnel to make it happen. The 1911-XFULL arrives with an ultra-low-profile, direct-mount optic slide cut in front of the rear sight. The SIG ROMEO-X Compact red dot is ideal for use with the XFULL thanks to its low deck height which allows standard-height iron sights to co-witness. A Shield RMS-c footprint is used.

The 1911 platform is still very popular with consumers. This is confirmed by the number of 1911 models on the market… with new 1911 models still being introduced. Major firearm manufacturers know having a 1911 in their catalog is a must. 1911 performance justifies it still being a valid choice for use albeit personal defense or duty. The SIG 1911-XFULL demonstrates the 1911’s versatility and potential.

MR. BROWNING STILL RULES

For many, there’s no debate over choosing a personal defense handgun. Any discussion starts and stops with John Browning’s 45 ACP 1911. The association between the 45 ACP cartridge and the 1911 platform is seamless. Browning was not only the architect of what many feel is the ideal handgun form—the 1911—but also the originator of the perfect personal defense handgun cartridge—the 45 ACP. SIG only builds upon these bulwark 1911 characteristics with its new pistol.

In this day and age of polymer, high-capacity handguns, the 1911 has turned into an aficionado’s weapon that attracts users with its natural handling, great trigger, and potent 45 ACP chambering. Yes, higher capacity, polymer-framed, striker-fired weapons have supplanted it in terms of general use. This is due to a variety of reasons outside the purview of this article. However, when you put a full-size 1911 in your hand, you quickly realize there’s nothing like it in the polymer world we live in. The allure of a well-put-together 1911 single-action semi-automatic handgun is hard to deny. No substitute for the confident heft of a steel frame with “cocked and locked” trigger begging to be set free.

Is the 45 ACP 1911 a prime weapon of choice for all situations or users? Of course not. However, no one can argue that there is a more instinctive handling weapon than the 1911. The trigger and grip size and angle cause it to be most accurate handgun in most arsenals. Why do you think hostage rescue units and other special purpose military and law enforcement teams still hold onto using it? It is accurate and conducive to precise shot placement. Along these same lines, no one can argue that the 45 ACP does not deliver the terminal ballistic payload. Many scoff at its limited single-stack capacity—8-rounds with the SIG 1911-XFULL. Practically speaking, eight rounds of 45 ACP will solve most problems. 10-round magazines mitigate some of this criticism. Chip McCormick Custom 10-round magazines supplemented the eight rounders that arrived with the 1911-XFULL for this article. This is not an attempt to start a 9mm versus 45 ACP debate. Modern 9mm loads have ended the banter of 9mm not being worthy of consideration. With that said, there is no denying the sensation of touching off a 230-grain full-power 45 ACP load even in a steel handgun weighing 42 ounces.

SPICING THINGS UP

In the spirit of the SIG 1911-XFULL giving off connoisseur vibes, I decided to separate it even further from the polymer frame striker fired horde by switching out the standard barrel for a threaded one. Fortunately, SIG offers a threaded barrel as an accessory. The SIG 45ACP threaded barrel proved drop-in compatible with the 1911-XFULL. This was a pleasant surprise, as many times a replacement anything with a 1911, let alone a barrel, will require fitting. The threaded barrel was added to enable the use of a SIG SRD45 suppressor. This suppressor was acquired several years back and has been replaced by the SIG MODX-45 model in SIG’s current lineup. The Chip McCormick 10-rounders protruding from the magwell seemed to balance out the suppressor, feel-wise and aesthetically.

The ROMEO-X Compact red dot proved the optimum way to operate the 1911-XFULL with a mounted suppressor, both eyes open with the red dot hovering above the SRD45 can. The ROMEO-X Compact offers a variety of built in red dot reticle patterns. I decided to use the circle/dot for this evaluation. The ROMEO-X red dot assisted in engaging targets at close distances with the red dot easy to pick up rapidly. Point shooting with the 1911-XFULL is still very feasible when using the ROMEO-X’s window as a ghost ring if forced to react spontaneously to a threat.

The SIG ROMEO-X Compact is a red dot offering 20,000 hours of runtime at its medium brightness setting and uses MOTAC (Motion Activated Illumination). The housing is made from 7075 aircraft-grade aluminum featuring machined, anti-reflection grooves on shooter-facing surfaces with distortion-free aspheric glass and a patent-pending beryllium copper flexure-arm adjustment system. The ROMEO-X incorporates a point source red LED emitter with a 2 MOA dot and a 32 MOA circle reticle with side-mounted independent brightness adjustment buttons, 15 brightness setting (including night vision settings) and a side-mounted CR1632 battery compartment with a threaded battery cap so the optic does not need to be removed from the pistol for battery changes.

FEEL THE POWER

While the bulk of firing was with 230-grain FMJ ammunition, an assortment of premium ammunition was proofed through the SIG 1911-XFULL, such as Hornady Custom XTP, Winchester PDX-1, Black Hills Ammunition 230-grain FMJ and JHP, Federal HST, and SIG Sauer V-Crown with 185-grain, 200-grain and 230-grain JHPs to verify reliability regardless of bullet profile or weight.

Initial evaluation with the 1911-XFULL as it arrived from SIG (sans threaded barrel) was all positive and exhibited excellent accuracy. The first order of business after adding the threaded barrel and suppressor was to verify that they caused no reliability issues with the pistol. As mentioned earlier, the threaded barrel had no issues after being dropped in. The suppressor also caused no problems with reliability. I was surprised by how much of a re-zero adjustment was necessary with the threaded barrel compared to the original barrel. 4-inches low and left at only 15 yards! Thankfully, accuracy was maintained—just not same place on target, thus requiring adjustment of the optic. The mounted suppressor also caused a slight shift of the point of aim versus the point of impact compared to the bare threaded barrel. While not as severe as changing barrels, the shift in POI was noted.

PERFORMANCE

230-grain 45 ACP loads are subsonic and an obvious choice for use with a suppressor. The 230-grain loads’ ability to reliably function in the 1911-XFULL, while still being subsonic, is one of the reasons why 45 ACP handguns are a favorite suppressor host. The SIG SRD45 proved effective at taming the muzzle blast of even 185-grain and 200-grain supersonic loads. All loads could be comfortably fired without the use of ear protection with the SRD45 installed, even in an indoor environment.

Various scenarios engaging targets from behind cover or on the move were run. The natural pointability of the 1911-XFULL comes into its own in this realm with the ROMEO-X Compact doing its part, as well. The ROMEO-X’s rectangular lens offers a superior field of view compared to other red dot options. The ROMEO-X’s minimal frame “disappears” when focusing on the target with the red dot. The reticle is crisp with no halos or disfiguration. The red dot was “there” and seamlessly located at first draw. This is a benefit of SIG choosing a direct mount method versus plates, allowing the ROMEO-X to sit as low as possible in the slide.

Magazine change drills were done for the dual purpose of getting a feel for manipulating the 1911-XFULL with the ROMEO-X Compact installed while making sure the red dot was seamlessly picked up after reloads and placed back on target. The combo performed way better than expected. Here was a weapon designed in the 1900’s, combined with red dot, more than holding its own in 2024.

OBSERVATIONS

A full-length guide rod is NOT employed in the SIG 1911-XFULL, but rather a plug bushing and spring as designed by Browning. This will warm the heart of many 1911 purists who deride the use of full-length guide rods as a solution to a problem that does not exist with the 1911; not to mention the full-length guide rod contributes to “over tightness” in the 1911 design that may cause finicky behavior in the reliability department. This is not the case with the 1911-XFULL. In fact, you can field strip the 1911-XFULL without having to resort to using a bushing wrench.

Here’s an interesting thing about the two 8-round magazines that arrive with the pistol. While function was no issue, I found that closing a locked rearward slide on an empty magazine was damn near impossible using the slide release lever. The same magazine when loaded posed no problem. Other magazine types used during my test and evaluation didn’t interfere when closing the slide with an empty magazine. Whether or not this is a real-world problem is up for the user to decide.

You have to wonder how many hours of engineering (and then analyzing best build practices) were required to find the proper balance between accuracy and reliability? Whatever it was, SIG pulled it off. Shooting five-shot groups from sandbags regularly produced a jagged single hole at 12 yards with the SIG 1911-XFULL ROMEO-X Compact duo. The pistol chugged thru round after round of 45 ACP during high volume drills.

The SIG 1911-XFULL serves as reminder as to why the classic design still holds a prominent place in the world. Users and manufacturers are keeping the 1911 going strong and the SIG Sauer 1911-XFULL certainly doing its part in that regard. The SIG duo I tested here is a solid combination, functionally speaking. It takes a backseat to nothing in terms of lethality, while still allowing a user to indulge by not having something so typical.

SPECIFICATIONS

“The heart and soul of this rifle is one of our flagship products – the legendary MCX,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales, SIG SAUER, Inc. “This is the first time the DNA of an Elite Special Forces battle platform, flawless function, and a short stroke gas piston system has been specifically designed and visioned for the working rifle. At SIG, we don’t subscribe to the premise that its acceptable to compromise for any purpose, including your working rifle, and this rifle will revolutionize a day at the ranch or however you use your REGULATOR.”

The MCX-REGULATOR is an aluminum frame rifle with a gas-piston operating system, a Magpul SGA Mossberg 500/590 traditional stock in a Gen II NiR FDE Cerakote for reduced IR Signature. The platform features a redesigned lower receiver compatible with all MCX upper receivers, a fully ambidextrous magazine release, safety selector, and bolt catch. The MCX-REGULATOR ships with a two-stage match trigger, a cold hammer-forged carbon steel barrel, a SIG designed muzzle brake, and is available in 7.62×39 and 5.56 calibers. The MCX-REGULATOR offers a built in Arca Rail for easy tripod mounting and ships with a 10-round magazine.
VIDEO: MCX-REGULATOR

Additionally, the MCX-REGULATOR is available in with a factory installed mil-spec ROMEO2 optic. The optic features a molded glass aspheric lens with high-performance coatings for superior light transmittance and zero distortion, D.A.R.C. (Dark Adaptive Reticles and Coatings) technology to provide ideal reticle brightness and target clarity during the day or under night vision, MOTAC (motion-activated illumination system) automatically turns the optic off when not in use, and automatically turns it back on when it detects motion, and MAGNETAC (Magnetic Activation) automatically turns the optic off when holstered in a compatible holster, and on when drawn. The sight has a 7075-aluminum housing and comes with a full shroud installed to fully enclosed and seal the sight. A spring-loaded side battery tray with push-button release allows a battery change without the need to remove the optic from the firearm.

MCX-REGULATOR FEATURES:

SPECIFICATIONS

MCX-REGULATOR (5.56):

MCX-REGULATOR (7.62×39):

MCX-REGULATOR with ROMEO2:

ROMEO2 Red Dot:

The MCX-REGULATOR is now shipping and available at retailers. To learn more about the product or watch the product video, visit sigsauer.com.

SHOOT SIG is a shooting experience aimed at getting you from the house to the range in a fun, approachable atmosphere. SHOOT SIG is a membership community welcoming all levels of firearms enthusiasts, encourages participation in shooting sports, and offers generous member-only benefits including: ability to register for SHOOT SIG matches across the country with generous prize opportunities for every participant, participation in the SHOOT SIG Product Purchase Program, entry into an aspirational annual member sweepstakes, quarterly giveaways, webstore discounts, member newsletters and a SHOOT SIG welcome pack.

“In the first year of SHOOT SIG we welcomed thousands of members and laid the foundation for a successful program,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales, SIG SAUER, Inc. “In 2024 we are turning it up with more matches, more benefits, and more excitement for our members.”

The 2024 SHOOT SIG Competition Season will consist of 25 matches spanning the country with the kick-off match with Team SIG Captain Max Michel, occurring in coordination with the SIG SAUER Academy EDC Championship at Volusia County Gun and Hunt Club in New Smyrna Beach, Florida February 10 – 11, 2024.

The following is the initial release of the competition schedule with all matches taking place on Saturday and Sunday, unless noted.

2024 Confirmed SHOOT SIG Match Schedule:

February 10 – 11: Volusia County Gun and Hunt Club / New Smyrna Beach, Florida*
March 23 – 24: Talon Range / Midway, Florida
April 20 – 21: Atlanta Conservation Club / Atlanta, Indiana
April 27- 28: Cavern Cove Competitive Shooting / Woodville, Alabama
May 4 – 5: Summit Training Center / Summit, WV
May 18 – 19: Golden Triangle Gun Club / Beaumont, TX
June 1 – 2: Triggerguard, Wellington, KS
June 15 -16: Frontline Defense Firearms Center / Warrenton, NC
June 28 – 30: Cardinal Shooting Center / Morengo, OH**
July 12 – 13: SIG SAUER Academy / Epping, NH***
July 20 – 21: Laughery Valley Fish & Game / Versailles, IN
August 24 – 25: Easton Fish & Game / Easton, PA
August 31 – September 1: Shadow Hawk Defense / Hedgesville, WV
September 28 – 29: Tri-County Gun Club / Sherwood, OR

• occurs in conjunction with SIG SAUER Academy EDC Championship
  ** occurs in conjunction with USPSA Carry Optics Nationals, 3-days of shooting.
  ***occurs on Friday and Saturday.

Newly schedule matches will be immediately added to the schedule as confirmed and posted to the SHOOT SIG schedule available on SHOOTSIG.com. To learn more about the SHOOT SIG program, become a member, learn how to register for a match, or news visit SHOOTSIG.com.

SIG Sauer continues to do things their way. It’s hard to argue against this considering their extended run of success. At this point, we should accept it as the norm. With personal defense, law enforcement, and military-focused products such a central part of their business model, the bolt action Cross introduction in 2020 many surprised a lot of people. The reason for this was because the Cross was not tactical in nature. Rather the Cross was a blend of a hunting rifle with a tactical precision rifle. The result is a light, handy, and extremely versatile rifle.

To date, the Cross line up has added three different models to the original—each emphasizing different parts of the original design, i.e. lighter in weight for hunters or more emphasis on accuracy for PRS-style shooting activities. This is the SIG way… listening to feedback from consumers in order to continue honing weapon capabilities. The latest SIG Cross is yet a different beast from the initial offering. The Cross Magnum is a long action variant chambered in the powerhouse 300 Win Mag cartridge. You can bet different calibers are in the works taking advantage of the new action length…including 300 PRC and 338 Lapua Magnum variants.

SIG Sauer has chosen to go a different path with the Cross Magnum when compared to competitor’s heavyweight chassis rifles. The key here is the monolithic Cross receiver. The receiver is entirely independent, with the folding buttstock attaching to its rear and the barrel assembly to its front. The Cross Magnum offers enhanced cartridge performance while maintaining key characteristics of accuracy and relative light weight with handy ergonomics.

THIS IS THE WAY

SIG is known for its innovative approaches in weapon design. Much of this stems from SIG’s background of responding to military solicitation, especially from SOCOM forces. The desirable characteristics for a precision bolt-action rifle are cold bore zero retention, accuracy, extended effective range, reliability, and handling. One overarching theme with the Cross Magnum is keeping weight down to maximize efficiency. You carry a rifle far more than you shoot it. No matter the role envisioned, competition, hunting, or even tactical (though not marketed as such, SIG’s law enforcement sales department tells me it has received inquiries about the SIG Cross Magnum) there can be no compromise in terms of consistent accuracy.

The Cross’s action is incredibly rigid, yet light, thanks to its one-piece minimalist receiver. This contrasts with more typical methods of setting the receiver and barrel into a separate stock or chassis. The Cross eliminates need for bedding, action screws, and other means of conjoining the components. The Cross one-piece receiver interacts directly with trigger, bolt, AICS magazine, and barrel; think of it like an AR-style receiver without upper and lower distinctions. This is a change from typical bolt-action construction methods and serves to minimize many of the accuracy-robbing factors associated with typical bolt-actions. The Cross more resembles an AR than a traditional bolt-action rifle in terms of control layout and grip. Following this AR theme, a barrel extension and nut are used to secure the barrel to the action. This makes barrel changes simple.

The SIG Cross in 300 Win Mag with 24-inch barrel weighs in at 8.9 pounds. Many will raise an eyebrow at this considering it seems too light for comfort considering the recoil associated with 300 Win Mag. Along these same lines, the monolithic aluminum receiver will cause skepticism. Don’t forget, the first Cross was designed to deal with high pressure 277 Fury ammunition. The Cross receiver is machined, not cast. The Cross receiver is more in line with the barrel instead of sitting under the barrel, thus minimizing barrel whip and other harmonics that could cause inaccuracy. The Cross design offers a rock-solid backbone conducive to long-range shooting. It features tightly toleranced rifling dimensions, minimum headspace, and trued chamber. A full-diameter bolt body makes the Cross Magnum smooth to operate.

The stainless-steel, medium contour 24-inch 1:9-inch twist 5R rifled, free-floated barrel is surrounded by full-length ARCA-railed handguard. An impressively effective radial muzzle brake is screwed to the threaded muzzle. This statement stems from the surprised looks on the faces of shooters after firing the first round. Usually, grand claims of recoil reduction are ignored as recoil sensitivity is often a subjective matter. However, SIG’s claim of a 45-percent reduction in recoil may actually be understated. The match trigger is another pleasant experience with slight two-stage take-up and a three-pound break. The PRS-style grip and-right side thumb safety rest is another revelation for those unfamiliar with this set up.

The Cross bolt is a 3-lug hunk of metal within the aluminum receiver. Three locking lugs give it a 60-degree handle lift—one of the shortest on the market. Scopes can be mounted low due to the minimal bolt lift. The short throw, combined with smooth operation, makes for one slick bolt action. Quick bolt manipulation translates into rapid follow up shots. The locking lugs being the same diameter as the bolt body means there’s no raceway needed, as compared to Mauser-style lugs that protrude outside the bolt’s diameter. This makes the Cross very strong since there is no need to remove material from the receiver to create a raceway. Rigidity is a must for consistent accuracy. SIG designed the Cross action to harness current and future cartridges.

Interestingly, the rear interfacing surfaces of the bolt lugs are angled and tapered, not square as is the more traditional approach. This is to facilitate locking the bolt into place like an artillery breech when turned into place. The bolt head is pinned into the bolt body, with just a bit of play to enable the locking lugs to find equal bearing when closed. A stout extractor is dovetailed into the rightmost lug. It reliably removes fired cases from the chamber. The ejector is a spring-loaded plunger throwing brass clear of the receiver.

The 5R rifling used in the Cross barrel was developed by Barrett “Boots” Obermeyer. 5R is different from conventional rifling by changing the shape and configuration of the lands and grooves. 5R rifling uses five lands and grooves versus the more common four or six land and groove profile. This puts lands opposite of grooves on the facing side of the barrel face, with another tweak being the transition from the top of the land to the groove is sloped. 5R rifling reduces projectile deformation as the bullet passes through the bore when fired. The benefit is that a more uniform flying projectile equates to increased accuracy. 5R rifling is easier to clean and less prone to accuracy-robbing fouling, as well. All of this is not abstract theory as 5R rifling has developed a dedicated target shooting following that swears by it.

The Cross Magnum’s flat, ARCA-railed forend handles bipods or sandbags with equal aplomb. However, it is not exclusively designed for shooting from the prone or bench. The Cross Magnum is great for offhand and other types of supported fire. Clay pigeons were not safe at 130 yards offhand, and when placed in a Kopfjager tripod, 300 yards was still in the danger zone for those dastardly orange circles. This is what makes the Cross line of rifles so attractive to both the backcountry hunter and the precision rifle shooting competitor.

The ergonomics and adjustability of the Cross Magnum stock allow for a comfortable, repeatable cheek weld that, combined with optimal hand placement, enables the shooter to pull the match-grade flat-faced trigger straight to the rear for maximum accuracy when breaking the shot. The Cross’s skeletal aluminum buttstock provides adjustment for comb height, length-of-pull, and butt pad height. The forward angled PRS-style grip and right-side thumb rest safety also come into play here. The Cross Magnum uses detachable AICS-style 6-round detachable magazines.

SIG PARTY

A SIG Tango6 3-18×44 optic was mounted to the Cross Magnum using a one-piece SIG scope base. A SIG SLH 7.62 NATO suppressor was chosen for use with the Cross Magnum. A SIG SLH QD muzzle brake device was installed on the barrel, replacing the radial brake for certain parts of our review. The ability to wield a suppressed Cross rifle is a valued option.

Options for 300 Win Mag ammunition are plentiful. Examples of ammunition used for testing the Cross Magnum consisted of SIG Sauer Elite Hunter Tipped 180-grain, SIG Sauer Elite Copper Hunting 165-grain, Black Hills Ammunition 190-grain Match, Federal Premium 180-grain Accubond, and Hornady 180-grain SST Superformance and 178-grain ELD-X Precision Hunter loadings. The thought process is simple; if these loads do not produce accuracy, nothing will. None of these loads disappointed, all providing minute-of-angle accuracy with three-round groups; a great compliment to both the ammunition and the Cross Magnum rifle. The logistical advantage of a rifle that is not ammunition-sensitive cannot be overemphasized.

PERFORMANCE

After bench work establishing innate accuracy, the Cross Magnum was taken to the field for further testing. This consisted of shooting prone from a bipod and an Eberlestock pack at clay pigeons more than 300 yards away. As mentioned, a Kopfjager tripod was also used. The Cross Magnum’s bolt was worked, and targets acquired as quickly as possible. We verified that single-feed operation was possible by laying a loose round into the action on top of the empty magazine and had no issue chambering the cartridge. The Cross Magnum’s radial brake combined with the adjustable stock and slick bolt with short lift proved potent. The SIG SLH suppressor also proved an enhancement for taming recoil and blast signature.

FIELD TESTING

Other testing consisted of shooting steel silhouette targets out to 600 yards at Echo Valley Training Center’s (EVTC’s) known distance range. The Cross Magnum’s accuracy, combined with clear, powerful SIG optics, enabled first-round center-mass hits that quickly transitioned to head shots on stationary targets. Importantly, no malfunctions of any kind were experienced, even during rapid operation of the bolt and reloads. This is crucial. The operational reliability of even a simple bolt-action rifle should never be taken for granted. I have witnessed various loading, chambering, and ejection malfunctions over the years. Another important thing to test is how reliably the rifle ejects a loaded round. This important attribute is often overlooked, but it’s an essential operation if there is ever an ammunition problem. A cold bore shot was taken at every opportunity during our many visits to the range. The shot always landed where intended. Nothing instills more confidence in a weapon system—rifle, ammunition, optics, and marksman—than the ability to place the first shot exactly as aimed.

The EVTC Jungle Walk Range was used to get a sense of the Cross Magnum’s handling characteristics. Targets were set up randomly along the meandering 575-yard path. A shooter must move down the path until their partner points out a paper or steel target. Often, unconventional, braced field positions were assumed, using a fallen tree or tree limb for support, especially if targets were over 200 yards away. While not a quantifiable trait, the Cross Magnum hangs and balances well from various shooting positions and was easy to get into and out of various field shooting positions. The Cross Magnum’s stock design allows for a good cheek weld that aids in handling recoil by preventing a slap of the face.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The Cross Magnum proved easy to handle and point with no frantic searching for targets required when the rifle was brought up to the shoulder. The ability to move through varied terrain and engage randomly placed targets hidden within cover suited the Cross Magnum perfectly. If lucky, the hunter will be able to adopt a kneeling or sitting position in lieu of a pure offhand shooting position. A rifle weighing less than 9 pounds, chambered in a hard-hitting caliber, and capable of sub-MOA accuracy cannot be ignored by any hunter whether they spot and stalk, still hunt, or choose to hunt safari-style or from a blind. The Cross Magnum can handle it all.

SPECIFICATIONS

The P365 was SIG Sauer’s big splash at the 2018 SHOT Show. The market rewarded SIG’s thought process by making the P365 one of the best selling handguns in the U.S. every year since. The P365 is as thin and compact as many single-stack designs while offering double-stack capacity. The key to the SIG P365’s success is its high cartridge capacity to size ratio, minimal operating controls, above average trigger, superior iron sights, adaptability, and relentless reliability.

A hotter niche in the handgun market right now than slim, subcompact 9mm semi-autos would be tough to name. SIG loaded the P365 with features such as XRAY3 day/night sights, a 10-round flush fit magazine with optional 12-round, 15-round, or 17-round extended magazines also available.

SIG is renowned for not resting on its laurels. Always pushing the envelope, SIG is either introducing new variants of already successful weapons or bringing new designs to life in the quest to scratch everyone’s new gun itch. The P365 pistol product line-up serves as proof of this statement with 24 models of the P365 presently available from the factory. The P365 has solidified SIG HQ in Exeter, NH as ground zero in the current handgun universe.

TEAMING UP

Benefitting all handgun connoisseurs Wilson Combat and SIG have decided to work on another collaboration. This one involves SIG’s P365. Yes, the Wilson WCP365 is recognizable as a SIG P365, however internal and external enhancements turn it into a Wilson Combat product. Wilson Combat starts with the SIG P365 and modifies it in a way only Wilson Combat can with eight different Wilson WCP365 models available. The specific model featured here is the WCP365X. The WCP365X combines a Wilson Combat XL grip module with a P365 slide. Based on the P365 XL-sized grip module, make sure no 10-round P365 magazines get into your WCP365X carry gear, as they will not seat properly.

The WCP365X is defined by laser “starburst” stippling on the Wilson Combat lower module. Wilson X-Tac front and rear slide serrations provide purchase for manipulating the WCP365X’s diminutive slide. A serration pattern is also present on top of the slide between the Wilson Combat Battlesight rear and red fiber-optic front sight. This helps maintain crisp sight picture by minimizing glare between the front and rear sight.

The Wilson Combat option of a direct milled slide with a Trijicon RMRcc  mounted was taken advantage of. The most obvious personal defense handgun equipment upgrade over the last 10 years has to be red dot sights. Trijicon has led the way with their rugged ultra-reliable red dots. Yes, there is a plethora of red dots out there now. However, do not forget Trijicon still sets the standard that all others are judged against.

An important nuance of using a red dot sight on a personal defense handgun is to have co-witnessing iron sights. Anything electronic can fail, no matter how rugged. Wilson Combat has taken care of that with their iron sight arrangement. Another advantage of the co-witnessing iron sights is instant zero verification of the dot. If something is askew, it‘s noticeable.

The Wilson Combat slide and barrel is finished in black DLC finish. The SIG X-Series straight trigger was incorporated. This trigger features a pull weight measuring approximately 4.25 pounds. The SIG X-Series straight trigger offers a 90-degree break for better geometry and is less likely to pull the sights to the right or left during the trigger press. One of the keys to the P365X’s accuracy is how it offers the same trigger pull every time. Overall, the SIG trigger is an asset with its consistency. Anyone that familiarizes themselves with it will not be disappointed. Wilson Combat also offers a Grayguns trigger along with a spring modifications as an option.

FIRST IMPRESSION

My first exposure to the WCP365X was at a media event with Wilson Combat. Multiple steel targets, plate racks, and dueling trees stretched from 7 yards out to 125 yards in front of the Wilson Combat tent. Wilson Combat’s Tressa Bohannan just kept handing me magazines during my initial experience with the WCP365X. After about a hundred rounds, I sheepishly realized I had to give way to other participants.

The Wilson Combat modifications to the P365 center on enhancing the handgun’s interaction with the user, especially in terms of placing multiple rounds on target accurately, efficiently, and consistently. This offers a tactical advantage. The Wilson slide’s mass ad shape is engineered to aid in increased muzzle control for double taps or longer strings of fire. The pistol’s already low bore axis is further enhanced with the extended beavertail and undercut trigger guard relative to the shooter’s hand. These ergonomic enhancements minimize muzzle flip and provide a very stable sight picture no matter how many or how rapidly rounds are fired.

The WCP3656X had me thinking how expertly applied tweaks and attention to detail from an operation like Wilson Combat benefit even an already solid design such as the SIG P365. Previous Wilson Combat collaborations involving larger frame weapons involved subtle slimming refinements to the pistol’s grip. Not so with the P365. Due to its already bantam size, the discerning eyes at Wilson Combat decided to strategically enlarge the grip with an ever-so-slight palm swell and other nuances that make a big difference in the ergonomics department. Let me elaborate.

Feeling good in your hand does not automatically mean the grip is giving you a proper fit. While feel is important, proper fit is crucial. Think about how custom rifles and shotguns are contoured to their end user. The same applies to handguns, especially one wearing a red dot optic. Proper grip starts from the holster and sets the stage for the most efficient use of a red dot-equipped handgun. The majority of aiming any pistol, red dot or not, is achieved through kinesthetic awareness. Kinesthetic awareness is the body’s knowledge of the relative location and engagement of tension in its parts. This especially pertains to red dots via proper grip and tension applied to the pistol as soon as possible in the draw phase. Grip is also the key for tracking the red dot up and down on target during multiple round drill. The Wilson Combat WCP365X with RMRcc performed larger than its diminutive size thanks to Wilson Combat’s enhancements.

EDC

The WCP365X became a constant carry companion in lieu of my normal SIG ROMEOZero Elite red-dotted SIG P365XL Spectre Comp. A P365 was also mixed in for comparison purposes. SIG Sauer Elite and Wilson Combat ammunition led the way in testing with both FMJ and JHP loads used. My T&E was conducted at Echo Valley Training Center (EVTC), a private range located near Winchester, VA, where many local and federal law enforcement tactical team members train.

PERFORMANCE

Shooting from sandbags produced 1-inch groups at 15 yards with the WCP365X with multiple ammunition types. T&E moved quickly past rudimentary bench or stand & deliver efforts at EVTC. The Trijicon RMRcc red dot assisted in engaging targets at close distances with the red dot easy to pick up rapidly. Point shooting with the WCP365X is still very feasible when using the RMRcc’s window as a ghost ring if forced to react spontaneously to a threat. Drills consisted of drawing from concealment to see if the RMRcc dot was easy to obtain when operating in haste. Various scenarios engaging targets from static positions behind cover or while on the move were also utilized. Magazine change drills were done for the dual purpose of getting a feel of manipulating the WCP365X with the RMRcc installed and making sure the red dot was seamlessly picked up after the pistol was reloaded and brought back on target.

Users of the WCP365X equipped with the Trijicon RMRcc will find that they no longer have to switch back and forth between target and sights; something that grows more challenging as we age. Handgunners with a red dot-equipped weapon can now do as nature intended – focus on the target. Both eyes open is a must when working with a red dot. The red dot will be there. Moreover, because the use of a red dot is far easier than aligning two separate pieces of protruding steel, users will find they can take accurate shots beyond what was considered realistic with iron sights, especially with a compact handgun with short sight radius like the P365. Hitting steel at 75 yards is very possible with the WCP365X.

The ease of everyday carry with the WCP365X is what sets it apart from most personal defense weapons. The WCP365X is a compact handgun that pushes the performance envelope while still maintaining a real-world application. The Wilson Combat WCP365X increases the effectiveness of a compact concealed carry handgun beyond what most thought capable.

SPECIFICATIONS

The preponderance of double-stack 9mm 2011s arriving from various manufacturers appears to be heralding a new era of handguns. What was previously thought of as a competition-only application is now going mainstream. Single action triggers mated to a heap of 9mm sitting in a magazine seems a match made in heaven. What if I said SIG Sauer has been offering discerning consumers this ability since the early 2000s with a proven design that requires no magazine tweaking or tuning that the early 2011s were known for?

While SIG has become a standard-bearer for the polymer striker fired genre with its P320 and P365 series, SIG is still representing with the P226/229 family of metal framed, hammer-fired weapons. A little-known SIG Sauer decision made circa 2006 was to offer a single-action-only (SAO) trigger option to shooters with certain models of the P226/229 family. We are going to explore multiple examples of recent SIG handguns featuring single action only triggers—P226Zev, P226XFive Legion, and P229 Legion Compact SAO. Each offer different utility while benefiting from the P226’s proven design that’s combined with single-action-only trigger capability.

SETTING THE STAGE

At the turn of the 20th Century, semi-automatic handguns were typified by hammer-fired steel frames and most likely single-action in that the exposed hammer was cocked rearward when ready to fire. The Mauser 1896 “Broomhandle” and Browning 1911 serve as good examples. In the 1930’s, the double-action/single-action (DA/SA) hammer fired handgun genre arrived in the form of the German P38. Its emergence was just as revolutionary as the polymer, striker-fired Glock’s arrival 50 years later. Yes, other examples existed before each; however, both are recognized as the most successful, establishing the handgun genre to follow. The rise of DA/SA designs and polymer striker-fired handguns surely took away the preeminent position of the “cocked & locked” pistol. This is for a variety of reasons stretching from manufacturing procedures, the perception of added safety, and other reasons.

While there’s no doubting the popularity and staying power of DA/SA and polymer striker-fired weapons, hammer-fired SAO “cocked and locked” handguns have not faded quietly into the sunset. In fact, the case can be made that the popularity of this format is actually flourishing.

HISTORY

Before we get into the details, here’s a little background on the P226 family. The SIG P226 was spawned from the P220. P220 design work started in the late 1960s due to the Swiss wanting a less expensive to manufacture sidearm in lieu of the P210. The P220 entered Swiss service in 1975. Many of the innovative features introduced with the P220 family still prevail today, including on other manufacturer’s weapons.

A great example of this is how SIG modified Browning’s locked breech short recoil design. Instead of slots in the hood of the slide interacting with locking rings on top of the barrel, SIG utilized the forward edge of the chamber locking into the ejection port. This removed complex machining operations from the production process. The De-cocking lever, automatic firing pin safety, pinned breechblock in the steel slide are other examples of the P220 perfecting these concepts.

The P226 reflected SIG’s quest to generate an entry for the early 1980’s U.S. XM9 Joint Service Pistol trials conducted to find a replacement for the venerable but aged M1911A1. The P226 was modified from the P220 to accept double column magazines. When the dust settled after years of testing and evaluation, only the Beretta 92F submission and the SIG P226 satisfactorily completed the trials. As most readers already know, the P226 was not chosen to replace the M1911A1. The Beretta 92F was given the nod for a variety of factors outside the scope of the article. The P226 test performance impressed, thus gaining the attention of various military units, many with elite status, and law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and around the world. The U.S. Navy SEALs were the preeminent unit on this list of adopters. Early on, it was evident that the P226’s reliability, accuracy, safety, and capacity set it apart from its handgun peers.

P226 ZEV: MASTERFUL COLLABORATION

Unlike other manufactures who often forget about their civilian customers after getting a taste of military contracts, SIG’s leadership team keeps the hammer down with both current production and by offering new items based on feedback from its customers. SIG has no problem teaming up with other firms to create unique, enhanced versions of existing SIG products. The P226 Zev Technologies collaboration stands as an excellent example.

The P226 Zev is more than just a P226 with Zev’s aesthetic flourishes. Zev and SIG created a P226 that pushes the envelope. Immediately, the SAO trigger caught my attention as I’ve never been fond of DA/SA hammer-fired trigger characteristics. Distinctive texturing found on the Nitron-coated stainless slide, hard-coat anodized alloy frame with undercut trigger guard and extended beavertail, Zev-pattern hexagonal textured Hogue G10 grips, and a threaded dimpled barrel create a unique offering.

The P226 Zev offers users the best of the P226 design with a preferred single action trigger. Icing on the cake is the flat style trigger shoe. This offers a 90-degree break that’s less likely to pull the sights to the right or left as the trigger is pulled. I have come to prefer flat triggers based on experiences with SIG’s P226 brethren—P320s and P365s. Ambidextrous manual safeties are present on the P226 Zev in lieu of the de-cocking lever usually found on the standard P226.

Red dots are becoming standard equipment on handguns. Manufacturers have caught up to the red dot revolution with factory-equipped red dot handguns taking over from custom milled slides that dominated early red dot configurations. The P226 Zev arrives with a SIG ROMEO1 PRO reflex optic installed. A 4.9-inch, textured Zev Tech ½- 28 threaded barrel with protector protrudes from the slide. A SIG MODX-9 suppressor was quickly teamed up with the P226 Zev. This can features the newest innovation in suppressor technology with its modular, 3D-printed, segmented titanium baffle stack.

P229 LEGION COMPACT SAO: COMPACT WITHOUT COMPROMISE

SIG realized that a more compact P226 design would help them attract even more consumers, especially considering the expanding concealed carry laws spreading across the majority of U.S. states at the time. Thus, the P229 was born. The SIG P229 Legion Compact SAO is a compact variant of the classic P226 model. The Legion designation carries extra weight in SIG world. Legion nomenclature indicates factory custom shop upgrades based on feedback from SIG Sauer’s elite professional clients around the world. A Legion weapon is intended for customers who rigorously use their gear.

What sets the P229 Legion Compact SAO apart from its P229 stable mates? First, is the Cerakote Elite Legion gray coating covering the stainless-steel slide and aluminum frame. This is not merely idle window dressing; the coating improves durability. Custom G-10 grips with a Legion medallion are also present. The SAO trigger is what focused my attention on the P229 Legion Compact SAO. SIG XRay3 day/night iron sights arrive on the P229 Legion Compact SAO. Don’t worry, the slide is factory milled if user wants to mount a red dot compatible with the SIG PRO or Leupold DeltaPoint Pro footprint. Ambidextrous manual safeties are present on the P229 Legion Compact SAO.

The P229 Legion Compact’s compact profile makes it ideal for concealed carry, especially with inside-the-waistband carry techniques. Someone who is a practitioner of concealed carry quickly realizes that length, grip size, overall weight, and width of a pistol are the key defining parameters for discrete carry handguns.

While the safety lever is located within natural thumb swipe distance, the slide lock sits further toward the rear of the frame compared to other weapons. This all but eliminates the chance of unintentionally engaging the slide lock during strings of fire, as can happen if shooters rest their thumb on the lever with other designs. Another nod to the P229 Legion Compact SAO’s more modern design versus the 1911 is the safety’s ability to stay engaged while manipulating the slide.

The P229 Legion Compact features a contoured, reduced-profile beavertail allowing better hand placement on the frame while limiting concern from printing through cover garments. The beavertail’s protrusion from the frame guides one’s hand to the optimum grip position during the draw stroke and aids in recoil management. More aggressive front strap checkering and additional checkering under the trigger guard enhance grip purchase. An undercut has been applied below the trigger guard, allowing for a higher grip and more control when firing, especially during rapid shot strings.

The P229 Legion Compact’s shorter barrel/slide provides an optimal mix of sight radius, concealment, balance, and reliability. The SIG XRay3 day/night irons compliment the P229 Legion Compact’s intended role as a concealed carry weapon. The P229 Legion Compact SAO’s 3.9-inch, cold hammer-forged barrel and short reset, single-action trigger combined with near perfect lock-up in the stainless-steel slide ensure maximum reliability and accuracy. The SIG single-action trigger pull measures 3.5 to 4 lbs. The aluminum frame features a Picatinny rail dust cover for tactical versatility in the way of lights and laser target designators.

P226 XFIVE LEGION: MATCH MASTER NOW MADE IN AMERICA

Even with their current, preeminent position, SIG has no problem expanding its product line by offering weapons that many considered unobtainable. A recent entry into this category has pistol aficionados sitting up and taking notice—the P226 XFIVE is now made here in the U.S. in the SIG Custom Works shop. Previous P226 XFIVE’s were Teutonic offerings from the German-based SIG MasterShop. These were discontinued in 2012. SIG recently decided to expand on the P226XFIVE by offering a Legion version.

Whereas the P226XFIVE has the competition and target crowd as its focus, the P226XFIVE Legion is more utilitarian with its setup. Yes, if you want to relentlessly punch steel during a match, the P226 XFIVE Legion will accommodate. However, the presence of a slide-integrated expansion chamber, suppressor-height XRAY3 adjustable sights, and subdued Legion Cerakote Gray finish indicate a this model was meant for general, defensive use. It is not hard to fathom why some may consider the P226 XFIVE Legion applicable to personal defense work. Under the rear sight plate, SIG milled the slide to accept red dots with a SIG ROMEO PRO or Leupold DeltaPoint Pro footprint.

The XFIVE Legion’s fully adjustable AX3 SAO trigger is a key component in the XFIVE equation. The XFIVE Legion’s trigger is adjustable for pull weight, over-travel, and length-of-pull. The XFIVE Legion’s trigger is a flat faced as described with the P229 Legion. The XFIVE trigger characteristics aid in rapid target engagement with a trigger pull just over 3 pounds, out of the box.

The XFIVE Legion’s longer slide and barrel combo (when compared to a standard P226) contributes more mass, aiding in increased muzzle control for double taps or longer strings of fire. The pistol’s ergonomics combine with the slide’s smooth tracking during recoil and manageable 9mm muzzle signature to present a very stable sight picture, no matter how many or how fast rounds are fired.

SIG uses the term “integrated expansion chamber” instead of “compensator” in its P226 XFIVE Legion literature. This is a nod to the fact that the 4.4-inch barrel stops short of the slots in the slide. Whereas compensators usually list 30 to 35% recoil/muzzle rise reduction, the integrated expansion chamber provides less than this. Subjectively, it seems like a 10 to 20% effectiveness listing. There’s no need to debate the finer points of compensator effectiveness. Any advantage gained by their use is beneficial. The integrated expansion chamber design with the P226 XFIVE Legion means it can never come loose and requires no extra steps for field stripping due to its integrated construction in the slide.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Each one of the SIG pistols discussed above have been used extensively for extended time frame. All have proved capable of firing groups into one jagged hole at 10 yards with multiple loads. The P226 Zev’s threaded barrel, ROMEO1PRO optic, and single-action trigger allow a user a range of options related to the pistol’s intended role. Combining SIG’s MODX-9 suppressor to the pistol expands this line of thinking. The P226 Zev occupies the role of nightstand weapon with aplomb.

The P229 Legion Compact SAO often accompanies me in a personal defense capacity. Numerous holsters are available, facilitating a multitude of IWB or belt carry options. Comparison of the P229 Legion Compact to the Commander-size 1911or Glock 19 should quell the concerns of anyone thinking the SIG is too large to carry. The SIG P229 Legion Compact SAO is ideal for anyone wanting to capitalize on the SIG reputation for out-of-the-box reliability and accuracy combined with single-action trigger for the utmost control and precise shot placement.

The P226 XFIVE Legion is the newest member of the SIG tribe we have discussed. All will appreciate what the P226 XFIVE Legion offers in terms of accuracy, reliability, handling, and capacity. The P226 XFIVE’s uncanny accuracy will get everyone’s attention. The P226 XFIVE-series now being U.S.-made increases availability and creates a more palatable price for the boutique offering.

While it’s hard to quantify the “feel” of a pistol in the hand, the mystique of a well-put-together single-action semi-automatic handgun is hard to deny in our current polymer striker-fired age. A trigger that arrives featuring minimal to no creep, limited travel and reset, and a break like the proverbial glass rod is hard to resist. All of these things become magnified as knowledge and skills are gained in the quest to run a handgun with ruthless efficiency—albeit in a tactical, duty, competition, or personal defense role.

Lastly, do not underestimate the ability to configure these guns into condition one, cocked and locked carry, which Americans are intimately familiar with thanks to the iconic 1911 design. The 1911’s enduring appeal with the American shooter goes beyond what many can fathom. The resultant attraction of this surely has an effect on the U.S. consumer.

Does nostalgia play a role in the rebirth of hammer-fired SAO only handguns? Hell, yeah it does. SIG has you covered.

SIG SAUER Releases CROSS Magnum Bolt-Action Rifle

“The development of the CROSS Magnum pushes the boundaries of innovation for a bolt-action platform and delivers on precision, power, and performance” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales. “Starting with the receiver design, the CROSS Magnum allows for easy barrel changes while keeping your scope and pic-rail mounted, adds a new folding hinge for easier, intuitive folding, better stock-retention and a stronger lock-up, includes a full-length ARCA and M-LOK rail for maximum tripod and bipod usability and adjustment in the field, while the integrated radial compensator design reduces the felt recoil of the magnum caliber by forty-five percent. The CROSS Magnum is feature-rich, performance built, and ready for the hunt.”

The SIG SAUER CROSS Magnum is a bolt-action rifle chambered in 300 Win Mag with a 24 inch user-changeable 5R barrel, aluminum coyote anodized frame, and a two-stage match trigger. The rifle features the new magnum action receiver with a free-floating handguard, a full-length M-LOK and ARCA rail handguard, forward angle PRS style grip and right thumb rest safety, a folding adjustable precision stock and ships with a 6-round AICS magazine.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Caliber: 300 Win Mag
• Overall Length: 45.2 in
• Overall Height: 7.25 in
• Overall Width: 3.25 in
• Barrel Length: 24 in
• Barrel Twist: 1:9
• Weight with Magazine: 8.9 lb.

The SIG SAUER CROSS Magnum is now shipping and available at retailers.

“The ROMEO-X family of red dot sights is completely optimized for everyday carry and built using the same technology and testing standards of our mil-spec optics that are designed to withstand the rigors of the battlefield,” said Andy York, President, SIG SAUER Electro-Optics. “The ROMEO-X Series is designed for ease of use beginning with the side battery placement leading to an overall low deck height of the sight. This profile gives the optic an extremely low position when mounted to the slide for a full sight picture and co-witness with the existing standard-height iron sights. The ROMEO-X Compact and ROMEO-X Pro are engineered, tested, and built-in Oregon to be the ultimate aiming solution for EDC.”

The SIG SAUER Electro-Optics ROMEO-X Series red-dot sights are available in a compact version (ROMEO-X Compact), to fit micro-compact pistols, and a Pro version (ROMEO-X Pro), to fit full-size pistols, featuring a distortion-free aspheric glass with a patent-pending Beryllium Copper flexure-arm adjustment system, in 7075 aircraft-grade aluminum housing with machined anti-reflection grooves on shooter facing surfaces.

The ROMEO-X Series optics incorporate a high-efficiency point source red LED emitter with 2 MOA dot / 32 MOA circle reticle, side independent brightness adjustment buttons, 15 brightness settings including night vision settings, and a side-mounted CR1632 battery compartment with a threaded battery cap so the optic does not need to be removed from the pistol for battery changes. Additionally, the ROMEO-X Series offers a low deck height for standard-height iron sight co-witness, has a minimum continuous runtime of 20, 000 hours at medium brightness setting and utilizes MOTAC (Motion Activated Illumination), MAGNETAC (Magnetic Activation), and D.A.R.C. (Dark Adaptive Reticles & Coatings) technologies.

ROMEO-X Compact:

• Clear Aperture Diameter: 24mm
• Reticle: 2MOA Dot / 32 MOA Circle
• Lens Type: Asphere
• Illumination Settings: 15 (12 Day / 3NV)
• Overall Length: 1.62 inches
• Overall Width: .94 inches
• Overall Height: 1.23 inch
• Mounting Footprint: SHIELD RMSc
• Weight (w/o battery): 1.0 ounce
• MSRP: $519.99

ROMEO-X Pro:

• Clear Aperture Diameter: 24mm
• Reticle: 2MOA Dot / 32 MOA Circle
• Lens Type: Asphere
• Illumination Settings: 15 (12 Day / 3NV)
• Overall Length: 1.84 inches
• Overall Width: .94 inches
• Overall Height: 1.23 inch
• Mounting Footprint: DeltaPoint Pro
• Weight (w/o battery): 1.15 ounces
• MSRP: $589.99

Like all SIG SAUER Electro-Optics the ROMEO-X Series includes the Infinite Guarantee, an unlimited lifetime guarantee that requires no warranty or receipt should your optic need to be replaced at any time.

Return with us to the thrilling days of yesteryear, when military service sidearms were beefy, single-stack, single-action hammer-fired pistols machined out of good, honest steel.

The first half of the Twentieth Century was the stomping ground for these beasties, and the type specimen was the American M1911 from Colt. This John Moses Browning design served as the jumping off point for a host of evolutionary adaptations, like the Tokarev in the USSR and Poland’s Radom.

To its fans, the highest evolution of this basic setup was the Swiss Pistole Modell 1949 service auto, best known by its newer commercial designation: the SIG P210. This was a serious all-steel military sidearm, with a 4.75-inch barrel, that tipped the scales at over two pounds, with a single-column magazine holding eight rounds of 9x19mm ammunition.

Meanwhile, in America

About this time, across the Atlantic, the folks at Colt were chasing a military contract for a more compact, lighter pistol than the current M1911A1. To achieve these goals, they shortened the 1911’s five-inch barrel by three quarters of an inch, to 4.25 inches. Additionally, they substituted a forged aluminum frame for the steel of the original; a change made possible by the fact that the original design was way overbuilt.

While the U.S. military didn’t buy it, Colt sold it commercially as the Commander, available in .45ACP, .38 Super, and 9mm. It became a popular choice for concealed carry, being lighter on the belt and shorter in the holster. But that was in America. Back to Switzerland…

Too Expensive to Live, Too Cool to Die

Switzerland’s market being less carry-driven than the gun-toting USA, the P210 continued on in military and commercial target-shooting versions until it was replaced for reasons of manufacturing cost by the cheaper-to-manufacture 9mm SIG-Sauer P220 (ironic since the M49 replaced its forebear in the Swiss army, the Luger, for the same reason.)

The P210 drifted in and out of commercial production as a bougie enthusiast’s sporting pistol through the fin de siècle and into the current Millennium before experiencing a reboot as the P210A at the hands of SIG Sauer’s new American HQ.

At SHOT Show in 2017, the P210A showed up, freshened with an American-style magazine release button instead of the archaic heel release on the original and a thumb safety relocated rearward along the frame to a position more familiar to American 1911 shooters.

This year, SIG Sauer has released the American-made P210 equivalent of the classic Colt Commander: Meet the SIG Sauer P210 Carry.

Less Weight, More Toteability

When you pop open the compact black plastic carry case, you’re greeted by a pistol, a pair of magazines, and the various mandated manuals, paperwork, and safety lock lying on a bed of egg crate foam.

Just looking at it, the most obvious difference on the 210 Carry is the shorter slide. This is because the Carry sports a 4.1-inch barrel, splitting the difference between the classic 4.25-inch Commander barrel and the 4-inch ones found on the compact Commander-esque offerings from Kimber and Springfield Armory.

Also in common with the Colt Commander is a switch from steel to aluminum for the frame material, whacking nearly half a pound of avoirdupois off the as-holstered weight. The grip length and 8+1 round magazine capacity remain unchanged.

Rounding out the prominently visible changes from the Target version are the distinctive black G10 grip panels (exclusive to the Carry model for now), with a subtle-but-grippy texture, and a set of forward cocking serrations. The latter are seemingly de rigueur on a tacticool carry pistol these days, but of questionable utility on a pistol with the low-profile slide of the 210. Big style points, though.

Tactical Touches

The frontstrap of the 210 Carry is finely checkered at thirty lines per inch, and there’s a matching patch of 30lpi checkering on the front of the trigger guard, if you really want to get your eighties LARP on.

The trigger face itself is smooth and curved. Unlike the 1911, the P210’s trigger pivots rather than sliding straight back in a channel in the frame. There’s a fairly short, light takeup leading to a rolling break that measured a consistent three and a half pounds on our test specimen.

Unlike its P210 Target stablemate, which has plain front blade combined with a micrometer click adjustable rear sight, the Carry has three-dot SigLite night sights with self-illuminated tritium vials. The only adjustment on the rear sight is for windage, and you’ll need a hammer and punch to adjust it.

Both the slide release and safety have subtly extended and contoured control surfaces to make them easier to manipulate. They worked well from an ergonomic standpoint, being easily reachable for normal human-size hands without extensive shifting of the pistol in the grip. The thumb safety was extremely positive and unlikely to be swiped off by accident. This also meant that it was next to impossible to reapply with an easy upward flick of the thumb after a string of fire. Even after 750 rounds, it was still something of an effort to get it back on safe.

Breakdown Deets

Field stripping the P210 is a ride in a time machine.

With the rise to prominence of the Beretta 92 series as well as Sig Sauer’s own P220 and its offshoots, we’ve become accustomed to metal-framed hammer-fired Europistols that take down with the throw of a lever. Instead, the P210 Carry takes us back to the thrilling days of yesteryear.

First you drop the magazine and clear the pistol. Then you retract the slide ever so slightly, about half a centimeter, and push the slide stop out. To do this, press on the axle where it protrudes from the right side of the frame and then pull it out to the left. Then you slide the upper assembly off the front of the frame.

It’s here where you’ll encounter another difference between the P210 Carry and its Target sibling. While the P210 Target uses a captive recoil spring assembly, the Carry version does not. It’s not that big a deal when taking it apart, but a certain amount of holding your mouth right is involved in putting it back together; fumble it and you’ll be chasing that stubby recoil spring guide around the corners of the room. (Look in the one with the most cobwebs and dust bunnies.)

Another difference is that the whole action assembly doesn’t lift out on its chassis anymore, a clever trait that the original 210 shared with the Tokarev.

But How Does it Shoot?

Practically speaking, this is a pistol that SIG should have built at the same time Colt did, seventy years ago, but better late than never.

Unless one is doing testing with a Ransom Rest under controlled conditions, group sizes in a handgun review are more a measurement of how good the reviewer was feeling on range day (or their willingness to pencil-whip some data) but even doing casual shooting offhand, the 210 Carry had no real problem hanging with custom 1911s shot side by side for comparison. Like, 25-yard groups in the 2- to 3-inch range with commercial S&B or Blazer Brass ammo were par for the course. This gun would be lights-out in a mechanical rest.

It’s comfortable in the hand and points nicely and probably the only real ergonomic complaint arises when you try and park your thumb atop the safety as though you were running a modern 1911 derivative: the shape of the thumb safety has a tendency to beat up the base knuckle of your thumb when you do that.

The controls all fall neatly to hand and the trigger is easily manageable. The biggest threat to the P210 Carry’s market success comes from the people who paid large dollars for gray market 210s back in the day and therefore have a vested interest in tearing the new kid down.

Those people complain that it has some MIM parts or that it doesn’t have the same modular lockwork assembly as the original. Some people will just never be happy.

If, on the other hand, you’re interested in a slim, extremely accurate, single action carry pistol that’s not just another 1911 knockoff, Sig Sauer has the pistol for you.

SPECIFICATIONS:

There is no doubt about the popularity and acceptance of polymer striker-fired handguns. It seems end users and arms makers both win. The quick adoption of striker-fired weapons for LE and military use bears this out. From a manufacturer perspective, polymer-framed, strike-fired handguns are less expensive to produce and require minimal hand fitting while still offering impressive performance.

Hammer-fired single action only “cocked and locked” handguns have not faded quietly into the sunset, though. In fact, the case can be made this format is actually flourishing. Why? The mystique of a well put together single action semi-automatic handgun is hard to deny in our current polymer striker-fired age. A trigger with minimal-to-no-creep, limited travel/reset, and a break like the proverbial “glass rod” is hard to resist. All of these things become magnified as knowledge and skills are gained in the quest to run a handgun with ruthless efficiency. The performance offered in these aficionado weapons justify their place as a valid choice.

While SIG Sauer has become a standard-bearer for the polymer striker-fired genre with its P320 and P365 series, SIG is still representing with 1911, P210, and P220/226/229 family of metal-framed hammer-fired weapons. A little-known SIG Sauer decision made circa 2006 was to offer a single-action-only trigger option to shooters with certain models of the P220/226/229 family. The P229 Legion SAO is one such example and the focus of this article.

Legion Features

The SIG P229 Legion SAO RXP is a compact variant of SIG’s classic P226 model. The Legion designation carries extra weight in SIG world. Legion nomenclature indicates SIG upgrading of an established product based on feedback from SIG Sauer’s elite professional clients around the world. A Legion weapon is intended for customers who rigorously use their gear.

What sets the P229 Legion SAO apart from its other P229 stable mates? First, is the Cerakote Elite Legion gray coating covering the stainless-steel slide and aluminum frame. This is not merely window dressing; the coating improves durability. Custom G-10 grips with a Legion medallion are also present. The single-action-only (SAO) trigger is what focused my attention on the P229 Legion SAO. The P229 Legion SAO offers the best of the P229 design with preferred trigger profile. Icing on the cake is the P229 Legion featuring a flat style trigger shoe versus curved. This offers a 90-degree lever for better geometry and lowers the probability of pulling to the right or left during shots.

The superior SIG XRay3 day/night irons arrive on the P229 Legion SAO. Don’t worry, the slide is factory milled if you want to mount a red dot. Ambidextrous manual safeties are present on the P229 Legion SAO in lieu of a de-cocking lever that’s usually found on the P226/9 models. There’s some strong nostalgic feelings attached the P229 Legion SAO’s exposed cocked and locked hammer. The swiping down/deactivating of safety the lever brought me back to my early days of training with a single action handgun.

Compact Without Compromise

SIG realized that a more compact P226 design would help them attract even more consumers, especially considering the expanding concealed carry laws spreading across the country. Thus, the P229 was born. The P220/6’s history and track record of proven performance on the battlefield (and the street) grant the P229 Legion SAO instant credibility. The P229 Legion’s compact profile makes it ideal for concealed carry, especially with inside-the-waistband carry techniques. Someone who is a practitioner of concealed carry quickly realizes that length, grip size, overall weight, and width of a pistol are the key defining parameters for discrete carry handguns.

The P229 Legion’s aluminum frame, stainless slide, and 3.9-inch barrel add up to a weight of only 31 oz. While the safety lever is located within natural thumb swipe distance, the slide lock sits further toward the rear of the frame compared to other weapons. This all but eliminates the chance of unintentionally engaging the slide lock during strings of fire as can happen when shooters rest their thumb on the lever with other designs.

Another nod to the P229 Legion SAO’s more modern design when compared to the 1911 is the safety’s ability to stay engaged while manipulating the slide. The P229 Legion features a contoured reduced profile beavertail allowing for better hand placement on the frame while limiting the concern of printing through cover garments. The beavertail’s protrusion from the frame guides one’s hand to the optimum grip position during the draw stroke and aids in recoil management. More aggressive front strap checkering and additional checkering under the trigger guard enhance grip purchase. An undercut has been applied below the trigger guard, allowing for a higher grip and more control when firing, especially during rapid shot strings.

The P229 Legion’s shorter barrel/slide maintains optimum mix of sight radius, concealment, balance, and reliability. The SIG XRay3 day/night irons compliment the P229 Legion’s intended role as a concealed carry weapon. The P229 Legion’s SAO’s 3.9-inch cold hammer-forged barrel and short reset, single-action trigger combined with near perfect lock-up in the stainless-steel slide ensure maximum reliability and accuracy performance. The SIG single-action trigger pull measured 3.5-4 pounds. The aluminum frame features a Picatinny rail-equipped dust cover for tactical versatility in the way of lights and laser target designators.

Range Time

No weapon’s reliability should be blindly trusted without confirming its function, especially if used for personal defense. The SIG P229 Legion SAO had no issue performing straight out of the box. The first range session consisted of over 200 rounds without cleaning or adding lubricant. Firing was at a relatively steady pace with different shooters running the P229 Legion thru its paces on plate racks, dueling trees, and other drills. Considering that the P229 Legion’s design intent as an everyday carry handgun, we decided to dedicate some time evaluating around vehicles, breaching facades, door entries, and other CQB activities. Echo Valley Training Center’s onsite Hesco Shoot House and 360 Range were ideal test locations. The natural pointability of the P229 Legion comes into its own in this realm. The single-action only trigger is a key component in this equation. The single action trigger aids in rapid target engagement with minimal trigger reset. The SIG slide/barrel combination contributes more mass, aiding in increased muzzle control for double taps or longer strings of fire.

PERFORMANCE

A variety of 9mm loads were tested with the P229 Legion including Federal HST, Speer Gold Dot, Hornady XTP, SIG V-Crown & FMJ, and Black Hills Ammunition JHP & FMJ. An ammunition can featuring a smorgasbord of random brands and types was also used. Loads fired spanned 115- to 147-grain. The P229 Legion SAO handled all brands, bullet types, and weights with equal aplomb. P229’s ergonomics and handling characteristics are quickly appreciated and make a user understand why the P229 is well thought of. The overall balance of the P229 Legion SAO made recoil no more an issue than a full size P226. Even under the induced stress of drawing against a timer and engaging multiple targets, the manual safety was always positively disengaged. No malfunctions were experienced while test firing over 650 rounds during range visits.

The SIG P229 Legion SAO did not disappoint, regularly producing 2- to 3-inch groups at 25 yards when fired from standing, unsupported positions. Bench testing could not be resisted after witnessing the unsupported accuracy results. Under 2-inch groups at 25 yards were not unusual.

The P229 Legion SAO was tested in various holsters from VersaCarry and Galco. Flexibility is the key to effective carry practices with Inside-the-Waistband (IWB) Concealable from Galco and Comfort Flex Deluxe from VersaCarry. The SIG P229 Legion did not feel out of place or uncomfortable in either the VersaCarry or Galco IWB even when carried for lengthy stretches of time going about daily business. The Decree belt holster from VersaCarry and Royal Guard from Galco had the P229 Legion riding comfortably on the hip.

Hammer Fired Single Action Only Evolution

One could argue the single-action only SIGs such as the P229 are the natural evolution of the 1911 design, especially with the number of high-capacity 9mm 1911s becoming available. The P229 Legion SAO is at a price point many custom-tuned 1911 aficionadas can appreciate.

The P229 Legion SAO easily fits the concealed carry and personal defense roles, especially if a polymer-framed, striker-fired model is not your thing. For example, the P229 Legion equipped with a light/laser on its forward rail is as good a nightstand handgun as there is. Size comparison of the P229 Legion SAO to the commander-sized 1911 should quell any concerns of those that may think the SIG is too large. The SIG P229 Legion SAO is ideal for anyone wanting to capitalize on the SIG Sauer reputation for out-of-the-box reliability and accuracy combined with single action trigger for utmost control and precise shot placement.

SPECIFICATIONS