Twenty-some years ago, I had a buddy who was going into the Navy with the idea of becoming a SEAL. We would train and shoot together; I with my 1911, and he with his P226. During that time, I almost exclusively trained with the 1911 platform. This was mostly because my shooting mentors were a generation older. They firmly held to their old-guy mindset, saying things like “45 cal are real bullets,” and “Two World Wars!” and “knock-down power,” etc. However, did the SIG P226X Legion change my mind?
The SIG Sauer P226X Legion
I shot my friend’s P226 occasionally, and it was, well, different. I didn’t much care for it. It wasn’t what I was used to. It was 9mm, it was a funny shape, the trigger was “so long,” and the de-cocker creeped me out.
Fast forward to current times, and quite a bit of my youthful ignorance has faded. (Not all, fortunately. We all need something for which to strive.) I have strayed from the cult of the 1911 (not too far, though). However, I still prefer a steel or alloy frame, having spent so much time throwing around hefty pistols.
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I had never owned a P-Series pistol, though. SIG was just one of those companies that didn’t get much real estate in my brain. I had most of the new models come through the photo studio over the years. I would usually shoot them at some point, and they all performed great, but just didn’t spark my interest.
Until recently, when I shot the newest P226X Legion series guns at the SIG NEXT event over the summer. Maybe I have finally matured, and my taste has evolved, like learning to enjoy fine wine or bourbon. Maybe they finally just created a P226 with a side profile I found aesthetically pleasing. Whatever it was, my interest piqued.
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Two Sizes and Configurations
They came available in two size variants, with two trigger options. The full-size model features a 4.4-inch barrel, while the compact or “carry” model (P226XCA) has a 3.8-inch barrel. Both feature the X-Series frame and slide ergonomics, X-RAY3 sights, Legion Gray Cerakote, and G10 grips that characterize Legion series guns.
Both are available in SAO or DA/SA configurations. The single-action only trigger (AX1) is adjustable for overtravel, while the double-action/single-action trigger (AX2) is adjustable for both pretravel and overtravel.
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The SAO trigger is a straight profile, while the DA/SA is a semi-straight curve. Correspondingly, the single-action breaks in the 3-4lb range, and the double-action pull reduced from ~12lbs to ~9lbs.
The frames for both P226X LEGION pistols are compatible. So, in theory, one could have the trigger group replaced, going from the AX1 to the AX2, or vice versa. The frames are also compatible with X5-LEGION slides, controls, grips, and trigger. Is this a feature? I don’t know. But it does simplify things from a controls and manufacturing standpoint.
The P226X Legion
I have the full-size SAO model with me for this article. However, I had the opportunity to shoot both the full-size and carry models at the SIG range day, as well as both the AX1 and AX2 triggers.
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I was told that the internals have been re-worked. They have updated coating, with the sear and hammer geometry tweaked for a trigger pull that comes from the factory with the same feel that you would get from a SIG Custom Shop.
I don’t have enough experience with SIG triggers to say the X-Legion 226 triggers are the same as a performance center job. However, they do feel very nice.
I didn’t notice the undercut. After shooting over three hundred rounds over a few hours, I didn’t notice any cutting or hot spots on my stronghand middle-finger knuckle, where that would be an issue. So, it’s a win for the undercut. Sometimes the best ergonomic improvements are the ones you don’t notice. It means that they are doing their job.
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The Pistol In Hand
The G10 grips are comfortable. They feel refined and have a decent grip. However, summer-sweaty hands here in the desert desire a texture a little rougher than average. Maybe my palms were just extra sweaty that day.
The controls are easy to manage, and mostly positioned well. They changed the slide lock a little—it seems slightly extended. When my thumb rests on the thumb safe, I can just feel it if I bend my thumb down. It doesn’t seem like much, but I will keep the pistol from achieving slidelock if I am not careful.
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The thumb safe operation is super tactile. There is no play, and you get a healthy ‘snap’ when engaging or disengaging, which is pleasurable.
The fit and finish between the stainless slide and the alloy frame is nice and smooth. Just what you would expect from a Legion series pistol.
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Shooting the X-Series Legion
I don’t bench rest pistols for two reasons.
1) I want to know how something performs within the system that it will be used. In other words, I care about how accurately I can shoot a pistol based on my ability to get a grip, a good sight picture, and effectively press the trigger.
2) I don’t own a Ransom Rest, which is the tool I would trust to give me an accurate representation of a pistol system’s accuracy with the least amount of human influence. If you want 5-shot groups measured with five different ammunition manufacturers for “accuracy testing,” you will have to read someone else’s articles.
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Overall, I shot approximately 300 rounds during testing with no issues. I was shooting Super Vel 124gr FMJ. After about 200 rounds, I felt like I was warmed up and shot a couple of 10-round groups.
On the third one, I settled down and grouped 2.75 inches at 10 yards. You can see this in the video. I wasn’t going super slow, counting heartbeats or controlling my breathing. I have a bad habit of trapping the trigger when I slow fire.
Could I do better? Yes, but I think this is a good representation of how accurately I shoot this pistol. Especially since it is new to me, with only a couple of hundred rounds of experience. And I was satisfied with the result. If there is anything in this equation that needs to be better, it’s me, not the pistol.
Enhanced Accuracy
One thing of note is that SIG cut the barrel crown at 35 degrees. The company says that the increased angle helps keep the expanding gases more even for better accuracy. However, I haven’t spoken with an engineer about how they arrived at this conclusion.
If you are not familiar, a crown is a reverse cut to recess the rifling at the muzzle. Damage to the edge where the rifling ends can cause disruptions in the gas expansion as the bullet leaves the barrel, affecting accuracy. If increasing the crown helps, I am all for it.
The updated trigger is smooth and fast shooting. The spring pressure on the reset is a little softer than I am used to, but that’s neither here nor there. Although the AX1 trigger (SAO) has an adjustment for overtravel, I didn’t mess with the factory setting.
This pistol arrived with a ROMEO-X SIG-LOC Pro optic. SIG-LOC optics mount from the bottom by removing the slide. SIG-LOC (Leveraged Optimized Connection) has 5 points of contact, helping eliminate shifts in zero due to recoil or impact.
Having the screws mount from below allows more real estate on top for a larger enclosure. This means less parallax and optic distortion, and a lower base height for better co-witness with standard-height iron sights.
You need a SIG pistol with a compatible slide to mount a SIG-LOC optic. However, these pistols will accept other optic footprints if you don’t want to run a SIG optic.
The ROMEO-X has options for a 3MOA dot, a 6MOA dot, and a circle and dot. I chose the 3MOA dot for shooting. I am used to that.
Overall Impressions
The P226X Legion is a bomb-proof, time-tested design with a good feel and all the fancy upgrades of the Legion series. There is a reason that it has been such a highly regarded platform for so long. They also look cool, now.
The G10 grips are probably my favorite upgrade. Likewise, the controls are good, and the AX1 trigger is great. I ride the slide stop sometimes, but what else is new? I do that on everything that isn’t a 1911 most of the time.
It’s hard to convince a person that they will like a pistol. Everyone has different opinions about weight, size, grip, triggers, optics, etc. But some platforms just outperform on more levels than others. Most people (myself included) don’t train often enough with different platforms to truly find the difference in performance between them.
P226X Legion: A Rock-Solid All-Metal Workhorse
Am I a P226 convert? Only time will tell. This platform is very pleasant to shoot, feels solid, and is probably one of the most proven designs out there. If I were going to buy one, I would go with the carry model, with the DA/SA trigger. That was a standout at the range day, for sure.
That being said, if you are looking for a rock-solid all-metal workhorse of a pistol that will shoot for a lifetime without any need for upgrades to make it perform like a rockstar at a price point that makes total sense, check out the line of P226X Legion pistols.
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