Sig P226 XFIVE Legion Pros & Cons
Pros
- AX3 adjustable trigger is excellent
- Extended gas pedal and safety help tame recoil
- Grip is extremely comfortable in the hand
Cons
- Mounting an optic removes the rear sight
- Expensive
The Bottom Line
Sig went all out combining features from multiple models while also adding new ones to create a version of the P226 that is supposed to rule them all.
Sig P226 XFIVE Legion Specs & Features
Specs
- Action: Single-action only, hammer fired
- Caliber: 9mm
- Overall length: 8.6″
- Barrel length: 4.4″
- Height: 6.0″
- Width: 1.7″
- Weight: 42.4 oz. w/magazine
- Capacity: 20+1
- Optic footprint: PRO (Delta Point Pro)
- Includes: Plastic hard case, 3x 20-round magazines
Features
- Slide with integrated expansion chamber
- Suppressor-height XRAY3 front and adjustable rear sights
- Three 20-round magazines with aluminum baseplates
- Flat face AX3 fully adjustable trigger
- Legion TXG tungsten-infused grip panels with magwell
- Legion Gray finish
The Sig P226 has now been in production for 40 years.
Law enforcement, special forces, competition — you name it, the P226 has been used for it.
But it isn’t 1984 anymore, and Sig is one of many companies modernizing well-established firearm platforms to push them to their limits.
This approach has given us the new P226 XFIVE Legion, which brings a whole host of upgrades to an already-proven pistol.
But the big questions with any flagship pistol are “How does it shoot?” and “Is it worth the money?” We had those same questions, so we got a hold of the gun and spent 1,000 rounds over a few months to find out.
So keep reading as we dive into the key specs and features as well how it performed during our range testing.
Table of Contents
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Why You Should Trust Us
What can I say? I love guns so much I have over 200 firearms (I know, I have a problem).
But I am also a huge stickler for bargain buys, and I don’t believe in overpaying for products. I enjoy taking the time to find out what works, what doesn’t, and what is worth it.
Being around guns most of my life has given me two decades of firearms experience, including hunting, competition, certified instructing, and plenty of time concealed carrying.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Sig P226 XFIVE Legion Background
In 2015, Sig launched its Legion line of upgraded pistols that offered shooters enhanced features and exclusive benefits.
Fast-forward to 2022. Sig announced their P226 XFIVE (X5 for short), a competition-ready pistol with modern features requested by the current generation of shooters.
With the Legion line and the X5 line already established, it was only a matter of time before Sig combined the two. And in late 2023, they revealed the P226 X5 Legion, their ultimate refinement of the P226 platform.
Who Is It For?
The P226 X5 Legion is geared toward shooters who enjoy hammer-fired metal-frame pistols that can drive tacks as fast as you can pull the trigger — as long as the price tag isn’t a huge consideration…
Shooters who are fans of the P226 platform may also find some use for this gun in competition. Be warned, its features mean you have to compete in Open Division (more on that later).
Fit & Feel
Frame
The foundation of the gun starts with an aluminum alloy frame that has more aggressive trigger guard undercuts and a redesigned beavertail to allow for a higher grip.
I find this grip much more comfortable in my medium-sized hands than any other P226 I own or have used.
To offset the lack of weight from not using a steel frame like the regular X5, Sig has added tungsten-infused Legion TXG grip panels.
A generously flared but reasonably sized aluminum magwell makes reloads an absolute breeze.
Controls
This single-action-only gun sports an ambidextrous thumb safety with a large ledge on either side that makes for a good thumb rest.
On the left side of the frame sits an absolute unit of a gas pedal for your support hand. Everyone who shot this gun during testing instantly noticed and praised the texturing and size of the gas pedal.
I found that the magazine release was very easy to hit, requiring only a slight shift in my grip to reach it.
Trigger
The AX3 trigger has about 1mm of takeup to a somewhat defined wall, followed by the tiniest amount of creep and then a clean break with absolutely zero overtravel. Reset is extremely short and tactile.
My Lyman digital trigger gauge showed a 10-pull average of right at 3 lbs. This is a very fast trigger that is well-suited to speed shooting.
Slide
Up top, we have a 4.4-inch barrel that sits under a slide that has a built-in “Integrated Expansion Chamber” (it’s a compensator).
Suppressor height XRAY night sights come standard, with the rear being fully adjustable. My biggest gripe here is that to mount an optic (DPP footprint), you have to remove the entire rear sight plate, losing the rear sight in the process.
Sig does offer an aftermarket screw in sight that sits behind the optic, which in honesty, should have been included with the gun, considering the price. No rear sight is a huge turn-off for many.
Front and rear slide serrations are present. They aren’t particularly deep or aggressive, but they work well enough.
How Does It Shoot?
To be honest, my first range trip was extremely underwhelming. The accuracy I was getting in slow fire was solid, but not any better at 7-15 yards than some of the cheaper guns I brought.
With tempered expectations and more familiarization on the second trip, I felt the gun shot much better. Once I added the Sig ROMEO-X Pro red dot, things started to come together even more.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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I was able to hold solid groups out to 25 yards easily, with A-zone hits being relatively easy to achieve even at 35-50 yards with good shot discipline.
Unsurprisingly, where this gun really shines is speed shooting. The expansion chamber, huge gas pedal, and excellent trigger made follow-up shots a breeze. But as with all P-series guns, the bore axis is high, and felt recoil was still more my CZ Shadow 2.
This gun is an excellent shooter, but I am not sure it shoots quite flat enough to hang with $7000 custom 2011s in Open Division matches. If you want to shoot competition with a P226, I recommend the non-compensated non-Legion X5.
Reliability
I ran through 1000 rounds of 115-grain Blazer FMJ, about 200 rounds of Fiocchi 124-grain FMJ, and a box of Speer Gold-Dot 124-grain +P JHPs.
I suffered three failure-to-feed stoppages with the 115-grain Blazer. Two of these were in the first 50 rounds, with the last one being around the 950-round mark.
The recoil spring is a dual-type spring with a secondary spring, much like the H&K USP. I believe that the occasional light-loaded rounds on the lighter 115-grain ammo weren’t generating enough force to cycle the slide completely.
9mm Ammo in Stock
What Sets the Sig P226 X5 Legion Apart?
It’s no secret that a lot of other companies have competition models of their base model duty guns. Sig sets themselves apart by nailing most of the details.
Things like the oversized gas pedal, the inclusion of three 20-round magazines with baseplates, the integrated expansion chamber, tungsten-infused grips, and the adjustable trigger help ensure you aren’t going to have to spend a ton of money on upgrades for an already expensive gun.
Sig P226 XFIVE Legion By the Numbers
Accuracy
4/5
While I wasn't immediately blown away with the accuracy at first, a bit of practice revealed this to be very accurate gun that can hold good groups, even when shooting fast.
Reliability
4.5/5
I had three failure-to-feed malfunctions. This is suspected to be light loaded rounds on light 115-grain ammo. Outside of those issues, the gun ran smoothly.
Customization
3/5
You can add an optic, a light, and fool around with the grips and baseplates. However this gun has so many features that it is already customized so to speak.
Ergonomics
5/5
The grip feels very natural in my hand. The extended gas pedal and safety ledge provide a ton of purchase to help manage recoil. The gun feels great overall.
Value
3.5/5
My experience with this gun was terrific. However, it is a very expensive gun and I feel like there are better value buys on the market. But if you already like the P22X series, this could still very well be the gun for you.
Overall
4/5
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Sig P226 XFIVE Legion Upgrades & Accessories
Final Verdict
The P226 X5 Legion was slightly frustrating at first, but I grew to really appreciate the gun. However, having to grow to appreciate a gun this expensive can be frustrating in and of itself.
A few stoppages give me some pause, but they may very well have been ammo-related. I wish the frame were all-steel like the regular X5, and I feel they should include the screw-in rear sight for use with optics.
Complaints aside, this gun is very fast, very fun, and very easy to shoot. It has an outstanding build quality and is feature-rich. Fans of the P22X series and other hammer-fired guns will find an excellent pistol in the P226 X5 Legion, provided they can stomach the price.
What are your thoughts on this pistol? Let us know in the comments below! Not ready to take the plunge on the X5 Version? Then check out our full review of the regular P226 Legion!
26 Leave a Reply
It's weird, I had the exact same initial impressions as you did when I first shot mine. I ran about 50 rounds through it and was kind of underwhelmed. However, I mounted an optic on it (and installed the replacement rear sight) and kept the slide locked back for 24 hours. The subsequent range session gave a completely different impression. I now love this gun. Very accurate, soft shooting and an absolute ball to run quickly.
Fred, glad it wasn't just me. Some guns are just like that though and take a while to settle in for different people. Happy to hear that you are enjoying yours!
This is a nice pistol. Great review. What I can not understand is why Sig does not ship the rear sight with the pistol that has the red dot already installed. That is almost like stealing a sight. Suppose you want to take the red dot off. Then the pistol is no good without the rear sight. The people that buy the 226 without a red dot gets the whole package deal with the sights. That is politely stealing from a pistol, Sig. Shame on you.
I agree that for $2200 they should include both sight the fully adjustable sight assembly and the smaller screw-in rear sight in the box.
Does Sig Sauer include the rear sight in the case, with the Sig 226X5 Legion model with the Sig Romeo X red dot already installed on the pistol. (The models that do not have the red dot installed already have the rear sight on the pistol. This sight has to be taken off at the factory with the red dot installed. So, do they give your that rear sight they have to take off?)
Great review Wyatt--thank you. I just handled this gun today and was very much impressed. I also saw the honest outlaw's review and thought for sure this would be my next purchase.
But after reading your review, it gave me pause. I am a CZ fanboy through and through. I have a cajunized p01 that I love and is the most accurate pistol I own, based on large part to the ergos (LOK thin grips) and low bore axis. I also have a Sig p320 AXG legion, which I was thinking of replacing with this 226 Xfive legion. Now, I'm not so sure. I think the p320 axg shoots really well and that the integrated expansion chamber does offset some of the issues with the higher bore axis. However, after reading your review, it doesn't sound like it may be worth spending this much money on the 226 xfive. How do you compare it to the p320 AXG legion (assuming you've had the chance to shoot it)?
Sal, I am personally not a huge fan of the P320 in general. I do feel like the P226 XFive is notably better than the P320 AXG Legion (especially the trigger), but you are right about it being a steep price for upgrading. If you are a CZ fan, but are looking for a flat and fast SAO shooter, I really recommend checking out the Dan Wesson DWX if you are okay with irons only or sending it off to be milled. You can check out my full review here.
Thanks Wyatt. I think that of the p320's, the AXG legion has possibly the best trigger, but I agree that isn't saying much. I like the p320 more so for its incredible grip module-- specifically on the AXG platform.
It's so interesting you mentioned the DWX-- I'm really thinking about the new DWX compact, but am waiting for them to come to their senses and give us a version with a rail for a light when carrying. I absolutely love my CGW p01-- I shoot it better than anything else I own. And unlike everyone else, I'm not as big a fan of the Shadow 2 grip module c/w to my p01 with LOK thin grips. So, I'm hoping I really like the DWX compact since it's patterned after the CZ75 compact module. Quick aside: Have you shot a Staccato C2/CS and if so, how would you compare it the DWX compact?
Sal, I have a Cajunized CZ PCR, so I definitely get where you are coming from. I actually own a Staccato C2 and have shot my co-workers CS. I think both the Staccato CS and the P are much better implementations, but the C2 is just in a weird middle ground and I am not the biggest fan of it. Unfortunately at the time of the DWX review, the compact version wasn't out yet. I have handled demos of the compact but haven't shot it. However, I would assume it shoots nearly as well as the full size, which has an awesome grip and an absolutely amazing trigger. If I could swap my C2 straight across for a DWX compact, I probably would.
Wyatt,
I have an update: I shot the staccato XC (my new ‘gold standard ‘ for all 9mm pistols) and the C2 with a comp. They both shot fantastic. When comparing the C2 to my cajunized p01, it wasn’t fair as the C2 was comp’d and had a RDO. I’m curious what a non comp’d C2 would shoot like against a DWX-c. The new models are out as you know, and they have rails and optics.
If you get the chance to shoot one and can compare it to either the C2, CS, or the Shadow 2 compact, that would be awesome.
Sal, I have a C2, and have shot both the CS and the Shadow 2 Compact, but not the Compact DWX. I loved the full size DWX that I tested, and would expect similar performance out of the compact version. You can be sure I get my hands on the compact, I will be comparing it to the guns you mentioned.
Please do. I went ahead and took the leap of faith and bought the DWX-c on Saturday. It’s the updated version with the rail and optic ready slide. I’ll shoot in less than 2 weeks against the p01 and C2. I just need to find the right red dot. The holosun 407k seems to fit but I don’t know if I need an adaptor plate. CZ USA is horrible and you can’t get anyone on the phone.
Just received my 226 X5 Legion and put a Leupold Delta Point Pro on it. Feels great in the hand, trigger is awesome but the slide catch release is difficult to access as it’s so close to the safety. It’s easier to get to with my support hand but that will take some practice. Plan to run it this week.
It's a great gun. Now can I get one in 10mm and/or .45 ACP?
David, if they could squeeze like 15-16 rounds in a 10mm version, I would be all over it.
Any thoughts on Zev 226.
Sean, I have handled the ZEV 226 but haven't shot it. The ZEV does have the optic included in the price, which is a huge bonus. However, I feel like like TXG grips, gas pedal, improved beavertail, extended safety, and normal Pic rail over the curved one just helps put the XFive ahead in terms of sheer features. Considering they are somewhat close in price, I'd lean toward the XFive or XFive Legion if I was going to drop the money one a super nice P226.
I carry the SIG P238 Legion, and will say that the Legion package did everything at the factory that I would have had to do either myself or with a gunsmith to make it a perfect carry weapon. Shoots great, carries well, and reliable even when filled with lint. I can only imagine that doing this to one of the finest duty weapons of all time would be nothing short of spectacular.
However, the Legion finish wore off in high wear places after about a year due to holster wear (a good kydex/leather hybrid), which was not expected. ($125 for the factory to refinish the slide.) Having this potential future on a $2k+ weapon is unsatisfactory, IMO. Plus, that price is high enough that it is hard to justify anything resembling a "Value" compared to other top quality offerings. I'd certainly carry one, but not sure I'd buy one. Just my two cents, now worth a little less with Bidenomics.
Chris, how old is your P238 Legion? I know that the older guns used a PVD finish that was more brown/gray. That finish was known for wearing off super quick, and I think the newer Legion guns switched to a more matte-gray Cerakote finish to combat that exact issue.
Wyatt, I don't remember how old, but it was one of the early ones. It's been carried almost daily since new and is looking pretty rough. I would call it more of a greenish gray. Very attractive color, and I am glad they changed to something more durable.
I have been a devoted SIG fan since the introduction of the famed P226 made in Germany by the Sauer company. Back then SIG was young and hungry and their unique designs won over many serious followers. Over the years progress was marked by shifting production to the USA with excellent quality. But now I fear SIG has gotten too big for their britches, much like Harley-Davidson. They are relying too much on their name and past successes. Recent military contracts increased profits to make them a superpower in the gun world and their ego and price tags show this. Now instead of very innovative guns, they turn out average dribble in some cases to keep the Brinks trucks moving. Reminds me of many rock groups who put out great music when they were young and hungry, then once overcome with riches and success, they pump out drivel to keep the jaded fan base going.
Ray, only time will tell. I think the market is oversaturated with a lot of designs at this point, and setting yourself apart is getting harder and harder. However, Sig has still been doing so much work for micro-compacts and capacity that they still seem on track to me. Definitely have put out quite a bit more new stuff than Colt did when they were sitting on contracts, haha.
we have 226 extreme.. cost us $1200.00 wife/ kids love it... its a safe queen...
If SHTF would be 1st pistol we grab..
I have a few other P22X series pistols myself. My P229 Legion and MK-25 have both been super reliable for me - I would definitely trust my life to them.
I like it. I think I prefer the non-Legion X-Five for competition, but it’s too early to tell for sure. The replacement rear sight was not a turn off for me. Cheap enough and easy enough to mount. As I have been shooting a P226 (or two or three) for years, I had no break in period and found it a good upgrade to the standard P226 SAO.
Tom, like I mentioned in the article, I do think the regular XFive is the way to go for competition. Open class just has some insanely customized guns that are hard to compete against. Glad you enjoy yours!