Sidearms & Scatterguns If you had $2000 to spend for a range pistol…

ebc95520-c2db-4e1e-8cb9-daa1ef47f37e.jpg

I went on a pistol quest for the past 5 years or so. I have to say this is my favorite even over my cajunized sp01 done up by mk 3 firearms and impact machine and my 92 elite ltt. I had a q5 sf years ago and sold it because it was snappy out of the box. But recently was able to pick this up in a trade threw a zr tactical vspec guide rod and spring, over watch trigger with the lighter spring, and the lok aluminum grips and I shoot it better than anything else. I will be buying another as they are discontinued except for their collector editions which aren't red dot cut. But all in I think im at 1300 total for this with all the upgrades, mags, and holsters.
 
After striking out for quite a while, I was able to score a German-made P226 X-Five yesterday online for less than $2K. Those little boogers have gone out of sight.

Not that I'm against buying a new American-made one, but if I'm only going to own one (probably), it might as well be the original.
 
Sig P320 Legions should be getting pretty cheap these days… LoL

I do actually have one, and it’s a very nice shooting pistol…and I even almost trust it after confirming the slide attachment and trigger are gtg. That said, my vote for your budget would be a used CZ Shadow 2 and send it to Cajun Gun Works…you’ll have a great gun and some $ left over for other gear, some extra training ammo, and maybe some professional instruction.

You might be able to find a well-used STI/Staccato at that price if the seller is motivated, but that CZ is a very nice shooting pistol and a known commodity.

Edit: That DWX looks really nice, but I have zero experience with it.

I won’t mention the other options that I prefer, but trust me when I say that if you can save up enough to double your budget it will be worth it. Sounds crazy, and TBH, I can’t shoot as well as my pistols are capable of performing, but it’s nice knowing I’m the LIMFAC vs. the machine. LoL
 
Last edited:
My LGS has a Colt 1911 Custom Shop Gold Cup Trophy in 9mm for about $2400 that is super tempting. Or a Bul Armory TacPro II 5" for like $2500.

I don't really need one, but, kinda just want to shoot something other than my X-Five Legion.
 
After striking out for quite a while, I was able to score a German-made P226 X-Five yesterday online for less than $2K. Those little boogers have gone out of sight.

Not that I'm against buying a new American-made one, but if I'm only going to own one (probably), it might as well be the original.
Yep the German X-fives are really nice, I have an older Tactical and Match and they really are wonderful guns. The US versions are not in the same league. Luckily I got mine before they went crazy in pricing when Sig was banned by Germany from exporting about a decade ago. Back then they were "cheap" because no one in the states would pay $1000+ for a Sig. They were not really ideal for any of the US handgun competitions so I don't think they ever really took off here. I actually bought both of mine at the same gun store in Vegas that had several they could not move for some time, they had an all-around decocker variant I still wish I'd hav bought as well.

The fear with the german X-fives now is parts, there's a few parts that are not shared with the US versions and SIG US has none left, and no ability to service them at all. Extractors probably being the part you hear about breaking most. The run a different recoil rod/spring as well, but there's options around that. Gray guns I think was doing an update for them to use a proprietary extractor for awhile, not sure if they still do.
 
  • Like
Reactions: diggler1833
Yep the German X-fives are really nice, I have an older Tactical and Match and they really are wonderful guns. The US versions are not in the same league. Luckily I got mine before they went crazy in pricing when Sig was banned by Germany from exporting about a decade ago. Back then they were "cheap" because no one in the states would pay $1000+ for a Sig. They were not really ideal for any of the US handgun competitions so I don't think they ever really took off here. I actually bought both of mine at the same gun store in Vegas that had several they could not move for some time, they had an all-around decocker variant I still wish I'd hav bought as well.

The fear with the german X-fives now is parts, there's a few parts that are not shared with the US versions and SIG US has none left, and no ability to service them at all. Extractors probably being the part you hear about breaking most. The run a different recoil rod/spring as well, but there's options around that. Gray guns I think was doing an update for them to use a proprietary extractor for awhile, not sure if they still do.

When I got started in my search, I had no idea about parts guns being made outside the mastershop. Seems like a lot of guys are being duped by TAI, or buying Holden builds (random SIG parts slapped together. Just like the Mitchell's Mausers of two decades ago).

I'm confident in my purchase as it bears the right proofs and lack of other stamping in unusual places... as well as a correct factory target and box. However, mine is a lower-end competition model without a lot of the fancy machine work that would make it really collectable (and expensive). I'm fine with that, as I got it to be a shooter.

You're right. If something breaks, the search is on.