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Sig P320 X5 Legion Review
Sig built its legacy on the famous Sig P226. The P226 gained most of its notoriety from being the standard-issue sidearm of the Navy Seals.
They had significant success with a more compact version of the Sig P226 the Sig P229. It was issued to the US Air Marshals. Before the Sig P226 and P229, their most notorious pistol was the Sig P210.
A single action only pistol carried by the Swiss Military and Police.
The Sig P320 X5 Legion is an improved version of the Sig P320 X5. These pistols are the competition line of the Sig P320 series. We’re coving all the pros and cons in our Sig P320 X5 Legion Review.
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Sig USA is an offshoot of the original European Sig. It has since grown leaps and bounds past the company that gave them their name.
They originally started as the US Importer for the European Sig.
Due to the Europeans lack of understanding of the US Market Sig USA ended up Separating from the European Sig. Sig USA started making the Class Sig P226 and Sig P229 guns in the US. They still imported higher-end variants of those guns from their European counterparts.
At the time Glock, Springfield Armory, and Smith and Wesson were selling polymer striker-fired handguns.
Those were much cheaper than Sig’s offerings.
Table of contents
- P250
- Ready Made Aftermarket
- Features
- Grip/Ergonomics
- Sights
- Controls
- Overall Ergonomics
- Trigger Sig P320 X5 Legion Review
- Sig P320 X5 Legion Review Accessories
- Sig P320 X5 Legion Maintenance Review
- Aesthetics
- Shooting Sig P320 X5 Legion Review
P250
Sig introduced the modular Sig P250 platform that was the precursor to the Sig P320.
The Sig P250 was a DAO(Double Action Only) pistol that had a serialized chassis. You could buy frames and slides over the counter without having to buy another gun. The selling point was for restrictive areas that made it hard to buy more than one gun.
That one gun that could be configured for any mission.
Considering it’s relatively easy to buy guns in most of the US that weren’t an advantage. The cost of a new frame and slide was basically as much as a new gun the P250 didn’t do well on the US market.
Consumers also complained about the heavy DOA trigger.
Sig P320 Legion
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Sig learning from the failings of the P250 introduced the Sig P320 series.
It still had all the great versatility of the P25 but with a striker-fired trigger. That trigger was more acceptable to the American Consumer.
Sig pushed the modularity for the ease of modification vs trying to sell caliber and size exchange kits that cost as much as the gun.
This finally gave them the advantage they were looking for.
Ready Made Aftermarket
They released difference sized frames that could be purchased from amazon or other online retailers for under $50.
If a user wanted to get their gun custom stipped they could send off their frame without paperwork. If they wanted to try modifying the frame on their own they would only be out $50 if they messed up.
Instead of the cost of the entire gun with most other designs.
The Sig P320 began to gain a lot of traction on the US Market. Sig eventually introduced a new line of frames that they called their X frame for more performance-oriented shooters.
One of their gun offerings with this frame was the Sig P320 X5.
The Sig P320 started to become a very popular option in the high growth USPSA Division called carry optics.
Sig had started a premium line of firearms they called the legion line that was relegated to the hammer-fired guns. USPSA carry optics at the time had a weight limit for the guns of just over 40 ounces.
The popular polymer guns weighed in well under that limit. Sig saw an opportunity to get innovative and introduced the Sig P320 X5 Legion.
It appealed to USPSA carry optics competitors as well as their higher-end Legion Consumers.
Features
The Sig P320 X5 Legion is a massive gun weighing in at 43.5 ozs.
It uses a polymer frame that is infused with tungsten. This increases the weight multiple times over what a normal Sig P320 X5 frame would weigh. Sig’s theory behind this I’m sure was partially motivated by injection molded frames being cheaper to produce than machined frames.
If you’ve spent any time shooting heavy steel-framed guns and polymer-framed pistols you know that the weight of the steel does help with recoil but it also transfers more shock to your hand.
Polymer frames absorbs some of the shock from the recoil.
Sig theory was that the combination of heavy tungsten combined with polymer would give you the best of both worlds.
Capacity
The gun holds 17 rounds and the magazine ship with henning group aluminum base pads.
The gun will take any Sig P320 magazine that is compatible with the Sig X Frame. If you plan to shoot USPSA in a division that requires your magazines fit within their 140mm guidelines note that sig’s 21round magazine for the Sig P320 might not fit with the USPSA certified gauge. Some of the 21 round OEM magazines do.
Other OEM magazines don’t.
I suspect this is why Sig ships the P320 X Legion magazine with the henning group base pads. The aluminum base pads do give the entire package a higher-end feel.
One thing you’ll notice right off the bat is the massive magwell on the bottom of the gun.
The magwell is removable and not part of the frame. This is nice case you need to remove weight from the gun or you sport doesn’t allow magazine wells that aren’t part of the frame. The Sig P320 X5 Legion magwell is extremely effective.
Meaning you don’t have to be good at reloading to get good times on the clock with the magwell installed.
Sig P320 Legion
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USPSA Carry Optics division requires you to take the Sig P320 X5 Legion magwell off of the gun to compete.
Without the magazine well mounted the Sig P320 X5 Legion is typical of any similar-sized gun.
It offers you no advantage on the reload.
This is one area the Gen 5 Glock has a clear advantage over the Sig X5 series. The Glock has a large flare built into its mag well. It’s part of the frame so it fits within USPSA guidelines.
Grip/Ergonomics
Grip Modules
The grip on the Sig P320 X5 legion is absolutely massive so it allows you to get a really good grip. But only if you have medium to larger-sized hands.
There are no backstraps or other means of adjusting the frame size and ergonomics to the shooter. The grip isn’t exactly the most comfortable in the hand. But it allows you to place force in all the right places on the gun to effectively control recoil.
If you’re looking for the most comfortable grip then you might want to reconsider the Sig P320 X5 Legion and go with the standard Sig P320 Frame.
Grip Length
If you have massive hands the grip on the P320 legion might be a little short for your hands.
If you don’t have the magwell installed.
The magwell gives you a little extra length. Even though the P320 holds 17 rounds with a flush fit magazine the grip is slightly shorter than say a Glock 17 Gen 5. The reason for this is the Sig P320 series has a high bore axis.
The high bore axis and the location of the P320 chassis push the bottom of the trigger guard undercut lower.
That means you don’t have quite as much real estate for your fingers on the grip. But like I said unless you have massive hands the Sig P320 X5 Legion grip should fit you fine.
Texturing
The texturing on the gun isn’t crazy aggressive but it isn’t slick either.
The Sig P320 tungsten frame has a slightly abrasive texture even in areas that don’t have texture. The legion frame feels like it’s made of very hard chalk. There is matching molded-in texturing on the front strap, back strap, and the side’s.
It’s very effective at keeping your hand in the same place on the gun.
If you’re carrying this gun IWB it might be a little bit aggressive on the skin. The Texturing feels more durable in a Tungsten polymer hybrid frame than it would in a normal polymer frame.
Sig P320 Legion
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Slide
The slide is absolutely huge and while the serrations aren’t crazy aggressive they certainly get the job done.
The coating they have on the slide also has that chalky feel which further helps you get traction when tracking the slide. The slides have a significant chamfer that gets even larger as you get more forward on the side.
Their serrations on the front of the slide are only locations on the sides and to not extend up to the chamfers but they’re still easy to grab when racking the slide from the front or conducting a press check.
There are lightning cuts on the top of the slide but they don’t affect your ability to manipulate the slide in any way.
Sights
The Sig P320 legion has a Dawson precision adjustable rear-mounted on the optics mount cover pate.
They’re matched with a green fiber optic front and example what you would expect to find on a gun design for competition shooting.
If you plan to run a red dot you’ll lose full use of your rear sight since it’s mounted to the plate instead of a dovetail milled into the slide.
Sig P320 Legion Optic
The current production P320 Legion is compatible with Sig’s Romeo1Pro optic.
The original Sig P320 X5 used a propriety mounting system that matched with the Sig Romeo 1 they produced at the time and then they moved to the Leupold Delta Point Pro Pattern after the M17 was adopted.
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The Sig P320 X5 legion was originally introduced with the delta point pro mounting pattern but it was later changed to the new pattern Sig pattern developed for the Sig Romeo1Pro.
Controls
Magazine Release
The magazine release on the Sig P320 X5 Legion will require most people to break their grips to drop the magazine.
You can reverse the magazine release to the other side of the tungsten frame if you’re left-handed. I have average-sized hands for a 6’ tall male and I have to slightly break my grip to drop the magazine so keep that in might if you have really small hands.
P320 X5 Legion Review Slide Release
The slide releases are ambidextrous and they might be the smoothest slides release I’ve ever felt form either side of the gun.
On most guns, with ambidextrous slide releases, it’s significantly easier to drop the magazine release on the if you’re right-handed than it is if you’re a lefty and this holds true on the Sig P320 X5 Legion as well.
They are easily reached without having to break your grip.
Sig P320 Legion
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The slide releases don’t’ stick out far from the slide but they are angled perfectly so your thumb applies maxim pressure with pressing down.
They’re also really easy to push up from the bottom if you want to lock back the slide. One thing I will say about the legion is the slide seems to drop easier than most other guns.
I think the uniquely smooth action of the Sig P320 Legion slide plays a large role.
Overall Ergonomics
The overall ergonomics of the Sig P320 X5 Legion are very good but you may struggle with them if you have medium to smaller hands.
The texturing is a pretty nice sweet spot in that it’ll likely work for both the casual shooter who doesn’t want to tear up their hands and the hardcore shooter with heavily calloused hands.
Trigger Sig P320 X5 Legion Review
The gun uses a skeletonized flat trigger that feels good on the pad of my finger but the corners of the face of the trigger are quite sharp so if you have smaller or larger hands than mine the Siig P320 X5 Legion trigger might not be for you.
There are plenty of aftermarket trigger shoe options for the Sig P320 that we’ll go over later.
As far as the characteristics of the actual trigger pull there is light takeup and then you reach a nondefinite wall and then some creep before the trigger breaks. The only way I can describe the trigger breaking is creepy with somewhat of a rolling break.
The reset is light and springy and there is an audible reset that you can feel and then some creep before the trigger breaks again.
Sig P320 Legion
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As far as striker-fired triggers go it isn’t bad but it’s not exactly good either. It’s a relatively light trigger which somewhat saves it till I remember the price tag of the gun and that it’s parts of Sig’s high-end legion line.
This trigger doesn’t belong in the legion it’s like having a very well-performing 4 cylinder engine in a Mercedes AMG or a BMW M series vehicle.
Yes, it does okay but it doesn’t quite live up to the name as you’d expect.
Sig P320 X5 Legion Review Accessories
Apex Tactical Innovations Sig P320 X5 Legion Accessories
Apex Tactical Innovations first got on the map-making S&W M&P triggers and now they’ve started making triggers for the Sig P320 series. They sell both curved and flat P320 triggers and offer a forward set sear kit that will move the breakpoint on the trigger forward.
Armory Craft Sig P320 X5 Legion Accessories
Armory Craft makes an adjustable flat trigger for the P320 series.
C&H Precision Weapons Sig P320 X5 Legion Accessories
C&H is known for its Glock MOS plates and they now make plates for a variety of guns. For the X5 series, they support the Trijicon SRO, Trijicon RMR, and Holosun 507c. The plates also include a dovetail so you can mount a 10-8 Glock MOS rear sight and have the ability to co-witness.
Gray Guns Sig P320 X5 Legion Accessories
For years Gray Guns has been known for its trigger work. They started with DA/SA trigger kits but they’re now the go-to source for people looking to upgrade their P320 X5 legion triggers.
Keres Dynamics Sig P320 X5 Legion Accessories
They make an adjustable Sig P320 trigger that alloys your adjust both pre-travel and over travel.
Taran Tactical Sig P320 X5 Legion Accessories
Taran Tactical is known for its magazine extensions but unfortunately, they only make base pads for the P320 series.
Shield Arms Sig P320 X5 Legion Accessories
Sheild Arms makes a +5 extension for P320 17 round magazines. You’ll want to keep in mind these will not meet the USPSA 140mm length requirement.
Springer Precision Sig P320 X5 Legion Accessories
Springer Precision specialized in competition style parts and they make magazine releases and recoil springs that are compatible with the P320 X5. They also make multiple optics plates so you can mount pretty much any slide mounted mini red dot you’d like to mount. They make plates for the Vortex Venom, Burris Fastfire, Delta Point Pro, Holosun 507c, Trijicon SRO, Trijicon RMR, and the Sig Romeo 3 Max XL.
Sig P320 X5 Legion Maintenance Review
Maintenance on the Sig P320 series is a little hard for field stripping that a Glock but the fire control group is much easier to work on.
And the ability to take it out of the frame in one piece is a major advantage over all the other common striker-fired designs on the market.
The X5 Legion also uses the non captured recoil spring from a 5 inch 1911 so you have lots of options for turning your gun to your preferences and favorite 9mm load.
Aesthetics
Rugged with a little bit of refinement is the way I would describe the looks of the Sig P320 X5 Legion and most of the refinement comes from the competition style sights.
Overall it looks more like a battle gun than a competition gun. It has more of a tactical look but I like it!
Shooting Sig P320 X5 Legion Review
When you pull back the slide to load the first round into the Sig P320 X5 Legion you realize this is much different than your typical striker-fired competition gun.
It has a smooth feel to it that I suspect is from the steel guide rod and 1911 recoil spring.
The slide movement feels like an odd cross between a high-end 1911 and your average $500 striker gun.
Sig P320 Legion
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Once you start shooting the gun you realize the heavy tungsten frame does affect the recoil impulse but you start to call BS on Sig’s theory that the tungsten polymer hybrid frame has the flex of polymer but the weight of steel.
The gun doesn’t move quite as much as the polymer-framed Sig P320 X5 but it doesn’t have the same recoil absorption as a normal polymer frame.
The tungsten really stiffens up the Sig P320 X5 Legion frame so it doesn’t absorb as much recoil as you would hope.
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This is an opinion piece, but I always aim to eliminate bias. Look, we’ve all read them before. Gun reviews that claim to be helpful, but they’re really thinly veiled hit pieces trying to get you to buy something before you’ve even started your research. Or, even worse, a review put together by a content writer who has never even held a gun.
I’ve trained with some of the best in the business to learn various shooting styles and ideologies to better serve our customers. I’ve purchased guns of all price points, calibers, and action types to build the best products for the market. I want you to walk away knowing you have the information you need to make a sound purchasing decision.
6 Comments
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Can you recommend a replacement barrel, one that doesn’t have the loaded chamber indicator for my x5 Legion?
I believe the new Sig Barrels don’t have them. I think they changed that feature pretty quickly.
Proof read your shit and use the focus feature on all modern cameras. This review gets a 2 out of 10.
I give this review of the review 10/10
Good review. I like the fact that the author mentions hand size needed for the style of grips. I handled one of these yesterday and that was my only concern since I do not have large hands. I also noticed how easy the slide was to rack which is important as you get older and weaker. They make a rear FO sight for this model.
Thank you for your review. I found it to be informative and insightful. I liked the fact that you included aspects not normally covered in other reviews.