For some of you that saw my initial thread " Will it dethrone the Sig P210?!?" a couple days ago, this is the legitimate sequel. A Head to Head comparison of my newly acquired 1st Generation Sig Sauer X-Five Level 1 9mm, presented in the thread above Vs. the target version of the venerable Swiss Sig P210, the dash 6 variation.
Having nearly no range time with the X5, only a few hundreds rounds fired in the last 10 years, and 20k+ rounds through the P210 in various forms, there's no doubt that I have a soft spot for the latest. But, from the start, this test was done unbiased, I've tested both on the same day, at the same distance and in the exact same shooting conditions, same shooter and using the same technique.
I've adjusted the trigger on the X5 with the desired length, take up and over travel stop, it now feels very similar to what's on the P210-6 to even things out. Both break at just a hair over 2.5#
Both pistols were shot at 25 yards (75 feet) measured with my range finder from a standing position and resting on a bean bag. Two different kind of ammo was used, Federal AE 124gr FMJ non-toxic and PMC Bronze 124gr FMJ.
I first started by shooting both pistol with 5 rounds at four different targets, to get the trigger feel from each, 20 rounds total. Then proceed with the challenge which consists of shooting at a 1" square dot on the back side of a printed target. Two 1" square dots were made on the back side of a target and each of them shot with one particular pistol. The first one was with what was left of Fed. AE 124gr FMJ, 15 rounds through each and the last one, a full box of PMC Bronze 124gr FMJ, 25 rounds per pistol on each square dot.
The results were surprising. Both pistols shot better with the cheaper PMC ammo. The X5 shot the best, 25 rounds in an extreme spread of 5", removing the 4 worst shots, there's 21 rounds in a sub-2.5" circle, that's mighty impressive.
The P210-6 couldn't do better than 6", not in my hands anyway. I would have to remove the 12 worst shots out of 25 to have the sub-3" group.
Speaking of pure accuracy the X5 is definitely the winner here, no doubt about it.
But, I still feel like no pistol in history combines the match accuracy with superb build quality, extreme durability and flawless reliability with the military history and pedigree of the Sig P210.
I also think the P210 handles better due to it's lighter weight of only 34oz. Vs. 47 oz. for the X5 but the big X5 soaks up recoil like you're shooting .22's which makes it very easy to shoot rapidly without loosing sight of the target. I wouldn't have any issue carrying the P210 as a service sidearm but wouldn't even think about the X5 as a service weapon or a civilian carry piece, no way!
They are both keepers for different reasons, would I bring the P210 on every range session, nope. Would I bring the X5 on every range session, definitely, it's so accurate and fun to shoot that if you had to have only one as a range toy, this would be it.
So, is the P210 dethroned?
Guess there are now two kings throning on the kingdom!
The hardware:
The range:
The targets:
The X5-L1:
The P210-6:
Having nearly no range time with the X5, only a few hundreds rounds fired in the last 10 years, and 20k+ rounds through the P210 in various forms, there's no doubt that I have a soft spot for the latest. But, from the start, this test was done unbiased, I've tested both on the same day, at the same distance and in the exact same shooting conditions, same shooter and using the same technique.
I've adjusted the trigger on the X5 with the desired length, take up and over travel stop, it now feels very similar to what's on the P210-6 to even things out. Both break at just a hair over 2.5#
Both pistols were shot at 25 yards (75 feet) measured with my range finder from a standing position and resting on a bean bag. Two different kind of ammo was used, Federal AE 124gr FMJ non-toxic and PMC Bronze 124gr FMJ.
I first started by shooting both pistol with 5 rounds at four different targets, to get the trigger feel from each, 20 rounds total. Then proceed with the challenge which consists of shooting at a 1" square dot on the back side of a printed target. Two 1" square dots were made on the back side of a target and each of them shot with one particular pistol. The first one was with what was left of Fed. AE 124gr FMJ, 15 rounds through each and the last one, a full box of PMC Bronze 124gr FMJ, 25 rounds per pistol on each square dot.
The results were surprising. Both pistols shot better with the cheaper PMC ammo. The X5 shot the best, 25 rounds in an extreme spread of 5", removing the 4 worst shots, there's 21 rounds in a sub-2.5" circle, that's mighty impressive.
The P210-6 couldn't do better than 6", not in my hands anyway. I would have to remove the 12 worst shots out of 25 to have the sub-3" group.
Speaking of pure accuracy the X5 is definitely the winner here, no doubt about it.
But, I still feel like no pistol in history combines the match accuracy with superb build quality, extreme durability and flawless reliability with the military history and pedigree of the Sig P210.
I also think the P210 handles better due to it's lighter weight of only 34oz. Vs. 47 oz. for the X5 but the big X5 soaks up recoil like you're shooting .22's which makes it very easy to shoot rapidly without loosing sight of the target. I wouldn't have any issue carrying the P210 as a service sidearm but wouldn't even think about the X5 as a service weapon or a civilian carry piece, no way!
They are both keepers for different reasons, would I bring the P210 on every range session, nope. Would I bring the X5 on every range session, definitely, it's so accurate and fun to shoot that if you had to have only one as a range toy, this would be it.
So, is the P210 dethroned?
Guess there are now two kings throning on the kingdom!
The hardware:
The range:
The targets:
The X5-L1:
The P210-6:
