SIG Sauer P226 X-Five SO

Look closely at the slide flat and you'll find the markings that matter on this one: P226, 9mm Para, DE proof stamps, and MADE IN GERMANY. This is a genuine German Mastershop X-Five, not one of the later American-built X-Series guns that carry the same name. The X-Five SO sits a step apart from the standard X-Five too. It runs the single-action competition trigger and the heavy all-steel chassis, but wears the lower-profile combat-style controls and a flat-bottomed grip frame built for serious match work.

The pairing of finishes is what gives it presence. A matte stainless slide and frame against an accessory rail and dust cover treated in deep black, all wrapped up with a set of light ivory-toned checkered grips. The factory target test target shows it was proofed at 25 meters with a five-shot group, dated and signed by the test shooter in Eckernförde.

Mechanically it's all X-Series. The single-action trigger breaks crisp, the beavertail and serrated hammer carry over from the platform, and the full-length accessory rail runs out under a heavy bull-style muzzle. The slide serrations are cut deep front and rear, the bore is bright with strong rifling, and the controls retain clean black against the brushed stainless.

Worth noting: the numbered components match throughout, which is exactly what you want from a Mastershop gun built to this standard. It comes with its fitted SIG hard case, both operating manuals, the factory test target, cleaning rod, and a spare magazine.

The German Mastershop era produced some of the finest competition-based pistols SIG ever assembled, and the SO variant is one you don't see come up often. For a collector chasing the German X-Series at its peak, this is a clean, complete, and honest example to build around.