Sig P226X Legion SAO RXSL
- Graham Baates
- Sep 14
- 5 min read
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Sig has so many variants of their models that it can be difficult to keep up. I didn't know this variant existed, but when given the opportunity to experience a "modernized P226" I of course accepted. The P226 has been in service around the globe for decades and although I don't own one, I was very familiar with the platform thanks to guns like Zastava and Arex (now Steyr) that were built largely on the Sig design.
What Is It? While the classic Sig P226 has served as a duty pistol what general consumers have wanted has changed. The P226X Legion brings a light rail, more and enhanced texturing, and optics readiness to a classic design. The P26X Legions are available in classic DA/SA and SAO options. My sample is single action only.
Who's It For? I do my best to answer this question with every gun I review. The P226X Legion offers an interesting mix: Duty pedigree, modern shooter updates, and performance/artistic-level tweaks all at a price above the standard "just to shoot" guns live. Combining those factors I feel the P226X Legion is a bit of a collector/connoissuer piece, or for those with the financial freedom and planning to make "buy once, cry once" purchases. Weight just over 35oz it would make for a heavy carry gun by some standards, but that's still less than a basic 1911.
What's Different? The difference between the P226X Legion and a regular P226 Include:
AX1: Single-Action Only with 1-way adjustable over-travel
X-Series frame with undercut trigger guard and 1913 accessory rail
X-Series styled slide with enhanced serrations
Optic-ready for SIGLOC Pro, ROMEO1Pro, ROMEO2, DPP, and RMR footprints
Compatible with X5 slides, controls, grips, and trigger systems (A Sig spokesman has said you can swap the trigger systems between SAO and DA/SA models)
Take a Look at the Sig P226X Legion SAO RSXL (single action option that includes an optic) in the tabletop video below. Rumble Link
CALIBER: 9mm Luger
SIZE: Full-Size
MAGS INCLUDED: (3) 18rd Steel Mag
SIGHTS: XRAY3 Day/Night Sights
OPTIC READY: Yes
RX FOOTPRINT: SIG-LOC PRO
SIGHT RADIUS: 6"
SLIDE FINISH: LEGION Gray Cerakote
SLIDE MATERIAL: Stainless Steel
ELECTRO-OPTIC INSTALLED: Yes
TRIGGER ACTION: Single Action Only (SAO)
TRIGGER TYPE: AX1 Adjustable SAO
MANUAL SAFETY: Yes
FRAME FINISH: LEGION Gray Cerokate
FRAME MATERIAL: Alloy
GRIP TYPE: LEGION G-10
GRIP COLOR: Black
ACCESSORY RAIL: M1913
BARREL LENGTH: 4.4 in [111.76 mm]
THREADED BARREL: No
BARREL MATERIAL: Carbon Steel
OVERALL LENGTH: 8.0 in [203 mm]
OVERALL WIDTH: 1.7 in [44 mm]
HEIGHT: 5.85 in
WEIGHT: 35.7 oz [1012 g] w/ Magazine
Prices around the web as of 14SEP25
Check links for current pricing and availability
The sticker price surprised me a bit at first, but then I started pricing out basic P226s, other X models, and other Legion models of the P226. The step in pricing from base model to X or Legion is a reasonable increase, and when you consider that this specific trim "RXSL"includes a premounted Sig Romeo-X Sig-Loc Pro optic that separately retails for $579.99, the total of $1,799.99 makes a lot more sense.
Regardless of price or reputation all firearms get the same treatment at GBGuns and that means the GBGuns Range Protocol of:
Cold Shots: Truly my first shots through the gun.
Full Magazine +1: Suprisingly some modern guns still struggle with this. It's a test of how much play is in the magazine as well as how the slide cycles with pressure. This is also when I do my best to learn the trigger. With aged magazines there is no promise.
What's For Dinner™: A test to see what ammunition the gun will eat. Does the gun feed the round from slide lock, will it cycle and feed another round of the same type, does the slide lock to the rear on empty, and is there any notable point of impact change with different loads.
For this gun the following ammunition was used:
Priced and linked where found at the time this article was written
95gr Magtech JSP $21.85 / 50 at Widener's
100gr Liberty Ammuniution Steel Plate and Range $33.59 / 50 at Palmetto State Armory
100gr Blazer Reduced Recoil $17.89 / 50 at Palmetto State Armory
100gr Sellier & Bellot XRG $13.34 / 25 at Target Sports USA (see review HERE)
115gr Wincherster SilverTip $18.29 / 20 at GrabaGun
124gr PMC SFX JHP $24.85 / 50 from Widener's
124gr Federal Premium HST $39.95 / 50 from Widener's
135gr Hornady Critical Duty $29.85 / 25 from Widener's
147gr Winchester Defense JHP $25.85 / 50 at Widener's
165gr AMMO, Inc. /stelTH/ $21.25 / 50 at Target Sports
Standard range ammunition was Norma 124gr $12.82 / 50 at SportsmansGuide
Sights & Trigger Control: on a 6" spinner target at a distance of 12-ish yards. We got this from Titan Great Outdoors and use it to gauge how learnable the trigger is and usable the sights are for forced, timed, precise shots.
Practical Accuracy: Five shots from a distance of seven yards at a one inch target. This isn't so much about printing a tight group as it is a culmination of the shooting experience and time for to collect thoughts prior to making a conclusion.
After Shots: Final impressions and reflections from the range session.
Watch the process from the first shot fired through the P226X Legion in the Shooting Impressions video below. Rumble Link
On the range the P226X Legion was very easy to shoot, and Romeo-X made aiming all the easier. I could still feel the classic "top heavy" recoil impulse the design inherently has, but the excellent traction and ergonomics made that feel like more of a tribute to a classic hammer-fired gun than anything to contend with. The gun imparts an empowering and enabling sensation that asks, "ok, we've done that, what's next?"as if suggesting that any task can be accomplished.
The weight of the P226X Legion is enough to soak up recoil and yet still feel nimble. I'm sure that's a variable based on the shooter's personal taste, but for me the combined characteristics of the P226X Legion made me want to attend a training course with it. I feel I could trust the gun to both get me through whatever the course was and also enable me to reach new heights in shooting skills.
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