SIG Sauer KWC X-Five IPSC CO2 Pistol review by Booligan
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Introduction
Ordering
Basic Gun Information
First impressions/Packaging
Included
Gun Specifications
Externals
Trademarks
Magazines
Performance
Internals
Modifications
Pros/Cons
Overall
Introduction:
Cybergun has continued to produce licensed SIG Sauer replicas through various manufacturers, and the IPSC X-Five by KWC is one of the latest to hit the market. This full metal GBB pistol is powered by CO2, and features race gun style features, including adjustable iron sights, a barrel mounted compensator, extended magwell, and a removable scope mount. This pistol is pretty much competition ready out of the box, and I will discuss all of the various aspects of this pistol in this review!
Ordering:
I obtained this pistol through Pyramyd Air, where it is currently available HERE, priced at $127.50, qualifying it for their free FedEx ground shipping. The price includes the scope mount and compensator, as well as a single CO2 magazine. You will need to add CO2 cartridges and BBs to complete your package, but otherwise, the gun is ready to roll! Note, the optic mounted on the gun in the first image is not included, so if you wish to attach an optic to the included mount, you will need to add one as well.
Basic Gun Information:
The X-Five is modeled after an IPSC open class prepared SIG Sauer X-Five, which is SIG's answer to other companies' factory race gun efforts. SIG designed the gun with competition shooting in mind, with some of the more practical features (decocker, etc) removed, and race ready features installed in their place. KWC replicated the overall layout of the pistol quite well, and Cybergun provided their licensing to make this gun unique, sturdy, and complete with legal trademarks.
First impressions/Packaging:
Cybergun and KWC packaged the X-Five in a full color cardboard box, with images of the gun emblazoned on the front. Everything is protected in their own section in the foam lower section of the box, and it survived shipping across the country just fine.
Included:
Along with the pistol, the package includes the metal scope mount, the attached compensator, a single magazinein including a spare screw-on CO2 base, a few allen wrenches, and a small package of BBs. The spare CO2 base is a great touch, in case one of them breaks during use.
Gun Specifications:
Weight: 2.8 lbs
Length: 11"
Width: 1.6"
Height: 6"
Sight Radius: 7.2"
Externals:
The X-Five is a full metal pistol, and the only non-metal parts are the trademarked grip panels. The fit and finish are pretty good, with some slide and barrel freeplay, but nothing that really seriously detracts from the overall quality of the gun. The satin black paint looks great, and has a very slight texture to it.
From this point on, click on the thumbnails to view full size photos
External overview, left side
Overview, right side
The grips are very comfortable to hold onto, and are finished with textures side panels. The front strap is also checkered, to ensure that you can keep a great grip on the gun when you shoot. A great touch is the beveled magwell extension, which assists you in rapid magazine reloads.
Grip panels
Magwell
The frame is slightly longer than a standard 226 frame, however the controls are largely the same. The major exception is the lack of a decocker lever, and the addition of ambidextrous safety safety switches. The slide lock release as well as the takedown lever are largely unchanged, making the transition from a P226 to the X-Five quite easy. The real gun is single action, however, the replica is double action.
Frame
Controls
Slide lock
Right side safety
Safety engaged
The slide, like the frame, is slightly longer than a P226, which gives you a longer sight radius than normal. It also features front and rear slide serrations for easy cocking. The metal quality is quite nice, and it hasn't shown any wear after my testing so far.
Slide
Slide racked back
The outer barrel is terminated in a metal compensator, which itself is topped off with a plastic orange tip. The orange tip is securely glued in place, however, I removed mine for this review. The compensator can be removed, however, the locking screw is filled with glue, which needed to be cleaned out with a dremel tool before I could unscrew it. Once removed, you can see the 14mm+ threaded muzzle which is installed on the metal outer barrel.
Compensator
Outer barrel
Threaded muzzle with indent for the compensator screw
The target style iron sightsare adustable for windage and elevation. The front sight is removable, and is secured using a spring loaded metal nub. The main body of the rear sight is molded into the slide, however, the adjustable portion can be removed. It appears to be the same as Hi-Capa adjustable sights, so you should be able swap it out with a charging handle for race use.
Rear sight
Front sight
Front sight removed from the frame
Shot of the spring loaded locking system
Of course, one of the main selling points of this gun is the included 20mm scope mount, which attaches to the lower dust cover rail. It is full metal, and mounts up very securely to the frame using four cross bolts.
Scope mount
Trademarks:
As mentioned previously, the gun has licensed SIG Sauer trademarks, including laser engraved markings on the slide, and molded in logos on the grip panels.
Trademarks
P226S marking
Faux caliber and warning label
Grip panel
Magazines:
The included magazine is full metal, holds 24 rounds, and unlike most other CO2 magazines, is pretty much the same size as a normal GG/Propane magazine. The CO2 capsule is secured by a screw on base, which uses a hex wrench to unscrew it. In my testing, I've been able to get about 60 rounds per 12g CO2 capsule, which is pretty good considering it's a GBB replica.
Unfortunately, it is not compatible with KJW SIG P226 magazines, as they are slightly different in pretty much every dimension. I believe that KWC GG/Propane X-Five magazines will work in this gun, but I am waiting on one to arrive to check it for sure.
Magazine
CO2 base cap
Feeding bits
Performance:
Chrono results using Matrix .20g BBs and CO2, shot through a Madbull V1 chrono, after a 200 round break in period:
High FPS: 367.8 FPS
Low FPS: 351.2 FPS
Average FPS: 359.6 FPS
Accuracy and range were good, due to the full length inner barrel, and effective BAX hop-up system. For range testing, I used Echo 1 .28g BBs, with the hop-up cranked up pretty high to give me a flat trajectory. I was able to hit my standard torso sized target at 110' 90% of the time, which is quite good for a stock pistol. Cool down isn't too bad, and consistency is quite good, which is critical for competition shooting.
Internals:
Disassembling the gun is a piece of cake, however, the scope mount must be removed before the slide can be taken off. All you need to do is pull the slide back, and flip the takedown lever down, which will allow the slide to come off the front of the frame. You can now access the inner barrel, adjust the hop-up, or lubricate the blowback mechanism.
Slide removed
Inner barrel and spring guide removed
The gun is equipped with the BAX system hop-up, which is basically a split nub V-hop. This gives you great side to side consistency with your shots, and a better accuracy at range.
Inner barrel and hop-up
BAX system
The recoil rod is fitted with a dual spring system, which helps cushion the recoil force from the CO2 power. It also is fitted with a small nub that fits inside a corresponding notch in the barrel, to make installation a piece of cake.
Recoil rod/spring
The blowback system is largely comprised of ABS plastic, however, it seems to be taking the power of from the CO2 magazine with no issues so far. Keep in mind, CO2 is a dry gas, so you will need to add silicone lube to your magazines every once in a while. Inside the frame, you can access the hammer and trigger mechanism for easy lubrication.
Blowback system
Hammer mechanism
Trigger mechanism
Modifications:
Honestly, this thing is pretty much customized to my liking as is, however, I will be adding a cocking handle to the rear sight unit, and I have added a G&P T1 replica to the scope mount.
X-Five with optic, comparing the size with a KJW P226
Pros:
Very unique model
Affordable, considering it comes with several upgrade parts
CO2 power is quite consistent
Includes scope mount, compensator, and beveled magwell
Adjustable sights, including a removable front unit
Cons:
Only appears to be compatible with KWC parts/magazines
Slight barrel/slide wobble
Race style isn't for everyone, but a standard X-Five model is available
Overall:
I love IPSC style weapons, and normally, you have to spend a fair bit of money and time building one. KWC and Cybergun put together a great little package with this gun, as it certainly has the race gun look out of the box. For serious competition use, you will need to do some internal tweaks, but it's a great starting place!
Many thanks again to Pyramyd Air, and of course, Airsoft Retreat!