[radjag]

I read the recent post by steved13 about his lovely new X5 with a Romeo borrowed from his RX.

Now I am in a quandary. I would like to add a 9mm striker pistol to my collection and I need red dots on all of my guns (old eyes). I prefer Vortex Venoms on my others guns (P226 Platinum Elite 40 and several 1911's) and those can be had for about $200. But the low profile of the factory cut slide for the Romeo with co-witness of the iron sights appeals.

A new P320 RX including the Romeo are on GunBroker for around $800. Four 21 round magazines would cost say 4x$50 = $200. Total S1,000 plus s/h & background.

A new P320 X5 on offer for about $850 to 875 + a Romeo for about $300 from Optics Planet or similar (I've not confirmed the availability/stock situation). Total ~$1,150. It is the latest model and has the "X5" logo, but is it worth an additional ~$150?

Seems that both of them would benefit from a GGI drop in trigger at about $100. So the X5's stock flat trigger is of no apparent benefit.

So, which do I buy?

 

[FightTheNoise]

I read the recent post by steved13 about his lovely new X5 with a Romeo borrowed from his RX.

Now I am in a quandary. I would like to add a 9mm striker pistol to my collection and I need red dots on all of my guns (old eyes). I prefer Vortex Venoms on my others guns (P226 Platinum Elite 40 and several 1911's) and those can be had for about $200. But the low profile of the factory cut slide for the Romeo with co-witness of the iron sights appeals.

A new P320 RX including the Romeo are on GunBroker for around $800. Four 21 round magazines would cost say 4x$50 = $200. Total S1,000 plus s/h & background.

A new P320 X5 on offer for about $850 to 875 + a Romeo for about $300 from Optics Planet or similar (I've not confirmed the availability/stock situation). Total ~$1,150. It is the latest model and has the "X5" logo, but is it worth an additional ~$150?

Seems that both of them would benefit from a GGI drop in trigger at about $100. So the X5's stock flat trigger is of no apparent benefit.

So, which do I buy?

All depends on what you're using it for. You may decide you'd prefer the X5's longer bull barrel and the redesigned grip frame over the normal full size of compact P320. I had to make the exact same decision and decided to order the X carry instead of the RX. The grip frame was the biggest factor in my decision. The RX will also give you night sight co-witness over using the Romeos cutout with the high fiber optic from sight. Also it appears to be much easier to find a RX to buy than just a Romeo 1.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[DPeter85]

The biggest issue is the Romeo1 isnt available as a stand-alone unit YET. Steve pillaged his from his RX.

Personally, unless youre using it for a true competition pistol, the RX will suit your needs perfectly well. Both are far more accurate than you or i can tell. Sure the X5 has some cool upgrades but its a true competition ready pistol.

 

[steved13]

Although I do like the x-five better the RX is a great gun. Comparing The 2 requires some very picky critigues. The x-five is really well balanced, where the RX is a little top heavy. That balance also helps manage the recoil, and the higher grip lowering the bore axis helps me with presentation. I had gotten used to the RX but the x-five still is noticeable for getting on target faster.

Again these are not night and day differences, but I did notice them.

Those are what I would see as the benefits of the x-five over the RX, other than the obvious stuff...capacity, mags, sights, etc

If you like the vortex I think you will like the Romeo, it has a similar shape, look and view.

If you have to have a reflex, (and I'm with you on that) you are going to have to go with the RX or wait for a Romeo, or do some work on the side of the x-five to make it compatible with another reflex. The vortex is slightly longer than the slide cut in the x-five, and the mounting screws do not line up, and would need to be drilled and tapped.

As has been said, it's going to all depend on what your priorities are. I would probably go the same route I did, again, Because of availability of the Romeo. I have no regrets buying the RX first and then th x-five. Had the x-five never come out I would have been very happy with the RX.

1 last point, doing it the way I did it, the Romeo, cost me right around $300, which really seems in the right ballpark.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

 

[carterjs]

If this is going to be a duty/home defense/carry gun I would go with the RX as you have the option of cowitnessed night sights.

The X5 kind of cowitnesses with the romeo1 installed but would not be an ideal setup if your life depended on it IMO.

The X5 gets you lots of extras so for range toy and or competition gun it is a lot of fun for the money!

 

[Wild Geese 1]

I think the best way for you to solve your problem, is to do what many of us have done, GET BOTH OF THEM!!!!!!!!!!

 

[radjag]

Thanks to you all for the helpful comments and advice.

I've communicated with Optics Planet (they are very, very good to deal with and have very competitive prices if you use their discount vouchers) and will find out about the availability of the Romeo 1.

Just for once I think that I'm going to try to resist the urge to just press the "buy" button online. I've never held a P320 in my hand. I'm travelling at the moment, but when I get back to USA at the end of the month I will visit some dealers and try to check them out. I've got two other guns waiting at my FFL for the background check - need to get them sighted and sorted first - then I will make a decision on a P320.

Cheers.

 

[BGolden]

I bought both and wouldn't give up either one. Good luck with your decision. I don't think there is a wrong one.

 

[Wild Geese 1]

I bought both and wouldn't give up either one. Good luck with your decision. I don't think there is a wrong one.

As you can see above we are in total agreement!!!!

 

[Eticket]

I bought both and wouldn't give up either one. Good luck with your decision. I don't think there is a wrong one.

Ditto...

 

[radjag]

I clipped photos from the SIG site to compare them carefully side-by-side. Interesting. I would post them here, but I'm afraid that I have not yet figured out the easy way to do that.

When I overlay the photos after scaling them to match closely, the re-shaping of the grip on the X-5 is very distinct. Frame carved away under the back of the trigger guard to almost create a finger groove. Much thinner beavertail, moulded into a much "slimmer" grip at the trigger level. The grip flares out to match the mag well and is significantly fatter at the butt than the RX.

Visually, I very much prefer the X-5 grip contours.

I had not previously noticed that the RX rear sight is in its own dovetail, whilst the X-5 target sight must be completely removed in order to make way for a Romeo. Thanks to one of the previous responders for pointing that out - co-witnessing is then from the "notch" moulded into the back part of the Romeo. OK, that is not an issue for me as I intend to only use it on the range and, possibly, in the occasional steel competition or similar. Not for carry or defense.

The slots in the X-5 slide and the flat trigger are nods to the "competition ready" claim. I've had to have trigger jobs done on both my P226 Platinum Elite and my 1911 45 Super Target, so I will be very surprised if the stock SIG trigger pull suits me. But it seems that that is an easy thing to fix.

So, I'm more and more inclined towards the X-five.

Online buy button trigger finger is itching!!

 

[romm]

I have the full size P320 RX I picked up a few weeks ago. I should have waited for the X5. I have about 1300 rds through my RX. Honestly, there are better range gun options out there, and I would think that the X5 is one of them.

Just out of curiosity, what other range type handguns do you own?

 

[radjag]

ROMM,

Hmmm.... Do you have the time for a long answer?

I returned to pistol shooting at the beginning of 2016 after a 40 year hiatus. I shot Bullseye style in UK back in the day and that is what I was initially attracted to. I like 1911's and bought several, still have the SIG 45 Stainless Super Target (very accurate and real eye candy) and an STI Range Master in 38 Super. I was very disappointed with several "popular" brand 1911's in 22 and 9mm. Replaced them with an older Walther GSP 22 and a recently acquired Tanfoglio 9mm Witness Elite Limited (Have not yet quite got that sorted to my satisfaction - but it appears to have great potential).

I also have a Hammerli 120 single shot 22 that is super accurate and has a hair trigger (I had one of those in UK back in the day and had to have one again). The 120 will remind you whether you can shoot straight or not!

Then I had a yen for revolvers (I could only afford a Taurus K38 clone when I was at college). I have an older long barreled K14-4 that is very accurate. And a 929 9mm which is not quite as good as I expected - despite the "Performance Center" and "Jerry Miculek" logos. But grips, trigger work and Ultradots do help revolvers. Oh, and a Taurus Raging Judge Magnum just for bragging rights.

A pal at my club let me shoot his P226 X5 and I was immediately in love. Closest thing that I could find was a P226 Platinum Elite - not even close to being an X5 - but some trigger work and a red dot are helping, also just started reloading and softer 40 S&W ammo makes it shoot much sweeter.

That gun has kind of led me towards two handed rapid fire (which I have no experience of) and I am now intending to turn the Tanfo into an Open style gun. I want an accurate 1911 style 22, considered the SIG and GSG models, but then did some research and decided to buy an unloved 1911 with a Caspian frame that I will use as a donor for a custom 22 for rimfire optic steel. I have ordered a SIG 22 conversion - will see how accurate that is - then decide on whether to go for a Marvel or Nelson 22 conversion if I get serious.

Then I saw the article in G&A on the new P320's and I watched some of the Max Michel video's on YouTube. And here we are!!!!

 

[steved13]

I clipped photos from the SIG site to compare them carefully side-by-side. Interesting. I would post them here, but I'm afraid that I have not yet figured out the easy way to do that.

When I overlay the photos after scaling them to match closely, the re-shaping of the grip on the X-5 is very distinct. Frame carved away under the back of the trigger guard to almost create a finger groove. Much thinner beavertail, moulded into a much "slimmer" grip at the trigger level. The grip flares out to match the mag well and is significantly fatter at the butt than the RX.

Visually, I very much prefer the X-5 grip contours.

I had not previously noticed that the RX rear sight is in its own dovetail, whilst the X-5 target sight must be completely removed in order to make way for a Romeo. Thanks to one of the previous responders for pointing that out - co-witnessing is then from the "notch" moulded into the back part of the Romeo. OK, that is not an issue for me as I intend to only use it on the range and, possibly, in the occasional steel competition or similar. Not for carry or defense.

The slots in the X-5 slide and the flat trigger are nods to the "competition ready" claim. I've had to have trigger jobs done on both my P226 Platinum Elite and my 1911 45 Super Target, so I will be very surprised if the stock SIG trigger pull suits me. But it seems that that is an easy thing to fix.

So, I'm more and more inclined towards the X-five.

Online buy button trigger finger is itching!!

If the Romeo1 was readily available, there would be no choice IMO based on what you have said, the X5 is for you. But, I will be very surprised, if you are able to find a Romeo1 in stock anywhere, other than on an RX.

I just called SIG because my X5 is ejecting into the Romeo, the CS Rep said "where did you get the Romeo, take it off an RX or something" Read between the lines, you can't get a Romeo any other way. To finish the story, I order a new extractor kit for $20, rather than send it in for free.

 

[WolfKing]

I bought both and wouldn't give up either one. Good luck with your decision. I don't think there is a wrong one.

I also own both. Now I think I'm going to get the Compact RX next.

After I buy a Carry .45.

 

[radjag]

Steved13 is absolutely correct. Romeo1 sights are not available - except those fitted to guns at the factory.

I just got this response from OpticsPlanet:-

"Unfortunately we do not have the Romeo1 in stock at the moment and do not plan on having it back in stock for quite awhile. I believe the reason behind this is that the military is now getting most of those red dots, because of the military contracts Sig has acquired."

Ho, hum.......

 

[romm]

ROMM,

Hmmm.... Do you have the time for a long answer?

I returned to pistol shooting at the beginning of 2016 after a 40 year hiatus. I shot Bullseye style in UK back in the day and that is what I was initially attracted to. I like 1911's and bought several, still have the SIG 45 Stainless Super Target (very accurate and real eye candy) and an STI Range Master in 38 Super. I was very disappointed with several "popular" brand 1911's in 22 and 9mm. Replaced them with an older Walther GSP 22 and a recently acquired Tanfoglio 9mm Witness Elite Limited (Have not yet quite got that sorted to my satisfaction - but it appears to have great potential).

I also have a Hammerli 120 single shot 22 that is super accurate and has a hair trigger (I had one of those in UK back in the day and had to have one again). The 120 will remind you whether you can shoot straight or not!

Then I had a yen for revolvers (I could only afford a Taurus K38 clone when I was at college). I have an older long barreled K14-4 that is very accurate. And a 929 9mm which is not quite as good as I expected - despite the "Performance Center" and "Jerry Miculek" logos. But grips, trigger work and Ultradots do help revolvers. Oh, and a Taurus Raging Judge Magnum just for bragging rights.

A pal at my club let me shoot his P226 X5 and I was immediately in love. Closest thing that I could find was a P226 Platinum Elite - not even close to being an X5 - but some trigger work and a red dot are helping, also just started reloading and softer 40 S&W ammo makes it shoot much sweeter.

That gun has kind of led me towards two handed rapid fire (which I have no experience of) and I am now intending to turn the Tanfo into an Open style gun. I want an accurate 1911 style 22, considered the SIG and GSG models, but then did some research and decided to buy an unloved 1911 with a Caspian frame that I will use as a donor for a custom 22 for rimfire optic steel. I have ordered a SIG 22 conversion - will see how accurate that is - then decide on whether to go for a Marvel or Nelson 22 conversion if I get serious.

Then I saw the article in G&A on the new P320's and I watched some of the Max Michel video's on YouTube. And here we are!!!!

Hmm well you have tons of firearms experience then. I have a CZ Shadow Target from CZ Customs which is very similar to your Tangfolio. I can tell you my P320 RX cannot touch my CZ Shadow for range use, even with the red dot. You have to understand (which I am sure you do) the P320 is designed as a combat side arm, and one that is relatively inexpensive. For the cost it is excellent for what it is, but for range use and compared to other range focused firearms, there is no comparison. However, I am sure the P320 X5 may close that gap just a little. Also, a P320 X5 may be a nice compromise between a range gun AND a self defense/carry gun, depending on how light the trigger would be. A CZ Shadow Target or Tangfolio Elite would not really be a good self defense gun, but shine as range guns.

P.S. I would love to own a P226 X5 or X6, but they are worth a lot of money nowadays!

 

[radjag]

Those comments are really helpful. I am probably expecting too much of a P320 X5.
I will wait and see how the Romeo availability goes. And will try to at least see a 320 in the flesh first before spending a lot of money.
Thanks.

 

[Bigbwb]

I am also going through a similar dilemma, which one to try next! Loving my 226 and 320 at the moment and looking to upgrade already. The X5 and RX are tempting, but I really need to try and shoot one first which could pose challenging. I dont know of anyone who has one and my local range has a ton to rent but not these.

 

[Tc300mag1]

How about the x5 Carry with the Romeo 1 thats what i want i like the x5 grip frame feels in my hand and enjoy shooting the x5