Project Rocinante: Chasing modern handgun perfection with Sig’s quadragenarian workhorse
- Thread starter rudukai13
- Start date
rudukai13
Pro Internet User
Well it was worth a try but I’m thinking this thing’s just too big for IWB concealment, at least for someone my size:
The weight’s not too bad even with a full mag, so I shouldn’t have any issues once I figure out an OWB setup. With a gun this large I’m tempted to try to figure out a shoulder holster rig, but my wardrobe is never anything that’d be appropriate for that kind of thing.
Oh well, onward and upward
The weight’s not too bad even with a full mag, so I shouldn’t have any issues once I figure out an OWB setup. With a gun this large I’m tempted to try to figure out a shoulder holster rig, but my wardrobe is never anything that’d be appropriate for that kind of thing.
Oh well, onward and upward
rudukai13
Pro Internet User
Finally got the T1C MSP holster out of the box - it got delivered yesterday but I was too tired to fuck with it then, so here we are.
Like the Phlster Floodlight, the MSP uses a thread of elastic shock cord on the slide side of the pistol while primarily indexing and retaining off the WML to allow a wide variety of different guns with different dimensions to fit. The Roci slips into either holster easily and “clicks” in to both (when properly adjusted).
My observations:
- The MSP holster on a Kore gun belt does seem to conceal a bit better than the Floodlight on the Enigma, though neither holster makes the pistol completely disappear. It seems like the angled belt clips of the MSP either help or better allow the claw to tuck the pistol - particularly the grip - a bit tighter against the body.
- The MSP is definitely noticeably more comfortable. I didn’t have to wear the Kore belt nearly as tight to get the gun to conceal just as well. With the Floodlight I really had to crank the Enigma belt down tight to try to get the claw to tuck the gun in. With the MSP it just kind of naturally cinches against your silhouette as you tighten your belt to a reasonable point.
- Neither holster is really that comfortable with this gun, expectedly and unsurprisingly. It’s a fullsize steel-frame pistol with a WML, magwell, and optic; there isn’t an IWB belt-mounted holster that can be made that would allow me to just forget the gun’s there.
Between the two for this particular pistol at least I do have to hand it to the T1C MSP for AIWB. It’s not going to be my first choice for those times I do decide to carry this gun (which won’t be every day, I freely admit), but it will be a nice option to have.
The Floodlight is missing hardware because it’s being prepped to integrate into another carry option that will put both the concealment of AIWB and the comfort of drop-leg OWB setups to equal shame, but more on that a bit later…
Like the Phlster Floodlight, the MSP uses a thread of elastic shock cord on the slide side of the pistol while primarily indexing and retaining off the WML to allow a wide variety of different guns with different dimensions to fit. The Roci slips into either holster easily and “clicks” in to both (when properly adjusted).
My observations:
- The MSP holster on a Kore gun belt does seem to conceal a bit better than the Floodlight on the Enigma, though neither holster makes the pistol completely disappear. It seems like the angled belt clips of the MSP either help or better allow the claw to tuck the pistol - particularly the grip - a bit tighter against the body.
- The MSP is definitely noticeably more comfortable. I didn’t have to wear the Kore belt nearly as tight to get the gun to conceal just as well. With the Floodlight I really had to crank the Enigma belt down tight to try to get the claw to tuck the gun in. With the MSP it just kind of naturally cinches against your silhouette as you tighten your belt to a reasonable point.
- Neither holster is really that comfortable with this gun, expectedly and unsurprisingly. It’s a fullsize steel-frame pistol with a WML, magwell, and optic; there isn’t an IWB belt-mounted holster that can be made that would allow me to just forget the gun’s there.
Between the two for this particular pistol at least I do have to hand it to the T1C MSP for AIWB. It’s not going to be my first choice for those times I do decide to carry this gun (which won’t be every day, I freely admit), but it will be a nice option to have.
The Floodlight is missing hardware because it’s being prepped to integrate into another carry option that will put both the concealment of AIWB and the comfort of drop-leg OWB setups to equal shame, but more on that a bit later…
rudukai13
Pro Internet User
Changed out the belt attachment on the OWB setup to something a hell of a lot easier to put on/take off at the range, which I should get the opportunity to break in a bit tomorrow.
I’ll keep a continued eye out for various other options going forward as well. In my experience when it comes to carry methods, having a wide variety for any particular gun is generally a benefit. More in that regard soon though
rudukai13
Pro Internet User
After a hiatus last weekend I made it back to the range for another 250 rounds today, all shot from the OWB holster. It’s smooth and comfortable, works as expected. Still no malfunctions, that’s in 1,750 rounds. I did shoot some more JHPs today, two boxes of Winchester USA Ready 124gr +P from the comped P320 days. The 226 with steel frame is so heavy I can barely tell the difference between the two loads anyway and of course it functioned just fine. Next weekend I’ll try to get some practice in with the MSP from AIWB
Every time you post an update I get closer to really looking around for one of these and getting one myself! I'm glad to see it's working well in the IWB holsters. I'm a pretty die hard DA trigger guy, so the SAO isn't a huge selling point for me, but getting to handle one that a fellow competitor brought to my indoor match made me consider it. If I didn't already have about half a dozen other irons in the fire I'd likely already have one. It seems like a "2011 adjacent" option that I already have a bunch of holsters/mags/spare parts for.
rudukai13
Pro Internet User
Honestly before I zeroed in on the X-Five is was pretty set on a 2011. The P226 seemed like a more interesting, more reliable, better general-purpose option
rudukai13
Pro Internet User
Can’t believe it took me this long to think to break out my photography light box and take some better pictures of this thing.
Range time over the coming three day weekend will crest 2000 rounds through the Roci, at which point it’ll be time for a detailed disassembly and cleaning. More to come soon!
Range time over the coming three day weekend will crest 2000 rounds through the Roci, at which point it’ll be time for a detailed disassembly and cleaning. More to come soon!
rudukai13
Pro Internet User
A happy Labor Day to you all and a celebration of the first 2,000 malfunction-free rounds! Spent more time today shooting longer distance (20-25 yards) and being a bit more deliberate with my throttle control. I suck at shooting pistols at distance, because I hate shooting pistols at distance, because I suck at it. But, practicing what we’re not good at is how we get better…I guess…
This is the roughly 150 rounds that I shot past 20 yards today. Still did a bit more close-in rapid fire with the other 100 rounds. This gun honestly makes it really hard not to smack the trigger as fast as possible, but patience is a virtue blah blah blah.
I briefly wiped the gun down when I got home and loaded it back up with HSTs. Later this week I’ll be taking the pistol to my gunsmith to strip it, inspect everything for incorrect wear/breakage, clean it thoroughly, and button it back up. I think after that it’ll be time to try a “X rounds with no cleaning/lube” challenge. Number of rounds still yet to be determined
rudukai13
Pro Internet User
Finally had time to get the pistol to my gunsmith today, it’ll be in his capable hands for a bit. He’ll be checking for anything broken or unexpected damage while he takes it down and gets it squeaky clean. Not expecting to see anything though, the gun’s been running like an absolute champ.
Probably will re-up on 147gr FMJ later this week. More to come
Probably will re-up on 147gr FMJ later this week. More to come
@rudukai13 I assume you've seen the legion 226 xfive by now. Having shot your model quite a bit now, and if you were buying again with both options available, would you stick with what you have or go with the legion? It looks like major difference (besides cosmetics) is the slide porting with associated shorter barrel. Although I haven't shot one yet, I shoot with a guy who uses his regularly and he says it returns after recoil better than his 2011. Do you think the legion is worth it over the "base" model?
I guess on the competition side the legion might not be limited optics eligible, while your would be. I think they would both be good to go in IDPA as they allow comps now (I think, I haven't cared enough to go re-read the latest rule changes).
rudukai13
Pro Internet User
I’m not at all a fan of Sig’s “integrally compensated slide” system, which in reality is really nothing more than a bushing compensator. It’s just a way for Sig to half-ass their way into getting the prestige (and MSRP) of selling “compensated” pistols from the factory while saving a shit load of manufacturing time and money. The Legion also uses an aluminum frame, whereas the Classic and Sport variants have stainless steel frames. I like how much the weight of the gun soaks up felt recoil, so the aluminum frame doesn’t particularly excite me either. Much of it is obviously personal preference, but if I were looking at purchasing a P226 X-Five again now that the Legion is available I would still buy the Classic variant.
Once I send mine out to GGI to whip it into an utter masterpiece it’ll put this Legion nonsense to shame
