Additional magazines are available from Eagle Imports for $44 each. Grand Power supplies two, 15 round magazines with each X-Calibur. The X-Calibur did function reliably with 115gr 9mm ammunition. Unfortunately we were unable to get any of the springs included to reliably cycle the 147gr 9mm load that we favor for competition shooting.

The X-Calibur ships with three additional recoil springs to allow the shooter to fine tune the handgun to their preferred ammunition. While I could not discern a reduction in recoil when compared to similar, tradition handguns, the X-Calibur functioned well. The rotary barrel system is definitely a novel design and a conversation starter. The manufacturer claims that this causes a reduction in felt recoil and it allows for the barrel to ride lower in relation to the shooters hand. Instead of the barrel dropping into the frame during unlocking, the X-Calubur barrel rotates on the axis of its bore in order to unlock from the slide. The marquee feature of the X-Calibur is the rotary locking barrel system. With a polymer frame, I am not sure lightening of the handgun is needed for any competition class. Typically the purpose of a bull barrel on a competition gun is to add weight to the muzzle. I can understand removing weight from the slide and the extra grip is welcome, butВ I canвЂ™t understand why they decided to flute the barrel. I can only guess that this is for aesthetics. The slide of X-Calibur has some aggressive window cuts showing off the deeply fluted bull barrel. I have absolutely no complaints regarding the sights on this pistol. This made for an excellent sight picture. The rear notch is clean and relatively narrow.

The sights on the X-Calibur are a fully-adjustable rear combined with a fiber optic front. However, I do not recommend this as a habit. The double action trigger does allow for вЂњsecond strikeвЂќ capability if a cartridge fails to light on the first hit from the firing pin. I anticipate that unless required by the rulebook, most shooters will opt to carry this handgun with the hammer cocked and safety on. This is something I have grown to expect on most DA/SA handgun designs, but on the X-Calibur the length of pull and the angle of the trigger at its furthest forward position makes is difficult to get an accurate/fast trigger pull. However, the double action trigger pull was long and heavy at almost nine pounds. We had no problem getting some accurate groups. The single action trigger pull on the X-Calibur was a bout 3.5 lbs. If you mess it up, you can easily replace the lever. Since the safety levers are a field-replaceable part, it should be a simple matter to use a rotary tool and grind the polymer to your preferred shape. It is frustrating for shooters who are used to a 1911 platform. The вЂњpaddleвЂќ extended to far to the rear of the lever and makes it difficult to re-apply the safety without altering the shooting grip. However the wide lever is just a tad too wide. This gave me the best mix of security and control. During our evaluation I decided to use the slim lever on the right and the wide lever on the left. Both slim and wide levers for left and right were included. The safety levers on the X-Calibur are end-use swappable. Transitioning to вЂњweak sideвЂќ one handed drills are as simple as can be. Left handed shooters will love this handgun. Even the magazine release is a mirror image. The pistol is fully ambidextrous with all controls duplicated on both sides of the handgun. The X-Calibur is a double action/single action design that allows for вЂњcocked and lockedвЂќ single action carry. At first look, the X-Calibur looks like a mix of custom, competition and tactical in one pistol.

Eagle Imports is the US Importer for Grand Power, a Slovakian company. Eagle Imports contacted us last year and asked us to review the Grand Power X-Calibur.

Xcalibur holster