Perhaps the most impressive booths at IWA came from Switzerland – KRISS Group and RWS went all-out with details such as live music, waitresses serving free alcohol, and Swiss chocolate being handed out like, well, candy. While I didn’t spend much time at RWS, I was definitely taken in by the variety of products on display at the KRISS/Sphinx booth, such as the Sphinx pistols. They’re an interesting departure from standard pistol design and manufacture, as the frame is manufactured in upper and lower segments and then joined together.

The upper frame half can be steel, aluminum, or titanium, while the lower half could be chosen from any of those three as well as polymer. I believe that this offers unparalleled control over the balance of the handgun. The polymer features a replaceable frame insert that not only adjusts the size of the backstrap, but also increases or decreases the width of the frame as well, giving the end user more options to fit the pistol to their hand than a simple replaceable backstrap.

They’re available in two frame sizes – “compact” and “tactical” – and with two slide/barrel lengths as well. Since the Sphinx 3000 series is a descendant of the CZ-75, trigger systems available include single action only with a safety, double action/single action with a safety, double action/single action with a decocker, and double action only. Available accessories include threaded barrels, magazine wells, and muzzle compensators.

I was told to expect pricing “competitive with Sig.” I don’t know if this means “competitive with the P250” or “competitive with the X-Five.” I’m leaning towards the latter.