kkayser said:
Thank you for your suggestions. I have done some research; a summation follows.
Some of your research seems to be in error or you've simply misunderstood the information you've received.
Just about any of the guns mentioned can have their triggers lightened by a competent gunsmith (or by the owner). Some polishing on the hammer/sear interface helps a lot. In some cases, all you really need to do is go to a lighter set of hammer springs. Doing this does not void the warranty.
Germany has NOT, as best I can tell, embargoed guns coming to the U.S. (That sort of action would cause the German Government problems with the EU, and harm trade relations with the U.S...) SIG is assembling a lot of guns in the U.S., but the top tier SIGs continue to be made in Germany. (If Germany had/has embargoed SIG's guns, how did you get hands on that P226 X Five Lightweight? -- as far as I know, the X-5s are all made in Germany.)
A number of other guns like the CZ (and that's an 85 Combat, not a Combat 75) really doesn't have that much better a trigger than the 75B SA, although the 85 Combat doesn't have the firing pin block. All of the CZs based on the base 75 model have almost identical internal parts; the SA models have the same parts as the DA/SA except for the trigger lever and disconnector. The standard CZ 75 SA (and several variants of it) can be SA, or started from SA, and are available from the CZ Custom Shop. DA/SA CZs equipped with safeties can be gunsmithed to have triggers almost as good (some say "as good") as 1911s.
As you note, the S&W 952 is no longer in production, but you may be able to find new old stock somewhere, or just buy a used one. The older versions of the P210 is available used, and you can probably order one new (called the "Legend") -- but it will take a while. (I had a 210-6 and it was fine, but the older P-210s had some traits that don't appeal to everyone -- 8 round mags, hammer bite, sharp edges on the sights, and European-style mag releases; the newer models fix some of this. I'm not sure it is or was "arguably the best American made production gun of its type" -- but it's a fine weapon. (I shot them and liked them, but also had a S&W 52-2, upon which it was based. I liked it better in most ways.)
I have a Sphinx SDP, which is about as good as you're going to get without spending $2000+, but I've got a couple of other CZ-pattern guns that are almost as good, and two of them can be started from cocked & locked. A simple spring change (suggested by Kriss/Shinx) easily lowers the trigger pull to about half of the amount you state, and you can get it lower. When they begin offering the Safety-equipped models, it may be your best bet.
If you don't like 1911s, you I don't know why you'd even look at a Para 18-9, as it's a 1911 with a double-stack mag. If the single-stacks don't fit you, the double-stack isn't likely to fit, either.
The Browning Hi-Power (or the same gun, less pretty the FN Hi-Power) won't have the best trigger until it's worked on. Cylinder & Slide can make it sing! (I have a nicely tuned T-series BHP, and I like it a lot. It has been worked on.)
The H&K P7 (in several forms) had an outstanding reputation for accuracy, and once you get used to the "squeeze the grip to release the safety" manual of arms, the trigger can be made to be quite light. The gun isn't heavy.
The Springfield XDm is a fine gun, but probably best for concealed carry. I don't think it's really a true target gun on a par with many of the others you mentioned. It may be light, with a good trigger, but that isn't always enough.
You really need to do some HANDS ON work with some of these guns -- research alone won't keep you out of trouble.
A light gun is wonderful for carry purposes, but the weight of some of these guns is a plus
NOT a negative. (One of the thing about some of the SIG P226 X-Five guns most liked is their weight -- most of them are STEEL not alloy -- and that helps with recoil and allows more rapid followup shots. I've had a P226 X-Five SA in .40. I prefer 9mm. I much preferred the P210-6 to the P226 X-Five Competition (SA/.40).