Massive Firepower in a Tiny Package - Review Of The SIG P365
I discovered the Sig P365 in January, 2019, at the SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Neveda. For those who don’t know, SHOT Show is the world’s largest tradeshow for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry. After holding this little gun, I knew I had to have one! It felt so comfortable in my hands and for a 9mm, its tiny! I ended up purchasing a P365 in August and I’ve been carrying it and practicing with it ever since (along with my other firearms). Today I’m sharing my experience and overall conclusion.
First I’ll give you the specs, then we’ll get into the review!
Specifications
Caliber: 9mm Luger, also rated for +P 9mm
Capacity: 10 +1 Comes with 10 round flush magazine and 10 round extended magazine.
Action Type: Semi-Auto
Trigger: Striker
Safety: Has the option of a manual safety.
Barrel Length: 3.1 in (78 mm)
Length: 5.8in (147 mm)
Height: 4.3in (109 mm)
Width: 1.0 in (26mm)
Weight: 17.8 oz (500 g) (unloaded)
Sights: XRAY3 Day/Night Sights
Price: Suggested retail is $599.00 but you can probably find one for around $500.00
Concealment and carry experience
I’ve been accustomed to carrying an M&P Shield when my outfit permits, but in some cases I carry a Ruger LCP when the Shield is too large to conceal. As a petite woman (almost 5’2”), it’s much easier to conceal a small firearm, even though larger pistols may be easier to shoot. I decided to consider the SIG as an alternative to the Shield due to the smaller size and higher magazine capacity.
So far, I’ve been able to comfortably carry the P365 in various kydex IWB (inside the waistband) holsters, a thigh holster, a few belly bands, and concealed carry purses. Ankle carry is doable, but not my preferred method. It may be more comfortable on someone with a larger frame.
Sometimes the grip of a gun can show a bulge through my clothing, especially with a top that is more fitted or made from fine material. Since the grip of the P365 is short, it was easier to conceal (ex: picture below with the tan sweater).
Holster: Stealthgear Ventcore
Holster: T-Rex Arms Sidecar| This sweater is a little more fitted than the first, and made from a finer knit, but I was still able to conceal the P365 without printing.
Shooting experience
Ergonomics - The shape of the Sig P365 makes it feel just right in my hands. Fortunately, I’m able to get a strong grip with all four fingers fitting on the handle, even when using a magazine that is flush with the handle. Also, my hands cover a lot of the frame, which is helpful for recoil management.
Magazine release - I’m able to reach and press the mag release with one hand so my left hand is free to grab a spare magazine. However, to let the magazine fall, I must either break my grip, or use my other hand to pull it out. Likewise, when reloading the magazine I have to loosen my grip so the fleshy part of my pinky finger doesn’t get pinched.
Slide Tension – I found it relatively easy to work the slide on the P365; which requires slightly less effort than is required for the M&P Shield.
Slide Catch - When inserting a new magazine after ejecting an empty, I prefer to release the slide catch rather than pulling the slide in a sling shot fashion to chamber the first round. The slide catch on the P365 is easy enough for me to operate and I can do it reliably.
Manual Safety – The Sig P365 comes with or without a manual safety. The safety is ambidextrous, appearing on both sides. When the gun is set on a table, you can easily tell if the safety is switched on, no matter which side the gun is laying on.
Sights- I think the sites on the P365 are great for a compact pistol. They’re precise, of good quality, show up brightly at night, and enhance accuracy and target acquisition. They do have sharp edges that could potentially snag on a holster or clothing, but I have not had any trouble with that. I think this is the reason SIG introduced the SIG P365 SAS (Sig Anti Snag). On the newer model, the sites no longer sit on top of the gun, but are placed in a recess within the slide.
Recoil - We each have our own tolerance for recoil so experiences will vary. However, I felt no discomfort with the recoil of the P365. The ergonomics of the grip for my small hands and the moderate weight of the gun are enough to make the shooting experience very comfortable for me. For example, I shot a 200-round session at the range with no soreness or affect on my ability to shoot accurately.
I wanted to compare the P365’s recoil to a few guns of similar size and caliber, so I choose the Glock 43 and M&P Shield. The felt recoil between the three is very similar, but I found the Glock 43 to have the least amount, the SIG had slightly more, and the Shield had the most.
Size - In addition to the measurements that listed in the specifications, here’s a side by side comparison of the P365 and the Glock 43, which is another compact 9mm pistol. (Picture below)
First Picture: Top- Glock 43 Bottom: Sig P365 | Second Picture: Left: Glock 43, Right: Sig P364
Target acquisition - (How quickly and easily you can get the target in your sight picture.) When I was new to the P365, it didn’t take much time at all to adjust to it from the M&P Shield. I was able to be accurate with it right away.
Reliability - At this point, I’ve shot about 700 rounds through the P365. I’ve had one jam, which was easily cleared. In this case, an empty cartridge (bullet casing) jammed during ejection, which could have been the result of a weak grip on the firearm. Other than that, I haven’t had any trouble with bullets feeding through the gun.
Cleaning
Taking the gun apart for cleaning is super easy; just follow the instructions in the owner’s manual. It takes minimal hand strength and no tools are required.
My Conclusions
Personally, I’m thrilled with this gun! I wanted a 9mm firearm that’s small enough to conceal easily, and large enough to shoot skillfully. That balance will look different for everyone, but the P365 is right in my sweet spot. The short grip makes it easier to conceal and I love that it can hold so much ammunition in such a small package. While most guns of its size hold around 7 bullets, SIG has found a way to pack 10 bullets into the magazine! You can also buy an extended magazine that will hold 12 rounds.
Not only is it light to carry and easy to conceal, I found it very comfortable to shoot. It took very little practice to adjust to this gun.
Even though I must loosen my grip to let the magazine fall, I appreciate that I can reach the magazine release with one hand.
Since I sometimes use “soft” holsters such as a belly band made from thick elastic, having the option for a manual safety makes this a viable option for me. Because it’s ambidextrous, I can easily tell if the safety is switched on, no matter which side the gun is laying on.
I’ve been very happy with my Sig P365. It’s a great little gun and I highly recommend it!
”Chime-In!”
What are your thoughts on the SIG P365 as a concealed carry pistol?
