SIG P365 in 2021: Still the Best Concealed Carry Gun
Mar 14th 2021
The SIG Sauer P365 is a micro compact handgun specifically designed for concealed carry. SIG introduced the P365 as a direct competitor to subcompact Glock handguns, achieving a higher magazine capacity than any Glock of comparable size and weight.
As a result of SIG’s success, the firm ushered in a new wave of high-capacity ultra-compact firearms, such as the Springfield Armory Hellcat and Taurus G2c.
SIG Sauer
SIG Sauer formed in 1976, a marriage between the Swiss and German firearms manufacturers SIG (Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft) and J.P. Sauer & Sohn. The first pistol that SIG Sauer produced was the P220, a double-action/single-action, hammer-fired weapon designed in 1975 just before the two companies’ merger.
The SIG P226, introduced in 1984, is a high-capacity variant of this design, featuring a 15-round magazine and competing against the Beretta 92F for U.S. Army adoption in 1985. While Beretta won that contract, the U.S. Navy SEALs preferred the P226.
SIG has repeatedly been challenging industry leader Glock for military and law-enforcement contracts and civilian market supremacy in recent years. This culminated in SIG’s winning the Modular Handgun Competition (MHS), in which its modified P320 was adopted by the U.S. Army as the M17 and M18, beating Glock and several other entrants. Several law-enforcement agencies and branches of the U.S. armed forces have since adopted the M17 and M18 pistols.
Glock has long held a dominant position in the civilian firearms market — private citizens and police alike. Many shooters consider its G19 to be the default semi-automatic pistol for self-defense. However, the G19 is not ultra-compact — it prints more than most guns in its class do.
Features and Specs
The SIG P365 is a locked-breech, recoil-operated, polymer-framed, and striker-fired semi-automatic pistol. This easy-to-conceal handgun has several features that cause it to stand out from the rest.
Choose the Right Sights
Standard three-dot combat sights can prove inadequate under low-light conditions. A concealed-carry handgun should be usable in the dark, and the P365’s XRAY3 Day/Night sights deliver ample contrast and visibility.
In the P365 SAS (SIG Anti Snag) variant, front and rear iron sights are eliminated in favor of a Meprolight MEPRO FT Bullseye optical pistol sight. The FT Bullseye uses a combination of fiber optics and tritium to achieve day/night visibility. However, unlike traditional iron sights, the Bullseye doesn’t require a front sight to work.
In other semi-automatic pistols, the Bullseye fits into the existing rear sight dovetail. In the P365 SAS, the Bullseye fits flush with the top of the slide. This ensures minimal bulk to catch on your holster, clothing, or other equipment, enabling a smooth and confident draw every time.
Finally, if you’re interested in using a miniature red-dot (MRD) sight on your pistol, the P365 X variant has an optic cut in the slide and a removable sight plate assembly, consisting of a cover plate, rear sight, and two screws. When you disassemble the pistol, you can remove these two hex screws from the bottom of the slide to remove the sight plate. You can now install a RomeoZero Red Dot Optic.
Dimensions and Weight
For a comparison between the SIG P365 Micro Compact and other concealed-carry firearms on the market, it’s worth listing the dimensions and weight.
- Weight: 17.8 oz.
- Barrel length: 3.1”
- Overall length: 5.8”
- Width (overall): 1.06”
An ultra-concealable yet relatively high-capacity weapon, the P365 is suitable for deep concealment, especially when paired with an IWB (inside-the-waistband) holster.
Ergonomics and Safety
The trigger is either curved or straight, depending on the option, and breaks more smoothly than the Glock, delivering a lighter and more crisp trigger pull. There is no trigger safety, but a variant with an ambidextrous manual safety catch is available. In this variant, the manual safety is a lever that you flip upward to engage, blocking the striker or down for fire.
The slide features front and rear charging serrations also called grasping grooves, for increased traction.
The magazine catch is a horizontal push button that you can configure for either left- or right-handed accessibility.
Accessories
The SIG P365 Micro Compact frame has an accessory rail that you can use to attach a weapon light or laser. While high-visibility night/day sights provide much-needed contrast, they can’t illuminate your target or the environment. You need to see the target well enough to positively identify the threat, and a dedicated weapon light can be a lifesaver under these circumstances.
Magazine Capacity
Most subcompact/micro-compact semi-automatic pistols have limited magazine capacities — usually single-stack (single-column feed). The standard P365 magazine holds 10 rounds of 9mm Luger ammunition in a double-stack (staggered-feed) configuration and fits flush with the frame. This is one of the most innovative features of this model.
The P365 flush-fit magazine holds four rounds more than the Glock 43, despite comparable dimensions.
If you want additional firepower, you’re not restricted to 10 rounds by SIG. The company offers optional 12- and 15-round magazines. The 12-round magazine extends past the bottom of the grip, providing increased surface area for your little finger.
While the increased standard magazine capacity renders the need for spare magazines less necessary compared with other designs, they can still provide peace of mind.
Takedown
You should practice with your concealed-carry weapon as often as you can to hone your skills and cultivate muscle memory. In the process, you’ll be shooting hundreds of rounds of ammunition. While you shouldn’t need to clean your carry gun after every range session, periodic maintenance is one of the best ways to extend its service life.
For cleaning and routine maintenance, the P365 is simple to disassemble. First, clear the gun by removing the magazine and locking the slide open. Second, verify, visually and by feel, that the chamber is empty. Third, rotate the takedown lever, located on the left side of the frame, clockwise. Fourth, retract the slide to disengage the slide stop and then pull it forward to remove it from the frame.
Compact Pistols
In 1988, Glock introduced the G19, which is the standard for compact handgun. However, this weapon is only marginally more compact than its full-size counterpart, the G17.
For increased concealability, subcompact and micro-compact firearms are popular choices. Unfortunately, due to the reduced weight and gripping surface, these weapons generally produce more felt recoil. One solution to this problem is to select an extended magazine with additional space for your little finger. Another is more aggressive texturing of the gripping surfaces.
Micro/subcompact pistols, such as the Ruger LCP II, can be highly compact but have limited magazine capacities. That’s often the compromise regarding concealability. You can carry the gun more discreetly, but it holds fewer rounds per magazine, and it’s harder to control.
However, a new wave of high-capacity concealed-carry handguns is beginning to change that.
Glock 26
In 1994, Glock introduced its first subcompact 9mm pistol for concealed carry — the G26 — as an alternative to snub-nosed 5-shot revolvers. This easy-to-carry weapon features a 10-round double-stack magazine. However, its frame is ⅕ of an inch wider and is more than an ounce heavier unloaded.
Glock 43/43X
The Glock 43, a 9mm variant of the .380-caliber Glock 42, is a single-stack subcompact handgun designed for deep concealment and a more compact answer to the G26. The Glock 43, as standard, is roughly the same weight as the P365. It is, however, slightly longer from the muzzle to the rear of the frame.
The Glock 43X is a slightly larger variant of the G43 designed to accept a 10-round magazine. The 43X, consequently, has the same capacity as the P365. Unfortunately, this increased capacity comes at the expense of concealability. The G43X is wider, longer, and taller than either.
Ruger LCR
One of the most compact modern concealed-carry handguns is the LCR — an aluminum-framed double-action-only (DAO) revolver chambered in .38 Special (+P). While lighter than the P365, the LCR’s cylinder only holds six rounds. Furthermore, as a revolver, the 6-round cylinder is wider than the P365 and many other concealable semi-automatic pistols.
Ruger LCP II
The LCP II is lighter and more concealable than the P365 Micro Compact. However, the LCP II has the same disadvantages as the Glock 42. Namely, its magazine only holds six rounds of ammunition, and it’s chambered in the less effective .380 ACP cartridge. While the LCP II is a high-quality weapon, the P365 is still one of the best choices for those seeking a highly concealable 9mm pistol but don’t want to sacrifice firepower.
Taurus G2c
The Taurus G2c is one of several competing designs to hit the market following the release of the P365. While the G2c is an affordably priced everyday-carry (EDC) gun, it is slightly heavier and slightly less concealable than SIG’s offering. It does, however, sport a higher standard magazine capacity — 12+1.
The disassembly procedure is similar to that of the Glock series. One of the disadvantages of this system is that you need to pull the trigger to remove the slide. While strict observance of firearms safety rules will keep mishaps to a minimum, many firearms manufacturers have chosen to eliminate this action from the takedown process to reduce the risk.
In Conclusion
At Incognito Concealment, we specialize in manufacturing holsters for concealed carry. There is a wide variety of highly concealable subcompact and micro-compact semi-automatic pistols on the market, and many of them are adequate for self-defense.
However, the SIG P365 is one of the most innovative designs and is definitely worth your consideration. If you’d like to discuss holster options for the SIG P365 Micro Compact, give us a call at (586) 999-5820. We’d be happy to help you find the perfect option for your preferred carry position and method.
