The Sig Sauer P365 is the Hottest Semi-Automatic on the Market
May 9th 2021
Ever since SIG Sauer introduced the P365 pistol to the market, the conversation around subcompact carry guns changed dramatically. Viewed as a viable alternative to other models in the same category, such as the Glock 43 or the Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield 2.0, many P365 owners go as far as saying it is the best single-stack concealed carry pistol you can buy today.
What makes SIG Sauer’s smallest-ever handgun model such a good choice? Learn about the pistol’s features, variants, and why it is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a concealed carry handgun.
Redefining Subcompacts
The SIG Sauer P365 Nitron Micro Compact is a double-action, polymer-framed, striker-fired pistol chambered in 9mm, and one of the smallest pistols on the company’s lineup.
Although it has been on the market for more than three years, the popularity of this handgun is undeniable, winning the 2019 NRA Handgun of the Year award and becoming the top-selling handgun for two consecutive years (2018, 2019). If you visited gun shops or online retailers during this period, you’ve probably seen the P365 many times before.
But what makes it so unique? To understand why the P365 is so significant, you must first understand the limitations of a typical subcompact pistol.
As with most aspects of choosing a firearm, a subcompact pistol sacrifices the dimensions, grip size, magazine capacity, and barrel length of a full-sized model, prioritizing the smallest, slimmest, lightest possible handgun. Although these types of guns are the easiest to carry, the biggest drawbacks are the short barrel and sight radius and the limited magazine capacity.
For a long time, typical subcompacts chambered in 9mm possessed standard magazines with a capacity ranging between 5 and 8 rounds. Even if extended magazines were available, they typically stuck far past the grip, compromising the concealability.
The P365 subverted these expectations, pushing the boundaries of what should be possible with subcompacts. Like most pistols in its class, the P365 features a polymer frame and a stainless steel slide. The standard version comes without a manual safety, although models with one installed are available.
Dimensionally, the P365 is shorter than its main competitor, the Glock 43, with about the same height and width. However, the G43’s magazine capacity is 6, whereas the P365 sports a 10-round magazine, with an optional 12-round model barely increasing the pistol’s height.
The P365 has a clear capacity advantage over the G43 without sacrificing overall dimensions, despite retailing for about the same price. It’s easy to see how the SIG became so popular.
P365 Variants
The success of the P365 prompted SIG Sauer to release many variants over the following years.
SIG Sauer P365 XL
The P365 XL is a slightly enlarged version of the original P365, first introduced in 2019. The XL features an X-Series flat trigger, a longer slide and barrel, an extended beavertail, a taller grip, and a greater magazine capacity (12 rounds instead of the original pistol’s 10).
The manufacturer later offered the P365 XL in a red-dot-ready configuration, with a slide designed to accept the SIG RomeoZero sight.
SIG Sauer P365 SAS
SIG introduced the P265 SAS in late 2019, after the P365 XL. The SAS abbreviation stands for SIG Anti Snag.
This handgun has almost identical dimensions to the original P365 but does not feature traditional sights or a slide lock lever, leaving the top of the slide completely smooth. This snag-free design makes it an excellent choice for deep concealed carrying.
The sighting system on the P365 SAS consists of a recess cut into the back of the slide, right above where the firing pin should be. Inside the recess, you will see a tritium/fiber-optic tube sitting flush with the slide, designed to light up when the sights are correctly aligned.
SIG Sauer P365X
New for 2021, the SIG Sauer P365X is essentially a crossover between the original P365 and the P365 XL, featuring the short barrel and slide of the original pistol and the frame and tall grip of the larger model.
The resulting combination is a handgun with a short, concealable 3.1” barrel and a grip tall enough to be grasped with all five fingers. Because the grip is identical to the P365 XL’s, the standard magazine is the 12-round model.
Like the XL, the P365X comes with an X-series flat trigger, and an optional red-dot-ready model is also available.
Hottest Accessories for the P365
If you’re interested in buying the SIG P365 for concealed carrying or personal protection, here are some must-have accessories you should consider.
Quality IWB holster
Choosing a suitable concealed carrying handgun is an essential task, but you should also make sure your carry holster is right for you.
A high-quality IWB Kydex holster, such as the Incognito Concealment T3, is the perfect companion for carrying your SIG P365. This Kydex holster is durable, requires very little maintenance, and secures your handgun in place tightly, giving you the comfort and peace of mind you need.
Spare magazines
While it’s true that the SIG P365’s main advantage is a higher capacity than its competitors, if you believe that the standard 10+1 (or 12+1) rounds your gun can carry might not be quite enough, you should bring additional magazines.
Standard OEM 10-round magazines will fit the original P365 and the P365 SAS. 12-round magazines will fit all P365 variants; just make sure to remove the extension sleeve if you carry a P365X or P365 XL.
SIG extended 15-round magazines are also available, increasing your P365’s capacity to 15+1, making it equivalent to a Glock 19. However, keep in mind these mags feature an extended baseplate, which increases your firearm’s overall height.
Magazine carriers
If you enjoy carrying your gun inside the waistband, you should hide your magazine carriers as deeply as your holster. For these reasons, choose a suitable IWB magazine carrier, such as the Incognito Concealment Stash.
Like the T3 holster, the Stash employs Kydex in its construction. These carriers are ideal for keeping your spare magazines protected from sweat, lint, and dust.
Always Be Prepared
At Incognito Concealment, we offer a range of high-quality, hand-crafted Kydex holsters and magazine carriers suitable for carrying inside or outside the waistband. Whether you prefer to carry one of the latest models or a classic handgun, we have the holster for you.
For any questions or requests, please call us at (586) 999-5820. If you’re a law enforcement officer, military service member, or a first responder, let us know and receive a 10% discount on all our products!
