SIG P365 Review: Best CCW Gun Yet?

Sig Sauer redefined the modern concealed carry handgun when they introduced the P365. I’m a fan of this pistol. However, you should read the full review below to get my full thoughts on this little gun. In this Sig P365 review, we’ll take a deep look at the functionality, ergonomics, and applicability as a CCW handgun.

I originally reviewed the Sig P365 a couple of years ago, but I got to spend more time with it recently. After shooting a few hundred rounds, I’ve started to see the Sig P365 in a slightly different light. Let’s dive into this updated review and see how my understanding of the gun has changed.

Sig Sauer P365 Background

As a former special operations sniper and lifelong shooter, I’ve tried many guns of Sig, but I have to admit that Sig’s earlier firearms have never really been my thing.

However, the Sig p226 is an exception and it will always have a fond spot in my heart because it was one of my earliest handguns and because of some (very-limited) exposure to it in the military.

I wanted to get excited about their 1911s, their Sig556 rifle, and their other P series. Unfortunately, they just never grew on me. It’s not that there’s anything wrong with them. It’s just that their early products just weren’t the right combination of features for modern gun fighting or competition.

This is largely because I’m not really a fan of DA/SA guns. Regardless of a trigger’s performance (weight, travel, reset, etc.), I want it to be consistent each trigger pull.

Many of Sig’s earlier designs had a long and heavy first trigger pull, followed by shorter and crisper single action shots.  

It was just… weird for me.

Also, the earlier Sigs were big and heavy. They were great when they came out, but they were passed by newer advancements in firearms technology and materials… namely polymer striker-fired pistols like Glocks, S&W Shields, H&K VP9s, Springfield XDs, Walther PPQs, and so on.

Because of this, I started my earlier competition and defensive handgun training with 1911s (don’t worry, I grew out of it) and then Glocks.

Then came Sig’s new polymer striker-fired guns, the Sig P320 and this Sig P365.

Is it love? Maybe. 

Sig had a rocky start with their P320. Many (me included) weren’t quite sure what to think when it first came out. Then, the Army selected it for its new handgun (huge news)! Right as the P320 was on a high, there were reports of drop-safety issues and Sig conducted a voluntary upgrade to modify the guns to the military’s adopted configuration, which solved the issue.

I was lucky enough to get to put the upgraded model through its paces and I thoroughly abused the pistol and am blown away at how great of a handgun it is.

A bit later, the P365 came out, and it might have been the most exciting thing at the 2018 SHOT Show! However, some people were a bit hesitant to adopt it early because of the then recent P320 news.

The Sig Sauer P365 is a diminutive 12+1 round capacity striker fired 9mm.

How do we like it? Well… you’ll have to keep reading.

Sig P365 Review – Does it cut it?

I first heard of the P365 just before the 2018 SHOT Show and knew that I had to check it out. I made it over to Sig’s media day at the range (yes, they were big enough of a company that they had their own event separate from the NSSF – in fact, they no longer even go to SHOT Show anymore) and headed straight to the P365.

Here are my first shots with the P365:

We’ve heard (and seen online) complaints of broken trigger return springs and broken strikers. We have no reason to doubt any of these – all we can say is that all the Sig P365s we, or our shooting buddies, have shot have been flawless. There are two tell-tale signs of these problems before they occur. First, the trigger return spring starts to scratch the back of the magazine before it seems to break. Second, the striker drags on primers before it starts to break.

I will say that both of the Sig P365s that I’ve spent enough time shooting to evaluate have had “primer drag.” What’s weird to me is that I don’t think I’ve ever used the phrase “primer drag” until now. I’m not sure if it’s a real issue or a perceived issue (although down below I did more research and found it not to be an issue). Here’s what I mean…. it is CLEARLY happening. The striker is dragging enough on the primer to leave a distinct line and, in some cases, drags some primer metal to the edge of the primer pocket. What I don’t know is whether it matters. My striker has not had any issues, and I am many rounds into mine, and a good friend is many more rounds into his. If I experience any issues, I’ll update them here. Here’s what I can tell you, for sure… this handgun is the absolute best concealed carry option for me.

I’ve been a bit of a Glock-guy for a while (after I wasn’t) and it surprised me to see how well this P365 fit in my hand. I have larger-hands, and it is still perfectly controllable… especially with the 12-round magazine installed. Before I switched over to the P365 for CCW, I carried a Glock 43. It was very reliable, but I could not shoot it as accurately nor as fast as I can shoot my Sig P365. Also, the P365 has DOUBLE the capacity of the Glock 43!

For not being known for shooting pistols as well as I am for rifles, shooting this sized 10 round group at 10 yards is a feat – especially out of a pistol that is barely longer than my trigger finger while I’m holding it.

Here’s where the warning at the beginning came from… I’m not sure what I could not like about this pistol. It is so much better than anything else in its class, and Sig has since introduced two interesting versions of this pistol: the P365 XL and the P365 sas.

Although the P365 sas is novel with its unique sighting system, I think a combination between the P365 and the P365 XL is pure magic.

I took the grip module from a SIG SAUER P365 XL and use it on my normal P365 – this gives me the shorter barrel length but the longer grip. I also needed to order the P365 XL floor plates which use the same 15 round magazines, however, they allow you to remove the “spacer” for when the magazine is extended on a normal 365 and allow it to flush-fit in the 365 XL frame.

I have been running this carry pistol hard as my concealed carry gun, and I intend to start shooting it in some local shooting competitions to test and see how well it holds up.

I like to say that most tiny/CCW guns are like travel tooth brushes. Sure, they work. But, you really only have it because it’s tiny and easy to carry around. When it comes down to it, you’d rather have your full-sized toothbrush at home. Well, the same goes for most guns.

However, this tiny pistol is so capable, that it is not a smaller version of the gun I’d rather have…. it is the gun I’d rather have.

There’s one improvement I’d like to see: I’ve noticed that the finish on the magazine is quick to rust. I hope that they fix this.

Despite reported issues and the magazines, I give this gun a solid A+. Seriously, you can get a Glock 19 (the most common gun I’ve recommended for all-around purposes) but it is a much larger gun for only three more rounds of ammunition (15 vs 12).

Go get the P365… you’ll love it!

And, unlike some other pocket guns, this is a no-joke pro-grade gun.

Seriously – I’d happily shoot the P365 in a tactical competition/course, and I trust my life (and my family’s life) with it. 

Also, of note, I liked this handgun so much that I recently added it to my list of best 9mm pistols. However, it didn’t take first place. Instead it was listed as a close second. However, it did do much better in my list of favorite CCW guns.

Sig P365 Pros and Cons

SIG P365 – FAQs

Is the SIG P365 suitable for concealed carry?

Yes, the SIG P365 is designed as a concealed carry pistol with a compact frame that makes it easy to hide without compromising on capacity or performance.

Is the Sig P365’s sight picture effective for quick target acquisition?

Yes, the Sig P365 comes with well-designed sights that offer a clear and precise sight picture. This helps you acquire targets quickly and accurately, which is crucial in self-defense scenarios.

How reliable is the magazine release on the Sig P365?

The magazine release or the mag release on the Sig P365 is designed for ease of use, allowing you to quickly and smoothly change magazines without compromising your grip or control of the firearm.

Does the trigger guard on the SIG P365 accommodate different hand sizes?

Yes, the trigger guard of the SIG P365 is designed to be accessible and comfortable for a variety of hand sizes, ensuring you have a secure grip and proper trigger discipline.

Is the front sight on the SIG P365 durable for everyday use?

Absolutely, the front sight of the SIG P365 is built to withstand the rigors of daily use, maintaining its visibility and alignment even with regular wear and tear.

SIG P365 Ammo

SIG P365 Starter Pack

If you’ve decided to pick up the P365, or found another firearm that suits your needs, there are some bare essentials you’re going to need to pick up in order to maximize its potential and your safety regardless of if it’s your first firearm or not.

• Gun Cleaning Kit: Otis All Caliber Elite Range Box on Amazon, or build your own personalized cleaning kit with premium components.
• Shooting Glasses: All it takes is one piece of rogue hot brass, and you’ll learn the importance of shooting glasses. But not all glasses are built the same. See our recommendations for the Best Shooting Glasses.
• Hearing Protection: Firing a gun without wearing proper ear pro can be very dangerous and detrimental to your hearing. Find out the best hearing protection for you in our full length review.
• Storage: Check out our article on the Best Biometric Gun Safes
• Targets – If you’re wanting a great resource for shooting practice or zeroing your optics on your optics rifle or pistol, download our FREE Sighting in Targets below.

Now that we’ve covered that, let’s take a look at a couple of items you can check out to either upgrade or personalize your P365. The following are not mandatory to get, however, they will improve functionality and can improve the overall experience.

Upgrades and Accessories

SIG P365 Accessories

Over time there are many holsters you can use for the P365, so be sure to look around for whichever fits your need since these are an excellent CCW firearms. We have an article dedicated to the best holsters for P365.

Other Sub-Compacts of its Class to Check Out

There are many options in the CCW class, but how do you pick the right one? Below are a few popular options that we also like. Maybe they are as good as the P365, and maybe they are not?! Look below to see our take and reviews on what we think…you might be surprised!

The Hellcat vs. P365 is honestly one of the best comparisons we’ve done at Gun University. We have some pretty big reasons we believe this, and most of those reasons won’t be what you think. If you want to see our take… READ MORE

The Glock 43X is a hybrid (so they say)! It is a combo of the Glock 48 and the Glock 43. Glock did a solid job in rising to the challenge by creating its version of the P365 and a lot of you might agree. However, we did notice though a few drawbacks compared to the P365 and, if you’re like me, it will interest you to know… READ MORE

How to Care for Your Sig P365

If you own a gun, you’re going to want to take care of it. The P365 is an amazing firearm and I actually get excited about the maintenance. If you keep up with the maintenance, it last a lifetime! If you don’t have a cleaning kit, we like the below from Gloryfire because it allows you to clean both handguns, rifles, etc. We found this video to give you a step-by-step approach to clean your P365, and it does a good job explaining….

If you’d like to get started cleaning your gun, here is the recommended cleaning kit for the p365:

Important Links and Manuals for Your Sig P365

Reported Sig P365 Firing Pin Problems – Update: Resolved!

When Sig Sauer came out with their first ever subcompact pistol, the initial run had problems. Sig initiated a call back, due to the reported issues. As a company that demands excellence, they resolved the issue, and the second run experienced no issues.

However, a couple of months after the “Gen 2” (as many Sig fans call it) came out, a couple of users started posting things on social media and forums claiming that the was “primer drag.”

Primer drag is where the face of the firing pin drags across the primer when the barrel unlocks during the firing sequence. This can cause damage and, over time, cause the firing pin to break.

While it’s a bit impossible to verify the validity or severity of posts on social media, Phil Stader, the Product Manager, responded on both Sig Forum and Sig Talk to address the so-called social media postings. Basically, he reported that after the Gen 2, there have been minimal issues with the striker and trigger return springs and thus the Gen 2 fixed all problems.

Below are specifics to his response:

• “The number of fractured striker tip returns account for 0.08% of the P365s shipped” (which is well below industry average)
• “It was found that an extremely small percentage of strikers were out of spec due to start-up issues. This has been resolved.”
• “[Primer Drag] is completely normal and has absolutely no effect on striker endurance.”

So, with that, anything you see about the Sig Sauer P365 having a firing pin problem or issues is either false or has been resolved. Having fired my P365 hundreds of times and never seeing any issues with it, I’ll have to wholeheartedly agree.