Is the SIG Sauer P365 and SIG Sauer P365 XL Really All that Different? – The SIG Sauer P365 XL is awesome. In fact, it has made its way into my concealed carry rotation and I think it should make its way into yours too. I liked its predecessor, the P365 (no XL), but I love this. It’s easier to use, not too big for concealed carry, and not too small to hold comfortably. It’s not very often that I recommend making a switch from your regular concealed carry, but the SIG P365 XL just might be an exception. Read on to find out why this pistol should be on your list of guns to buy.
Think of the P365 XL as essentially an upscaled normal P365. It offers a lot of the same features, looks, and performance as its little brother, but differs in size, ergonomics, and round capacity out of the box. It’s identical to the P365, so if you liked that design, you’ll like this one. You have all your normal features including a flat-faced trigger and a lever safety behind the slide stop.
I have to admit that I’m surprisingly fond of the trigger. It feels crisp and has a nice tactile and audible reset so it’s easier to shoot faster. It’s a small facet of the design, but the little things add up.
One of my favorite things about this handgun is the bigger grip and magazine capacity. I could use the P365 comfortably enough, but this size change makes it actually comfortable. No more pinky hang for any of us. I find that these changes made it easier for me to land consistent and accurate shots more frequently than its smaller counterpart.
The accuracy is great. I shot at 25 yards for the most part. I managed so relatively tight groups from a standing position but was able to narrow those groups even more by bracing myself on a post. The P365XL shouldn’t have any accuracy issues within the self-defense range.
The stock magazine capacity has been increased as well. You’ll get an additional two rounds for a total of 12 to work with. I’m thinking that’s pretty solid. If you’re not happy with that, you can also get 15-round magazines to sate your appetite for capacity.
When the P365 came out, it proved itself as a reliable handgun ideal for concealed carry. The XL is more of that same rock-solid reliability that we expect out of every single handgun we designate for self-defense. It took all types of 9mm, whether it was cheap steel-cased or top-shelf brass.
As a final note, I’m definitely recommending you buy this gun, but if you already have a P365 and are comfortable with it, there isn’t really a reason to trade up unless you have some huge mitts. The increased magazine capacity is great and the improved ergo definitely makes me like the XL a little bit more, but you can’t go wrong with the regular P365 either.
Image: Creative Commons.
Image: Creative Commons.
I’m also thrilled that such a high-quality firearm is only $530 MSRP.
It’s worth every cent, but you can definitely find it cheaper and everyone knows that getting a deal makes it that much sweeter.
Richard Douglas writes on firearms, defense, and security issues. He is the founder and editor of Scopes Field, and a columnist at the National Interest, 1945, Daily Caller, and other publications.
