P365: Is It Really That Hot?

I don’t have any pics of my original P365, but here is where it is today. Keep reading to see how it got here.

A Glock guy’s reluctant appreciation for the most modular pistol platform of the modern era.

There’s a lot of noise in the firearm world. New pistols drop every year, and every drop is touted as “revolutionary,” “game-changing,” or “the new standard.” But few platforms have managed to cut through that noise with as much staying power — and commercial success — as the Sig Sauer P365 series. Since its initial release in early 2018, the P365 has consistently remained one of the most talked-about, sought-after, and best-selling pistols on the civilian market. It’s earned a strong following in the law enforcement community, won favor with CCW holders across the country, and carved out its own unique space in the world of everyday carry.

But is it really that good?

I’ll be up front — I’m a Glock guy as you may already know. The grip angle, the trigger press, the reliability — it just works for me. That being said, I’m also not too prideful to acknowledge when another platform has something worth exploring. And that’s what led me down the P365 rabbit hole — a journey filled with curiosity, optimism, tweaks, iterations, and ultimately… some lingering reservations.

But first, let’s talk about why the P365 has become the cultural phenomenon that it has.

⸻

The Hype Is Real — And It’s Earned

In an industry where compact pistols either sacrifice capacity for concealability or compromise shootability for size, the P365 landed like a meteor: a micro-compact 9mm with a 10+1 capacity in a frame roughly the size of your hand.

Think about that. In 2018, a pistol with that kind of profile typically held 6 or 7 rounds. Sig wasn’t just playing with the edges of innovation — they bulldozed right through it.

Here’s what the original P365 brought to the table:

• 10+1 capacity in a flush-fit magazine.

• Micro-compact dimensions: a 1” wide grip, 5.8” overall length, and 4.3” height.

• Night sights standard.

• Striker-fired trigger with a clean break.

• Modular fire control unit (FCU) that could be transplanted into other grip modules.

That last one is key.

Sig understood something the market hadn’t quite embraced yet: that firearm buyers increasingly wanted a “system,” not just a gun. We want adaptability. We want customization. We want to build our gun into our gun. And the P365 made that modularity not just possible, but seamless.

⸻

Iterating Toward Perfection? The P365 Family Tree

Since that original release, the P365 platform has expanded like wildfire. Today, the P365 ecosystem includes a wide range of variants:

• P365 – The original 10-round model.

• P365 XL – Longer slide, 12-round flush magazine, better sight radius, improved ergos.

• P365 SAS – Smooth snag-free design for deep concealment, but polarizing due to lack of traditional sights.

• P365 X – A hybrid model: standard slide with XL grip module.

• P365 X Macro – A groundbreaking addition featuring a full-size grip with a 17+1 capacity in a frame smaller than a G19, often with integrated comp.

• P365 Comp – Factory-integrated ported barrel and slide to reduce muzzle rise.

• P365 AXG Legion – All-metal frame version with added weight and shootability.

And that’s not even getting into third-party support. Companies like Wilson Combat, Icarus Precision, Mischief Machine, and Armory Craft have leaned into Sig’s modularity with incredible aftermarket grip modules, slides, triggers, and internals.

But all that begs the question — is more better?

⸻

My First Foray: The Micro P365

Like many others, I started with the original micro-sized P365. I was impressed — not by the immediate feel or shootability, but by the concept.

The thing is tiny. And while tiny has advantages for concealment, especially for AIWB or summer carry, it introduces its own set of problems.

Right out of the gate, the recoil was snappy. Not unmanageable, not uncontrollable — but noticeable. And that snap isn’t just about comfort; it affects shot-to-shot recovery and long-range precision.

The trigger? Honestly, it wasn’t bad. For a striker-fired gun, it had a nice wall and predictable break. I wouldn’t call it “great,” but it was serviceable. I still switched out the curved trigger for an Sig flat trigger. Better from a pull perspective, meh as far as overall improvement.

What got me, though, was the grip.

It’s small. Too small for my hands. The limited real estate meant my pinky hung off without an extended mag, and my support hand had no real place to land. That meant less control under recoil, less consistency in grip pressure, and ultimately — less confidence.

But I wasn’t ready to give up yet.

⸻

Yep, pulled straight from the SIG website.

Enter the XL Grip Module: A Partial Solution

The P365 XL grip module was my first mod. It was a step in the right direction.

It gave me just enough added length to get all my fingers on the grip, which helped with recoil control and ergonomics. The pistol became far more manageable. It was still compact enough for daily carry, and I started getting more consistent hits at the range.

But something still felt “off.”

Even with the XL grip, the frame still felt thin. Too thin. I couldn’t get the kind of support-hand contact I was used to on my Glocks. That gap translated to extra movement under recoil and a lack of repeatable shot rhythm.

I could shoot it. I did shoot it. But it was never as natural for me as my Glock 19 or 45.

Then Wilson Combat entered the chat.

⸻

It worked… kind of.

Wilson Combat’s X Macro Short Grip: Finally, A Real Handle

Wilson’s Short X Macro grip module changed everything. It allowed a flush fit for the Micro slide, but extended, widened and reshaped the grip to the length of the X Macro to provide better contact all around - and 17 rd mag capacity. It’s textured. It’s robust. It feels more like a “real” gun in the hand.

For the first time, I actually enjoyed holding the gun.

With that grip module and my original P365 slide, I had a pretty solid carry option. Still snappy, but now far more controllable. Still compact, but no longer cramped. I carried it for several months and made regular range trips to stay proficient.

But even then… the performance ceiling still didn’t feel high enough.

So I went bigger.

⸻

Better. We’ll talk about Cyelee optics one day.

X Macro Slide Assembly: Chasing the Magic Ratio

Eventually, I swapped the original micro slide for an X Macro complete slide assembly — the non-comp version. This gave me a longer barrel, increased sight radius, and a little extra weight to help manage recoil. I paired it with the Wilson grip and suddenly, I had something that felt like a full-size gun, but carried like a compact.

It was an immediate improvement.

Follow-up shots were quicker. Muzzle rise was reduced. The longer slide gave me more confidence pushing out to 25-30 yards. And the entire platform still disappeared under a t-shirt in an IWB holster.

So… success?

Kind of.

I eventually grabbed an OEM X Macro grip module from Sig Direct and called it “complete.” But even then — after all the iterations, upgrades, and range days — I still didn’t love the gun.

It wasn’t the trigger. It wasn’t the quality. It wasn’t even the modularity — that was, and is, the best in class. It came down to one simple, unavoidable fact:

⸻

I Just Shoot Glocks Better

And I don’t think that’s controversial. In fact, I think it’s a valuable lesson for anyone chasing the “perfect” platform.

I shoot Glocks better because it’s what I started on. My muscle memory is tuned to the grip angle. The trigger press, reset, and recoil impulse are second nature. When I draw and press out with a Glock — no matter if it’s a 19, 17, or 43X — my sights land on target without adjustment.

Every time I transitioned back to the P365, I needed a warm-up period. I had to recalibrate. The grip angle is different. The bore axis is different. The balance is different.

And even after dozens of sessions, that never quite went away.

The lesson? Familiarity matters. Training matters. Platform continuity matters.

I could shoot the Sig. I did. But I never flowed with it like I do with Glocks. And when it comes to EDC, confidence in your gear is non-negotiable.

⸻

What the P365 Does Offer: Serious Strengths

Let me be absolutely clear here — just because I didn’t fall in love with the P365 doesn’t mean it’s not an outstanding pistol.

Here’s what it gets undeniably right:

1. Modularity

The P365 is arguably the most modular pistol platform on the market. With one FCU, you can build a micro-compact summer carry gun, a hybrid XL for daily EDC, or a full-capacity X Macro for OWB or duty use. No need for multiple serialized guns — just drop the FCU into whatever configuration you need.

2. Capacity in Small Packages

The original P365 broke the mold with 10+1 capacity. The XL brought 12+1, and the X Macro offers 17+1 — all in slimmer frames than their Glock counterparts.

3. Concealability

These guns disappear under clothing. The slim profiles and short grips (on some models) make appendix or deep concealment easy, even with a light jacket or fitted shirt.

4. Aftermarket Support

From triggers to slides to grip modules to lights and holsters, the P365 ecosystem has exploded. You’ll find support from Tier 1 Concealed, T.REX ARMS, Safariland, and dozens more.

5. Proven Reliability

The P365 — unlike its older P320 cousin — has proven itself to be reliable across tens of thousands of documented rounds. It runs. It works. It goes bang every time you need it to.

⸻

The New Kid: P365 Fuse (Quick Teaser)

We’re not diving deep into the P365 Fuse here, but it’s worth a quick mention.

The Fuse is Sig’s latest innovation on the P365 platform, blending duty-capable capacity with red-dot readiness and refined ergonomics. With a longer barrel and full-length grip, it’s clearly targeted at users who want one gun to rule them all — home defense, range, duty, and carry.

If early reviews hold, the Fuse may be Sig’s play to dethrone the G19-sized market — and it might just succeed. We’ll save our deep dive for another blog post.

It looks super cool.

⸻

So, Is the P365 That Hot?

Yes.

And no.

It’s hot because it’s brilliant. Sig pulled off something bold: they created a living, breathing platform. They gave us choices. They embraced modularity, customization, and community input. And they backed it with reliability and innovation.

But it’s also not for everyone.

If you grew up on Glocks, or your muscle memory is hardwired to another platform, you may find yourself always fighting for alignment. If you prefer a fuller grip or a heavier gun, even the X Macro may leave you wanting more.

That’s where I landed.

⸻

Final Thoughts: Carry What You Shoot Best

Here’s the reality: no gun is perfect. Every platform has tradeoffs. Every platform has fans. Every platform has detractors. The best gun isn’t the most hyped — it’s the one you shoot well.

If that’s a P365, fantastic. You’ve got one of the most capable and versatile pistols on the market. Carry it. Train with it. Be confident in it.

If it’s a Glock — welcome to the tribe. Stick with what works for you. There’s no shame in consistency.

Either way, what matters is your proficiency. Train hard. Be disciplined. And carry with purpose.

Because in the real world, when it matters most, it won’t be about modularity or hype or brand loyalty.

It’ll be about performance. Your performance.

And that only comes from time behind the trigger.

⸻

Agree? Disagree? Feel free to drop us a line on our social media or in an email. Let’s talk platforms, muscle memory, and what works best for you.

Thanks for reading — stay safe, stay sharp, and we’ll catch you on the range.

Tom Plemmons is the Blacklands Security Group CAO and an avid gun enthusiast. He is currently working toward his NRA instructor certification and will receive his Glock armorer certification in May of 2025. He is a member of GSSF and looks forward to competing in the coming year.