Sig Sauer P365XL Review

What does the founder of Pew Pew Tactical use?

The Sig Sauer 365XL is what I have been using for 18 month from the date of publication.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that you should stop doing research on your concealed carry weapon.

The XL is my everyday carry gear.

This is after I have been able to test, and carry almost everything in that category.

You should be able to tell by the end if you like the XL as a concealed carry weapon.

Let’s now get to the review.

Sig Sauer P365XL Specs

Background

Sig Sauer launched the original p365 in 2018, and created carry history with 10+1 9mm rounds in a small package.

Since then, Sig has released variants with different frame/grip size, triggers and optic readiness.

As its name suggests, the P365XL is the bigger brother of the regular P365. It has a longer grip, and a larger slide.

This results in a larger capacity, 12+1 as opposed to the original 10+1. It also leads to a wider sight radius.

Although I’m not really bothered about it, I prefer the flat trigger to the curved one.

Don’t worry…I will compare the XL with the other P365 models a bit further down in the article.

The P365XL: Pros and Cons

Pros

• Great 12+1 or 15,+1 9mm capacity
• Ready for Optics
• Crisp flat-faced triggering
• The grip is almost full size and has a nice feel.
• Easy to carry, thin for carrying
• Tritium sights

You can also find out more about Cons

• Slide lock is harder to hit
• It can be tricky to assemble your furniture.

Who is it for?

You…and me…if you find what you are looking for.

I wanted something that was in the new category of a Micro Compact 9mm, but large enough to grip.

The main complaint I had about the original P365 is that it was difficult to get my entire dominant hand on the grip of the gun without a magazine extension.

The sight radius was just a little bit shorter than the distance that would give me a perfect view at speed.

The P365XL was able to solve all of these problems and give me +2 capacity, which is a total of thirteen rounds of 9mm. I hope that it will be enough for me to handle any situation where I need to draw a weapon.

It’s small enough to fit in a regular t-shirt and an appendix carrying holster.

Fit, Feel & Features

Let’s go deeper!

The P365 series is designed for concealed carry, and the grip texture balances “grippiness’ with “snagginess.”

The gun should be kept in your hand even if the barrel is a bit moist…but it shouldn’t get so wet that your shirt gets caught on it or becomes worn down by constant abrasion.

As I mentioned before, the XL allows me to get a nice grip with my full hand. It is very helpful when pulling from a holster.

The mag release has a nice contour to avoid snagging, but it is large enough and protruding to allow most to reach it without having to shift their grip.

It is also far enough away from the slide lock that I can use my whole hand to grip it without accidentally preventing it from locking onto an empty magazine.

You’ll need to apply more pressure in order to release the slide from a new magazine, but it is more difficult because the mag is out of the way. It’s very doable and not as frustrating as the micro compact 9mms.

It is better to learn the slide release for each gun than to memorize their slightly different slide releases.

The XL comes with a front bar, which makes it a bit harder to carry. It’s also a little more difficult to find a holster.

Let’s get to the fun part…how it fires.

How Does It Shoot Work?

Trigger

Let’s begin with the trigger…

It’s flat. Other than that, I cannot tell the difference between this trigger and the original P365.

There’s still some uptake until a clean break occurs between 5.5 and 6.5 lbs.

You can shoot fast downrange with Reset, as it is very short and strong.

It’s the best micro 9 for me.

Sights

The natural way it points has been praised by everyone who has used it. This is due to the sight, extended range of vision, and overall ergonomics.

The sights are made of metal, with two Tritium white (glow in the dark) sights at the back.

A bright green Tritium sight is also available.

I am a big fan of irons and the contrast colors make it easy to focus on the sight in the front.

The new thing is pistol red dots. The XL does indeed have the same optics as the Shield RMSc standard “micro” red dots.

Recoil and Feel

The extra mass of the gun and the space for a full-grip help to reduce muzzle flip, which is common in smaller guns.

The XL grip is very easy to use and allows you to fire all your shots quickly, while letting the sights fall back down every time.

Ammo & Reliability

I tried some of my favorite range ammo in the 9mm 115 grain variety.

If you can’t find anything at the moment, check out our Best Online Ammo Stores Page.

At this point, I have been carrying for almost 18 months. I rotate at least one or two magazines each time I visit the range. Before I can carry a real gun, I also have to pass a personal test of 500 rounds.

The reliability is very high, with about 1000 rounds without a malfunction.

Accuracy

I believe that most guns are more accurate then the shooter. This time I decided to put it through a real-world test. 10 yards, 10 seconds, 10 shots.

The results are below.

I am a good shooter and, despite the time constraints, I managed to get a few flinches. I was still happy to get 3-inch groups despite the longer distance and time constraint.

There were no noticeable differences, but my 147gr defensive ammunition had a little more oomph. Always practice with them!

What makes it different?

Versus P365s

Sean, a member of the Pew Pew Team likes his P365XL Spectre Comp. This is an upgraded version with integrated compensator port. This adds a lot to the price.

Jonny, a smaller guy, chose the P365X.

This version has a longer grip but the slide is still shorter. It also comes with a Sig Romeo Zero optical.

Comparing Other Micros

Best Micro Compacts 9mms explains this in more detail.

The XL was the most comfortable in my hands, it pointed easily, and it absorbed muzzle rises and recoil best.

It is important to try and feel these micros with your own hands. What I consider “best” will probably be different from what you feel.

Our TX team loved P365s and our CA guy was second.

My Loadout & Upgrades

After I tell people I carry the P365XL, they often ask me this question. What’s my loadout and have I upgraded anything?

Holster

Hidden Hybrid Holsters is my favorite CCW holster. The leather/suede is more comfortable against my skin than pure Kydex. The Kydex shell is still there to hold the gun tight.

For concealment, I chose a single clip for AIWB (appendix within the waistband).

More naturally, you can draw.

Here is the short video of drawing and shooting from before:

The P365XL is a pretty simple gun to conceal, so I didn’t upgrade the holster. View my review for the full Hidden Hybrid.

Rounded Gear is a good choice if you are looking for simplicity and affordability.

Belt

It is easy to overlook the CCW belt, but it is vital for comfort and retention of your firearm. Kore Essentials is my choice.

Ammo

For your CCW loadout, choose defensive hollow points instead of regular FMJs (full metal Jackets). I prefer the 147gr versions for a more pushy feel rather than a snap.

But in these times you’ll need to find whatever you can. Check my Best 9mm Ammo article.

For practice and range ammo I buy the cheapest brass-cased ammunition. This will usually be Blazer or American Eagle.

Do not skimp on steel-cased ammunition for your carry weapon!

Light

If you decide to buy one, I recommend the Streamlight TLR-7. They work well on other guns.

Magazines

I have at least five magazines for every gun that I use to carry around or defend my home. The standard 12-rounders are my favorite. They fit flush into the magwell, and they can be used with the P365.

You can also hide the 15-rounder depending on how you dress or your build.

The Numbers

Accuracy: 4.5/5

A longer barrel allows for a larger sight radius, which makes it easier to point the gun. My skill level was able to achieve great accuracy at distance and speed.

Reliability: 5/5

It has a 1,000 round capacity and no malfunctions. What I have been carrying for 18 month.

Customization: 4/5

There are factory options, such as the Spectre Comp. More parts are being released all the time. For a CCW, I tend to ignore most internal upgrades. There are plenty of holsters and light options. Also, optics are available.

Looks: 4.5/5

It looks pretty good with its flat-faced trigger and overall dimensions.

Price: 5/5

The list price of $599 is comparable to other competitors, but is slightly higher. It is worth the price, however, because of all its features and reliability. Includes two 12-round magazines.

Final Verdict

The best thing that I can say about the Sig Sauer P365XL, is that I use it to protect my family and me. It’s not hard to tell you that I love the way it feels in my hands, how quickly it points, its 12+1 9mm capacity and reliability.

The P365 series is also a favorite among the rest of TX’s team. I like the XL version.

Breakdown

The P365 family has a trick for disassembling and reassembling. You may have to adjust the takedown lever, or even the smallest nub on the grip.