P365 vs Hellcat Initial Comparison

[Craig_AR]

My go-to is a compact double-stack, but I decided to start investigating smaller pistols for possible alternate carry. At the range today I rented a Sig P365 and Springfield Hellcat, basic models of each, but with the pinky-extending magazine for a full grip with all four fingers. Only shot 15 rounds through each, all at 7 yards.
Simple thoughts:
1. Were I to get a pistol in this class, I'd definitely use only the extended base mag , no flush mags. I hate a 3-finger grip with pinky waving in the wind.
2. Although the painted rear U-sight on the Hellcat looks much friendlier than the standard black notch on the P365 when examining them side-by-side at the counter, in actual firing front-sight focus made them indistinguishable to me.
3. I like the feel in my hand for grip and comfort better with the Sig P365 than the Springfield Hellcat ...
4. But I shot better with the Hellcat than the P365.

So, not close to adding to the gun safe, for now, but I think I need to do some more rentals of both before deciding on a preference.

 

[silicosys4]

I made the same comparison a few months ago and went with the Sig P365.
For $150 less the sig came with night sights and an optic cut, was noticeably smaller, and felt better in my hand.
As my state heads towards a 1 gun/month purchase limit and other severe restrictions, the Sig's ability to customize the modular trigger pack into any kind of configuration the gun is available in and then some without having to purchase another gun,
means it's got a lot more options for me going into the future than the Hellcat.
I've picked up a P320 and a P365 in part specifically for that modularity.

 

[unclenunzie]

I have both Hellcat and P365 types and have standardized on the 365. I like the P365 FCU system and the Wilson Combat grip modules. My base carry is a WC gripped P365XL. The HC are very good but don't offer that level of flexibility. Both will serve well, and are good choices either way.

 

[Styx]

I went with the Hellcat. I don't really care about mixing and matching grips. They are relatively the same size. You get an extra round (12 total instead of 11) with the Hellcat. The Hellcat was cheaper for me. The Hellcat OSP (Optic ready) can be found online for $400 or a little more dollars while the optic version of the P365 was over $500. They both come with night sights. What finally made up my mind was the Springfield Gear Up promotion that also netted me 3 extra 15 round magazines for free. Sig and Springfield mags typically cost $30 +/- each.



You can't go wrong with either. Get the one you shoot the best, or if you shoot both well enough, get the one that you find the best deal on. These micro 9mm's aren't my main EDC. They are BUG or what I'll throw in my pocket while running out the house when I can't gear up with a belt holster, etc.. I just went with the best deal.

All of this including the aftermarket APEX trigger cost me under $500.

 

[alfsauve]

I voted, when they first came out, for the P365. Love the mix and match. Have two FCUs and do 4 different configurations depending on the situation.

 

[PistoleroWadcutterGANG]

Hands down the SA hellcat. every single person that picks it up comments how much they like and pick up the u-notch sight set. SIG meh.

 

[Spats McGee]

My go-to is a compact double-stack, but I decided to start investigating smaller pistols for possible alternate carry. At the range today I rented a Sig P365 and Springfield Hellcat, basic models of each, but with the pinky-extending magazine for a full grip with all four fingers. Only shot 15 rounds through each, all at 7 yards.
Simple thoughts:
1. Were I to get a pistol in this class, I'd definitely use only the extended base mag , no flush mags. I hate a 3-finger grip with pinky waving in the wind.
2. Although the painted rear U-sight on the Hellcat looks much friendlier than the standard black notch on the P365 when examining them side-by-side at the counter, in actual firing front-sight focus made them indistinguishable to me.
3. I like the feel in my hand for grip and comfort better with the Sig P365 than the Springfield Hellcat ...
4. But I shot better with the Hellcat than the P365.

So, not close to adding to the gun safe, for now, but I think I need to do some more rentals of both before deciding on a preference.

FWIW, and I know you didn’t ask, but the Shield Plus is also worth a look in that size class. Great ergos, reliable, and 13+1.

 

[Art30/30]

I have both and both are great carry pistols. I’ve put more rounds through the SIG, it just fits the hand so well. The SA is a great shooter as well. I think you said the best part, go rent both and shoot them some more. I am certain you will like whichever you choose. Then you’ll probably go back and get the other one too!! Lol

 

[Lennyjoe]

I also have both and prefer the Hellcat over the P365.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Went down the 365 rabbit hole some years ago, and never looked back. My examples have been stone reliable, and relatively soft shooting for such a small 9.
The modularity is really handy, and allows you to experiment cheaply, and online, for different grip modules. It remains a wonder that the chassis hasn't been used by more gunmakers.
BTW, the little SIG can also become a .380.
In its simplest form, the 365 is pocketable, and even the OEM sights are decent.
Moon

 

[Old Dog]

Hands down the SA hellcat.

Oh, please -- not the "hands down" trope. It's all purely subjective.

I went with four versions of the P-365. I have shot a buddy's Hellcat quite a bit. While I really like the Hellcat's sights (and may even prefer them a tad over the 365's), the 365's ergos work better for me. Capacity is moot given the mag choices available now.

Plus, given a choice, I don't favor a trigger dingus, and in my purely subjective opinion, while the Hellcat has a nice, short and distinct reset, the 365's trigger seems smoother.

 

[doubleh]

My only experience with a hellcat is an early model that belongs to my grandson. They forgot to round off the corners very well and the trigger stunk. He has spent some money for trigger improvement. I still find it uncomfortable to shoot. They may have improved the newer ones though. I settled on the Sig P365 with red dot as it was much more user friendly to me but I got tired of the red dot because it made it larger than I wanted. I am currently small centerfire pistolless. If the Smith CFX was DA/SA that's what I would own.

On the upside both the hellcat and P365 never choke.

 

[Targa]

I have the Hellcat my dad has the 365. One would work just as well as the other for me.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Plus, given a choice, I don't favor a trigger dingus, and in my purely subjective opinion, while the Hellcat has a nice, short and distinct reset, the 365's trigger seems smoother.

Really like the 365 trigger's feel, and its smooth break. Being steel, and absent a 'dingus', it's one of the best things about SIGs.
Moon

 

[Art30/30]

If your looking at a good trigger and the same price point, if you can rent a Kimber Mako…… I got one of those too, came with 5 mags under $500

 

[tarosean]

Really like the 365 trigger's feel, and its smooth break. Being steel, and absent a 'dingus', it's one of the best things about SIGs.

My 365s trigger is mush... easily one of the worst triggers in my safe. The only reason its still here is for trade fodder one day.

 

[Boom Vang]

I have had both the Hellcat and Hellcat OSP.... and the SIG 365 and 365XL. I only have the Hellcat now, and I carry it frequently.

I don't do optics on carry guns, so that is a zero or negative factor for me depending on the model. I also don't pocket carry striker-fired pistols or double-stack micro 9s, so neither is that a factor.

The SIGs had decent intrinsic accuracy, and the overall footprint is small. But I did not the like skinny grips on them: they didn't suit my hand, which is average size. Wilson had not come out with their aftermarket grip yet, but why should I have to buy an aftermarket part to make a pistol suitable? The SIGS were rather blasty and snappy in firing. [NB. My other guns include Glock 23 and 1911 Commander .45] The 365XL had a non-adjustable rear sight, which I also didn't care for - drifting the front sight for windage is a bad idea on a pistol. I think SIG may have later changed that design on the XL model. The SIGs also displayed excessive striker drag on the primer, and hard slide racking with the striker forward. As for the trigger action - I don't care for flat triggers. Putting that aside, I've examined many specimens of P365 at the LGS - it's a hot selling gun around here - and individual samples have a wide variation in trigger quality and feel. Most have a very short travel and an abrupt let-off with over-travel. I didn't care for it in a defensive pistol.

The Hellcat I found to be somewhat less obnoxious shooting, and at 50 yards it is more accurate than the SIGs. The grip feels better in my hand, and the sights are much faster to acquire and get on target than the 365. Since I carry IWB or OWB, the minuscule size difference is moot. I originally had the OSP as that all that was available (without RDS), and found racking the slide to be slippery due to the interrupted slide serrations, to accommodate the stupid optic plate. I sold it and bought the regular Hellcat, which is noticeably better in that regard. The trigger action amongst those I've examined were all very close to the same. I found the trigger to be more Glock-like than 365, which I prefer in this type of pistol.

All the guns are/were equally reliable. I overall shot better with the Hellcat.

 

[Mercy Me]

I have the P365X and fired the Hellcat a fair amount. They stack up pretty close. Biggest physical difference is the trigger. Hellcat has a partially cocked striker like the Glock where the P365 is fully cocked.
Subjectively I think the Hellcat has a harsher recoil impulse.
Subjectively I think the Hellcat has a better build quality.

 

[JmacD]

My go-to is a compact double-stack, but I decided to start investigating smaller pistols for possible alternate carry. At the range today I rented a Sig P365 and Springfield Hellcat, basic models of each, but with the pinky-extending magazine for a full grip with all four fingers. Only shot 15 rounds through each, all at 7 yards.
Simple thoughts:
1. Were I to get a pistol in this class, I'd definitely use only the extended base mag , no flush mags. I hate a 3-finger grip with pinky waving in the wind.
2. Although the painted rear U-sight on the Hellcat looks much friendlier than the standard black notch on the P365 when examining them side-by-side at the counter, in actual firing front-sight focus made them indistinguishable to me.
3. I like the feel in my hand for grip and comfort better with the Sig P365 than the Springfield Hellcat ...
4. But I shot better with the Hellcat than the P365.

So, not close to adding to the gun safe, for now, but I think I need to do some more rentals of both before deciding on a preference.

I’ve shot a few, but for me the 365 feels better. And I can shoot it! Never handled another microcompact that fits my hand as well. I ran a whole tactical class with is and it kept up with the “full size” stuff very well. Close to 4k rounds through it I believe. I did upgrade to the flat trigger. May try a Wilson grip. But it’s America, and you can shoot and own the one you prefer. Or both. And be happy.

 

[Terry G]

I chose the Hellcat also. My Wife bought it for me for Christmas two years ago. She thought it was "Cuter" than the 365.

 

[jmr40]

I bought 2 of the 365's before the Hellcat was available. One for me, one for my wife who carries in her purse. For the way we tend to carry the manual safety was a big part of it. Not an option on the Hellcat.

I don't necessarily have a problem with the lack of a safety if carried in a holster that covers the trigger, but we don't always carry that way. And I have several Glocks including a G43 for those times.

 

[JEBruns]

I have both Hellcat and P365 types and have standardized on the 365. I like the P365 FCU system and the Wilson Combat grip modules. My base carry is a WC gripped P365XL.

I really didn't think the WC grip was going to do anything for the wife's P365. Figured it was just a gimmick. But she came home from one of her Well Armed Women meetings demanding I get one for her. I have to say it made a consistent and noticeable improvement in her accuracy, so I guess there is something to it.

 

[halfmoonclip]

I settled on the Sig P365 with red dot as it was much more user friendly to me but I got tired of the red dot because it made it larger than I wanted.

doubleh, think about a Big Dot, TruGlo, or other really visible front sight for a 365. Personally, I'm struggling with red dots, mostly because they let me see my trembles too well. Small, defensive guns aren't meant for Camp Perry, but simply to give adequate accuracy at shorter distance.
Moon

 

[doubleh]

doubleh, think about a Big Dot, TruGlo, or other really visible front sight for a 365. Personally, I'm struggling with red dots, mostly because they let me see my trembles too well. Small, defensive guns aren't meant for Camp Perry, but simply to give adequate accuracy at shorter distance.
Moon

Thanks for the tip but I have given it to my daughter. I know a little about the trembles. They are a real PIA even with medication..

 

[Hokkmike]

One more nod for the SIG....