Picked up a P365 today…

[vanfunk]

I used to carry an airweight Smith .38 daily but pretty much gave up carrying about 12 years ago. Recent global lunacy has propelled me to start carrying again, and I resolved to go with a little more firepower than before. So - I narrowed it down to the P365 or the Hellcat and, after handling both today, the Sig won. I got it home, lubed it up and did some informal plinking with it with 115 gr FMJ. Recoil is brisk but the pistol is very controllable. The sights are fabulous for such a small pistol and my example shoots to point of aim with a combat hold. The magazines, OMG the magazines are hard to load! A loading tool is on the way and will be here tomorrow. I stuck it in a “Sticky” brand pocket holster and it’s eminently totable in the front pocket of my cargo shorts. I’ve reloaded it with Hornady Critical Defense for now but have some hotter Underwood hollowpoints on the way. Man, what a package - more than twice the capacity of my old j-frame, with much better sights, in a potent caliber, highly concealable in shorts, easy to shoot and accurate. I’m done looking for a carry piece - this is the one.

 

[Hugger-4641]

View attachment 1145431
I used to carry an airweight Smith .38 daily but pretty much gave up carrying about 12 years ago. Recent global lunacy has propelled me to start carrying again, and I resolved to go with a little more firepower than before. So - I narrowed it down to the P365 or the Hellcat and, after handling both today, the Sig won. I got it home, lubed it up and did some informal plinking with it with 115 gr FMJ. Recoil is brisk but the pistol is very controllable. The sights are fabulous for such a small pistol and my example shoots to point of aim with a combat hold. The magazines, OMG the magazines are hard to load! A loading tool is on the way and will be here tomorrow. I stuck it in a “Sticky” brand pocket holster and it’s eminently totable in the front pocket of my cargo shorts. I’ve reloaded it with Hornady Critical Defense for now but have some hotter Underwood hollowpoints on the way. Man, what a package - more than twice the capacity of my old j-frame, with much better sights, in a potent caliber, highly concealable in shorts, easy to shoot and accurate. I’m done looking for a carry piece - this is the one.

The mag will loosen up some, but the Uplula mag loader is definitely a finger saver. The fifteen rd mag is a joy for range day and I like the grip better, but is a little harder to conceal so I've usually got the 10rd in it.
Congrats on your choice!

 

[BoBo522]

A fine choice! P365 was my first carry pistol when I got into firearms a few years back. It's definitely set the bar for concealed carry. Enjoy your Sig!

 

[Iggy]

After 50 years of concealed carry and trying all kinds of various gun, when I picked up the P365 I quit looking.

With Magguts magazine conversions installed 2 additional rounds are available.

The former 10 mag is an 1/8” longer but will still enable pocket carry and 13 rounds with one up the pipe.

Accurate to minute of cow turd at 25 yards.
It’s a keeper.

 

[Spats McGee]

Congratulations! I don't have a P365, but I hear lots of good things about them.

 

[JR24]

Congratulations, good guns.

I prefer mine with the longer XL grip, and one made by Wilson combat, but the 365xl has largely replaced all my other guns for CCW or HD.

Even have one with a WML and the 15 round mags on my nightstand instead of a Glock 19.

 

[unclenunzie]

Wait till you try the P365XL version, and the Wilson Combat grip modules, and the xmacro grip module, the various magazine sizes. I can make my 2 P365 FCUs into four different pistol configurations, 10-17 rounds. Congrats on a very nice pistol!

 

[JR24]

Wait till you try the P365XL version, and the Wilson Combat grip modules, and the xmacro grip module, the various magazine sizes. I can make my 2 P365 FCUs into four different pistol configurations, 10-17 rounds. Congrats on a very nice pistol!

Dunno with the macro baseplate, but with the one that goes with the XL, that 17 round mag is TIGHT. Worst I’ve ever seen so far, almost actually need the uplula. I didn’t think there’d be a tighter mag than the Glock 30 but I’ve found one.

Makes me wonder how long the spring will last, and also if it will dent the rims like some of my 1911 mags and the aforementioned Glock 30 did. I’ll be taking the 17 rounder to the range this week at some point to verify it works and all that

 

[Bula]

I purchased the Sig Tac Pac a while back. Ships with 3 X 12 round mags. Loved it, then I found the Wilson Combat replacement grip frames, bought one. I made a perfect carry gun, more perfect. Highly recommend that grip frame. Put a Mag-guts kit in my carry mag, 14+1 onboard. Better palm swell, beveled mag-well, better grip texture, easier mag swaps (no pinching at Mag seam), best upgrade for sub $100 hands down.

 

[WVRJ]

I have the 365 and the 365XL,and they are both very fine carry guns.I have a Wilson Combat grip on my XL and it's a very shootable small pistol.I can shoot it really well,almost as well as my larger 9mm's.I'm able to stay in the 9 ring of the qualifying targets we use for CC classes at 40 yards.I wouldn't want to explain shooting an assailant at 40 yards,but I know I can do it.My triggers were both a little gritty to start with but after a hundred rounds or so,they smoothed up nicely.

 

[Alllen Bundy]

There are a few things that you need to check. First load a magazine to capacity, insert it with the slide closed and then see how difficult it is to retract the slide. My P365 was extremely difficult to retract the slide until I polished the stripper rail. My P365XL was reasonably easy to retract the slide over a magazine loaded to capacity.. So the finishing quality may vary.

BE AWARE of the SLIDE JAMMING FEATURE! If while the slide is removed from the FCU you happen to bump the slide catch and the takedown lever moves into the 4:30 position, and you attempt to reinstall the slide, IT WILL JAM UP SOLID! So always keep your thumb lightly pushing the takedown lever clockwise in the 6:30 position while you are reinstalling the slide. Also, the striker safety lever must be in the down position when you reinstall the slide or it will prevent you from reinstalling the slide.

As has already been mentioned, you will probably want to get an XL grip module and 12 rds magazines and perhaps an X-Macro grip module and 17 rd magazines. It requires less than 30 seconds to swap grip modules. Different day, different carry need, different grip module.

The Wilson combat grip modules are set up to insert a 1.5 oz tungsten weight kit inside the grip module. It better balances the pistol when it is low on ammunition. I weighted my grip module the hard way by gluing tungsten welding electrodes together, grinding them to shape to fit recess inside the rear of the grip module and gluing the weight in place.

I have MagGuts spring kits in my 10 rd magazines to increase the capacity to 12 rds, and in my 12 rd XL magazines to increase the capacity to 14 rds.

 

[Walkalong]

If while the slide is removed from the FCU you happen to bump the slide catch and the takedown lever moves into the 4:30 position, and you attempt to reinstall the slide, IT WILL JAM UP SOLID! So always keep your thumb lightly pushing the takedown lever clockwise in the 6:30 position while you are reinstalling the slide. Also, the striker safety lever must be in the down position when you reinstall the slide or it will prevent you from reinstalling the slide.

Figured these two things out real fast the first time around.

 

[Old Dog]

Wait till you try the P365XL version, and the Wilson Combat grip modules,

Concur!

OP, great choice. I will admit, I do like the big U-notch rear sight on the Hellcat a lot. But for me, the 365 comes in with slightly better ergos with a distinctly better trigger.

 

[PCFlorida]

I will also say the same as the OP and others. I had read some articles on the P365 when it first came out. One day I was in the local gun shop and saw one and asked to hold it. Wow! I took it home with me, bought a few OWB holsters and took it shooting. For me at least, the perfect carry all day weapon, great sights and a great natural pointer. Shoots great and the recoil is very controllable. Thank you SIG!

 

[Alllen Bundy]

For me at least, the perfect carry all day weapon, great sights and a great natural pointer. Shoots great and the recoil is very controllable

Having never shot a pistol before in my life, only rifles and shotguns, by the 4th magazine my spread was 3-3/4" at 7 yards and it has improved since then. I think that says a lot for the P365 design. I never had any issues with flinching, recoil, or muzzle flip.

 

[vanfunk]

Thanks mates! I appreciate the “pro tips” immensely; no doubt the one about the takedown latch will save me some tears! I’ve never had a “modular” pistol before and I like the fact that the P365 is so versatile. I’m going to shoot it as-is for a bit (and break in those mags! I have a permanent indent in my thumb from trying to cram that last round in there) and then look into the WC grip modules. I can see the wisdom of the added weight in the grip to counter the top-heaviness as the grip lightens with each round fired. Right now I’m just liking that I can carry 11 rounds of 9mm pistol without it pulling my pants down! My example isn’t appreciably difficult to chamber from a full magazine, thankfully, and I find the trigger to be silky smooth with a predictable, if sproingy, break. I agree with you Old Dog about the sights on the Hellcat and, good as they are, I’d have preferred brighter rear night sights on the SIG. The trigger on the SIG is leagues better than the Hellcat, in my opinion. I also find the shape of the P365 to be just a little more svelte and concealable, too. The Hellcat gets rave reviews and I’m sure it’s an excellent piece, but I know I made the right choice for my proclivities.
Thanks again everyone!

 

[Ks5shooter]

Im a Glock guy but hear nothing but good things about the 365's.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I purchased the 365 first then the Hellcat. While I enjoy shooting the P365 and carrying in a pocket holster, I prefer the Hellcat. The ergonomics and sights work just a bit better and I pitched the 10 round in the spare mag box and carry the 13 in the pistol and a 15 rounder in a spare mag carrier.

That being said, my 365 has been solid from the get go. Makes a nice back up pocket gun. Congrats on your purchase and I hope it serves you well.

 

[JDeere]

I carried a 1911 Commander in 45 for years until I was in my LGS one day. He had a 365XL and I had heard nothing but good things so I handled it and then bought it to try out. I had to get used to the combat hold but that was easy. 12+1 is all I need and the WC module is a sweet addition. Fast forward, my wife was carrying a Micro 9. One day at the range I told her try out the XL. I had to pick up another XL when the LGS got one in she liked it so much.

 

[Tallball]

The old-fashioned "remedy" for new magazines is to leave them fully loaded for a few days.

Sometimes it really seems to help.

Congratulations on your new pistol.

 

[Glockpride]

Congrats on a great carry pistol. With the 15 round reload mag, that’s three loads of a j-frame… I know my maths even though I did go to colledge (heehee) in Arkansas.

I found the 15 round in the XL a little long for my liking, so did the 12’s with the Magguts +2. So, not hard at all to carry 30 rounds on body.

 

[Alllen Bundy]

Also keep in mind that the P365 only has a 3.1" barrel length. You probably want to use ammunition with muzzle velocity on the high side to make up for the loss of muzzle velocity because of the shorter barrel length.

 

[vanfunk]

Thanks again gents! You know it’s funny - I know myself and I think I know how this is going to go… I am going to go back into my LGS is a week or so… I am going to have another look at the Hellcat… the owner is going to remind me of the free 5 mags and holster promotion they’re running on it… and, well, you know that’ll end. Alllen B, I think I agree on the velocity issue which is why I’ve ordered some really screamin’ hot Underwood ammo to try in it. Then again, advances in bullet technology have really made the 9mm a more potent round; even the 147 grain fodder at 900-something fps seems to penetrate and expand very well in ballistic media. Nevertheless I am hoping this Underwood stuff is controllable. IIRC the 124 grain hollowpoints are doing like 1250 fps from a 3 inch barrel in their tests. That’s pretty damn hot for a pocket pistol.

 

[JR24]

It better balances the pistol when it is low on ammunition

I have been shooting plastic pistols for 25+ years now and never, once, have I noticed any balance change as the magazine gets empty. Big, little, 9mm .40 or .45. I would never even know that was a concept if it wasn’t for the internet. Perhaps it’s a very firm grip and the whole push/pull aspect of my firing grip or something.

Here’s my “do it all” 365xl. With the light it has replaced my Glock 19 as a bedside option. As for the “why put all that crap on it since it’s a small gun” question? Well, it’s belt gun anyway and even with the 15 round mag, optic, and light it’s lighter and thinner than a stock Glock 19. So easier to conceal and carry, and I can use the 12 round mags to make it disappear under even light and somewhat tight tshirt, which is nice in the summer heat.

At some point this summer I’m going to pick up a normal size 365 (which will be my 3rd) for occasional pocket carry in shorts, maybe even a SAS.

 

[Targa]

Great choice! I have the Hellcat but like BoBo522 said, Sig certainly set the CCW bar with the 365.