Sig P365 XL to X conversion

I love the grip frame of the XL. Can I put a standard P365 slide and barrel on the XL grip frame and end up with a 365X? Is any fitting required or would this be drop in?

 

It's all plug n play.
Swapping in the XL grip was the second thing I did when I got mine.

 

It's drop in replacement. I can swap grip modules in less than 30 seconds. Just remember to push out the receiver retaining pin from the right to the left, and re-insert the pin from the left and push towards the right. The reason for this is that the retainer spring for the receiver pin is mounted on the right side. You only need to push the pin about 1/8' to the left before it comes free of the retainer spring.

 

I did have an issue with the XL grip module beavertail as received. Someone in another gun group mentioned that the web between their thumb and forefinger would sometimes catch on the corners of the XL beavertail during a draw. I found that I had the same issue.

The other guy just cut off the beavertail. But I actually preferred the extra support of the beavertail, so I wet sanded a mild radius into the corners of the beavertail. After the radiusing, if my hand is not in the optimum position to draw, the web between my thumb and forefinger just glides over the beavertail and my hand drops into position on the grip module. If you don't know what to look for you cannot tell that it isn't stock.

You can see the photos in this discussion:
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/p365-x-xl-sas-grip-module-modifications.892045/

Do note that the P365 and P365XL grip modules allow the FCU to slide front to back about 0.010" because of the oval shaped receiver pin holes in the FCU. Most people don't notice this, but you can actually feel it during the trigger take up if you pay very close attention. It is possible to remove the play by shimming, but I haven't found it irritating enough to bother with it. I also don't know if removing the play will cause any problems. But likely not.

 

Here are photos of the different 12 rd magazine floorplates:
The 2-Piece P365 12 rd Floorplate on Left. --- The 1-Piece P365XL 12 rd Floorplate on Right




You can insert a 12 rd XL magazine into a P365 grip module, but it's a bit floppy.

There may be times that I need to carry with the shorter P365 grip module and carry with the 10 rd magazine. But I still want to use my 12 rd XL magazines for backup. To make the 12 rd XL magazines more compatible with the P365 grip module, I sanded down the bottom of the original outer piece of the P365 12 rd floorplate to make an adapter ring that can just slide over the 12 rd XL magazine to fill the gap.

 

So I really would not have to do anything except take the slide and barrel off my 365 XL and put on the 365 slide and barrel, right?

 

Step 1: Remove the FCU retaining pin. I used a Q-Tip to push out the FCU retaining pin. You only need to push the retaining pin inward from the right side a little bit before you can grab it and pull it out from the left side.


Step 2: Lift the rear of the FCU upwards, and then lift the FCU out of the grip module.


Step 3: Put the FCU into the grip module nose first, then press the rear of the FCU downward until it snaps into position.


Step 4. Reinsert the FCU retaining pin from the left side and push it inwards until it snaps into place.


You can literally change grip modules faster than you can change your socks.

 

You can take the P365XL slide assembly off of your XL and put any other P365 slide assembly back on with no fitting, no additional parts, and no other modifications. Most of the replies in this thread cover swapping the polymer grip module, which involves removing the retaining pin before pulling out the FCU - but if I read your post right you were just asking about swapping out slides to turn an XL into an X. Hope this helps.

 

Yes, I am just trying to turn an XL to an X. I want a 365 length slide and barrel on my 365 XL frame. I think all I would have to do is change the slide, barrel, and recoil spring.

 

We've got some terminology confusion issues trying to use old terminology on modern technology.

In the past, the grip module and the FCU (Fire Control Unit) of a pistol were the same piece, often referred to as the frame. Today, many people refer to the P365 grip module as the frame. Other refer to the P365 FCU as the frame. Sig uses the terms "FCU" and "Grip Module" and avoids the use of the confusing term "frame" entirely. And don't get me started on what the ATF (Or AFT if you are occupying the oval office) defines as a "frame".

But yes, all you need to perform the conversion is a P365 Slide, P365 Recoil Spring Assembly, and P365 barrel. It should slide right on.

Buying individual parts is expensive. From a cost vs value perspective you may be better off just buying or trading for a P365X or buying a P365 and installing an XL grip module. Look at the total value, such as magazines that come with the pistol, etc. Or if you get lucky maybe you can trade slides with someone, or perhaps someone has a complete P365 slide for sale at a good price.

Also beware that there are two versions of the slide that use different extractors that are NOT interchangeable. To install a new style extractor into an old style slide I believe that you would need to mill the slide.

Left: Old Style Extractor ....................... Right: New Style Extractor

 

Yes, if you have both just pop the top on the other frame.

 

You are correct, that's all it would take.

 

SIG made the X as so many people were buying a 365 and a 365XL, to make the "X" version before is existed, then asking SIG what they could do with a long slide and a stubby frame.

Later, other aftermarket folk started offering "grip modules" to suit various tastes in such things. Those require monkeying with the fire control group, which, luckily, is pretty simple to swap.

A similar thing happened when people wanted a Colt "Lt Commander"--you sourced an alloy frame Commander and an Officers Model. You wind up with a similar problem after mounting an Officer's slide on the LWT Commander frame. You have a Commander slide that will not sit pretty on an Officer's frame.