Sig 365 XL: Decent?

June of 2019 ushered in the XL variant of the ever popular Sig P365. This version featured a larger grip module, increasing the flush mag capacity from 10 to 12 rounds, switched from a round to flat faced trigger, and extended the length of the slide and barrel by half an inch.

For folks with large hands, these welcome changes made the 365 usable but still not ideal. The use of a flush mag produced a bit of an unbalanced feeling to the pistol. It was a little front end heavy. Just a hair more vertical length to the grip and you would really have something going. Well, Sig took care of that with the Extended mag option, boasting 15+1 capabilities out of a carry pistol.

Great for Big Hands

This combination, especially for those with a larger build, is truly the best of both worlds. It is concealable yet functional. I have run this setup against full size handguns and experienced very little drop off. Frankly, this is a fun rig to shoot on the range.

When it comes to practicing with your Carry pistol, you know you need to get those reps in on a consistent basis. But let’s be honest, a few hundreds rounds with one is often a chore. Less than ideal grip, difficult at distance, mag changes are rough. You find yourself happily switching to your full size setup when you can. Not the case with the 365XL + Extended Mag. I will run this all day long and never bat an eye. This is the well balanced, concealable option I had been searching for. And it’s served me well for a few years now. That said, it hasn’t been without issues.

Magazine Rattle

Over the course of time, one of my Extended magazines developed a rather annoying bullet rattle. If you walked, stood up, or moved at all, you would hear a bullet banging around in the housing. Take the mag out and give it a shake and it was like a holding a maraca. That’s less than comforting.

Online research revealed that this is a known problem for these mags. It may not be a common problem, but enough people have experienced it that you will find discussions on the matter. After digging around, I will admit, one of the redneck solutions finally removed the rattle. Simply turn the magazine spring around. This was a welcomed reprieve but such an action brought about suspicion and doubt in function and reliability. As such, a range day was warranted.

Surprisingly, after several hundred rounds I experienced zero feeding, extraction, or cycling issues. However, this spring reversal did present a new issue: the follower would no longer rise high enough to lock the slide to the rear on an empty chamber. Not a big deal if you run the mag as your spare. When you’re out on the spare, you’re out regardless. But I would imagine at some point this good ole’ boy solution will fail. If you’re able, just buy a new spring or mag. If not, this remedy may get you by for awhile.

Ammo Picky?

There have been ammunition issues that have sprung while using the 365XL. As with most handguns the majority of malfunctions are ammo product related. That said, I have experienced more light strikes with “white box” while using the XL than I have with any other pistol. It’s only been a handful of misfires but enough to remove them from use.

More importantly, in terms of carry ammo, I have had to switch from Hornady Critical Defense to Critical Duty. The reason is bullet setback. In the picture above, you will notice that in the middle pair, the cartridge on the right has a bullet that is recessed back into the casing.

On a pretty consistent basis I began to notice this trend among the Critical Defense rounds I was carrying. This often occurs when the nose of a cartridge strikes the barrel’s feed ramp upon chambering. You can be mindful of this and baby your load up every day, but you shouldn’t have to be gentle. I have never experienced this issue with any other pistol and I have used Critical Defense in quite a few. So it’s been disappointing to see this pattern with the XL. But a switch to Hornady’s Critical Duty has resolved this matter entirely. I would assume the reason being the sealed mouth case on Critical Duty. Either way, I had to alter my ammo choice because of the XL.

Has it been an upgrade? Absolutely. Previously I had been carrying a Walther PPS M2. A single stack 7+1 option when the extended mag was added. As you can see from the picture above, their footprints were similar. That’s a problem for the Walther. If you have the ability to double your carrying capacity in the same space, why would you not?

The days of having to carry a single stack for sleakness are gone. There are plenty of double stack handguns on the market that fit that trim package. Sig’s newer XMacro, another option to consider, is a smidge larger than the XL with a 17 round capacity and is still considered a Micro Compact. Comfortable, concealable double stacks are now the standard.

What about the rumors of Sig’s unintentional discharges?

Sig Sauer has been hit with dozens of lawsuits for their weapons firing without pulling the trigger. The alleged mishaps have led to serious injuries and even death. The claims come from the civilian market but also from law enforcement officers and prior military personnel. Sig has settled some of these lawsuits but more remain.

What do the vast majority of these incidents have in common? The culprit in most of them is the Sig P320, Sig’s full size flag ship. The issues is NOT with their Micro P365 line, which has a different sear assembly, etc.

The P320 is the civilian version of the military’s M17 and M18. In 2016, during MHS testing, the US Army agreed to award Sig their contract on the condition that Sig would add an external safety to the P320. Conversely, a number of Police Departments across the country have ceased to use the P320 due to safety concerns.

According to the Washington Post, Sig’s position is as follows:

“Despite years of litigation and extensive discovery, no one, including plaintiffs’ ‘experts’, have ever been able to replicate a P320 discharging without a trigger pull,” and that the P320 conforms to applicable U.S. standards for safety. “The SIG Sauer P320 model pistol is among the most tested, proven, and successful handguns in small arms history.”

Even with the negative attention, the military continues to use their version of the full size pistol and the P320 markets remains high on the civilian side. So much so, that according to Gunbroker, the #2 most sold handgun on its website in 2023 was the Sig P320. Followed by the Glock 19 at #3. What sat at #1 as the top selling pistol? None other than the focus of this article, the Sig P365.

What does this mean?

You could buy a Sig P365 with confidence, pick up the XL variant for improved handling, snag a few Extended mags to really increase your ability, and run Hornady Critical Duty to avoid bullet setbacks.

Is this the crown jewel of carry pistols? Nah. But it’s a decent option for the price, has served me well for years, and will be carried until I find something I like better. If you’re looking for a new Carry pistol…it’s worth a look.