The Sig Sauer P365: Comparing the Standard, SAS, and XL Models

Which Sig P365 is right for you?

The P365 has been an industry leader for everyday carry and since 2018 and customers still can't get enough of this high-capacity micro-compact striker-fire pistol and for good reason.

In 2018, the P365 was selected as Guns and Ammo Magazine’s Handgun of the Year, won the Industry Choice Award for Handgun of the Year, Ballistic Magazine’s Editor’s Choice for Compact Semi-Automatic Pistols, and the NASGW-POMA Caliber Award for Best Overall Product. In 2019, the P365 was selected as Shooting Illustrated Magazine's Golden Bullseye winner for Handgun of the Year providing consumers with further evidence of the P365’s unequaled innovation, unparalleled quality, and unmatched reliability.

One of the most efficient carry 9mms on the market, Sig Sauer quickly capitalized on its popularity by offering additional models to customers eager for more. With several models readily available, which one is right for you?

We break them down to help you decide!

Tried and True: Standard P365

The most popular P365 is the base model also referred to as the P365 Nitron. This gun set a new bar not just for SIG, but for the firearms industry as a whole. The standard P365 is a micro-compact firearm with the ability to use 10, 12, and 15 round magazines.

The P365 comes with a set of SIG night sights for low light performance. The P365 has a 3.1-inch barrel and an overall length of 5.8 inches, weighs a mere 17.8 ounces, and features a crisp 6-pound trigger pull. The P365 found a way to be that small and still have a flush-fitting ten-round magazine.

The small size of the standard model is easy to conceal and offers shooters excellent size and capacity for their shooting pleasure plus it has stood up to its share of tests, so you know it's a reliable everyday carry gun. You can get it with a manual safety or without. It’s a bare-bones gun that does what 90% of shooters need it to do.

The Deep Concealment Model: P365 SAS

The P365 SAS is one of the most unique concealed carry guns on the market right now. The SAS moniker stands for SIG Anti Snag which is the designation given to SIGs with trimmed features and the P365 SAS took this moniker to the extreme.

Gone are traditional sights, traditional slide lock, and takedown lever. This makes the weapon exceptionally small and snag-free. The P365 SAS has sights, but they are flush with the slide and is a rear sight only contraption known as the FT Bullseye sights.

On top of that, the barrel and slide are ported, and this system reduces muzzle rise and makes the weapon much more controllable. Other than those features, the P365 SAS is the same size and shape as the standard P365, but it’s snag-free snag-free.

The Big Brother: P365XL

>Riding in on the coattails of the micro compact P365 is the P365XL, which punched up the P365 size-wise. If you want a longer grip and a longer barrel, the P365XL is for you. The barrel is extended out to 3.7 inches and an overall length of 6.6 inches. The P365XL is designed to use the 12 round magazine as its flush-fitting choice and the 15 round as the extended option.

The P365XL also added red dot capabilities. You can mount a micro red dot sight to improve your accuracy, your speed, and your effective range. SIG still includes their fantastic night sights if a red dot isn’t your thing. You also get a bit more sight radius, and that’s always desirable.

The XL is available in a manual safety or standard variant too. The P365XL is a bigger option for those that don’t fear size but still want an efficient size to capacity ratio.

Comparing the Specs

*Despite the basic 10+1 capacity for the original and SAS models and 12+1 capacity on the XL model, there are extended 12 and 15-round magazines available.

There are also a few other models to mention when it comes to arguably the most popular SIG concealed carry gun on the market today.

P365 XL Romeo Zero

Essentially the P365 XL topped off with a Sig Sauer Romeo Zero 1x18mm Electro-Optic, the P365XL Romeo Zero is the perfect balance of micro-compact concealability with full-size shootability. The optic is fully adjustable for windage and elevation as well as intensity and the firearm features a notch in place of a rear site so if God-forbid the red dot doesn't illuminate, you can co-witness through the optic with the front sight and the notched rear to acquire your target.

The P365 XL Romeo Zero has an MSRP of $679 and is a good option for anyone looking to add a red dot to their EDC.

The P365L

The P365L is an unofficial SIG I created using a standard P365 frame and the slide from an XL. This setup gives you a longer sight radius, optics options, and a short, easier to conceal frame. While it is a POP (Pike Original Pistol), you can find out how to make one of your own here.

The P365 BB Gun

This isn’t a "real gun", but it is a fun addition to your firearm collection. It works in all P365 holsters and is an excellent training tool. Learn more about how to train with it out here.

SIG Out

The P365 changed the game, and the concealed carry world will never be the same. There are enough models to fill a GPS Range Bag. The industry is rushing to catch up, and I can’t wait to see what comes next. Until then, the P365L securely tucked into a Drop Slide is my go-to SIG.

What’s Yours?

Do you carry a P365? Which model do you carry and/or own? Is there one you've had your eye on and just haven't pulled the trigger on buying yet?

Sound off in the comments, we want to hear from you!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Travis Pike is a former Marine Machine gunner who served with 2nd Bn 2nd Marines for 5 years. He deployed in 2009 to Afghanistan and again in 2011 with the 22nd MEU(SOC) during a record-setting 11 months at sea. Travis has trained with the Romanian Army, the Spanish Marines, the Emirate Marines, and the Afghan National Army.

He serves as an NRA certified pistol instructor and pursues a variety of firearms based hobbies.

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Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Travis Pike and the CrossBreed Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.