Sig's P365XL may soon overtake the venerable Glock 19 as the most popular concealed carry gun on the market. Here's why.
There used to be a time when I would suggest the Glock 19 as one of the best first guns. It was easy to shoot, affordable, easy to find, and rode a fine line between shootability and concealability. Most people don't approach life with firearms wanting to buy five guns for five different tasks. Most want a single firearm that can accomplish multiple tasks. In 2022, I no longer suggest the Glock 19. I suggest the P365XL. Today, I'm going to give you why.
Are you scared of recoil? Have trouble controlling muzzle rise? Well, then the P365XL is for you. While it's compact, the 3.7-inch barrel and longer grip do give you more control over the gun overall. It's quite nice and very easy to handle. I suggest the XL over the standard P365 for first-time gun owners because it's easier to shoot. It's not snappy and won't hurt your hand or be difficult to control.
It's a very easy shooting gun that's also quite accurate. I can hit steel gong targets out to 50 yards with little difficulty. I get a little more practice than most, but it shows how easy the gun is to handle and to shoot accurately. It's just the right size to be easy to handle and soft shooting. Even beginners won't have a hard time utilizing the P365XL.
When I used to suggest the Glock, I'd tell people to buy the gun, and swap out the sights and call it a day. Plastic sights suck, and the SIG comes with nice metal sights. They are even night sights that promise you engagement capabilities in any light conditions. You don't have to make any upgrades to have a fantastic gun.
Besides the sights, the trigger is absolutely fantastic and needs no upgrade. The grip is grippy with an aggressive texture that makes it easy to hold onto and handle. No need for Talon grips. All you really need to buy is a good holster. I suggest the Drop slide personally, but the Reckoning delivers a great IWB experience.
The P365XL works fine out of the box, and it's good to go as is. However, the P365XL can also be outfitted with modern accessories to increase its potential. The P365XL can utilize an optic and comes cut from the factory for the RSMc shield optic. A red dot allows you to extend your effective range, your speed, and accuracy. It also eliminates short sight radius issues.
Beyond that, the newest Streamlight TLR-7 SUB allows you to have a powerful weapon light that delivers a ton of performance for its small size. The little TLR-7 SUB is perfect for home defense where you want a weapon-mounted light to allow you to establish positive identification with a single hand.
The P365XL can utilize both 12 and 15-round magazines. The 12-rounder makes a ton of sense for concealed carry and delivers a flush-fitting magazine for a smaller profile. When you go for a home defense setup, the 15-round magazine gives you the same capacity as a Glock 19. It can easily serve double duty as both a concealed carry pistol and home defense firearm.
Add on the easy-to-control nature and the ability to accessorize with lights and optics, and you get a fantastic firearm for multiple roles. It's a compact firearm that offers substantial firepower. Heck, add in the MagGuts +2 springs, and you can fit an additional two rounds in your 15-round magazine. Now you have a full-sized capacity in your compact gun.
If you are looking for a great handgun to serve multiple roles, then the P365XL fits the bill. It's a fantastic firearm that offers you small size for concealed carry purposes but enough firepower and control for home defense. The little P365XL rocks, and if you are looking for your first gun, then the P365XL gets my nod. Let us know what you think below!
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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I still carry the first one I bought with Sig night sights and a Crossbreed Supertuck. (Best and most comfortable holster I have ever owned) just have to get past the break in period.
Best most reliable CCW carry piece I have ever owned.
10,000 plus rounds through it with almost no maintenance except for cleaning and wiping all the dust off from my dusty ranch in Vegas. I carry this thing almost 24 hours a day. Already set up in my belt with my pants for the next morning. I carry it from the time I wake up until the time I lay my head down. Like I said, never had a concealable firearm that was this perfect for the job. Just FYI retired Leo from Commiefornia.
You want a testimonial?
I shoot a 3 shoot 1” group (2 in chest) in 4 seconds from 19:30 concealed behind a shirt.
7 yards out 24” Silhouette 2 to the chest one to head.
I will say once you carry this and practice with it you will never use anything else.
My Glock 21 is ready to roll at night while I’m sleeping. That green guide rod laser will scare the crap out of anybody in the house or on the property.