Sig Sauer P365XL Ultimate Review In 2024
Sig Sauer has undoubtedly set the standard high that the models after the P365 have also become in demand. That says a lot about why you certainly won’t regret getting yourself a Sig Sauer P365XL. In fact, if you are searching for a reliable handgun that is highly capable of both shooting and carrying all day long, this won’t disappoint you.
Sig Sauer is a well-trusted brand that offers high-quality and reliable guns. In fact, it is quite popular in the firearms community. That’s why you can trust that the P365XL has a great standard of Sig Sauer, which makes it dependable in tactical carry applications. It is one of the top-notch options you’ll come across if you are searching for the best concealed carry weapon. The Sig Sauer P365XL is pretty much an outstanding personal everyday carry gear you can have.
Ideally, the P365XL is closely compared with Sig P365. But this time, let’s have the detailed Sig P365XL review. This includes its specifications, how it compares to earlier models, pros and cons, and knowing what makes it impressive. So, let’s get down to the review, starting with the specifications.
Sig Sauer P365XL Specs
Here are the specifications that you must know about the Sig Sauer P365XL. These details can help you get to know more about this concealed carry weapon, so don’t miss them. Let’s take a close look below:
- Capacity: 12 + 1
- Caliber: 9mm
- Gun Weight: 20.7 oz
- Barrel Length: 3.7″
- Overall Width: 1.1″
- Overall Length: 6.6″
- Overall Height: 4.8″
- Sights: Optic ready with iron night sights
- Action: Semi-Automatic
- Hand: Ambidextrous
- Magazine Type: Detachable
- Safety: Manual
Now that you have explored the specifications of P365XL, let’s dig into the basics and check out its background. Don’t search elsewhere because this is the Sig P365XL review that can help you learn almost everything about this everyday carry weapon.
Background
Remarkably, the primary reason why the P365XL semi-auto pistol is closely compared with the standard Sig P365 is that it is an upgraded model. So it is much better to discuss the Sig P365 first to clearly understand the existence and background of P365XL. One thing is certain; you will find its background much more interesting than you can actually imagine.
The Sig P365 came out as an ideal concealed carry weapon. Hence, it has effectively taken the CCW world by storm. It actually made history for the brand in terms of popularity. Well, it has become highly in demand for several good reasons. The standard P365 stands out regarding accuracy, reliability, and comfort when holding or shooting it. More than that, it is also great as it has the ability to accept a 12-round magazine.
Additionally, the standard P365 is a gun that is not bigger compared to competitors’ guns, which only can hold half as many rounds of 9mm. With that said, the capacity of this firearm is truly worth praising for. It is pretty obvious that capacity is one of the major feature advantages it has over its competitors. The extended 12-round magazine capacity surely has its perks, but it also fairly comes with some issues.
There’s no doubt that the extended 12-round magazine for the P365 is a really nice advantage, as it can efficiently improve the grip. Yet, there are some issues with it, including the need and effort to release part of the grip when conducting a magazine change, and the extended 12-round P365 magazine might also be an additional purchase on top of purchasing the gun itself. This is when you need to decide if you are willing to pay for what P365 can offer.
While there is a fair share of perks and issues about the extended 12-round P365 magazine, you can trust that the accuracy is quite phenomenal. Despite that fact, some shooters still have some problems that are pointed out in accuracy. Some shooters reported difficulty in achieving the accuracy potential of the platform in a short-sight radius shooting. Thankfully, Sig Sauer treats the issue as another challenge. Hence, the reason why the Sig Sauer P365XL is made.
Simply put, the P365XL is Sig Sauer’s answer to the imperfection of P365. As the name implies, the P365XL is considered the big brother to the regular P365. It just comes with a longer grip and a longer slide. To be specific, it provides a full-length grip that accepts flush-fit 12-round magazines. Besides that, it is also equipped with a long slide for an improved sight radius and an impressive increase in velocity. Sounds fantastic, right? Well, there’s more it can boast about.
What’s more impressive about the P365XL is that it also accepts extended 15-round magazines and has a standard flat x-series trigger. It is also great for being already milled for an optic. Hence, it is customizable to improve more of its performance. More on the highlight features below. So, let’s dig into the topic. Read on for more.
Highlight Features
Check out what the P365XL 9mm Pistol is proud to offer. What makes it more amazing to buy is that it does not have just one best feature. It has several highlight features. Explore them below.
Longer Slide
The gun is equipped with an increased sight radius. This feature makes it effortless to aim. Combined with a longer pistol barrel, it has effectively increased velocity. This advantage translates to better shooting results.
Longer Grip
The Sig Sauer P365XL features a full-length grip that accepts 2 round magazines. It is actually considered a flush-fit standard option. Additionally, the 15-round extended magazine is also an available option for the capacity.
Improved Trigger
Specifically designed with the upgraded flat x-series trigger, you can expect that it has an improved trigger, which also enhances the shooting experience.
Optic Ready
The gun is purposely milled from the factory. This makes the gun easily accept new micro red dots. In short, it is an optic-ready firearm that is open for upgrades.
Sig Sauer P365XL — Who Is It For?
The Sig Sauer P365XL 9mm pistol is probably ideal for countless shooters. It is between a micro compact 9mm gun with a large enough construction to provide a full grip. Hence, it can surely guarantee great shooting experiences. You can be fully comfortable with holding and shooting this gun. At the same time, it has a superb sight radius that will bring you a perfect sight picture at speed. This is actually an excellent advantage if you want to enhance your performance in shooting.
Interestingly, the P365XL model is designed to be small enough to disappear in an appendix carry holster and regular t-shirt. You don’t even have to put too much effort in terms of trying to conceal it for everyday carry. As said, you can use a gun belt or holster. You can simply cover it with a regular t-shirt. Therefore, it is a compact gun that is suitable for any shooter looking for a concealed carry weapon to trust for solid protection at home or outdoors.
To put it simply, it is small enough to conceal but big enough to comfortably fit on your hands. Definitely, it is a go-to choice to try if you are looking for a concealed-carry handgun.
Sig Sauer P365XL Detailed Review on Features and Performance
There are a lot of features to talk about with the Sig Sauer P365XL semi-auto pistol to have a detailed review. Frankly, it is quite hard to judge whether it is great or not with limited characteristics. So let’s try to cover pretty much everything about it. Without further ado, let’s dive into the detailed review of the features and performance below.
Trigger
Let’s start the review with the trigger. This P365XL model features a flat trigger with a slight hook at the bottom. When compared with the standard P365, there is no significant difference to see. Both guns are striker-fired, which is why you can actually experience some uptake before you can have a relatively clean break between 5.5 to 6.5 lbs. That surely sounds like a great trigger performance that you can’t resist trying.
Moreover, the trigger has well-rounded edges and sides. There are no sharp edges that can cause issues regarding comfortability. No drop on the safety on the trigger itself either. This gives you all the reasons to expect that the trigger shoe is extremely light to operate. Well, Sig Sauer specifically ensures that kind of light trigger, so you won’t have any safety troubles when it is dropped. Definitely, the trigger is well-built for a great purpose.
Now, discussing the trigger itself, it is very light to operate. It can also be a very creepy trigger when you’re going slow. While that can happen, you can still expect that the trigger is unpredictable. On the other hand, the reset is short and very strong, which will get you to achieve some fast shots downrange. You will always be impressed by how the flat-face trigger promotes smooth, consistent pull promotes precision shot placement together with rapid, controlled fire.
Sights
When it comes to sights, the P365XL model comes with sights on the rear and front parts. The sights on the rear are made from metal. There are two of them: Tritium (glow-in-the-dark) white sights. Meanwhile, there is a bright green Tritium sight added on the front. These sights are highly helpful in terms of making it easier to see the target better. The standard with three-dot night sights is good, but you can always replace them since it is an optic-ready gun.
Magwell
The P365XL semi-auto pistol comes with a pretty decent magwell. The magwell incorporates the rear and the sides of the grip. With that kind of design, you can look forward to a fairly easy process of inserting a magazine into the gun. Another must-know regarding the process is that there are chances that you will have the heel of your palm hanging off below the grip.
Additionally, there is a high probability that you will pinch your palm between the magazine base plate and the grip of the pistol itself when reloading. Unfortunately, that can happen a lot of times if you are not careful with the process. Good thing you can always wear shooting gloves to keep your hands safe.
Grip/Ergonomics
Compared to the standard P365, you can find that the XL model has a slightly larger version of the grip. But the ergonomics are nearly identical to each other. Sounds interesting, right? That’s why learning from this ultimate review is definitely worth your time.
The larger version of the grip brings a significant difference since you can actually get all three of your fingers on the grip if you have medium to larger size hands. With that said, you can find it more comfortable to hold and shoot with the XL model than the standard P365. Of course, the comfort still likely depends on the size of your hands. If you have large hands, your pinky will likely stick off or hang off the magazine base plate.
As far as ergonomics is concerned, you can expect that the XL gun model feels good in the hands. This is especially good and comfortable if you have already ensured a solid grip for excellent control. Meanwhile, the texturing is another pretty good characteristic of the Sig P365XL. To compare it, you can see an amazing stippled-like texture with a sandpaper-like feel on the overall grip for no-slip hold. Therefore, there won’t be an issue if you have sweaty or gloved hands.
Recoil and Feel
Since the P365XL has an interesting size, being slightly larger than the true micro 9mm concealed carry handgun. That’s why it effortlessly brings extra mass that helps achieve a full grip. This ensures comfort, as having a full grip helps tame the muzzle flip and recoil. Thanks to its excellent overall ergonomics that make the gun quite good to hold, you can control the recoil.
If you want a concealed carry weapon that is easy to draw and grip, the Sig P365XL model perfectly fits the bill. What’s more, you will surely like how easily it can get all the shots out quickly. Thus, it is no wonder this handgun stands out in its class in both feeling and recoil control. This is another plus point that makes it convincing that it is worth getting.
Controls
Strictly speaking, the Sig P365XL has no safety. But there is a thumb safety version available. This safety feature is fairly well placed that works accordingly. The feature is low profile but can be unnecessary at some point. Surely, the thumb safety is nothing exceptional and could be better, but Sig Sauer made sure that it is something you will like.
Magazine Release
The magazine release for this semi-auto pistol is conveniently located. So shooters with small to large hands will likely be able to access and shoot it comfortably without compromising the grip. With that said, you won’t need to feel bothered if you have medium to larger-sized hands. Your palm will most likely help with blocking the magazine from ejecting.
Since the Sig P365XL is compact and easy to grip, the magazine release will not drop free after you press the mag release. It will simply disengage, so you must remove the bottom of your palm from blocking the magazine. Overall, the magazine release is fairly smooth on all edges, proving that Sig Sauer did a good job on this feature.
Slide Stop
Regarding the slide stop of this XL P365 model, it is just designed identically to the slide stop of standard P365. To be specific, the feature is also positioned for easy reach right behind the thumb. Shooters with small hands won’t experience trouble with it. As a matter of fact, it is an especially great duty gun replacement for individuals with extremely small hands.
Absolutely, this handgun features an easy-to-reach slide stop with just the primary thumb. It is actually best to use the right hand for operating the slide stop since there is no slide stop option on the left-hand side. For some shooters, this feature can be better. Still, it is not considered a high flaw because slide manipulation is good for enhanced concealment and snag-free holstering.
Aesthetics
Appearance-wise, this Sig Sauer P365XL semi-auto pistol has a fair level of aesthetics. Well, the frame and rear portion of the slide is designed quite well for an impressive look. But there are some instances when you see that it seems to be just a scaled-down variant with a thinner build. Interestingly, it can also look a little bit odd because of its extended slide portion.
Since it is an XL model, it highlights a slightly longer grip. But for some, it just makes the gun not balanced. So it might not be considered the favorite part. Instead, it stands out better because of its flat trigger. The aesthetic looks only play so much of a role. Still, performance weighs better in reviewing this handgun—the one that actually determines if it is worth trying.
Shooting
Shooting with the Sig Sauer P365XL just feels pretty much like using the standard P365 handgun model. The ergonomic textured grip promotes instinctive aiming and a nonslip hold. Combined with the flat-face trigger, it can help you achieve smooth, consistent pull for better precision shot placements. Not only that, but it can also give you rapid, controlled fire. Quite remarkable, it can give you a much better sight picture when acquiring your target using the red dot sights.
Since this P365XL handgun comes as a full-featured out-of-the-box pistol for shooters, it has exceptional versatility. It can work on several shooting applications. From a really smooth trigger pull, nice weight, and impressive ergonomic textured grip, most shooters will likely find it easy to shoot.
Accuracy
With everything that this semi-auto pistol has to offer, you can expect it to take your accuracy to the next level. In fact, there are a lot of guns in the market that are jam-packed with accuracy-booster features. Given that fact, you can look forward to being able to shoot accurately with it. Ultimately, practicing and improving your shooting skills matter the most. Therefore, remember to put effort into practicing.
Maintenance
While the P365XL looks highly durable and tough enough to withstand hard use, you must know it needs maintenance. The good thing with this semi-auto pistol is that the maintenance is fairly task to do. All you must do for that is a few steps. Start with locking the slide back. With this, you want to ensure that the chamber is empty and there is no magazine. Then, you can proceed with rotating the takedown lever that’s in front of the slide stop. Ideally, you must rotate it down 90 degrees.
Once the takedown lever is already rotated, you must slowly pull the slide back slightly. Then, slowly let it forward. You can safely remove the recoil spring assembly and the barrel from there. If you want to put the slide back, you simply need to follow the reverse process. What’s great about this gun is that you don’t have to pull the trigger to safely disassemble the firearm. This is a big pro.
Definitely, maintenance is a must-task to complete because it also includes cleaning. Always make sure to follow the safety procedures to avoid any negligence discharge. As a gun owner, maintenance is a great responsibility and strategy that significantly improves the lifespan of your firearm. So, always do it.
What Sets It Apart?
Compared to the other P365 models, the XL model stands out for having longer slides/sights with longer grips. Essentially, it has the best feel in the hands for much easier shooting. It stands to its best description of being small enough to conceal yet big enough to fit comfortably in larger hands. Of course, with how it is designed, it performs quite differently from other models.
Sig Sauer P365XL’s Report Card
Here’s a visual presentation that makes the Sig Sauer P365XL review easier.
| SCORE | ||
| RELIABILITY | The chance of malfunction is rare, especially if properly maintained and cleaned. | 5/5 |
| ACCURACY | The accuracy at a distance and speed is exceptional enough to impress skilled shooters. Also, the longer barrel gives you a longer sight radius, which translates to ease of pointing and shooting the gun. | 4.5/5 |
| CUSTOMIZATION | Adding some light options and optics for enhanced shooting results is easy. | 4.5/5 |
| ERGONOMICS | It is patterned with standard P365 models, but with improved ergonomics. | 4.5/5 |
| VALUE | The Sig Sauer P365XL is an excellent go-to companion for concealed carry applications and shooting ranges. It can do both, so it has great value for money. | 5/5 |
Pros and Cons of the Sig Sauer P365XL
If you are quite overwhelmed with everything you have discovered about the Sig P365XL review, let’s take a look at the pros and cons to make it clear if this concealed carry weapon is truly worth paying for.
| PROS | CONS |
| 12 +1 round capacity standard | The slide lock can be a little harder to hit |
| Extended 15-round magazines | The reassembly process can be quite tricky |
| Milled for a red-dot, optic-ready | It can be slightly larger for some, which causes issues regarding concealment |
| Incredible, crisp flat-faced trigger | 12-round is the minimum length |
| Nice feeling and comfort in a nearly full-sized grip | The rear sight is removed with an optic plate |
| Increased sight radius and velocity | |
| The longer grip makes shooting and reloading much easier | |
| Thin construction for easy everyday carry | |
| Tritium sights | |
| Offers impressive performance | |
| Scores high in terms of reliability, accuracy, and ergonomics | |
| Has high value for money |
Frequently Asked Questions
Got some more questions about Sig Sauer P365XL Semi-Auto Pistol? If that’s the case, you will certainly like this FAQs section that will let you know more about this concealed carry weapon and other relevant topics related to it. Here you go, so have a look.
Is the SIG Sauer P365XL a good pistol?
The SIG Sauer P365XL is just a bigger model patterned from the standard P365. What’s good about it is that it is credited for having top-notch reliability, accuracy, and comfortability in shooting adventures. That’s why you can expect that the XL model of it is a relatively good pistol that can stand out in the firearms market. It makes a good concealed-carry handgun companion that can give you peace of mind about your safety and protection.
Is a SIG better than a Glock?
A Glock is made from a polymer construction, which makes it the lighter option for concealed carry applications. In fact, it can edge out a SIG in this category. However, using a Glock handgun means that you are using a higher caliber. This means that it can cause more recoil than you think. That’s why it is great to choose a SIG since it handles recoil better than the Glock does.
Is the P365XL a good home defense handgun?
Remarkably, the P365XL semi-auto pistol makes a good home defense handgun. So you can entrust it with your protection and safety. What makes it more amazing is that P365XL can serve multiple shooting roles. It definitely fits the bill if you are searching for a handgun with superb versatility. While this handgun features a small, compact size suitable for concealed carry purposes, it has enough firepower and control that is ideal for home defense applications.
Is it ideal to dry fire a Sig P365 XL?
There is no problem to feel bothered about in dry firing a Sig P365 XL. Well, center-fire pistols, like this one, are generally safe to dry fire as it is an effective way to ensure that it is safe to use for a fun shooting experience. When dry firing, it is ideal to use a snap cap or plug.
Is P365 XL full size?
Truth be told, the P365 XL is in the middle of having a full size and compact size. It is small enough for easy concealment and adequately big to ensure a comfortable fit in hands for a no-trouble shooting experience. It surely has the perfect balance of micro-compact concealability with full-size shooting ability perks. With impressive magazine capacity, it stands out with high comfort and power like a full-size pistol in its highly concealable size.
What is the primary difference between P365 and P365 XL?
The primary difference between P365 and P365 XL is quite obvious as the latter has XL size length in grips. This obviously means that the P365 XL model is 0.60 inches longer compared to the standard Sig P365. With the extra length of the grips, the XL model boasts two extra rounds with the flush-fit magazine. The extra half-inch length in grips gives a significant difference and distinction. Still, both make ideal concealed-carry weapons.
What does XL stand for on the Sig P365?
With the Sig P365 XL, the XL moniker means additional in size. Compared to the standard P365, it is a slightly larger handgun with 0.60 inches longer length grips. In short, it is like a big brother to the standard model. Despite the additional size, the P365 XL is still ideal as a concealed-carry weapon.
Does the Sig P365XL have a safety feature?
Like any other high-quality semi-auto pistol, the Sig P365XL is equipped with a safety feature. This feature keeps the handgun safe and secure if you have accidentally dropped it off. That’s a worthy feature because it significantly eliminates safety issues. Normally, no external safety is added, but you can have an external thumb-safety model available.
How much is the Sig Sauer P365 XL?
Truth be told, you can see that the Sig Sauer P365 XL has no standard price online. The actual cost depends on where you purchase it. To give you an idea, it can cost between $599.99 to $726.99. While you may be confused about the gap in the price since we are discussing just one handgun model, the cost is actually influenced by the finish and other factors. So, it is good to know what you want to align your budget better.
Where to buy the Sig Sauer P365XL?
Since the trend of buying online is already getting better nowadays, it will not be bad to do it as well in getting a Sig Sauer P365XL. As long as you only buy from trustworthy online sites, you won’t have to feel bothered about encountering a bad experience. There’s no need to search elsewhere because you can check out Brownells, Cabela’s, and Palmetto State Armory. These online sites have high-quality Sig Sauer P365XL models with different finishes and stock colors.
The Verdict
Sig Sauer has undoubtedly set the standard high that the models after the P365 have also become in demand. That says a lot about why you certainly won’t regret getting yourself a Sig Sauer P365XL. In fact, if you are searching for a reliable handgun that is highly capable of both shooting and carrying all day long, this won’t disappoint you. While it is definitely not perfect and can be better, there are several good reasons to give this top-notch handgun a try—you will be much surprised and glad at how well the handgun fits into your daily routine.
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