9mm Micro Shootout – Sig P365 vs. Glock 43 vs. S&W Shield

Authors Gun Reviews Handguns Jeff Cramblit Pistols Semi-Autos

EDITOR’S NOTE: When this article originally published the availability of the SIG P365 and Glock 43 were somewhat limited. Production has since ramped up and with some shopping, all three pistols can be readily found available. However, finding 9mm ammo might be difficult! Comment if you’d like a similar article done but including other pistols. Be sure and name what pistols you’d like to see included. Stay safe.

Everyone at the Shot Show in January had to stop by and see the new Sig P365 Micro-compact pistol; it was the talk of the show. Sig had made the leap into the deep end of the pool to compete with the well-established pillars of the micro market, the Smith & Wesson Shield, and the Glock 43 9mms.  It certainly looked and felt good, and it held more bullets than its rival competitors, but looks are sometimes deceiving.

9mm Micro Shootout - Sig P365 vs. Glock 43 vs. S&W Shield

All three Micro-Compacts proved accurate for their size, these are more than point and shoot guns.

The true test is when you put a product side by side with its competitors and see how they stack up. So after a not so patient wait to get the newly popular P365 it’s time to get down to the range, scales and numbers to see how it does.

The Basic Numbers

Measurement Sig P 365 Glock 43 S&W Shield
Length 5.82 6.31 6.25
Height (including sights) 4.31 4.25 4.62
Width (widest point) 1.11 1.36 1.03
Grip Width (average) .99 .92 .94
Weight (oz) 18.5 18 20.5

 

The numbers above clearly show that Sig has produced a product that is within the same size and weight arena as its competitors. These measurements were made with the shortest, non-extended magazines that are offered for each gun.

9mm Micro Shootout - Sig P365 vs. Glock 43 vs. S&W Shield

Thin is important when you tuck this in your waistband each day. So where did they hide all those extra rounds in the SIG?

These numbers pretty much deal with how well these little guns are going to carry on a day to day basis. The Sig is small when compared to the length on both the other guns and solidly stands with them in the weight, width and height numbers – they gave up little to the competition in basic design.

Deeper Numbers

The numbers in the table above are usually all you really get, but when comparing these 3 guns it’s worth getting a little more specific. All these guns have a different feel when in the hand and shooting, and after all how well you shoot a gun is usually about how naturally it fits you.

Measurement Sig P 365 Glock 43 S&W Shield
Grip Length (front strap) 1.93 1.78 1.77
Grip Circumference (narrowest) 4.75 4.87 5
Grip Depth (front to back) 1.75 2.2 1.92
Back strap to front of trigger 2.64 2.61 2.69
Trigger Weight (pounds) 5.1 6.25 6
Sight Radius 4.85 5.17 5.26

 

This is where Sig’s P365 starts to pull away from the pack for me. The Sig, while being very short in height overall has the longest front strap on the grip, allowing the shooter to get a better handle on the gun.

9mm Micro Shootout - Sig P365 vs. Glock 43 vs. S&W Shield

Trigger guard designs play heavily in length of front strap on the grip, influencing how grip fits your hand. The greater undercut of the P365 trigger guard adds to the overall design and control.

It also has the smallest front to back measurement of the grips, resulting in the smallest circumference, making the gun fit well in smaller hands. The well stippled little grip is easy to get a hold of and hang on to while shooting. Larger hands may still like the Glock or S&W better; but are you willing to settle for the lower capacity?

The distance of the reach from the back strap to the trigger is relatively equal for all 3 guns. However, the pull weight to break the trigger on the P365 came in about a pound less than either of the two other guns and had very little over travel.

A one pound trigger pull difference might not seem like much but it’s significant on a percentage basis and was noticeable while shooting groups. Would this difference be noticeable under stress in a hostile encounter – maybe, maybe not?

9mm Micro Shootout - Sig P365 vs. Glock 43 vs. S&W Shield

S&W had the greatest sight radius due to rear sight reaching to the back of the slide. Glock had the longest barrel of the test guns.

The P365 did have the shortest sight radius as expected since it had the shortest overall length. However, it appears its short barrel wasn’t too detrimental as the P365 ended up with some small groups while doing accuracy testing. The lighter trigger and good sights seemed to help those groups along.

Accuracy

After a little time warming up all 3 guns with some ball ammunition to get acquainted it was time to calm down and shoot some groups. Accuracy testing was shot at 25 feet with the three guns; using five types of ammunition and firing three five shot groups for each. A couple hours on the range I had 45 targets worth of groups and data to crunch. Ammunition tested ranged from 115 grains to 147 grains, all defensive type ammunition, as that is what would be most likely to be used in the little guns.9mm Micro Shootout - Sig P365 vs. Glock 43 vs. S&W Shield

Average Group Size (smallest)
Ammunition Sig P 365 Glock 43 S&W Shield
Winchester 147 grn Bonded JHP 1.6 (1.14) 1.88 (1.51) 1.40 (.92)
Remington High Terminal Performance 147 grn JHP 1.71 (1.07) 1.96 (1.13) 2.70 (2.35)
Federal 147 grn JHP 9MS 1.91 (1.90) .94 (.75) 1.82 (1.39)
Hornady Critical Defense Light 100 grn FTX .93 (.86) 1.56 (1.17) 2.08 (1.49)
Hornady Critical Defense 115 grn FTX 1.09 (1.04) 2.15 (1.58) 2.48 (1.40)

 

All three guns shot accurately enough to be used in defensive situations, clearly, each gun had some likes and dislikes in the ammunition tested. The smallest group overall was shot by the Glock 43 with the Federal ammunition.

Unfortunately this combination, Glock 43 and Federal 147 JHP ammunition also had the only malfunctions (2) during all the testing.  This Federal ammunition has a very large hollow point and experienced two failures to feed with the Glock- always thoroughly check your carry ammo for operation in your gun.

Other than the two failures with the large-mouthed bullets, all three of the guns ran 100% with both flush and extended magazines, with a wide variety of ammunition- these are highly reliable guns.

9mm Micro Shootout - Sig P365 vs. Glock 43 vs. S&W Shield

Accuracy testing always has a certain amount of human factor errors but results in more realistic expectations than machine testing; only 42 more groups to go.

The Hornady Critical Defense Light was definitely the softest shooting and easiest to control in all 3 guns and functioned 100%, I was a bit concerned the lighter load may prove finicky in the micro guns but it proved me wrong.. With all the data above it’s a bit tough to determine an answer to which firearm performed the best.

  Average of Groups All Ammo Average of Smallest Groups
Sig P365 1.45 1.20
Glock 43 1.7 1.23
S&W Shield 2.1 1.51

 

When it was all totaled out, even with its short sight radius, the diminutively sized P365 ended up with the smallest groups sizes. Was this due to the lighter trigger, the longer grip length, the excellent XRAY3 sights, a tighter fit barrel lockup, or a combination of all those factors combined? Whatever the reason, it shot the best and all three shot well for “Micro-Compacts” at that distance.

Added Bonus Features

When comparing the sights on the three test guns the P365 is the definite winner. Sig’s XRAY3 Day/ Night sights are really nice. The front sight dot shows up well, day or night, as advertised. The rear sight is also well executed; the outside corners are rounded to prevent snagging and digging into your flesh when carrying concealed. The tritium dots, front, and rear show up well in low light and allow easily getting hits on target.  The dots are much easier to see than the target in the darkness.

9mm Micro Shootout - Sig P365 vs. Glock 43 vs. S&W Shield

The front sight dot on the Sig is a standout when compared to white dots or standard tritium sights.

The P365 is the only one of the test guns that comes with front and rear cocking serrations, the others just having the rear. Racking the slide on smaller 9mm guns can sometimes be a challenge due to having little to hang on too while having to overcome the short stiff recoil springs.

9mm Micro Shootout - Sig P365 vs. Glock 43 vs. S&W Shield

Beveled top and front edges of P365 make it “feel” smaller than the actual dimensions. Grip size difference is clear between Sig and S&W in this photo.

In addition to having the extra set of serrations, the P365’s serrations seemed to be the easiest to get a hold of; they allowed a better grip on the slide. Digging into the difference in how the serration felt and performed a little deeper, revealed that the grooves of the P365 serrations were several thousands of an inch deeper than the Glock’s, and both of these were easier to manipulate than the S&W scalloped design serrations.

The Sig is also the only one of the three that has an accessory rail that will be able to accommodate the lights and lasers that will be coming shortly. It appears they have set some new standards to be reached by others.

All three manufacturers sell magazines that are extended to allow the shooter to get a better grip on these micro blasters, some increase capacity, others just extend the grip for control.

9mm Micro Shootout - Sig P365 vs. Glock 43 vs. S&W Shield

Guns with extended magazines inserted. Sig in foreground holds 10+1, Glock 6+1, 2nd Sig 12+1, S&W Shield 8+1

The capacity advantage of the Sig P365 due to its staggered magazine design dwarfs the competition. The Sig with its 10 round flat or extended finger support magazine is 3 rounds above the S&W or 4 above the Glock. Think about it for a minute, 10+1 in the Sig is as many rounds as a single stack 9mm 1911 holds.

With the extended capacity magazine, the Sig has almost twice the rounds of the Glock and 4 rounds more than the extended Shield in a similar sized package.

Range Time

On the range shooting steel targets at speed, all three guns functioned flawlessly. All these guns have good triggers and fine sights; these aren’t pocket derringers that are only good when trapped in a phone booth. Engaging multiple silhouettes and an MGM plate rack from 10 yards was fun and easily accomplished with each product.

As identical holsters for each were not available I shot them all from a low ready start. The Glock with its different grip angle required me to do a little adjusting of sight picture but was fast and accurate, though the magazine capacity only allowed me to put controlled pairs on each of 3 silhouettes then get only one of the plates from the plate rack. The fun is over way to soon.

The Shield performed well and with its 8+1 extended magazine allowed for the same controlled pairs and getting three of the plates down of the 6 plate rack, this fun lasted a bit longer.

The Sig with its 12 in the magazine + 1 in the chamber, for 13 total rounds, placed good hits on the silhouettes and allowed me to engage all six plates and have one extra round for a pick up on a missed plate. The P365’s front sight was definitely fast to pick up and track.

Running steel and plates until I had expended another 3 boxes of ammo was literally a blast and took only minutes. The only other conclusions I arrive at is that I liked the way the P365 grip feels better than the other two guns, but I shot the Glock 43 just a little bit faster, possibly due to previous familiarity.

All these guns are very capable of engaging targets at defensive distances at speed with good shot placement.

9mm Micro Shootout - Sig P365 vs. Glock 43 vs. S&W Shield

Reliable performance, sleek lines, and comfortable grip make the P365 an ideal Every Day Carry gun

Bottom Line

The Sig P365 wins this shootout in my humble opinion. The MSRP of $599 is a bit higher than the other guns but Sig brings a bit more to the game. The outstanding grip design, higher capacity, great sights, lighter trigger pull, smaller length, light weight and just a great overall feel make it a winning product.

The other two guns are great, they have been the cornerstones of concealed carry for many years, and I have personally carried both of them, but Sig has changed the game.  Get your hands on a P365 and see how you think it feels.

Visit Sig and learn more about the P365 by clicking Here.

Visit Smith & Wesson and learn more about the Shield by clicking Here.

Visit Glock and learn more about the G43 by clicking Here.

***Shop GunsAmerica for your next Sig P365 pistol***

***Shop GunsAmerica for your next S&W M&P Shield pistol***

***Shop GunsAmerica for your next Glock 43 pistol***

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  • roger simon July 26, 2021, 7:19 pm

    howdy
    on the P365 can i put some ports in this weapon to help the recoil action
    thanks for your time
    rog

  • Michael Mulligan January 21, 2021, 8:11 am

    very good article, feel a lot better about purchasing a Sig p365. thank you.

  • Larry January 11, 2021, 12:12 am

    These are small guns. I highly, highly suggest shooting them and pulling them from concealment.

    They are all great guns and I have shot them all. I have owned bot a 43 and a Shield 2.0. Of the 3 the Shield with the 8 round mag fits my hand like Christ came down and gave it to me personally.

    I can shoot all of the fine, but because they are small the Shield just works for me when shooting and drawing from cover, way better than the other two. Its slimness just melts into me when I carry it.

  • STAN92166 December 4, 2020, 1:55 pm

    I have owned and shot all three pistols. I feel it boils down to what fits your hand best. I was not very accurate with the Glock or Sig, S&W shot well. Fast forward a few years I bought the Sig 365 XL I am dead on with it cant miss. Change in size and trigger made a huge difference for me. In todays firearms market the quality in most firearms are better than most of us can shoot. It boils down to what works for you. Any firearm you can shoot well is better than nothing when you need one. Have a good one.

  • Zupglick December 4, 2020, 11:31 am

    I still prefer my two friends, Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson.

    • Shanz December 5, 2020, 1:25 pm

      10-4. Love my shield.

  • Whathappenedtomycountry December 4, 2020, 8:30 am

    How many glock recalls?

    • Kenneth Ragan December 4, 2020, 9:35 am

      Im just here to piss ALL yall off! I like sig but for the money….why not just carry a taurus g2c or g3c?? They take sig p226 magazines so you can have 20 or 30 rounds….BAM! Never had a problem with mine!!!

      • Scott December 4, 2020, 1:30 pm

        This article is not lying about the 365. That pistol is no joke and I feel nothing beats it in the same size category. The Glock 48 with the S15 magazine is superior to the 365XL IMO though.

        Taurus has had some bad press although mine (six revolvers and a Millennium Pro) always work great. The one glitch was a fiber optic blew out of a 444 Ultralight after a bit over five hundred rounds (not all fired on the same day) but their customer service fixed me up quick and free.

      • stan92166 December 4, 2020, 1:59 pm

        I still have a Taurus 24/7 in 9mm bought it when they first came out. Still shoots great no issues. If it works stick with it.

  • Charles Tuggle December 4, 2020, 5:28 am

    I carry a P365 with a P365XL frame, I really like this configuration. and I am able to pocket carry it.
    I love my P365. I also have two XLs with Holosun red dots. at 74 years old the red dot is a must.

  • Roderick Gors October 29, 2020, 6:24 am

    Glock is just a piece of plastic, i prefer my pistols to be metal!

  • JP June 4, 2020, 12:16 pm

    agreed. the PC model would have been a better comparison. I have both PC and Non PC shield 9mm. the 2.0 major improvement over the original. Just cant seem to get my hands on a 365, need to feel and shoot it to offer an unbiased opinion. however still bank my life on S&W.

  • John May 1, 2020, 12:47 pm

    I bought a S&W Shield M1.0 when they first came out for $369. I’ve seen these for sale new around $250 apparently to close them out, so theoretically you could carry two of these for the price of the SIG. I have large hands and like the way it feels and shoots. The M2.0 allegedly has a better trigger than the original. I do recall some pistols had a recall issue, though mine did not and has been trouble free. I also added a M2.0 in .45 acp and love it. Really soft shooter for a .45 and is only slightly bigger. I got that for $365 with 4 mags, a mag loader and two boxes of shells. I love sales.

  • Johnny April 22, 2020, 4:52 pm

    Sig didn’t do anything new here. You obviously aren’t familiar with the kel tec P11 they did this years before Sig ever dreamed of copying them. I have an old Jennings 9 that is just as small and holds more rounds. Yes Jennings is crap but there again nothing new here.

    • Scott December 4, 2020, 1:49 pm

      I agree some. Their newness is in the trigger. I frequently carried a P11 with flush fit twelve round magazines and one up the pipe for many years. George Kellgren is a genius and he did the compact hi-cap 9mm thing a long long long time ago but after I bought and fired my 365 the P11 gathers dust. Trigger superiority of the 365 cannot be overstated. P11 is now a dinosaur. Respect to it, capable, cheap, reliable, even versatile, but still a dinosaur.

  • Tom April 14, 2020, 7:51 pm

    It would be interesting to see which gun is easier to shoot in terms of fast follow-up shots. Also, which gun produces more inherent recoil due to weight and bore-axis.

  • Ray Perez April 11, 2020, 12:09 am

    compare the .45 subcompacts:
    Hk45C, SIG P227, Glock G30, Springfield Armory XDM and others

  • Fal Phil April 10, 2020, 3:58 pm

    It appears that Kel-Tec and Kahr Arms really started a trend with Micro-9s. It is good to see the big boys get on board.

  • MacDaddy April 10, 2020, 9:20 am

    Thanks for the article. I would suggest having several individuals fire groups for each firearm, to help account for existing-experience and fit/function biases. Including individuals with varying firearm-specific experience levels, as well as hand size, would more clearly demonstrate the associated variability and counteract these biases. Most folks have considerably more experience with one pistol make/model over the others assessed in the comparison and this existing-experience bias will definitely skew the results. For example, someone who routinely carries and has years of practice on a S&W Shield, will likely have better groupings with the S&W Shield over the Glock 43 or Sig P365. Firearm vs hand ergonomics will play a role as well, so having folks with varying hand sizes/shapes test each firearm (preferably in the same controlled environment) will help counteract fit/function bias. For example, the grip size and angle of a Glock 43 will fit better in some people’s hands, than a Shield or P365.
    On a separate note, it would be great if you could perform a comparison specifically on semi-auto .380/9mm pocket pistols.
    Thanks again for the article.
    Take care, remain vigilant and stay safe.

  • Harold Littell April 10, 2020, 9:01 am

    Two things make big improvements on the Glock 43. Get the Pearce +1 grip extension. It adds no more length than the non +1 extension, but now we’re at 7+1 onboard. Next get the Ghost trigger disconnect. $20 and about a minute of your time brings it down to a sweet 3.5-4.0 pull. Easy and inexpensive, Both greatly increase the fight of this weapon. In the end, it’s all what feels best in your hand. Find yours and carry on.

  • Chuck Reynolds April 10, 2020, 8:49 am

    I love my P365! Sig Sauer is simply the Best!

  • Terry April 10, 2020, 7:40 am

    I’ve owned and carried a P365 for over a year after having carried four other subcompacts for five years. I have small hands and have never been able to shoot any of these guns well until the P365. It fits my hand perfectly, points well and feels like an extension of my hand. Follow up shots are fast and accurate. I also own a Colt Classic 1911, SA Range Officer Compact and a Sig P320c and amazjngly I shoot the P365 better than any of them. Also, I have over 2000 rounds through it without a single malfunction using commercial SD ammo and my handloads ranging from 115gr to 147gr.

    My advice to anyone looking for a new EDC is to at least check it out. Hold it and shoot it if possible. If you have large hands it might not fit you as well as it fits me but if you have small to medium hands it might be the answer to all of your needs in an EDC pistol.

  • Christopher April 10, 2020, 5:24 am

    I have 3 9mm’s, a Hi-Power, Beretta my Son prefers and a S&W 5906. I’ve had 1 reliable polymer Sig in 9, a 2022 but it needed to be polished to feed hollow points. Every other pistol is either a 10mm, 45acp or .40sw. I’m 6’2 236 and can easily and effectively conceal even my 5-Seven. Son is 5’8, 136 and only when he is carrying a weapon in bear country 4” 44mag or a 460 occasional Grizzly area you would never know he’s armed. With the looney, drugged or drunk his CCW has become a 1911. Now we have crime increases throughout the entire state

    • Chief April 10, 2020, 8:16 am

      Your comment is is in no way relevant to the article. Honestly, nobody gives two shits what gun you have or how much you weigh, or any of your other bullshit.

      • Mark April 10, 2020, 10:55 am

        Calm down turbo.

      • Crogers September 7, 2020, 10:21 pm

        I agree no one cares about your post, Christopher.

  • Zeke April 8, 2020, 1:01 pm

    Please include the Beretta PX4 subcompact next time.

  • Rick86 April 7, 2020, 5:00 pm

    Maybe you should have mentioned that this article is a re-post. SIG has addressed all of the issues that the original offerings had. Drag marks causing broken strikers, sights, etc. I bought the 365 a few months ago as my first 9mm in sub compact and it quickly has become my go to EDC. I tested the Hellcat (which was why I went to the club to rent/test in the first place) and the Glock before walking out with the 365. Fine weapon in my humble opinion. 500 rounds, no issues. Be safe out there.

  • leon April 7, 2020, 12:28 pm

    i like the smith better had one for 8 years with no issue.

  • Michael Keim April 6, 2020, 4:26 pm

    I’ll take the Hellcat that you didn’t include

    • Stephen Graham April 6, 2020, 9:56 pm

      The Hellcat, if you enjoy the world’s worst striker-fired tiger 🙂

      • Michael A Keim April 10, 2020, 6:41 pm

        Your opinion

  • mrpski April 6, 2020, 1:36 pm

    If i ever find one to hold in hand my next carry piece will probably be either the Hellcat or the 365 but where I live finding one to hold is near impossible=buying one easy but if I cannot see how it fits the hand if it was free well, then I would just get both. That being said I have performance center shields in 40 & 45 that I got when they first came out. Maybe not innovative now but they fit my hand well (after some aftermarket grip work) and why I carry those over everything else is even if I do not get the chance to go out and practice, when I do those shields draw & shoot like I was just practicing yesterday. That says a lot for me of course a month without practice is huge for me but in the AZ desert it happens. Cannot do the practicing I like at a range and while Gunsite is not that far from where I live the desert is free 🙂

    • Eagle April 7, 2020, 2:38 am

      I shot the 365 and the 365XL and preferred the XL. I’m 6’3 240 and it felt better in my hand. It also has a flat trigger that is awesome. I recommend trying them both. Either way, you can’t go wrong.

  • Mark April 6, 2020, 1:22 pm

    I had Sig’s flat trigger put on the 365 and it makes a world of difference. The Glock is easier to grip higher on the handle. And I have to make sure my thumb and finger don’t inhibit the slide from locking open on the final round of the mag. But when you’re getting this small, it’s hard to find perfect. I’m happy with the 365 and am also looking at the Glock 43X as a back up.

  • Texf6 April 6, 2020, 1:14 pm

    My Walter PPS M2 rides in my pocket when that mode of carry is most needed Due to attire choice. Otherwise, a number of choices make it into my Versacarry owb Protector series jack slide holster to include service model XD 9, 40, 357 Sig and most often 45 ACP. Different selections for different needs of the moment and to give the girls the proper rotation in my edc.

  • Wiscogunner April 6, 2020, 12:19 pm

    I shoot the P365, Hellcat and Shield. I have also owned the Kahr CM9. The Shield is a great shooter and fits the hand well. I liked the Kahr but could never get used to the sights and my groups were never as good as I thought they should be…my problem, not the gun. The P365, Hellcat are very similar but I tend to have more consistent groups with the P365. The Sig has a smooth recoil and a lighter trigger. I do like the sight picture of the Hellcat for fast acquisition. Personally, I know that most of the talk centers on the magazine capacity, but I would still tell people to carry the gun that they shoot best. Everyone of these firearms has extended magazines that can give you plenty of rounds if you are not prone to complete adrenaline-fueled, wild shot, ammo dumping at a threat. Practice with the gun you shoot best and train your mind to work for you and not against you in a demanding situation. I hope everyone reading this stays healthy during the Covid-19 pandemic. (Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.)

    • Rick April 10, 2020, 4:27 am

      Amen. Be safe

  • Robert Adams April 6, 2020, 11:44 am

    When you are testing, why do you not include Kahr ? I own a K9 Stainless and it is a tack driver, very compact and great to carry. I would like to here your opinion on Kahr. Thank You

  • Wil Radford April 6, 2020, 10:26 am

    Not including the Kahr series compact 9mms in this article renders it moot. They have a 20+ year history of designing and building guns specifically intended for concealed carry, and are damn fine firearms to boot. I am disappointed.

  • Peter Conserva,VMD April 6, 2020, 10:12 am

    Should have compared with the Glock 43x …not the 43……Article “seemed” biased toward Sig from the get go!

    • SD April 6, 2020, 8:41 pm

      I agree. I thought the author was a Sig sales rep. Don’t get me wrong, the Sig is a fine sub compact, but the Kahr and the Springfield Hellcat should have been compared.

  • Justin Morgan April 6, 2020, 10:06 am

    Springfield Hellcat, of course!

  • Jerry April 6, 2020, 9:35 am

    Great comparison for sure but did I miss the barrel lengths?

  • Joe Karnitis April 6, 2020, 8:23 am

    No mention of the Hellcat!?
    Seriously!
    I am a big Sig fan, but to not include the Hellcat!?

  • Hillroy April 6, 2020, 7:18 am

    Trigger & price 709 slim got them all beat

  • Charles Tuggle April 6, 2020, 5:54 am

    After many many years of being a Glock fan boy I have completely changed over to Sig and have not looked back. My P365 is my pocket firearm and a p365XL is my normal carry firearm and I have a Romeo Zero on it also. I shoot both of my P365s better then most all my other firearms. Nice review.

  • RJ Howard March 30, 2019, 12:02 pm

    Sig is to be credited for pushing the design and development of the tiny 9×19 concealed carry market.

    Irrespective of what contributers to this article may think about the pistol (myself included) – and what YouTube contributors confidently tout, pro or con, the P365 is pushing the market competitively in a good direction.

    My own experience with the P365 thus far has been positive.
    300 rounds downrange and to date: performance, reliability, and operation have all been without design malfunctions or mechanical stoppages. Notwithstanding, I still carry a secondary in the event design malfunctions – noted in other users’ experiences – should happen to my own model. My P365 does demonstrate the extreme “firing pin” drag and base scratching of spent cartridges others have reported – leading to breakages in their P365 firing pins.

    Still – Sig, as a company, while not perfect (who is!?) has demonstrated itself to follow through and make right any design problems related to their products. As the P365 develops I am sure it will continue to be a positive catalyst in the right direction for all tiny 9×19 developments.

    In view of this: good times are ahead for all law-abiding ccw permit holders.

    • Jim April 6, 2020, 1:42 pm

      In my experience you are correct about Sig’s customer service and standing behind their product. It may take a few calls as it unfortunately does with a lot of companies today but Sig has always stepped up to the plate with my firearms. They have always been quick to reply and quick to fix.

  • Dave February 11, 2019, 2:35 am

    I have a Sig 938, 226, and 229 and shoot a fair amount, never have I had a failure to feed or fire, and they are much more accurate than many other guns. I hear the people making comments about failure to feed and maybe that is true with polymer guns. The size and capacity of this plastic gun makes it sound attractive and every article I have read says this is a great gun. The posers might tell you otherwise. Mine are accurate and reliable, and as far as cost goes, what is your life worth? The new Sigs are not as nicely made as my old German P226, they are much more loosely fitted on the slide as seen on the P229 Legion compared to the old P226. The old P226 shows no frame to slide wear after many thousands of rounds. The gun still shoots 1.25 inch at 25 meters using cheap ammo. So do not understand weak handed failures to feed from these new guns according to the people making comments. Maybe you hold the gun like a wimp. My P938 has not ever failed and it has been shot about 300 rounds. So far so good. I think other gun company people are making negative comments about the Sig.

  • ajl January 29, 2019, 10:46 am

    i think sig is over rated came out with problem out of the factory i stay with s@w

  • Grail January 19, 2019, 12:09 pm

    Hmmm, sounds like a paid for Sig advertisement. Super weird that your G43 would have a malfunction with my actual everyday carry ammo when my Glock 43 eats it up without a hitch.

    The Shield and the Glock are dumptruck reliable performers and the Sig is a paperweight in my own experience. Maybe you got the one reliable Sig P365 in CONUS. My experience with polymer framed Sigs hasn’t been nearly so lucky. In fact I haven’t shot a reliable Sig since I bought my wife a 2 tone P229 in the early 2000s despite formerly being a Sig guy back in the day.

    The Sig P365 is the last Sig product I will ever spend my hard earned money on. Fool me once, shame on you, foool me twicce…

    • bison1913 April 6, 2020, 9:28 am

      Grail… I wrote/posted a similar comment not to long ago on the Sig. GunsAmerica never posted the comment.
      I would not trust that gun with my life. All I see and hear is nothing but problems with it.
      Shoot lots and stay safe.

      • Felipe Batlle June 11, 2020, 10:34 pm

        Didn’t they resolve most of the issues with it? Only asking because I’m considering buying it.

  • Andy B January 18, 2019, 12:28 pm

    Nice comparison. I did the same thing on Wednesday, only I used the XDs Mod 2 instead of the Shield. I’ve just never liked how S&Ws fit me. Anyway, I went in completely unbiased – was hoping to not like the Sig because of the issues. I own a P320, a Springfield XDM compact and a couple rugers. I learned to shoot on a Glock and I really like everything about them, saving my Glock purchase for a 34 most likely. I shot all three for 50 rounds at 15 feet. the first 25 slow and deliberate, next ten slow at the face part of the target and 3 rounds of 5 shooting as quickly as I could. The XDs – which I really wanted to love, shot the worst and felt the worst. That extra 2 pound trigger pull gave me some of the worst shooting I’ve ever done. The Glock was good, but all shots to the left. Sig was dead on and I had nothing outside of the 9. It fit my hand the best, has the highest capacity and smallest package…and I shot it the best. A winner for me. However, I have not yet to buy it until I can figure out the myriad issues I’ve read about and whether or not I think that it won’t happen. I’m perfectly fine buying a 43 and just practicing with it because I will get better. But there’s so much to the Sig that you have to think that if there were no glaring issues, how anyone could say it’s not THE CCW weapon for all.

  • Pocketgunner January 4, 2019, 3:56 am

    I was with a group of folks at my club and we tested the 365 with 1,000 rounds. Then compared to others. The Sig is a nice well built gun, but my gosh the receiver space to the grip was ridiculously narrow. We had failures from folks riding the slide, even though we warned them ahead of time. No way, could I shoot this gun with a glove on. It is made for small hands. My make a great ladies gun. And the bulky take down lever was ridiculous. What gun did many really like the most. The Beretta Nano. Mildest to shoot out of all of them and hardly any muzzle flip. Felt like we were shooting 380.ammo out of it.

  • John Hoglin September 2, 2018, 12:09 am

    With all the press you would think SIG just invented the subcompact 9mm. Keltec and Taurus and alther have made them for years before everyone caught on. Do you get paid not to mention Scyy, Keltec and Taurus? i own two Sigs, Several SW revolvers, a couple Walthers, a Taurus, several Colt revolvers, A Keltec, a Berreta, a bunch of Rugers. And I find my Taurus and Keltec function as good or better than the Big guys guns. I make a good living now but not that many years ago Keltecs and Taurus would have guns I could afford.

  • Jay August 29, 2018, 7:21 am

    Although I appreciate gun reviews, even though most read like a sales pitch, it seems most of us are not immune to using the wrong terminology thereby reducing the impact of our article. When we use terms like “it held more bullets than its rival competitors” in the first paragraph, even though we know what you mean, it weakens our personnel standing on knowledge of the subject we speak. The term should be, it held more ammunition than it’s rival competitors. Bullets are a component of the cartridge as a whole. Lot’s of good information though!

    • Dave August 29, 2018, 6:32 pm

      There’s always one in every crowd!

    • Dave December 23, 2018, 1:04 pm

      @Jay
      If you’re going to be critical of the selection of Jeff’s words, you should be sure you use the correct words. Personal not personnel.

    • Nate December 24, 2018, 7:12 pm

      Writes lengthy comment critiquing spelling and grammar, completely botches spelling and grammar in his complaint comment. Hello pot, meet kettle.

  • Paul August 29, 2018, 4:08 am

    Its still a Sig, and as in the past 15 years, that means waiting for about a year and watching Sigforum to see REAL WORLD feedback before buying so as not to be a beta tester. I’ll stick with HK for straight out of the box reliability. The VP9SK, P2000SK or P30SK will easily fit in this tested group….and no worries about beta testing.

  • J. Smith August 28, 2018, 7:51 am

    Good article. The sig 365 wasnt avaliable when i made my choice. I bought a LC9, shield 40 and shield 9mm, browning 380. Not all apples but looking for something subcompact. Ideally would like a sig 232 in 9mm but since it doesnt exist this what we get. I use all these and other pistols to train family and friends mostly women so they can get a feel for different subcompact carry options

    I went with shield 40, holds 7+1 of underwood 115g extreme defender rounds. Gives close ballistics to .357. Added after market barrel as shield factory barrels are very inaccurate. Also added APex trigger, very smooth, light about 3.5-4lbs, short reset. Also added night sights, Ameriglo i believe with large orange front sight.

    Rationale for this setup, not to get into a debate on calibers but more rounds add weight to a pistol that i want to be highly concealable and light as possible. I believe based off my research, testing and 30 years of military and LEO experience, .40 is my choice. So, i am not concerned with a subcompact high cap pistol. If i want or need high cap, ill go with G23 or G19, G19X.

    My issue is just the added weight of the more rounds when i am trying to make an EDC as light and small as possible.

    No right or wrong here any and all these choices are good choices, just my 2cents worth and what was important to me.

    Shoot and shoot often. Teach a family member or friend to shoot. Teach a kid, teach a mom, especially a single mom. Spread freedom like a disease. Freedom if you aint exercising it, it is like a shrinking muscle: Wasting and weak. Exercise it and strengthen it.

    • Old coot August 16, 2019, 9:14 pm

      As an owner and senior, I have become increasingly intolerant of persons who falsely equate “Freedom,” or other cliched aphorisms meant to define Patriotism in any form, with a mandatory reverence towards firearms. My uncle flew bombers in the Burma Run barely out of his teens, and aside from deer hunting in the fall, using actual hunting rifles with five-shot magazines, he never considered carrying any sort of gun, nor did my father or any other family member. Patriotism has nothing to do with guns.
      Modern gun culture has degenerated into false idolatry, and excuses for indulging in Boy Toys. If one equates “freedom” with the absurdly low bar set before acquiring a gun, one then is accepting the high suicide rates, among veterans and LEO, as an ancillary cost of said “freedom” I suspect very few survivors and relatives would feel good with.

      • 0352 April 5, 2020, 1:48 pm

        Old Coot,
        I must heartily disagree with your comments. Patriotism is generally defined as love of country. I consider myself a very patriotic person, having served four years in the United States Marine Corps, willing to put my life on the line for the USA. If your uncle chose to not carry a firearm for more than hunting, that is his choice. I choose to carry a concealed firearm when out and about. That is my choice. We Americans are rapidly losing freedoms once cherished and taken for granted. To keep it in the gun arena, I will cite only the NFA, GCA, and various current ERPOs. You can research the dozens of other liberties lost over the last 50+ years. Modern gun culture is not about “idolatry.” It is about maintaining freedom. Yes most gun owners are freedom-loving persons. The vast majority are also very patriotic.These patriots despise the loss of liberty given by God and enshrined in the Second Amendment to the US Constitution. Read your history. The Second Amendment was not created to guarantee hunters and target shooters the right to pursue their sports, although that has been an ancillary result. It was created to ensure that “we the people” will always have to means to defeat the tyranny of those who control the local, state, and federal governments, primarily the federal government. Firearms are merely tools. To blame the suicides of veterans and LEOs on the availability of firearms is absurd. If someone wants to kill himself, he will find a way to do so. I knew two people who committed suicide by automobile. Should we make it more difficult to buy an automobile? As for survivors and family, perhaps they could have sought psychiatric help for their loved ones. To finish my diatribe, I will just say this: My rights don’t end where your feelings/concerns begin!

        • Jeremy j April 6, 2020, 9:08 am

          Well said. These Fudds just don’t get it.

        • bison1913 April 6, 2020, 9:44 am

          0352… will put. Semper Fi.
          Shoot lots and stay safe.

        • Rex April 6, 2020, 11:23 am

          “If one equates “freedom” with the absurdly low bar set before acquiring a gun”.
          Indeed Old Coot. It’s called the 2nd Amendment.
          Ostensibly, Old Coot is a supporter of “common sense gun laws”. And, clearly, Old Coot is an anti-gun infiltrator. Begone pest.

        • SD April 6, 2020, 9:10 pm

          Well said 0352. Many people seem to think the intention of the second amendment was to protect man’s right to hunt and target shoot. It was to protect the people from a tyrannical government. And for all you wise guys out there who will say I could not hold off the force of the government with my small arsenal, yes you’re right. An ant could never defend himself from a man’s foot. But a billion ants together could kill that same man. Remember “Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for dinner; Liberty is a well armed lamb protesting the vote”

        • Shanz December 5, 2020, 8:07 pm

          I think living here in California I can say from experience that they really chip away at liberty in every aspect of life. Firearms are by far the worst example of this. Freedom should be dangerous not a system of infringement and “ common sense.”

  • Jeff August 28, 2018, 5:55 am

    I think a great follow up comparison would be the Sig 365 vs. the Taurus G2C. Though the Taurus isn’t near as popular, the two are more similar on paper with the exception of price.

    • James October 22, 2018, 4:46 pm

      Taurus G2c is a quarter inch wider, it would be more comparable to a P320SC or a Glock G26 than any of these guns.

  • Gary Nelson August 28, 2018, 2:32 am

    My personal preference is the S&W shield EZ M2.0. I realize it is a 380 which equates to a 9 MM short. If it will go through 3 walls and bury in the edge of a 2×4 it’s good enough for me. Average of 6 trigger pulls is 4 lbs. 1 Oz. As a previous article here stated, the easiest gun to fire. I like the back strap safety also. I will agree the SIG in 9 MM would be my choice of the 3 tested, hands down, Great article, And I do own a SIG. Thank you! Just my humble opinion. (Always carry spare magazines and drill in changing them.)

  • wtsane August 27, 2018, 11:31 pm

    I own a 365, and 938. While the 365 is arguably a better cc choice, I still mostly carry the 938 with a +1 mag. I have trusted my life to the 1911 design for more years than I wish to relate, and while the 938 deviated slightly from the church of John Moses Browning, it is close enough not to matter. Engagement success being defined as disengagement on my terms, 6+1 will get it done.

  • bob hunt August 27, 2018, 8:05 pm

    It’s good to have an idea of the author’s qualifications but two things that are rarely mentioned in gun reviews are how the author obtained the firearm and if it’s to be returned after testing. Was it sent by the manufacturer for testing and evaluation or was it purchased sight unseen through a dealer? Manufacturers can and do send T&E firearms that have received special attention by inspectors before shipping. It’s also well understood that more than a few T&E deals include an unspoken agreement that the firearm isn’t being loaned but GIVEN. Those two things can make a difference in the review regardless of who does the review.

    • jeff C August 28, 2018, 8:50 am

      Good points and just to clear the air- I bought the gun ( the first one the local shop had come in) as soon as it was available at full retail price, I received nothing from Sig for doing the article, and I still have it and carry it. It has hundreds of rounds through it and still has yet to have a malfunction or issue. thanks for reading and your comments JC

  • TJ August 27, 2018, 4:42 pm

    I’m definitely looking into the P365, but I’ll probably wait for some of the bugs to get worked out first.

    For the time being, I’ll stick with my Bersa Thunder 9 Pro Ultra Compact (that’s a mouthful). It has similar capacity and size, just a bit thicker and is a DA/SA. It’s been quite reliable so far, had a couple failure-to-go-into-battery (by about 1/16″) when it was brand new, but that cleared up almost immediately and has been perfectly reliable since then with all types of ammo.

  • Dave Schaffner August 27, 2018, 3:40 pm

    You omitted to mention MSRP ! I own 4 Shields and 2 43s. That’s because they shoot great for me and are cost effective. I have a Sig 938 and a GSR in .45 bought used. Couldn’t justify the new cost of a Sig.
    Thanks for an informative article.

    • Green tip August 27, 2018, 7:56 pm

      Uh Dave, RE-read the last paragraph. Says $599, “a bit higher, etc..”

      • Lou February 26, 2019, 11:07 am

        Bought mine for $499.00 @ a brick & morter store.
        Stock with night sights, actually the best sights I’ve seen.

  • RICHARD August 27, 2018, 2:47 pm

    I’ve tried all three of these pistols and IMO you missed the best in this category: the XD-S® 3.3″ Single Stack in 9mm. I use mine for IWB carry.

    After examining all three represented in your article, I ended up purchasing the XD-S. I originally “wanted” the Sig, but IMO it didn’t match up in overall “feel”, grip, trigger, or quality (always a relative thing when talking about these mid-priced pistols). .

    • gee dub August 27, 2018, 5:59 pm

      Before the Sig was introduced, I tested the Glock 43, Ruger LC9S, Kahr PM9, S&W Shield, Sig P290, Kel Tec PF-9 and the Springfield XDS to select a carry 9. (I couldn’t get a Walther PPS, but have tried one since, and it wouldn’t have changed my choice. So the winner was the XDS. Although it was a bit heavier than the others, it also had the most variety of mag options (7, 8, and 9 capacities) and at the time the only one with the fiber optic front sight. It’s winning feature was its grouping– nothing short of amazing for a baby 9. (I can do little better with my Glock 17 out to 25 feet.) I did a little custom modification to the aggressive grip checkering, but now they have the Mod 2, which is fantastic and addresses the complaints about the deep grooves in the grip.
      I sure wish they put the XDS into this test.

  • B C August 27, 2018, 1:48 pm

    i wished they would have ran the shield in the performance center model. the price would have been more consistent with the other 2 guns and the features would have been more similar. i carry the p.c. shield and love it but really hate the normal shields

    • russ April 6, 2020, 5:04 pm

      I agree…my son has a 365 and I have a PC Shield 1.0 and I would not trade for my sons 365

  • Joe August 27, 2018, 1:39 pm

    More plastic wonders that didn’t get designed/tested properly….primer drags from unlocking too early and broken firing pins ?? Hey. Sig and SW how about better springs ? A couple pounds stiffer would fix those issues…..

    Until then my well used 1911s will do fine.

  • frank bowser August 27, 2018, 1:03 pm

    P365 bod 5/22/2018 less than 100 rounds broken striker. Back to Sig today 4-6 week turnaround.
    Disgusted.

  • JungleCogs August 27, 2018, 12:37 pm

    One area I never see addressed on these reviews is the feed ramp angle. Seems to be an area of misfeed concerns with these short (3”) bbl sized pistols.

  • Jim8307 August 27, 2018, 12:21 pm

    I own a number of small 9mm pistols, including a G43, Shield, and P365. They are all fine guns, reliable, accurate and easy to carry. The P365 has become my EDC primarily because of capacity. I have shot ~300 rounds with the P365 without a single failure using Remington Golden Saber 147 gran, Federal HST 124 grain, and Hornady Critical Defense 124 grain. Sig hit a home run with the P365.

  • Mike August 27, 2018, 12:01 pm

    1,000 rounds of all types including reloads thru my 365 and I’ve had zero failures. Excellent accuracy and carrying capability.

  • D.J. August 27, 2018, 11:47 am

    I cannot see the rationale in some of the comments in
    the conclusion of this article. What works for one , may
    not work for another . Each of us have our preference.
    We are not obligated to purchase anything in any of these
    articles . Personally, I’m a revolver man , and am no fan
    of the 9mm cartridge , nor would I want a striker fired
    pistol . But I’ll not besmirch someone’s choice of a
    personal defense weapon . “Freedom of choice ” ,
    anyone ? Right to choose , perhaps ? Should we , as
    Firearm enthusiasts , not be glad that some weapons may
    work better for others , allowing them to participate in
    our beloved hobby ? Let’s get a ” grip ” here , folks !

    • Rotaman August 27, 2018, 2:12 pm

      Here, here! Well said.

      • john sabin August 27, 2018, 6:32 pm

        I most definitely second that !!

    • gee dub August 27, 2018, 6:31 pm

      Some people think we should all carry a 1911, always. Some people think everyone weighs 250 pounds.

  • Tom August 27, 2018, 11:27 am

    It used to be, and for the most part still is, that after firing 500 rounds of your favorite defensive ammo, you’d know that your new gun would be reliable.

    Not so with the Sig P365. So, while you prefer the Sig to the others, people are shooting 2,000 to 3,000 rounds to prove to themselves that the gun is reliable. At an average cost of 40 cents per round for defensive ammo, that’s $800 – $1,200 in added costs just for me to prove to myself that the next pull of the trigger won’t be my last.

    Now, which gun would you rather have? Ten rounds of “maybe” vs seven rounds of “definitely.” Hmmm, tough choice. For all their “downsides” Glocks are, if anything, reliable.

    • Green tip August 27, 2018, 8:05 pm

      Absolutely right Tom. The ONLY time your comment would need to be ‘amended’ is when Sig has the TRACK RECORD of a typical Glock and has worked, for all practical purposes…the “issues” out of the P365.

      • Mikial August 28, 2018, 9:18 pm

        Agreed. Glocks are the one gun that never need to defend or prove their reliability. I’m all for everyone carrying and shooting the gun they like, but I’m not personally ready to jump on the Sig bandwagon.

  • Cary Kieffer August 27, 2018, 11:24 am

    In reference to the problems the 365 had at birth, shit happens..they fixed it…get over it. It’s not a “catastrophic failure” or anything close too that. If we were to forever hold a grudge on a few hiccups in the beginning none of us would have AR-15’s now would we. On a more personal note, I had a 5.0 mustang when they first came out way back when,I wouldn’t have recognized it if it wasnt hooked up to a tow truck…does that make all other mustang’s piles of crap? Nope. Same with 1 of my last 7 jeeps….so let’s just make sure we buy a gen 2 if you want one and be happy. Both gen 2’s of mine are over 1000 rds each of garbage Isreali surplus I bought years ago. This stuff is filthy, dented junk that was carried in Uzi’s and never fired and the 365’s are running it like champs. I stood back 62 yards with 23 rds of Hornady 115 XTP (my handloads) and was rewarded with 23 pings on a 11×20 IPSC steel plate, all center mass except for one I put in the left shoulder. It’s as if they fire laser guided bullets with perfect reliability in my experience. I’ve got 2 G42, 2 G43, 2 XDS (9&45), 2 Kahr (380 & 9mm) that will never be carried again. ..the P365 is that good for me and since my first 4 other officers have one now too after shooting mine. IMHO the best concealed carry gun hands down ever made.

  • Connie August 27, 2018, 11:06 am

    It looks like “Sig Quality” may be a thing of the past. I owned a P229R back in 2006, and within the first two years, the extra broke, leaving the gun hiccuping ammo everywhere with constant malfunctions.

    Then, I owned a Sig 556, which was also unreliable, and a poorly executed design. I traded it for a Springfield TRP Operator. I was definitely the winner in that trade.

    I owned a sign 1911, and it was actually a decent, reliable firearm. I only got rid of it because I got the TRP Operator.

    Next thing you know, people and verifying through independent backyard testing (on video, mind you) the the lauded trigger in the P320 is not drop safe, and Sig is very slow to respond.

    Now, the P365 is having striker and trigger issues, and Sig is trying to act as if that is normal wear and tear on the pistol.

    If you are reading this, it could not be more clear that Sig is having some very serious, DANGEROUS quality control issues. Until they get them sorted out, I would steer clear of them. There are too many other high quality firearms on the market to carry something that could get you or a loved one injured because of a malfunction, or worse, not work when you need it most.

  • Richard a Ferguson August 27, 2018, 11:05 am

    Stumbled across a new P365 at the local gun-store literally by accident. A guy had ordered it and couldn’t pay for it when it arrived. Obviously a sign from above. Purchased it along with the extended magazine. I took it to the range and shot it side by side with my Shield (Performance Center). Everything you stated in your article is spot on. Trigger is smoother, great sights, grip, I like the extended grip better on both. Bottom Line- both are outstanding examples of compact carry weapons. Have not experienced a failure with either. I have about 200 rounds through the Sig and about 1000 rounds through the Shield. To be honest I shoot better groups with the Shield, but I’m getting closer.

  • AlanG August 27, 2018, 10:32 am

    The P365 will most likely be my next pistol purchase. I own a Shield and have shot just about every Glock out there including the 43. The reason I don\’t carry my Shield, Keltec or P290RS (unless I am in NY with their mag capacity limits) is capacity. The P365 clearly wins in this category. Another reason my P320SC is my primary carry gun is that not only is it high capacity but it accepts 12, 15,17 and 21 round magazines. Carrying it with a 12 round and having a second 17 round in my pouch is standard. Yes, it is double stacked but it is still small. Prior to retirement, I tried to carry a compact or subcompact that was compatible with my on duty magazines for my full sized duty weapon which included Glock 22/23s and Sig _P229,220 and 320\’s. This is much less important to me now. Every gun manufacturer has had some issues with one model or another. I had one of the first Glock 19\’s when they first came out. I had multiple failures of the slide to go into battery. Glock told me that it was a shooter or ammo issue. Well, when Dallas PD had 500 of them with similar issues, they replaced my barrel. At the time, Glock used a contractor to make the barrels. They were drilled .001 inches off center, enough to slow a fat cartridge down in an already tight chamber enough to cause a failure to fire. Remington had issues with the 700 trigger going boom without pulling the trigger. I feel confident in the P365 design. Like any other carry gun, I would need to put several hundred rounds through it before I carry it.

  • AlanG August 27, 2018, 10:31 am

    The P365 will most likely be my next pistol purchase. I own a Shield and have shot just about every Glock out there including the 43. The reason I don’t carry my Shield, Keltec or P290RS (unless I am in NY with their mag capacity limits) is capacity. The P365 clearly wins in this category. Another reason my P320SC is my primary carry gun is that not only is it high capacity but it accepts 12, 15,17 and 21 round magazines. Carrying it with a 12 round and having a second 17 round in my pouch is standard. Yes, it is double stacked but it is still small. Prior to retirement, I tried to carry a compact or subcompact that was compatible with my on duty magazines for my full sized duty weapon which included Glock 22/23s and Sig _P229,220 and 320’s. This is much less important to me now. Every gun manufacturer has had some issues with one model or another. I had one of the first Glock 19’s when they first came out. I had multiple failures of the slide to go into battery. Glock told me that it was a shooter or ammo issue. Well, when Dallas PD had 500 of them with similar issues, they replaced my barrel. At the time, Glock used a contractor to make the barrels. They were drilled .001 inches off center, enough to slow a fat cartridge down in an already tight chamber enough to cause a failure to fire. Remington had issues with the 700 trigger going boom without pulling the trigger. I feel confident in the P365 design. Like any other carry gun, I would need to put several hundred rounds through it before I carry it.

  • Jbourneidenty August 27, 2018, 10:15 am

    No P365 for me. Already seeing terrible failures with the trigger/FCU setup. Go to SigForum and check out the P365 threads. Constant need for repairs. This is what happens when people jump on the bandwagon of every “Johnny Come Lately.” Sig polymer is not Sig metal. The last 18 months have proven this.

  • Loughsun August 27, 2018, 10:07 am

    This review was nothing but a way to make Sig look good. Busted firing pin notwithstanding. It has a long way to go in getting the bugs out before, I’ll buy one. Glock 43 for me. I didn’t like my S&W shield sold out after 200 rounds.

  • Adam August 27, 2018, 9:38 am

    Two questions:

    1) Where is the Springfield xds? It’s the narrowest of all these guns and comes with a barrel length choice…

    2) why use the older shield and not the newer version?

  • MB August 27, 2018, 9:28 am

    Sorry, no P365 in my immediate future, maybe never buy a new Sig, maybe a old P210, P229. Not happy with a company that now seems to rely on it’s customers to do it’s quality control testing for them, at the customers expense, financially and life and limb. Example, P320, P365. Sig has bungled each release and valid customer complaints of poor quality, even as far as sometimes blaming the customer. I will stick with known quality guns from FN, S &W and Ruger.

    • Infidel762X51 August 27, 2018, 10:13 am

      I have been carry the SiG 290 for several years now, a great gun with zero problems. My wife has been carrying the slightly larger P250, also with zero problems.

  • William Walker August 27, 2018, 9:00 am

    I tend to agree with a lot of the comments. My gun buddies and I figured out that it’s best not to jump on the bandwagon with every new and shiny wonder gun. We give it a year to let the inevitable problems to come to light and another year for the company to fix it. These guns were shipped with major problems, eventually confidence wanes and takes time to rebuild trust. By 2020 I’ll be gladly pick one up once all the bugs are worked out.

    • Loughsun August 27, 2018, 11:00 am

      Agreed, with the cost of a Sig Sauer, the quality should be setting the bar. I’ll give it a few years on the market. My Glock 43 with the +2 mag and the +4 mag extenders as back ups. I feel sufficiently armed. Sig Sauer is being janky by paying for shameless plugs like this article as well. It wasn’t even a shootout or comparison it was a Sig Sauer P365 promotion.

  • KurtW August 27, 2018, 8:51 am

    Why not compare against the LATEST Shield?

    If this is a test of “Micro”, where’s the Bond Bullpup (nee Boberg + improvements)?

    • Zupglick August 27, 2018, 11:02 am

      I agree. Also would like to see comparison with Kimber Micro.

    • Jeremy j April 6, 2020, 9:34 am

      I agree with others in the comments section, first you should have used the M2.0 version of the shield. Not that it would have made a huge difference, but it could have made a difference non the less since the M2.0 version clearly sports upgrades. Also you are missing 2 or maybe 3 very popular carry guns in this testing. The walther pps M2, xds mod 2, and the ruger lc9s. The p365 is gonna beat everything in size vs capacity, but it might not have outshot the others. Other than that a pretty decent review and I’m not on board with some of the others who called this a sig sales promotion because the sig performed best.

      • Jeremy j April 6, 2020, 9:37 am

        Oh and yes, let’s not forget the hellcat, which one upped the sig p365

  • Captbh August 27, 2018, 8:47 am

    I have to agree with Mike Gardner. How could you possibly review the 365 without mentioning the huge number of failures with the striker pin??????? This is a significant deterrent to my decision not to buy one at this point.

    It is also important to note that although Sig is mum on the subject, newer 365s have a different shape to the striker and there is already an aftermarket striker being developed.

    I am a Sig fan and own 3 but I am not willing to buy the 365 until Sig says they have found and solved the striker issue. I’m not willing to pay a high dollar price for a gun I need to start rebuilding to have confidence in it, nor will I trust my life to it until Sig proves the issue is gone.

    • Brandon August 27, 2018, 11:33 pm

      Maybe because at this point in time it isn’t relative? I haven’t seen a single person on the Sig forum say their post June manufactured gun have any problems. Mine is a 7/14 build and I put 450 rounds through it, mixed ammo, out of the box with zero issues. Mag after mag.

  • Scarcelli Fred August 27, 2018, 8:38 am

    I own several carry size 9’s. the Sig p365. Is hands down best and better than my Glock 43. Easier to shoot and conceal. The 10 rd mag is huge. The extensions for Glock make it much harder to conceal imo. I also have Kimber micro 9 and compared it to the Sig. Sig still won hands down. liked it less then the Glock too and harder to shoot accurately than Sig and Glock to me anyways. All 3 have never had a malfunction. I have Gen 2 Sig P365.

  • Matthew Bennett August 27, 2018, 8:30 am

    I guess its true the author and all these fanboys in the comments will really turn a blind eye just because a gun holds a couple more rounds. P365 is a catastrophic failure just like all of Sigs polymer guns.

  • Wil Ferch August 27, 2018, 8:25 am

    Looks like you used the S&W Mod1.0 version….. and not the later Mod2.0 …..in the comparision. Has forward slide serratons, improved trigger, better grip texturing, etc….. why wasn’t the latest Shield used ?

  • John M Adams August 27, 2018, 8:06 am

    So not a word about the tremendous amount of catastrophic failures in the 365? Really? Not one word. If you carry the 365 I highly advise you to carry a BUG because Lord knows when the firing pin is going to break or the trigger is going to fail. Absolutely no way I carry the 365 or trust my family’s life to that platform. Rather have a High Point. No I’m not kidding.

  • Eric August 27, 2018, 8:02 am

    Excellent, well researched

  • Fred Moore August 27, 2018, 7:59 am

    My wife and I were both carrying Sig P938s when the P365 came out. I still love my P938, but it now sits idle in the safe having been supplanted by the P365. I practice with it every trip to the range and find it extremely easy to shoot, and my groupings are tighter than ever. I have NEVER had a mis-feed, stove pipe, or any other failure of any sort. Takedown for cleaning is very easy.

    My only challenge is the price. The cost of the gun is high and the 12 round magazine retailing close to $50 is crazy expensive. Some would say that you get what you pay for, but have to question that logic here.

    Would I buy it again and recommend it to others. Absolutely!

    • John L August 27, 2018, 10:01 am

      Price is a valid concern for many of us. $299 for my shield hit that sweet spot of function and value.

  • Charles Jennings August 27, 2018, 7:40 am

    I shot my 1st one up to 1500 rounds without a hitch then sold it,and bought a new one.
    These are reliable, accurate,and durable little pistols,that perform flawlessly.

    • Captbh August 27, 2018, 1:31 pm

      Charles, you may be able to say YOUR 365s were reliable and performed flawlessly but you can’t speak to the model as a whole. There are hundreds of people who can prove you wrong.

      • Todd August 27, 2018, 11:49 pm

        Hundreds???
        Try thousands!

  • Ronnie U August 27, 2018, 7:39 am

    I just bought the Sig 365 a month ago, After 1,000 rounds of Blazer brass without a single failure I now use it for my carry gun.
    I also do have the Glock 43 which is just as flawless and reliable that I still like a lot.
    It is just that the Sig is easier to carry IWB appendix for me, The Glock I had to carry OWB at o’clock due to it dug into my leg when sitting down.The Sig is just a tad shorter and with 11 rounds A tad heavier but not that noticeable.
    I have to say that both brands of guns are great shooters and I am keeping my G-43 because I still love it.
    Ronnie

  • Mike Gardner August 27, 2018, 7:39 am

    No comment on the broken strikers with the Sig? I wondered about that, thinking the problem might have been overblown. Then at a local range that rents handguns, I was told their Sig 365 was out for repair. Troublesome!

    • Lou Bethel August 27, 2018, 10:36 am

      The writer has done a nice job of writing the obvious
      The writer has done a nice job of writing the obvious.
      Clearly it’s an article to boost Sig products. And while he is an accomplished shooter that does not make him an accomplished reviewer.
      He reviewed the most popular guns, not the best ones.
      Come on John, you can do better than this.

      But these are also the brands that advertise on GunsAmerica.
      No surprise here either.

    • Lou Bethel August 27, 2018, 10:43 am

      365.
      That refers to the number of days per year here Pistol will be in for service.

  • Dan August 27, 2018, 7:33 am

    SIG seems to have given those of us who already have too many concealed carry pistols a compelling reason to buy another.

    It will be interesting to see if they are able to offer the P365 in other calibers like the Shield and Xds do.

  • Dan August 27, 2018, 7:23 am

    You may want to proof read your articles prior to posting. Your comparative specification table lists the width of the P365 at 1.36″.

    That number is so huge for a single stack (even a double stack) that it should have jumped right out at you as it will to most of your readers, especially since the width relative to the round count is SIGs main advantage over the others!

  • Vance Cary August 27, 2018, 7:22 am

    Of course the Sig won. Its a new gun and you were paid to make it win. The winner to me is always the gun that fits your hand size, shooting style, and over all comfort in your hand. What wins for you may lose for me. All three guns are in a league by themselves. Thanks for your opinions on them. Always enjoy reading them.

    • FirstStateMark August 27, 2018, 9:40 am

      Your comment make more sense than anything on the page. I couldn’t have said it better myself.

    • Mikial August 28, 2018, 9:20 pm

      Well said.

  • Luke August 27, 2018, 6:54 am

    Dang it! Now I’ve gotta find a P365.

  • TW August 27, 2018, 3:57 am

    Nice article Jeff and I must admit that Glock should have found a way to put more rounds in the smallest mag. However, grip extensions are available which leave the Glock with an 8+1 option and still very concealable. Not as many as the Sig, but more than 6.
    https://www.glockstore.com/Magazine-Extension-for-Glock-43

    • FirstStateMark August 27, 2018, 9:44 am

      I would have bought a G43 if the idiots would have put one more round in the mag. I refuse to carry a pistol with a grip extension.

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