Sig P365 SAS Review : Another P365 Variant?

by Ryan Cleckner

June 27, 2024

14 comments

4.5
(68)

I recently had the privilege to get my hands on Sig’s newest model to their line of SAS (Sig Anti Snag) firearms–the P365 SAS. Sig took their successful P365 platform and made some significant changes to make it even better for concealed carry weapon (CCW) folks. Did they succeed? Let’s find out in this Sig P365 SAS review.

At first glance, I had my reservations. Some of the new features just seemed too gimmicky. But after firing off a few rounds… I could absolutely see the potential of this gun. And after a few more, I fell in love with one feature, like some other features, and could do without a final feature (but it may be what you’re looking for).

Let’s jump into some of the newest features of the P365 and see why it’s going to shake up the CCW world.

Now, I originally reviewed this gun in 2021, but recently, I had the chance to get my hands on it again. After shooting a few hundred rounds, my thoughts have slightly changed. Let’s dive into this updated review to see what’s new.

Sig P365 SAS Specs

  • Action Semi-Auto
  • Firing Mechanism Striker
  • Caliber 9mm
  • Luger Weight 17.8 oz
  • Length 5.8″
  • Height 4.1″
  • Width 1.0″
  • Barrel length 3.1″
  • Capacity 10-15+1

What is the P365 SAS?

It’s no secret that we love the Sig P365 series of handguns – they have genuinely re-defined what a concealed carry pistol can be. Super tiny pistols with super high capacity! As a former special operations sniper, I can appreciate the balance of size and firepower that these handguns offer.

Recently Sig has announced two additional models of the P365 handgun line: the P365 XL and now the P365 SAS.

This new “SAS” model of the P365 is the “Sig Anti Snag (SAS)” model and it features a “melted slide” and recessed controls to make the exterior of the pistol smooth and snag free. This new P365 SAS from Sig is an interesting evolution of the 365 pistol platform. They’ve offered various other pistols in their line-up SAS (anti-snag) models. 

But this new anti -snag P365 comes with a feature that we love (but at first thought we’d hate) and a feature that we aren’t too keen on.   The P365 SAS is a normal P365 with “melted”/de-horned corners and features, a really cool sighting system, and a ported barrel/slide.

Read on to find out what we thought.

P365 SAS Features Review

1 Slide & Barrel Changes

The slide has been changed to a “melted” configuration to allow for more anti-snag capabilities. Both the slide and barrel have been ported resulting in 30% less muzzle flip and zero front sight fouling (which makes sense because there is no front sight)

2 Slide Embedded FT Bullseye Fiber Tritium Night Sight

This new sight is amazing! It’s actually embedded into the slide so it keeps the overall figure of the gun flush and smooth. Simply align the green dot where you want to hit and squeeze the trigger.

3 Flat Controls

Flat and flush button controls keep the sides of the gun completely smooth to remove all snag points.

4 (1) 10 Round Flush & (1) 10 Round Extened Mag Included

The P365 SAS allows for 10 rounds out of a gun that looks like it should only hold 6. This is due to its double stack magazine design.

Sig P365 SAS Review – Our Take

Overall, we think the Sig P365 SAS is an awesome offering by Sig and a logical extension of the P365 line.

Sig invited Gun University up to their factory to test this new P365 SAS out earlier this year (along with the P365 XL) and both guns ran great!

We ended up really liking the SAS 365 but we’ve got to admit that we weren’t too keen on it when they first brought it out. After spending some range time with it, however, there’s one feature on the new P365 SAS that we’d like to put on all of our carry guns and one feature that I could do without (but many folks will really like).

Sig P365 SAS
What we loved about the Sig P365 SAS

 The most obvious thing that we loved about the P365 SAS is that it is a P365! Of course, you can go read my review of the P365 but you can also gather my thoughts with this: the P365 is my daily CCW.

It has an awesome trigger, it feels great in my hand, and I can carry 12+1 9mm in a firearm that isn’t just a compromise CCW pistol, it can handle full-fledged use.

I also liked the trigger pull on the P365. It’s generally smooth and consistent, with a pull weight around 6 pounds. The short and crisp design really enhances accuracy and control, making it a pleasure to shoot.

So is it easy and fun to shoot on the P365 platform? Check!

The Sight!

The feature that really blew us away (and which we thought we wouldn’t like) is the sight!

Sig P365 SAS

In their effort to make the P365 an anti-snag option by rounding the corners and removing any parts that stick up or out, Sig removed the traditional front and rear sights too! I sure hope it was intentional or there must have been a tense conversation on the factory floor after someone accidentally took the sights off. 

Instead of traditional iron sights, Sig took a Meprolight ft Bullseye sight and “melted” it down into the slide. Again, we’d like to re-emphasize how gimmicky we thought the sight was. We’d also like to point out how wrong we were.

Sig P365 SAS

How much did we love it? I’m looking to have the Meprolight Bullseye mounted on other firearms.

Sig P365 SAS sight

The clear trend in pistols is slide-mounted red dot sights. Once you get used to them, they are much faster and easier to shoot. However, they stick up a fair amount on the slide (definitely not anti-snag), their lenses can get dirty, they’re electronic so they can fail easily, and they have a limited battery life.

The sight on the P365 SAS, on the other hand, does not stick up (at all), it is fairly immune to getting dirty, and with no moving parts/electronics, it isn’t prone to failure/dead batteries.

Holding a Sig P365 SAS

The P365 SAS’s sight is a tritium/fiber optic illuminated sight with a small bubble window at the rear with a green border and a green dot that moves around with the orientation of the pistol. Center the dot in the ring for proper alignment, or for fast shooting, just put the dot on the target (regardless of its relative position in the circle) and shoot.

Because you can’t see “through” the sight anyway, Sig was very smart to melt the sight down into the slide. Also, it gives you a whole new feeling while shooting – it makes it feel like an extremely low bore axis and it works!

Tritium/fiber optic illuminated sight on the Sig P365 SAS

After taking the pistol to the range and acquiring, and shooting, the first target, it was obvious that the SAS sight is AWESOME. So awesome, I think I’d rather have it on a carry gun instead of a red dot.

After Sig’s polymer handgun product manager, THE Phil Strader, saw how much I was gushing over the sight (and he saw how much ammo I was burning through), he mentioned that it was indeed a very fast acquired sight, however, he didn’t think it was useful for any significant distance. 

Holding a Sig P365 SAS

So, naturally, I said, “let’s go find out” and we walked back to the 50 yard line and started shooting, and repeatedly hitting the 1/3 IPSC plates.

What We Are Not Crazy About the P365 SAS

Now, on to what I’m not crazy about – very likely because I have such an obnoxiously hand-forward grip on a pistol…. The ported slide/barrel. It clearly reduces recoil/muzzle flip. So, why am I not crazy about it? Within the first two shots I took at the 50 yard line, I burned my support hand’s thumb.

Sig P365 SAS

Perhaps I grabbed it weird while trying to take my time and be accurate? It wasn’t a bad burn but it was enough to sting for a while. My hands are big enough and my grip is wonky enough that I need to pay attention to not have my left thumb cover the port.

Because I’m not looking for lower recoil (nor do I want the extra flash at night), I’d prefer a Sig P365 SAS without the porting. However, it is clearly a benefit to many shooters and may be exactly what you want/need.

Sig also minimized the controls on the side of the SAS. The slide release (yeah, I call it a slide release) and the take down lever are both flattened to go along with the no snag design. This is one of those features that didn’t matter much to me. I liked it because they really went after this SAS project but I didn’t like it because it was a little more difficult to operate. However, it was still possible. This goes into the “meh” category for me. Cool they did it, but not necessary nor is it really a benefit in my book.

My Dream P365 Configuration

Here’s my wish for a dream P365 (Sig, PLEASE give us this): The grip housing from the P365 XL with the action from an X-series P365, the slide from this new P365 SAS, and a regular barrel (no ports). This would give me the grip I love, the trigger that’s better than anything else on the market, the snag-free slide with the super cool melted Bullseye sight, and no porting.

This gun is really cool. If I was going to upgrade my standard 365 pistol to either the P365 XL or this P365 SAS, I’d pick this one. The XL’s slide is longer than I’d like and the one negative I had for this pistol, the porting, isn’t really that bad and it is a benefit to many shooters. Also, the melted sight really is so awesome that I don’t want a red dot for CCW anymore.

P365 SAS Pros and Cons

  • Awesome application of a novel sight
  • Melted/no-snag design for CCW
  • Ported barrel reduces recoil
  • Must be aware of the ported barrel for my hands/grip
  • Controls harder to manipulate (by design)

Report Card

Reliability

Ran flawless for me. Also, other reviewers have also noted less primer drag on these newer models.

A+
Accuracy

Surprisingly accurate with the unique sight that is clearly ideal for speed over accuracy.

B
Ergonomics

Feels great, but now that I know how much better the XL grip feels instead of the extended 12 round mag, I’m spoiled. Also, you might need to watch out for the ported barrel.

B
Value

GREAT value in the coolest gun for CCW on the market. I highly recommend it.

A

Our Grade

A-

Reviewed by Ryan Cleckner

Reader’s Grade

A-

Based on 30 Reviews

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Sig P365 SAS – FAQs

What is the benefit of the flush slide catch on the P365 SAS?

The flush slide catch on the P365 SAS is designed to minimize snagging. This feature ensures the gun’s exterior stays smooth, making it easier for you to draw from concealment without catching on your clothing.

How does the sight picture differ on the P365 SAS compared to other pistols?

The P365 SAS has a unique sighting system embedded into the slide called the FT Bullseye Fiber Tritium Night Sight. Instead of the traditional front sight and rear sight, you align the green dot within the circle for a clear, fast sight picture. This design keeps the pistol smooth and snag-free.

How does the P365 SAS handle pistol shooting accuracy?

The P365 SAS is surprisingly accurate, thanks to its innovative sighting system and ported barrel/slide. The FT Bullseye sight lets you quickly get on target, and the ported design reduces recoil and muzzle flip, helping you maintain control and precision while shooting.

What should I consider when choosing a holster for the P365 SAS?

When choosing a holster for the P365 SAS, look for one that fully conceals the firearm, is comfortable for extended wear, and allows for a smooth draw without snagging. Appendix holsters and IWB Kydex holsters are great options that work well with the P365 SAS’s anti-snag design.

Accessories for Your P365 SAS

If you already own the P365 SAS or you’re getting one, there’s a couple of things I recommend getting with your gun. Some of this you might already have, but if you don’t then I would seriously consider picking a few of these items up.

Below are a few more options to upgrade your P365 SAS. Here is a quick list of those standard upgrades:

Best Holster for the Sig P365 SAS

To maintain good control and conceal a CCW, you will need a holster. Here’s a few thoughts I think about when I choose a holster. First, I think along the lines of being practical, so I don’t get anything fancy. I get something that’s going to be comfortable and won’t cause issues drawing my firearm. Second, I’ll always get a holster that will actually conceal my firearm. It drives me crazy when I see individuals trying to conceal, but because of their bulky holster it doesn’t really work. I am not going to go into all my reasons for why concealing properly is important, but trust me when I say, “you need to choose a holster that will fully conceal your firearm,”

EDITORS CHOICE: This holster was designed by Sig and we have recommended this holster before. I’m a big fan of appendix holsters, and second it is good to evenly distribute the weight of the gun using your belt and pants. I’m not a fan of holsters that only use the pants to hold the weight of a firearm. Check Amazon Price

This IWB holster is best resting on your hip or the small of your back. It’s easily adjusted for a tighter or looser fit, but it fully conceals and holds your firearm. This receives our Best Value award.

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Other Sub-Compacts of its Class to Check Out

There are 3 multiple options in the CCW class, so how do you choose the best one? We like the options below because of the similar pros and cons. With the reviews, you might find one you like just as much as the P365 SAS.

#1 Springfield Hellcat – 9MM

Springfield Hellcat – 9MM

The Hellcat 9mm, a micro-compact pistol that provides an incredible number of rounds on board, particularly considering how small of a gun it is.

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  • Shootability B
  • Reliability A+
  • Ergonomics A
  • Accuracy A
  • Value A-

Our Grade

A-

Reader’s Grade

A

Based on 174 Reviews

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I really like the Hellcat and how it handles all around. There are a few small drawbacks, but I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this gun to anyone. If you want to see our take… READ HERE

#2 Glock 43x

Glock 43x

A single-stack “slimlined” Glock pistol specifically designed for CCW.

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  • Shootability A+
  • Reliability A+
  • Ergonomics A
  • Accuracy A+
  • Value A+

Our Grade

A+

Reader’s Grade

A

Based on 149 Reviews

Your Grade

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Success Your Grade Has Been
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The Glock 43X is the best of the Glock 48 and the Glock 43. Glock outdid themselves by creating its own version of the P365. However, I think there are some interesting pros and cons when compared to the P365. Take a closer look at our review… READ HERE

How To Care for Your P365 SAS

The most important thing we can do for our firearm is keep it clean and maintain it. The P365 SAS, along with all the P365 versions, are outstanding firearms, so it’s important to take care of it and keep it operational. Keeping up with the maintenance will make it last a lifetime! To help you do this, here is a video on field stripping and cleaning ANY Sig P365 model.

If you’d like to get started cleaning your gun, here is our recommended cleaning kit for the P365 SAS:

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About Ryan Cleckner

Ryan is a former special operations sniper (1/75 Ranger) and current firearms attorney, firearms industry executive, university lecturer, and bestselling author of the Long Range Shooting Handbook.

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14 COMMENTS

  1. Author burned his thumb from the ported barrel/slide? REALLY?

    I’m worried that he might have shot his thumb off. Or maybe he doesn’t appreciate the porting itself.

    It works and is a perfect feature for a small snappy pistol. That and a strong DPM recoil spring.

    1. I’ have the P365 with freen dot optic with gold barrel and most of its parts including barrel guide rod..it’s a showpiece!
      AND
      I own the P365 SAS and I like it even better Tham my customized P365!The SAS will always be my primary go to concealed carry pistol…it’s a NO BRAINER!

  2. I purchased the SAS just for kicks due to the anti snag and the buried sights. My SAS did not come with a ported barrel. After pre-range cleaning it was off to the range with a box of Blazer 124 gr. Have to admit it took a few shots to hit the target where I thought I was aiming but finally started coming extremely close. The sight seems to be pointing just a bit left of center. After adjusting my sight picture I found I was now hitting the bull. The only other draw back I found was that the sights disappear at night. How do I like the gun overall, I now carry it concealed more than I carry my Hellcat.

    1. The sights tend to be way left to the point I removed them. I installed a Romeo Zero after getting an aluminum adapter. Now it’s the most accurate gun I have.

  3. My 365/sas came with three 12-round magazines (and no ported barrel, which I like). The springs in the magazines are so strong that I can’t load them by hand to save my soul! So I bought a SPEED BEEZ lever loader built for the 365/sas. That solved the loading problem. Also, I have a Stickey Holster for pocket/IWB carry. I love the gun!

  4. Purchased the SAS model primarily for the weird sight. However, it joins the rest of the Sigs I have purchased and is now one of my two go to carry guns. The other being the Hellcat. As for the sight it took a few rounds to properly place the dot on the target, the only drawback was not enough light for night fire, otherwise it was a joy to use. The model I purchased does not have a ported slide so have not experienced the toasted thumb syndrome. I say all in all Sig has done it again in making a useable weapon for concealed carry.

  5. Interesting gun but not for everyone. I’m a fan of the 365 and have had the SAS, 365 with optic and the 365 LS. The SAS is gone. I have 2 slides for my standard 365 one with optics one without. My standard 365 can go in a holster externally or in a pocket or ankle holster. Even with practice, I wasn’t overly happy with the sight picture. True I may be older than most on this site but I shoot regularly and a clear sight picture is vital. I didn’t have that with the SAS. If it takes you 2 seconds to find the sight it’s too late. I liked the compensated barrel which helps using plus p loads. I’ll disagree with the larger grip also. The key word here is concealed. If that was the case I’d buy a larger gun but that’s just my opinion. Stay safe and practice often.

  6. I’ve had the P365SAS for about 18 months now and while I absolutely love the gun, I also wished that it had a better grip module for guys with bigger hands. Then I found the Wilson Combat grip module. I ordered one up and swapped over last week. It immediately was apparent what an upgrade it is. The purchase on the pistol was very positive, filled my hand up without being overly bulky, and the fit and finish is great! I got to the range with it yesterday and what a difference. More control over the gun thus faster target reacquisition times, better feel, and just all around awesome. The only complaint I have is that with the low profile SAS slide release, it’s almost impossible to send the slide into battery from lockup. You can just rack the slide and get around it, but seemed like an oversight on Wilson Combat’s side. Likely not an issue for a non SAS P365. Overall, this is great upgrade to an already amazing pistol for anyone interested. Best $65 upgrade I’ve ever done on a gun. Hope it helps someone!

  7. who cares about sights in such a compact short barrel CCW, shooting quickly and accurately without relying on sights is all that matters in this handgun

  8. Agree with comment above. I purchased the 365 SAS before realizing the sights dim dramatically in low light . I will say that practically, this will be rare that the light source for the sight will be completely obscured while the surrounding lighting is bright ( the hand trick) as I have experimented with lighting conditions and if the lighting is dim it will indeed take longer to acquire the sights and make a shot. When using a flashlight in total darkness, holding the light slightly behind the gun vs in front improves the brightness of the bullseye. That said SIG should consider a trying to improving the low light functionality of these sights.

  9. I just looked at a P365 SAS at a local big box. I’ve been really excited about the bullseye sights and the porting. While I can’t comment about the functionality of the porting, ( they don’t let you fire these things inside the store), the sights are a complete deal breaker for me. When I first picked the thing up the sights looked like they were battery powered. This is no exaggeration. As I was moving it around to align the sights they would switch from invisible to glowing green when aligned. And it was REAL easy to align them and keep them aligned. But… as I was gushing about how good the sights looked, the kid behind the counter reached out and held his hand about 5 inches above the slide and as if by some form of evil magic the wonderful glowing green sights were gone and the kid asked: “how do you like them now?”. I spent about 5 more minutes repeating this exercise with the same results. It’s obvious that the light pipes, not the tritium are what make these sights look great. I’d love to have them on a target gun but they are way too gimmicky for me for self defense.

  10. Do not submerge the sight in water. I over clean my guns and my final hot water and soap on the slide killed the site completely. After removing it and taking it apart I spent almost two hours blowing, tapping and holding the site in a dehumidifier air flow, to get the sight to work again. Even without water, the sight sits above a hole in the slide above the seer, I believe it’s called. So solvent and or Gun oil has a chance to get into the sight. Sig told me not to use water to clean and a new sight is $149.00. Ouch! I would have thought the sight would be water, solvent and oil proof. Live and learn. Andrew Zeller

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