GunUniversity was invited up to Sig for a special day just for us to check out the Sig p365XL a couple of months before it was released!
In this Sig p365 XL review, we’ll be covering what we thought of the p365 XL, how it compares to the earlier model, and the pros/cons and specifications of the Sig p365 XL.
Here’s a hint… we LOVE the Sig p365, so naturally, the Sig p365 XL was a hit for us as well.
Sig P365 XL Background
When the Sig P365 came out, it took the CCW world by storm. The standard p365 was reliable, accurate, comfortable to should/shoot, and (perhaps most important) it had the ability to accept a 12 round magazine in a gun that was no bigger than competitor’s guns that only held half as many rounds of 9mm.
Because one of the major features of the Sig p365 over its competitors is its capacity, most people we know that carry them (ourselves included), choose to carry their p365 with the extended 12 round magazine.
Sig’s extended 12 round magazine for the p365 is nice in that it really improves the grip – it isn’t just an afterthought. However, there are two potential issues with it for some shooters:
- The 12 round extended magazine is part of the grip. Therefore, when conducting a magazine change, the shooter’s hand must release part of the grip.
- The extended 12 round p365 magazine is an additional purchase on top of the cost of the p365.
Sure, having part of the grip be the magazine can be a benefit when the shooter wants the option to use the smaller magazines for a smaller pistol. However, as we mentioned above, most shooters use only the 12 round magazines.
The accuracy of the p365 is phenomenal. Check out our Sig p365 review for some proof. However, for some shooters, the short sight radius made it difficult for them to achieve the accuracy potential of the platform.
Sig’s answer? The Sig P365 XL.
The P365XL offers a full length grip that accepts flush-fit 12 round magazines that come with the pistol and a long slide for an improved sight radius (and an increase in velocity). It also can accept extended 15 round magazines and comes standard with a flat x-series trigger. Also, with new micro red dots for these smaller cow pistols, Sig sends the P365XL already milled for an optic!
Sig P365 XL Features And Changes

1. LONGER SLIDE
An increased sight radius makes it easier to aim and a longer pistol barrel increases velocity.
2. LONGER GRIP
Full length grip accepts 12 round magazines as a flush-fit standard option. 15 round extended magazines available.
3. IMPROVED TRIGGER
The Sig P365XL comes with the upgraded flat x-series trigger.
4. OPTIC READY
Milled from the factory to accept new micro red dots.
Sig P365XL Review – Our Take
Gun University was invited up to the Sig Academy to try out some of their newest products – it was awesome and we’re really excited about these two new pistols from Sig (as well as other products we got to play with that haven’t been announced yet).
Range days with a manufacturer to try out their new products are always fun but they are almost always part of a “media day” where there’s a lot of other folks there lining up to shoot the products too. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to really get some time with a gun in this format.
We were insanely lucky in that Sig hosted the day at the range with their product managers and crew just for us! This gave us a TON of time with each product to really put them through their paces and get a solid feel for what each one offered.
Our hands-on experience with the P365XL a couple of months ago gives us this review.
If you’re not already familiar with the P365, you might want to start with our p365 review as the p365XL is a variation of the p365.
Sig P365XL Grip: We absolutely LOVE the grip of the P365XL!!!
We thought we liked the P365’s grip until we tried the P365XL’s grip. Seriously, if we could have taken the grip module from the P365XL that we were testing and taken it home to put on our P365, we would have.
The grip is just the right size to give you a great purchase on the pistol while still being small enough to carry concealed. It is equivalent to the Glock 43X in length.
One potential downside for some shooters: If you like the ability to have the smallest pistol possible, then you may not like the P365XL because it forces you to have the same grip length as the extended standard P365 – you can’t go shorter. If this is you, you might want the standard P365 instead.
However, if you’re like us, we only run with the extended 12 round magazine on our P365s so it just makes sense to have a full grip that doesn’t go away during magazine changes. Also, the grip length requires the P365XL to come with 12 round magazines as standard – no needed to buy extra mags.
Even better news? The P365XL has extended 15 round magazines!!!!
Sig P365XL Slide: The longer slide of the P365XL doesn’t really do it for us but we realize that it is desirable for many shooters.
The idea of a longer slide is to provide a longer sight radius (distance between the sights) and a bit more bullet velocity for more energy.
We get it – both of those are things we’d like too! However, they come at a cost (albeit a small one)…. the longer pistol is harder (slightly) to conceal… especially when carrying in the appendix position.
Is it a deal breaker? Absolutely not! In fact, if this pistol came out first and we didn’t know that another model had a shorter slide, we’d still love the P365XL. All we’re saying is that the longer slide isn’t a benefit for us (it’s not really a detriment either).
P365XL Trigger: The trigger on the P365 is great… the trigger on the P365XL is greater.
The triggers on our P365 are so great (especially when compared to any competitors) that we’ve never really needed to upgrade them. However, now that we’ve tried the x-series flat trigger on the p365XL we kinda’ wish our standard P365s has this trigger too.
P365XL Optic Cut: WAY TO GO SIG!!!
Red dot optics are the way of the future – we are happy to see manufacturers adopting them.
The Shield RMSc is made for compact pistols and many people have already been sending their P365s off to get milled for the micro red dots. Thankfully, the P365XL comes milled from the factory!!!
One minor criticism? The rear iron sights are part of the plate that must be removed to install a red dot. If you’re using a Shield RMSc, this isn’t a problem because it has a built-in rear sight. However, other manufacturers do not have built in iron sights – if your red dot goes down, you could be missing back up sights if needed.
P365XL Summary: If you’re looking for the smallest pistol to have the option to hold up to 12 rounds, get the standard P365. However, if you want a pistol that is slightly larger, you’d like an optic cut from the factory, has a 12 round capacity standard, and is a bit more shootable/useable, the Sig P365XL might just be for you! We’d be happy with either one.
Also, the Sig P365XL is a really nice fit between a sub compact and a compact pistol – it is big enough (especially with the 15 round extended magazines) to handle full size jobs but it is small enough to be easily concealed.
What would we do different? We’d keep everything except the longer slide. The new grip, the optic cut, and upgraded trigger are all obvious upgrades for us. The longer slide is merely a feature change – it’s up to you whether it is a benefit to you.
If you can only afford, or you see the benefit in training with, only one handgun, the Sig P365XL should be it! It is big enough (especially with the 15 round magazines) to be a range/duty pistol and it is small enough (and so much better than the competition on ergonomics, capacity, etc.) to be the best CCW pistol.
Sif P365 XL Pros and Cons
12 round capacity standard
Longer grip makes shooting (and reloading) easier
Increased sight radius (and velocity)
Extended 15 round magazines
Milled for a red-dot
Incredible trigger
Slightly larger (not as concealable)
Rear sight is removed with optic plate
12 round is minimum length
Report card
Reliability | Runs like a top |
A+ |
Accuracy | Were more accurate with p365 model pistols than anything else. |
A+ |
Customization | Ability to add red dot and full size grip makes grip mounted switches easier to use |
A |
Ergonomics | Ergonomics are improved over the standard p365 |
A+ |
Value | Seriously, with the P365XL, you may not need one gun for carry and one for the range – this thing can do both! |
A+ |

Need to double check the spelling. Good article otherwise
What planet are you from that you give a new p365 an A+ reliability rating? How can you even make that statement? Your readers deserve better
We gave it an A+ in reliability because it was 100% reliable for us. Should we give a lower score for OUR review because of what someone else might experience with it in the future? As far as we know, We’re the only hands-on test review for this gun so far.
How many rounds fired before the write-up?
What research makes you assume that most P365 owners carry it with 12 round extended magazines? Many people, myself included, carry pistols with a flush fitting magazine inserted while using an extended mag as a backup. The length of the grip is what affects printing; not the barrel length.
My question would be is the 365XL backwards compatible with the original 365 slide ? Ultimately with the G48 you can put your standard G43 upper on it and have both a G43X and a G48 without having to purchase both extended grip models. Will the P365XL allow the same scenario?
I didn’t write that “most p365 owners carry it with a 12 round magazine.” Instead, I wrote, “most people we know that carry them (ourselves included), choose to carry their p365 with the extended 12 round magazine.” Big difference. It’s easy to conduct the research on the people I know that carry a p365 – I ask them.
Obvious to carry with the 12rd. mag. It makes a three finger grip in a profile no larger than its 7rd competitors. Win-win.
It’s nice to have a 12rd spare mag, but acquiring a spare mag and reloading is never a sure thing. Better to have the max number in the gun ready to go.
Does this include the interchangeable trigger group similar to the P320’s. I saw a description indicating that is is using a “grip module” so naturally I wanted to know if it is a truly “modular” handgun system like the P320. Thanks!
Can you post side by side comparison photos of the 365 and 365xl?
Yes!
Similar to AZ Trigger’s comment, and your thoughts on the slide length, is the 365XL going to be interchangeable with the current 365? For example, if I wanted the larger grip/increased capacity from the 365XL but didn’t want the extra slide length could I purchase the XL frame and throw my current slide on it? Thanks!
Great review. Thanks for getting information out there on the new version of the 365. I’ve been on the fence for the original, still carrying my g19. Trying to decide on which thinner lighter carry gun to purchase just got harder. Was hoping that Glock and s&w would bring something more comparable to the table than they have. It’s all a balance and compromise between weight, thickness, capacity, perceived recoil, and size for ease of carry.
I may be on rain delay here. Can the XL accommodate the standard 10rd mag? Or is the 12 it?
For some of us behind the wire here in New Yorkistan 12rd is a no-go.
I believe is a minimum of 12 rounds!
jim
How about primer drag marks that are endemic on the non XL model ?Any ?
The Big question. Any Primer Drag Marks like the non XL P365 ?
The original had .25% issues with combined broken pin or trigger spring. Less than one %. Less than half on 1%. Half of half of 1%. So, let’s say they sold 200k. That’s 500 units that went bad. These numbers are better than birth control.
For me, the dream P365 would be a P365XL SAS! Do we know if Sig Sauer is considering this?
It would be very nice to know if the grip and the slide will be interchangeable with the original
How is the longer slide a concealability issue when carried appendix? If the slide is inside your pants, the length of the slide is irrelevant. I currently carry a P365, and my only complaint about it is the short barrel. What Sig should have done instead of this is just made a longer slide/barrel combo you could put on the standard P365 frame. They also should offer the slide cut for the RMR, because the Romeo and Shield red dots are simply not reliable and durable enough for a carry pistol.
When carrying appendix, the longer slide does make a difference when you sit down. The longer slide tends to dig down into your leg or groin, depending on exactly where you wear it. I like to carry my off duty IWB, cross draw at 10-11 o’clock, My G17 digs into my leg, but my G19 doesn’t. I bought the G43X recently instead of the P365 because the grip on the P365 was too short and I liked the feel of the G43X much better. It’s also very nice to carry IWB cross draw. I’m guessing the P365XL will be about the same size as the G43X. I will probably get the XL soon. There goes another $500!
Out of all these damn comments when in the hell is it gonna be released ??????????????? When ???????????when ??????¿????when ?
So when will it come with MS?
I just wanted a longer slide. I was hoping for exactly the same gun with a 4″ barrel.
Perfect!
I’ll trade you my short frame for your longer one!
I’ll give up round count for concealability – which, for me, is a function of grip size rather than slide length (IWB in the 4 o’clock position). So rather than wishing for a short slide with the long grip, I’d rather have the long slide with a short grip. 9mm starts to get kinda borderline in a 3″ barrel. In fact I often wonder why the manufacturers don’t extend the barrel past the end of the slide an extra half inch…