Getting ready for my CCW renewal so took my trusty Glock 26, which has been my main CCW for 6 years now, along with my Franklin Armory serialized P320 compact, and my newly acquired P365XL, also accompanied by my P229 that VTHoky sold me.

My main attention was my 3 CCW firearms I get to list on my permit and I went in with the intention of removing my P226 (.40S&W :/) and adding my P365Xl, to my Glock 26 and my compact FACA320.

My first impression with the P365XL was how much more snappy it felt compared to my FACA320 and Glock 26. I would say I’m up not sensitive to recoil, having shot hot .357 mag and .44 mag loads, plus other moderately hot cartridges, but for me the closest comparison would be my G26 and the P365XL, and the G26 was less snappy and just easier to shoot all around for me. My G26 has a Talon rubberized grip, Timney trigger system, and Glock Bold sights by Ameriglo. My P365XL has a Wilson Combat XL grip module with a filed down back strap and Holosun SCS.

I have my P320 and P365 set up as big gun/little gun as in almost identical (Wilson Combat grip modules with filed down backstraps and Holosun SCS optics).

I have a LEO buddy who carries the P320 as a duty weapon and has a P365 Macro who I shoot with regularly and he and I both prefer the Glock 26 (he carries Gen 5, I carry Gen 3) over any P320 or P365 variant we’ve shot, to date. We both actually shoot our G26s no optics and love it.

This is where the P229 (and DA/SA) comes in (thanks VTHOKY!) I only put 50 rounds though it, as I was focused on my CCW choices, but damn I love my classic P series SIGs. Idk why I shoot them so well, but I think it’s having likely most of my trigger time on DA/SA SIGs the last 17 years. I decided to test myself (like my first CCW test on my P226 when I shot the whole course de-cocking so every shot was in DA and I didn’t miss a shot). I shot the P229 mostly in DA today and kept ringing steel. When I did shoot SA, it was just too easy. It made me wish I could find a P224 here in CA, but it doesn’t look likely.

Just food for thought and my experience with an older and newer carry gun. I do think I need more time behind pistol optics because I still shoot faster and more comfortably with irons, it’s just natural at this point.

That's a nice pair you've got there, and it's always good to get out to the range.

What's a Franklin Arms serialized P320? I've never heard of that before...does it differ somehow from a regular P320?

I agree with you on the Glock 26 vs the P365. I carried a G26 for years, and even with the flush baseplates and "2 finger grip", I prefer it to the 365. I agree it's less snappy and find that it's easier to maintain a consistent grip on it because there's more girth and a longer trigger reach. The P365 just doesn't provide my big hands with enough to hold onto. I do want to try one with one of those Wilson grip modules, though, to see if it makes it better.

The reason I got rid of the Glock is that I shoot P320s for work and found that once I started really getting into the optics thing, consistency in presentation and "natural point of aim" for lack of a better term was a big deal. I was working a lot to develop the ability to find the dot immediately on the draw, and as I developed that with my P320 my shooting with the Glock deteriorated. The grip angle is just different enough that it matters, and while I could still shoot it just fine when I took the time to find the sights, when I started pushing the speed and couldn't be as precise with the sight picture I'd always hit high. So in the interest of consistency I sold it.

The biggest thing for me in getting comfortable with the optic was teaching myself to switch from front-sight focus to target focus. I'm a slow learner (maybe "entrenched" is a better term lol), and it took a while. One trick that helped was to cover over the front of the optic with masking tape, look at the target with both eyes open, then draw and bring the optic in-line between your eyes and the target. Having the front of the optic taped off encourages your mind to focus on the target rather than the dot. It doesn't even have to cost you ammo or range time as it's easily practiced dry at home.

Disregard my question about the Franklin Arms P320...I just looked it up and see it's a California thing.

I am always amazed at the large number of guys who love the G26. I have owned three of them as well as two G27's. I have always felt that it was too short and too fat, and I tend to enjoy all of the slimline (one-inch wide) Glocks...G17, G19, G36, G43 and so forth. Favorite Sig is P938. My Walther PPS is an excellent pistol...very well built, very slim, accurate. Handles easily.
Just an interesting circumstance.
My hand size is large.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: sonnydaze,

I have to say I still prefer the classic SIG DA/SA action to everything else. I have my P226, two 229’s, and an old 225. It’s probably because my first serious training was with the Sigs, and it still feels safest and most natural to me. I know when I’m re-holstering that my thumb is on the hammer. I know what the DA first pull is like, and how light that second SA shot is going to be.
I think in October it will be 20 years since my first class with Bruce Gray, taken with my older son John. I remember it vividly; and I miss shooting with that bunch.

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:
Disregard my question about the Franklin Arms P320...I just looked it up and see it's a California thing.

Yep stupid CA. It hit the roster before the P320 was added and you could swap the grip module and add magazines to make it a “standard” 320. It came with a grip module hat would not allow magazines and had a sled type device to place one round at a time on. Mine is essentially a P320 compact with a FA serial number and Wilson Combat grip module.

quote:

Originally posted by sonnydaze:
I am always amazed at the large number of guys who love the G26… I have always felt that it was too short and too fat…

I get ya, it is short and fat, but I think the girth fills the hand a bit better maybe and I use the +2 ext on mine so I get a full grip on it.

quote:

Originally posted by sjtill:
I have to say I still prefer the classic SIG DA/SA action to everything else…

At this point in time I feel the same way. Wish I could get a 224 and get my 226 and a 224 Grayguns parts and be my two guns… as if that were a thing.