Went to the range today to give my P365x and P365XL Spectre a little work out. Was surprised to see that they had received a P365 in 380 for their rental stable (but not one for sale). Since my range membership gives me free rentals I decided to try it out. In short, I was impressed, really impressed, I mean as impressed as you can be with a 380. Trigger was good, shot to POA with tight groups, and yes it was noticeably easier to rack than its 9mm counterpart. This pistol had been on my list since announced by Sig. I like carrying a 380 in summer hot weather. Compared to my Ruger LCP Max, the Sig beats it hands down. I liked carrying the Ruger due to its small size and high 10 and 12 round capacity, but it was not fun to shoot. It was snappy and for some reason felt recoil seemed more than a 380 should be. The Sig was actually fun to shoot and shoot rapidly. Mag capacity the same.

When I got home I went online and ordered the Sig. Next, I’m going to put the Ruger up on Armslist. All in all, a good day at the range.

Thanks for the report. How hard were the mags to load to full capacity? One of the big benefits I see to this gun is for people who struggle with the recoil and stiff slide retraction of the 9mm. In my experience, though, the mag springs on the P365 are also very stiff and hard for some to overcome...I'm curious if they did anything to address that.

Cool.

Thinking about getting a P365 someday and it sounds like the 380 would be more fun.

Reliable? I'm still on the hunt for a reliable 380.

So is the physical size of the .380 any different than the 9mm?

quote:

Originally posted by 1s1k:
So is the physical size of the .380 any different than the 9mm?

No, in fact it is my understanding that the 380 can use any of the 9mm grip modules.

I'll be quite curious about eventual comparisons with the Sig P238. I've had my P238 for 12 years now. Accurate and much milder recoil than blowback models, but meager round capacity even with the extended finger grip magazines.

If the exact same size as the regular 365, why carry it instead of the 9mm? The Sig is not going to conceal nearly as well as the LCP Max.

This has been discussed in other threads, but two significant reasons for a 380 P365 are lower recoil and, as mentioned above, it’s easier to manually cycle the slide.* Both could appeal to people who have less hand strength.

* One review I saw challenged that claim, but others say it’s true.

The mags were stiff but I was able to chamber a round and insert a full mag making it a real 10+1. Only had 50 rounds of SpeerFMJ and ran flawlessly. Same size as 9mm P365 so I understand the comments about why not just carry 9mm? It’s a fair criticism but having multiple 9mm versions of the P365 I can say the 380 is more fun to shoot and I found myself getting more shots on target in less time with the 380. Keep in mind I’m older with some arthritis. As for effectiveness, there are some great 380 loads out there and at short range with minimal clothing to penetrate (read summer t shirts etc.) is the difference material if I can get off ten quick shots with great accuracy?
Yes, the P365 is larger, but I was carrying the LCP max in pocket with the 12 round mag with no sweat. Not sure I can pocket the Sig but for sure can carry IWB no problem. These double stack 380’s are a game changer. I have a Sig P232 and multiple Berettas (70s, Pico, etc) in addition to the LCP Max. I was amazed at how much better I shot the Sig. Check out the reviews on Hornady FTX Critical Defense and Federal HST Micro in 380.I won’t feel inadequate in the Summer months knowing I can put 10 or12 rounds on target in the blink of an eye with the Sig. IfI didn’t feel that way I wouldn’t carry it.
And I’m not saying it would be my only carry option. I’ve got a number of pistols in mySummer rotation, from G43 to Sig P365X to HK P30sk in LEM to Hellcat to (one of my favorites) the Nighthawk Counselor 9mm. But, the P365 380 is a neat gun.

Glad you liked the Sig. I have the Ruger LCP Max, and don't think the recoil is too snappy. I use the 10 round magazine, prefer it. Also don't pocket carry, use an IWB holster for it.

But can see where you're coming from.

This 380 version with an XL grip module, giving me a 380 X, may be exactly what I'm looking for for my significant other. Concealability is not nearly as high on the priority list as usability, which includes shootability. She won't like the snap of a P365 in 9. She is much more likely to handle this.

I'm glad SIG is not tying itself to artificial rules of size vs. caliber and capacity. In years past I've called this a false economy, but don't know if that term really captures the concept.

Daniel

Rely upon and carry what you like, when you like, and for whatever reasons you like, but if you believe that the 380 Auto cartridge isn’t capable of perforating heavy clothing to cause significant damage to the wearer and that’s why you avoid it, you should educate yourself. Firearms cartridges do vary in power and power affects ballistic effectiveness, but there is no reason to believe that the projectile from any cartridge commonly carried for self-defense purposes is going to get hung up in someone’s Carhartt coat.

quote:

Originally posted by Dan:
This 380 version with an XL grip module, giving me a 380 X, may be exactly what I'm looking for for my significant other.

The fly in the ointment there is going to be magazines. You can put the .380 slide and FCU in the XL grip module, but unless/until SIG makes XL-size magazines in .380, you won't have any way to feed it.

quote:

If the exact same size as the regular 365, why carry it instead of the 9mm?

As others have said because of the softer recoil. My wife doesn't like shooting my 9mm P365's but this might work for her.

I am hopeful that my local range will get one for the rental wall. (They are a SIG Elite Dealer)

I am interested in comparing it to a Glock 42.

I called sig today to ask about the feasibility of getting an exchange kit from 9mm to 380,since I already have a 9mm 365. The person I spoke to said knowing Sigs history of developments no doubt there will be such an exchange kit in the near future. But, she doesn’t know of any specific plans at this time.

One of the things that wasn’t mentioned in this review is that the 365 in 380 acp weighs a little over 2 oz less than its 9mm counter part. For all day carry, 2 oz less is significant for me. That makes it the same weight as the Sig 238 I carry most of the time, but with 4 more rounds.

Either way, I will have a 365 in 380 ACP before the end of this summer.

Thanks for the report

quote:

Originally posted by toivo:

quote:

Originally posted by Dan:
This 380 version with an XL grip module, giving me a 380 X, may be exactly what I'm looking for for my significant other.

The fly in the ointment there is going to be magazines. You can put the .380 slide and FCU in the XL grip module, but unless/until SIG makes XL-size magazines in .380, you won't have any way to feed it.

Thanks for alerting me to that. Good point.

Sig makes a 12 round extended magazine for the P365 380. Osage has them for $39.99

Someone asked about the Sig compared to the Glock 42. I had one and sold several months ago. As best I recall the recoil was pretty similar but I didn’t like the thin short grip. Made fast shooting difficult. The Sig is much better. Accuracy at 21ft. About the same. Of course the Glock had low capacity.

I sold the G42 and bought a Sig P232 NOS. Put the hogue rubber grip on it and really like it.