36 G&A october 2019 |GreAt expectAtions
also taller, with a grip extending .587 inch.
Interestingly, the P365 XL with the flush-fit
12-round magazine installed measured
the same height as an original P365 with
optional 12-round magazine inserted. The
frame is also longer due to a new beavertail that breaks up the flush
profile with the bottom of the slide as seen on the standard P365.
The arch of the backstrap and the contour of the triggerguard’s
untextured undercut appear the same, but there’s more purchase
area at the frontstrap due to the longer grip. At the range, this
resulted in felt recoil that was more manageable than the P365’s,
which wasn’t bad either.
Combining the extra weight out at the front of the slide with
the longer grip and beavertail made shooting the P365 XL
impressively controllable,
regardless of a 9mm’s bullet
weight and velocity. In
total, the XL weighed 1
pound, 4.7 ounces com-
pared to the P365’s weight
of 1 pound, 1.8 ounces.
The P365 XL is easier to
shoot, in part, because
there is almost 3 ounces of
weight at the muzzle.
Texturing surroundsP365 XL with the same SIG Sauer 115-
grain V-Crown ammunition. There was no
difference in the average velocity of 1,110
feet per second (fps). Ballistically, the lon-
ger slide of the XL offers no extra benefit,
but when testing for accuracy with the
X-Ray3 sights and the same V-Crown load,
the average size of our 25-yard five-shot
group was reduced to 1.78 inches with
the XL compared to the 1.97 average of
the standard P365.
Underneath the slide, the striker-fire
assemblies are almost identical. How-
ever, there are now two, .625-inch-long
Torx-head screws that secure the new
X-Ray3 rear sight from under the slide.
(The standard P365 rear sight is dovetailed to the slide.) Remove
the slide to remove these screws and install a micro red dot sight.
SIG Sauer’s new RomeoZero ($250) is a snap to install and it fits
perfectly within the factory sight cut. The slide will also accept a
Shield RMSc ($400).
Besides the added length and weight at the muzzle, the slides
and barrels are otherwise the same. Different are the guiderod
and recoil spring. The recoil spring assembly in the shorter P365
is a compound part, meaning there are two progressive springs
with one rod plunging
inside an outer rod. This
system manages recoil to
run the P365’s shorter slide.
Because the P365 XL has a
longer raceway for the slide
to recoil against, it utilizes a
single captured spring and
guiderod assembly.
The Lower Not only is
the P365 XL longer, it is
SIG Sauer P365 XL
Type:Striker fired, recoil
operated, semiautomatic
Cartridge:9mm
Capacity:12+1 rds. (2 incl.);
15+1 rds. (optional)
Barrel:3.7 in.; carbon steel
Overall Length:6.6 in.
Height:4.8 in.
Width: 1.1 in.
Weight:1 lb., 4.7 oz.
Grip Module:XL; textured polymer
Finish:Nitron (stainless steel)
Trigger:4 lbs., 8 oz.; flat
Sights:SIG X-Ray3; optic ready
MSRP:$685
Manufacturer:SIG Sauer, 603-610-3000,
sigsauer.comsiG sauer x-ray3 sights remain a three-dot night sight configuration
with a bright green ring at the front. the p365 xL now features a
removable rear sight plate that allows mounting of a mini red dot.■ p365 xL
■ p365