Guns & Ammo – October 2019

40 G&A october 2019 |GreAt expectAtions

shooting hand, which I found uncomfortable. This is odd, in
my opinion, because the 12-round magazines feature an arched,
textured tail that blends well with the backstrap. This suggests
that engineers could have designed a more comfortable baseplate
for the 15-round mag. Regardless, it’s hard to argue given the
15-plus-one capacity is now available for either pistol.
Like the original, the P365 XL points well for me. It requires
little effort to align the sights instantly or learn how to use a
red dot. At the range, the P365 XL proved to be a very accurate
pistol. With iron sights, results averaged between 1.7 inches for
the best five-shot groups fired from a bench at 25 yards to 2.2

inches. It was noteworthy that there were not the usual flyers that

we experience when testing other pistols. Every round fired from

the P365 XL seemed to hit its mark.

Once SIG Sauer’s new RomeoZero red dot was installed and

sighted in, the groups shrunk even more. In fact, during function

testing with Federal’s 147-grain Hydra Shock load, I fired five

shots while standing offhand (and unsupported) into a group

that measured 1.44 inches! Even more incredible was that all five

shots were centered inside the 10 ring. Like a proud kid, I saved

the target to hang up when I got home.

I used to struggle with an answer when someone would

Keeping with trends, the p365 xL features
a flat trigger, which actually increases the
reach. this feel of this trigger could be
improved with a shorter, smoother takeup
and less overtravel.

the magazine well is slightly

flared and funneled. the base-

pad is also different as the p365

xL lacks the top tab. However,

xL mags will work in the p365.