We are living in a golden age of concealed carry freedom and good choices in carry guns. While we must be vigilant and support the Second Amendment Foundation and their important battles, most of us are able to exercise our freedom and engage in self preservation. I lived the change and it is a good one. A friend in New York State is a retired state trooper. We have had good discussions comparing Appalachia and the Adirondacks. The more things differ the more they are the same. In our divergent youth, in the south only the well heeled and politically connected were able to obtain a carry permit . In Steve’s area judges routinely issued carry permits to Mob muscle. At the same time our off duty guns were usually snub nose .38s. Occasionally a maverick might deploy a Colt 1903 .32 ACP or a Walther PPK .380. Lets pause and thank foremost the grass roots fighters who secured shall issue concealed carry legislation for us and also those who developed effective compact carry guns. It is the shall issue concealed carry permit movement- and later constitutional carry- that drove the market for excellent carry guns.
The author’s favorite P 365- an Icarus frame Spectre. That is a bare Iscarus frame, below. They are simple enough to change and improve handling in combat shooting.
The big wave of concealed carry guns included what was called the slim line nine. These were downsized service pistols like the Glock 43 or purpose designed compacts like the Kahr K9. Advances don’t occur in a vacuum. Before the current wave of efficient effective and reliable sub compact handguns advantages in spring technology and polymer frames were realized. You can fit things into a polymer frame that are difficult with metal frames. Striker fired pistols offered a high level of demonstrated reliability. SIG Sauer designed a pistol that is now nearing eight years in service with excellent reception and reputation. This is the P 365. The every day 365 days a year P 365 has earned a place on the belt and in the safe of many concealed carry handgunners. I own several and find them well suited to concealed carry. I am certain I could get by with just one but as long as finances allow I will continue to run a small battery of P 365 pistols.
A TACOPs with part of its factory loadout- four magazines total, grip inserts, and a speed loader.
The original P365 9mm is a good choice for many roles. Small enough to fit in a pocket with a proper holster the P365 is compact, reliable, and easy to use well. The sights and trigger are excellent. The pistol weighs only 18 ounces unloaded. The P 365 was designed around a ten round magazine. Rather than downsize a full size pistol and face the inherent problem of designing it around a shortened service pistol magazine SIG designed a magazine that tapers at the top. This allows a very compact grip frame. It also makes for fast speed loads as we feed the tapered magazine into a generous magazine well. The grip frame is nicely pebbled and the bore centerline sets as low above the hand as possible. The pistol is easier to shoot well than anything I have fired in the size and weight class. A big advantage is the standard SIG XRAY night sight set up. The trigger action is short and crisp with a rapid reset. Technically a single action trigger the P365 trigger is heavy enough for a degree of safety while smooth enough for high hit probability. The first rule of safety is to keep your finger off the trigger until you fire. Not when you think you will fire but just before you fire! A drop safety or positive striker blocks is a safety feature.
If you prefer you may easily mount a red dot sight on the optics ready P 365.
The P365 has progressed into the ideal size for carry, personal defense, and home defense. The original demanded a SIG specific combat light models such as the TACOPS take standard combat lights. The X version features a lengthened grip frame and 12 round magazine. The XL also features a longer slide with a 3.6 inch barrel. Then the FUSE is a great shooter with a 4.3 inch barrel and 21 round magazine! It seems that adding a little length and weight to a sub compact works out better for handling and reliability than cutting length and weight in a full size gun. The long slide versions of the P365 remain trim light and fast handling with variations up to 23 ounces in weight- still light enough for constant carry. Another advantage of the P365 is its modular trigger group. Pop this serialized unit out and you may install it in another frame. I added the Icarusprecison.com aluminum frame to my long serving P365 Spectre. Three ounces of extra weight along with a re-designed grip tang, superb grip treatment, a full length light rail, and a neat finger rest designed into the triggerguard make this the best shooting SIG P365 I have fired. It is perhaps the Ne Plus Ultra of carry guns. There are other options and you may keep on hand an array of 365 frames and magazines for a single fire control group. The P 365 has been called a little gun that shoots like a big gun. Well- big guns do kick less and are easier to control. The P 365 is just the right size and shoots better than anything in the size and weight class. That is a lot. For those seeking the smoothest deep concealment pistol SIG offered the P365 SAS. Not for everyone the SAS features a snag free slide and single tritium dot for aiming.
Top to bottom- the ultra slick hideout SAS, standard P 365, and a custom shop Spectre.
The SIG pistol features a narrow slide that conceals well. The grip allows a good draw angle. Running the standard response drill with the P 365 is a pleasure. I find it a fast handling handgun. When I carry a P 365 I have a good choice among quality holsters. Galco offers a Velcro closure belly band with leather reinforced holster compartments. You may add a wallet and spare magazine to the ensemble. This allows discreet carry even under the Arrowhead Tactical shorts I wear during the warmer months. (Arrowheadtacticalapparel.com) These Carrier Shorts MKII feature an internal magnetic belt that supports a conventional IWB holster. More often I deploy the Galco StowNGo, which offers a superior draw angle and a reinforced holstering welt. These holsters make the most of the P 365’s slim line design.
The author uses the Galco bellyband with its reinforced leather pockets often. The StowNGo is an affordable but high quality inside the waistband holster.
While I still deploy the original P365 I prefer the superior shooting performance of the TACOPS pistol. A little weight goes a long way. The advantage is demonstrable on the firing range. This pistol holds 17 rounds and the additional weight and sight radius makes for better hit probability. This isn’t a large pistol and if you are able to conceal this effective handgun you should. I am glad to have so many choices and among the best choices I have are the various SIG P365 variants.
To locate a dealer near you visit www.lipseys.com/dealerfinder