Sig Sauer recently debuted the micro-compact P365-380 which offers all of the same features as the 9mm version, but in a softer shooting caliber that provides less felt recoil and easier handling. From the factory, the P365-380 comes standard with two 10-round magazines, SIGLITE night sights, and an optic cut compatible with the ROMEOZero footprint. This pistol also shares a fire control unit and grip module with the 9mm P365 while featuring a lightened slide and barrel to make it compatible with all existing P365 holsters. Sig’s slogan for the P365-380 is “less recoil, more control” and after burning a few hundred rounds I can say it does exactly that.
Specifications:
Caliber: 380 Auto
Sights: SIGLITE Night Sights
Overall Length: 5.8″
Overall Width: 1.0″
Height: 4.2″
Barrel Length: 3.1″
Weight: 15.7 oz
Trigger Action: Striker
Barrel Material: Carbon Steel
Slide Material: Stainless Steel
FCU Material: Stainless Steel
Optic Ready: Yes
First off, this micro-compact pistol comes with two 10-round magazines. One sits flush with the bottom of the grip, while the other features an extended finger tab which is my preferred choice due to the extra grip length. The capacity of these mags for the size is quite impressive, and 12-round mags are also available to purchase. There are two reasons I have traditionally carried a larger handgun; magazine capacity, and shootability. Sig is paying attention because the P365-380 ranks well in both my categories of shootability and carrying capacity which is probably similar to most people’s requirements for a carry gun. The mags seem to be nearly identical to the 9mm version but with a shim at the rear of the mag to account for the shorter overall length of the .380 rounds. Throughout my testing, the mags fed well and were easy to hand load.
The pistol utilizes a metal curved trigger that feels rugged and reliable. When pressing the trigger, there is a soft takeup leading to a well-defined wall. Once at the wall, I measured a trigger pull weight between 4.5-5lbs when pulling from where the center of my trigger finger sits. Pulling from the wall, I also measured there to be about 0.15″ of creep before the trigger actually breaks and a shot is fired. For a factory trigger, this is not bad and feels pretty good. After breaking the shot, there is a fairly short reset which is right back on the wall, allowing the shooter to be ready for the next shot while eliminating excessive finger movement.
Maintaining compatibility with all P365 holsters really gives the Sig P365-380 a leg up. There are lots of manufacturers already making holsters for the P365 so consumers have plenty of options, and could even swap out their carry guns while utilizing the same holster if they so desire. For this review, I used a Black Point Tactical FO3 light-mounted holster to allow me to conceal carry the gun and work on some draws with it. I will say, this micro-compact pistol conceals better and is quite a bit more comfortable than the Glock 19 I have been carrying for years.
The grip module and FCU or fire control unit are the same as the 9mm version of the P365. While there are no adjustable backstraps, I find the contours of the grip to fit my hand much better than other micro-compact options of similar size. As with all pistols, I would recommend finding them in person to feel for yourself as hands come in all shapes and sizes. The stippling is not overly aggressive and is more than adequate for this soft shooting gun. While not utilizing a Picatinny rail, the P365-380 does feature the “Sig Rail” which accepts Sigs FOXTROT lights, or others such as the Streamlight TLR-7 Sub or TLR8-G. I have found that this frame is not very rigid and running lasers can work, but they will not hold a great zero. When shooting, the Streamlight TLR8-G held pretty steadily on the polymer frame, but I noticed that my grip on the frame would shift the laser. This shifting mainly came from when my fingers were pushing up on the bottom of the trigger guard, but I also saw some shift when adjusting my grip strength. This small plastic frame has some flex to it, but this is no issue for those who only are running a white light.
Featuring both front and rear slide serrations, the slide is easy to grip and rack. While I would have preferred more aggressive cuts, these are sufficient for gaining positive control over the slide. Also, due to the redesigned two-piece captured guide rod and spring, the slide requires less racking force making it operable for those with under-average wrist strength.
The slide is Nitron finished for corrosion and wear resistance. It also is milled to accept ROMEOZero optics such as the ROMEOZero Elite which I used for the duration of this review. The slide cut isn’t milled very deep so the optic blocks the front sight post when aiming, rendering the iron sights ineffective. This is the case with most factory iron sights, however, and taller aftermarket sights could be purchased if so desired. As for the ROMEOZero Elite, it worked great. It had a good range of brightness adjustments, held zero, and did everything I needed it to do. For the price, this seems to be a great option to top off the P365-380.
Coming standard with the SIGLITE night sights is a nice touch for this pistol. They glow plenty bright to be useable in the dark and are easy to pick up during the day. My only complaint is that they would have been slightly taller to use in conjunction with the ROMEOZero style of optics.
The Sig P365-380 features a 3.1″ carbon steel barrel which seems to be more accurate than me. Standing unsupported at 10 yards, I was able to get around 1″ groups excluding flyers with all the different ammo I shot through it.
While this pistol groups well, out of the box I had numerous issues getting this T&E pistol to cycle. At first, shooting 85gr Norma MHP, 95gr Norma FMJ, and 100gr Sig Performance ammunition all ended up causing failures to feed. The main issue was the slide would get stuck before fully chambering the next round.
I could tell the spring was quite worn out, and not knowing all the abuse this pistol had gone through before it got to me for this review, I emailed Sig and asked them about it. They ended up replacing the guide rod spring as well as the barrel. Even before shooting, I could tell the spring was much better. Hitting the range another time, it had no issues at all. It burned through mag after mag without a single issue.
While I had shot a .380 before reviewing this pistol, I had never really trained with one. Burning hundreds of rounds of ammo, I was surprised at how much smoother shooting it is than a 9mm. This P365-380 ran flat. It was very controllable and easy to shoot.
So why would someone pick a nearly identical gun chambered in 380 over 9mm? It all comes back to shootability and the end user’s confidence in their abilities. In terms of pure ballistics, 9mm is always my choice. However, having a gun chambered in a caliber that is soft and controllable may make the difference for some people from either carrying or not carrying. Even for me, I found it quite easy to stay on target when mag dumping on steel silhouettes from 20 yards so the advantage of a softer shooting caliber is real. If you have trouble managing the recoil from 9mm, this is a great option.
The Sig Sauer P365-380 is packed with features for the size. It has a great magazine capacity, comes optic-ready, and features night sights. Throughout my testing, I definitely noticed this 380 Auto is more controllable than similar 9mm handguns while significantly reducing the felt recoil. These pistols are currently selling for $499.99 and the ROMEOZero Elite retails for around $200. This P365-380 is a comfortable and easy shooting pistol. After getting a new guide rod spring assembly, the P365-380 ran like a champ. For a smooth shooting ergonomic pistol, the Sig P365-380 is a great option.
*** Buy and Sell on GunsAmerica! All Local Sales are FREE! ***
I bought an expensive Sig Romeo2 from Optics Planet. It was supposed to come with an owner’s manual, not my package. A Sig rep held up a OM during the Romeo 2 unboxing and said read the OM. Guess ya gotta go online to read the OM because a hard copy is sooooo bad for environment. Despite the harm that the paper from an OM might pose, Sig still advertises in countless magazines.
The optic sent to me has one bright red dot and at least one other dimmer red dot at about 6 o’clock of the first, that’s a problem. I contacted Sig, shipped the unit as directed and quickly the defective product was sent back to me. The “GUNSMITH” claimed that he “WAS UNABLE TO REPRODUCE CONDITIONS.” In other words, he did not see the second red dot. It was impossible for someone with normal vision to miss the problem if they ever looked.
So I brought the Romeo2 to several gun stores and everyone saw the problem and none of the stores would consider selling the expensive red dot on consignment. A lady lady who works at one of the stores and shoots competition suggested that turning down the brightness would diminsh the second red dot and other distortions. It did diminish the second dot (indoors) and other glarring. Why the “GUNSMITH” never mentioned this type of a solution is very strange but maybe this employee has an undetected stigmatism or justs sends things back without ever checking the problem.
The Sig service rep, Joshuah Spurgeon or whatever his name was, never sent me an owner manual even though on several e-mails I pointed out the fact that that “QC4” never included the OM or warreny card in the original package. Spurgeon did not seem to even have looked over the Romeo2 that I sent into Sig. That would have helped, so I did not have to send worthless pictures or describe what was clearly evident when Sig’s “GUNSMITH” had the unit in hand. Two employees checking on one problem might be a good idea.
I just decided a few days ago that the only choice I had was to mount the dubious unit on my P-320/M17. The shake awake did NOT seem to be working so I hit the up and down buttons and still nothing. Already (a matter of 2 or 3 months) I had changed the battery twice even though a constant running a battert should last way more than one year. I called Sig again and this time spoke to someone who was more skilled with problem solving although he could NOT explain how some matters were handled previously. Right now I am conducting my own observation to see how long this current battery lasts so I have specific numbers before I go and send the unit back again. If this Romeo2 is burning through batteries prematurely then there is another significant problem with this unit. I hope Sig will treat me better and honor the warranty if the red dot is a cleary ‘lemon.’ Naturally I am not sure about the Sig “GUNSMITH” and the company process at this point.
If Sig is fair going forward, I will forget the past problems and give them credit.
If all is true I’m definitely buying one. How’s availability
Nice pistol and I am sure it works like a charm. Nevertheless while a.380 is better than bare hands, if someone really cares about self defense he or she is better to force him-herself to get accustomed to a more potent caliber. When you see live self-defense actions where a 38 Special is involved and the perps keep on doing bad things for a lot of time, you swear yourself you better get accustomed to something more potent. In my opinion self-defense is a really serious matter, it is a lot more involved than barely toting some kind of firearm. You better be ready for the worse, even the worse after it’s over and the legal system kicks in.
WAS going to get one for the wife but it is just too HEAVY….. 🙁