Before You Buy - The P365 X-Macro
Everyone is always after the latest and greatest when it comes to firearms. Whenever a new firearm hits the market, pretty much everyone out there either wants to switch to it as their main daily carry, or just wants to pick it up because it's the hottest thing currently out there. This was definitely the case for the new SIG Suer P365 X-Macro that was officially released back in August of 2022. The new P365 X-Macro is the larger sibling of the legendary P365 that took the concealed carry world by storm by providing the user with an unprecedented 10-round of capacity for a firearm of its size. The X-Macro scaled things up by giving the user a whopping 17-rounds of capacity, but in a much slimmer package than your standard fare Glock 17 or Glock 19 handgun meaning that you had a much more compact package, but full-size capacity and a virtually full-size grip.
Specifications and Features
The P365 X-Macro shares the same Fire Control Group (FCU) and slide design as the P365 and the P365 XL. The slide for the Macro has essentially been lifted from the previously released SIG P365 Spectre Comp, and SIG went ahead and threw in some new engraving to differentiate it from the Specter slide. The biggest departure from the original P365 design language comes in with the new 17-round magazines, and the Macro grip frame. The grip itself is virtually the same size/dimensions as a Glock 19 grip but is just a hair bit shorter. SIG also found it fitting to add a traditional M1913 Picatinny rail - this makes it super easy to find a suitable weapon light for your new pistol.
| Magazines | Includes two 17-round flush-fit magazines |
| Slide | Compensated slide for recoil reduction |
| Grip Module | Macro-compact grip module with S, M, and L backstraps |
| Accessory Rail | 1913 accessory rail fits more sights and lasers |
| Trigger | Flat trigger |
| Cocking Serrations | Front and rear angled cocking serrations |
| Sights | XRay3 standard height day/night sights |
| Slide Cut | Optics cut slide |
| Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price | MAP: $799.99 |
Range Performance
Over the last couple of months, I’ve had a lot of time to shoot and carry the X-Macro. The Macro certainly carries a lot easier than a Glock 19. The addition of a red dot sight to your X-Macro makes it a tiny bit bulkier but for me personally, it really hasn’t been an issue. The trigger on the X-Macro is virtually the same as every other P365 model but SIG has added one of their flat faced triggers which may be a pro or a con for you depending on what you prefer. The cool part is that the X-Macro is almost 100% reverse compatible with every OEM SIG part including trigger shoes. The 17-round Macro magazines will work in all previous versions of the P365 but due to their extended length, the 10, 12, and 15-round P365 magazines will not work in the new Macro pistol.
The compensated slide does in fact reduce felt recoil but it comes with a couple of drawbacks and caveats that come with that performance. I noticed during my initial range sessions that it didn’t really feel like I was getting all that much recoil reduction out of the Macro with its comped slide, however, I was using Federal Syntech 150-grain ammunition which is basically dialed in to provide you with a certain power factor (for competition) but also help reduce recoil. This meant that the compensator wasn’t getting enough gas going to it in order for it to work at full effectiveness. The compensator works best with “hot” ammo that can push enough energy out of the muzzle end of the gun and make use of that compensated slide. If you train primarily at an indoor or covered range, you’ll for certain notice that you’re shooting a compensated slide as the comped slide intensifies both the report of the gun and the concussion you’ll feel from it.
In short, my range sessions with the P365 X-Macro have been great. The new pistol is reliable, very shootable with the right ammunition, and carries very comfortably for a handgun of its size and capacity. Add to that the capability of being able to run a weapon light and a red dot sight and you’ve got the makings for a very adaptable pistol that I think could be used for just about anything.
Before You Buy - the Pros and Cons
I really like the P365 X-Macro and I’d recommend it to those of you who want to pick it up to add to your collection. However, you may want to take into consideration a couple of my personal pros and cons for the handgun before you buy it, and here they are:
Cons
- High up-front cost
- Compensated slide works, but can be annoying if you only shoot indoors
- If optimizing for concealment, the X-Macro may be too large for some smaller individuals
- A limited selection of compatible P365 X Macro holsters, however, Falco Holsters has a huge amount of P365 holster options.
Pros
- Very shootable for a concealable pistol
- The compensator helps mitigate recoil and muzzle flip felt from hot carry ammo
- Reverse compatible with virtually all previous P365 parts
- Comes ready to accept both a weapon light and/or a red dot sight
- Highest capacity handgun for its overall size
P365 vs P365 X Macro
I own the SIG Sauer P365 for years now and this allowed me to compare it to the newer Sig Sauer P365 XMacro. I already mentioned new features & few enhancements of P365 Xmacro in previous paragraphs. Let's sum it up and see how it translates to the real world.
I am comparing them side by side and the differences are immediately apparent. Both Sig P365 Macro & OG model offers unique capabilities and designs in similar packages. XMacro is larger in length & height but around the same in width.
P365 is so compact that its 10-round capacity seems like a miracle. On the other hand, holding the P365 Macro, while still ergonomically impressive, it holds 17 rounds in the longest version of the grip module. This increase in grip size can affect your concealed carry and 365 X Macro is a clear loser here.
The pro is that the grip of the Sig Macro felt better in my hand and it is courtesy of X Macro replaceable backstraps. They allow a custom grip that the original P365 lacks.
The compensated slide of Sig Sauer P365 X-Macro makes ( with right ammo ) a notable difference in recoil management. You wouldn't be able to find this feature on the original model. After switching from one to another I felt that P365 definitely kicked harder than Sig Macro.
Moreover, I have an optic installed on my X-Macro. I am ok with iron sights, but it is always better to have RDS installed in case of low light or emergency. Sig X Macro has a factory cut slide, alongside the standard 1913 accessory rail. This combination is more user-friendly than the P365's proprietary rail.
P365-xmacro has a flat trigger and this can either help you with a smooth, accurate shooting experience or destroy your results. Everything depends on your preferences. The original pistol has a classic curved trigger and I am more used to it.
Despite their differences, both models carry the legendary quality and reliability of SIG Sauer. P365X Macro stands out for someone seeking more rounds, better recoil management, and ergonomy. P365 is here for concealed carry and it is a clear winner in this aspect
Here's a table summarizing the differences based on my firsthand experience:
| Feature | P365 | P365 X-Macro |
|---|---|---|
| Magazine Capacity | 10 rounds standard | 17 rounds standard |
| Grip Module | Compact grip module | Macro-compact grip with backstraps |
| Slide | Standard | Compensated for recoil reduction |
| Accessory Rail | Proprietary | Standard 1913 rail |
| Optics Ready | Optional | Standard, with optics cut slide |
| Trigger | Curved standard trigger | Flat trigger standard |
| Recoil Management | Standard | Enhanced by compensated slide |
| Customization | Limited | Enhanced with backstraps and rail |
Range time with both of them gave me a clear perspective on the Sig P365X Macro advancements and its purpose. They both serve the concealed carry market, but the XMacro's capacity, attachment options, size, and ergonomics, set them apart.
Conclusion
The P365 X-Macro in short is a very capable pistol. What I eventually plan on doing is finding a slide and barrel from a stock P365 XL, and replacing the compensated slide on the macro with that. This would eliminate my primary gripes with the firearm and make it much more pleasant to shoot and also give your carry ammo a tiny boost in the velocity department! As always we’d like to hear your thoughts and comments on the P365 X-Macr o in the comments. Let us know what you think of the new handgun or what your experiences have been with it so far! In case you would like to find out more about the Sig Sauer P365 X Macro make sure to check our maintenance guide.
This article was last updated on April 8th, 2024.
Luke Cuenco
24.2.2023
