The Perfect EDC Pistol That No One Makes

P365 XL vs P365 X-Macro for EDC

The hosts open by comparing the SIG Sauer P365 XL and P365 X-Macro as everyday carry options. The P365 XL is praised for being highly concealable but is described as noticeably snappy under recoil. In contrast, the P365 X-Macro features a compensated slide that reduces recoil and muzzle rise, making it more comfortable to shoot. However, its longer grip frame and 17+1 capacity create printing issues for some users, especially with casual clothing like sweatpants. They reference a previous range session testing whether the X-Macro’s built-in comp actually reduces recoil compared to non-compensated P365 variants and confirm that it does, but at the cost of increased grip length and concealment challenges.

Recoil, concealment, and printing concerns

Katie’s standard P365, with a 10+1 capacity, is highlighted as extremely small and easy to conceal, but also very snappy. After taking a couple of months off from shooting, she noticed the recoil more and emphasizes the importance of training with the gun actually carried. Moving back to the P365 X-Macro, they note that its compensated slide significantly improves recoil management and muzzle control compared to the smaller models. Still, the 17-round magazine and longer grip tend to print more than she prefers. The discussion centers on balancing capacity, recoil, and concealment, with both hosts agreeing that the X-Macro shoots well but can be difficult to hide for some body types and clothing choices.

Swapping slides to create a hybrid P365

To address these tradeoffs, they experiment with swapping components between the P365 XL and P365 X-Macro. They remove the slides and demonstrate that the serialized part is the fire control module, not the slide or grip module. By placing the X-Macro compensated slide onto the P365 XL grip frame, they create a compact pistol with a built-in comp. This hybrid setup aims to keep the XL’s smaller grip profile for better concealment while gaining the X-Macro’s reduced muzzle rise. They describe the result as a P365 XL-sized gun with a comped slide that feels less snappy than a standard XL and prints less than a full X-Macro, forming the basis of what they call the “perfect” EDC pistol that currently is not offered as a factory model.

Capacity tradeoffs and the 13-round concept

With the hybrid configuration, they focus on magazine capacity and how it affects EDC choices. The P365 X-Macro offers 17+1 rounds, which they acknowledge as excellent if a shooter can conceal it. The P365 XL grip used in the hybrid setup typically runs 12+1, giving a total of 13 rounds. They argue that 13 rounds in a very concealable, compensated pistol is a strong compromise between capacity and concealment. While they recognize that some shooters prioritize maximum capacity, they stress that a slightly lower capacity may be worthwhile if it significantly reduces printing and makes daily carry more practical. In their view, this 13-round, comped configuration blends shootability and concealability better than the existing factory options.

P365 modularity and buying separate components

The conversation shifts to the modular nature of the SIG Sauer P365 series. They explain that the fire control module is the serialized chassis and is common across the P365, P365 XL, and P365 X-Macro. Because of this, shooters can legally purchase separate slides, barrels, and polymer grip modules and then drop their existing fire control module into different configurations. They mention that various retailers sell X-Macro and XL slides and grip modules individually, allowing someone with a basic P365 to convert it into a compensated X-Macro-style setup or into the hybrid configuration they assembled. This approach avoids buying a complete new pistol and instead relies on mixing and matching compatible factory parts within the P365 family.

Alternative configurations and comp vs no-comp

They note that not everyone wants a compensator on a carry gun, even if they own an X-Macro or similar model. For those users, the same modularity allows swapping an XL slide onto an X-Macro grip module. That configuration yields a 17-round capacity pistol without a comp, which some may prefer for simplicity or personal preference. They emphasize that the P365 lineup functions like “SIG Legos,” where slides and grip modules can be interchanged as long as the fire control module is compatible. This flexibility lets owners tailor their pistol to their clothing, concealment needs, and recoil preferences, whether that means a short grip with a comped slide, a long grip without a comp, or other combinations using factory components.

Why this hybrid is their ideal EDC pistol

In closing, they return to the XL frame with the X-Macro compensated slide as their favored EDC configuration. They reiterate that this setup offers a 12+1 capacity in a compact grip that conceals more easily than the full X-Macro while still benefiting from the comp’s reduced muzzle rise compared to a standard XL. They stress that extra parts are generally cheaper than buying an entirely new gun and argue that configuring a pistol that conceals well, handles recoil effectively, and fits the user’s wardrobe is worth the investment. They also point out that, to their knowledge, SIG Sauer does not currently sell this exact combination as a complete pistol. They encourage viewers to experiment within the P365 platform’s modular system to find a configuration that best suits individual carry needs.