The CCW Showdown | S&W Shield X vs Sig P365 Macro vs Glock 43X vs Hellcat Pro

Introducing Eliza and Concealed Carry Focus

The video opens with Kyle, Jason, and Eliza on the Classic Firearms range. Eliza is introduced as a new face on the channel with a lifelong background in martial arts, including a brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, extensive kickboxing, and some MMA experience. She teaches women’s self‑defense and explains that, despite years of training, size and strength differences against larger attackers make a defensive “equalizer” important. That perspective led her into the firearms world and concealed carry instruction for women in the Charlotte area. The group sets the stage for a discussion centered on practical concealed carry choices rather than competition or duty guns.

Overview of the CCW Pistols on the Table

The hosts lay out four compact carry pistols: the Glock 43X, the Sig Sauer P365 X-Macro, the Smith & Wesson Shield X, and Kyle’s personal Springfield Hellcat Pro. They note that all four are comparable in capacity, weight, and barrel length, making them direct competitors in the concealed carry space. Jason highlights that each pistol has its own strengths. The Glock 43X is described as the slimmest option. The Hellcat Pro feels very good in the hand. The P365 X-Macro is called a “tack driver” with a full-length accessory rail that supports practical weapon lights. The new Shield X is praised for a full-size grip, real Picatinny rail, optics-ready slide, and a feel reminiscent of a larger Bodyguard with a better trigger.

Shooting and Evaluating the Sig P365 X-Macro

They begin the range portion with the Sig P365 X-Macro. Eliza shoots first, followed by Jason and Kyle. Capacity is emphasized as a major advantage, with repeated comments that the gun “just eats,” referring to its ability to run through a full magazine efficiently. Jason notes that the X-Macro feels good in the hand and suits larger hands well. Kyle points out that the original P365 line changed the concealed carry market by introducing a slim, high‑capacity format. When he co‑witnesses the iron sights with the mounted red dot, he finds the pistol somewhat snappy but observes that it does not try to jump out of the hand. The ergonomics keep the gun planted, even though the recoil is clearly felt.

Range Impressions of the Glock 43X

Next up is the Glock 43X, which the group jokingly refers to as a “jumpy boy.” They discuss that this particular pistol is cut to accept K-cut optics, though it is not an MOS model. Kyle initially runs a factory 10‑round magazine, then switches to a 15‑round Shield Arms magazine to show the higher capacity option. He mentions hearing that Check-Mate or Mec-Gar may be working on their own 15‑round magazines for the 43X. On the range, the Glock shoots accurately enough, but Kyle finds the recoil impulse more violent than the Sig P365 X-Macro. The gun feels snappier and less controlled for him, even though it remains a reliable platform out of the box.

Springfield Hellcat Pro Range Test

Kyle then moves to his personal carry pistol, the Springfield Hellcat Pro, equipped with a Swampfox red dot that he plans to replace with another optic. Eliza has never shot a Hellcat or Hellcat Pro before and is eager to try it, partly to evaluate Kyle’s carry choice. On the range, she quickly finds the gun easy to control and accurate. The group notes that the Hellcat Pro’s recoil impulse is noticeably softer than both the Glock 43X and the Sig P365 X-Macro. Shots track flatter, and follow‑up shots feel easier. Eliza comments that she might be a new fan of the platform. They briefly joke about the aggressive stippling pattern potentially bothering viewers with trypophobia, but overall the feedback centers on the pistol’s controllability and shootability.

Smith & Wesson Shield X Features and Shooting

The final pistol is the Smith & Wesson Shield X. Eliza shoots it first, followed by Jason and Kyle. Jason points out that this is the only gun in the lineup with a non‑intrusive thumb safety, which some concealed carriers prefer. The Shield X is optics ready, has functional slide cuts, and uses a true Picatinny rail for accessories. In handling, the slide is noted as somewhat heavy to release using the slide stop. On the range, the Shield X feels good in the hand and performs well for its size and role. The hosts appreciate that Smith & Wesson appears to have listened to market feedback, combining a full‑size style grip with a compact slide and modern features. They hold back detailed judgments until the bench discussion, but the overall tone is positive.

Back at the Bench: Ranking the Glock 43X

After shooting all four pistols, the group returns to the bench to rank them from least favorite to favorite. Jason lists the Glock 43X as his number four. For his grip and high, aggressive hold, the 43X consistently gives him slide bite unless a beavertail extension is added, which he dislikes. Eliza also ranks the Glock 43X last, describing it as clearly the snappiest pistol of the group with sharp recoil that is harder to manage. Kyle agrees and places it fourth as well. He acknowledges Glock’s reliability but criticizes the recoil characteristics and, more importantly, the factory 10‑round capacity in a market where competitors ship with higher‑capacity magazines. He notes that aftermarket 15‑round options from Shield Arms and others exist, but he focuses on what comes from the factory when evaluating a carry gun.

Back at the Bench: Ranking the Sig P365 X-Macro

Kyle names the Sig P365 X-Macro as his number three choice. He states that he likes Sig products and owns a P365 AXG, but finds the X-Macro’s recoil impulse second only to the Glock 43X in terms of sharpness. The pistol stays in the hand and offers good capacity and typical Sig reliability, yet he feels he must work harder to manage muzzle rise and get fast follow‑up shots compared with the Hellcat Pro and Shield X. Eliza, who carries a P365 XL for her own concealed carry, also ranks the X-Macro third. She appreciates the longer grip and ergonomics but notes that the slide’s movement feels abrupt, describing it as hitting a wall, and mentions the higher bore axis as a contributing factor. Jason diverges from them and places the Hellcat Pro in his third spot, clarifying that none of the guns are bad but that personal preference and shooting style drive his ranking.