Wanted some input from the board. Im looking to add another concealed carry pistol to my rotation, I currently have just the Sig P938. Most of my carrying is IWB or in a pocket and I already have a small single stack, so these guns have caught my attention for being able to still have a small profile but carry more rounds.

Sig P365

S&W Shield Plus

Springfield Hellcat

Ruger Max 9

I know the Sig was one of the first and started the whole trend, kinda the standard by which others are competing. Looks like the Hellcat has the best magazine capacity by a round, but would require taking to a gunsmith if you want to get an optic mounted on it. The Shield Plus looks like its the biggest in terms of length and width of the group so I'm already leaning away from that one.... Ruger just announced the Max 9, looks really good but I usually prefer to let other people be the beta testers and work the kinks out, I'm a pretty big fan of Ruger though as I own 3 other Ruger made firearms.

I swung by Champion the other day where they had the P365 and Hellcat in stock and I did like the feel of the Hellcat better, but those were the only two I was able to hold and get my hands on.

So does anybody have any feedback or general thoughts on comparisons? Any others I should consider?

Glock 43x?

43x

Sig p365

I have a p365. The trigger and the sights are great. Honestly I have no real complaints, though I am considering trading up to the 365xl if I can find one someday.

I'm also a big Ruger fan, so that one's interesting, but I agree it's a good bet to let other people beta test the first production runs.

I'm curious what people recommend as well, but is not having an optic on a pistol like this a deal breaker for you? To me these are intended for deep concealment or places where having a full size pistol isn't practical. Seems that having an optic mounted would defeat that purpose.

Kimber Micro 9

agfan2013 said:

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Looks like the Hellcat has the best magazine capacity by a round, but would require taking to a gunsmith if you want to get an optic mounted on it.

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The Hellcat OSP is already tapped to accept a red dot optic and you can find them sold most places with an optic already installed.

I've been looking at the Hellcat myself lately.

365XL - my EDC.

Only other one I've shot is the 43x and I didn't like the way it felt in my hand. Personal preference (not a big glock guy in general).

I have a P365 and love it, but as always go with what feels good in the hand and what you can holster/draw/operate when your life might be on the line.

Only one of these I've shot is the 365. I like the 365 a lot and it's what I carry most of the time I carry IWB.

Big benefit to the sig over the hellcat is that you don't support Springfield after their political BS

Edit - I did own the m&p shield w/out safety for a little while. Picked it up cause it was stupid cheap. I hated it. It felt terrible to shoot and the way the mag fit it pinched my skin when carrying so I sold it. It was reliable however.

*edit 2 - can you rent these at Champion? Holding and actually shooting are very, very different things.

If I was buying without a test drive it would be the Sig no doubt. And I am a shield fan and ruger fan.

agfan2013 said:

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Sig P365 $650

Glock 43x $550

S&W Shield Plus $550

Springfield Hellcat $550

Ruger Max 9 $490

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Added big box store pricing.

Ruger Max9 is really interesting to me.

43X

365 all day. Very accurate for a little pistol. Requires very little maintenance. Fired a couple thousand thru mine and never clean it. Keep it wet and it just keeps plugging along. Never had a miscue.

Glock 48 w/ 15rd Shield Arms mags. An upgrade metal mag release is recommended if you use the Shield mags. I'm looking for the MOS version now.

Glock 43X with an aftermarket magazine makes it a 15 round pistol.

I have one. The the company is Shield that makes the mag.

hunter2012 said:

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Sig p365

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+1

I really like mine, but your mileage may vary.

SW-14 said:

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I'm curious what people recommend as well, but is not having an optic on a pistol like this a deal breaker for you? To me these are intended for deep concealment or places where having a full size pistol isn't practical. Seems that having an optic mounted would defeat that purpose.

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Not a deal breaker at all, just was something I noted (incorrectly apparently since another comment said they have an optics ready model that's also available) I'm not immediately planning on putting an optic on it for the reasons you list of trying to keep it as minimalistic as possible, but I like to keep my options open for in the future.

Quote:

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*edit 2 - can you rent these at Champion? Holding and actually shooting are very, very different things.

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Not that I'm aware of. They did have a 5 for 5 program back in the day where you could pay 5 bucks to shoot 5 rounds through a pistol to try it out, but since inventory is tight I dont think they are doing that right now.

Quote:

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Sig P365 $650

Glock 43x $550

S&W Shield Plus $550

Springfield Hellcat $550

Ruger Max 9 $490


Added big box store pricing.

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Appreciate it, I wanted to include prices but it's hard to get a true value with the crazy run on firearms right now. Looks like there's a lot of middle ground with just the Sig on the upper end and the Ruger on the lower end.

Thanks for all the responses so far, looks like the 365 is fairly popular, I'll have to check it out again at Champions and see if I can hold the others as well. And please keep any more thoughts/ideas rolling.

P365

+1 P365
P365X ROMEOZERO if you want optics and updated trigger

I don't see the point of a red dot on guns like this...but if you want one the p365x is an option as well as the Hellcat OSP

I have both a P365xl and a Hellcat. They are pretty close but each has its strengths. The Sig has a better trigger while the Hellcat feels better in the hand (slightly wider and better shape grip) and I like the sights. The wife has latched onto the Hellcat for EDC so I guess I will have to get used to the Sig.

javajaws said:

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I don't see the point of a red dot on guns like this...but if you want one the p365x is an option as well as the Hellcat OSP

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If you're in a situation where you have to use your concealed carry weapon, the faster you can get rounds down range accurately, the better. It's easier and faster to do it with a red dot than taking the time to line up iron sights on a weapon with a short sight radius.

Marauder Blue 6 said:

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javajaws said:

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I don't see the point of a red dot on guns like this...but if you want one the p365x is an option as well as the Hellcat OSP

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If you're in a situation where you have to use your concealed carry weapon, the faster you can get rounds down range accurately, the better. It's easier and faster to do it with a red dot than taking the time to line up iron sights on a weapon with a short sight radius.

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I like red dots and think they are faster (I have a few). But I don't really want to shove one inside my waistband. If thats comfortable for you or you carry in other ways more power to you.

P365 is great to shoot. Super compact

P365 or Glock 43X

I have both and carry the P365 the most. For some reason (weight or balance) the 43X carries slightly better. However, the P365 shoots much better for me and holds a few extra rounds. I've outfitted the P365 with an Sig flat trigger and GreyGuns grip module and it will be my CC for a long time.

J.D. c/o 05 said:

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365XL - my EDC.

Only other one I've shot is the 43x and I didn't like the way it felt in my hand. Personal preference (not a big glock guy in general).

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Same here. +1 for the 365XL

G43X w/ S15 mags.

Why settle for 10?

365 SAS carrier here. I dig it.

How's the sight? That was my only hesitation.

Marauder Blue 6 said:

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javajaws said:

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I don't see the point of a red dot on guns like this...but if you want one the p365x is an option as well as the Hellcat OSP

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If you're in a situation where you have to use your concealed carry weapon, the faster you can get rounds down range accurately, the better. It's easier and faster to do it with a red dot than taking the time to line up iron sights on a weapon with a short sight radius.

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Agreed, but I think the iron sights on the Hellcat go a long way to narrowing the gap in terms of fast target acquisition.

But I think it's also imperative to practice point and shoot at varying distances regardless of the sight.

I like it. I can see how some wouldn't. It doesn't illuminate well in super low light but it's ok for me and what I could anticipate using it for.

I rang a steel gong at 100yds with it on the 3rd round, so it shoots true.

javajaws said:

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Marauder Blue 6 said:

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javajaws said:

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I don't see the point of a red dot on guns like this...but if you want one the p365x is an option as well as the Hellcat OSP

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If you're in a situation where you have to use your concealed carry weapon, the faster you can get rounds down range accurately, the better. It's easier and faster to do it with a red dot than taking the time to line up iron sights on a weapon with a short sight radius.

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I like red dots and think they are faster (I have a few). But I don't really want to shove one inside my waistband. If thats comfortable for you or you carry in other ways more power to you.iwt

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With the right red dot sight, it's hardly noticeable. A lot of it depends on the holster and the shape of the person carrying i.e. the amount of outward pressure they're exerting on their waistband, belt, and other accessories.

365 XL is my recommendation. I have both the 365 and the XL. XL has longer barrel and the extra grip allows you to get a complete grip. No overhanging pinky. Easier to shoot and mag changes are easier w the XL. 12 + 1 base capacity. 15 round mags also available.

Can easily set it up w their low profile Romeo RDS. It is super reliable and always goes bang. I have carried a lot of different set ups and this one is as close to perfect as you can get for a compact/non-full size carry set up. I moved from a P938 to this and really impressed. PM me if you want, happy to let you shoot both of them ( with your ammo!).

Saw your reply above and that you're in BCS. Happy to meet up sometime.