The SIG P365 line is undeniably great. Since the day the original P365 was launched, the gun maker has managed to deliver truly useful variants, and continues to do so.
The latest member of the gun family is the P365 FUSE, a gun marketed as being the culmination of capability and concealment. Of course, we need to know more about a gun than its pedigree and size, so we put the FUSE through live-fire and carry use.
Here’s why we think the P365 FUSE may be your next favorite carry gun.
What Is the SIG P365 FUSE?
The SIG P365 FUSE falls neatly into the 9mm compact pistol category — there’s no question it’s neither full-size nor a subcompact (some pistols do leave that open to interpretation). This is also noteworthy because the first P365 was/is a micro-compact.
The FUSE is made to offer all the bonuses of the smaller guns with the additional layer of being easier to manipulate thanks to its size. It’s meant for concealed carry and self-defense — because of course — but it’s also at a great size for home defense.
And before you ask if the FUSE is just a tricked-out P365-XL, let me answer: no. It’s a larger pistol with different features and not at all a clone of the XL.
How big is it?
Before we get into the actual dimensions, here’s the size breakdown. The FUSE is small enough to conceal without difficulty but large enough to provide a good grip, even for shooters with larger hands. If you had some issues with the first and smallest P365 but enjoyed the concept, the FUSE might be perfect for you.
The barrel of the gun is made from carbon steel and measures 4.3 inches in length (the XL’s barrel is 3.7 inches and the first P365’s is 3.1 inches). Its overall length is 7.2 inches and its overall height is 5.1 inches. That height is with the included fiber optic front and blacked-out rear sights. The gun is optics-ready but it doesn’t come with a red dot. A polymer grip cuts weight a bit leaving the gun’s empty weight at 23.1 ounces.
Like other SIGs, the FUSE has an FCU (fire control unit) which means the FCU is serialized and the grip itself can be swapped out with compatible models.
Deep-cut serrations with rounded tops are located at the front and back of the slide, making it possible to rack the slide however you want. I’m a fan of the grips, which have what SIG calls a Laser-Stippled X-Grip — it looks like honeycombs and it’s at that ideal level of rough that you can really hang onto.
The FUSE also has an accessory rail for lights and lasers and ships with magazines with and without extensions. The extended mags are great, but you’re going to want that flush-fit mag for carry.
Does the SIG P65 FUSE shoot well?
Over the years I’ve run just about every P365 model that’s been made, and the FUSE is my current favorite. There’s no dangling pinkie, not even with just the flush fit magazine, and the 1.1-inch width gives me a nice, comfortable grip. The palm swell fits snugly in my hand and the slight angle of the trigger guard suits my grip well whether I’m shooting one- or two-handed. It was a nice surprise right out of the box how well it fit my hands.
I ran a combination of FMJ and JHP ammo through the FUSE, sticking mostly to Hornady for defensive loads. I admit I also ran some of my homeless 9mm target loads — those are the loose rounds I collect over time in a random ammo can — and those did just fine. The FUSE cycled everything it was fed and remained accurate through it all.
Even though the gun is optics-ready, I chose to leave it with the factory irons. The green fiber optic front sight is fantastic, eye-catching, and durable — and if you don’t like it, there are plenty of aftermarket kits for swapping colors out. SIG states the optic footprint is compatible with the Shield RMS-c, so that tells you where to start if you want a dot for the FUSE.
Holstering the Sig P365 FUSE
I ran the FUSE from the holster from the start, using the Safariland INCOG-X. The INCOG-X is an IWB holster that gives you that satisfying, audible click when you holster your gun. It has belt loops that are polymer clips, so although you could slide your belt through the loops you can also simply clip it into place.
Mine came with a matching magazine holster that came in handy for mag changes and drills. It’s also red dot compatible, so if you end up putting a dot sight on your FUSE, you’re good to go with this holster.
The INCOG-X might be my favorite Safariland holster thus far. It provides excellent retention and its footprint is minimal, so there’s less material to conceal or fuss with. As an IWB holster, it can be used at whatever position you prefer, and for me that’s generally AIWB.
Running Drills
A lot of time was spent shooting offhand at 5 yards to run through various drills. After all, your handgun skills are perishable, so it pays to get in practice whenever you can — and that includes during a gun review. This isn’t just about putting holes in paper, it’s about making use of every pull of the trigger.
Speaking of the trigger, the FUSE has a nickel-plated, flat-face trigger that’s just the perfect angle for my reach. The pull is a little long and there’s slight stacking ahead of the break, but it still delivers a crisp break. Re-set is short and it didn’t take long to master the trigger for rapid-fire.
Shooting five shots at a distance of 5 yards without time constraints, the FUSE shot a single, ragged hole in a playing card. From 10 yards, offhand, the group broadened to about 1.5-inches.
Moving to 25 yards I went ahead and shot from the bench, and that kept five-shot groups under 3.0 inches. The best group from 25 yards was using Browning BPT 9mm 147-grain FMJ — that one was 2.66 inches. Keep in mind that’s all shooting at my own pace, not rapid-fire. But even rapid-fire the groups look good.
The FUSE is both accurate and precise, and that’s not something you get out of all handguns, not by a long shot.
Is the P365 FUSE unique?
It’s human nature to compare things, and it makes sense that everyone likes to stack up the various P365 variants against one another.
For me, the original P365 was a nice little pistol but technically too small to be really comfortable to shoot (it sure is easy to conceal, though). There’ve been optics-ready models and XL versions, and now we have this FUSE, the model that’s supposed to bring us the best of both worlds (full-size and carry-ready).
I have to say the FUSE pulls it off. It’s my favorite of all the P365s, partly due to its larger size but also because I like the grip texture and how balanced it is in my hands. The Sig P365 FUSE is precise, reliable, and aesthetically pleasing. If you’ve been dragging your feet on trying a P365, the FUSE is the one to check out first.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: SIG Sauer
- Model: P365 FUSE
- Caliber: 9mm
- Capacity: 17 +1 or 21 +1 (there’s a 10-round version available as well)
- Barrel Length: 4.3-inches
- Barrel Material: Carbon steel
- Grip Material: Polymer
- Overall Length: 7.2-inches
- Overall Width: 1.1-inches
- Overall Height: 5.1-inches
- Weight: 23.1 ounces, empty
