The Sig Sauer P365 started the micro-compact genre of handguns, and when it comes to concealed carry, the P365 is an absolute titan. Built around its revolutionary 10-round magazine that fits in a one-inch thick grip, it ended the dominance of the single-stack carry gun.
While Glock had introduced earlier models like the Glock 42 and Glock 43, these designs were eclipsed when the P365 came out in 2018. Other companies worked diligently to clone the P365 in one way or another, but Glock took a different route. Unveiling the Glock 48 and Glock 43X in 2019, Glock refined their approach to meet the demands of the modern concealed carry market.
These new guns kept the single stack magazines, increasing the capacity to 10 rounds while remaining fairly compact and easy to conceal.
The Glock 43X and Glock 48 series are very different guns. The smaller Glock 43X tends to align more with the P365, and the Glock 48 tends to align more with the P365XL or even the Macro series.
Today, we are looking at the differences between the P365 and the Glock 43X for concealed carry.
Why compare these two?
Comparing two random guns against each other has always seemed silly to me. Rather than treating these models as random competitors, it makes sense to compare them directly since they target the same segment of the market.
As mentioned, the Glock 43X and P365 are fairly close in size and competing for the same market. Both made it a point to hold ten rounds of 9mm in a flush-fitting magazine, and both have optics-ready options.
The Sig P365 and Glock 43X are widely recognized as top-tier concealed carry options. The guns have a lot in common, offering slim and lightweight 9mm options for concealed carry. While they aren’t pocket pistols, they are still much smaller and thinner than your typical compact or subcompact pistol, and they’re both vying for a spot in your Schema or Species IWB holster.
Today, we will focus on the differences that make these guns unique and analyze each gun in depth.
Magazine Capacity
Admittedly, the P365 set the standard at 10 rounds in a flush-fitting magazine. Sig Sauer used an odd hybrid design — combining elements of both single-stack and double-stack magazines — to create a highly efficient, compact magazine. In contrast, Glock stuck with its traditional single-stack design.
While both guns hold the same number of rounds in magazines that fit flush to the grip; however, the efficiency of the P365’s magazine design means that its 12-round magazine is the same length as the Glock’s 10-round magazine..
When comparing magazine capacity, it’s important to consider grip width: the P365’s grip measures exactly one inch, while the Glock 43X’s grip is slightly wider at 1.02 inches. This subtle difference highlights the more space-efficient design of the P365.
Modularity
Sig Sauer has long focused on modularity in its designs. The P365 benefits from a removable Fire Control Unit (FCU)—a serialized chassis that houses the core firing components. This design allows for relatively simple swaps of frames, slides, and even caliber conversions (as seen in the .380 ACP variant).
The availability of an extensive aftermarket — covering upgrades for triggers, sights, magazine releases, and more — further enhances the P365’s versatility. You’ll notice my P365 is wearing a Wilson Combat grip module.
The P365 also has a great aftermarket for triggers, sights, magazine releases, aftermarket magazine upgrades, and more.
Glock’s approach is more traditional. With the Glock 43X, you can switch the slide (for example, by using a Glock 48 slide) and perform similar small upgrades such as swapping triggers, magazine releases, or sights.
While both platforms offer modularity, the P365’s design affords a greater degree of customization overall.
Accuracy
There is a lot to be said about the accuracy of small handguns. To be clear, the Sig P365 and Glock 43X are both going to be more accurate than the shooter behind them.
Both the Sig Sauer P365 and the Glock 43X are capable of engaging targets at distances up to 25 yards. Mechanically, they offer comparable levels of precision. However, the P365’s all-metal, high-visibility sights have proven to be more durable and easier to use than Glock’s famed and much-maligned polymer iron sights.
Ergonomics
Ergonomically, these small handguns perform as expected. The recoil is just barely enough to be called snappy. Both guns are fairly easy to control and shoot rapidly. You might not set world records with your Bill Drill, but you can reach a respectable enough time to post on the ‘gram.
In terms of controls, the guns are similar. Both use reversible magazine releases and tiny little slide locks. The magazine releases are easy to reach with a quick shift of the thumb, and I constantly pin down the slide lock of both guns with a thumb’s forward grip. Neither is mind-blowing, but they both work.
I do have some nitpicks and complaints with each gun.
Grips
The Glock 43X features a slightly longer grip designed to accommodate the slightly longer magazine. This grip fits my whole hand and doesn’t leave a pinky hanging. The longer grip also ensures the magazine drops freely without me having to shift my hand.
With the SIG, I have a hanging pinky with the flush-fitting magazine and need to add a magazine extension to have a grip that fully fits my hand.
Also, with the P365, my finger and palm lock the magazine in place, so I have to release most of my grip to get it to drop free. That slightly longer grip on the G43X just works better for me.
Slide Bite
My nitpick with the Glock 43X comes down to its firing ergonomics. The slide inevitably bites the web of my hand. Lots of Glocks do this to me, and maybe we just don’t get along. It gets bad enough that it can draw blood after enough shooting.
Reliability
While I have more rounds down the SIG P365 than the Glock 43X, I’m confident in saying both guns are highly reliable. Both the Sig Sauer P365 and the Glock 43X come from reputable manufacturers with longstanding track records.
I haven’t seen a difference in reliability between the two and I doubt that one works much better than the other.
Top-Tier Micro-Compacts
Glock has a culture of setting the standard rather than following what’s popular. Maybe that’s why their response to the P365 was significantly different than what we saw from the rest of the industry.
SIG certainly set a new standard with the P365, and Glock followed it up with two handguns with unique features and designs. Although the Glock 43X and SIG P365 share similarities, they possess enough differences to be considered distinct.
The Glock 43X and SIG P365 are both winners and will serve you well. If you are having trouble picking one, do what I did and get both!
