AFTER 4 YEARS TOTIN' IT - I THINK I'VE FOUND EDC PERFECTION

[smithman 10]

After decades

Of toting revolvers, I am, surprise, surprise, still toting one. Model 60-7 with a bobbed hammer.

Pocket carry. With a reload, either a strip or a speedloader, depending on my garb.

If 9mm were not the most easily available handgun ammo, I wouldn't even own the used 3914 Ladysmith I picked up a while back. Which I do like a lot.

Now I am, of course, a geezer and my adherence to the KISS principle is uppermost in my mind in almost all things these days.

Were I younger, I might be tempted to try a semi auto as a carry piece. But it's the 60-7 for me until the morgue or the nursing home.

 

[otis24]

There is a sense of peace and contentment when you finally find what works for you after years of trading. I'm really happy with my Glock 42 with Pearce +1 grip extensions for pocket carry and my S&W 3953. Both recently acquired; after years of trading, buying and selling!

 

[chief38]

Jeez Chief, seems like yesterday when you made the change.

Good for you. I went opposite direction from a Glock 43 to a Kimber K6.

Six rounds of hotness.

It just made too much sense not too switch! The P365 is way easier to shoot, more accurate and has night sights, super fast to reload, lighter, smaller, more than twice the round count on board, less recoil and from what I'm seeing the Federal HST 124 grain ammo is a stellar performer.

In its day, the 5 shot Chief's Special was a terrific choice as was the Colt Dick Special, but now that criminals have upgraded it's put pressure on us to as well. I have.

 

[rosewood]

S&W 3913, enough said!

 

[Jim PHL]

I'm a fan, too. I still occasionally have a j-frame or LCP in my pocket but when carrying iwb it's my P365. For those who haven't tried the Hogue "Hand-All" sleeve, I highly recommend it!

 

[BAM-BAM]

S&W 3913, enough said!

Have friends that swear by their 365s....... but at 69 and 30 years with the 3913/14/NLs .......I'll stick with my 8+1, 28oz loaded, Milt Sparks Summer Special ..... 3913 IWB.

"Old Dog"

 

[rimfireshooter]

Look I want to share the same enthusiasm for it that you do but my trigger spring broke after a few boxes of practice ammo. I had to send it back to Sig for repair.

 

[pasound]

My two 365XL's are excellent shooters. But the grips ate up my hands after a couple of magazines. I also put Hogue Handalls on both of mine. All the difference I needed, and barely any grip width increase.

I still like all metal. Through the fine help of kbm6893, I will soon have an elusive 3913 in the stable as an occasional "old school" carry and probably my bedroom backup.

 

[chief38]

For those who call the Sig P365 "snappy" I would like to know what they call a J-frame loaded with +P ammo. I carried a M60-7 with either Buffalo Bore Heavy 158 grain, +P SWCHP-GC or Speer Gold Dot 135 grain +P ammo for many years. IMHO both rounds have way more felt recoil than even +P ammo in 9mm out of a P365. I can shoot a P365 all day long (as long as I have ammo in my bag) but after a few dozen +P rounds in a J Frame, I will go back to standard velocity rounds. Even with standard velocity ammo, the rear of the trigger guard always bangs into my knuckle and after a while is not fun to shoot!

The J Frames are IMHO, a SD gun and while they must be practiced with, they are usually not fun shooting with carry ammo. The P365 (at least to me) is not really a hard recoiling gun. I've been down to the Range when I first bought it four years ago and I have shot 200 rounds at a time. I could not do that with a Chief's Special and +P carry ammo.

 

[sotexas]

Curious if anyone has found an IWB holster in leather for the 365XL similar to the Galco V-Hawk below?

I've been looking for a while, but haven't found anything but the kydex riveted to leather types pictured in previous posts. I prefer a plain 'ol leather holster, but like the spread belt loops of this design.

MTR Custom Leather

 

[ladder13]

People need to eat some Wheaties if they think a 365 is snappy.

 

[Marshal Tom]

I just purchased the 365 Macro with the comp. It is slightly larger but carries 17+1 with a longer grip frame. It is a great gun. I am waiting for a Tier1 AIWB holster for it. I have shot other people's 365's, X and XL. This one seems to fit my hand better. Also has interchangeable backstraps which the others do not. Check them out.

 

[Krogen]

For those who call the Sig P365 "snappy" I would like to know what they call a J-frame loaded with +P ammo.
<snip>
The P365 (at least to me) is not really a hard recoiling gun. I've been down to the Range when I first bought it four years ago and I have shot 200 rounds at a time. I could not do that with a Chief's Special and +P carry ammo.

I anticipated that my recently purchased P365 might be "snappy." I was pleasantly surprised. It isn't snappy at all. Very easy and pleasant to shoot! In my book, "snappy" is a Model 19 snubby. The P365 is completely unlike that beast!

I bought my P365 largely on chief38's experiences related here on the forum. I'm still in search of a suitable holster, though. Even though the pistol is tiny, outside waistband holsters still protrude beneath my shirttails. Of course, there's always the inside waistband approach.

 

[S&W Fan]

Yup. Tried both the Shield and Shield Plus but for me the 365 fits my hand so much better and consequently I shoot it better.

I also have a 320 Compact with the Wilson grip module, straight trigger and bigger dot front night sight for cooler weather carry.

 

[chief38]

MTR Custom Leather

Unfortunately, due to the new community we live in, the new friends we've made, all the BBQ's and dinner's we go to and all the eating out we do - carrying inside the waistband is a bit difficult for the last 6 months - LOL I've got to loose about 15 pounds (again) before I could consider IWB carry. When I did carry IWB, I preferred one of the soft suede types with the spring clips from yesteryear. They are quite thin, very comfortable and did what I needed them to do. As far as reholstering single handedly - it's a non issue to me. If I ever pull Roscoe out everyone would know I had a firearm and it would only be reholstered after the threat was gone, so single handed reholstering is not important to me. A back pocket could serve as a temporary place to stick the gun until I could use two hands to reholster.

I carry about 60% of the time in a DeSantis Nemesis Pocket Holster and the remaining 40% of the time in a Kramer Horsehide Leather rig - quite comfortable and works well for my attire these days (Cargo shorts and a T shirt, Golf shirt or "Hawaiian type shirt). Works well for me.

 

[LCC]

The Handall definitely provides enhanced frame grip. Tried the Wilson Combat frame and the stock frame with Handall was better. Quite the upgrade for $14.
Shot a 365 .380 recently, very little recoil, accurate, definitely see one in my future for pocket carry.
Advances in .380 SD ammo such as Speer Gold Dot, Sig V-Crown, and Federal HST have certainly raised the confidence bar for those who EDC with that caliber.

 

[jeeps]

G26 for me with 25 years service and 1000's of rounds with out a jam. Shoots 25yds as good as and full size 9mm. I looked at the Sig Kool aid 365 and its not made as well as the Glock and shoots like **** for me. I use a G17 mag as back up. If it's not broke do not fix it with a lesser mouse trap!! G26 belt IBW and SW M38 Humpback for cold weather outside pocket carry ,shoot through pocket at bad breath range.

 

[oldiegoldie]

G26 for me with 25 years service and 1000's of rounds with out a jam. Shoots 25yds as good as and full size 9mm. I looked at the Sig Kool aid 365 and its not made as well as the Glock and shoots like **** for me. I use a G17 mag as back up. If it's not broke do not fix it with a lesser mouse trap!! G26 belt IBW and SW M38 Humpback for cold weather outside pocket carry ,shoot through pocket at bad breath range.

no "likes"???

 

[chief38]

I anticipated that my recently purchased P365 might be "snappy." I was pleasantly surprised. It isn't snappy at all. Very easy and pleasant to shoot! In my book, "snappy" is a Model 19 snubby. The P365 is completely unlike that beast!

I bought my P365 largely on chief38's experiences related here on the forum. I'm still in search of a suitable holster, though. Even though the pistol is tiny, outside waistband holsters still protrude beneath my shirttails. Of course, there's always the inside waistband approach.

If you want the best there is (IMHO of course) the Kramer Leather OWB Scabbard in Horsehide leather with the "FBI cant" has no equal! Kramer's Horsehide is thinner, stiffer, lighter with better retention and no straps, snaps, screw or velcro. It will last you the rest of what I hope is a long life! I've got a bunch of them and while they are a bit pricey, they are worth every cent. I went for his Horsehide 1 1/4" belt and a magazine pouch in Horsehide as well. It is sort of a Kydex like fit and snap but in a much more comfortable holster. Personally I could never warm up to Kydex.

 

[max]

This is most interesting reading as I just picked up my 365 yesterday!!!!

 

[Krogen]

Thanks for the holster recommendation, chief38. I'm reluctant to use a holster with friction retention. Perhaps I'm overly cautious, but I like positive retention/release mechanisms. Have you had any concerns about your P365 "going out on its own?" If you carry openly, or if someone were to catch a glimpse of your holster, do you have concerns about a pistol snatch?

 

[chief38]

Thanks for the holster recommendation, chief38. I'm reluctant to use a holster with friction retention. Perhaps I'm overly cautious, but I like positive retention/release mechanisms. Have you had any concerns about your P365 "going out on its own?" If you carry openly, or if someone were to catch a glimpse of your holster, do you have concerns about a pistol snatch?

I NEVER open carry and am against it all together. IMHO it's a problem waiting to happen! After carrying for 4 and a half decades I've tried pretty much every style of holster design available and have grown to dislike retention devises like straps, snaps, velcro, screws, hidden catches. etc. They can become a false sense of security, cause a delayed draw, become broken, out of adjustment and just a crutch for a poorly made holster. IMO a proper holster will fit the individual gun perfectly and retention devises are simply not needed.

After using Kramer's OWB scabbards for decades now I fully trust them in every way. His Horsehide leather is stiff, retains its pistol and rides well on the belt. You can turn the holstered gun upside down and it will retain the pistol however the draw is still smooth and quick with no retention devises to fiddle with. When ever I order a new holster I look no further than his website. Nothing else I can say - but if it weren't everything I just mentioned, I would seek out something else.

 

[Krogen]

Interesting thoughts, chief38. I don't open carry either, but there are times with outside waistband holster when they "expose themselves" if only slightly. While I like the idea of a positive locking mechanism, I agree that that lock could malfunction. I get the idea of simple leading to reliable. You have given me some things to ponder. The next step is for me to try one of Kramer's creations. I may learn something and change my ways. Thanks!

 

[Protected One]

Took a long look at a 365 earlier this year. The owner of my LGS let me take one for a test drive one morning. Nice piece, shot it very well, everything I'd heard was true. All that said, I chose to stick with my Gen 1 Shield. It doesn't have the capacity, (8+1), but I've had it a long time, I'm good with it, and it's already paid for.

My sentiments exactly.
I shot my friends P365 at the range one day, and like you, was impressed. But not enough to spend more money to essentially have a few more rounds. My Gen 1 Shield has been equipped with night sights and I have shot it well for 8 years now. I'm good.