The most feature-rich member of SIG Sauer's P365 series of everyday carry pistols is the new XMACRO, which brings a redesigned grip module, 18-shot capacity, and integrated compensator along for the ride.

SIG Sauer debuted the original 10+1 shot 9mm P365 in January 2018, and it soon became one of the best-selling pistols on the market, single-handedly launching the ever-growing "Micro 9" trend of imitators, and soon surpassed over a million guns sold.

Then came expansions in the series such as the P365XL with a slightly larger grip module, flat-faced trigger, and 12-round flush-fit mag while only growing the height a half an inch; and the P365XL Spectre Comp, which introduced an innovative integrated compensator to the slide that helps tame recoil without porting the barrel or extending past the frame. 

Well, the SIG P365 XMACRO takes all those incremental improvements and blends them in a new grip module with some more extras, including a 40 percent increase in capacity and an M1913 accessory rail, while still standing just over 5 inches tall. Plus, it is about half the price of the Spectre Comp.
 

The SIG Sauer P365 XMACRO Comp
The SIG Sauer P365 XMACRO Comp promises to bring a lot more to the series. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

 

Review Contents

Specs & Features
Ergonomics
Trigger
Reliability
Sights
Final Thoughts 

Specs & Features


In terms of inches and ounces, the SIG P365 XMACRO runs the same overall length and width as the legacy P365XL while standing 0.4 inches taller but picking up a big boost in magazine capacity (17+1 vs. 12+1). The integrated compensator in the slide gives the new pistol a slightly shorter barrel and sight radius. The barrel is the same as the one used on the P365/365 SAS/365X.

Standard features on the XMACRO besides its compensated P365 XSERIES optics-ready slide with XRAY3 day/night sights include a flat-face trigger and a redesigned grip module with great ergonomics (more on this later) that can be tweaked with interchangeable backstraps – a first for the P365 series – while finally having an accessory rail. 
 

 

  • Overall length: 6.6 inches
  • Overall height: 5.2 inches
  • Overall width: 1.1 inches
  • Barrel length: 3.1 inches
  • Sight radius: 5.1 inches
  • Weight with magazine: 21.5 ounces (unloaded)
     
The SIG Sauer P365 XMACRO Comp compared to SIg P365X
When compared to the standard P365 and P365X, the new XMACRO is about a half-inch longer while standing slightly taller than the latter. (Photos: Ben Philippi/Guns.com)


Interestingly, the grip feels remarkably similar to SIG's excellent P322 rimfire .22 LR pistol that was just released earlier this year. The two guns, when stacked next to each other, favor in terms of grip frame and ergonomics. This could lead to the P322 being a great sub-caliber trainer for the XMACRO, which was probably intentional to some degree. 
 

The SIG Sauer P365 XMACRO Comp compared to P322
The SIG P365 XMACRO, left, feels very similar to the P322, at least in terms of grip. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)


Stacking the XMACRO against competitors, about the closest of the recently introduced Micro 9s we can find in terms of specs is the 13+1 capacity Kimber R7 Mako, with length, height, and weight being very similar while the SIG has a few big ups in terms of features and capacity. 
 

The SIG Sauer P365 XMACRO Comp compared to Kimber Mako
The SIG P365 XMACRO, left, is close in size to the Kimber R7, right, while bringing an extra four rounds in magazine capacity, an accessory rail, and an integrated compensator.  (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)


When taking on the O.G. of carry guns, the 15+1 shot Glock 19, the XMACRO is almost an inch shorter in length, slightly thinner, and with a much more ergonomic grip while coming in at the same (unloaded) weight and height. 
 

The SIG Sauer P365 XMACRO Comp compared to Glock 19
The SIG P365 XMACRO, right, is a bit more svelte than the Glock 19 while having a flat-face trigger, larger magazine, and an integrated compensator. (Photo: Ben Philippi/Guns.com)


The magazines on the XMACRO are 17-shot steel mags that, contrary to internet rumors on the gun over at the SIG forums, are not P320 mags.
 

The SIG Sauer P365 XMACRO Comp
The XMACRO ships with two steel 17-shot mags that fit flush in the grip module. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)


Likewise, the grip module of the gun has a magwell whose lips flare gently out, allowing easier mag changes and the use of magwell accessories (SIG says some are in-bound). It would be interesting to see if the Katana magwell from Empire, which is popular with P365XL users, fits this model. Speaking of XL users, the 17-shot mags on the XMACRO are reverse compatible with other P365s and SIG says they look to (soon) have a kit that works with an XMACRO grip module and magazine, so those with an XL can buy it to upgrade their gun. 

Going further to compatibility, the XMACRO is still a P365 at its heart, and its fire control unit can swap around to different modules. Save for the mags, it is 100 percent compatible with other P365s. Of note, the 17-round mag stands as tall as the 15-round mag already offered with the 365 series. 
 

The XMACRO stripped. Note the abbreviated length of the barrel when compared to the compensated slide. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The SIG Sauer P365 XMACRO Comp
The steel 17-shot mags are 4.5 inches tall and use an orange follower. Due to the seriously strong spring, most users are probably going to need the included loading tool to cram that 17th round. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The SIG Sauer P365 XMACRO Comp
The integral compensator, seen last year on the P365XL Spectre Comp, is slide-based and the 3.1-inch barrel stops about a half-inch before the end of the slide. On the plus side, it aids in recoil management, which gives you faster follow-up shots to the same point of aim. On the downside, as with any comp, it's a Scanner Darkly-esque en-loudener, especially when fired in confined places. Wear that ear pro, kids. (Photos: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The SIG Sauer P365 XMACRO Comp rail
The three-slot M1913 accessory rail brings the ability to use lights and lasers to the P365. While many prefer not to utilize a weapon-mounted light on a carry gun, especially when concealed, this is a great extra for those who do while also making the pistol better suited for things such as home defense. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

 

Ergonomics


The P365 XMACRO fits well in the hand and feels much like a P365XL but with a better grip. Like the P322, it has 360-degree texture on the grip with a high undercut on the trigger guard and scalloped thumb pads on both sides, allowing easy access to the magazine release. 
 

The SIG Sauer P365 XMACRO Comp
The texture on the XMACRO is familiar and not too aggressive. (Photos: Ben Philippi/Guns.com)
The SIG Sauer P365 XMACRO Comp
The XMACRO carries over the XL's extended beavertail, which lends to control. Also, note the front and rear slide serrations. This is no palm gun, but it is still very concealable. (Photos: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The SIG Sauer P365 XMACRO Comp
The pistol ships with interchangeable small, medium, and large backstraps, something new for the P365 series, giving it a lot of modularity. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The SIG Sauer P365 XMACRO Comp
The surface controls are right-hand oriented while the mag release is swappable. The slide-stop lever is functional but is obviously meant to be low-profile to help maintain a thin gun rather than quickly manipulated with wet fingers, leaving the slide more likely to be sling-shotted to reliably close on a fresh mag in training. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

 

Trigger


The flat-faced trigger of the XMACRO is carried over from the P365XL and breaks at 90 degrees after moving roughly a half-inch at the tip of the bow. The take-up is in the last quarter inch of that travel, and the break hits at about 4.5-to-5-pounds in our tests. Reset is short and takes up about a quarter inch. 
 

The SIG Sauer P365 XMACRO Comp
The standard trigger on the XMACRO breaks flat and can be swapped out easily in about 30 minutes should the user want something different. There are much worse factory triggers to be had on polymer-framed striker-fired pistols. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

 

Sights


The XMACRO comes standard with steel XRAY3 day/night sights while the slide has a factory optic cut for Shield RMSc footprint micro red dots such as SIG's own ROMEO Zero/ROMEOZero Elite 1x24mm series. The pleasant thing about pairing the two is that the XRAY sights co-witness with the flush-fitting ROMEOZero, which has a luminous rear notch.
 

The SIG Sauer P365 XMACRO Comp
The ROMEOZero Elite uses either a 2-MOA Red Dot or 32-MOA donut with eight illumination settings. Powered by a single CR1632 battery, it is billed as having a 20,000-hour run time. With the steel shroud fitted around the polymer-framed sight, you are still adding less than an ounce to the gun. (Photos: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

 

The SIG Sauer P365 XMACRO Comp
All-up, we found the XMACRO, with 18 rounds of 124-grain Speer Gold Dot loaded, the shrouded ROMEOZero Elite MRD fitted, and a running Foxtrot 2 light to hit the scales at 1.99 pounds on our postal scale. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

 

The RMSc footprint means you can always run a variety of Shield MRDs, a Swampfox Sentinel, Sightmark Mini Shot, or a Leupold DeltaPoint Pro on the XMACRO. Of course, there is also no shame in just using irons. 

 

Reliability


The XMACRO is almost overbuilt for what it is, with the FCU made of S7 tool steel and the slide of SIG's well-known Nitron-coated stainless steel. In talking with the company's engineers, they tested the model in-house to 30,000 rounds, and it kept trucking. Speaking to consumable parts, since the model uses the P365XL recoil spring, that particular item is good for 5K rounds as opposed to the 2,500-round expected lifespan of standard P365 springs. 
 

The SIG Sauer P365 XMACRO Comp
At an industry event held in New Hampshire last month, about 15 writers and competition shooters ran something like 3,500 rounds through a dozen guns with only a couple – usually user-created – failures witnessed. 
The SIG Sauer P365 XMACRO Comp
With its compensator and extended grip over the rest of the P365 line, the XMACRO handles well on the range. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

Guns.com has two T&E guns provided by SIG that we collectively have about put about 1,000 rounds of mixed ammo through without reportable issues. Stay tuned as we up that round count and check back in. 
 

Cost & Availability


SIG as a policy doesn't list a suggested retail price on their end, instead passing on Minimum Advertised Pricing to its distributors and partners. To give you a peek at what the MAP is on these, you "may eventually see these for as low as $799." The XMACRO isn't vaporware and is very much in production so expect availability on these almost immediately. 
 

The SIG Sauer P365 XMACRO Comp
While in New Hampshire last month, we saw XMACRO components on the line. SIG told us they can make something like 1,400 slides a day while meeting QC standards, so production isn't likely to be an obstacle on these. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)


For those with a P365XL already who just want the kit to go XMACRO (but not compensated), that is reportedly on the way, but we don't have a date or price on that just yet. 

Also – and SIG may get mad at us for saying this – but there are plans for a more basic version of the XMACRO, sans night sights and the integrated comp, which would likely come in like $150 cheaper. Just remember at SHOT Show 2023 that we told you so. 
 

The SIG Sauer P365 XMACRO Comp
Blackpoint Tactical and T-Rex arms for sure are already covering holster concerns with the XMACRO as the accessory rail means it has a profile different from the P365XL. You can bet other holster makers will soon have their own equivalent leather and Kydex models ready to go in the coming weeks. (Photos: Ben Philipp/Guns.com
The SIG Sauer P365 XMACRO Comp
We also found you can go old-school and carry one OWB in a Galco Yaqui Side, which for some guys who use cover garments or live in an open carry area is the perfect holster. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

 

Final Thoughts


Some would throw rocks at the concept of growing the P365 series to a larger format pistol as the whole point of the gun was to have a micro-compact 9mm that would be as small as possible while offering more rounds than a single stack, they are kind of missing the forest for the trees. Conceptually, the XMACRO is the next best thing to taking an already excellent carry gun such as the P320 XCompact and making it even smaller and lighter with a lower bore axis while giving it the ability to carry more rounds and adding a compensator to help keep it flat shooting.

When you put it like that, what's not to like?

Written by: Chris Eger

Videos by: Ben Philippi

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