by Todd Burgreen
The P365 was SIG SAUER’s (SIG) big splash at the 2018 SHOT Show. Six years later the P365 is still showing the way. The market rewarded SIG’s thought process by making the P365 one of the bestselling handgun in the US every year since. The P365 solidified SIG HQ in Exeter, NH as ground zero in the current handgun universe. A hotter niche in the handgun market right now than slim, compact 9MM semi-autos would be tough to name. The SIG P365 is the epitome of this. The key to the SIG P365’s success is its minimal operating controls, quality trigger, superior iron sights, easy adaptability to red dot sight, high cartridge capacity to size ratio, and relentless reliability.
Not resting on their laurels SIG listened to consumer’s request for P365 models with increased round capacity. The numerous P365 models are response to the US concealed carry market that continues to expand and generate firearm sales. The P365 pistol product line-up serves as proof of this statement with nearly two dozen P365 models presently shown on the SIG website. The P365-FUSE is the latest, offering flush fittings 17-rd magazine and 21-rd magazine protruding about an inch below the mag well. All civilian practitioners of concealed carry want to carry the most potent handgun possible balancing size with performance.
“MORE THE BETTER”
A quick survey of the compact 9MM market would offer proof of a manufacturers’ arms race in terms of capacity. I label it “magazine wars”. What do I mean by this? Sub-compact models that originally arrived with 10 round or less capacity are now sporting magazines stuffed with fifteen or more rounds. Yes, you get a longer grip length, however thin profile of an inch or less is maintained. This is one of the most important concealed carry considerations in terms of comfort, especially with IWB.
There will be naysayers decrying that the P365 has lost its way considering the FUSE’s 4.3-inch barrel and 17-rd flush fitting magazine and oh my goodness the two-21-rd magazines! I would offer if pure sub-compact was the mission, then pick another P365 model. I am sure one is available that will fit your needs.
SIG CEO Ron Cohen put it a good way when speaking at the SIG NEXT Event where the P365-FUSE was introduced. SIG is not going to apologize or hold back from improving or enhancing its designs albeit existing ones or weapons on the drawing board because of critics complaining of too much change. The quest for “better” will not be held back for the sake of convenience.
BACKGROUND
As a civilian, or even a law enforcement officer, if a hostile situation is encountered you will most likely be dealing with it via a handgun. What if there were ways to maximize potency of your personal defense handgun? SIG SAUER is here to help with their P365-FUSE.
35 years of civilian concealed carry reinforced by training with Defender Tactical, Redback One, Vogel Dynamics, TMACS, Suarez International, Justified Defensive Concepts, Origin Shooting, Green Ops, Gunsite, Range Ready @ Gun Talk and so on combined with study of after action reports resulting from defensive engagements by civilians has led me to believe certain fundamental “truths”: 1) A handgun must be light weight and compact enough to be concealable or it will not be diligently carried. The P365-FUSE weighs in at 23 ounces. 24 ounces with a factory installed SIG ROMEOX Compact installed. 2) An encounter by a practitioner of concealed carry will likely in lowlight and come as a surprise with the ammunition in the handgun deciding the outcome. 17 or 21 rounds on board the P365-FUSE would seem to be an asset along with superior iron sights or mounting of a red dot. FUSE has a full length picatinny rail if mounting a light is desired. 3) Size matters with 38 Special/.380 ACP representing the MINIMUM in terms of effective fight stopping ability. Full box of premium 9MM is on board with the P365-FUSE. 4) There will be a need to fire multiple times when responding to an attack. You get the point with the FUSE—capability AND concealment.
While these are fundamental beliefs, my thoughts on how best to satisfy the “truths” have continually evolved over the years. Flexibility is the key to effective defensive carry practices. The SIG P365 models’ advantage of similar operating controls, trigger, and “feel” is a huge bonus for moving between firearms for practitioners of concealed carry. P365-FUSE when feasible with ability to pocket carry original P365 when required by conditions.
EVALUATION
Testing consisted of normal protocol establishing reliability first, then getting into accuracy and handling. Several magazines’ worth of ammunition was spent engaging plate racks and steel targets. No malfunctions were encountered with nearly 400 rounds fired. Compared to previous experience with a P365, the P365-FUSE seemed tamer. This makes sense considering longer grip frame and slide providing more purchase and leverage against recoil.
Manufacturer and price range serve as no guarantee that a handgun is able to perform immediately after purchase. Yes, many deficiencies are quickly remedied by “breaking” in a pistol by use or making slight adjustments to various parts. This does not have to be accepted. The SIG P365-FUSE is a handgun you can count on ready to go straight out of the box.
Did I mention the P365-FUSE has the option to arrive from SIG with a factory installed SIG ROMEO-X Enclosed Compact red-dot sight? Wanted to save the best for last here. The SIG ROMEO-X Enclosed Compact red dot is ideal for use with the P365-FUSE thanks low deck height enabling standard-height iron sight co-witness. A Shield RMS-c footprint is used. The SIG ROMEO-X Compact is a red dot offering 20,000 hour run time at medium brightness setting and utilizes MOTAC (Motion Activated Illumination). The housing is made from 7075 aircraft-grade aluminum featuring machined anti-reflection grooves on shooter-facing surfaces with distortion-free aspheric glass and a patent-pending Beryllium Copper flexure-arm adjustment system.
Various scenarios engaging targets from behind cover or on the move were utilized. A Galco Corvus holster was used with the P365-FUSE. The natural point ability of the P365-FUSE comes into its own in this realm with the ROMEO-X Enclosed Compact doing its part as well. The ROMEO-X’s rectangular lens offers a superior field of view compared to other red dot options. The ROMEO-X’s minimal frame “disappears” when focusing on the target with the red dot. The red dot was “there” and seamlessly located at first draw. This is a compliment SIG choosing a direct mount method versus plates allowing the ROMEO-X to sit as low as possible on the slide.
Magazine change drills were done for the dual purpose of getting a feel of manipulating P365-FUSE with ROMEO-X Compact installed and making sure the red dot was seamlessly picked up after reloaded and back on target. Red dot handgunners can do as nature intends for them to do–focus on the threat/target. Both eyes open is a must when working with a red dot. The red dot will be there. Moreover, because the use of a red dot is far easier than two separate protruding pieces of steel, users find they can take accurate shots beyond what was considered realistic with iron sights, especially with a compact handguns with short sight radius. Hitting man-sized steel at 75 yards is very possible with the P365-FUSE ROMEO-X Compact combo.
WRAP UP
The P365-FUSE is ideal blend of carry ability and performance with the ROMEO-X Compact red dot producing capabilities that exceeds most weapons of such compact size. The P365-FUSE increases the effectiveness of a compact concealed carry handgun beyond what most thought capable.
SPECIFICATIONS
SIG SAUER P365-FUSE
Caliber: 9MM
Magazine: 2-21 round magazines and 1-17 round magazine
Barrel Length: 4.3 inches
Overall Length:7.2 inches
Sights: ROMEO-X Compact mounted)
Height: 5.7inches
Width: 1.1inches
Weight Empty: 24.8ounces (unloaded)
PERFORMANCE
SIG SAUER P365-FUSE
LOAD VELOCITY AVG. ACCURACY@25yds
Black Hills 115gr JHP+P 1264fps 2.33”
Federal 124gr HST 1130fps 2.5”
SIG SAUER 147gr Match V Crown 934fps 2”
Hornady 147gr XTP 985fps 2.25”
