SIG vs. Glock: Perfect Packing Pistol Comparison
Dr. John Woods 10.01.20
Which pocket pistol is the best?
Just as the shooting world it seems was waiting with baited breath for the new Glock 43, it was also having nervous anticipation vibes about SIG’s Model 365. The G43 has been out for a while now and is proving its case as a PPP (perfect packing pistol) handgun. The SIG 365 now out after a few glitches, a recall, and design enhancements is taking the stage, too.
Pistoleros are now cranking up the inevitable debate over which of these two pistols is best for concealed self-defense carry. They both have their supporters as well as distractors. We’ll compare the specs here with commentary to let you decide which one might fit your needs best. Know up front though that both are excellent, well-made firearms from well-known and respected firearms makers.
First out of the chute because it arrived on shelves first, the Glock 43 has become a darling for its intended purpose. Little wonder the Georgia State Patrol picked it as their primary choice as a back-up gun. It fits that role ideally. For the same reasons the G43 is a good, solid choice for pocket carry, IWB tote, or vehicle carry for citizens, preppers, and survival types, on the streets or in a bug out.
The Glock 43 only weighs 18 ounces with a magazine, 20.6 ounces with a loaded magazine on board. That magazine though only holds six rounds of ammo. Enough you say for defraying a threat, but most would feel comfortable with a few more rounds tucked away. An extra magazine is easy enough to carry though. Plan to have a few.
Size wise, the G43’s barrel is 3.39 inches, pistol width 1.02 inches, length 6.26 inches and a height of 4.25 inches. It is compact and lightweight. The 43 has the distinctive Glock profile with polymer frame and steel slide. Fixed sights on top. Talon glow sights are highly recommended as an aftermarket thought. Factory trigger pull is 5.5 pounds.
All the controls were modeled basically after the stalwart model 17 and 19. Safety is internal with this striker fired pistol. The black matte finish is handsome. The grip is stippled which helps an otherwise slick holding surface. I slipped on a Hogue Handall cover to add a rubberized feel to the grip. This is a worthy accessory. The G43’s MSRP is $580.
This applies to any small pocket handgun chambered for the snappy 9mm cartridge. It can be a handful for the neophyte shooter or veteran that does not learn to hang on. The 9mm round is well known for its quick muzzle rise, easily controlled with practice and use. The G43 is no exception. This may be heightened further with today’s powerful new defense loads.
After a friend bought one, he said it would not cycle half the time. I counseled him on getting a firm grip on the gun when firing to aid in the physics of cycling the slide. He did so, and the issue was immediately resolved. As with any semi-auto handgun, a limp wrist will cause problems that are not the gun’s fault.
Again, these guns are 7-yard shooters, meaning they were designed for close range shots to deter or terminate a bodily threat. They were never intended to try to knock a hajji terrorist off a balcony a half a city block away. Many armchair shooters I run into often forget this.
So, using a 10-inch paper plate target area kill zone at 3-7-10 yards for practice, you will find the Glock 43 will easily perforate that plate with controlled shots. Speed shooting takes time to be accurate, lots of time. Slow things down to make your hits count. Speed is no good if you cannot hit anything. The Glock 43 will do its job, if you do yours.
Now to the SIG 365. You may ask “365? What is that?” I don’t know for sure and no SIG rep has confessed it to my knowledge, but I simply like to think it means this pistol is ready for action every day of the year. I mean, that sounds reasonable, no? I laugh to myself, but surely some SIG engineer or more likely a marketing person had to have thought that one up. It works for me.
Like the Glock, SIG needs no real introduction either. We’re talking Cadillac’s and Lincoln’s here after all or Mercedes and BMW if you want to get picky. But even the cream of the crops have issues sometimes. Initial SIG 365’s had some problems, but SIG jumped on it immediately and got the pistols’ problems squared away. Models dealers get now are completely good to go.
Gun magazines and shooter’s web sites were ablaze with the news including rave reviews. When the SIG 365 finally started showing up in the local gun stores it is all the buzz. It was all our shooters here could talk about. Right away a major gun store ran a flash sale on them to generate business during an otherwise slow part of the year. As predicted they sold out quickly.
The local Bass Pro Shops store got in 18 pistols on a Friday for a national promotion and I was told they were sold out in two hours. The following Monday they got in 15 more and I was able to latch onto one. They are all gone now, but more will come. I have rarely seen a new firearm generate so much attention.
The new SIG is a striker fired pistol, recoil operated semi-auto. Chambered for the 9mm its magazines handle 10+1 rounds with an accessory mag available that holds 12+1. This is a major plus over the Glock 43. This is accomplished by an engineering design creating a slim double stack magazine. The exterior finish is the proprietary SIG Nitron black finish. This is sweet.
The overall length of the SIG 365 is 5.8 inches. The width is a paltry one inch. The height is 4.3 inches. The SIG’s barrel is 3.1 inches long. Its weight is listed at 18 ounces. As you can see the 365 is slightly more compact than the G43, but in areas where it counts most. The trigger pull from the factory is 5 pounds. The grip includes sections that provide a gritty surface for a firm grasp. Sights are open, rear drift adjustable, but are TG three-dot night sights. Again, sweet. The listed MSRP is $599. They are selling for less.
I have yet to shoot my 365, but have info from others who are banging away on theirs. They admit the 9mm out a 3 inch barrel is snappy. Again, practice, practice. Concealability is ideal inside or out of the waistband. SIG has their own holsters, others are coming.
My assessment? I like the 11-13 round capacity potential of the SIG. I love the sights and size, though no size quibble when compared to the Glock 43. The SIG’s trigger is better and the appearance is appealing especially the Nitron finish. I have to give the nod to the SIG 365’s firepower. I whence though at the $49-55 retail for extra magazines. When I finally get to the range, I’ll report back on how this lightweight pistol handles the 9s.
