Sig P365XL Spectre Comp

[TGO David]

I'll do a review of this one soon.  It arrived yesterday at @sigbrown1297's FFL and I was able to pick it up late in the afternoon.  (Many thanks, Jonathan!)

I installed the Holosun 407K green-dot optic on it last night and then swapped on the Wilson Combat grip module today.  If all goes well, I may get to dial-in the dot and do a little shooting with it Friday or Saturday.

Right now all I can offer is that I love the size, weight and the way it feels in hand and on the belt.  I wore it around the house today in a new PHLSTER Pro holster and couldn't even tell it was there.  I am pretty sure this will be my go-to companion for summertime use and when on duty at church.  12+1 rounds in a slim and small form factor with an optic?  Winning!

 

Pretty much stock, with the Holosun 407K optic installed.

 

With the Wilson Combat XL grip module installed.

 

PHLSTER Pro P365XL holster with DCC Monoblock clip.

 

 

 

[krunchnik]

Doesn't get any better than Sig-

I have both the X and XL both in the Wilson Module-

I used to carry 1911's but not anymore-less weight and easier to shoot with the optics-

I also have the Holosun 407K and 507K-

[Snaveba]

Totally agree. I love mine. I do like the look of that Wilson Grip Module. 
 

However, I have carrying my XDs 45 a bit. I like it as well. 
 

 

[Snaveba]

I also like how the slide on the Spectre Comp moved the optic cut forward a little bit and keeps the rear sight in place. 

[TGO David]

9 hours ago, Snaveba said:

I also like how the slide on the Spectre Comp moved the optic cut forward a little bit and keeps the rear sight in place. 

That was a big plus for me.  As much as I like comp'd guns, I want real iron sights a backup option for my dot.

[krunchnik]

Participation in this Sig conversation can be hazardous to my bank account-

On account I sure would like that comp model also-

I fear I am going to have to sell something-

[Defender]

1 hour ago, krunchnik said:

Participation in this Sig conversation can be hazardous to my bank account-

On account I sure would like that comp model also-

I fear I am going to have to sell something-

me too, and i hate it! lol

[Smokin45]

That 365xl Spectre Comp is a beauty. For my case the 365 fits the need replacing my 380 Body Guard.  Love the Sigs.

[FrankD]

TLR7-Sub and you will be all set.

[Snaveba]

I also like the grip module of the Spectre over the standard P365XL. Are you planning on keeping it since you went with a Wilson Combat grip module?

[TGO David]

2 hours ago, Snaveba said:

I also like the grip module of the Spectre over the standard P365XL. Are you planning on keeping it since you went with a Wilson Combat grip module?

Yep, I'll be hanging on to it.

[TGO David]

4 hours ago, FrankD said:

TLR7-Sub and you will be all set.

Maybe one day but I'm actually liking it without a WML, paired up with one of my Cloud Defensive MCH handhelds.

[Snaveba]

16 minutes ago, TGO David said:

Yep, I'll be hanging on to it.

let me know if you change your mind

 

[TGO David]

1 hour ago, Snaveba said:

let me know if you change your mind

 

I'll hang on to it in case I ever decide to part with the entire gun.  I wouldn't want to break the set apart and lower the resale value.

Honestly, though, you want the Wilson grip module and they're a heck of a lot cheaper than the Sig laser engraved module.  It is ever so slightly larger around than the Sig module and has a touch of an hour-glass / Coke bottle shape to it.  Like a CZ 75 does.  It really fills the hand better without being so much bigger than it ruins the P365's carryability.

 

[Snaveba]

Yea, I was just looking at them and saw that the grip is a little larger (and cheaper) than the factory grip.  That does appeal to me. 

I see that Wilso offers tungsten rods to put in the grip to add a little weight.

[Defender]

On 4/6/2022 at 5:47 PM, TGO David said:

I'll do a review of this one soon.  It arrived yesterday at @sigbrown1297's FFL and I was able to pick it up late in the afternoon.  (Many thanks, Jonathan!)

I installed the Holosun 407K green-dot optic on it last night and then swapped on the Wilson Combat grip module today.  If all goes well, I may get to dial-in the dot and do a little shooting with it Friday or Saturday.

Right now all I can offer is that I love the size, weight and the way it feels in hand and on the belt.  I wore it around the house today in a new PHLSTER Pro holster and couldn't even tell it was there.  I am pretty sure this will be my go-to companion for summertime use and when on duty at church.  12+1 rounds in a slim and small form factor with an optic?  Winning!

 

Pretty much stock, with the Holosun 407K optic installed.

 

With the Wilson Combat XL grip module installed.

 

PHLSTER Pro P365XL holster with DCC Monoblock clip.

 

 

 

David, did you get the tungsten weight kit with this?

[TGO David]

7 hours ago, Defender said:

David, did you get the tungsten weight kit with this?

I did not.

I got a chance to shoot it today and honestly think that I might like the factory grip module more than the Wilson.  The Wilson fills the hand more, but something about the factory version feels like I am getting a firmer grip on it.

[TGO David]

Range Report: First Outing

I was able to make it to the range today after work and get in a few shots.  My initial impressions of the gun are very favorable, especially for my intended purpose of having something smaller and lighter weight than my Glock 19 or Sig P320 XCompact for more discrete carry.  I do want and need more range-time with it, though.

 

Feel and Handling

I ran the gun with the Wilson Combat grip module installed.  Since returning home, I have put the factory laser-stippled Sig Sauer grip module back on it.  While the Wilson grip feels like it fills the hand more, I feel like I get a better actual grip with the Sig module.  Go figure.

Running 124gr 9mm FMJ Fiocchi ammo, the gun is plenty snappy.  Compensators are not muzzle brakes.  They do little or nothing to mitigate the recoil of the gun.  They do combat muzzle climb, but that doesn't translate to feel.  It translates to a gun that "shoots flatter" which means you reacquire your sight picture on target faster. 

People need to understand this and keep it in mind when they shoot compensated handguns.  It doesn't change what most people describe as "FEEL".  This is still a smaller gun and you are still going to feel it pressing into the bony heel of your dominant hand when you shoot it.  It is not as comfortable as shooting a larger gun with a larger grip that spreads the shock across a larger surface area in your hand.  Period.

That said, I did not find it to be uncomfortable to shoot and I put about 100 rounds through it within a pretty short period of time. 

Handling of the gun was certainly better than that of my plain Jane P365.  Muzzle flip was controllable which made the optic's dot easy to track between shots and quicker to return to target.  I found this to be even more striking as I ran the gun faster and faster.  It shot flat enough that running it fast wasn't a problem at all.

 

Overall Function

I ran 100rds through it within a 30-minute span of time.  I did not clean or lube it ahead of my range session.  It was only lubed with whatever Sig put on it at the factory.

I had ZERO malfunctions.  It fed, fired and ejected flawlessly.  Spent brass landed reliably within the same general area, so I am confident that it wasn't throwing brass willy-nilly all over the place.

Accuracy was excellent.  I did have to adjust the way I grasped the gun, however.  The grouping for my first few magazines was pretty ugly.  It dawned on me that I had some slop in how my support hand was grasping the grip, so I tweaked that a little and got excellent accuracy as a result.

To be honest... this showed me that I probably have been incorporating the same amount of slop in my grip on my P320 and could likely make it run better by indexing my support hand the same way.  I plan to give it a try.  Hell, I am almost 30-years into my study of the handgun and I love that I can still learn to do things better. 

Anyway... when I did my part, the gun did its.  1-inch groups at 7-yards are pretty easy.  This is what I expect from a Sig.  It did not disappoint.

 

Target Porn

I probably need a better term for this, but here are some targets worth looking at and talking about.

These targets are printed on 8.5 x 11 copier paper.  The circles are 5-inches in diameter with a 1-inch dark center.  The last target is from Sage Dynamics and is basically a central nervous system (CNS) brain and brain stem target.

Each target was shot from a distance of 7-yards with 124gr Fiocchi 9mm FMJ.  I feel good enough about these to carry the gun.

 

Target #1:  This target was the first one after getting the dot dialed in.  This is a 6-round group shot at a slow and deliberate pace to confirm zero of the optic.

 

Target #2:  Moving right along, I shot the target on the other half of the paper with 10-rounds at a reasonably brisk pace to "learn the bounce" of the dot in the optic as it tracked between shots.  I did not take a shot timer but I'd say that this grouping took between 4-6 seconds, just guessing at the pace.

 

Target #3:  After a few more targets like the previous one, shot at a brisk pace and getting to know how the gun tracked, I wrapped up the session with something a little faster.   This is 24-rounds, total.  Two 12-round mags, with a mag change in between them, at a fast pace. 

 

The strings of shots were quick.  The mag change was NOT graceful.  I need to spend more time in my dry-fire sessions with this gun just changing mags.  The short grip and short mags require some gymnastics to reposition my dominant hand just right to allow the empty mag to cleanly drop free.

I'd guess that this took about 16-17 seconds just by timing myself here in the house with an empty gun.  I feel like I should want that to be faster.

 

Conclusion

• Very nice gun.  Small.  Light. Slim.  Carries easily.
• Love the 6MOA Holosun green dot.  It tracks easily.
• The comp is noticeable but won't blow your socks off.
• I need to work on my mag changes.  Small grip, small mags, Shrek fingers.  Not fast.
• It's a keeper.  I'll be carrying it often.

 

 

 

 

[Defender]

Darn you!  Why couldn’t you tell us how crappy a gun it is?  Saw several other reviews online and they match yours.  Now I have to get one.  TBH, I already have the regular Spectre plus a plain Jane 365xl. So if I get the Spectre comp, I’ll be selling my plain Jane.  I know I shouldnt, but the with Spectre comp leaving the rear sights on with an optic and the comp, I want to do it.  Wondering about my holster though.  I use a Tier1 Spara with my Spectre with optic, and with the comps optic sitting a little more forward, I’m hoping it will fit as I like this holster.

[TGO David]

2 hours ago, Defender said:

 Wondering about my holster though.  I use a Tier1 Spara with my Spectre with optic, and with the comps optic sitting a little more forward, I’m hoping it will fit as I like this holster.

I'm an enabler.     

I have 1/4-inch between the rear of the ejection port and front face of the optic cut on my gun.  Compare that to yours and then compare how your holster aligns with your gun's ejection port.  Your holster will probably still work.

 

 

[Defender]

That’s very helpful, David, thanks!

[TGO David]

I am certainly not the first person to do this, but I "Macro'd" my Spectre Comp a few weeks ago and finally got a moment to take a photo to share.

 

 

For someone who remembers when Glocks were cutting edge 25+ years ago, it feels like we are living in the Golden Age of Concealed Carry when we can buy a handgun that carries 17 rounds in a package this small with this many desirable features.

Anyway, what you see there is basically Sig screwing those of us who bought a Spectre Comp by releasing the Macro a few months later for about $300 less than they charged for the SC. 

The only advantages I have over a plain ol' Macro is that I have a gaudy gold TiN trigger and barrel, and I guess maybe the SC has the Sig X-Ray night sights whereas the Macro XL doesn't.  Hardly worth the premium upcharge over a Macro.

 

[darsk20]

So, my wallet just hears that I need to go buy a macro. Gotcha. 

[Snaveba]

1 hour ago, darsk20 said:

So, my wallet just hears that I need to go buy a macro. Gotcha. 

Same. I have been pondering this since the grip module became available. Why is there ALWAYS something else for me to spend money on. 
 

I’m gonna wait until at least after I have put some rounds down the Rossi 92 and the Winchester 63

[TGO David]

1 hour ago, darsk20 said:

So, my wallet just hears that I need to go buy a macro. Gotcha. 

Yes - if you don't already have the Spectre Comp, just buy the Macro XL and apply the savings to your optic purchase.