Did anyone use a rubber hammer on the P365 to see if that would kill the trigger?

[Jaywalker]

I'm into my annual quest to investigate a P365 or a P365-380, but I can't find anything about the trigger dying by drop or rubber hammer. If there were such an investigation - link, please?

[flyrodr]

Well, a couple of years ago, I was trying to separate some old furniture joints with a rubber hammer, hit my thumb, and came very close to using my P365 on the hammer - - - if going in that direction counts.

I have a couple of P365s from when they first came on the market. Have a bunch of rounds through them (no idea count) and haven't had any problems.

[GJM]

I have read of enough reliability issues with the .380 365 model to be concerned about reliability with it. Between my wife and I, we have at least a dozen 365 family pistols, and have not experienced any reliability or durability issues. The combination of a 365 and 365 TacOps Macro is a 99 percent solution for most (non gamer) users.

[Jaywalker]

I have read of enough reliability issues with the .380 365 model to be concerned about reliability with it. Between my wife and I, we have at least a dozen 365 family pistols, and have not experienced any reliability or durability issues. The combination of a 365 and 365 TacOps Macro is a 99 percent solution for most (non gamer) users.

Thanks. I read the LuckyGunner piece and thought using the Hydro Shock Deep might get the slide moving faster, but I imagine other folks have tried that and still have some trouble?

My SO isn't recoil-sensitive, but she's unable to to rack most slides, even with proper technique. We're also considering the Shield EZ, but I thought to try for the P365 first.

[jeep45238]

Thanks. I read the LuckyGunner piece and thought using the Hydro Shock Deep might get the slide moving faster, but I imagine other folks have tried that and still have some trouble?

My SO isn't recoil-sensitive, but she's unable to to rack most slides, even with proper technique. We're also considering the Shield EZ, but I thought to try for the P365 first.

I've found the FN Reflex to be unhindered from the EZ's major shortcomings, and copies the design philosophy.

[G19Fan]

Thanks. I read the LuckyGunner piece and thought using the Hydro Shock Deep might get the slide moving faster, but I imagine other folks have tried that and still have some trouble?

My SO isn't recoil-sensitive, but she's unable to to rack most slides, even with proper technique. We're also considering the Shield EZ, but I thought to try for the P365 first.

The shield ezs I played around with had lots of reliability issues

[Navin Johnson]

Thanks. I read the LuckyGunner piece and thought using the Hydro Shock Deep might get the slide moving faster, but I imagine other folks have tried that and still have some trouble?

My SO isn't recoil-sensitive, but she's unable to to rack most slides, even with proper technique. We're also considering the Shield EZ, but I thought to try for the P365 first.

Sometimes a longer slide like a G17 is easier due to full grip

My friend got his wife a 357 LCR (heavier than 38) and she carries WC’s. (About the same size and weight as P365) She had the same racking issue with a semi.

[Hambo]

I have read of enough reliability issues with the .380 365 model to be concerned about reliability with it. Between my wife and I, we have at least a dozen 365 family pistols, and have not experienced any reliability or durability issues. The combination of a 365 and 365 TacOps Macro is a 99 percent solution for most (non gamer) users.

What are the problems with the .380s?

[GJM]

What are the problems with the .380s?

Malfunctions

[TheNewbie]

I've found the FN Reflex to be unhindered from the EZ's major shortcomings, and copies the design philosophy.

What issues did you see with the EZ Shield?

[TheNewbie]

The shield ezs I played around with had lots of reliability issues

Where the copies you tried .380 or 9mm?

[Skinner Precision, LLC]

What issues did you see with the EZ Shield?

I have watched an elderly shooter (EZ's alleged target market) struggle to deactivate the grip safety consistently, same shooter / comprimised grip had no problems w/1911 safety....

[jeep45238]

What issues did you see with the EZ Shield?

Grip safety hinges from the wrong side - it's fat up top, not at the bottom. Invariably, every time I've AI'd/Taught a class, I see the population it's marketed towards (hand strength/arthritis, etc) having difficulty keeping the grip safety depressed enough to actually shoot the gun consistently for a box of 50 rounds in a friendly, supportive environment. I also see this with folks that have massive meat mittens.

Practically speaking, nearly every EZ you see for sale in person has a thumb safety, making it have the same manual of arms as a 1911 - yet rarely is a 1911 recommended for a new shooter, but the EZ is. That's a massive cognitive dissonance to me, and is sort of telling that this is a marketing gun, not a shooting gun, so to speak.

The FN has neither of these issues, and has an internal hammer like the EZ, allowing for the recoil spring to be lighter (which is what you'll fight to rack the slide). Both of these guns will be harder to manually rack after pressing the trigger on an empty chamber (because you're cocking the hammer spring too). They will both be easier when the hammer is already cocked.

[Jaywalker]

harder to manually rack after pressing the trigger on an empty chamber (because you're cocking the hammer spring too). They will both be easier when the hammer is already cocked.

Don't they lock back after last round?

[Navin Johnson]

If one insists on a semi for non gun people at least make it a 9 for the chance of it running properly. 380's tend to run ideally in ideal circumstances YMMV

Can they cock a hammer? A 226 with the hammer cocked is not bad to rack

[jeep45238]

Don't they lock back after last round?

Yes, but they sure as shit don't lock back on a dud primer or dryfire exercises (I do not believe you need a "click" with every trigger press in dry fire, for what it's worth).

This also assumes that the gun will lock back in the shooter's hands. I'm all over the board for that, unless we're talking Beretta 92's and 1911's - most other guns are 50% or less for them to lock open on the last fired round in the magazine for me.

[zaitcev]

Practically speaking, nearly every EZ you see for sale in person has a thumb safety, making it have the same manual of arms as a 1911 - yet rarely is a 1911 recommended for a new shooter, but the EZ is. That's a massive cognitive dissonance to me ...

The Browning 1911-380 is often recommended, or at least it was before 380EZ came to market. It is of about the same size as 380EZ, same magazine capacity.

[Jaywalker]

The Browning 1911-380 is often recommended, or at least it was before 380EZ came to market. It is of about the same size as 380EZ, same magazine capacity. Thanks. I did explore the 1911-380 and the Sig 238 recently, but just online as I couldn't find either locally. I'll try calling again.

[Chuck Whitlock]

Practically speaking, nearly every EZ you see for sale in person has a thumb safety, making it have the same manual of arms as a 1911 - yet rarely is a 1911 recommended for a new shooter, but the EZ is. That's a massive cognitive dissonance to me, and is sort of telling that this is a marketing gun, not a shooting gun, so to speak.

The FN has neither of these issues, and has an internal hammer like the EZ, allowing for the recoil spring to be lighter (which is what you'll fight to rack the slide). Both of these guns will be harder to manually rack after pressing the trigger on an empty chamber (because you're cocking the hammer spring too). They will both be easier when the hammer is already cocked.

I'm not sure that an SAO auto, with neither thumb nor grip safety, is a great choice as a "fire extinguisher" gun, either.

Sure it's easy to shoot and manipulate, but it's also awfully easy to have a "negative outcome."

[jeep45238]

I'm not sure that an SAO auto, with neither thumb nor grip safety, is a great choice as a "fire extinguisher" gun, either.

Sure it's easy to shoot and manipulate, but it's also awfully easy to have a "negative outcome."

I fully agree. I don't think having a "on/off" switch as a positive with new shooters, especially with the amount of pre-travel the trigger we commonly see on these systems.

A gun that can't have it's mechanical safeties consistently worked by the shooter isn't likely a great fire extinguisher - the FN simply seems to follow the design philosophy the OP is after.

A steel wheel gun, may be a better option.

[zaitcev]

Thanks. I did explore the 1911-380 and the Sig 238 recently, but just online as I couldn't find either locally. I'll try calling again.

I think the two are quite different.

The Browning is a truly scaled down 1911, it's uncanny. It's extremely cute, like railroad models with tiny houses. So, it copies the grip safety, and all other controls and features, but shrunk to 85%.

Most of the "1911-like" guns on the market draw their lineage from either Spainish pistols or from Colt Mustang. RIA Baby Rock is a knock-off from Llama MicroMax. SIG P238 was a clone of Mustang. Neither has a grip safety and their mechanism is their own animal.

Note that SIG P238 and Springfield 911 are no longer produced. Browning 1911-380 is still in production.

[jeep45238]

I think the two are quite different.

The Browning is a truly scaled down 1911, it's uncanny. It's extremely cute, like railroad models with tiny houses. So, it copies the grip safety, and all other controls and features, but shrunk to 85%.

Most of the "1911-like" guns on the market draw their lineage from either Spainish pistols or from Colt Mustang. RIA Baby Rock is a knock-off from Llama MicroMax. SIG P238 was a clone of Mustang. Neither has a grip safety and their mechanism is their own animal.

Note that SIG P238 and Springfield 911 are no longer produced. Browning 1911-380 is still in production.

If one is going to pursue a 1911 platform but is recoil sensitive, I fully agree with your comments.

For someone who is unfamiliar with how a semi-auto works, loading magazines without a special tool, various malfunctions that happen, and how the fire control actually works, I think it's a horrible suggestion to set them up for success as a first gun - regardless if it's metal, polymer, Llama, or 1911 based.

[GJM]

How interesting. If this was a 320 thread, the focus would be on the unexplained discharges. The 365 has been, well boring, in terms of low drama.

[jeep45238]

How interesting. If this was a 320 thread, the focus would be on the unexplained discharges. The 365 has been, well boring, in terms of low drama.

Agreed. I'd be interesting to have an engineering white paper done on the discrepancies between the FCU's and slide/barrel lockups. The hard part would be finding the OEM tolerances and comparing those to the real world.

Either way, wheelies or HK hammers for me, but I have severe interest in this.

[idahojess]

My 365-380 has not functioned well with xtp hollowpoints. I haven't tried any other defensive ammo.

The malfs have been pretty easy to deal with; typically failures to go into battery. Nothing that is hard for me to clear. I've got a hand issue, so things like double feeds and failures to extract can be awful, especially in small guns.

The 365-380 does run well on speer lawman and other ball ammo, and as I noted in the 365-380 thread, any problems I had with ball went away after I put a extended finger rest on the flat based magazine.

It is a very easy shooter, great trigger and very easy to manipulate, especially with the the Talon Grip arachnigrip slide grip tape. The mags require something like a maglula to load, as they are tight.


I have seen a few relatives have trouble with the grip safety on the Shield 380 ez -- that is definitely a thing.


The 365-380 is not a bad little gun -- I've had a few 380s that were finicky and this one is probably the least finicky.


(On topic, I have not hit it with a mallet to see whether it is drop-safe).

[GJM]

A few anecdotal reports of women having more reliability issues than guys had me wondering if the .380 365 is grip sensitive. If so, it is a shame, as smaller stature people are the ones that should enjoy this pistol.

[BillSWPA]

Another consideration: aftermarket support for the P365 .380 is good.

Aftermarket support for the S&W EZ guns seems to be decent but not great.

How much aftermarket support exists for the downsized Browning .380 1911? Sights? I checked 6 different manufacturers' websites without success. Holsters? Privateer leather makes some for this gun, including some of their "Bilge Rat" holsters, but my favorite Kydex IWB holster maker does not accommodate this gun.

I really like the idea of an 85% size 1911 .380, but I question whether the idea has taken off.

[Hambo]

A few anecdotal reports of women having more reliability issues than guys had me wondering if the .380 365 is grip sensitive. If so, it is a shame, as smaller stature people are the ones that should enjoy this pistol.

A friend of mine talked me into shooting a P365 .380, and I loved it. I would have bought one except that another friend was getting rid of his G42. Since then I've met a couple of women who had them and thought they were problematic. I could not get them to malfunction without extreme effort. I grip every pistol like I'm trying to strangle it. I will still likely buy one.

[RJ]

Over on the Gen Pop Sig forum I'm on, we recently had a report of a Kaboom by a P365 user. Case ruptured at the base/lower and blew the mag out. He was uninjured.

After a bit of discussion, he ended up concluding it was most likely due to using a reloaded cartridge out of an old box of random ammo he had that may or may have been double loaded. As far as I can tell, the only damage to the pistol was a blown out mag base, which he's replacing. Grip frame, fcu and upper are ok, apparently.

That's about it for drama associated with the P365 I've seen.

[Chuck Whitlock]

Another consideration: aftermarket support for the P365 .380 is good.

Aftermarket support for the S&W EZ guns seems to be decent but not great.

How much aftermarket support exists for the downsized Browning .380 1911? Sights? I checked 6 different manufacturers' websites without success. Holsters? Privateer leather makes some for this gun, including some of their "Bilge Rat" holsters, but my favorite Kydex IWB holster maker does not accommodate this gun.

I really like the idea of an 85% size 1911 .380, but I question whether the idea has taken off.


Support is more limited. High Noon Holsters does make holsters for both the railed and non-railed versions.

https://highnoonholsters.com/

[zaitcev]

The 365 has been, well boring, in terms of low drama.

Cops weren't carrying P365, so it wasn't interesting to Mr. Bagnell, esq..
Once P365 (possibly X Macro) finds its way into holsters of officers, expect all the same circus that adheres to P320.

[MountainRaven]

Cops weren't carrying P365, so it wasn't interesting to Mr. Bagnell, esq..
Once P365 (possibly X Macro) finds its way into holsters of officers, expect all the same circus that adheres to P320.

I don't know about that - the P365 has never had the spontaneous uncommanded discharges of the (older) P320s.

Maybe the same circus that adheres to the Glock, VP9, PDP, &c.

[BillSWPA]

Cops weren't carrying P365, so it wasn't interesting to Mr. Bagnell, esq..
Once P365 (possibly X Macro) finds its way into holsters of officers, expect all the same circus that adheres to P320.

The Indiana State Police selected the P365
as an issued backup gun in 2019.

https://www.policemag.com/weapons/news/15315576/indiana-state-police-adds-sig-sauer-p365-as-their-back-up-duty-firearm

[WobblyPossum]

P365 variants (standard, X, XL, Macro) are also the most common personally owned weapon at my agency. I wish I had an accurate count of how many are in the field. It’s in the thousands but don’t think I can access a list of exactly how many are actually out and about. There have been some minor issues like night sights dead from the factory and back plates on early models walking during firing prior to the redesign of the way the backplate is secured. No explosions or discharges from impact.

[HCM]

Cops weren't carrying P365, so it wasn't interesting to Mr. Bagnell, esq..
Once P365 (possibly X Macro) finds its way into holsters of officers, expect all the same circus that adheres to P320.

No. Not even close.

Cops aren’t carrying p365 series guns in Duty holsters.

But cops carry the shit out of 365 series guns off duty and in plain clothes assignments, even cops who don’t carry SIGs as primary duty guns.

My local PD - 2k sworn, issues / mandates M&Ps as uniform duty guns. But since their switch to 9mm the 365 series has supplanted the S&W Shield series for back up / off duty and plainclothes use by a significant margin.