Choosing a good compact handgun today has become tougher. The market brims with pistols designed for reliability and accuracy. Two of the top contenders are the Sig P365 and the Glock 43. While the Glock 43 came out in 2015 and the P365 a little later in 2018, they took the concealed-carry pistol market by storm.
Major reasons behind their popularity were their small or 'baby' size, ergonomic design, aftermarket support, and the ability to cater to people with small hands. A Sig P365 vs Glock 43 comparison is thus crucial if you're trying to select the ideal everyday carry weapon and are stuck between these two. This post breaks down the key features of handguns to help you decide the best option.
Sig P365 Vs. Glock 43 Size and Specifications
The Sig P365 is the most compact handgun between the two. It is 0.46 inches shorter and 0.6 inches narrower than the Glock. The pistol is also 0.190 oz. Lighter than the G43. Despite the smaller size, it offers more capacity than the Glock.
Specification | Sig P365 | Glock 43 |
Trigger Type | Striker-Fired | Striker-Fired |
Length (In Inches) | 5.8 | 6.26 |
Height (In Inches) | 4.3 | 4.25 |
Width (In Inches) | 1 | 1.6 |
Weight | 17.8 OZ. | 17.99 OZ. |
Barrel (In Inches) | 3.1 | 3.39 |
Capacity | 10+1, 12+1 or 15+1 | 6+1 or 10+1 |
Trigger Material | Metal | Polymer |
Slide Material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
Safety Mechanism | Manual | Automatic |
Sights | X-RAY3 Day/Night Sights | Polymer Glock sights |
Aftermarket Support | Yes | Yes |
Price | $499 | $448 |
Sig P365 Vs. Glock 43 Ergonomics

While both the guns are ergonomically fantastic, Sig P365 has a grip that fits perfectly in both small and large hands. This is not the case with the G43, which fits more properly in small hands. The Glock's shorter trigger distance of 2.56 inches as opposed to Sig P365's 2.6 inches makes it a good option for people with small hands who prefer a tight grip.
Despite its small size, the Sig P365 is easier to hold and shoot. Its grip module is replaceable with the SIG P365 XL grip module. This grip module is longer and takes 12-round flush-fit magazines. With a 'Stress Fire' grip (strong hand thumb bent down or forward), you can easily fire up to 200 rounds.
One positive feature regarding ergonomics with the Glock 43 is its built-in beavertail. It facilitates getting a high and tight grip. The Sig P365 lacks this feature unless you install the aftermarket Beavertail Grip Sleeve over its frame.
Texturing is a lot better on the Sig P365 than the Glock 43, making the P365 more ergonomic. Its aggressive grip texture enables a strong hold on the gun. The Glock 43's texturing is such that it requires either add-on rubber or adhesive grips for a secure hold.
Differences Between Slide and Barrel
The Sig P365's slide is equipped with forward and rear serrations with an aggressive finish. The G43's slide has rear cocking and not the front cocking serrations. The polymer grip on P365 accepts double-stack 10 to 17-round magazines. The mag release is easy to use through a button on the grip at the undercut trigger guard area.
If you want front slide serrations on your Glock, choose the Glock 43X over 43. The rear cocking serrations on the G43 are deep enough, and you can manipulate the slide conveniently. The slide stop on the left is easy to reach and lock up.
The barrel length of the G43 is more than Sig P365. This can be the reason for the enhanced shooting experience and accuracy of the Glock. However, the 0.38-inch difference in the barrel length does not impact shooting significantly, especially if you consider the smoother trigger pull of Sig and the inclusion of the excellent XRAY3 Day/Night sights.
Sig P365 Vs. Glock 43 Trigger Pull
Undoubtedly, the factory trigger on the P365 is way smoother than the Glock 43. The trigger pull weight, which is between 5 to 6 lbs, allows for a soft and clean-breaking trigger.
The Glock 43's trigger pull weight is lesser (5 lbs). Despite this, you will notice that the metal trigger of P365 breaks easily without a jerk. It has a consistent feel for slow and quick-firing, and the absence of unnecessary safety mechanisms (dingus) makes it better than the stock trigger of the Glock 43.
Compared with the Sig P365, the Glock 43's polymer trigger feels heavier. It has a significant "take-up" before the break and does not always reset after racking the slide. This can be attributed to the Glock prioritizing a trigger design that works under harsh conditions, but it does affect the experience of the user.
Differences in Magazine Capacity
The Sig P365 accepts 10, 12, 15, and 17-round magazines easily. The flush-fit magazines allow you to enhance the capacity of this micro-compact handgun pretty conveniently but not at the expense of concealability. Once the capacity goes past ten rounds, concealment becomes difficult. In the case of the Glock 43, this is no cause for worry. It has a capacity of extended 6-round magazines, which you can increase by two more rounds with a mag extension.
Differences in Safety Mechanism Between Sig P365 Vs. Glock 43
A key difference between the Sig P365 and Glock 43 is the manual safety. The P365 has an optional ambidextrous manual safety. It mechanically blocks the sear assembly, preventing the release of the striker. To engage it, rotate the manual safety lever up with your thumb in the firing hand.
The Glock 43 has a Drop, Firing Pin, and Trigger safety, all of which engage at the same time when you pull the trigger. If you want to carry concealed, the manual safety in the P365 will provide an added sense of security.
Comparison of Sights
The plastic OEM sights in the Glock 43 are no match for the steel XRAY3 Day/Night sights of the P365. The high-contrast neon green front sight on X-RAY3 provides high visibility in both day and night. These tritium sights are surrounded by steel, which protects them from recoil, cleaning solvents, and harsh elements.
The plastic sights in the Glock 43 are not bad for aiming. They are only less durable and can break easily under force. However, not all Glocks come with factory sights. If your G43 has AmeriGlo sights from the factory but with a higher price tag, you should purchase it.
Sig P365 Vs. Glock 43 Accuracy
The Sig P365 is more manageable than the Glock 43 because of better ergonomics and crisp trigger pull. Hence, it facilitates more accurate shooting.
The accuracy is further enhanced with the decent night sights. Up until 20 yards, it's easy to shoot rapid and accurate shots. The tight and complete grip of the Sig P365 prevents you from perceiving muzzle flip and shooting better.
Using a pinky extension magazine is crucial if you want a complete grip with the Glock 43. A grip extension will also work well for people with larger hands. This is because of the slimmer profile of the single-stack gun.
A positive point of the Glock 43 is its longer barrel. It, along with slightly more weight, helps in better recoil management than the P365 and contributes to accuracy. Overall, no particular pistol is way more accurate as both have their unique features.
Differences in Recoil
The Sig P365 and the Glock 43 are compact pistols producing considerable recoil. If you are used to bigger pistols or are recoil-sensitive, you will notice the felt recoil when using 9mm defense loads in any of these pistols.
The Glock 43, with its longer barrel and weight, is better suited to manage recoil. However, since it's suited for single-stack magazines, the slimmer frame makes it susceptible to recoil. In the Sig, a lighter slide and the design of the striker and recoil spring assembly help in recoil management.
You can improve the shooting experience and manage recoil by enhancing your pistol with aftermarket accessories. These include recoil springs, guide rods, and grip enhancements.
Suitability of Everyday Concealed Carry
The Glock 43 and the Sig P365 are made for everyday carry. Your choice depends on the purpose of the pistol. If you want a handgun with good capacity and ergonomics, the Sig P365 will be a good option. You can upgrade the pistol in any way and even make it your main defensive firearm.
The Glock 43 is easier to conceal because it's a single stack. The pistol is almost invisible when carried in a good IWB holster. If capacity is not an issue for you, carrying this pistol will give you a great, comfortable carry experience. It verges on the side of a pocket-sized pistol and can be carried in a pocket holster. The good thing is that you can increase its capacity with a magazine extender.
Which One is Better? Sig P 365 Vs. Glock 43
After analyzing the features of both pistols, the eventual decision is up to you. The few differences between them, such as the grip texture, size, capacity, and sights, should be your basis for making a selection. If your purpose is using a self-defense gun that you can conceal easily, the Glock 43 will be better. However, if you want to experiment more but be sure of the gun's reliability, firepower, and performance, using the Sig P365 will be a step in the right direction.
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