Glock 43 vs Sig Sauer P365: Which is Right For You?

It's been a long time coming, so let’s go ahead and compare: SIG P365 versus Glock 43. It might shock you as to which one came out on top of the other—but then again, it might not. You see, both pistols are excellent choices for self-defense, and depending on your needs and wants from a gun, one might be better than the other. So let's take a look at these two guns that are in contention with each other—and see which one wins out as our favorite!

SIG P365

The P365 has a slightly smaller profile than the G43. Although both the SIG and G43 are relatively close in height, they differ substantially in overall length, barrel length and other design features.

SIG considers it to be a “game changer” and claims it is the most revolutionary new pistol on the market. It does have some robust features, such as XRAY3 Day/Night Sights, a +P rating and SIG accessory rail. A remarkable 10+1 rounds of ammunition make this handgun particularly appealing. In a micro-compact, single-stack 9mm, that’s quite some good rounds in a flush magazine. SIG offers an extended magazine that holds 12 rounds, increasing the gun's firepower.

.Upon its release, the P365 experienced a number of problems. Among these were return-to-battery failures—something that was clearly not an isolated incident. In the end, SIG made good by fixing the problem under warranty and giving the second run of pistols stronger recoil spring assemblies. The SIG-Lite Night Sights on the gun's first run were of poor quality — some shooters reported sights coming loose in their channels — and SIG ended up replacing those with today’s XRAY3 Day/Night Sights. Also, there was trouble with barrel peening and trigger spring return failures. Broken firing pins and failures to lock back were also reported. SIG took steps to correct every failure. The current generation of P365 pistols has been upgraded in great detail.

Out of the box, this appears to be a basic black micro-compact, single-stack 9mm designed for performance over aesthetics. I would rather carry a pistol that is reliable and dependable, regardless of how it looks. The P365 is indeed a reliable and dependable pistol. It uses the same internal components as many other SIG SAUER pistols, which includes a stainless steel slide with black Nitron finish, anodized aluminum frame and an ambidextrous magazine release button that sits high on both sides of the grip. The P365 also has a de-cocker.

Glock 43

Glock's introduction of the Glock 43 four years ago helped solidify its reputation as a leading manufacturer of <a href="https://99gunsarmoury.com/product/glock-43-9mm/" target="_blank">compact 9mm pistols</a>.

This is another gun that was much beloved by many people. The P238's barrel is a quarter inch longer than that of the P365, and its overall length is three quarters of an inch more.

The G43 comes standard with either white-dot or night sights, but only holds 6+1 rounds—many have wondered why Glock chose not to include more ammunition.

Still, it is backed by Glock’s long-standing reputation for reliability and durability — vital features in a self-defense gun.

There were no flaws with the Glock 43 — only design complaints. Users complained about the heavy trigger pull, as well as issues with magazines hanging up halfway into the gun's magazine well. The lack of an accessory rail was also a point of contention among some people.

Out of the box, it’s … a Glock. It might be smaller and slimmer than what you expect, but it is still readily identifiable. The G43 is a black polymer pistol that cares only about getting the job done—just like its little brother, the P365. I’m cool with either one in my pocket!

G43 and P365 Shooting Accuracy

Accuracy testing showed that the two pistols demonstrated different levels of precision—as well as impressive shooting ability. These drills entailed firing five-shot groups at 5 yards with no time limit. The P365's groups took up a large amount of space across the entire width of the playing card, with varying heights.

In contrast, the G43's accuracy was better than expected. In the end, the G43 was the clear winner when it came down to accuracy.

It is not my intention to discourage your purchase of a P365 by expressing the opinion that G43 might be superior in some ways.

Taking into consideration capacity, The P365 holds 10 rounds, while the G43 only holds 6. The P365’s smaller frame might be more comfortable in your hands than the G43's larger one. It’s in the guns’ accuracy I find my sticking point.

The P365's groups may be a bit larger than that of its competitors, but it still groups well at close range. In a self-defense scenario—who cares about minute variations? You decide!

The bottom line? It comes down to personal preference. You might find that the <a href="https://99gunsarmoury.com/product/sig-sauer-p365-nitron-2/" target="_blank">P365</a> outperforms the G43 in your hands; other people may disagree with you. Keep an eye out for repeated reports of problems with either model and you’ll be able to make an informed decision. If you want more information on the best subcompact 9mm pistols on the market, check out our Best Subcompact 9mm Pistols article or you can <a href="https://99gunsarmoury.com/product/sig-sauer-p365-nitron-2/" target="_blank">buy p365 online</a> or check out the <a href="https://99gunsarmoury.com/product/glock-43-9mm/" target="_blank">glock 43 for sale</a> at my favorite gun store