Sig Sauer P365-FUSE Pros & Cons
Pros
- Highly customizable
- Improved grip texture
- Optics-ready
- Excellent fiber optic front and blacked out rear sights
Cons
- Failure to feed issue with Blazer Brass ammunition
- Trigger is heavy and mushy
- Gets very hot, very quickly
The Bottom Line
The P365-FUSE fits a niche role that certain shooters may find as the “perfect” addition to their P365 lineup.
The P365 platform turned heads when it was introduced in 2018, and Sig continues to innovate on the platform, releasing new models every year.
The latest? The P365-FUSE – a full-size/micro-compact hybrid that looks to bring the performance of a full-size, duty gun to the concealed carry arena of compacts.
Is the P365-FUSE truly the fusion of capability and concealment, or is it proof that the original concept of the P365 has been taken too far?
We took the P365-FUSE to the range and put over 500 rounds through it to find out. Keep reading as we walk through its specs and lay out its range performance.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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How We Tested the Sig P365-FUSE
To test the accuracy of the P365-FUSE, we used five types of ammunition (both practice and defensive):
- AAC 115g
- Blazer 115g
- Magtech 124g
- Staccato 124g
- Sig Sauer V-Crown 124g
At the range, we fired roughly 550 rounds through the Sig P365-FUSE. For accuracy, we opted for five-shot groups, benched at 7 yards. A Ransom Rest on a tripod was used to keep the gun steady and remove any shooter error. To determine reliability, we used USPSA open targets at 7 to 10 yards and C-Zone steel at roughly 20 to 25 yards.
We also used a Lyman Digital Trigger Gauge to assess the actual trigger pull average of the Sig P365-FUSE.
P365 Fuse Specs & Features
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Barrel Length: 4.3 in
- Overall Length: 7.2 in
- Overall Width: 1.1 in
- Height: 5.1 in
- Weight: 23.1 oz
- Sights: Fiber Optic Front, Black Serrated Rear
- RX Footprint: Compact (Shield RMS-c)
- Threaded Barrel: No
- Mags Included: (2) 21rd / (1) 17rd Steel Mag
Sig Sauer P365-FUSE Background
Sig Sauer set the concealed carry world on fire with the release of the original P365 in 2018.
At the time, the concealed carry world was firmly divided between low-capacity, single-stack handguns and “compact” handguns, which were just full-size handguns with shorter slides and reduced magazine capacity.
The original P365 flipped this paradigm upside down, introducing a gun that was as small in every dimension as all the single-stack guns on the market yet had a stack and a half capacity. At this point in 2024, nearly every manufacturer of concealed carry pistols has followed suit in the high capacity, micro-compact size world.
While the P365 was received very well, the market quickly began to demand the same magazine technology in pistol sizes that were increasingly larger. While the P365 was amazing to carry, it wasn’t always so amazing to shoot.
Sig Sauer met this with the P365X and XL, boasting a 12+1 capacity and ever so slightly elongated grip, allowing many users to have a full firing grip on the gun with a flush fit magazine.
The first major deviation Sig made from the original 10+1 wasn’t the XL or the X, but rather the X-Macro that was released in 2022. P365 fans across the world were shocked by the release of a new pistol bearing the same Fire Control Unit and parts interchangeability with the original P365, X, and XL but holding a whopping 17 rounds in the magazine.
At this point, the P365 family had officially crossed over into competing with full-size handguns. The increased capacity of the X-Macro skipped a step over the “compact” size family of guns and directly matched the widely accepted 17-round magazine capacity for full-size and duty-sized guns.
Making matters even more confusing, the X-Macro didn’t see any change in the width department, maintaining the insanely thin 1.1-inch overall width. The concealed carry market quickly came to love the X Macro (Glock 43x and 48 users included).
Now, the P365-FUSE has taken the jump the X-Macro even farther. Boasting a 4.3-inch barrel with a 7.2-inch overall length and still maintaining the razor-thin 1.1-inch overall width, the P365-FUSE has officially made the distinctions of micro-compact, sub-compact, compact, and full-sized pistol completely meaningless!
Who is the P365-FUSE For?
The P365-FUSE sits in an extremely weird position within the handgun world. It’s as long in slide and grip as a full-size/compact handgun yet maintains the width profile of a micro-compact.
While initially odd, some of these features actually make sense when you think about the use case for end users.
Think about it this way…if your daily EDC Carry is a P365 or a P365 X/XL, but you want to train, compete, or shoot at the range with a pistol that offers better controllability, and you don’t want to stray too far away from your carry gun’s design, the P365-FUSE might just be the perfect fit.
Small-handed users will also see some benefits from the FUSE. You want the benefits of a full-size gun but don’t want the whole full-size package. Boom! The 365 FUSE suddenly makes a whole lot of sense.
On the contrary, if you are looking for a concealed carry pistol with a long slide, maybe for “keel” effect when carrying appendix or chasing every bit of velocity you can for defensive rounds, the 365 FUSE is an attractive option.
Fit & Feel
Let’s start by saying, the P365-FUSE maintains a whole lot of familiarity with the X-Macro. If you shoot or have shot an X Macro, the FUSE is going to feel very similar, albeit with a few upgrades.
Grip Texture
The first of these is the laser stipple job. When I initially read about the new texture online with the launch of the FUSE, I wasn’t excited about the new texture. Many “Laser Stipple Jobs” end up just being cool patterns that don’t actually give the grip any additional traction. Boy, was I wrong!
The new laser stipple job on the P365-FUSE felt much more like an actual hand-created stipple job comparable to gun stipple services on the market. Surrounding each of the little honeycombs on the texture is a somewhat rough, raised outline. This creates a lot of traction for your hands to dig into.
Though grip texture is extremely subjective, the P365-FUSE has the best grip texture of any of the P365 polymer models I have felt to date.
Keeping all these praises in mind, the thing that continues to infuriate me with many of these gun companies is they cut the texturing too short on the slide! Unless you have tiny hands, when you create a full firing grip on the gun, you will immediately notice a large section of the meat of your support hand thumb will contact nothing but bare, smooth plastic.
In my mind, it’s such a shame that such an amazing grip texture ends just too soon to provide the perfect traction for your entire hands.
Magazine Release & Slide Catch
The next two major improvements for the P365-FUSE in the ergonomics department are the slide catch and magazine release. I noticed these updates immediately when I handled the gun for the first time.
Sig added ridges to the magazine release, which helps depress the magazine release with sweaty or even tired hands. I found the reloading process to be extremely fast and reliable, even after firing 450+ rounds through this gun in a single day.
Alongside the magazine release is the slightly longer and taller slide catch. With my medium-sized hands, this improvement made all the difference in the world when conducting slide lock emergency reloads.
Typically, with the P365 and subsequent models, the standard slide catch isn’t quite long enough for me to reach with my dominant hand thumb without breaking my grip too much for my liking. I resort to using the rear serrations in an over-the-top or slingshot method to send the slide home. The FUSE’s improved design eliminated this issue for me, and I found myself able to conduct the fastest emergency reloads of my life.
Removable Magwell
Sig also included a removable magazine well with the P365-FUSE. The magwell is sleek in design but big enough to create a nice funnel for your incoming magazine with a reload. It’s also so big it will cause extremely noticeable amounts of printing when carried concealed.
The magwell is held in place by a single screw in the rear, so it can be easily removed if needed. I personally enjoy the magwell as it adds just the slightest bit of upward pressure on my support hand pinky that helps lock my grip during longer strings of fire.
Slide
Looking upwards toward the slide, Sig added some major improvements to the serrations on the P365-FUSE when compared to its earlier counterparts.
While racking the pistol either from the front or the rear, you will immediately notice just how deep the serrations are. While I conducted most reloads using the slide catch, the slide serrations definitely helped with press checks.
Other than the slide serrations, everything with the P365-FUSE will feel familiar to the X Macro and XL. The now standard RMSC footprint is included with the optics-ready version. Sig now even offers a model with the Romeo-X included on the slide from the factory.
How Does the Sig Sauer P365-FUSE Shoot?
Accuracy
Again, we tested the P365-FUSE with five types of ammo (including defensive and target ammo) at 7 yards with 5-shot groups.
Our groupings were excellent with every ammunition type tested, with the largest group being just over an inch. With the Staccato 124g and AAC 115g, all five rounds were touching. Excluding the exception of one flier, the Magtech 124g all went through the same hole!
While it didn’t show in the results, the trigger is a limiting factor, in my opinion, for the accuracy potential of this gun. As aesthetically pleasing as it is, the flat-face silver design only provides an aesthetic difference to the shooting performance when compared to the X, XL, or X Macro.
During our testing with a Lyman Digital Gauge, the average trigger poundage came out to 4 pounds 2.0 oz. As with every P365 trigger, there is a fair amount of takeup before you get to the wall, which I don’t particularly mind.
What really grinds my gears with the P365-FUSE trigger is what happens after you get to the wall. As you press through the wall, you get not one, not two, but three more “walls” before the striker drops and the gun actually goes off.
While not an issue during rapid-fire shooting on open targets, this trigger design certainly becomes noticeable when you attempt to take more precise, distance shots or try to zero the gun with as little input as possible.
Not a deal breaker by any means, as a shooter with proper grip and visual discipline can still shoot this gun extremely effectively; however, I would like to see Sig improve the P365 trigger in future models.
9mm Ammo in Stock
Reliability
Overall, we shot over 550 rounds through the P365-FUSE during our testing, with a majority of rounds evenly split among AAC 115g, Blazer 115g, and Magtech 124g.
Interestingly, we did induce two failures to feed malfunctions.
Diagnosing the issue a bit further, the failures to feed occurred with both the 17-round and 21-round magazines. So, we didn’t feel it was a magazine issue. We noted that one malfunction happened while shooting strong hand only and the other with both hands on the gun. Continuing to drill down to the cause, we examined our ammo. We noticed two rounds out of the same box of ammo we were shooting (Blazer Brass 115g) were seated deep into the casing. This is not normal and should have failed a quality control inspection.
We stopped using that box of ammo and continued testing with other ammo we had on hand. We encountered zero malfunctions with the AAC, Magtech, Staccato, or Sig V Crown.
Overall, I feel confident counting the two malfunctions we encountered as ammo-related and not the fault of the P365-FUSE.
Felt Recoil
For reference, we used the included Sig Romeo X while testing. Shooting the P365-FUSE felt very similar to shooting the uncompensated P365 X-Macro…but a bit better.
The recoil impulse is still somewhat sharp but snaps right back down to the point of aim with proper grip technique. When I applied my proper shooting grip, the red dot barely left the top of the short window before dropping right back down to my intended point of aim.
I’m confident that if we utilized an optic with a taller window, the dot wouldn’t have even left the visible glass. I personally don’t see this as an issue, as the dot returned to where I was looking after every shot.
I pushed this gun hard, running the trigger as fast as I could go. As I transitioned between USPSA open targets at 7-10 yards and C-Zone steel at roughly 20-25 yards, I found the extremely low bore axis and long grip helped maintain minimal dot movement between follow-up shots.
Simply put, the only limiting factor in terms of raw speed with this gun on closer, open targets is going to be how fast the user can pull the trigger.
What Sets the P365-FUSE Apart
The P365-FUSE truly sits in a class of its own.
I’m not aware of any other gun that shares the dimensions of a full-size gun and a micro compact gun simultaneously. As mentioned earlier, I can think of a few specific situations in which the P365-FUSE might truly be the Goldilocks gun for someone.
After spending more time shooting and manipulating the gun, I think someone searching for a gun that shoots more like a compact or full-size but with easier-to-manipulate controls will benefit from the FUSE.
By the Numbers
Ergonomics: 5/5
The P365-FUSE builds on the P365 design in a good way – making it easier to manipulate controls and use if you happen to have smaller hands.
Accuracy: 5/5
Like its predecessors, the P365-FUSE is an accurate machine capable of hitting targets at a variety of distances.
Reliability: 3/5
We did see two failures to feed, but that wasn’t the gun’s fault. I can see where the trigger might also be an issue for some.
Customization: 5/5
The P365 has built quite the aftermarket, so holsters, mags, etc., are easy to come by.
Value: 4/5
It’s a little pricey but well worth the investment if you are all-in on the Sig Sauer P365 lineup.
Overall: 4.4/5
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Sig Sauer P365-FUSE Upgrades
Since the P365-FUSE is optics ready, the first thing you’ll likely want is an optic. For this review, we stayed with Sig and mounted the Romeo X Pro.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Also, always a good idea to stock up on ammo for range days.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Finally, if you’re training at the range, you’ll want a good set of eyes and ears. While we admit we’re biased with this pick, we love our very own brand — ShellShock Protection — for eyes and ears!
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Why You Should Trust Pew Pew Tactical
Leading the research and testing for this review is Pew Pew Tactical freelance video contributor and reviewer, Preston Hughes. Preston is a former emergency room and trauma RN with plenty of shooting experience. He attended the North Texas Police Academy before having to leave due to a shoulder injury. Preston is also a competition shooter and owner of the Citizen Response channel on YouTube. His expertise lies in pistols, concealed carry, and competition shooting and he has extensive experience with the Sig P365 platform.
Editing this article is Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings. With a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association, Jacki runs our experienced team of expert writers and editors. She has worked as a media professional for over 20 years and has specialized in gun media for almost 10 years. As Editor-in-Chief, she uses her expertise to set testing protocols and editorial standards across the site.
Final Verdict
The P365 lineup continues to grow, with new additions arriving each year. While there are a few areas (ahem, trigger) that I think Sig could improve on the P365, overall, the platform is a solid option.
The P365-FUSE continues that tradition of accuracy and performance while adding small improvements that make it a worthy addition to your P365 collection. Full-size and compact? Yes, please.
What do you think of the Sig P365-FUSE? Let us know in the comments below. For more Sig P365 action, check out our round up of the models.
16 Leave a Reply
I think the closest comparison is the Glock 48 which I always thought was a Goldilocks carry gun with the shield arms mags. If you check the specs even though the 48 has a shorter barrel both guns are essentially the same length. I carry a fuse now but original carried the 48. But I’d love to see videos comparing the two.
Replace the FPB spring with a Glock reduced power one, about $3.50, and polish the FPB to a mirror finish. That should fix the trigger having multiple walls to pull through. It always makes a difference in all of my pistols.
While the optic footprint is Shield RMS-c, it is currently the only slide compatible with Sig’s new ROMEO-X SIG-LOC COMPACT optic.
From Sig’s website:
Mounting screws secure optic from beneath the pistol slide, utilizing the SIG-LOC™ mounting system to create 5 total points of contact for the strongest lockup in the industry.
While Sig is notorious for the marketing hype, the low deck height & elimination of the need for some kind of mounting plate is intriguing. Not enough for me to replace every (or even some of the) slides I own though…
I carried the same set up, original P365, xl slide, Wilson Combat grip. Love the Xmacro, no comp, now carry a fuse and original with 10 rd for pocket carry. Not a comp fan but with 3 grip and slide sizes, 10,12,15,17,&21 rd mags you point is well made, can you have a better family for carry.
They also did testing at 20-25 yards. But as bkwms said, this gun is for concealed carry, and most encounters will be up close, i.e. at 7-10 yards.
Get serious if you are going to comment. A concealed encounter will most likely occur at that range or closer.
Accuracy testing at 7 yds is a joke. You throw potential credibility of being legit to the wind. Get serious if you are going to write reviews.
You mentioned "Failure to feed issue with Blazer Brass ammunition". I had a Beretta PX4 Storm Subcompact that had A LOT of failures to feed with Blazer Brass ammunition. I started using Wilson Combat UltimaLube II grease to lubricate my slide, and the problem disappeared almost immediately.
I purchased the Fuse a few months ago with the Sig optic. If you're a Sig 365 fanboy, you'll feel right at home with the FUSE. I have the Sig 365 legion as well (because it's so damn PRETTY) and had the basic 365 when it first came out, and several iterations of the Hellcat, currently the RDP. No issues to date with the FUSE. The real surprise for me was the optic. I have a combination of Holosun green dot / circle setups and Sig red dots. This one is a winner. Red dot / circle option, side load battery, and easy to co-witness. A bit pricey, but when I bought the combo (gun and sight) it was a decent deal.
If a certain cheap brand of ammo causes malfunctions and it's entirely it's own problem, why then still blame the gun for the issue? Blazer is a known high production low quality source, for plinking and training, and certainly is a low probability choice for carry or competition - when it counts.
As for the trigger, it's a striker fired design, and in it's early days was remarkably better than the single stack competitors. Has the market moved up in quality striker triggers and SIG stood still? Compare that Fuze to other striker triggers - like, Canik.
Many great comments and the article was super. The Fuse has entered into the more standard sized pistol realm. Having held and fired one at the Sig SEC, it is a solid gun but I would find its size difficult to conceal easily. Especially during the summer. The 365 line is super for people with smaller hands due to the grip size. As called out in the article, however, the trigger is meh. Unlike the P320 models, aftermarket triggers will not change the weight of the pull significantly. I’ve tried two different aftermarket triggers on my P365 x macro comp, and while the pull length changes slightly, the pull weight and feel remain the same. After speaking with Sig SEC reps, the trigger on the 365 is pretty much set irrespective of aftermarket additions.
I was coming here to say the exact same thing but you beat me to it.
I own the P365XL and 3.7 inch barrel P365 X-Macro. My EDC is Wilson Combat P365 10 round grip with either a 10 round or 12 round mag depending on clothing. I carry a 17 round backup mag. The X-Macro with a Holosun green optic is my house gun.
Depending on clothing I may carry the X-Macro or the XL slide with optic attached to the Wilson Combat grip.
I included all that detail to illustrate the flexibility of the P365 family in terms of mix and match to fit various carry situations.
You mention in 2 different places that the failure to feed was defective ammo, not the firearm, but still list it as a Con and knock reliability down to 3/5 for that same reason? Make that make sense.
Excellent review, captured and commented on every aspect. Thanks as you’ve convinced me this isn’t a gun for me…and I’m an avid Sig purchaser and my edc is the 365 SAS. Sometimes knowing what not to do, is more valuable that knowing what to do. Kudos guys, love your brand.
Perhaps like a trip to the dough nut shop. No shortage of great choices. They seem to multiply. Half way to an assorted dozen. Reading about the newest flavors.