Best Upgrades for the Sig Sauer P365 California

The highly popular micro-compact P365 concealed carry pistol from Sig Sauer™ is now included on California’s handgun roster. Since this announcement, the firearm has become highly sought after, significantly outpacing sales of competing models in gun shops throughout the state. But what Sig P365 California upgrades are available? 

Sig Sauer bills the P365 as The Pistol Series for Everyday Carry© because it revolutionized concealability and capability. The numerous variants available across the United States quickly became fan favorites, but CA residents were left out due to the state’s strict unconstitutional gun laws. No longer! 

P365 California vs. Standard P365

Let’s examine how the Sig Sauer P365 California differs from the standard P365 (Dimensionally, the Standard P365 and the California P365 are the same):

Overall Length = 5.8 inches Pistol Height = 4.3 inches with flush fit magazine Grip width = 1.1 inches Weight W/O Magazine= 17.8 oz Weight With Unloaded 10rd Magazine = 18 oz Barrel Length = 3.1 inches

That’s where the similarities end. 

Features Specific to the California P365

Here are the modifications Sig Sauer made to the California P365 to satisfy the anti-gun  bureaucrats and get this tool in the hands of the state’s qualified users: 

• Safety: The California P365 is only available with an ambi-manual safety, while the standard P365 is available with and without a manual safety.
• Optics Ready: The California P365 is optics ready with a Shield RMC-c slide cut, while the standard P365 is not. However, several optics-cut P365 variants are available.
• Sights: The California P365 ships with night sights called X-RAY3 Day/Night Sights. The standard P365 ships with a traditional white dot sight set-up. 
• Magazines: The California P365 only offers a flush-fit 10-round magazine and a pinky-extended 10-round magazine. The standard P365 ships with the same magazines, but Sig Sauer has additional options of 12-round, 15-round, 17-round, and 21-round magazines with spacers to fit the standard frame.
• Magazine Safety Disconnect: In order to have the P365 California added to the roster, Sig Sauer added a magazine safety disconnect. This is specific to the P365 California and not to any other P365s. This feature prevents the pistol from firing without a magazine loaded into the pistol. To make room for this feature, Sig Sauer modified their grip module. NOTE: The P365 California will not function with the required magazine disconnect in any other grip module outside the one on the pistol as shipped. 
• Loaded Chamber Indicator: To appease the California DOJ, Sig Sauer also added a loaded chamber indicator. This indicator can be seen from the top of the slide when a round is chambered in the pistol.
• Price: The sights and optic cut are the only functional upgrades the P365 California offers over the standard P365. The magazine disconnect and the loaded chamber indicators are necessary features for the P365 to be added to the roster. Due to this, the P365 California’s MSRP is $749, while the standard base P365 is $499 and the same sight package can be found around $549.

What Are the Best Sig P365 California Upgrades?

Are upgrades even possible with all the new changes to this California-compliant handgun? YES! You can upgrade your P365 California in two main areas: the grip and a red dot sight.

Grip Upgrades 

California users face a significant limitation regarding grip options compared to other regions. Outside of California, individuals have access to a wider variety of larger grip modules, including the Sig Sauer X/XL frame and the XMacro frame. Additionally, numerous aftermarket options are available. Sig Sauer also provides alternatives to enhance grip ergonomics, including extended magazines that contribute to a more complete grip experience.

California limits users to 10-round magazines, which can unfortunately not provide enough grip space for your hand to hold and use the pistol with adequate control. XTech Tactical solves this problem for P365 California owners with two great products: 

Sig Sauer P365 Factory 9mm 10-round Mag w/MTX 365 +0 Extension

The P365 Factory 9mm 10-round Mag w/MTX 365 +0 is a factory Sig Sauer 10-round magazine with a pre-installed XTech Tactical MTX +0 grip extension in a single product. No assembly is required. The ergonomic polymer pinky extender adds just enough length for better handling, and the side scalloping improves grip for loading and unloading. You can order this user-ready product and skip modifying your factory mags. 

MTX 365+0 Grip Extension P365 9mm

The MTX 356+0 Grip Extension is a sister option to our +3-round products, which are available in non-restricted states. You will love the texture, ergonomics, and overall look and feel. Priced at $14.95 for one or $24.95 for two, it offers great value! Thousands of customers in free states prefer our MTX 365 over any of the Sig Sauer options, so trust us when we say that aside from the round count, you aren’t missing out on anything!

The only other option is to use another grip module to eliminate or manually modify the magazine disconnect. We cannot attest to the legality of either step with your California P365.

Red Dot Sight Options

I’m still undecided about carrying a micro-compact with a red dot sight. However, I’ve noticed that with some practice, I am definitely more confident and quicker when engaging targets. The benefits of the red dot become more apparent with longer distances, but as a civilian, shooting from a distance is not my primary focus for self-defense.

But for those that are looking for red dot options, some we have tested include:

Trijicon RMRcc

The Trijicon RMR®cc offers 3.25 and 6.5 MOA dot size options. It is extremely reliable, but the price is steep at over $600. 

Holosun 507k X2

The Holosun 507k X2 has become (to many) the minimum standard for carry/duty use in optics. And in my experience, I have to agree. They are a good value and they work. The only option in this model is a 2 MOA dot, which I personally have no issue with or problem locating when drawing the pistol. It will not stand up to a torture test against the Trijicon, but the average user doesn’t need that kind of durability. The online list MSRP is $341.16. At a street price of under $300, this would be my pick to mate with a new California P365. 

Vortex Viper

I want to love the Vortex Viper due to its lower profile compared to other products and lifetime warranty. At this point, it hasn’t won me over. I have to put more thought into finding the dot. I also had some issues with Vortex products and concluded they would rather exchange broken optics than build ones for serious use. The online MSRP is $369.99, but the local street price is around $250.

Sig Romeo Zero

If you want to stick with a Sig Sauer product, the Sig Romeo Zero is an option, but I have little experience with it. Some have warned me that the 3 MOA dot tends to lose “zero,” so there are trust issues here. The MSRP is $139.99 but you may find you get what you pay for. 

Sig P365 California Upgrades 

If you are pleased to purchase a P365 California now, XTech Tactical can meet your grip-improvement needs with our P365 Factory 9mm 10-round Mag w/MTX 365 +0 and MTX 356+0 Grip Extension. Optimize your new carry handgun while staying legally compliant. 

Remember that we also offer our MTX 365 Free State Adapter for only $4.95! It works with both the grip extension and extender/factory mag combo. Don’t ditch your unconstitutional restricted magazines if you move out of California or the anti-gun lobby collapses — convert them and add three more rounds!