Sig P365 VS Hellcat – Full Comparison

If you're looking to buy a subcompact 9mm handgun for concealed carry. The Sig P365 and Springfield Hellcat are two most popular options currently on the market. In This Sig P365 VS Hellcat guide, let's compare them side by side and disassemble them to see the engineering behind these two firearms.

For this comparison, we bought the Sig P365XL and the standard Hellcat. Our job is to provide content to highlight their differences and similarities with close up details, aiding you in making an informed buying decision.

Sig P365XL VS Springfield Hellcat - Side By Side Comparison

Physical Dimensions

Factory Barrel Specs

Magazine Capacity

The Sig P365 standard magazine holds 12 rounds and they also have 10 round magazine for states with round limit. For states without magazine restriction, the extended magazines can be purchased for the P365 as well.

The Springfield Hellcat come with a 11 round magazine and the extended magazine can hold 13 rounds. The extended magazine features pinky extension for the shooter to get a full grip for better control.

Optic Footprint

The Springfield Echelon has a special feature called the VIS (Variable Interface System). With it, you can use more than 30 different optics. Some of these optics include RMR, RMSc, DeltaPoint, and RMS. The holes for DeltaPoint Pro are the same size as those for RMSc.

One of the cool parts is that you don't need to buy separate optic plates. It's made to fit many customers' needs. But there's a catch: it uses a one-size-fits-all method for attaching handgun optics. This means the optic is kept in place with just a screw, and that could put stress on the screw.

For most shooting, this works well. But, if you're rough with the gun, like hitting the optic on hard things, it can stress the screw more. Some people really focus on using guns in tough ways, but that's not always the best way to judge a gun's quality.

The Sig P320 has a different system. It allows the user to use an optic plate adapter to attach a certain optic. Or, the user can get a custom slide that's milled just for that optic. This doesn't mean the Springfield Echelon is bad. In fact, we might see more special slides for it in stores soon.

Grip Frame Comparison

Both guns are double stack micro compact pistols, and the Springfield Hellcat claims that the custom pressure activated grip texture ensures comfort in the waistband and it has less friction wear on clothing.

The micro pyramid texture make contact to the shooter's hand for a secure hold when the pistol is firmly gripped.

Based on 1 year of usage, the grip texture works, but it's still not as good as using it with a grip tape so the shooter gets a tighter purchase on the grip to control the recoil since it's a small gun, and it kicks a lot.

The same goes for the Sig P365. The P365 grip feels slim, and it's almost a full size grip without any pinky magazine extension. A shooter with average size hand can feel pretty comfortable gripping the gun. Stippling the grip texture or add grip tape can improve the grip better than what's offered from factory guns.

Since the Sig P365 is designed for the user to swap grip modules, there are plenty of options available to improve the grip. One of the most popular one that everyone seems to like is the Wilson Combat WCP365XL. Many users report that it slightly improves the grip ergonomics of the factory Sig P365 and it improves the recoil control.

One thing odd that I have discovered is that the slight curvature of the P365 grip at the front actually bumps my pinky finger forward, so the pinky finger actually has some strength to apply pressure to the highlighted part in red, thus push the gun down slightly during recoil.

Since the P365 is designed to be optic ready, this help with dot acquisition. The part highlighted in red also has slightly more grip friction than the Hellcat to prevent grip slip. 

After shooting both of them. The 9mm Hellcat definitely kicks lot more if you use the pinky extension magazine. The Sig P365 almost feels like you can wrap around the grip and control the recoil better. 

If the grip can influence how you shoot, I highly recommend the Sig P365, and it provides more opportunity to upgrade to something you like. You can easily purchase grip modules, and it' not considered a firearm.

However, with the Hellcat, you are stuck with it.

Factory Trigger Performance

In this comparison, we have the factory Hellcat trigger and the factory P365 trigger (Not the Sig Custom shop trigger).

After 1 year of use, the Sig P365's trigger just feels better all around than the Hellcat before upgrading it. Sig P365's factory trigger feels smooth with minimal reset distance between each shot. The reset back to the wall is immediate.

The Springfield Hellcat feels a bit heavy, and when the trigger finally breaks, it always tend to numb my finger tip. The break feels crisp but snappy. The reset isn't as quick and immediate as the P365.

There are trigger upgrades available, for example the Apex Action Enhancement trigger that slightly reduces the trigger pull weight without compromising safety. Once the shooter breaks it in, expect about 5 lbs trigger pull weight. 

There are also different trigger shoes available to upgrade the Hellcat for improved tactile feel of the trigger.

The Sig P365's Fire Control Unit (FCU) can be disassembled and fit in other grip module like what we've just talked about.

Both handguns set the bar high when it comes to providing a great trigger right out of the box, but there are still aftermarket parts available to improve the existing trigger performance. So if something isn't exactly what you want, don't let them be the deal breaker.

Both handguns only offer slide release on the left side. For users who want ambi slide releases, they are out of luck.

For right handed shooters, the P365's slide release is slightly bigger to make contact. The slide release on the Hellcat feels more recessed, and the user has to find their way to push on the slide stop assuming the hand isn't slippery.

Both slides are machined slightly differently for aesthetics reasons. They do not influence the shooting performance.

The slide stop cutout is on the inside

The slide release stop cutout is exposed.

The Sig Sauer P365 features only left side magazine release. It's ergonomical enough for most users to reach and engage without any problem. Both are easy to reach and push.

External Safety

The external safety on the Hellcat is optional, and it can be removed. This particular model we have in this comparison guide has a thumb safety, and it's ambidextrous. 

Buyers can get one with or without.

Both Sig P365 and Hellcat feature striker fired trigger systems. The Springfield Hellcat features trigger and drop safety. The same goes for the P365.

When operating these guns without thumb safeties, always be safe with it. 

Slide Serration

Both guns feature serration cuts for press check and slide racking. The press check felt slightly easier on the P365 because the front serration pattern is longer. However, overall the Sig P365's slide just felt easier to rack than the Hellcat.

Iron Sights

The Hellcat comes with a U notch rear sight and front tritium sight. The P365XL features no sight if the optic plate is removed. So far the Holosun EPS and Holosun 507K are two good optics that feature rear sights that can act as backups if needed.

Aftermarket Parts Support

At the time of writing this comparison guide, The P365 already has a some aftermarket support, mainly custom slide options and grip modules. There are plenty of barrels, holsters and light options to choose from.

The Springfield Hellcat also has some aftermarket support including triggers and grip accessories.