The WCP365

By
Dave Bahde
-

The WCP365

By: Dave Bahde

Wilson Combat takes one of the most capable CCWs in history and brings it to the next level

Wilson Combat has long been known for their 1911 pistols, to the extent many deride them a bit for not “innovating.” Nothing could be farther from the truth. Bill Wilson has always been at the fore of innovation and, at the same time, passing on what may be the latest fad. Not to mention their rifle line, Bill Wilson has taken Berettas SIGs and Glocks to new heights, as well as the creation of their outstanding double-stack, 1911-derived EDCX9, and SFX9 pistols. One of their latest moves is into the world of the Sig Sauer P-series via the hugely-popular P365. Starting with an enhanced Wilson Combat grip-frame model, the company now sells complete P365 pistols — aptly named the WCP365 — cut for direct-mount optics, with slide alterations and trigger enhancements. Like everything Bill Wilson does, these are well-executed, practical, and functional. 

The foundation of the WCP365 build is Wilson Combat’s own WCP365 grip module. Available in either standard (tested) or XL sizes and in either black, tan, green, or gray, the WCP makes significant improvements over the factory Sig module in grip traction, ergonomics, and recoil mitigation via a high-cut trigger guard and 1911-style beavertail.

WCP365

Wilson Combat P365’s include a number of options, and all use a proprietary serial number starting with a WCP prefix. All eight new models use the 3.10-inch barrel length but are available in standard or XL grip frame configurations. WCP365 slides are “reimagined” and include reshaping, with “Carry Cut” beveling all around and Wilson’s aggressive X-Tac pattern as front and rear cocking serrations. The front top of the slide features standard straight serrations to help cut sight glare. The Chromoly barrel and stainless-steel slide are coated with DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) for superior wear and corrosion resistance. 

Wilson equips the WCP365 with their own rear serrated U-notch Battlesight paired with a bright-red front fiber optic sight. The sights are taller than the factory Sig sights for a co-witness sight picture with most mini red-dot sights. Optional direct-mount milled optic mounts are available cut for the Trijicon RMRcc (tested), Holosun 407/507K, Sig Romeo Zero, and the Shield RMScc, and include a cover plate. 

Massaging of the factory P365 slide includes aggressive X-TAC cocking serrations and “Carry Cut” beveling all around. The slide and 3.1-inch barrel both wear a DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) finish for corrosion and abrasion resistance that a factory P365 finish can’t match. The WCP365 ships in its factory hard case and with all of its factory components.

The trigger module is tuned by Wilson (should you opt for it … we did) and uses a Gray Ghost Guns flat trigger. A standard Sig straight trigger or X Series trigger are also options. The trigger module rides inside Wilson Combat’s own P365 grip module, with X-Tac texturing, strategic reshaping of the backstrap, a high-cut trigger guard, and a high-cut 1911 style beavertail. Available as a stand-alone product, the WCP365 Grip Module will accommodate the WC Tungsten weight kit, has the factory accessory rail cuts, and are available in black, green, tan, or gray and either with or without the manual safety cut and in either standard size (tested) or XL. WCP365 pistols ship in the factory case, with two 10-round magazines (one with the lip), the factory grip module, and all factory parts.  

Instead of using an optic-plate system, Wilson Combat mills the slide for a direct fit of several different mini red-dot optics — to include the Trijicon RMRcc we used for testing — circumventing a potential failure point. Serrations on top of the slide and back faces of the iron sights effectively cut sight-picture glare.

Range Time

As expected with anything that bears the Wilson Combat name, the fit and finish on the WCP365 was excellent, and the Wilson grip modules are noticeably more comfortable and “grippy” than the factory ones. Given my hand size (large), I also did some testing using a Wilson XL grip frame. Trigger operation was light and crisp yet easily usable in either duty or defense applications; it was noticeably more crisp than the factory triggers in both my standard and XL P365 pistols. Glare-cutting serrations on top of the slide are a nice touch; a side-by-side comparison with a factory slide yielded some subtle but very clear differences in sight-picture acquisition in direct sunlight. 

Range testing of the WCP365 was completed primarily at Gunsite Academy in AZ. Snow was not an issue this time, but sweat was. With sweaty hands, Wilson Combat’s slide modifications made for positive control during loading, unloading, and stoppage drills. While the Wilson grip was noticeably more ergonomic and controllable for me using the lipped base plate, the real game changer was the WCP365 XL frame. Having tested the P365 since before they were released, this was the most comfortable and solid connection I’ve experienced with the pistol with the 3.10-inch barrel.   

If you opt for the “Action Tune” that On Target’s test pistol received, your WCP365 will come equipped with a Wilson Combat-tuned trigger module and Gray Ghost Guns flat trigger, all adding up to what is arguably the best P365 trigger pull out there. The slide stop and magazine release button both remain factory-Sig components

I did much of the testing while teaching a Tactical Concealed Carry Pistol (TTCP) class at Gunsite. This class is all about the practical application of your carry pistol and goes through around 1500 rounds for the week. Sig Sauer P365s were well represented, and all performed well. Several pistols in this class had the optics shoot loose, and most used some sort of mounting plate. To me, this makes the plate-less, direct-milled optic platform on the Wilson Combat P365 one of the best parts of the build. In my experience, both teaching and using an RDS, if there is a consistent failure point with optics, it’s the adapter plate, and the WCP365 addresses that issue upfront. 

Testing ammunition included Federal’s 124-grain +P HST and 147-grain HST, Hornady’s Critical duty, and Wilson Combat’s Barnes TAC-XP 95-grain loads. Soft shooting and accurate, the 95-grain Wilson was very comfortable to shoot while also being tailored to a three-inch barrel length. My best group during testing was printed with this round, although, like every P365 I’ve tested, it shoots almost anything accurately and reliably.   

If you carry your subcompact with a light, this pistol accommodates any offerings designed to fit the factory mount. There are also a couple of aftermarket rail adaptors so that you can use any of the compact lights.   

There are no shortage of holster solutions for the P365 platform, but Mission First Tactical’s new Leather Hybrid line (which you can read more about in this issue) is worth a very strong look. Available in OWB and AIWB designs, the Leather Hybrid features the best of both worlds — Kydex on the inside for solid retention and leather on the outside for comfort.

Bottom Line

Wilson Combat warranties WCP365s for accuracy, reliability, sights, and any defects in the slide and grip module — basically anything they’ve worked on or provided. Sig Sauer maintains service on broken or defective factory parts.

The Sig Sauer P365 in any configuration has always been comfortable to carry and has been carried by or nearby this author almost since its introduction. My personal pistols are factory-spec other than the grip module, but the Wilson Combat enhancements have me sold on their practicality and usefulness. See the WCP365 line ($1105.00 to $1425.00) at your nearest dealer, or for more information, contact Wilson Combat: Tel.: (800) 955-4856; Web: www.wilsoncombat.com.

Wilson Combat’s own soft shooting and exceptionally accurate Barnes TAC-XP 95-grain load took top honors during bench testing, printing this 1.50-inch five-shot 15-yard group.

Specifications: Wilson Combat P365

  • Action: Striker Fired
  • Caliber 9mm 
  • Barrel Length 3.10 inches  
  • Weight: 18.60 ounces (without RDS) 
  • Capacity 10 rounds standard frame/13 rounds for XL 
  • MSRP $1425.00 (as tested, not including the RDS)

Performance

Ammunition Velocity Group

  • Wilson Combat 95 Tac XPD 1250 1.50 inches
  • Federal 124 Grain +P HST 1170 1.60 inches
  • Federal HST 147 Grain 1015 1.55 inches
  • Hornady 135 Critical Duty 1030 1.65 inches

Groups fired from a bag using the back of my truck as a rest—distance of 15 yards, 3 five shot groups for comparison. Velocity in Feet Per Second (FPS) measured with a “Chrony” chronograph over three five-shot groups. 

When it comes time to put rounds on target, the benefits of the WCP365’s reworked trigger and the enhanced grip traction and ergonomics of the Wilson grip module make an appreciable difference compared side-by-side with a factory Sig P365.



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