Differences between P230 and P232

[Pond, James Pond]

I am interested in any differences between these two models, apart from age.

Physical features
Weakness
Qualities
Give away signs between the two (in case the slide is not marked)

May be having a look-see at one tomorrow and just realised that both models look almost identical to the uninitiated.

Thanks.

[Noreaster]

MA State Police claim credit for the P232. At the time their drug and gang units were issued the P230 as a primary handgun and they complained that it wouldn't reliable feed JHP. Soon after the P232 came out and it fed JHP without a problem. I don't know if this was the real reason or not. My P230 fed JHP fine. I later got a P232 and that also worked very well, but I don't know the difference, internally, of the two.

[AK103K]

I think the obvious things are the grips and the serrations on the slide. The P232 has fewer and wider serrations, and its grips differ at the bottom of the grip, and follow the curve of the mag extension down.

Not sure about internal changes. Ive owned 2 P230's, still have one, and both of mine fed everything I ever put in them.

If you google both, and go to images, you can get a pretty good idea as to the differences, externally any way.

[PSP]

* The slide serations are on their third or fourth permutation.

* The P232 added a firing pin block as a safety feature.

* The grip panels are different yet interchangable.

* The sights changed from a dot on post to three dots. There may be some overlap on this one.

* The P230 was available in three calibers, .32acp, .380 and 9mm Police. The P232 is a .380 only.

* There are some minor internal changes.

[Que]

My 230 does not have a rebounding hammer while my 232 did.

[PSP]

My 230 does not have a rebounding hammer while my 232 did.

My late model P230, the last year for that model, (1997), does have a rebounding hammer. That change must have occured prior to the P232 introduction.