Bought a Sig P232. Tell me I am smart, or tell me I am stupid... [Archive]

Dogger

November 22, 1999, 12:01 PM

Ok guys, I went to the local gunshop intent on picking up a Sig P239 in 9mm and bought the blue Sig P232 in .380 instead. Why??? Because the Sig P232 fits my hand like a dream, is lightweight (less than 22 ounces fully loaded), is snag free, slips easily into a front pants pocket, has great sights, great ergonomics, and will most likely be with me on a warm summer's day, when my Colt CCO will be at home. The DA pull is long, heavy, and smooth, which makes sense for a pocket gun with no manual safety. I haven't taken it to the range yet. I plan on stoking it with the 90 grain Federal Hydrashoks or the new Speer Gold Dots. 7 rounds of .380 seems to be a reasonable answer to the "up front and in your face" threat to life that a civilian CCW holder is most likely to face.

Your thoughts? Thanks.

Morgan

November 22, 1999, 12:13 PM

Good choice, even if in a small caliber. Personally, I'd stick with the Rem GS in 102gr or the Gold Dots - you need to maximize penetration in .380.

I had a stainless P230 for awhile that was, apparently, a lemon. It had failures to extract on a regular basis. It was much better after a trip back to SIG for repair (they replaced the recoil spring and said it was fixed) but still had occasional (one out of two hundred or so) failures to extract. With the heel mag release and no external slide lockback device, these jams required three hands and three minutes to clear, so I sold it.

Moral of my story? While you have one of the easiest on the eyes pistols around, the design is more prone to problems than other SIGs, so be sure to test it thouroghly. Keep it clean and feed it well and it should serve you admirably.

Phillip

November 22, 1999, 01:23 PM

Dogger if it fits your needs then it was a smart choice. The 232 is a nice little gun, and hopefully the problems that the 230 had are resolved in the 232. I had a real blast shooting my instructor's 232 stainless model. I was able to keep all shots in a 1-2 inch group at 7 yards rapid fire. It was fun to shoot, and I wonder how much more accurate I would have been with more deliberate shooting.
The 239 is heavier, and a little more bulky than the 232, so if you need a concealment gun, you probably made the right choice.

jimmy

November 22, 1999, 01:32 PM

Sounds like a good choice. For me, there have been lots of times when carrying a P232 would be much easier and therefore much more likely than carrying a P239. IOW, a .380 is far better than a .000. ;)

Mike Spight

November 22, 1999, 02:31 PM

Dogger:

After you've taken it to the range and it proves to be utterly reliable with your choice of ammo AND you can shoot it accurately at ranges practical for self-defense, then you've obviously the "smart" choice for you.

Really that's all that matters...what doesn't matter is what any of us think about your choice as long as it works for you!

Mike

sigarms229

November 22, 1999, 02:51 PM

Good choice. I have a 230 and love it. I carry it regularly in the summer time. It is 100% reliable (unlike a Walther PPK I had a few years ago) and suprisingly accurate. As long as your happy with it, that's all that matters.

John

Joseph

November 22, 1999, 03:35 PM

Dogger,

I have recently come to the same point. The P232 seems made for my hand, and there are loads which will take your mind off of its .380 caliber if you need that assurance. (Cor-Bon, for one, although Sig doesn't put it on their approved loads list. I haven't tried Tritons yet, but I will test them after I break in the gun)

Everything I researched on the P232 came back with glowing remarks.

By the way, I've put together an excel spreadsheet for comparing prices, and it's loaded with both various ammo types of the .380 and on-line dealers. Email me if you would like a copy.

Happy shooting,
Joseph

Mike in VA

November 22, 1999, 06:32 PM

Congratulations on the new 'baby'. I have both a 232 and 239/9mm. I carry the 239 a lot in a Galco sholder rig, but there are other times when the 232 just slips into a pocket easier, and so it goes with.

As others have pointed out, while it has similar overall dimensions as the 239, it is less bulky and significantly lighter, and as you pointed, it is more likely to go along with you if it's a good fit and convenient to carry. I use Fed H/S, Rem G/S, Corbons, and Fiocchi, and 7+1 with 2 spar mags should be enough for most situations. Mine is quite accurate and has never misfed on anything I've put in it. Yeah, I think youmade a fine choice, good luck & stay safe. M2

Mike H

November 22, 1999, 07:37 PM

I have a theory about .380's. They are great right upto the point where you actually pull it out of your pants pocket, point it in the general direction of the armed bad guy and think, S**T, this isn't enough gun, he's got a sawn off or an old .45 and I've got this shiny silver squeek gun. I have read several stories of just such incidents, concealability is only correctly recognised as a secodary consideration when TSHTF.

Hope this does not prove to be your experience. But you should have got the P239 (or USPC).

Stay Safe,

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Mike H

EQUALIZER

November 22, 1999, 07:53 PM

Dogger,

That's a classic. IMHO Its THE best looking gun on market. Its Walther counterpart is a classic as well, but it doesn't compare to the SIG you hold in your hand. I agree with your choice so long as caliber is not the #1 priority. That 232 fits my hand far better than that 239. Both are great, but only that 232 feels like an extension of my arm to me. The gun points like my finger. If you like something comparible to it in 9mm, pick up a 225 and see what you think.

Fun shooting,

Robert

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"But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip; and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one." -Jesus Christ (Luke 22:36, see John 3:15-18)

Pilate

November 22, 1999, 08:09 PM

Excellent choice. I carry my P232 on a regular basis. In fact it's my third Sig .380. I had a 230 4 years ago which I sold for a security deposit on an apartment. A few months ago, I had an itch to replace it and bought a two-tone 232. Then Sig had to go and improve it again. So I traded the 232 for another, all stainless, with a Hogue rubber grip and night sights. It's by far my favorite pistol I've ever owned. But then, I went through three 239's as well...

Mike in VA

November 22, 1999, 10:01 PM

With all due respect, Mike H, the first rule is 'bring a gun'. While I agree in principle, bigger is better (and I have a 228, a 239, a USP45C, and 8045) and at times, too much is barely enough, there are times when the 232 is just what works best for me, and it's better than harsh language, in any event. Bottom line, a hit with a .380 is better than a miss with a .45, 12 ga., or 75 mm recoiless rifle. There is no doubt in my mind that when TSHTF, everyone wishes for more gun (and more back-up), and, on teh whole, to be in Philiadelphia. M2

Beretta Boy

November 23, 1999, 03:52 AM

... the noisey cricket... lol(the little gun in Men In Black c/o Will Smith)

Seriously, though, Think placement... Get so good at your range, that a well fired .22 round would take the perp out.

cobraman

November 24, 1999, 05:32 PM

I am on the board and I also just bought a sig p232 stainless. I have not been able to shoot it yet. But I can't wait to get it to the range.

cobraman

November 24, 1999, 05:33 PM

oops I mean I am new on the board

KY-Midnight

November 24, 1999, 10:22 PM

I have just purchased an FEG APK (PPK copy of sorts, slightly different action) in .380. I bought it because it was inexpensive, has an enough power to stop most BGs (Not to mention the 007 factor of a Walther PPK type gun :D)
I am pleased with mine, if you are pleased with yours, don't even bother asking us, just enjoy what you have, and like it :)

artech

November 25, 1999, 03:24 PM

I have shot a pile of handguns, and I've finally come to the conclusion that if it doesn't fit your hand, it's not going to shoot well for you, no matter how much it costs.

I have fired almost unbelievable groups with relatively inexpensive pistols, and missed the entire target frame with expensive match pistols, all because they did or didn't fit me. If your Sig fits your hand, you'll do well with it.

Don't sweat the caliber too much, a hit beats a miss each and every time, and even the 22LR has a 33% one shot stop rating if you can hit with it. Know what else? a miss with a .458 Win Mag has a 00.0% one shot stop rating, how about that?

I carry a 9mm and have to endure all kinds of grief about my mini caliber and all, but I can hit stationary clay pigeons 2 out of 3 times out to over 100 yards with it, and generally eat just about anyone's lunch in a shoot off, so I'm not terribly concerned.

In short, if you can shoot with the sig 232, don't sweat the rest, it really doesn't matter. I would still have the one I tried myself, but it didn't fit my hand well and I traded it off. Mine never malfunctioned, but I only put 250 or so rounds through it. Hope this helps.

As always, IMHO, YMMV, and all the rest.

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With my shield or on it...

Dogger

December 20, 1999, 10:36 AM

Well, finally took the P232 to the NRA range. First 7 rounds downrange were Federal Hydrashok at 10 yards. All rounds into the black. Typical Sig reliability, and shot to point of aim. Can't ask for more than that.

Switched to ball ammo and started firing from 5 to 15 yards. 100% reliability.

I was surprised at the recoil -- snappy and directly back into the webbing of the hand. Makes sense I guess, since this is a blowback pistol. More recoil than my Kahr K9 delivers with hot 115 grain +P Corbon loads.

I was concerned that the low bore axis might lead to the slide cutting the webbing of my hand. I did get some slide marks where my thumb joins the top of my hand. Nothing that interfered with shooting though. In fact, I didn't notice the nicks until the next day.

Anyway, I am pleased with the P232. It is a great pocket gun. In a pair of Navy blue cotton dockers it disappears in the front pocket with no tell-tale bulges.

Do any of the holster manufacturers make a pocket holster for the P232 similar to what they make for airweight revolvers? Thanks.

AndyP

December 20, 1999, 11:28 AM

Congrats, Dogger. I recently got a blued P230 and really like it a lot. Hogue grips make it feel even better in my hand, but if you are going to carry in a pocket, the original grips might be better (won't snag on clothing).

My gunsmith did warn me of one thing, however. The blued versions have alloy frames (hence the light weight), so it would not be wise to frequently shoot any loads hotter than standard velocity. Those 90 grain Hydra-Shoks should be just fine, but watch out for "hot" ammo (no +P).

December 23, 1999, 02:26 AM

I put Houge wooden grips on my blue P232, and it looks a bit classier. I haven't found any pocket holster for this .380. Kramer makes a pocket holster for a PPK, but it is smaller and would fit more easily into a front pocket. Perhaps a silicon gun rug w/ velcro closure would work, but would not be as quick to access.

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Joseph

December 23, 1999, 07:04 PM

I finally got my P232 after waiting over 3 weeks for the permit to come through from the Sherrif's office of Meckenburg County, NC.

But, let me tell you, it was worth the wait. This gun is more accurate than anything I have ever shot, right out of the box and in it's first 200 rounds. (American Eagle and USA ammo - both equally accurate)

Dead on from a rest, and I did pretty well too, at all distances allowed by the range (50 feet max.)

It also seemed custom made for my hand, although the Hogue grips helped a bunch.

I can't praise the gun enough, even given the .380 round.

Roon

HosMan

January 23, 2005, 10:33 PM

Hey Dogger,

I bought the stainless model(only P232 we can legally own in CA) last summer and have been really happy with it. I plan to use it as a summer gun when I get my CCW. First Sig I have owned and,I must say,that now I understand why so many people rave about the Sig line of firearms. Quality through and through. Fit and finish on my P232 are beautiful.Besides it is one of the sexiest pistols in creation.IMHO in ranks right behind the Walther P5/P5C(which I vow to own before I am dead and cold!). I was kind of put off by the caliber but....it feels and shoots so damn nice I just don`t care anymore! Hell,I can pull the trigger an extra couple of times to make up for it,right? :)
Another big plus to this cute lil gun is that it is great for introducing others to shooting. I have used the "James bond" gun(as my gf`s son mistakenly calls it) to turn my daughter and girlfriend on to the joys of shooting. Anyways I think you made a good decision with the P232. Happy shooting!

Now for the bad news: Went shooting today and had a few feeding problems with the Sig. The ammo was quality stuff too.Sellier & Bellot(Czech) that my father had left over and never used. The jams were`nt stovepipes ,rather binding up from the round in the mag against the round which was trying to be chambered.Sorry,not sure of the technical term. This happened 2x with only 100 rounds or less being fired. I may have our local gunsmith look at her but I think a throating and feed ramp polishing(which I had eventually planned to have done) would most likely eliminate the problem.

Damn! This post got long.

Hos

WillBrayjr

January 23, 2005, 10:46 PM

You're smart!!!

The blued model weighs a shad over 16oz. Liked the one I had but just didn't fit my hand no matter how hard I tried to get used to it.

fignozzle

January 23, 2005, 10:59 PM

If it's not prying too much, can you guys give me a ballpark price on what you bought your 232's for? I'm interested in getting one and just not sure what to expect to pay...

Thanks,
Fig

HosMan

January 23, 2005, 11:29 PM

Hey Fig,

Well,I bought mine at a killer price as my father had his FFL and this was a gun that the original would be purchaser flaked out on. If I would have gotten it at dealer price with no mark up I think it would have come out to approx. $473.00 or so...mind you that is including CA state tax(7.75% I think) and also the $15.00 state processing fee. You can find them for that same price(give or take) all day online. The stainless is the most expensive of the three models(that is what I have and my figures are based on). Hope that helps dude.

Hos

HosMan

January 24, 2005, 01:30 AM

UPDATE:

I talked to a few of my cousins and my father,both of had similar experience of jamming with the Sellier & Bellot ammo in their .380 pistols. Seems the ammo is most likely at fault here. Just thought I would pass it along. Makes me feel better as I love my little "pea shooter". :p

campbellcj

January 24, 2005, 01:48 AM

Whoa...a 4 1/2 year old thread comes back to life :) I have a P232ST and it is a beautifully machined little gem. I have medium/large hands and it fits OK but as many others have mentioned, you have to be careful with your grip or it could be a hand-biter. Nice sight picture and accuracy for this size platform and no FTF problems so far and no mods other than Hogue rubber grips (wasn't fond of the stock plastic at all).

gpence

January 27, 2005, 01:23 PM

Dogger, et al.

I'm envious! From the first time I saw it, I thought the P232 was desirable...

:D

GPence

Erich

January 27, 2005, 02:44 PM

Nice gun, anemic caliber.

N.H. Yankee

January 27, 2005, 07:38 PM

I carried a german PPK in 380 for years and never felt undergunned with the right ammo. Proficiency is everything no matter what caliber. Having a gun that fits is also important and often overlooked. Like having a pair of gloves that dont fit, you always feel handicapped and cant seem to do anything wearing them.

Ozzieman

January 27, 2005, 09:21 PM

You should feel so bad that you should give it to me :D

The_Shootist

January 27, 2005, 10:14 PM

...ya shoulda bought a Bersa Thunder .380 :D and saved the $ 200 or so for ammo

theskunk

May 4, 2011, 03:23 PM

The problem with the Sig p232 started with the 2009 models. The shell recess in the breech face was eliminated and the dependability makes the p232 unreliable as a backup

BGutzman

May 4, 2011, 04:26 PM

Its a Sig so how could you possibly go wrong?

LockedBreech

May 4, 2011, 05:04 PM

Good quality weapon, and I don't feel underpowered when I have my LCP. That .380 has bite to match its bark for such a little guy. I do carry an extra mag though, and use 102gr Sabers.

ice monkey

May 4, 2011, 05:58 PM

Good Gosh!! :D

lawnboy

May 4, 2011, 06:16 PM

Whoa!
They had the internet on computers back then?:)

AK103K

May 4, 2011, 06:29 PM

I see theskunk is making his rounds again and trying to keep the pot stirred. By the time hes done, we'll be back into the dead sea scrolls. :)

He posted this telling little quip over on THR......

As I have run into different problems with my guns, and got sick of sending them back to the factory, I started doing my own repairs.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=587615&p=7291391#post7291391

ice monkey

May 4, 2011, 07:10 PM

That BITES!! :mad: ARG

theskunk

May 8, 2011, 02:58 PM

A number of police departments are questioning the use of a P232 sig as a backup weapon.

C0untZer0

May 8, 2011, 03:43 PM

I think the title of this thread is telling. It's why gun owners get into such heated debate about brands. It's why some people are so pro-Glock and others have a bad reaction to the fanatic go-glock-talk. It's why some Taurus users get so upset when someone posts something negative about Taurus.

Its because a lot of people are emotionally invested in their handgun purchase decisions. It's because they think it reflects on them personally what they putrchase or shoot or carry.

If someone went out and bought a Ryobi drill I wouldn't think they were stupid for not buying a DeWalt. If someone bought a Porter-Cable I wouldn't affirm them as being genius because they chose that over a Craftsman.

ice monkey

May 8, 2011, 05:14 PM

Hey theskunk – why don’t you just sell your Sig and be done with it? Or just throw it out! Where can it be seen that A number of police departments are questioning the use of a P232 sig as a backup weapon.
I have looked at your history and I get it, you hate Sig, but prove your statement for me would you.

I mean seriously – we all have pistols we don’t like – some that have done wrong by us – but your continued railing against Sig, along with the slander (unless you can prove it) on a thread that was started in 1999 is well, OLD!

Coltman 77

May 8, 2011, 05:35 PM

AK103K:

I see theskunk is making his rounds again and trying to keep the pot stirred. By the time hes done, we'll be back into the dead sea scrolls.

He posted this telling little quip over on THR......

A 12 yr. old thread is close to the Dead Sea Scrolls on the internet.

He's like the energizer bunny who needs a psychiatrist isn't he. :D