Sig P230

Capt Jack · June 24, 2025, 02:34 PM

I just picked up this P230 so trying to get up to speed on this model. Off to my outdoor range tomorrow…The Gulf of America where we shoot up old tennis balls…..range report to follow

HighValleyRanch · June 24, 2025, 06:13 PM

Good timing. I was just out shooting mine this morning. Looks just like yours, stainless P230. Ran flawless without any malfunctions with my reloads. I did get some slide bite however!LOL

Used the stock zipper back mag today, but I have a few Megar mags for the Thunderer that were modified to fit the P230.
They hold 8 rounds vs. the standard 7. But they don't lock open after the last round.

Shoots Left · June 24, 2025, 11:46 PM

Welcome to the P230SL owners club! Nice looking find.

The one stainless magazine in your picture is a second generation P230 magazine and they go for up to $150 a piece on eBay, even more so on Gun Broker. I’m guessing that the one in the well is likewise? The black magazine looks like a ProMag. They’re the only reasonably priced game in town for spare mags for the 230. Some time ago I bought two to try out and they’ve functioned flawlessly. Bought two more and got to try them out at the range just today and again, flawless. There is/was another company that made magazines for the 230 but I don’t really know anything about them.

Up until today I’ve only run hardball through mine since it is a ‘70s design. However, I picked up a half dozen boxes of Barnes TAC-X PD real cheap a while back and tried some out in the 230 today as well. My 230 cycled just fine with these hollow points as well.

As previously mentioned these guys have reputation for being biters. So far mine has not bit the hand that feeds it (knocks on wood). Another thing is that mine has a really smooth and light DA pull. That was surprising. This is also the first firearm that I’ve owned that had a “dot the I” type of iron sights. I like 'em. I’m going to replace the sights on my TX22 and might look into something similar for that guy.

Last thing, if I’m reading the proof mark correctly (KE), yours is a ’94 like mine. Good vintage.

Enjoy!

Capt Jack · June 25, 2025, 02:31 AM

hello Shoots Left, I really appreciate your comments. The Sig mags may hit the auction market if the Promag is 100%.
Thanks agaim!

Capt Jack · June 25, 2025, 11:55 AM

in further examination of my new to me P230, The de-Cocker moves the hammer to a half cock position. It’s not fully decocked, that’s a great feature for a lighter double action first shot. I’m liking this pistol more and more.

Daveo5 · July 2, 2025, 07:49 PM

I picked up a blue steel P230 about six months ago box, instructions included. Also ordered a third party recoil replacement spring. I haven’t had to replace the original, yet.

Super Sneaky Steve · July 3, 2025, 06:33 PM

I have a 232. The very last one sold in the US. It's one of the best looking pistols ever made.

bamaranger · Today, 03:00 AM

When the NPS went to SIG double/single P-series pistols, they also approved the SIG P230 as a backup and off-duty pistol as well. I think that era, early 90's, was the first time the agency actually officially recognized and approved via written policy, second/backup gun carry. Lots of guys went out and bought them, as they were not issued, simply approved. There was a special, 30 rd qualification course with shorter distances, developed just for the little guns.

The stainless guns were most common, as backups got carried concealed in sweaty, hot places typically. The stainless guns were a bit heavier than the blued steel/alloy guns and a bit more comfortable to shoot. I was always surprised at how snappy the P230 was to shoot, even though they are relatively full size by modern standards and the all steel guns had some heft too. They were as reliable as any SIG (of the day:confused), but due to how we carried them, were often in need of a detail strip, clean and lube to stay that way, which was more difficult on the little pistol than the bigger guns for me anyhow.

I agree, they are sleek handsome pistols and I believe the Caddilac (OK, well maybe the BMW) of .380 pistols. Best of luck with yours.

Today, 03:00 AM	#8
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,808	backup When the NPS went to SIG double/single P-series pistols, they also approved the SIG P230 as a backup and off-duty pistol as well. I think that era, early 90's, was the first time the agency actually officially recognized and approved via written policy, second/backup gun carry. Lots of guys went out and bought them, as they were not issued, simply approved. There was a special, 30 rd qualification course with shorter distances, developed just for the little guns. The stainless guns were most common, as backups got carried concealed in sweaty, hot places typically. The stainless guns were a bit heavier than the blued steel/alloy guns and a bit more comfortable to shoot. I was always surprised at how snappy the P230 was to shoot, even though they are relatively full size by modern standards and the all steel guns had some heft too. They were as reliable as any SIG (of the day:confused), but due to how we carried them, were often in need of a detail strip, clean and lube to stay that way, which was more difficult on the little pistol than the bigger guns for me anyhow. I agree, they are sleek handsome pistols and I believe the Caddilac (OK, well maybe the BMW) of .380 pistols. Best of luck with yours.

June 24, 2025, 11:46 PM	#3
Shoots Left Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2024 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 131	Welcome to the P230SL owners club! Nice looking find. The one stainless magazine in your picture is a second generation P230 magazine and they go for up to $150 a piece on eBay, even more so on Gun Broker. I’m guessing that the one in the well is likewise? The black magazine looks like a ProMag. They’re the only reasonably priced game in town for spare mags for the 230. Some time ago I bought two to try out and they’ve functioned flawlessly. Bought two more and got to try them out at the range just today and again, flawless. There is/was another company that made magazines for the 230 but I don’t really know anything about them. Up until today I’ve only run hardball through mine since it is a ‘70s design. However, I picked up a half dozen boxes of Barnes TAC-X PD real cheap a while back and tried some out in the 230 today as well. My 230 cycled just fine with these hollow points as well. As previously mentioned these guys have reputation for being biters. So far mine has not bit the hand that feeds it (knocks on wood). Another thing is that mine has a really smooth and light DA pull. That was surprising. This is also the first firearm that I’ve owned that had a “dot the I” type of iron sights. I like 'em. I’m going to replace the sights on my TX22 and might look into something similar for that guy. Last thing, if I’m reading the proof mark correctly (KE), yours is a ’94 like mine. Good vintage. Enjoy!

June 25, 2025, 02:31 AM	#4
Capt Jack Member Join Date: October 9, 1998 Location: St Pete Beach Posts: 20	hello Shoots Left, I really appreciate your comments. The Sig mags may hit the auction market if the Promag is 100%. Thanks agaim!

June 25, 2025, 11:55 AM	#5
Capt Jack Member Join Date: October 9, 1998 Location: St Pete Beach Posts: 20	in further examination of my new to me P230, The de-Cocker moves the hammer to a half cock position. It’s not fully decocked, that’s a great feature for a lighter double action first shot. I’m liking this pistol more and more.

July 2, 2025, 07:49 PM	#6
Daveo5 Junior Member Join Date: July 1, 2025 Posts: 1	I picked up a blue steel P230 about six months ago box, instructions included. Also ordered a third party recoil replacement spring. I haven’t had to replace the original, yet.

July 3, 2025, 06:33 PM	#7
Super Sneaky Steve Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 2011 Posts: 1,332	I have a 232. The very last one sold in the US. It's one of the best looking pistols ever made.