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February 8, 2013, 03:50 PM | #1 |
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Why are Sig Pistols So Thick?
Why are Sig pistols so inherently thick? I picked up a Sig 232 a month or two ago and although it is a great gun, my SR9C carries just as easy if not easier than it. It's not just the 232, but pretty much every model Sig is a good deal thicker than competing guns from other companies.
The slide width on the 232 is very thin, but the grip is just as thick as a Sig 239. My SR9C grip, which is a double stack, is thinner than the Sig 232 even though the Sig is a single stack. Why make a pistol so slim only to make the grip disproportionately large? And how could a pistol with such a slim single stack mag possibly have a thicker grip than a double stack mag. The picture posted is the Sig with the factory plastic grips, if I posted a picture with the rubber Hogue grips they are actually a good deal thicker. As much as I like the Sig 232 it doesn't fill a role for me in my CCW rotation and will be getting sold for maybe a S&W BG380, if I can find one. |
February 8, 2013, 04:15 PM | #2 | |
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Quote:
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February 8, 2013, 04:20 PM | #3 | |
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Quote:
Last edited by Dragline45; February 8, 2013 at 04:25 PM. |
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February 8, 2013, 04:22 PM | #4 | |
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Quote:
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February 8, 2013, 04:29 PM | #5 |
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Well, the P230/232 was designed in 1977. It's pretty comparable to other designs from that time period. Almost all of SIG's current line-up was in fact designed prior to the 90's or was a modification of a design from that period. You could ask the same question of HK as well. This idea of making everything as small as it can possibly be is actually a pretty recent trend (with the exception of sub-caliber mouse guns of course). So comparing the P232 to a gun which was designed in 2010 is kind of like comparing a 1977 car to a modern car.
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February 8, 2013, 04:31 PM | #6 |
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Just a WAG but I believe the slides are reinforced for serious/heavy use. When pistol slides fail they break on the side where they twist under recoil. Sig P series and the 1911s have that extra piece of steel running down the slide. As for the grip on your P232 I believe that is just for the shooter. Better grip, the gun is meant to be shot.
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February 8, 2013, 04:33 PM | #7 |
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Ok, sorry if I am missing something, but since the Ruger is a poly-gun the grips can simply be molded into the frame which makes the overall grip thinner.
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February 8, 2013, 04:37 PM | #8 | |
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David the Gnome, I get what you are saying and it makes a whole lot of sense, but Sig could release MUCH thinner grips for the gun to keep up with the demand for small concealable guns. Instead they went the complete opposite direction and now ship them with even thicker Hogue rubber grips.
And even though the gun was designed in the 70's, it was modeled after the PPK. Which even tho it is an older design, and uses the same width mags, it has a much thinner grip than the 232, or even the SR9C for that matter. Quote:
Last edited by Dragline45; February 8, 2013 at 04:50 PM. |
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February 8, 2013, 04:48 PM | #9 | |
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Anyway, it won't change the current situation. Could always call SIG and voice your opinions to them too.
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Know the status of your weapon Keep your muzzle oriented so that no one will be hurt if the firearm discharges Keep your finger off the trigger until you have an adequate sight picture Maintain situational awareness |
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February 8, 2013, 04:53 PM | #10 |
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Sigs are built. Holding one lets you realize you have a substantial piece in your hand, and a gun that is meant to shoot and shoot and shoot....
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February 8, 2013, 07:13 PM | #11 |
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I carry full size service pistols.I am carrying a Sig P226 9mm dailey concealed with no problems what so ever.I prefer full size service pistols and have no use for pocket pistols except for a back up piece and then I prefer J frame revolvers.
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February 8, 2013, 09:25 PM | #12 | |
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As far as J frames, I carried a model 60 and 640 for 3 years and currently don't carry either. I shoot auto's better and conceal them easier. |
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February 8, 2013, 10:08 PM | #13 |
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Thickness of guns really only means something for concealed carry.
Concealed carry is a relatively recent phenomena, and an American one at that. A German/Swiss company with their mainstay products designed when disco was king obviously not going to be on the forefront of that. Now, even their newer designs (I'm a fan of the P250) are still pretty thick. I'm guessing they weren't designed with concealed carry in mind. Now, the P238 and P938 are obviously a different story, but their time honored metal framed guns are heir to a different line of thinking. It isn't all that long that we've been seeing an emphasis on semi auto platforms designed expressly for concealed carry, and it looks to me like it's really the American companies taking the lead in that market segment. |
February 9, 2013, 11:07 AM | #14 |
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Get a set of P230 plastic grips on EBay. They are much thinner and better for CCW. The P232 grips are swelled for grip comfort.
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February 9, 2013, 11:47 AM | #15 | |
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Compared to recent CCW-specific designs, I find it readily apparent that ALL of these pistols were designed with a greater emphasis on easy operation and comfortable shooting, and a lesser emphasis on minimizing dimensions and eliminating protrusions.
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February 10, 2013, 04:01 PM | #16 |
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Metal vs poly - Sigs have some level of machining, poly..... well its a mold
Personally I prefer the metal, but I do own and enjoy both.
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February 10, 2013, 05:25 PM | #17 |
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The P232 wasn't designed with concealed carry in mind. It was designed as a service sidearm with law enforcement in mind. The gun was widely used for that in Europe and parts of Asia. Very popular in Japan for years as a service sidearm.
It's true the current Hogue grips are thicker than the original style grips. The gun is overall, meaning in all dimensions, larger than the Walther PPK (which was built with concealed carry in mind) or the PP. It's larger than the old Colt M1903. Aftermarket grips will help this though. Thinner grips can be found. There is only one answer to the existential question "Why is it this way?" It's that way cuz that's how they built it. It's how they wanted it. If you don't like it get thinner aftermarket grips. The 232 is a very good gun nowdays for the same size we can get a 9mm. Not as comfortable for all to shoot though. tipoc |
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