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Sig P232 opinions?

Grayfox

Grayfox

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Sunday I'm going to look at a P232. Never owned or shot one, but have heard great things about them. What I have in mind for it is giving it to my daughter-in-law. She and my son have varying work schedules and she's often home at night alone. His P220 is a bit big for her. I think she needs a gun of her own. Now she's a good sized woman. Not huge, but not dainty either. Average size hands.
So my questions are do y'all think she will be able to rack the slide OK? Is the recoil so sharp that she might not like to shoot it? General thoughts about the gun and its use by a woman?
I'm probably going to buy it regardless. If she don't like it, I'll just keep it for myself.
 
My favorite .380. My only problem with it is that it IS in fact a .380... but I understand your reasoning. There was a time when if you wanted to carry a backup on duty, it was on your nickel, AND it HAD to be a P230, or P232. Very nice little guns.

IMO though your concerns are valid. It is a blowback pistol, so it has a recoil spring of appropriate strength. Both the spring and the recoil snap are a bit stout, again, considering it is a 380.

I have a Kahr P380 now that I use occasionally as a third gun in a special undershirt tucked neatly almost all the way up in my armpit. I like the SIG much better, but the Kahr is tiny and locked breech. Even in that little gun the snap is not nearly as snappy.

On the other hand, my ex shot the P232 pretty well, and she was a pretty small girl.

It's all relative. The recoil is NOT really bad, but it is snappy.

How's that for trimming both side of the fence? :-)
 
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What BloodyThumb said, exactly.

Great pistols, accurate, very ergonomic grip, easy to shoot well. Very stout recoil spring. Recoil is "snappy" and then some.

I will add one thing: Be very careful not to use a high grip on the Sig P232. The cycling of the slide will rip strips of skin from the web of your hand.
 
I had a high opinion of the P230/232s back when I sold guns, but I have to say mine was the only unreliable SIG-Sauer I've ever owned. They're large for the caliber, too. Whether it'll work for your d-i-l (racking, recoil) is something you'll just have to see: over the past 35 years I've been astonished at how individual abilities of folks I've taught vary, despite what their athleticism or size would tend to imply.
 
Great pistol! I carried one for many years as police chief when wearing a suit. Well made, reliable and nice looking, to my eye. Like other direct blow back .380s, they’re a little snappy.
 

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Early P230/P230SL s are some of my favorite carry guns. I have four and only let my fifth (which was actually my first) go as a gift to my best friend. I tend to carry heavy for caliber loads to make up for it being only .380. I like 102 grain golden sabers 100 grain Sig brand fmjs for winter and I have a box of vintage 95 grain Winchster SXTs for summer. Two separate FFL buddies have stated Sig employees considered the 230 platform one of their most accurate guns. Even if you don't carry it that much you wont regret adding it to you collection.
 
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I have no idea how the OP is fixed for .380 ammo but it might be a minute well spent to look at pricing and availability right now.
Make an informed decision. I can't believe it.
 
The Sig 232 is just another blowback 380 with a strong recoil spring making it a curse to rack for many and snappy recoil. I have a severe dislike for blowback 380s, and the Sig 238 and the 380EZ work far better in my experience.

If the 220 has too large a grip for your daughter in law, then there are any number of 9mm pistols that should be a better fit.
 
I also managed to acquire a P232 and a couple of P230’s down through the years. Mine see almost zero use - I picked up all but one of them many years ago when I was living in Germany. I keep them mostly as collectibles since I doubt they will ever drop in price. I do carry a .380 often but it’s a Ruger LCP2. Much easier to rack, recoil is tolerable, 100% reliable for me, lighter, and easier on the wallet. Last but not least, watch out for any parts breakage on the SIG’s as parts are close to unobtainium and the (factory) mags are ridiculously expensive.
 
I have the Sig P232 and a Bersa 380. As others have said, the P232 is a fine, classy, well made high quality firearm. Really like it, but I seldom carry it. I carry the Bersa more. The one thing I dislike about the P232 is the European heal placed mag release. It takes two hands and eleven fingers to drop the mag, not good for a high stress reload situation. My wife could not rack the Sig, so she didn’t care for it.
 
I like them.



Here's my 232:
dNTkULF.jpg



And my 230:
XCHe0Cql.jpg
 
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I gave my son a P230 and bought myself a P232. I preferred the P230, and sold my P232 after comparing it to my S&W 3953. People ask big money for these models in my area. A used magazine will run $50.00 or more and other parts are scarce. A Glock 43 or a S&W Shield might be a better choice.
 

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Please take a serious look at the Sig 365xl for a same size gun as the P232. It is 9mm , 12 rounds ,same recoil as the blow back . In my area .380 ammo is nonexistent or selling for as much as $90 at the LGS. Or you can’t go wrong with a 9mm Shield
 
Ammo isn't an issue. I have several 380s of my own, reload for the caliber, plenty of range ammo and have several boxes of good defense loads on hand.
The plan is that when the weather is better, I'm going to let her handle a number of guns, see what suits her and have a range day. I want her to have the best gun for her.
This P232 just came up for sale and I thought it might be a good candidate for her. And like I said, if she doesn't like it, I'll just keep it for myself. ;)
 
I have the 230 in black, aluminum and lighter than the stainless.
Elegant gun, based on the Walther PP. Not that small, not that easy, not that powerful. All those things. Was a good ladies gun back then, but newer, easier ones are out there. Yes, I am in agreement. Keeping mine.
 
I had one and found it very accurate and quality was top notch, but the DA trigger was stiff almost to the point of excessive.

If you’re serious about providing her a good SD gun buy a G42, if the brand and material used in gun is more important buy the Sig because it’s a quality piece that’s worth owning.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I've been looking at/researching them, and ColbyBruce said it. Genuine factory mags are expensive and parts are like hen's teeth. Springs are not a problem, Wolf does them. But, try to find a firing pin. Stuff happens, and you don't want to have an expensive paperweight.

Look at Glock 42 or a Sig P365.

Since you are looking for something small, when you get a short list together, look at handgunhero.com, which compares the dimensions.

My search still goes on, as I've been trying to condense "systems". My core is a 629-4, a 69, and a Henry carbine, which should tell you what I think of recoil. But, I wanted a compact EDC, ideally pocket. So my 9mm or other 380 goes, and the one that's left will serve.

Others have mentioned ammo. That wasn't a consideration as i have ammo for it. The type of ammo us critical for effectiveness.

You might want to look at an M&P Shield in 9mm.

Good luck.
 
I got my set of 'railroad tracks' from my first PPKS. I will echo what others have said about the Sig 230 series. Excellent guns but the 380 recoils much more than you would think. I'd suggest having her shoot or at least handle one.

A few years ago I went through this problem with my daughter. She moved to another city 50 miles away. She wanted a home gun for protection. I ended up purchasing several guns which she didn't like. Those purchases included a Magnum Carry, Browning BDA 380, Sig P230,and others. I took her shooting one last time and she chose a Glock 17. Go figure.

She shot the Glock very well. The price of 9 seems much cheaper than 380 and recoil pulse is comparable. With today's prices you cannot afford to go purchasing several guns for her to try out. At least let her handle several. My vote would be the Shield in 9mm or Sig 239.
 
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