Sig P232 opinions?

[Grayfox]

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.

 

[BloodyThumb]

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?

 

[LoboGunLeather]

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.

 

[Erich]

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.

 

[CH4]

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.

 

[jframejoey]

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.

 

[wx7b]

Small 9mm of the same size will recoil the same and provide better protection. I recommend the 938, but 365, Glock 43/48, Kahr K9, CW9 or Hellcat would be good.

 

[Ingramite]

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.

 

[LVSteve]

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.

 

[GeoJelly]

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.

 

[fordson]

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.

 

[bgrafsr]

I like them.



Here's my 232:

And my 230:

 

[ColbyBruce]

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.

 

[DTH]

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

 

[Grayfox]

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.

 

[Aggie1906]

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.

 

[peterGun]

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.


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[Grayfox]

Well I'm afraid I'm letting my own gun prejudices show here. I'm an old fashioned metal and hammer kinda guy. Don't like plastic or striker fired guns. Absolutely hate Glocks.
But, I want her to have what's best for her. If it turns out to be a piece of plastic, then so be it.

 

[rjroberts]

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.

 

[xfarfuldog]

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.

 

[Guevera]

Funny this should come up as the SIG P232 has become my daily carry - and there are several other things I could choose. A beautiful, reliable and accurate pistol, the P232 carries beautifully in a Ryan Grizzle holster.

Sure, there are smaller, higher capacity 9mms I could carry, but this feels great in the hand and the sights are perfect for my purposes. I have high confidence in this SIG and that counts for much.

I have to caution any prospective buyer that magazine prices have become insane since this model was unfortunately, discontinued.

 

[peterGun]

Well I'm afraid I'm letting my own gun prejudices show here. I'm an old fashioned metal and hammer kinda guy. Don't like plastic or striker fired guns. Absolutely hate Glocks.
But, I want her to have what's best for her. If it turns out to be a piece of plastic, then so be it.

Buy the Sig for yourself then get her something a little more current production for SD[emoji16]


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[BAM-BAM]

If you can find a lock breach .380 it would be easier to rack..... old Colt Mustang or Pocket lite.......mod version the Sig P238..... P938 in 9mm

I've no experience with the Sigs but have had my Colt Pocket lite for 2 or 3 decades..................

 

[guskody]

hello Grayfox,

would you instead consider a 3rd gen S&W such as a 3913 or 6906?

i think the slide is pretty easy to rack and the decocker serves as a bit more handle.

9mm advantages over the Sig 232/230

heavy enough to help with recoil and likely small enough profile to fit her hands.

 

[Grayfox]

The plan was to just give her something out of my collection. And since I'm attracted to this Sig for myself, I'd let her have it if she likes it.
With the current state of the market, I'm not sure what would be available for purchase or even if she'd like anything out there. We shall see.

 

[BloodyThumb]

Around here, you can buy 380's again. I am hearing that MOST of the prospective buyers who look at them are rank newbies, or at least relative newbies, and since nobody has ammo, when they get in something in 380 it has been staying around. Less so with 9's etc. as a good percentage of more experience shooters (with ammo at home) are snatching those up.

Just the weekend at a shop very close to home, he had several G42s, Bersa, and the little SIG single action in 380. No G43s, no P365s, no G19s etc. etc. He had 9mm 115gr ball bargain priced at $30 with a limit of one, but not a round of 380 in the house. He said that one good thing that came from all this is that he sold some CorBon high dollar 380 that had been collecting dust for a while and right now he would take more of it if he could get it.

That's just around here... may be different where you are.

 

[Grayfox]

I went and looked at the gun this morning. I looked it over carefully. Finish is about 98% with just a few minor handling marks. Gun has been shot very little and shows it. It feels very good in my hand and points naturally.
Two cons: The 12 year old night sights are dead and the previous owner boogered up the grip screws a bit. I can clean up the grip screws. I've never been much for night sights anyway. I will say that even dead, these are some of the best sights I've ever seen on a pocket pistol. Low profile, but still extremely well defined and easy to pick up.
It also came with the box, manual, a set of rubber grips and a total of three factory magazines.
I bought it.

Unfortunately, its currently 35 degrees and cloudy. I won't offer it to my D-I-L until I have a chance to shoot it and confirm operation and reliability for myself. So that my be a little while.

 

[ken158]

Once the Sig bites her hand the first time... well, you know what will happen. Now, I am not a Glock fan but the 42 or a S&W EZ380 would be my pick over the Sig.

 

[BloodyThumb]

It wasn't TOO long ago I saw replacement OEM grips screws at Numrich. At the time they had blue and SS. IIRC about $4 each.

Just FYI

 

[GaryHK]

I've had both the blue and ss versions as well as the older w germany issues p230sl.

Pros
It's a great gun with excellent ergonomics
Points naturally
Thin profile
Superb quality and fit/finish

Cons
Other than being thin, a bit large for a 380
Very snappy due to being fixed barrel blowback
Not everyone likes the heel release
Poor suppressor host