[Karate]

I have a friend who is trying to decide between a PPK or a Sig 232...Please no remarks about how ineffective a .380 is...this is to be a back up gun...also he has narrow it down to just these two...so that leaves the Bersa out...I told him I would choose the 232 because I think the trigger is better(that is what I have)...he likes the fact that the PPK is a little smaller but he is really partial to Sigs...ultimately he knows that this will be his decision...but is trying to get as much information as he can...so cast your vote 232 or PPK

[10-Ring]

Of the two, I prefer the SIG....nicer trigger & ergos.

[yongxingfreesty]

same thing for me except the price. i see the ppks go for 400 at the gunshows and the sigs go fo 450. i like the two tone ppk.

[Cueball]

I would go with the SIG for reliability and ergonomics. I have a P230 stainless, which is the predecessor to the 232 and it has been 100% reliable with 1000's of rounds over 15 yrs or so

[Zeke Menuar]

Neither. Bersa Thunder 380. Having shot all three, I bought a Bersa and carry it every day.

If I must choose between the PPK and Sig 232. Sig wins. But comes in second to the Bersa.

That oughta stir things up a bit.

This is my opinion. Your opinion may vary.

ZM

[STAGE 2]

Sig gets the nod for a shooter, walther for deep concealment. Both are very accurate for guns of their size. Of course if he gets the 232, he'll never quite fulfill that Bond fantasy. I have both, love both and wouldn't part with either. In fact, I'm thinking of picking up another walther in .380

[The Good]

sig 232 is awesome. the light trigger makes it really fun to shoot. I love mine. Fairly low recoil and points well.

On the other hand ppk is in bond and the departed.

[Frisian]

Both are exc guns,

I would suggest the BLUE Sig 232 for first choice because it is made with an alloy frame and only weighs 17oz

Second if weight is not the deciding factor then its almost a flip of the coin.
The PPK is smaller overall, but the 232 has a bit better trigger.

To me the weight is THE factor so I would go with the Blue 232.
Otherwise there would not be much reason to not pick a sub-compact 9mm such as the Kahr P-9, or even the Kel-Tec as they are app the same size as the .380s.

I got my first PPK when I was 17, have had many since. I currently own 3.

Either way you'll have a fine gun. Good Luck!!

[grimjaw]

If I have to pick between the two, SIG. If I get another choice, CZ82. Half the money, higher capacity, decent trigger, cocked and locked capable, 9x18 Makarov caliber.

jm

[denfoote]

I already made that choice.
And the winner is.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v22/denfoote/PPKS001-1.jpg

Hint. It ain't the (cough gasp) Sig!!!

[weregunner]

Smith& Wessons version has some upgrade items to the Walther. Larger tang and larger grip area to stop the dreaded Walther bite or having the slide do a slice and dice on the hand. Other upgrade was the change so the gun will not fire if the hammer is accidently hit while at rest. Seems to have been a sore spot with older models. Inertia firing pins had nothing to stop forward progress if the hammer hit accidently as in a dropped gun, accidental brush or tap. SIGs have very good points too. Person's choice and it would be hard to make a bad one with these two pistols. Which ever fits the user best should be the pick.

[slicknickns]

The sig p230 and p232 are excellent guns. I fired on in .380, awesome. Make sure you friend knows that it's a heel magazine release though. My only question is which one is smaller?

[Karate]

I guess I should have stated in the beginning that Keltec 3AT and Bersa are already ruled out...he has narrowed it down to these 2 just based on personal perference.

[Protein anchor]

While I am not the friend you mention...I am deciding on the exact same pair of guns! I like the looks of both...the sig is a bit larger. The PPK seems to get mostly good reviews...I will wait it out and see what happens with this thread. Later, :D

[Marshall]

It depends how he plans on carrying it.

The Walther will conceal easier, it's smaller in all dimensions. The blued alloy Sig is a little lighter gun though. I would let your friend decide based on how he plans on carrying it since he's using it as a backup. If it was primary, I would go Sig.

[usp9]

The alloy Sig is a very good choice for a .380. No safety to fool with, just a long smooth DA first shot, followed by quick smooth SA shots. Both guns have fixed barrels so they are close in accuracy. Reliability points must go to the Sig, as the PPK has a history of jams. If I were to rate small frame .380s for carry it would be:
1 Sig P232
2 Berettas 84/85
3 Sphinx AT380
4 PPK
5 Bersa
6 CZ83

[mosttoyswins]

If your friend wants to say "Bond...James Bond..." when he picks it up, go with the PPK.

(Someone had to say it :neener: )

Personally I would go with the Sig.

[romma]

I picked the Sig, Because my Walther is in the shop so I am mad at it right now... We'll see how it runs when it comes back.

[TexasRifleman]

Neither. Bersa Thunder 380. Having shot all three, I bought a Bersa and carry it every day.

Truly, give it consideration.

Heck I even have SIG in my username and I skipped the 232 and bought a Bersa.

I'm a fan of all things Sig, but the Thunder .380 is just a fantastic piece, especially for the price.

[highlander 5]

never handled a Sig but I do own a Walther PP 32 acp i do carry it. Was a west germant police trade in paid $200 for it and I still kick myself for not buying more. Has fed everything I've put thru it

[TC-TX]

Neither. Bersa Thunder 380. Having shot all three, I bought a Bersa and carry it every day.

+1 - VERY SOUND ADVICE!!!

[GunNut]

Sig P232.

I have one right now and am very impressed.

If I can find a role for it in my CCW battery I may end up keeping it long term. If not, I really have no use for .380ACP when 9mm is cheaper to shoot and has less recoil.

Steve

[Steve C]

I have a Walther PPK/s in .380. I've shot my friends SIG and its a nice pistol but I wouldn't trade my Walther for his SIG.

[ugaarguy]

Karate, our votes don't mean anything because we're not your friend, and we don't have his hands. Both are fine firearms with great reputations. He needs to go to a gunstore, handle those two - along with other similar size & caliber guns, and see what fits him. In guns of this size going to a range and trying them out to see how they shoot for the individual is a also a vert good idea. Make sure there is no slide bite, hammer bite, rough edges or surfaces that hit him the wrong way. I harp on gun fit a good bit here because it's important. It's like clothing, are you going to spend several hundred dollars on suit because it looks good even if it doesn't fit you? Are you going to even spend a few bucks on a shirt just because it looks cool even if they don't have your size? Of course not. The fact that your life may hang in the balance of being able to shoot a gun quickly and accurately (not to mention what they cost) makes gun fit even more critical. I understand that you're trying to help your friend by asking our opinions. However, by getting him to answer basic questions like which guns fit my hand? Of the guns that fit, which ones work best with the way(s) I plan to carry it (i.e. pocket, ankle holster, IWB, etc.)? Of the guns that work based on the first two questions, which one(s) do I shoot accurately, quickly, and comfortably? Hopefully that will help you to help him make the best decision. Finally, Karate, your efforts to help your friend find a good weapon are admirable and honorable - keep up the good work sir.

[jerepowers]

Whereas I would take the Sig 232 over all of the other 380s listed, for the money you're talking about I would go with a Walther P-99 in 9mm. Weight is about the same and less than a half of an inch in length.

[JCF]

Sig for me... hands down. Faster target reaquisition, better reliability, less muzzle rise, less recoil, and more accurate. My only complaint is the awkward (to me) decocking lever.

[HorseSoldier]

Both are good, but I'd prefer the P-232.

[The Real Hawkeye]

Of the two, the Sig's better. I used to have the old P230, which is almost identical to the one you mention. That said, you should get a kahr P9. Lighter than either of those two. No larger dimensionally. Shoots the 9mm, which is much more potent than the .380. If the Sig were a single action with a 1911 style safety, I'd have to have one, though.

[osteodoc08]

Wife has a stainless P-230, the foreruner to the P232. It has been a great gun with minimal problems. The only problem we've had, I attribute to bum ammo. It has gone bang the last 1K rounds or so. Action is slick as goose, well you get the idea. It is also very accurate.

[Tom Servo]

...then, of course, there's the Makarov to consider.

Better caliber, built like a tank and cheap if you know where to look.

Not as purty as the Sig or the Walther, but it's got a better trigger than the PPK.