blue, two-tone, or stainless (p232)

[jlh26oo]

Blue & two-tone weigh 5 oz less than the S.S. model, but the blue slide will be less resistent to holster wear and environment. The two-tone model seems to be best of both worlds, because it's lighter yet slide is S.S. for wear resist. This would be a no-brainer, except I'm not big on the looks of two-tone. So I'm thinking I should just get the all S.S. model, considering we are talking about the "heavy" one weighing 25 oz loaded (vs. 20 oz alloy frames) vs. having to worry about maintaining a blue finish or getting used to two-tone. Thought I could do that with a Kahr, and I never did.

Thoughts?





B.T.W. it looks like current production S.S. models are now coming with rubber hogues. I think I prefer the older, hard plastic style- are they easily obtainable/swappable?

 

[usp9]

Any of the three are acceptable, however, IMHO, dark guns hide better. If this is a dedicated carry gun then I'd pick the blued model, and not worry about the finish. Carry guns take abuse and wear, even stainless ones. The exception to that would be if you live in a saltwater/Coastal area, then stainless may be better.

Those extra ounces add up over time. In my Galco Fletch, the blued P232 I carry is almost weightless, absolutely the easiest, most comfortable gun I have to carry. If you plan to shoot the gun a lot, then the stainless model may be better as the extra weight translates into softer recoil (a little).

When I go to the Inaugural Ball in January, I will of course take my "dress up, white tie and tails" Sig P232 Rainbow Titanium, in special honor of the occation. :banghead:

 

[bp78]

I could sell you my P230 stainless.

Wonderful pistol, quality second to no other 380acp in my opinion.

Blowback 380 recoil, it being a hefty little pistol, and I reload 9mm not .380 have me in the market for a kahr 9mm of similar size.

I vote for the blued version.

 

[krs]

You gotta' have the stainless because it's what makes the pistol a classy looker (due regards to the rainbow trout).

The blued 230-232 looks much like a Makarov so if that's your preference you're better off WITH a Makarov for a cheaper and more powerful pistol.

This has nothing whatsoever to do with my love affair with my own stainless 232 that I've laboriously smoothed and polished the slide for so it would no longer suffer the indignity of raised up rollstampings, nope, nothing at all.....

If, when you buy yours and you want to trade Hogues for the Sig hard plastic, contact me. Mine was supposed to have the Hogues and nightsights but arrived from Bud's with hard plastic and contrast sights. I bitched and they refunded $100. rather than have me return the pistol. I didn't want night sights anyway because I think they're a waste of space.

 

[benderx4]

Without a doubt, the stainless.

Bp78, you really selling the 230?

 

[heavyshooter]

jlh26oo,

I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU POSTED THIS QUESTION TODAY!!! My next purchase will be a SP232. It will be my carry weapon (I struggled between the Ruger LCP, NAA Guardian, and SIG SP232). I have a larger hand so the SIG won out. The next debate I had was which SP232 to get. I had a conversation with some friends today and they said exactly what usp9 said.

I prefer the blued (slide and frame) version because of its looks, concealability, and weight. But I had the same concern about holster wear. When I see used SIGs (even the factory referbs) they are in perfect shooter condition but they look as though they have been to war (pun intended). I decided that the weight had to the deciding factor because if it is too heavy I will leave it at home (5oz. adds up really quickly). I am getting the blued one and I will just allow the potential marks to be badges of honor. As usp9 said, the carry gun gets abused.

Heavy

 

[jlh26oo]

I can't beleive everyone is backing me up in my battle against logic- we're all looks-first. H.S. we are both accepting durable finish and flyweight as if they were mutually exclusive options, when they are both available in the two-tone. Not saying I'm getting one, but you have to rule it out considering it's the best of blue & S.S. It demands the recognition to be eliminated at least, I just hate I'm doing so purely on the basis of looks.

I don't mind a C.C.W. not staying perfect, but living on the G.C. where the blue is gone I'm immediately in the danger-zone, so environment maybe a bigger consideration for me re: blue.

two-tone has both functional advantages but is ugly
blue and S.S. look good but sacrifice one functional advantage

 

[heavyshooter]

jlh26oo,

I am perfectly willing to admit that I am making my ultimate decision based on sexy looks, but it is not the only means by which I decided. I agree with usp9 in that the black will probably be easier to conceal. This eliminated the two-tone for me. I may have come to that conclusion based on a hunting experience. If I had been thinking, I would have purchased a blued Ruger GP100 as my trail sidearm because the stainless is an attention getter on a sunny day (it has scared a deer out of my vacinity before). In addition to that, eventually the black may be uglier than the stainless due to wear and tear. So in the long run, looks will not matter.

Having said all that, you have to admit that the black is pretty darn sweet.

 

[jlh26oo]

Yeah no question that it and the all S.S. versions look the best vs. two-tone. But if you really believe that S.S. is harder to conceal under cover, then that is a functional reason itself. I personally don't, but that's the exact type of F.B. I was looking for here, thanks. I'm trying to keep an open mind about all three, and which is the lesser of three liabilities: 1. Finish 2. Weight or 3. Aesthetics.

 

[heavyshooter]

jlh26oo,

Are you having trouble finding a SP232. I have been trying to track one down and none of my trusted shops have any in stock. In fact, they are unable to tell me when it is available because SIG does not work directly with vendors.:banghead: If you find one in you neck of the woods let me know. Maybe I can do a mail order.

Heavy

 

[AK103K]

The blue finish on the SIG's is pretty durable. I have two P230's, one of which has seen a lot of time in and out of a holster, and its held up better than most other blued guns I've carried.

The gun in the top pic and on the bottom in the second pic, is the same one. You can see the wear and tear from quite a few years of fairly regular carry, often just stuck in my waistband or pocket without a holster.

 

[moooose102]

i personaly like the two tone effect. just a matter of taste, and weight.

 

[jlh26oo]

Finally someone who admits an appreciation for two-tone. The logic is unavoidable, but I just can't get away from either the all blue or all S.S. look. Then between those two, if I can justify 5 oz from alloy to S.S. frame, why not 5 more again, back to p239 weight. I think for me, it's going to have to be all blue to justify the .380 sacrifice. I just hope the finish holds up around here as well as it has for A.K. 103 and U.S.P. 9.


H.S. I've always noticed them at the shops around here, but haven't verified stock lately. I doubt the latest hysteria is affecting these too much (along with revolvers, 1911's, etc), but you never know. Even if demand has not increased at all for them specifically, considering shops are selling rifles faster than they can get them, they are probably not too motivated to move stuff like this. Anyways, I know there are plenty out there online, if you want to go that route. Ones with N.S.'s seem tougher to find, and in that regard it looks like two-tone has the advantage as well (availability and even seems to be priced lower)!

:banghead:

 

[jlh26oo]

It's funny, I see different versions of the two-tone out there. Black trigger like on sig's site (and in the O.P.), but lots on auctions etc. like this-

 

[usp9]

Did you see these recent threads?
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=408226

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=406885

 

[jlh26oo]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=408226

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=406885

Yeah but that top link IS this thread! Seriously, I've been reading lots of archived P232 threads (but thanks for the links U.S.P.)! I went and looked at a blue one yesterday morning. I'll probably wait until I've seen a S.S. in person first at least (and hopefully I don't run across any T.T.'s in the meantime)./

 

[usp9]

Oops.

It was supposed to go here :banghead: ;
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=5106309#post5106309

There, now they are all linked.

 

[bp78]

benderx,

I'm not really actively trying to sell it now, but would certainly entertain trade offers:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=318921

The P230 stainless is pretty, it just never gets shot or carried - stuck in between a beat-up j-frame and a flock of 1911s.

 

[krs]

I use my SS 232 as a pocket pistol - in my winter coat pocket.

Bud's price on the gun, listed as NS and Hogue grips, was $532. I got lucky that their shipping dept. didn't look in (or at) the box and they sent no nightsights or Hogues and gave me $100. back when I whined about it making my out of pocket $432. total. (My FFL guy doesn't charge me, Bud's ships free, and there's no tax applied)

Hogues can be found for as little as $14. for the rubber kind so don't anyone let that be a dealbreaker if hard plastic arrives. Apparently Sig is somewhat haphazard in their configurations.

 

[MAKster]

How much of an affect does the extra 5 ounces on the stainless model have on the recoil? I've found light 380s to have a lot of recoil.

 

[hemiram]

I personally would go with the SS for the weight alone, but the other advantages make it a no brainer.

 

[AK103K]

My P230's have much less felt recoil than my steel PPK/S did, and are much nicer to shoot with. (they also dont draw blood) I havent shot a SS P230/P232, but as nice as the 230 is to shoot, I would imagine that the SS is even easier on you, other than carrying the extra weight.

I usually shoot my P230 a couple of times a month, using my hot reloads, and I have no troubles shooting a couple of hundred rounds at a time.

 

[KevininPa]

Stainless.

I like the stainless model since it's my summer ( and often winter ) carry. Extra weight is not a bother since it still weighs far less than my tool belt.