SIG P230 .380 (video included for any interested)

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I've really gotten to love this little gem. My initial impressions were that the recoil was quite painful... but this was when I was a teenager and my dad let me shoot it with hot handloads.

Later I shot it with standard ball ammo and still thought it stung my hand more than it had a right to, but now I seem to have gotten used to it.

For a while I had Thailandish sandalwood grips on it, but after a while the right side triger bar spring or whatever wasn't working/resetting correctly, so I put the OEM grips back on. They fill the hand better anyway.

Since mine is the blued/Alloy framed variant I wonder if a stainless-framed one or P232 would perhaps recoil less, but since this is primarily a range/plinking pistol for me, and I mostly shoot my handloads, it probably doesn't matter.

I'm really starting to like it. :cool:



Range video for any interested

http://youtu.be/-IluIGCpANY
 
Big Sig 230/232 fan here too. I've got both the alloy and stainless Sigs. If there's a difference in recoil, then it isn't significant enough to count IMHO. What is the magazine seen at the beginning of the video on the far right?
 
Interesting, thanks. I haven't shot a stainless one. I have shot steel/stainless Walther PPKs and remember them being pretty snappy also.
 
I currently own a 230 that is from right about the same period as yours based upon the slide serration style. This is my second 230, my first owned back in the Eighties sold and followed by a 232, and now back to a 230. Both of my 230's were/are alloy frames. My 232 was the all stainless model. And yes, the recoil with the 230 is significantly reduced with the weight of the steel frame. While the weight reduces recoil (and most likely muzzle jump) the alloy frame results in a gun that is lighter for carry. When I decided to get rid of my 232 it was to get back to the lighter weight of the 230 alloy. Yes, the gun has some snap, but nothing that I find to be objectionable.

Eventually I hope to add the elusive 230/232 in .32 ACP.
 
I was just about to recommend the 230 in 32 when I noticed someone talks about the "elusive 32". I have a SS 230 and two blue in 380 and 1 blue 32 - all sweeet guns...and I have a set of those factory wood grips too - but haven't decided which baby should wear them!;)
 
I have a P-232 SL and I love it.

It is the softest shooting blow-back .380 I have ever fired.
Due no doubt to the hand filling gips.

I wish they were thinner for CCW.
But they sure are comfortable on the range.

I sold a Walther PPK/s after getting the SIG.
It was that much more comfortable to shoot, as well as more accurate!
The PPK/s was a real hand spanker compared to the P-232.

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rc
 
Are the wood grips factory? I assume they were made by Nill?
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Nill grips sold by Sig. You see them for sale now and again.

What is the magazine seen at the beginning of the video on the far right? Not a normal P230 mag by the looks of it.
 
I also, have 4 Sig 232's all stainless. I use one for carry at times, the others are staged around the house. Great pistols, for sure. I purchased one for the wife, but she has trouble racking the slide. We were at the range and she saw my S&W 15-4 with a 2" barrel. She wanted to shoot it and did she do well! She told me, this is mine now.
 
usp9 said:
What is the magazine seen at the beginning of the video on the far right? Not a normal P230 mag by the looks of it.
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I'm not sure. It has the typical SIG zipperback/welds but is open on the sides. No Sig Sauer stampings/marks. Any info appreciated.

It works flawlessly but I don't recall ever seeing one like it for the P230. It came with the pistol when my dad gave it to me.
 
I have to smile when people say that the .380 has snappy or painful recoil. It took me just 5 shots from a S&W .500 mag to have no complaints about any other handguns recoil. Personally I never felt any .38 spl/9mm or smaller cartridge had much recoil. The heaviest recoiling caliber I personally own is a .41 mag and it is generally quite manageable in my S&W 57's along with one Ruger Blackhawk though I prefer the guns wear hand filling rubber grips rather than wood.

I've always liked the appearance of the Sig P230's, reminds me of the Mauser HSc's. I've shot my friends stainless p230 and it does well though I shoot my Walther PPKs a little better on paper but that's probably because of over 25 years of familiarity with it.
 
I have a Sig P-232 with the molded rubber grips. It is one of the more comfortable small framed guns for me to shoot because it has very good balance. Good shooting, is that range about 40' to the targets?
 
I have to smile when people say that the .380 has snappy or painful recoil.
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Well, it's all relative. And, folks perceive/deal with recoil differently. One thing that is obvious to me is that the alloy frame has more snap than the steel frame. I have heard the recoil of the alloy frame described as excessive. To me it is just what I would call "lively". The stainless frame is comparatively smooth. Much has to do with the 230/232 being a straight blowback design. In terms of snap for me the alloy frame has more than my 9mm P290.
 
I agree; after shooting a S&W .500 mag, recoil doesn't bother me much. I actually like shooting my little LCP .380.
 
I agree; after shooting a S&W .500 mag, recoil doesn't bother me much. I actually like shooting my little LCP .380.
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For me it was a Raging Bull in 454 Casull.

One way or the other I'm darn glad that have my 230. It is the only .380 that I currently own. I'm thinking about re-acquiring a PPK/S in .380 (due to crazy prices of them in .32) which to me is much more like the 230/232 than the PPK.
 
I like my SIG P230 just fine. I got it as extra boot thrown in on a trade. It has since become one of my favorites.

I've got original factory plastic grips on it now. Like'em better than the Eagle wood ones pictured.

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How does the Sig 232's recoil feel compare to that of a snappy, original Polish P-64?
Two friends use these as primary CCWs.

The reason our range in Bartlett TN can't rent out their 232 is because for over six months the Sig factory won't send them the spare parts.

Maybe Sig demo guns are forgotten by the factory and service is normally very bad?
This was the info provided by staff at the indoor range/shop.
 
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How does the Sig 232's recoil feel compare to that of a snappy, original Polish P-64?
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IMHO, the difference is in the grip...the Sig handles recoil a bit better, due to the palm filling, full grip. The P64, normally a 9mmMak round, is of course a tad bit more powerful, and should feel "snappy". The Sig has several grips available and I'd say the Hogue soft polymer grips really aid in reducing felt recoil the best. The finger bumps and grippy material make the gun feel joined to your hand. Worth a look.
 
One of my favorite guns

The SIG 232 in .380ACP with the aluminum frame is one of my favorite carry guns. The recoil is heavier than the steel framed guns, but the lighter weight is worth it for me.

I had the SIG 230 in 9m.m. POLICE/ULTRA. It was a police trade and I really liked shooting it. So when I came across a SIG 232 lightweight model with NIGHT SIGHTS, I did not hesitate.

The 232 is one of the most accurate pocket guns I have ever shot. The non-finger grip stocks fit my hand to a t and the smooth double action allows easy transition from double action to single action.
I usually carry it in a pocket holster with a spare mag on the opposite side.
The only ammo that it is not 100% with is FEDERAL Hydra Shok. I am going to try out some of the COR BON DPX ammo. If I can get a balance of penetration with expansion, I will be very happy.

Jim
 
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