For the Wifey SIG P232 .380acp

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USMCDK

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I am thinkng about getting a p232 for the wifey. they are still made in Germany and sent here, but that might be changing, :scrutiny:I AM NOT SURE SO DON'T QUOTE ME ON THAT!!!:scrutiny: thank you...

It runs between $635-$795 (MSRP) depending what finish and sight you want.

I am thinkng the Alloy Frame with Black finish and 3 Dot Sights (around $635MSRP) and then having SIG install Night Sights on it instead. Maybe even buy some hogue grips for it too.

I think that the p232 would be a good choice for her to have as her HD/SD. I did look into the p239, :uhoh:, but it's top heavey (well for her it would be) and I know from shopping around for/with her, when we bought the walther, that heavey weapons are not in her forta. So I definitly think the p232 is the way to go on that one. She does have small hands, but some how manages to out fire me with my H&K USP 45 Full Size 12+1, and a single stack .38 oops sorry .380acp should be a good to go choice, right??? Any advise or opinions about that???
 
I'd make sure she has a chance to at least handle one, and if possible fire one. She may find out that:

1) She has a tough time racking the slide
2) Doesn't like the recoil of the .380 blowback action

There are also other potential options in 9MM that are either the same size or smaller than the P232 (Kahr, Walther PPS, etc.).
 
Nie gun, and a decent choice, although +1 to D-Man's comments about making sure that she gets the chance to take it out for a test-drive before you buy it. You may bring it home, neatly packaged and wrapped in ribbons, only to have her take it out to the range and find that she hates it. I did that once with a Taurus .38 special; she shot it twice, put it down, and never touched it again. :)
 
I have a couple of comments -

1) You can't add night sights to a non-NS P232. The front sight is part of the slide. Either you order the P232 SL (stainless), which comes with night sights - or - don't worry about nights.

2) make sure your wife can rack the slide on a P232 first.

3) Recoil on a P232 with the alloy frame is noticeably greater than a P239. The web of your hand will be sore after 50 rounds. So, you'll need to invest in another Sig to blow the hundreds of rounds downrange to become proficient.

With that said, my wife likes hers... it's shot a little and -finally- carried a decent bit.

I do have a P239 for her to practice with, which is easier and cheaper for her to put a ton of rounds downrange with.

P232_2.jpg
 
The 380s typically have more felt recoil than small 9mms. The blow back operation, light weight, and small grips add up to a surprising amount of recoil. If getting the smallest gun possible isn't your main concern, you might want to also consider a single stack 9mm like the Sig 239.
 
I hope that the mods and admins get my request to actually have that post moved onto this thread, so no biggie and thank you. I know I am fast I am only 25 and still have lead in my pencil. Sorry had tooo... :neener:.

Anyways to be all serious I will definitly take her down to the range and have her try racking it a couple of times to see if she can do it and have her fire it as well and see if she likes it. If all is good then I will buy her one.

As for the night sights :banghead: damnit you are right. But that's an easy fix I can just do like you suggest and order the other model that comes with them for a lil more $$$, but hey for SD it's better that way and better choice than the Walther p22 in that matter.

Thank you guys and keep the advice coming, and by all mean suggest other firearms... I'm really looking into the Sig because I could possible get the Sig for cheaper being a Sudo-employee here. MAYBE!!!
 
Maybe wait a bit for the Sig P250c? The biggest problem with this is it may be 3 - 6 months until we see it.
 
I know when it's going to come out and I was also keeping that in mind. I kinda also want the p250 full size .45 when it comes out and all the kinks are worked outta them.

Thank you though, but please don't forget I work at Sig Sauer in Exeter, NH.

Still thank you
 
Had a Bersa....

....and still have a Sig 232. The Bersa shoots well and racks easier than the Sig. For me the Sig shoots better, but racking the slide is much harder than the Bersa. My wife racked the Bersa easier. I believe the Sig shot a little better because it's all stainless, heavier than the alloy frame of the Sig. Sold the Bersa when I got the Sig. The Bersa had a carbon slide that would easily rust due to sweat ( Summer carry in a High Noon Tuckable), Where as the Sig was all stainless. When Bersa comes out with an all stainless model, or at least a stainless slide with their aluminum frame, I'm all over it. I actually prefered the controls on the Bersa over the Sig. If corrosion is not a problem I'd buy the Bersa. They really are quite a good buy for a good firearm.
 
They're both very comfy guns, and you won't make a BAD decision if you do end up considering this Sig and the Bersa. For me, the Bersa is an easier gun to grip, though (I have smallish hands), though I like the *look* of the SIg better.

You should update this thread with news of what you and your wife decide, and what factors dominated the choice.

timothy
 
The 232 has too many sharp edges ... not to mention the higher difficulty of racking the slide for someone with small hands and limited strength.

I got my wife the XD-9sc and she LOVES it.
 
I have a P232. I even carry it myself sometimes. I have the non-stainless alloy frame with nightsights. Great gun but as others have said, let her try one out first.

More than anything else, make sure she can rack the slide. In my experience with the women I have taken shooting the Glock 19 is the easiest one for them to rack the slide on. They are also pretty thin.
 
I was recommending a semi-auto for my wife and the Sig P232 was on the list. She had a hard time with racking the slide so SHE chose a revolver instead. Nice little S&W 642. I agree, let her try before you buy.
 
Y'all must have wimpy wives! :D

I just handed both my P230's to my wife and she had no troubles at all racking the slide, even with the hammer down, and shes 52, all of 5' 6", and 120 pounds.

too many sharp edges ...
Click to expand...
Are we taking about the same guns here? About the only thing I can find that might be considered "sharp" are the corners of the hammer and maybe the edge of the disconnector.

As for the 642's, I'd make sure she shoots a full box with what you intend to keep in it before she decides.(I would imagine this will be the deal breaker) I have a couple of them, and I cant take much more than a 50 round box at a session. They are hard on your hand and require a fair amount of steady practice to stay proficient with. They are not near a shootable as the P230's loaded with hot ammo. The DA triggers are also not as nice as the little SIG's.
 
Well I have to agree with you guys about having her try it out first. I wouldn't want her to have it and never use it, outside of the reason to have it SD/HD, when we want to go to the range and bust some caps. :neener: hey I am young and I can do that. LoL.

Anyways I will look into the Bersa Thunder380 as well but I sware that I will get the Sig P232 for cheaper.

Keep me posted guys, heck if you can give me other Sig alternatives... Remember I work here and they just might if I beg help me out a lil you know??? MAYBE??? *Sigh* I hope!!!
 
I'm another guy that had a Bersa and has a P232. I've purchased a total of four P232s, one NIB for $400 and three used...two at $315, and a stainless with Nill grips for $450. With the Bersa around $250 or so, the extra few dollars for the P232 is well spent IMHO. Good deals can be had on a nice P232.

I admit I'm biased toward the Sig. It is a classic design, with world class ergonomics, accuracy, ease of carry and concealment, and simple KISS controls. What more could you ask? The only other .380 I'd consider using as a CCW is the outstanding Beretta 84/85.
 
You and your wife may have had this discussion, for all I know. No judgement inferred, but I read what YOUR decisions are regarding what SHE wants.
It has been my experience that any decision I make for a woman in my life is not necessarily the decision she might have made for herself, and could become a source of, er, ah "irritation".
Again, I am ignorant of any discussion you and she may have already had, I'm just a guy with a lot of mileage advising what route on the map has (or hasn't) worked for me!
MM
 
As for the 642's, I'd make sure she shoots a full box with what you intend to keep in it before she decides.(I would imagine this will be the deal breaker) I have a couple of them, and I cant take much more than a 50 round box at a session.
Click to expand...

642's are not made for extended range sessions, but as carry pieces. My wife wears a shooting glove at the range for practice and typically puts about a half a box of standard pressure .38 Spl through it before switching to a different revolver for extended practice. God forbid if she ever had to use it I doubt she would even notice the recoil.
 
The first handgun my wife ever shot was my 642. She liked it and shot it fairly well. The she tried my Bersa .380 and couldn't shoot it--she kept limp wristing it and it jammed every other shot. (I've never had the gun jam once in several thousand rounds.) I had her try my CZ75 and she liked that, but she liked my Glock 26 even more. She had no trouble limp wristing either 9mm gun and found both easier to shoot than the .380. One day I had her try my Glock 36 and she shot it even better than she had shot the 9mm. She found the larger frame more controllable than the subcompact 26. So I had her try my Glock 21 and she liked that one even better, but it was a little too big. Still it was clear that she shot .45 ACP better than 9mm and much better than .380. She tried a Glock 30 and it turned out to be the perfect gun for her. She finds the low-pressure "whump" of a .45 ACP easier to control than the sharper 9mm and even sharper .380 blowback snap.

Short version: I assumed my wife would prefer to shoot a .380 but after many hours of actual experience it turns out that she's better off with a .45 ACP.

Moral of the story? Take the time to find out what she actually likes before you buy her what you think she'll want.
 
642's are not made for extended range sessions, but as carry pieces.
Click to expand...
True. But they do tend to require more practice to stay proficient with them. They are two totally different critters with wadcutters or standard ammo and the hotter self defense type ammo.
 
But they do tend to require more practice to stay proficient with them. They are two totally different critters with wadcutters or standard ammo and the hotter self defense type ammo.
Click to expand...

I don't think you'd notice the difference in a self defense situation. It kicks like heck no matter what's in it, but its very manageable. Much better than a lightweight snubby .357 magnum for sure. My wife is 5'4" and 105 lbs and she can handle it with +p just fine, she limps wristed every polymer semi auto she tried though and that's just not acceptable, therefore the revolver was the best choice.
 
As for speaking with my wife, I have and I also bought here that Walther p22, which together we looked at it, I didn't just do it behind her back type of thing. Same would go for the .380cal type firearm. I wouldn't mind finding her something in 9mm or even a bigger caliber if she feels more comfortable with it. Based on my experience taking her to the range and her shooting the walther and my HK (USP45 full size) I have come to realize that she is (she has said so herself) more comfortable with single stack and small light pistols, unlike the ones I prefer to shot (heavey, blocky, bigger calibered pistols.)

I really do appreciate (THANK YOU) your concern and consideration of my wifes opinion and the fact that you took the time to even say so. So henceforth i felt obliged to give you this response. Once again thank you and keep the advise coming boys and ladys if there are any posting!

USMCDK
 
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