I just picked up a SIG 230SL

[mesinge2]

I have wanted a 380 for years just to have a 380; I doubt I'll ever carry it. I had a PPK, Bersa, and a Walther PK380 and I disliked them all.

I have always heard that the SIG 230 is the best of the bunch.

This will be my last attempt to like the .380 ACP cartridge.

Just from dry firing I can already tell you that the DA trigger is better than any 380 handgun I have yet tried.

Going to the range today!!

 

[KevininPa]

Congrats!

The Sig 230/232 SL is the Cadillac of .380s. I have the 232SL myself. It replaced my Bersa (which IMHO is a fine firearm for its price range). The weight of the stainless really soaks up recoil. Love the grips on yours, factory or aftermarket? Mine is one of the more accurate pistols I own. Used to be my EDC for the longest time. It got replaced (for carry, still own it) by an Astra A70 which is almost the same size though a tad bulkier. Still wear it on occasion. Have fun with that piece!

 

[ahenthus]

I love my Sig P230. I had to check mine to see if it had sl on it. It has P230 but is not an sl. Could that mean stainless? Mine also has Exeter, NH rather than Georgia, VT. Both were made in W. Germany. What is the difference in the VT vs NH designations (other than the obvious)? My 9mm Kurz is blued with the original plastic grips. BTW, your P230sl is beautiful, the grips look great.

 

[mesinge2]

Thanks, guys. The grips are Kingswood Hogue Exotic hardwood. And the SL does mean stainless.

I can't wait to get to the range!

 

[usp9]

I have a hunch you're going to like the Sig. I had mine to the range just this week for a little fun time. A very easy gun to shoot well. Your 230 should have the all steel mags. I wish they still made them that way.



For nicer comfort and less recoil, I really like the rubber Hogue grips seen on this blued alloy model. Makes for a gentler range day IMHO.

 

[Chuck R.]

I've owned my 230SL since "95", been flawless. Actually got set up to reload for it. Remarkably accurate little gun. Used to own 4 SIGs at one time and the little 230SL is the only one I've kept. Don't carry it anymore as it's been replaced by a Walther PPS-9; about the same size, lighter and in 9mm. Don't think I'll every part with it though.



Chuck

 

[mesinge2]

Your 230 should have the all steel mags.

It does. I like the look!

I also like the look for your blued model.

 

[nathan]

Its elegant design is quite beautiful.

 

[bannockburn]

A friend d of mine had one a few years ago. After trying it out I likened it to being the Rolex of .380 autos. Impeccable fit and finish and extremely close tolerances really set this gun apart.

 

[Storm]

You will appreciate the added weight with the SL version. I had an alloy framed 230 back in the Eighties in .380. I found it a bit snappy but very manageable. I got rid of it and regretted it. Six or so years ago I replaced it with a 232SL. Being all stainless I found it to be a much smoother shooting gun than my original alloy frame. No surprise there. The problem was that I missed the old lighter 230 so I sold the 232SL and am now one again back to an 80's alloy framed blued 230. Between the 230 and 230SL there are trade offs, weight for smoother shooting. Accuracy is the same but follow-up shots should be quicker for the SL. Between the 230 and 232 I see the major difference in the trigger. The 232 is maybe a tad more refined and has the distinctive rebounding hammer while the 230 does not. I'm not familiar with MIM being used on the 232 (not doubting it at all) but I do believe that some of the newer 232 are now being built, at least in part, in the US. One way or the other the 230/232 is hard to beat.

 

[rcmodel]

I just now discovered that the P-232 has been discontinued by SIG!!!

Yikes!!!

rc

 

[mesinge2]

I just now discovered that the P-232 has been discontinued by SIG!!!

Yikes!!!

rc

I know I just found out myself!!

I need to find a blue 232 while I can.

 

[CaptHank]

Strange that Sig is stopping production. I have 4 Sig 232SL's in my safe. My two sons wanted one bad. I bought each, one for Christmas. Now they worry me about reloading for them.

Sig 232's are the Cadillac of 380's.

 

[mesinge2]

It shoots like a dream for such a little gun. Definitely my favorite of the Walther PPK design guns. I experienced some minor slide bite but I was expecting that as all these style guns do that to my gorilla hands. Other than that, not a malfunction and it shoots very nicely! The double action trigger is very smooth and pretty light. IMHO, I would rate it in third place in my list of awesome DA style triggers on semi-autos, with first place being the Para LDA triggers, and second place being the SIG DAK triggers. Recoil was a joke with the steel framed 380.

Target was at 15 yards with 90gr. PMC FMJ:

 

[CaptHank]

Good shooting......!!!!!

 

[Rinspeed]

Even I own three of them the .380 really is a pathetic cartridge when you consider the overall picture. With a well placed shot the .25 ACP will stop someone dead in their tracks. When you consider the cost of ammo and how much smaller 9mm pistols have gotten over the years the .380 has lost a lot of appeal.

That being said I have always wanted a 230 or 232 just because they reek of that classic Sig world class quality. Something they seam to have lost along the way.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Very nice. I really liked your grips choice. I think they are great guns but it needs a bunch of mags.

How do you plan on carrying it if you do so?

 

[Grayrock]

Got my wife a 230 for Mother's Day 2 years ago. Great little gun.

 

[Old Dog]

Even though it's merely a .380, the 230 and 232 are surely up there in the pantheon of cool-looking or pretty pistols ...

I lusted after the PPK (love the Bond flicks) for years, and then I met the SIG P-230 ...bye-bye PPK ...

 

[golden]

Apples and oranges

OLD DOG,

I found the SIG 230/232 series to be closer to the WALTHER PP, than the PPK. I carried the PPK in .32ACP in preference to the SIG 232 in .380 because it was more compact.
When I could go with the SIG 232 size wise, I carried a SIG 232 blued alloy frame model in .380ACP.
This is a great shooter and the equal of the BERETTA 80 series in accuracy, sights and handling, but much lighter and less bulky.

I found that the excellent grip shape of the alloy framed 232 offset the weight loose compared to the steel 232.

If SIG has discontinued the 232 or more likely is not importing it anymore, it is probably because they are putting so much effort into the 238 and 938.
In my opinion, the 238 cannot hold a candle to the 232 as a shooter, but it is a lot easier to conceal. The 1911 single action trigger is a turn off for me and my present carry gun is a GLOCK 42.

Jim

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I dig 'em and...

if this .380 disappoints you too, consider me a buyer. I would like to have a couple more.

I and my wife have carried the hell outa this one. El Paso Walther PPK holster has made me the happiest of those I've tried.

I've never had a handgun that I've felt more confident carrying with a loaded chamber. Absolutely safe, no safety.... point and squeeze.

Stainless has been priceless for me in the heat and sweat. The EP holster doesn't care about sweat either. It's all slim and another mag in a pocket if I feel twitchy is smaller than most of my "pocket" knives.

As to reliability - my wife can carry this purse-bunny magnet all she wants and it still runs fine and aside from variations in accuracy, doesn't care what I feed it.

Todd.

 

[usp9]

Just because;

For those fans that appreciate the P230 and the famous secret agent 007, ("like a brick through ..."), Sig gave us the .32acp model in 1997. It uses the same magazine but holds 8 rounds instead of 7. Now... where are my Aston Martin keys?

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I be loving me some SIG P230

My SIG P230 is the blued steel slide alloy frame model. It is a definite keeper and is an accurate shooter. I enjoy carrying it even thought I have some 9mm's that are a similar size.

I carry it in an Andrews holster...no picture of that.





Good Fitting Wood

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

double

Oops

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Just because;

For those fans that appreciate the P230 and the famous secret agent 007, ("like a brick through ..."), Sig gave us the .32acp model in 1997. It uses the same magazine but holds 8 rounds instead of 7. Now... where are my Aston Martin keys?

I'd love to have a .32 and I dig that, what, lanyard loop/slot?

but

It has one too many levers on the left for me. Is that a safety for when the hammer is drawn back?

Todd.