Is the Sig P232 a good concealed carry weapon?

[heavyshooter]

I will be receiving my CCW in the next few weeks (still waiting on CBI background check) and I am using it as an excuse to by a new firearm. I want something that is narrow and will hold at least 7 or 8 rounds. I was in the store today and found a used Sig P232 and it meets the criteria perfectly. In addition to that, it’s pretty.

I do have three questions:

1) Is the Sig P232 (aluminum frame) a quality weapon?

2) Is the .380 ACP (9mm Kurz) a good self defense round? I am not a huge fan of the 9mm, but I am willing to broaden my horizons.

3) Is $530 a good price for a used P232? After inspection I would give it an "A" for condition. It looks to me like it was carried often (some minor scratches) but rarely fired.

Let me know what you think,
Heavy

 

[NGIB]

I've owned a couple and they are quality built guns. Many will tell you that the .380 is underpowered but I carry everything from .380 to .45 depending on factors.

The real huge problem today is finding any ammo at all in .380 - it's really scarce. I know people with new LCPs that haven't shot them yet as they can't find any ammo...

 

[Dan Crocker]

The SIG is a great gun. I'd only complain about it being a .380. You can get a 239 which is about the same size, in 9mm, .40, and .357 SIG.

 

[Zerodefect]

Its a quality gun. Also check out the Walther PPK. About the same.

There are smaller guns, and more powerful guns, and smaller and more powerful guns out there now.

.380 is mediocre at best. In a gun this size I'd expect at least 9mm caliber.

If you shoot it well, and really want a little Sig, then I think its a decent choice.

 

[loneviking]

Well, about the only comment I'll make on the .380 is at least you'll have a gun. As for Sig, good choice. I just picked up a Sig P225/P6 which is compact 9mm, just the right size for carry but it's not a pocket gun like the .380 sigs are. Every choice in a handgun is a tradeoff...size for power, or capacity for size and power. You have to decide how you will be carrying and decide what will work for you.

 

[cash2006]

I've a 232 that is just fine.
However it is not much fun to shoot. My larger sigs are much more fun and easier to shoot accurately. My favorite carry is a glock 27 (40 cal) in an inside the waistband comp-tac.

Good luck!

 

[usp9]

1) Is the Sig P232 (aluminum frame) a quality weapon?

Yes, any of the three models are suitable for CC, but the alloy framed model is the lightest. All are high quality.

2) Is the .380 ACP (9mm Kurz) a good self defense round? I am not a huge fan of the 9mm, but I am willing to broaden my horizons.

The .380 is a fine defensive round. It is chambered in some of the best CCWs available.

3) Is $530 a good price for a used P232? After inspection I would give it an "A" for condition. It looks to me like it was carried often (some minor scratches) but rarely fired.

That's harder to answer because it depends on what is available in the used market. I've paid as little as $315 for a ANIB alloy blued model and $450 for a near perfect Stainless P232 with Nill grips. Based on those prices I'd say look for a better deal, but the market may be a bit different now.

The P232 is a great carry pistol because it is reliable, thin, easy to conceal, light, accurate and is a natural pointer. It's one of my favorite pistols and popular with many other folks as well. I enjoy shooting mine a great deal. I added Hogue rubber grips to the one I carry.

 

[heavyshooter]

That's harder to answer because it depends on what is available in the used market. I've paid as little as $315 for a ANIB alloy blued model and $450 for a near perfect Stainless P232 with Nill grips. Based on those prices I'd say look for a better deal, but the market may be a bit different now.

usp9,

I have been looking for a P232 for about 6 months in the Denver Metro area and I have not been able to find one. My usual gun shops are telling me that they cannot recall the last time they saw one. I believe that the scarcity of the weapon is negatively affecting the price. That could explain the slight price explosion.

Heavy

 

[BillH]

P232 or P239

I have both and generally carry the P239, 40. Size wise it's the same as the P232. My wife has the P239, 9.

 

[lechiffre]

1. yes
2. yes
3. yes

 

[KevininPa]

4. yes

 

[logical]

1) yes
2) what don't you like about 9mm? I think anyone would agree 9mm is significantly better as a defensive round, even if they believe .380 is adequate and there are way to many good compact 9mm guns for me to even consider a .380 as big as the P232 as a defensive weapon choice
3) I think you can do better on the price...or at least find one with less obvious finish wear for that price. I have a co-worker that just picked one up in 99% condition for $650....did I mention it came with 13 boxes of .380 ammo? There's a brand new one with 2 mags on Gunbroker with a buy-Now of $585

 

[1911 guy]

It's fine for CCW. Just buy all the .380 hardball you can find.

My wife carries one and I have been known to slip it in a pocket when going places I'd rather not be going and think I may need just a bit more than 21 rounds of .45 acp.

 

[doberman]

Sure I would say so.

But than again, there are models chambered for 9mm that are the same size or even smaller than the Sig.

Kahr for example.

That being said, I suppose if I could only own one .380 I'd pick the Sig.

My 2 cents.

 

[Kind of Blued]

Hey neighbor!

I'm not one who will tell you to avoid the .380 at all costs, I think it has it's place. I also think the P232 is a fine gun. The fact of the matter, however, is that you can get a smaller, lighter, equally reliable, more powerful gun, for the same money.

Now if you can shoot the 232 more accurately than a gun chambered for 9mm Luger, you should go with the 232, because shot placement is of utmost importance in a self-defense situation. The problem is that you won't know how well you shoot the 232 unless you buy it.

Granted, even an extremely small and light 9mm isn't tough to shoot, but that's my take on it. I have a Kahr PM9 which I carry when I can't get away with anything bigger, and it's really hard to beat if you're looking for something unobtrusive and easy to conceal without feeling "undergunned".

Best of luck. Colorado is one of the most "carry-friendly" states in the country in my opinion.