P232 getting fixed after less than 1000 rds

[Jijisan]

Just thought I'd report that my P232 is in for repair with less than 1000 rds. After my second range date with the new gun, I tried to break it down for cleaning but...

It wouldn't come apart. I'd move the dissassembly lever to the down position and I couldn't get the slide off. I figured out that the lever was moving, but was not turning the pin it's attached to.

Apparently the disassembly lever is attached to the pin by impacting the pin to spread it enough to hold the lever fixed. It is also why, in some guns, the lever moves slightly while shooting. It means there's a little bit of slop in the fit, but not enough to affect the function of the lever. It moves but there is no risk of the the gun actually coming apart.

In my case the pin/lever fit is too loose and the lever moves but not with enough friction to turn the pin which turns the locking block.

JIC anyone is wondering, I got this information from a factory Sig armorer. Parts are coming in. It's supposedly a PIA to fix. It requires a heck of a whack with a hammer using a flat head punch to spread the pin enough to capture the lever.

The Sig rep told me this was a frequent issue with the 232. I never heard this in all the research I did prior to purchasing the gun, so I wanted to report it as an FYI.

For clarification, it does not affect the shooting of the gun at all. It functions perfectly. You just can't take it apart to clean it

Pics would help I know, but I won't have the gun until it's fixed.

 

[usp9]

Sig rep told me this was a frequent issue with the 232. I never heard this in all the research I did prior to purchasing the gun, so I wanted to report it as an FYI.

Thanks for the heads up. That a new problem on me too... never heard it reported. Please come back with an update.

Other than that... how do you like the P232 so far?

 

[Lonestar49]

P232 slides just don't slide off.. via release lever

...

I take it, after you pushed the lever down, you then pulled the slide back a tad and then lifted it UP to free it from the slide, and frame, rails - connection.. then slide it forward and off.. the rear of the slide still up and in your hand.. ?

Same "reverse process" putting the slide back on.. AND*

If not - it's in owner's manual, along with, *make sure that you put the long, stiff, return spring back on correctly - small end on first - large end rest up against muzzle end/opening of slide.. key

Luck,


Ls

 

[Jijisan]

Lonestar49 - I've taken the gun apart a few times to know it's not operator error. It's definitely a broken take down lever (confirmed by the Sig rep).

usp9 - I like it....I'm not at the "love" it stage yet. Not sure I ever will be.

It carries great. Sometimes so well, I have to check to make sure it hasn't fallen out of my holster some how. I barely notice it's there. It's the biggest reason I decided to purchase the gun. I've always carried full size pistols so this is definitely new to me.

Its very accurate. I wasn't expecting that out of a relatively small 380. Very nice point-ability and the long sight radius helps too. Decent single action trigger with fairly short reset. Better than my P229. Double action stacks more than what I'm used to.

The european mag release I don't like much. It's too slow for my tastes. Burning through 7-8 rds is easy and can happen fast (less than 2.5-3 seconds) so a quick mag change is important to me. Right now it takes me just short of 2 seconds to do a mag change and I don't like that....but that's just me.

I'm also prone to getting the "rail road tracks" or slide bite. My grip has always been high on the backstrap...of course I've always had a pistol that also had a good beaver tail...and the P232 reminds me of that almost every shot. One thing I can tell you is that even with blood on your hands, the grips (hogue rubber w/. finger grooves) don't get slippery The other is that if you shoot it enough, you'll get a callous on the web of your hand eventually and you'll be fine.

I've ordered some smooth Nil grips and am waiting for some TT Gunleather. In the end it's not the tool it's the shooter. I'll get used to it and/or have a gunsmith tweak some areas.

YMMV, Rob

 

[W.E.G.]

assume you are talking about this part

 

[Lonestar49]

Understood..

Lonestar49 - I've taken the gun apart a few times to know it's not operator error. It's definitely a broken take down lever (confirmed by the Sig rep).

usp9 - I like it....I'm not at the "love" it stage yet. Not sure I ever will be.

...

Just confirming

And, like you, for various reasons, I sold my NIB P232 SL after 1450 rounds and got an SA EMP SAO 1911 9+1, 9mm "close breach action" and never looked back at any 380acp Blow back (dirty) action..

There are better guns and calibers in the same or smaller size to be had with no weakness's IMHO.

Luck,


Ls

 

[Jijisan]

assume you are talking about this part

Yes Sir that's it. So there should be a punch mark on the face of that pin which expands the pin to hold the lever firmly to the pin.

Apparently the issue is that many of the those punches don't expand the pin enough which results in the problem I'm having or the lesser issue of the lever moving (not the pin), while shooting (i.e. because of the recoil).

Thanks for the pic W.E.G.

 

[usp9]

usp9 - I like it....

Everything you said rings true. The Nill grips are very nice but I like the Hogue grips for carry or long range sessions.

After reading your post I took my needle-point oiler to the takedown levers of my three Sigs and placed a drop on either side of the locking block pin, between the frame and the block... just to make it easier to rotate. This isn't a spot I'd normally lubricate, but will from now on. Thanks for the post.

 

[CaptHank]

I just did the same thing as usp9 to both of my P232's. The wife wanted to know why I was taking her gun apart and cleaning it? I can see the small punch mark on the release lever.

 

[sig232]

Bump!

I have the same problem with my P232 - Loose take down lever. It doesn't effect the gun really it's just an annoyance for me. I called Sig and WOW .. what happened to their customer service? They pretty much told me to go F myself..

Jijisan, could you post a picture of where to punch the retainer? Any armorers here that know how to remove the take down lever on a Sig p232?

 

[Dogguy]

I have a Beretta 21A that cannot be disasssembled. At least by someone other than a gunsmith. It happened right after I bought the gun. In 1990. So I stopped trying to field strip it. I just shoot it, flush it out with Gun Scrubber and oil it. It never stops functioning.

My experience with SIG customer service has been excellent.

 

[sig232]

Ok, I see it... so basically, I am supposed to take a punch and tap that spot until the fit is nice and tight again? It's just a friction fit? And it appears that to be able to really get to it, I have to knock out the barrel.

 

[stevekozak]

This is a new one on me. I have had my 232 since 98, and have never had a problem with it. I wonder if it is a problem with newer ones?

 

[sig232]

Mine is a 96(? KH year code) West German.