P239 is Disco - My Unexpected Love

[Myers431]

Just found out my beloved Sig Sauer P239 is being produced no more. Heartbreaking. I never wanted to love this gun, but here we are.

It was an impulse buy 8-9 years ago because I wanted something in 357SIG and the P239 is what I found. Sure it’s ugly. Yes the magazine tops off in a hurry. Heavy? Only compared to capacity or dimensions. Snappy is a modest way to describe the recoil. I should not love this gun.

Yet....somehow....it has become the first thing I go to carry. It points natural, is accurate, and bounces right back on target. Pure function. A set of Hogue rosewood grips helped. The SRT trigger spiced things up a bit, but this gun was and forever will be just a tool. I have a H&K P30 that to me is the sexiest pistol ever. We don’t get out much. The ugly Sig and I have too much of a good thing going.

Thanks for indulging me, I’m still processing the news. I’m going to put “Unanswered Prayers” by Garth Brooks on repeat now. What’s your favorite ugly duckling firearm?

 

[bannockburn]

Myers431

Yet....somehow....it has become the first thing I go to carry. It points natural, is accurate, and bounces right back on target. Pure function.

Sounds like we have the same prerequisites when we go looking to try on a new gun! Can't say I have any ugly duckling pistols; probably the closest one I can can up with would be my Browning Hi-Power Mk.II. Certainly won't win any beauty contests but there's always that pure function factor going on and brother can this gun shoot!

If you get a chance could you post a photo of your P239. Would love to see it with it's Hogue grips. I got a pair for my Hi-Power for Christmas a couple of years ago and they do lend a certain element of class to the gun.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Just found out my beloved Sig Sauer P239 is being produced no more. Heartbreaking. I never wanted to love this gun, but here we are.

It was an impulse buy 8-9 years ago because I wanted something in 357SIG and the P239 is what I found. Sure it’s ugly. Yes the magazine tops off in a hurry. Heavy? Only compared to capacity or dimensions. Snappy is a modest way to describe the recoil. I should not love this gun.

Yet....somehow....it has become the first thing I go to carry. It points natural, is accurate, and bounces right back on target. Pure function. A set of Hogue rosewood grips helped. The SRT trigger spiced things up a bit, but this gun was and forever will be just a tool. I have a H&K P30 that to me is the sexiest pistol ever. We don’t get out much. The ugly Sig and I have too much of a good thing going.

Thanks for indulging me, I’m still processing the news. I’m going to put “Unanswered Prayers” by Garth Brooks on repeat now. What’s your favorite ugly duckling firearm?

Strangely, the P239 is the only SIG I've owned (out of many) that I didn't like- but its' close cousin the P225 is my favorite. Go figure.

Ugly ducklings? I'm rather fond of my Astra A600-

 

[drband]

Myers431



Sounds like we have the same prerequisites when we go looking to try on a new gun! Can't say I have any ugly duckling pistols; probably the closest one I can can up with would be my Browning Hi-Power Mk.II. Certainly won't win any beauty contests but there's always that pure function factor going on and brother can this gun shoot!

If you get a chance could you post a photo of your P239. Would love to see it with it's Hogue grips. I got a pair for my Hi-Power for Christmas a couple of years ago and they do lend a certain element of class to the gun.

View attachment 821619

Those look like my Pachmeyer grips on my BHP!

 

[Old Dog]

Funny this came up. I have almost every SIG pistol except the 239, but a local shop has a new old-stock -- not used -- P-239 on the shelf that I keep saying I'm gonna buy if it's still there the next time. As I love the rail-less P-series guns, and it's a missing niche in my collection ... I'll stop by the place shortly.

Strange how I rarely see used P-239s listed or on the used gun shelves; it appears most of those who've bought 'em, keep 'em.

In response to the OP's question, my unexpected gun bought on a whim that I love would be this one -- honkin' huge, heavy as sin fully loaded, cheese-grater grip, looonng creepy DA pull, not a great candidate for concealed carry (though I have done it), but a veritable tack-driver and 100% reliable -- oh, and 15 plus 1 in .45 ACP, so hence it's become one of the "nightstand guns."

 

[bannockburn]

drband

First thing I did when I got home with my Hi-Power was to get rid of those factory grips and replace them with the full set of Pachmayrs. Normally with Pachmayrs I cut out the front strap of the grip panels because I think they make the gun feel too wide and bulky. But the full set of Pachmayrs on the Browning felt just right. Here's a photo of it with the new Hogue grips:

 

[drband]

drband

First thing I did when I got home with my Hi-Power was to get rid of those factory grips and replace them with the full set of Pachmayrs. Normally with Pachmayrs I cut out the front strap of the grip panels because I think they make the gun feel too wide and bulky. But the full set of Pachmayrs on the Browning felt just right. Here's a photo of it with the new Hogue grips:

View attachment 821710

Definitely look nice!
I have the full Pachmayr grips on mine, the stock grips were too blocky and hurt my right hand at the base of my index finger.
The Hogue grips look pretty thin. How do they compare to the Pachmayr grips?

 

[JR24]

The 239 and 245 never fit my hands, much as I wanted to like em. Good guns though, no question. Shame they were discontinued.

My sadness (not an ugly duckling) was seeing, this very year, my VBob getting thr same treatment. Far as I'm concerned the DW Valor is the best production 1911 out there... yet it is no more.

 

[bannockburn]

drband

The Hogue grips are a bit thinner than the Pachmayrs but feel just as comfortable. Just wanted the Hi-Power to look a little more "dressy" in case I ever take it out for a night on the town, so to speak!

 

[Myers431]

Myers431



Sounds like we have the same prerequisites when we go looking to try on a new gun! Can't say I have any ugly duckling pistols; probably the closest one I can can up with would be my Browning Hi-Power Mk.II. Certainly won't win any beauty contests but there's always that pure function factor going on and brother can this gun shoot!

If you get a chance could you post a photo of your P239. Would love to see it with it's Hogue grips. I got a pair for my Hi-Power for Christmas a couple of years ago and they do lend a certain element of class to the gun.

View attachment 821619

 

[Myers431]

These are in Tulipwood, not Rosewood as previously stated.

 

[bannockburn]

Myers431

Nice! Nothing like a pair of fine wood grips to dress up a gun! Thanks for posting!

 

[Casefull]

Funny this came up. I have almost every SIG pistol except the 239, but a local shop has a new old-stock -- not used -- P-239 on the shelf that I keep saying I'm gonna buy if it's still there the next time. As I love the rail-less P-series guns, and it's a missing niche in my collection ... I'll stop by the place shortly.

Strange how I rarely see used P-239s listed or on the used gun shelves; it appears most of those who've bought 'em, keep 'em.

In response to the OP's question, my unexpected gun bought on a whim that I love would be this one -- honkin' huge, heavy as sin fully loaded, cheese-grater grip, looonng creepy DA pull, not a great candidate for concealed carry (though I have done it), but a veritable tack-driver and 100% reliable -- oh, and 15 plus 1 in .45 ACP, so hence it's become one of the "nightstand guns."
View attachment 821675

 

[Casefull]

I have had the twin to your fn for several years. Ditto your comments.

 

[Gordon]

The Monterey detectives were issued 239 .40 s one year and traded them for hi cap 9mm Sigs with rails because of low capacity and recoil .Soooo Gordon got a like new Leo 239 Stainless slide one in LEO box with 5 mags for $400 . I upgraded the trigger and put slim Aluma grips that match frame and carry it in Oregon in a flashy cordovan paddle holster when I want to make a statement. It is Sig accurate . Very slim but chunky as previously mentioned

 

[Gordon]

The slim and sturdy Aluma grips are coated in a non skid coating which doesn't catch on clothing . DA trigger is about 8 pounds and the SA trigger 5 # with very short reset. The sights are factory tritium . This was an LEO pistol order I have a feeling they check them out carefully at the factory, it's really slick and flawless. The recoil is snappy , but accuracy is outstanding ! 25 yard head shots no problem . They were a problem with my Shield but it was 6 .0z lighter and slightly smaller .

 

[Gordon]

Both .40s and both very different. Dispite 6 .oz lighter the Shield has about same recoil sensation !t is not near as accurate as the SIG , but adequate for defensive work .

 

[Plan2Live]

I carried a 239 for around 5 years before giving it my oldest son as a college graduation present. He really likes it and graduating with an engineering degree is a big deal so.... My biggest complaint with the 239 as a carry gun is I prefer a leather, vertical draw, outside the waistband holster and I never found a holster matching those parameters specifically for the 239. I carried it in a Galco Avenger designed for another gun but it worked.

 

[Lyle Wyatt]

I carry my 239 in a Desantis Mini Scabbard. It's specific to the 239 but it also is listed as fitting the 225 and 228.

 

[Gordon]

I carried a 239 for around 5 years before giving it my oldest son as a college graduation present. He really likes it and graduating with an engineering degree is a big deal so.... My biggest complaint with the 239 as a carry gun is I prefer a leather, vertical draw, outside the waistband holster and I never found a holster matching those parameters specifically for the 239. I carried it in a Galco Avenger designed for another gun but it worked.

. Here is the new Gould holster the 239 came with that was issued with it, a slick belt slide

 

[Gordon]

Here is the Galco paddle clip on outside of waist band I Carry in Oregon and other states where allowed by my licences

 

[Plan2Live]

I'm not a fan of paddle holsters and the Galco looks like it has a cant. I prefer vertical draw, straight up. Never could find that in a leather, outside the waistband, belt holster designed specifically for the 239.

 

[Plan2Live]

I've watched people draw from a OWB holster with a cant and they all have that "bowling ball" sweep rather than the grip-pull-rotate-join-extend draw I was taught.

 

[Gordon]

I'm not a fan of paddle holsters and the Galco looks like it has a cant. I prefer vertical draw, straight up. Never could find that in a leather, outside the waistband, belt holster designed specifically for the 239.

Notice the Gould verticle black belt slide above the Galco Post.It is what was issued to the detectives. It was never worn. Paddle holster s are great around # 2 restrooms, almost as good as a shoulder rig. They are handy, yes that one has a cant. It is the best designed paddle I've seen yet tho.

 

[kerreckt]

My son took my 239 (9mm) to shoot and keeps "forgetting" to bring it back. He loves the accuracy and feel. He was brought up shooting a 228. I guess I spoiled him.