Sig 232 recoil-how is it?

[38snapcaps]

I'm teetering on the edge of buying one of these pistols and need some help with the decision.

I tried a PPK/S late last year and I kept it a whole thirty days and three shooting sessions. The painful recoil was not worth it. I wanted to keep the gun because of the name and its just downright great looks. But name and looks only goes so far, its got to shoot as good as it looks.

I am very attracted to the Sig 232 for the same reasons but $500 for the all stainless model I like is alot of money to take a chance AGAIN on its being a disappointment like the Walther was.

Could I hear from some real people on this board that have some experience with the 232.

For comparison's sake, I have a Bersa .380 that I like alot, but it does tend to start hurting my thumb web after about half a box. Its tolerable, which is why I still have it after eighteen months. Also, I had a Makarov, now that recoil was definitely intolerable.

So, help me out, please, do I spend the money today or not?

 

[MikeJ]

I have the Sig 230 (same as the 232 with very minor differences) and the recoil is no problem at all. I have medium sized hands and have never encountered slide bite from the 230. A friend has the Walther PPK/S and I hate shooting it, the DA trigger pull is horrendous and recoil is much more noticeable. To me, the Sig is a much improved upon design vs. the Walther.

 

[MrAcheson]

If the Bersa bothers the web of your hand the Sig will probably be worse since its tang is shorter. I got some nice red marks from the one I shot sunday and my brother got full-on slide bite.

 

[ddj8052]

If the Bersa bother the Web f your hand, you will have the exact same problem with the sig. For whatever reason I also cannot shoot these types of pistols. I hace shot both of them and they alsways hurt. They are not worh it. I can shoot my Kahr MK40 with no discomfort and it is smaller and more powerfull then my Bersa was. I would look elsewhere.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

I have no problem firing the Bersa a lot, and so, firing the SIG P230 with P232 grips gives me no problems at all.

The PPK/S has a horrendous D/A trigger and is quite snappy in the hand so it isn't too fun.

Are you getting this for fun or for carry? If for fun, why not something bigger that has a better chance of not being painful to your hand? A Makarov with a Pearce grip gives me no problems, but with the standard grips, it's a bit ow.

You could also start reloading and make light loads for less recoil... but nothing beats getting a gun that fits.

 

[38snapcaps]

Who-actually both reasons, carry and fun. I have a P99 that is very comfortable to shoot, so I do have a nine. I like little guns and I like the .380 caliber. But I consider a Sig 239 too big and a Tomcat too small.
I tried carrying a Mak, even tho it wasn't any fun to shoot, and it was too big and heavy.

The Bersa, PPK, 232 size of pistols really appeal to me, they are just right. Only problem is guns of that size are usually blowback, and I think that's where the "pain in the thumb" comes in.

Archeson and Mike-I don't have a slide bite problem, I was referring to the backstrap smacking into my hand, it actually impacts the bones of my hand (Yes I'm a thin guy with thin hands). Alot of days the Bersa doesn't hurt at all. But the Walther was so bad it caused numbness in my hand and the backstrap's sharp edges left two cut-like red marks. I was trying to hang on to it but when the numbness started it had to go.

I've looked at various 9mm pistols in this size and none seem to feel right just standing at the counter.

I wouldn't mind a nine in this size, any suggestions?

 

[jc2]

The SIG is a typical blowback so the recoil is sharp. I didn't notice any real difference in recoil between a PPK/S, P232 (stainless steel), and a Makarov. That's the price you pay for a blowback.

Having had a stainless SIG P232 , I can say it definitely is NOT worth what they charge for it. I really offers nothing over the Walther (or the Mak for that matter). If you're not very careful, you will lose the little lever that locks the slide back and its spring when you fieldstrip and clean--it gets to be a real pain (and if you lose it you SOL until SIG sends you a new one--and the last time I ordered they had a $25 minimum order not including S/H).

If you really want a .380 and are that recoil sensitive, you need to start looking for a Colt Government .380, Mustang, Mustang +2, etc. The are not blowback so the recoil will feel different. They are a little hard to find as they're of production (in one of Colt's PC moves) and are really still in demand.

 

[MrAcheson]

The 232 has grips that wrap around the frame pretty well so if slide bite isn't a problem then it might suit you. I really suggest you look for a used Colt Mustang though if you want a mild 380. Its much softer because of the browning action instead of blowback, although arguably less accurate without the fixed barrel.

Honestly recoil is subjective enough that I suggest you shoot one to really know whether you would like it.

 

[Coronach]

I own and shoot one. The recoil is snappy, yes, but not at all uncomfortable. Shooting my dad's Makarov along side of it indicates that, to me, the Sig is softer-recoiling.

It is a very good gun.

Mike

 

[Jiml3]

It seems most 380's are fired from the blow back setup. My ezperience has been that all the 380's in blowback that I have fired are moore snappy than 9mm.
in the John Browing barrel design with lugs.
I haven't had the opportunity to try a CZ Rami but it appears small in size. I have the CZ PCR in 9mm. and the recoil is light but you may find the size a little larger than you want. Maybe you should look at a Kahr P9.
The smaller the size, the more you trade off in recoil.

Good luck,
JimL3

 

[dairycreek]

What jc2 says!

The SIG is a typical blowback so the recoil is sharp. I didn't notice any real difference in recoil between a PPK/S, P232 (stainless steel), and a Makarov. That's the price you pay for a blowback.

Personally I think that the stainless 232 is one of the most beautiful of all guns. Absolutely love the way it looks! But, as jc2 has so well pointed out, blowback guns do have a sharp recoil. Is it too much for you? Only you can tell that. If you could try one out that would be perfect.

A gun that I have come to like a lot better is the CZ 83.

Still blowback but, to me, the ergonomics is a lot better and it costs a lot less. I think that is is pretty good looking too. Good shooting

 

[MICHAEL T]

I have a PPK/S,Bersa and a Colt Mustang. The Mustang is by far softer shooter and smaller than others. Its also a SA pistol like its big brother the 1911. But will not hurt your hand like PPK does I shoot 90Gr CorBon in all 3 and the Mustang is the best on recoil.

 

[crt360]

I'd have to agree with dairycreek on the CZ83. My brother has one and it feels so good I think anyone could shoot it all day without any discomfort. Out of the box, it had one of the best triggers I've ever encountered. It's not as small as the other guns mentioned, but it's not ergonomically compromised as many of the other small pistols seem to be. You can occasionally find 13rd mags for it. I've never handled a 232, so I can't really give you a fair comparison, but I would put the CZ83 very high on my list for .380.

 

[Shane333]

Oh no! dairycreek, showing that picture is just too cruel. I want one, and I want it now.

Must...Have...Patience....

 

[P7]

Hello: I've had two 230's and now have a stainless 232. They are beautiful, well made guns that are comfortable to carry, accurate and very reliable. The recoil is a bit sharp but not a big deal.

Jeff