Sig 239 durability

[swagmeister]

I have a Sig P239 9mm, DAO pistol I purchased new in 1997. I recently passed the 9000 rounds mark with it. I have shot all kinds of 9mm ammo, even some hot military M882 ammo. It has never (that's right, NEVER) malfunctioned; no failures to fire, no failures to eject, no stove-pipe, no problems at all. I replaced the plastic recoil guide rod with a metal one from Sig (free of charge) at 4000 rounds; also replaced the recoil spring at that time. I also put Hogue finger grips on it; the factory plastic grips were too slick. Other than this, all original parts. The double action pull has gotten better with use. When I go to the range and shoot, I usually shoot 250-300 rounds at one session and never clean it before I finish shooting. I have 6 factory magazines for it. I have owned several Sigs over the years, but this little gun is truly amazing. Probably at the range one day when I do get some kind of malfunction (if I ever do!), I probably will pass out from shock. This is my 1st post to this forum and I am curious if other members have similar stories about a 239. Thanks.

 

[Mal H]

First of all welcome to THR swagmeister!

I also bought a 9mm P239 in 1997. A couple of years ago, I posted that it was the only pistol I have that has never failed in any way whatsoever. I can gladly state that that is still the case. I haven't fired as many rounds as you have, probably around 3500 - 4000. Nonetheless, the pistol is showing no signs of any wear or impending failure at all. I also put the Hogue grips on my P239, but the guide rod is still the original. I know SIG will replace it, but I firmly believe in the IIABDFI philosophy.

 

[Marko Kloos]

I'm not saying this just because I own one, but the P239 is probably the finest civilian CCW piece on the market. It is a well-designed, well balanced, and superbly engineered piece of self-defense hardware.

I've carried plenty of different guns over the last half decade, but the little P239 always gives me a special kind of confidence when it's on my hip. I just trust this weapon and my performance with it to a degree that no other handgun can match.

It does have its drawbacks...it's a little top-heavy, the grip doesn't fit people with large hands very well, and the gun is a bit heavy for its capacity when compared to the polymer pistols of the same size class. However, the P239 is always more than the sum of its paper statistics.

 

[Rinspeed]

I'm not saying this just because I own one, but the P239 is probably the finest civilian CCW piece on the market. It is a well-designed, well balanced, and superbly engineered piece of self-defense hardware.

I agree 100%, others can keep all the mini Glocks, mini Kahrs and other assorted carry guns. If you take into account accuracy and reliability there are very few if any pistols in the same price/size range that will shoot with the 239. I would add though the Hogue grips are a must. If you haven't tried them they really do change the way the 239 handles for the better.

Rinspeed

 

[Greg Bell]

The 239 is the first gun I recommend to people (if they don't have monkey hands). It is fantastic, I have always regretted selling mine.

 

[Tom Servo]

The 239 is the first gun I recommend to people (if they don't have monkey hands). It is fantastic, I have always regretted selling mine.

Yeah, I just sold my 239 9mm, but I don't regret it because I just upgraded to the exact same model in .357

Took the buyer to the range along with a friend of mine the other day. We fired several makes that we had all bought, and by the end of it, the 239 was the only thing anyone wanted to shoot. My one friend, who's a big CZ fan, remarked that he got the best groups he ever shot with it. The buyer was happy to say the least, and he remarked that if he shoots badly, he sure as heck knows it's not the gun's fault.

The 9mm had about 4500 rounds through it with every kind of ammo imaginable. Never a hiccup.

Simply put, the best civvy carry gun out there, from every standpoint.

 

[agony]

I bought my first SIG around the same time you picked up your 239. It too was a 239 9mm. Sadly, I traded it a month later for a Kahr. I own many SIGs nowadays, and have come full circle when I reintroduced a 239 to my stable, this time in 40/357SIG. A great pistol for sure!
It has replaced my P220 as my briefcase gun.

 

[Tecolote]

SIG hit a home run with the P239. It's got the smoothest out of the box DA/SA of any auto that I've tried. It's reliable and accurate to a fault. I can't think of a better single stack 9/40/357SIG on the market.

 

[MK11]

How can you tell if you've got a short trigger on the P239? I've read that most of the early models came with the short trigger (mine is an early one).

Otherwise, I second all the above.

 

[Tom Servo]

It has replaced my P220 as my briefcase gun.

Good lord, that's one hefty briefcase!

I carried the 9mm for awhile, and weight and balance were such that I forgot it was there most days. The .357 feels the same. When they first introduced the 239, I thought of it as a "niche" gun and didn't bother with it. In retrospect, Tecolote's right, these things are near-perfect.

 

[swagmeister]

Short Trigger

MK11

I don't have the capability to post pictures. Go to the Sigarms Website and click on Handguns and then Classic Personal Size. It will show you a picture of the 239 with the regular trigger; you can click on the picture and it will enlarge it for a better view. The short trigger is narrower and set back a little further than the regular trigger. Hope this helps. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[JNewell]

FWIW, in the early years of production, I believe that SIGArms shipped all P239s with the short trigger. IIRC, they shifted to the "regular" trigger at some later date. Don't remember the details and might be wrong...it's a great pistol, for sure.

 

[Rinspeed]

Yes the first group of 239s went out with the short trigger and so many people called and complained that Sig decided the short trigger was just a bit too short. As a side note if I remember right Sig was having trouble getting the .40 to run 100% reliable so they went ahead and released the .357 after the 9mm. They ended up redesigning the .40 mag to get it to run right. That is why the mags are different unlike the 229. I can't remember without digging out my receipt but I think I bought mine in 98 or 99. If would be interesting to know what serial numbers you all have and when you bought it. Mine is SA4-6079X.

Rinspeed

 

[Safety First]

I bought my P239 9mm Nov 2002..Have only put a few hundred rounds through it. But I would have to say durability is one of its many middle names, including reliable and accurate. I have no plans of ever selling or trading mine, it is a keeper.

 

[swagmeister]

Rinspeed:

My 239's ser. # is SA-37455 and I purchased it in August of 1997. It was an early one manufactured with the short trigger.

Although not related to the 239, I worked with a retired Dallas PD Officer who carried a 226 9mm on duty in Dallas.


He related he had between 25.000 and 30,000 rounds thru that duty weapon with the only problem being when he tried to shoot some 9mm lead reloads of questionable manufacture (Chinese!!) and had several misfires. He stated he never replaced any springs and nothing ever broke. Sigs are remarkable weapons.

 

[Mal H]

My P239 serial number is SA 284XX and was purchased in May 1997. It may be that I don't quite know what to look for, but my trigger looks exactly like the one on the SIGARMS site.

 

[Newton]

Best 9mm compact there is.

SiG really scored a home run when they designed this pistol. I have never heard of one jamming, and its accuracy is incredible. Add this to a slim, compact profile, smooth DA trigger, and typical SiG quality and you have one classic pistol.

Carry one of these loaded with 124gr +P Gold Dots and you have one awesome carry package.



Newton

 

[Berg01]

I have a P228 that is box-stock that has never jammed, and it is the only handgun I have that has never been worked on by a gunsmith or by factory service.

 

[Barry in IN]

I have a P239 in .357 Sig (my only .357 Sig now) that I've had for two-three years.
It's been great-
Accurate- The only other gun I've had in the same caliber was a Sig P229, and the 239 beat it easily with any ammo.
Reliable- I don't remember any trouble at all.
Easy to carry- It's on the thin side already, and even thinner in the grip. Nice, compact mags to carry as spares- no small detail.

My only "complaint" is that it's on the loud side. But that's not the fault of the gun. It's certainly no worse than a 4" .357 Magnum.

 

[geojap]

I just bought a 229 in 40S&W that I think is a whale of a pistol. It may be the best engineered firearm that I own. I was going to use it as a CCW. With all this talk about the 239, I think I need to check it out too. I love the idea of having another SIG, since I like this first one so much. Thanks for these posts.

Has anyone used the 10 round mags that have the extension? How do they function compared to the standard 8 rounders?

What is a good price range (hi - low) for one of these? I think I saw a few for $450, which seems like a good price.

 

[Safety First]

If you can buy one for $450 NIB, jump on it, I paid 529.00 plus tax Nov 02