SIG P239 to buy, or not to buy...

[FranklyTodd]

I went to the shop to order an H&K P2000SK, but encountered an interesting NIB SIG P239 "concealed carry package," which just means the gun in Nitron finish, night sights, 3 mags, and 2 SIG branded paddle holsters, one for the gun and one for the 2 extra mags. All for $756.

I really like DA/SA as an action (that's the version P2kSK I wanted). The 239 doesn't feel "great" in my hand, because it's slim (great for carry) with hard plastic grips, but it doesn't feel "bad." I've read where Hogue makes a great aftermarket rubber grip, and I may even get Crimson Trace for it...

I know the P239 seems outdated, heavy, and low capacity, but I'm attracted to it and thinking of getting it... This would be for frequent carry either IWB or SmartCarry. I would use the included paddle at the range perhaps, but probably not for concealed carry...

Opinions? If I don't get it, what should I get?!?

 

[Monkeybear]

Sigs in general are pretty cool and thats not a bad deal. That said $700+ is a lot to spend on a handgun that isn't really what you want especially when you planned to spend that money on a handgun you did want. If your finances allow you to purchase firearms on a regular basis then I say go with the Sig, get the HK later and see how it plays out.

I suggest looking at a CZ 75 D PCR Compact. It is going to have a similar action to the Sig and V3 HKs with a decocker and DA/SA. Hold them all, trust your hand to tell you whats right.

 

[Mainsail]

Wow, that’s almost exactly the same position I was in. I looked at the H&K (even though I hear their service sucks) and the P239. I went with the Sig and I’ve never had any regrets. I liked the look of the OEM grips but they were hard for me to index consistently, in other words, when I would draw the pistol my hand wouldn’t always instinctually return to the same position on the gun. With the Houge grips that problem is solved.

I carry mine 8 + 1 with a ten round mag as a spare, all Federal 147gr HSTs. You can see the ten round mag in the picture, it’s inside the mag carrier to the right and there’s another above and left. That’s plenty of firepower.

 

[FranklyTodd]

I've read people say the Hogue's are "too sticky" and grab their shirt for CCW. I don't understand what they are talking about...

Can you say how the Hogue grips affect carry? Are they (close to) as thin as factory? Looks like it adds material in front of the grip - but that's fine... Also, since I'm grilling you what do you carry it in?

Thanks!

 

[rbernie]

I like my P239 in 40S&W just fine, but not enough to pay anything close to $750+ for it.

If you want a compact Sig in 9mm, I'd strongly recommend a used P6/P225. They're about the same size, but a lot less expensive.

 

[Mainsail]

I've read people say the Hogue's are "too sticky" and grab their shirt for CCW. I don't understand what they are talking about...

Can you say how the Hogue grips affect carry? Are they (close to) as thin as factory? Looks like it adds material in front of the grip - but that's fine... Also, since I'm grilling you what do you carry it in?

I haven’t noticed it ever being sticky, but then I mostly open carry. I have a nice Milt Sparks VersaMax for concealed carry and never noticed it being sticky under a shirt either.

They are a little thicker than the stock grip panels, but fit my hands much better than the stock. Here’s another pic that shows the grip and the ten round mag in the gun:

 

[rellascout]

No do not buy at that price. The holsters suck. You will not use them for very long.

You can find them for $600 OTD with the night sites and 2 mags. That is a much better deal. Take the rest of the money get a houge grip and some real leather.

As for the HK vs Sig debate I prefer the Sig.

 

[Storm]

That's a lot to pay for the Sig. You can probably do better. It's a fine gun as is the HK.

BTW, I bought a lightly used 239 (mostly holster wear) for $400 out the door. I paid $600 for my P2000SK LEM NIB but pre-owned. A bit of shopping will pay off.

 

[slik_rik30]

I'm with rellascout. Better deals to be had.

+1 for Sig, but I am aspiring to the HK someday.

 

[Devonai]

My biggest problem with the P239 is the width across the grip. A Glock 19 is actually a tad slimmer and carries 15 rounds in the mag. Add a spare Glock 17 magazine as backup and you add 17/19 rounds to your compliment.

That being said, I have a P228 and I love it, so I'm not anti-Sig by any means. What it ultimately comes down to is how well you can shoot the P239 versus the Glock 19 or 26 (or 23/27 for that matter). If you can outshoot yourself with the Sig, then go for it, but if it's too close to call I'd have to go with the Glock.

With a brand new Sig you may also run the risk of inadvertently creating a safe queen. I used to have a gorgeous P229 in .40 that I purchased for concealed carry, but I became so worried about scuffing it up or exposing it to moisture that I rarely did. In my opinion a used Glock in the $400 range helps alleviate this phenomenon. But that's just me.

 

[FranklyTodd]

After a quick search, the cheapest I can find online w/night sights is around $700 plus FFL xfer fee (assume xfer fee = sales tax).

So for $50 I'm getting one extra mag, and a Serpa-style holster. Plus I like the shop -this will be 5th gun from them in a year - they treat me well, and it's worth a little to develop a face to face relationship with a store.

I'm not saying I should jump on it because it's a steal, just that it's a fair price. They retail this package at $849, $756 is LEO discount (although I recognize it's no bargain).

I appreciate the Glock recommendation, but this new one is replacing a Glock 26. I just could never get used to the grip angle - otherwise I loved the thing! I could shoot it great slowly, but point shooting was a foot high. I have too many other guns to work hard to get used to it - then I'd shoot the others low! I even looked a a grip mod, but then I'd have as much in it as the Sig!

If I go away from HK / Sig back to Glock-like guns, I'm going for the M&P9c. With LEO discount they are almost giving those away... Heck, maybe I'll get both...

Also, I am so not in danger of making this a safe queen. I'm not a firearm collector - if I'm not going to carry/shoot it, I've got 3 college educations to save up for!! I'll pay top dollar for quality (after adding CTC grips, my j-frame cost more than this Sig), but I will most certainly make use of it! (well, I mean carry it - I hope to NEVER make use of it outside the range)

 

[bradvanhorn]

Well, I'd say get a CZ P-01

As a concealed carry piece, I originally had a Sig P228, but later went to a H&K USP Compact 45. Then I flirted with an H&K P2000, but quickly decided it wasn't right. I then flirted with the XD series, but again moving along... I got into CZs and haven't looked back. I did get a Colt Defender about the same time as my first P-01, but frankly I like the P-01 a lot better. For a full-size gun I love 1911s, but for something a little more compact the P-01 is my favorite.

 

[1BLINDREF]

Another vote for the P239......
and as others have posted - not at that price though.
You can get a better deal if you shop around. If you really want that paddle holster and mag carrier, go for the CCP. IMHO, those paddle holsters stick out too far and print quite a bit.

I carry a P239 SAS 9mm in a Smart Carry when I'm wearing shorts (most of the summer) and it's very comfortable. I also have an older P239 DA/SA 9mm that I use as a car gun when needed. My third P239 TT .40S&W has been a safe queen most of its life.

The Hogue grips are a big improvment over the slim plastic grips if you have big hands but IMHO, they are bit sticky when wearing a shirt over the gun for concealment. I preffer wood grips for my CCW's for this reason and Hogues for my car and range guns.

 

[Storm]

Plus I like the shop -this will be 5th gun from them in a year - they treat me well, and it's worth a little to develop a face to face relationship with a store.

That I completely understand. I will frequently pay a bit more for a gun just to give a shop that I value business. The margin on guns is thin enough. They look out for me and will often throw in freebies.

As to safe queens, that's one reason why I really, really like to buy used guns. Some other poor soul had the horror of putting the first scratch on it, or watched the finish wear in the usual places, but I take the gun, happy to have it, with all of that someone else's bad memories, if that kind of thing bothers them. I keep my guns well but am not obsessed about them showing the signs of proper use.

Of course, knowing that I can hop in the car and an hour later walk out the door with a Sig 226 for $400 is a mighty big temptation

 

[1BLINDREF]

I bought my P239 DA/SA 9mm (the one in the second picture) for $340.00 OTD. It came with the original box, papers, and two mags. I wasn't really looking for one as I already had the other two, but I couldn't pass up that deal.

 

[Taptaps]

I love my sig p239 in .40. Sometimes i do wish i had a few more rounds, but carrying something like a p2000 is not quite as comfortable and we all know that a gun you don't have on you is basically worthless. The 239 is nice and slim and I actually like the heft of it. Helps with the recoil of the forty.
As for the Hogue grips, I use them and they work just fine for concealed. I usuall just have a t shirt covering the grip and it doesnt ride up. They add tons of follow up control. More of an improvement than i have gotten on any other gun.

 

[rcellis]

Three guns are in my current concealed carry rotation: an HK P2000sk in 40 S&W, a Para Ord Hawg 9, and a SIG 239 in 40 S&W.. it's simply a great pistol.

 

[FranklyTodd]

Follow up...

Well, I went back to the shop...

They were slow, so I had time, and I kind of mentally started over - looked at an M&P9c, a Kahr CW9/P9, a Para Ordinance LDA, and a used HK P2000SK (w/LEM - not my first choice).

After all that - I got the P239. I'm not patient enought to find a great used one, and the new ones aren't as cheap as many have said - the dollar is really in the crapper!!

I have no pics yet (sorry), but really, just look at BlindRef's second pic. Added a case of Win. Ranger 9mm +Ps, a cheap Uncle Mike's IWB holster until I figure out what rig I really want, and some Hogues - no not for the P239, sadly they were out I picked up some for another gun. Total tally: $972.

Now I need to go to the range...

 

[SimpleIsGood229]

You'll only cry once. Very good choice! We do need pics, ya know.

 

[FranklyTodd]

Thanks!

Total tally: $972.

Oops. Minor correction, $972 was AFTER they credited back my $100 deposit I foolishly placed on a PPS. The price of ammo has really gone up - and the guy said prices go up 12% more July 1.

I'll do pics soon. First I have to work up the nerve to bring it in the house... It's still in my trunk... Actually the wife will (probably) be ok, I told her I was selling one, and buying one. I didn't tell her what order (Glock 26 still for sale).

Hopefully my carry arsenal is complete for a good long time. Ruger LCP for teeny-tiny work, j-frame for more aggressive pocket work, and now the 239.

Thanks to all who chimed in. If anyone has strong carry preference, I'd love to hear it. I bought a $15 Uncle Mike's IWB to go along with my "free" paddle holster. I'm pretty sure I want 3:30-4:00 with forward cant.

 

[bluto]

You done good. I checked at Bud's on-line and found them for $705 and up. Add shipping, plus transfer fees, etc. and you're gonna' see a much bigger price.

I paid $699. before taxes here in Kali a few months ago and considered that the best buy I've made in awhile. I went back a month later and the same model is now $870. Prices have been skyrocketing.

You're going to love the P239. BUT, I highly recommend that you put on Hogue finger groove grips immediately. They really make the gun perfect.

The P239 has a near cult following among those who own them for it's fantastic accuracy. Mine will outshoot every other 9mm (including my P228) I have except my P226 Navy. I can't carry in our commie state, but the extra magazines are almost tiny so dropping a few in your pocket really shouldn't be bulky.

Good choice. You won't be sorry.

 

[Daemon688]

My first handgun I bought was a P239 SAS. I dropped a pretty penny on it but I haven't regretted it one bit. Sure it's about as big as a G23 with much less capacity, but the trigger is much better, fits my hand better, and I can shoot it more accurately. I've carried it daily for two years now and it sure as heck ain't no safe queen. Since I bought for the purpose of carry, I haven't worried about the scratches, dings, or whatever my holster does to the gun. Consider it a gun well used.

 

[poet]

I've owned the Sig 239 in both 9mm and .40 cal. I kept the .40 cal, believe it or not, the felt recoil between the two is actually very pleasant. I am a .45 shooter, so I enjoy shooting my Sig 239 very much.

 

[jlh26oo]

Frankly speaking you did quite well Todd, so congrats on the P239! Forget about the price. The difference if you had shopped around or bought online will be dwarfed by ammo costs in no time anyways, and you saw the one you were taking home before you bought which is huge. I don't have a 239, but my 220 is the favorite I've ever had. I don't see how you can go wrong with a Sig!

So you C.Z. guys have me looking hard at the compact decocker version- takedown lever looks similar to that of the Sigs, breaks down the same way? B.T.W. are those going to be a bit thicker than the 239, I see 1.4" wide, but I don't know where they take the measurements vs Sig (whose 239 is supposedly 1.2"). I would guess the slide is ~ the same anyways? What about in .40sw, same dimensions as the one linked by M.B.?

 

[1BLINDREF]

Congrats Todd!

I think you won't be disappointed. As others have posted, P239s are extremely accurate for their size. It's a great little (ok medium ) gun.

Good luck with it and don't forget to post some pictures.