The SIG p232... worth it?

[Skillet]

So I have been looking into getting a classic 380 auto, and I am starting to look at the Sig p232. If you own this pistol, or have owned this pistol and have fired it, what do you think about it? I just love the lines on it, and want a more decent carry pistol than my CZ 75B

post pics of yours if you feel like you want to

 

[Echo9]

I would just get the pistol the p230 and p232 copied -- the Walther PPK.

 

[gwnorth]

I have an all stainless steel P232 with Siglite night sights, and love it. All P232's have stainless slides (in the white, or blackened) but the frame is either stainless or alloy (which makes the alloy framed models about 5-6oz's lighter then mine).

That mass makes the snappy .380acp easy to control, and my P232 feels very solid - like you'd wear yourself out trying to wear it out (certainly a pistol you can shoot a LOT as well as carry often). The gun is very well finished and the fit is superb. Personally, I find the quality of it to be better then the PPKs I was looking at before getting it, and it certainly fits my hand better and feels more comfortable to shoot.

Take down is truly simplistic (like, well, a SIG ), and the gun has been 100% reliable (I have something like 650-700 rounds through mine now, mix of FMJ and JHPs from 90gr to 102gr - my preference for SD loads is the 102gr Remington Golden Sabers). The Siglite sights are also very bright.

 

[Gelgoog]

They are awesome guns, but a bit to pricey. There is nothing it can do that a CZ-82 can not, and at 3x the price...its a kind of meh. However if you just want want because it is aesthetically pleasingly then go for it.

However I would much rather buy one Sig P232 then a Walther PPK/s or Bersa.

 

[Lonestar49]

For show, sure, but for SD use, be warned

...

Worth it.. NO

Been there, done that..

DA pull is heavy and hard, making one handed, or weak handed shots go right, or left, depending if your a rt hand shooter or Lft hand shooter..

Gun will get dirty "quick" right after 200 rounds, expect jams, per mag, using JHP's after the first or 2nd shot, every time, due to the amount of spent powder mixing with oil, making a nice goo, and slowing the feed action down via a dirty feed ramp (mine was polished via Flitz every cleaning going up and down only).. Otherwise, JHP feed failures came before 180 total rounds thus how to get to, hopefully, 200 flawless rounds before feed ramp became contaminated along with first top 1/3rd of mag interior walls, spring, and follower.

Unforgiving Jewel (of a gun for sure) looks wise.. sexy

But, SOLD mine from NIB thru 1450 rounds of pure, good, new, ammo with the exact same results per 200 rounds on, and after, each total cleaning/s.

Blowback action demands round counting and cleaning at or before 200 rounds for JHP's and 230 rounds with FMJ.. (jam time) fyi

Not to mention, with the Euro thumb mag release on bottom of grip, mags don't fly out and with a feed jam, trust me, you're gonna have to burn 5 precious seconds (on a good day) to get the mag clear, down a tad, to cycle the jam out.. time eater and takes both hands and requires a circus ring act.. Including fast mag changes require the "right start-in angle" every time, anytime, (not just straight up and in.. no, no) and is not forgiving when pressure is on especially adding a jam to the mix IF you knew it was the last 2 rounds out of 7 total.. Expect Jams sooner, under 200 rounds, prior/after total cleaning, if you max load them with 7+1 and it will be after the first shot every time.. Oil on rails a must, mixed with spent, dirty powder, goos things up fast.. Keep an ongoing round count in-between total cleanings..

FTR, mine was the P232 SL (heavy gun)


Ls

 

[AK103K]

I have a couple of the blued, alloy frame P230's, which were the P232's predecessor. They are great little pistols.

I have to assume that Lonestar got a bad example, as both of mine have been totally reliable, and have DA triggers that are something to marvel at. The DA stroke is smooth and light, and in no way a detriment to shooting the gun well. In fact, next to my P250, the DA triggers on my P230's are the nicest triggers of all the other SIG's I have. Mine are both accurate and have fed anything I put in them, including both lead and jacketed reloads. I cant ever remember having a stoppage with either of them.

You can usually find the P230's for a good bit less than the P232's. I got both of mine used, but basically NIB, for $250, and $300.

 

[Erich]

I've owned a P232 (bought used) and was sort of surprised at the problems I had with it. I'd heard that these blowbacks were the least reliable of the SIG-Sauers, but I'd thought that I'd be fine with one. I actually wanted the Euro heel mag release for pocket-carry, but my gun wasn't particularly accurate or reliable. I actually had light-strike problems (only time I ever had them with a hammer gun) in addition to feeding problems. I replaced parts and never really chased down the problem, and eventually traded the gun off.

YMMV . . .

 

[oasis618]

I think the stainless 232 with the hogue grips is one of the sexiest pistols I've ever seen. But...I just couldn't pay the asking price.

 

[TIMC]

I love my 232 great shooting accurate little gun. I carry it often whe I want something light and comfortable.

 

[usp9]

This is a gun I really enjoy shooting. The alloy frame model is just made to be carried, it is so light. Prices vary a good bit, and good deals can be found on used models.

There are many holsters available for the Sig. AK103K's pictured Galco Executive is one of the best. I've carried in the Galco Fletch and Miami Classic.

A classic in every sense. Good sights, accurate, nice trigger, sleek and clean lines make the Sig a very nice pistol. The ergonomics are super. Takedown is a breeze. Several grips are available...take your pick. For carry I like the Hogue rubber grips and the Nill for show.

I love this gun(s).

 

[Jed Carter]

I have a two-tone P232, with the alloy frame I never had the first glitch out of it. It is not the most comfortable pistol to shoot, narrow grip, kicks like a mule, blowback pistols tend to be less controlable than locking / tilting barrel designs. The .380 ammunition I had reservations about, this was my daily carry weapon, and I could not place the shots out past 15 yards with any regularity. So I replaced it with a CZ 75D PCR. Only a slight bit larger in length and height, width is much thicker in the grip, but not the slide.
Is the SIG P232 worth it (I paid $310 plus tax new at an auction), at today's retail prices $650+, maybe not. Beautiful pistol, small enough to carry, large enough to work reliably, good to go IMHO.

 

[silversport]

the P230s are nice too...I much prefer it to the slightly smaller PPk but then I'm a Southpaw...

Bill

 

[Sapper771]

I carry a 232 as a back up gun while I am working. It is light, accurate, controllable, and it has been reliable so far with PMC ball ammo and Corbon HPs.
I normally carry it in a vest holster.
It makes a decent pocket gun as well, if your just running down to the store. I got mine slightly used for $500.

 

[Zundfolge]

I would just get the pistol the p230 and p232 copied -- the Walther PPK.

The P230/232 isn't simply a copy of the PPK, its a significant improvement of the Walther design.

Much better trigger, better sights, better fit and finish ... just overall a better gun.

 

[conhntr]

the wood grips on the stainless 232 looks good. the standard plastic grips are but ugly though; and on such a pretty gun... such a shame

 

[slicksleeve]

I have the p230, and have carried every day I have worked for the last three years as a back up gun, on the ankle. I love that little pistol. Mine is very accurate, and very reliable. It also carries well in holsters, whether inside or outside the waistband.

 

[vaupet]

You can find a nice review right here: http://hipowers-handguns.blogspot.com/2008/12/sig-sauer-p232-vs-beretta-model-85-f.html

Peter

 

[mec]

I wrote one up a decade or so ago- with a PPK American. The 232 functioned fine and was a bit less accurate than the Walther. Recently, a Texas DPS training officer told me that the agency had bought a bunch of 232s for the undecover guys and could not get them to function.

 

[19-3Ben]

Sig P232 Stainless was my 21st B-day present from my father, and it was my first carry gun.

Here are my thoughts- Very accurate. Very finely made. Fits the hand and points beautifully. Absolutely beautiful gun.

HOWEVER:
I noticed the same jamming issue as Lonestar. Hollow points were a no-go after about 180 (just like Lonestar) and FMJ's would stop feeding reliably at around 225 rounds.

It was also picky with hollow points. Seemed to not to like many of them. I just carried with ball. Then got a Ruger SP101 and started carrying that instead because I knew I could trust it.

I won't ever sell that Sig, but the only reason why not is because it was a gift from my father. It's sat in a gun safe unused in about 2 years. Still a beautiful gun, and I might even take it to the range every now and then, but I'll never use it as a serious defensive gun. Especially because these days I have a Kahr K40 which is dimensionally just about identical to the Sig, but packs a .40cal instead of the relatively wimpier .380.

Oh, and when I get a carry gun for my son as his present when he gets a CCP, I won't be giving him that Sig. I'll probably give him my SP101.

 

[AK103K]

I had both a German made PPK, and a US made PPK/S. They are nice guns, especially the German made guns, but I think the SIG's are better overall.

Accuracy wise, the Walthers were comparable to my SIG's, beyond that, the SIG's were just more user friendly.

The Walthers DA triggers are heavy and not near as shootable as the SIG's. The Walthers are heavier (compared to the blued, alloy SIG's), and the feel of the gun in your hand is not as comfortable. Even with the added weight, the Walthers are not comfortable to shoot, and the guns I had all bit my hand, basically every time I shot them. The SIG's dont bite, and their grip makes it much more comfortable to shoot with, even the alloy framed guns. They just fill your hand and absorb recoil better. The SIG's are slightly bigger though.

Function wise, my German PPK was flawless, the US gun, was a lot of trouble, and required a couple of trips back to the factory, and the problems were never resolved.

So far, my P230's have been 100%. Mine both gobble up hollow points without issue. I dont know what exactly the differences between the P230 and the P232 are, other than cosmetics of the grips and slide cuts, so I cant say why the P232's would be more of a problem. Maybe like the Walthers, it has something to do with where they are made.

I know a number of people complain about SIG's made here, but I havent experienced any of that, or at least not yet. I have a number of both German and US made guns, and they all have been reliable and trouble free. I dont have a P232, mostly because I already have the P230's, but I also just dont like the grips on the P232's. Not that looks really matter, its just one of those personal things.

One thing with either the Walthers or SIG's, if the gun should have a stoppage, they will not be as easy to get back in action as most other automatics. The ejection ports are small, and if there is a problem, this can just add to getting them cleared.

The Walthers mag release is more "American", but the heel release on the SIG is more secure, and not hard to get used to.

One thing I wish SIG would offer that Walther does, is the flat bottomed mag. I dislike the finger rest on either gun, but at least with the Walthers, you have a choice.

The Walthers also have a lot more sharp edges and are not as friendly to handling as the SIG's.

Not really stoppage related, but it can be annoying all the same, neither of them have a slide stop, and you have to reach in through the port with your pinky in a somewhat convoluted manner and lift the slide stop with the tip of your finger to lock them back if an empty mag isnt present.

 

[KevinR]

O man what a fine gun , I got me one and carry it all the time, just love it. Tack driving accuracy.

 

[Jeff23]

I have a p230 and it's more accurate than I am, has yet to jam (and I'm well past 300 rounds, need to clean it ), and the double-action trigger pull is really good compared to any of my other guns. That said, I'm not betting on it as my main HD or concealed carry weapon. After I get completely comfortable with it I might use it for CCW though. Seems like there are more problems with the P232's than the 230's, eh?

 

[Lakeshore]

My last trip to the range I shot one of their P232 loaner guns. I'm considering buying one so I was curious as to how it performed.

I fired about 25 rounds, all the .380 ammo I had in my bag that day. The gun handled beautifully and was surprisingly accurate. However the little takedown lever on the port side kept dropping to the open position. I had to push it up/closed at least three times. Don't know if anyone else has experienced that. The range rental guns aren't cleaned or maintained very often so I'm guessing that was a factor.

Anyway I really like the look and feel of the 232 and am impressed by all the prior positive posts. So, it's still on my wish list.

 

[AOK]

I owned a two tone 232 for a few years. It was a very accurate gun and easily concealable. I put a few thousand rounds through it and I didn't have any type of failure. I ended up selling it a couple years back to help pay for a few defensive firearm classes.

Both of my parents liked my 232 so much they each picked one up and have owned theirs for over five years. They both love theirs and like me, never had any failures.

 

[notbubba]

I've shot the 232, didn't like it.
I don't know if it's because my hands are a little bit on the large side but I had to be VERY carefull and adjust my grip to keep from losing meat from the web of my hand on the slide.

I like the Bersa much, much better and a lot less money