Walther PP vs Sig 230 size comparison

[Float Pilot]

I few folks here have mentioned owning PPs and a couple other 380 pistols like the Sig 230s.

How does the old PP ( not PPK) stack up size wise compared to the 230s ???
Do the PPs have slide bite like the PPKs?

 

[usp9]

A size comparison shows these two to be very similar. I've never experienced slide bite from either. Here's a pic of both. These happen to be .32acp, but the size is the same in .380.



IMHO, the main difference in these great guns are in the grip feel and the sights. The Sig's sights are superior. I prefer the Sig grips but they are fatter, less carry friendly. I like the Sig decocker and take-down method too. If weight is a factor, the alloy Sig shaves a bunch of ounces off of the all steel Walther's weight. Both very suitable for carry.

 

[Lucky Derby]

The PP/PPK give me slide bite. I have a scar on my knuckle from a PPK I ownd briefly about 18 years ago.
Never had an issue with the Sig, and I've owned 3 of them through the years.

 

[1KPerDay]

My P230 bites me pretty bad. But it's so sexy I give it a pass.

 

[Float Pilot]

UPS9, do you see any real difference in the function or accuracy between the two?

 

[1KPerDay]

You didn't ask me, but to me the PP-PPK/S recoil is sharper due perhaps to the grip shape and exposed backstrap. I don't like the slide-mounted safety/decocker either, so the SIG wins every time. DA trigger pull is FAR superior on the SIG also.

 

[AK103K]

You didn't ask me, but to me the PP-PPK/S recoil is sharper due perhaps to the grip shape and exposed backstrap. I don't like the slide-mounted safety/decocker either, so the SIG wins every time. DA trigger pull is FAR superior on the SIG also.

Ill second everything 1KPerDay said here.

Ive had a couple of PPKs and P230's, and the reason I went to the P230's, was the Walthers. There really is no comparison, and shooting them side by side will confirm that real quick.

The P230's are lighter, and their grip, while slightly larger, is much better at filling your hand, and absorbing recoil. The P230 has never drawn blood on me, where the Walthers did at nearly every shot. The SIG's DA trigger is something to marvel at, and its SA trigger is very nice too. Both models were always accurate for me, but Id say the the edge goes to the SIG, due to its ergos over the Walther.

If you can get to shoot both, that would be the easiest way to solve this. If you want to make a left turn in the middle of all this, try a Glock 42 too. For the past 20 years or so, my P230's were always the .380 to beat. That was until a couple of months ago, when I got my first 42.

 

[usp9]

UPS9, do you see any real difference in the function or accuracy between the two?

As to function, the two differences, IMHO, are the sights and the mag release, otherwise they are as similar as can be.

They are both accurate, both have good triggers. Mags may be problematic in the Walther as there are slight differences in years and manufacturers, depending on when the pistol was made and by whom.

Both classics.

 

[sauer1911]

Just ordered a cali legal p232 .380 in stainless! Cant wait for delivery!!

Tried the G42, it seemed almost too thin for me to hold and shoot reliably.

I like the fuller feel of the Sig, it is like an extension of my hand. Still a small CCW type weapon.

be safe.

 

[kokapelli]

If size is important, how can you beat a Sig P238 or Glock G42?

 

[AK103K]

My P238 was trouble. I hear they are better these days, but Id still go with the 42, mainly because its the same as my other Glocks, just a tad smaller.

The P238 is the only other .380 that Ive shot, thats as soft a shooter as the 42 though. It was accurate too.

 

[rcmodel]

SIG P-232 over a PP or PPK/s for me!

I sold my Walther PPK/s years ago because it was heavy, and Snappy to the point of palm slap with decent SD loads.

Came into a SIG P-232 SL priced to good to pass up.
And I love it!

Much lighter, soft shooting, and more accurate then it has any right to be!

rc

 

[nathan]

Sigs always ranked top .

 

[sgt127]

I love Walthers. I own quite a few of them. All of mine are .32. I had a couple .380's years ago, but I got rid of them.

For a carry gun of that size and style in .380, I would choose the P232 in a heartbeat. Better trigger, better ergonomics.

But, the Walther is a classier collectible with a rich history.

 

[sauer1911]

Cant get a p238 in california, not on the list.

G42 was ergonomically skinny for my hand.

The P232 that is Cali legal, has a Hogue grip that is fitted for finger grips.

looks good fits good.

be safe

 

[kokapelli]

There are a number of grip overlays for the G42.

 

[Float Pilot]

I played with a Glock 42 the other day. But like all Glocks the grip to bore axis angle is wrong for me.
I have shot lots of PPKs and never had a problem, But I have never shot a PP.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I've said it before and I'll say it again...

230s and 232s are monumental pieces of pooh!
Heavy, goofy mag catch and pretty (or "sexy" as quoted above) doesn't mean she can cook.

I'll continue my campaign against these over priced and over appreciated pistols as long as it takes -

to get you people to back off of them enough for me to score at least two more in stainless. I need availability to go up and prices to go down.

WALTHER - good enough for Bond... good enough for you! Leave the Sigs to me. I'll suffer their shortcomings.

My Walthers all went down the trail and I needs two more Sigs - dad-gummit!

 

[sauer1911]

There are a number of grip overlays for the G42.

That is GREAT! If I ever want a G42, I'll spend MORE money for a grip overlay.

Til then I'll enjoy my P232 which comes WITH a GREAT Hogue grip.

I love my sigs! Please enjoy your Glocks!

be safe!

 

[AK103K]

You dont have to spend a dime to improve the Glocks grip. Just a little time spent with a soldering pen, and you get a much better grip than any stick on.

Im planing on doing my P230 this winter as well. Just never got around to it before, an the grip tape is about shot (again) anyway. Stippling solves that issue. It also isnt "sticky", like the Houge rubber grips. To bad they still dont offer them in plastic.

I always found the factory SIG panels to be the best choice, with one exception, the P239's. Its factory panels could stand some "swell" through the palm. They are to skinny otherwise. I ended up going with a set of Houge wood grips there, as they didnt offer the plastic versions of the rubber anymore. Seeing how well the stippling works, I would have had all my SIG's done by now, if Id kept them.

 

[bannockburn]

Never a problem with hammer or slide bite with either gun, I would have to go with the SIG P232 over the Walther PP. Better ergonomics, sights, trigger, and decocker make the SIG a much more enjoyable pistol to shoot.

 

[kellmark]

I have to say that I like both guns.

I had a SIG P230 Stainless that I had bought new. As everyone has said, a beautiful gun. Well made. Fit well in the hand. Easy take down. But, as I like to carry in a pocket, I found it didn't really work for me. It was a bit too much for my pockets. I know that there are other options besides pocket carry, but for me I prefer pocket carry. So I let the SIG go in a trade and got a PPK Interarms stainless as it was significantly smaller. It fits perfectly in my pocket and I carried it for many years. No slide bite for me, either. I really like the gun a lot. But when the mini-380s came along I got a Keltec P3AT and now carry that a lot.

Now, if I was comparing the SIG with the full size Walther PP, then I would go with the SIG, for its ergonomics especially.

But ultimately, even though I would love to own a SIG 230-232 again, I have gravitated toward the smaller 380s and the more recent pocket nines.

 

[golden]

Newer is better in this case

I have owned the WALTHER PP and PPK, both in .32ACP. I also own two SIG 232 in .380ACP. I liked the SIG 232 blue model (aluminum frame) so much, I bought a second.

I consider the SIG 232 superior to the WALTHER PP for several reasons. The SIG has an aluminum frame that saves several ounces in weight. The SIG has much better sights, especially if you get the tritium night sights, a real bonus for a defensive pistol.
The SIG also has a MUCH, MUCH BETTER GRIP and the SIG trigger is in a different class from the WALTHER, noticeably smoother. The plastic, non fingergrip stocks on the blue, aluminum framed SIG 232 are about perfect for me, ergonomically, as I have average size hands. They fit perfectly, recoil is mild and control great.

The SIG has two other improvements over the WALTHER PP. First the SIG DE-COCKER works just like the larger framed SIG pistols and is the best DE-COCKER ever made, in my experience. It is fast and safe and when used, it does not put your pistol into a NON-FIRING MODE which you may forget to switch off.
The WALTHER PP safety works fine, but if it were a de-cocker like the BERETTA G series of pistols, I would like it more.

The other advantage is the take-down procedure could not be simpler. Just flip down the lever and let the slide forward.

In shooting, I found that the squared off grip of the WALTHER PP made recoil more tiring in .32ACP than shooting the SIG 232 which was lighter and used more powerful .380ACP ammo. I could feel the squared edges banging against the web of my hand when shooting.

Strangely enough, I found the recoil less fatiguing when shooting .32ACP in the smaller PPK pistol which has a shorter grip. I attributed this to the lighter slide of the PPK which is about a half inch shorter and an ounce or so lighter.

While the SIG had better sights, the WALTHERS are usable. All three pistols can shoot well and I found my qualifications scores were good with all of them. The SIG however was shooting more powerful ammo and usually scored a little higher.

The PPK had the advantage of being smaller, so I used to carry it fairly often until I bought a GLOCK 42 for my pocket gun. I was very reliable and well made ( a pre-war gun) with a usable trigger and small sights.

I would use any of them, but I kept my PPK, but in the end I sold the PP and replaced it with a second SIG 232.

All three are very good pistols, but I think the SIG 232 is just one of the best .380ACP pistols ever made. Only the BERETTA Cheetah series, the model 81, 82
84 and 85 are as good and they are bulkier.

Jim