KevininPa
Member
I'm asking this because:
1. I have one. A P232SL (all stainless model)
2. There are a few for sale on the PAFOA forum.
I can see many reasons to dump these pistols logically. You now have .380 pocket rockets. And there are now 9mm's the same size. And in the case of mine, even lighter in weight.
So why do we keep them?
It's probably easier to state the reasons why I keep mine. One reason is that it's DA/SA. From what I've found (and feel free to correct me in case I missed a firearm) the comparably sized nines are all DAO. And I really like my SA.
Another reason is that the pocket rockets just feel too darn small in my hand. Kinda like those cigarette lighters shaped like pistols.
Last reason, they're pretty darn accurate. Mine is the last semi-auto that I own. I'm back to being a revolver guy after owning more than a few semis. The only other semi-auto I own handgunwise is a Firestorm FS-22. Think about it, same ergos and cheap practice.
I have considered selling or trading mine on more than a few occasions. Then I shoot it and think I must be stupid even considering the idea. At 12 to 15 yards I can make 1.5 to 2 inch groups slow shooting. Banging them off fast I can do 3-4 inch groups. Throwing the firearm quick and doing a fast point shoot deal brings me within 4-6 inches of my target. This is within 10-12 yards. These are with my reloads. 100 grain rainier FMJs over 3.3 grains of Bullseye. The factory recoil spring has been replaced with a Wolf heavier recoil spring. Practice and carry loads are the same. My chrono gives me an average around 975. Went with FMJs for penetration.
It has everything I want in a smaller pistol. Compact. DA/SA. Exposed hammer, which gives me the control I like (Does this make me a control freak?). And I'm good with it. Had this pistol for a long time. Almost thought about trading it off for the alloyed frame version for summer pocket carry. Gotta Smith 637 instead. Glad I did. The all stainless frame really sucks up the snappiness of the .380 blowback system. And since I recently polished all the internals and the ramp, it's really sweet. No stones or anything too abrasive, just Mothers mag polish. Even my diehard 1911 shooting partner has a grudging respect for the way this pistol shoots(and for how I can shoot it, if I can toot my own horn).
What it boils down to is that I still really love this pistol. It shoots better than I can. The gun makes me look good. Heck, I shoot it better than the revolvers that I normally carry. I've actually been carrying it more than my revolvers lately. Largely due to what I know what I can do with it.
So let's hear it people. I know you guys are out there. Sound off about your 230/232s. I can't be the only one. I'll do some pics once I get the new grips I just ordered. Otherwise it doesn't look any different from the factory pics.
1. I have one. A P232SL (all stainless model)
2. There are a few for sale on the PAFOA forum.
I can see many reasons to dump these pistols logically. You now have .380 pocket rockets. And there are now 9mm's the same size. And in the case of mine, even lighter in weight.
So why do we keep them?
It's probably easier to state the reasons why I keep mine. One reason is that it's DA/SA. From what I've found (and feel free to correct me in case I missed a firearm) the comparably sized nines are all DAO. And I really like my SA.
Another reason is that the pocket rockets just feel too darn small in my hand. Kinda like those cigarette lighters shaped like pistols.
Last reason, they're pretty darn accurate. Mine is the last semi-auto that I own. I'm back to being a revolver guy after owning more than a few semis. The only other semi-auto I own handgunwise is a Firestorm FS-22. Think about it, same ergos and cheap practice.
I have considered selling or trading mine on more than a few occasions. Then I shoot it and think I must be stupid even considering the idea. At 12 to 15 yards I can make 1.5 to 2 inch groups slow shooting. Banging them off fast I can do 3-4 inch groups. Throwing the firearm quick and doing a fast point shoot deal brings me within 4-6 inches of my target. This is within 10-12 yards. These are with my reloads. 100 grain rainier FMJs over 3.3 grains of Bullseye. The factory recoil spring has been replaced with a Wolf heavier recoil spring. Practice and carry loads are the same. My chrono gives me an average around 975. Went with FMJs for penetration.
It has everything I want in a smaller pistol. Compact. DA/SA. Exposed hammer, which gives me the control I like (Does this make me a control freak?). And I'm good with it. Had this pistol for a long time. Almost thought about trading it off for the alloyed frame version for summer pocket carry. Gotta Smith 637 instead. Glad I did. The all stainless frame really sucks up the snappiness of the .380 blowback system. And since I recently polished all the internals and the ramp, it's really sweet. No stones or anything too abrasive, just Mothers mag polish. Even my diehard 1911 shooting partner has a grudging respect for the way this pistol shoots(and for how I can shoot it, if I can toot my own horn).
What it boils down to is that I still really love this pistol. It shoots better than I can. The gun makes me look good. Heck, I shoot it better than the revolvers that I normally carry. I've actually been carrying it more than my revolvers lately. Largely due to what I know what I can do with it.
So let's hear it people. I know you guys are out there. Sound off about your 230/232s. I can't be the only one. I'll do some pics once I get the new grips I just ordered. Otherwise it doesn't look any different from the factory pics.
