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Range Report: SIG P232 .380

Tuesday, September 16th, 2003 | Guns |

SIG P232 pistolI’m not a big fan of .380s, or double actions, but the little SIG was one of the few guns at the range that I hadn’t shot, so I tried it reluctantly. I was pleasantly surprised.

The P232 has one of the best double action mechanisms I’ve ever used. When decocked, the hammer is still partially cocked, which makes the first shot lighter and shorter than most DAs.

  SIG P232
Capacity 7+1
Weight Empty 16.2 oz.
Barrel 3.6″
Sight Radius 4.7″
Length 6.6″
Height 4.7″
Width 1.2″
Origin W. Germany

After the first shot, double action autoloaders cock the hammer, making for a trigger pull that’s lighter, but not necessarily shorter. Often, the second trigger pull is just as long, but the first stage of travel is extemely light because the trigger has no resistance. With the P232, the trigger doesn’t return to the fully forward position after the first shot, so there’s no takeup in the single-action trigger pull.

These two features make the 232 very easy to fire quickly and accurately. The sights are big enough to get a good sight picture, and feature a red front blade. The grip was just big enough to get a good purchase, and had rubber stocks that provided a secure grip that easily tamed the modest recoil.

The magazine release is on the bottom of the handle, which makes it a two-handed affair that’s a little slow to operate. The gun I shot was stainless steel for ease of maintenance. Other finish options are blued, two-toned, and Nitrox.

If you’re in the market for a .380, the SIG P232 would be an excellent choice. If you can handle the recoil of the more-powerful 9 mm, the Kel-Tec P11 and Glock 26 are about the same size. I’ll post reviews of both guns in the next week.

Read more Range Reports for other guns

27 Comments to Range Report: SIG P232 .380

SayUncle
September 16, 2003

that’s the only sig i don’t care for. The reason (as you mentioned) is the mag release is at the bottom of the grip and the mags have to be pulled out.

mark123
October 2, 2004

The hammer is not partially cocked on the P232 when decocked. SIGs employ a number of internal safeties one of which is the safety intercept notch which holds the hammer off of the firing pin (even under pressure) unless the trigger is in its full rearward position. Also, I don’t think the P232 comes in Nitron…it’s either blued, two-toned or fully stainless, but don’t quote me on that part.

Tyler
October 26, 2004

The sig 232 is really a wonderful gun, I carry one every day and love it. Some people dont like the european stle mag release, but having grown up shooting guns with it, like my good old Ruger MkII, It doesn’t bother me a bit. In fact, I prefer it to the button style releases. Super smooth trigger and mine has had thousands of rounds through it with not one single malfunction.

chris1
November 7, 2004

I bought a 232s as a carry pistol a while back. An excellent, reliable and simple handgun, which fit my large hands well compared to the Sig 239 and some of the smaller S&Ws (my choices in MA being very limited). At the range, however, I find that the natural shooting position places my hand in a spot where it just barely gets nicked by the slide (not bitten, just kind of scratched); after I put a box of ammo through it, I take a nice red mark home. Yeah, maybe I’m just being a wuss, but it’s worth considering if you have larger hands and want to shoot it regularly. I’m now considering a used Kahr K40 (sadly, can’t buy them new in Kahr’s home state) or perhaps S&W’s new 99 as a more powerful alternative.

Lucius
April 4, 2005

The P232 is my daily carry gun. Stocked with PMC Starfire JHPs, it makes really nice large holes in wet phone books (poor man’s ballistic gell). It is slim and small enough to easily conceal, yet large enough to afford a good grip (I recommend a Hogue mono-grip). Many people with large hands do report getting bitten by the slide on recoil. My hands are large, but thin and have no problem. (Never bitten). Great gun.

jester1542
May 27, 2005

Tyler, I had a similar problem with a P230. I put Hogue wood grips on it and it hasn’t nicked my hand since.

Anonymous
November 21, 2005

Hi Expert ,
I just bought a P232 at a local gun show . The gun came with two mags and I load both mags with 7 rounds each . Don’t know if leaving the mag with full load of ammo might weaken the magazine springs . Please advise. Thanks so much .
Camauman

MojoJojo
December 3, 2005

Just empty your mags once a month or so and leave them empty for 15 minutes to an hours to allow tensil strength to restore. The new Glock springs reset after being uncompressed in seconds, so unloading and reloading the mag does the trick… Not sure what material Sig uses.

Bz
February 17, 2006

I have a p232 in 9mm Kurz that I have had a short time now, in that fancy titanium special edition finish. The 232 is by far the best handgun I have ever owned. I have heard all the complaints from the mag release to only 7 rounds per mag to even why the short is not powerful enough for protection. None of which scratch the surface of a real problem. The P232 is a finely crafted firearm that will never fail under pressure. And like all other firearms, the owner should be familiar with its workings, instead of buying a gun around the way others are made. Sure, the 380 isnt a magnum or a full size 9mm or a 40. I can argue until blue in the face, but the gun is easily handled, easily carried and will shoot each and every time, strait and perfect.

Gun control is hitting your target. This will do the job. If you want a gun for a firefight or for war, get your big frame 45 and do it right. Life usually doesnt allow that kinda beast carried.

Joey the Wolf
March 7, 2006

I recently fired one of these guns at a range. Put about 3 mags of ammo through it. They are extremely, pin point accurate, and recoil, although snappy, is very manageable. The trigger is outstanding, and it’s small size makes it easy to conceal. The slide did hurt my hand a little bit (actually, no pain, just a black mark on my hand after firing it), but really, I didn’t care. The only problem I have is the euro style release. I’m not a big fan of it, but other than that, it’s an outstanding firearm, and being a Sig, one can be sure of it’s quality.

wg
March 11, 2006

love this gun , hurts my arthritic wrist. but what the h– cant’t have everything!!

Brad
March 14, 2006

I’ve had this gun for over a year and a half. As stated in the post’s above, it is definatle a smart idea to change the grip if you’ve got a decent sized mit. I’ve changed my grip to a mono-Hogue and it’s been nice. I put over 800 rounds through this gun and one squib Wolf that really messed things up. If it wern’t for that cheap Wolf ammo that my range pushes on everyone, this 232 would have been perfect since day one. Thankfully the fellas as SigArms were most helpful and took care of the problem in a timely and respectable manor. Those guys are class all the way. The 232 is a great gun that is easily carried, shoots straight and has just enough punch to do some damage when you’ll most need it.

tuan nguyen
March 28, 2006

thanks all of you guys out there. i’m about to bye one and this will reinforce me to do so.

Shiner1
March 30, 2006

I have been having a problem with my sig 232 recently. When I release the slide to load a round into the chamber, it is very common that the slide is not closing fully. The round seems to be getting stuck against the top of the barrel. I’m trying 2 kinds of ammo and having the same issue. It was fine for 2 years of shooting. Anyone else seen this issue?

sig40
June 21, 2006

tuan- clean your gun thoroughly and use better ammo

SigFan
July 24, 2006

I like what I am seeing here. I have started my fiancé shooting in the past month on a Glock 23 .40 and she handles it rather well. She isn’t a huge fan of the Glock trigger however and favors the trigger of my Sig p239 .40. Since we recently have had a serial rapist reported in our town it might be time to get one of these for her to carry once she gets her permit.

Dee
October 24, 2006

I am a female and have just started shooting about 3 weeks ago. Here is the list so far. Rueger semi .22, Rossi .38 special, .357 Colt King Cobra. I am interested in purchasing a firearm and was pointed in the direction of the Sig 232. I plan on getting my permit one day and am curious if this would be a good choice for a first time firearm. Thanks for any comments and suggestions.

barry
October 26, 2006

I think you would love this gun, Dee. Also Tuan, I had never had a problem with my Sig after many rounds til I ran 50 Winchesters through it. I don’t remember the number, but sounds like the same thing happened 3 times. 3 times in 50 is not bad , but it never happened til then, so I’m blaming the ammo. I love my 232!

Sykky
October 31, 2007

This gun is next generation to Walther PP/PPK, revised P 230, many years of experiences of SigSauer constructors are incorporated in that - there mustnt be need to say more already… Smooth and elegant design, no sharp edges (even hammer is no obstruction while drawing), perfect sights, excellent grip, very strong (thus reliable) firing pin force, balanced recoil spring power (considering this is blowback-operating gun!). Maximum safety for service gun even with loaded chamber (while decocked…), decocking lever… Extracting of magazine is compromise, of course, but decocking lever instead of mag release button is better choice. And who has to reload under stressing battle situation, just convicted himself from severe tactical operation procedure failures! (poor shooting, no preventive reloading after first opening fire, lack of preliminary training of stress handling…) This is last resort gun, not battlefield dominator:-) And who is wearing standby second magazine with this king of gun and could profite from quick reloading?… I have small hand, but I am pretty sure that even with bigger one shooter cannot decock by such situated lever while shooting finger on trigger. Some could consider it as an imperfection, but I consider it to be very wise and safe. Handgrips are quite thick and I consider trying thinner ones, but while wearing it in holster, that is making slide thicker, it doesnt matter at all. Grip is therefore very stable and gun in holster looks more authoritative:-)
I had no ammo failures yet, but I experinced failure of slide stop, probably cos of yet “raw” operation of brand new magazine with combination of relatively weak ammo laboration (or weak hand while blow-back?:-). But this wouldnt be so substantial, even if it will reiterate in future - with well self-tuned magazines already.
The only consideration in this category of gun is whether there is superb ammunition available in your country. .380 ACP is not great tribute for self defense, but softpoint or JHP bullets with 300 and more Joules should be enough. Well, none of these are available (and allowed) in my country, but I dont care. I can wear this gun where other service gun is not acceptable baggage and .380 ACP in hand is always better than .40SW in desk:-) If you want no compromise caliber, try P239, Kahr, subcompact Glock, or something like that. But I can assure You that You will miss P232 very soon if You are alreadyfamiliar with it:-)

Harold
December 13, 2007

I’m having problem locating a Laser for the P232. Have any ideas where I can find one?

Harold
January 2, 2008

Is this site still active?

Eric
April 1, 2008

I am looking for a Sig P232 Titanium, as mine was stolen. I am willing to pay extra to replace what I miss…
est@centurytel.net

paul
February 25, 2009

Iv’e had my sig 232 for a year now and i carry it 90% of the time which says a lot i belive something is better than nothing big heavy guns you get tired of carrying 70% people that buy 40 cal or higher carry their gun 30% of the time the sig 232 is reliable, light and easy to carry

Tom
March 10, 2009

I expect my tax money any day now and I know it will be going to the new Sig dealer in our neighborhood.
Thanks, everyone!

Wildman
March 11, 2009

Shiner1:

If in those two years you have fired 1000+ rounds, you might consider a new recoil spring. All blowback pistols are dependent upon the recoil spring both to hold them in battery against a loaded chamber and to feed each successive round into the chamber. The only resistance against the pressure generated by the round when it is fired is that same spring. It gets quite a workout!

Most pistol manufacturers suggest changing the recoil springs in recoil-operated pistols (those with mechanical lock-up) after every 2000 rounds at most, so changing the recoil spring in a blowback pistol after 1000 shouldn’t be a bad idea.

Wildman
March 11, 2009

Shiner1:

If in those two years you have fired 1000+ rounds, you might consider a new recoil spring.

All blowback pistols are dependent upon the recoil spring both to hold them in battery against a loaded chamber and to feed each successive round into the chamber. The only resistance against the pressure generated by the round when it is fired is that same spring. It gets quite a workout!

Most pistol manufacturers suggest changing the recoil springs in recoil-operated pistols (those with mechanical lock-up) after every 2000 rounds at most, so changing the recoil spring in a blowback pistol after 1000 shouldn’t be a bad idea.

Jeff
March 24, 2009

I recently acquired a sig p232 and I am in the process of learning anything and everything I can about it. I’ve only shot maybe 25 rounds and I found it to be extreamly acurate. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on the best brand ect. of ammo for practice?

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