Thinking about a Sig P239 for EDC

[johncanfield]

A buddy has a Sig P239 SA/DA (no rail) in .40 caliber that he wants to sell. I handled it and like the feel and I really like the fact that it doesn't have a traditional safety. With a seven round mag it felt maybe just a bit a lighter that my M&P9c with 12+1 but it's a single stack and the my M&P is of course a double stack. Sometimes I have to put on a baggier T-shirt (my summer clothing choice) to hide the M&P and I'm thinking the Sig would be just a tad bit easier to conceal.

I really like my M&P but this opportunity just presented itself, it's my wandering eye I suppose .

[Charles L. Cotton]

My wife carried that same gun for a few years, but it was in her purse rather than on her person. She really liked it, but she switched to a smaller Kimber Ultra Carry in .45 ACP.

The 239 is a very good gun. There are three factors you should consider. First, the hand is well below the bore which increases muzzle flip. The "take-up" on all double action SIGs is very long as is the trigger reset. Lastly, as you noted, the gun only holds 8 rounds total which is a bit on the light side for a gun of its size. If none of the factors are an issue for you and the price is right, you probably should get it. Even though Martha hasn't carried that gun in years, we'll never get rid of it.

Chas.

[The Annoyed Man]

I actually really like (the not-1911*) Sig pistols a lot.....at least the expensive ones (LOL).....but I haven't invested in one yet because:

1. there are few models with any left-handed controls,
2. they tend to be pricey, and
3. they tend to be heavy relative to capacity.

But there is no doubt that they are built like swiss bank-vaults. Maybe if I had to have just ONE pistol, a Sig would be on the short list, or maybe as a competition gun. But for an old poop like me who tries to travel lightly, I think most of their models would be too heavy to carry all day.

Plus, in the movies, they make the sound of a SAA Colt being cocked whenever you draw the gun......which is pretty cool.

* The Sig 1911's are beautiful to behold and feel great in the hand, but I just had SUCH a bad experience with the one that I owned that I probably wouldn't ever buy another one.

[mr surveyor]

I had and carried a P239 40 cal for a few years myself (sold it in 2009 to buy a Kahr). Even though, like Mr. Cotton pointed out, it does have a somewhat higher bore axis it seemed to be balanced unusually well to me. And, personally I find the weight to be a non-issue as I have found I prefer steel over polymer or the ultra-light weight models. The main reason I sold the 239 (other than the fact the guy offered me a really good sum) was the cost of 40 cal ammo at the time (that was right begore I started reloading). I weighed the cost of adding an aftermarket 9mm barrel for "ammo economy" against my desire to have all my carry guns (most preferred daily carry being revolvers) have the same basic trigger feel. Since my 239 was the standard da/sa, I could have thrown in more money to have the dao trigger kit installed. I opted for the Kahr instead of nearly doubling my investment in the Sig.

From my limited experience though, the Sig 239 was one of the most accurate, well made handguns I've ever handled. The da/sa trigger wouldn't even be an issue if that was the only type of trigger that was trained with. Sig quality is right at the top ... the weight and trigger style are up to the user's preferences.

jmo

JD

[nyj]

No thanks.

Overweight, over sized, low round capacity, over priced. There are about 6 other single stack guns on the market I'd rather have.

[Pawpaw]

I have a P239 in 9mm, which I never carry any more. Like Charles, I'll never sell it. As TAM said, it is built like a Swiss bank vault and it runs like a Swiss watch.

In my case, it's my "hand it off to a family member" gun. There is nothing to do but pull the trigger and it WILL go "bang". I have CT lasergrips on it, so I can just tell them to put the red dot on the BG and pull the trigger.

I had a chance to shoot another forum member's 239 in.357 Sig and it was equally impressive.

[68Charger]

I always thought them to be too slide heavy and wish they had a better grip. Heaviness is a factor, too.

TAM: are you referring to your old GSR?

[johncanfield]

Thanks very much fellows, I really appreciate and value all of the opinions. I also thought it was a little on the heavy side but it's so close to my M&P that wouldn't be a big factor. I've read about some having issues with muzzle flip and then others don't , all will be revealed when I can shoot it which won't happen for another week or so.

I also thought the grip was a little ho-hum but there are some good aftermarket grips out there, so that's not an incurable issue. I've got quite a bit of .40 cal target and HPs on the shelf so I wouldn't have to spend a bunch of money there. Magazines seem to be easily available for the 229 unlike my M&P. I thought that a single stack magazine wouldn't take up quite as much room in my pocket, the 12 round M&P mag is heavy.

[The Annoyed Man]

I always thought them to be too slide heavy and wish they had a better grip. Heaviness is a factor, too.

TAM: are you referring to your old GSR?

You remember? Yep, that's the one. Really purty for a jam'omatic.

Maybe it was an exception to the rule. It was REAL accurate; just completely unreliable. Perhaps if I bought another one, I'd love it. They sell them at my son's shop, and I could probably get a slight discount......but no thanks. OTH, I loved my 3" Kimber and it was deadnuts reliable, but other forum members have had the same kind of experience with Kimbers that I had with my Sig......so go figure.

[nyj]

Thanks very much fellows, I really appreciate and value all of the opinions. I also thought it was a little on the heavy side but it's so close to my M&P that wouldn't be a big factor. I've read about some having issues with muzzle flip and then others don't , all will be revealed when I can shoot it which won't happen for another week or so.

I also thought the grip was a little ho-hum but there are some good aftermarket grips out there, so that's not an incurable issue. I've got quite a bit of .40 cal target and HPs on the shelf so I wouldn't have to spend a bunch of money there. Magazines seem to be easily available for the 229 unlike my M&P. I thought that a single stack magazine wouldn't take up quite as much room in my pocket, the 12 round M&P mag is heavy.

I'd rather spend the money on a new model P229. 3 ounces heavier, yes a little bigger, but a classic sig pistol that is awesome! And why not look at the sig p938?

Unless your buddy is giving you a once in a lifetime deal, I'd pass.

[patterson]

I think the added weight over other .40 cals should help tame the recoil,and if you get a holster with a 15 degree cant will help with concealment.I haven't yet but plan on carrying my Sig P226 once I find the right holster

[patterson]

I believe the Sig P226 in 40 cal holds 10 rounds if im not mistaken

[baldeagle]

My EDC is a P239 in .357 Sig. I would think the .40 cal would be about the same. I love the gun. Love shooting it. I have not found it to be heavy when carrying all day. But pistols are like art. Everyone has an opinion. Some love them. Some hate them. Some could take them or leave them. If you shoot the gun and you like it, and the price is right, then buy it.

[SigM4]

I used to CC a two-tone 239 in .40 for several years. Of all the .40 guns I've owned over the years (a lot) it was by far the most accurate (in my hands) which really surprised me what with the short sight radius and small grip. It was a fantastic shooter and I regret getting rid of it every time I think about it. I recently picked up a used 239 in 9mm in hopes of patching that hole in my heart.

That said the 239 is fairly easy to conceal with the right holster * and surprisingly controllable for a small framed woman. I took my then girlfriend (now wife) shooting for her first time and she was definitely the most comfortable and accurate with the 239. I say if the price is right go for it, you won't regret it.

* A bit of an aside to this thread but on the topic of holsters I've got a guy local to me (Springfield, MO) that makes some great hybrid IWB holsters. Price is good for only using horsehide. http://www.ozarksholstercompany.com/

[patterson]

Sigs may be a little heavy but are balanced,but I currently carry a 1911 so I guess im used to the weight