Thinking about a Sig P239 for EDC

[johncanfield]

you may or may not like the P239 because it is DA/SA and your wifes Sig P238 is SAO, the first DA pull is long but smooth

I dry fired the 239 several times and it seemed to be okay, but final judgement reserved. My comment about the 238 was focused on looks, it's a sweet looking little pocket gun.

[patterson]

my wife handled a Sig P938 at a LGS and could rack the slide on it so that will probably be her next pistol

[SigM4]

do you happen to know why some Sig models have long extractors and some have the short. My P226 has a long extractor but no issues so far

Sig transitioned over to the long extractor on almost all of its models about 2-3 years ago. I don't know that there was ever an official explanation other than to say it was an "improved" design. The real reason may ver well be cost related as I suspect the time spent to machine out the new extractor groove is probably less than was required to machine the small extractor pocket on older pistols. Either way I have heard of very few issues related to either the old short or new long extractors. I tend to prefer the older short extractors, but only because that's what most of my Sigs have. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase a newer Sig with the longer example. In fact whenever I find some guilt-less disposable income I'll likely be bringing home a new 227.

I think they, like all DA/SA guns shoot horribly on the first shot which is arguably the most critical. This is compounded by a complex manual of arms (decocking to go to low ready, followed by the horrible pull again). I enjoy them at the range, but I think for a modern fighting pistol, I'd stick with the M&P.

For anyone who wants to keep things simple, a Sig is definitely going to be a little too complex. Even for most LEOs I would think that the simplicity of a Glock or M&P is probably preferred. As I'm sure you're keenly aware most LEOs are necessarily "gun" people. It's obviously a lot easier to teach a non-gun person (LEO or otherwise) how to effectively handle a gun with one consistent trigger pull. That said, I've been shooting Sigs for 13+ years at this point, so by sheer virtue of the time invested I barely even notice the first shot DA trigger pull anymore. I don't know that I'm any more or less accurate on the first shot versus follow up shots, but I can say that I consistently hit the target at my point of aim with the first DA shot even when drawing from the holster. I'm by no means an expert (more like amateur beginner) but I'm pretty happy with the results.

A few years ago I took a class in San Antonio taught by Bruce Gray, arguably the premier Sig gunsmith and an accomplished national shooting competitor. Among the many things I learned, one of the most noteworthy was the value of dry firing. At the end of three days I had probably dry fired my gun more times than I'd actually sent rounds down range (about 1200 rounds shot). For those of us shooting DA/SA guns this was especially important as it gave us ample opportunity to practice the long DA pull. The end result being that all 15-20 folks in the class were able to stand at 20 feet and shoot a playing card turned on edge. Again, those shooting DA/SA were made to shoot the DA pull for this exercise, some even hit it on their first or second shot. I was below average in that it took me four shots. Regardless, if enough time is invested a long DA pull isn't hard to overcome. Though I do recognize the clear advantage of a consistent SA trigger in a lot of applications.

[patterson]

I have heard other sig owners with the short extractor say it was easier to remove to clean than the longer version

[patterson]

SigM4
You should have picked up that 227 a couple of weeks ago so you could have taken advantage of the Summer Rebate 2014 offer and picked up a couple of free mags. I got in on it but haven't received my mags or Sig bag yet

[gigag04]

Sig M4 - thanks for the post. I agree it can be learned and mastered and also that LEOs are not necessarily gun people. That said, the G34 and 1911 variants dominate in competitive shooting, and the numbers get even better when you add M&Ps in the mix. That tells me that those are preferred platforms for surgical shooting. The DA first pull is a safety compromise to avoid NDs and is further compounded by using a decocker.

To my simple mind it is equated to using dial up internet.

[patterson]

what do you mean further compounded by using a decocker, all you have to do is swipe the lever when re-holstering much like swiping the safety on when holstering a 1911

[johncanfield]

Just got back from a fun time on BLM land (shoot anywhere ) with our buddies - we each brought several handguns and I brought the evil black gun (.308 Bushmaster). I shot several magazines through the P239 and was really liking it - I was really accurate with it in SA mode, more so than any other handgun I own, DA mode, not so much but I think that's the nature of the beast. Double taps - not a problem, trigger was fine. I liked it enough to make him an offer but he didn't bite or make me a counter - guess he's not serious about selling it (or he thinks it's worth >=$800.)

[patterson]

you should check into the Sig Sauer refurbished pistols from the factory,but I don't know how much cheaper they are compared to new.I purchased my P226 new and it was expensive but well worth it

[patterson]

im thinking possibly getting the p229 or p224 for carry

[HadEmAll]

I believe the sig magazines are interchangeable for 40 and 357 Sig also

You know, back when I had mine about 10 years ago, that was true for the P229, but not the P239 for some reason. You had to buy 357 Sig mags along with the barrel. I never undestood the difference. But thats what Sig said then.

[johncanfield]

Never give up . Missed out on a P239 in .357 Sig at a recent local gun show but since I was going to meet up with my buddy that turned my offer down last summer for his P239 (.40cal) I tried again with a better offer and that worked. Yea! I really like the way it shoots.

[mr surveyor]

Congrats, John, you picked a good one .... and it sounds like it finally picked you.


jd