Posted: 4/26/2014 3:03:47 PM EDT
|
I've recently started appreciating the design of the P 239. Particularly, I am a big fan of the .357 SIg cartridge, having carried it regularly in a Glock for almost 15 years.
My questions are: Why are these models so rare? I've yet to see one in the metal at a gunstore. I'd also like to know how one goes about acquiring a 239? Is there an on-line dealer that can get unusual SIGs or is my local dealer the way to go? Finally, is the melt job a good thing or a waste of money? Thanks for helping me to understand the situation. |
|
it seems that P239 in most calibers (especially 9) are pretty hard to find at times.
Out about 6 gun shows i have been to in the last year I have only seen 1 P239 for sale (new or used).. I think Sig was pushing out more of the polymer stuff I have an older P239 in 9mm, and wanted another so i ended up buying a .40 at a local pawn shop that i knew had been around for months.. Brian |
|
I found my P239 new in a local gun store. I can't remember if it was originally a .40 that I converted to .357 Sig, or if I acquired the .40 barrel and mags to convert a .357. I carry it configured for .357 Sig, and use the .40 conversion to keep training costs down.
Top Gun Supply usually has a couple of different P239s in stock. As I write this, TGS has 3 variants in stock. |
| I had one for about 3 weeks, ordered a Mitch Rosen Premier Express and a set of wood grips from the Hogue Auction site. I could never get really "cozy" with it. Still have the holster, wound up swapping the 239 for a 2001 vintage P6. Changed the main spring and duracoated the slide, don't know what it is, but I've always liked the P6/225, and have always shot if more accurately than any pistol I've owned. It's not that is anything wrong with the 239, it just wasn't for me. I know around Louisville, you rarely see one (239) in a GS, and if you do it's not around long. |
|
It isn't the popular sexy choice so lots of places don't stock it, and for the capacity they're expensive, heavy, and large. But the heavy+large part makes them easier to shoot, and the small capacity makes the grip thinner than similar size offerings. What has always confused me is people who buy them, put the thick hogue grips on them, and then decide they don't like the gun cause it is not much smaller than a 19. Duh, you put bigger grips on it, may as well rock a 229 or 224 if you want a fatter grip non-fullsize sig.
I think the thing is when people decide to buy a p239 they tend to keep it, because it isn't often anyone buys it without having thought it through due to the issue above, so they don't come on the used market much either. |
| I have an m11a1(which is essentially a 229 right? ) and the 239 just feels perfect in my hands with the plus one on all my mags. I really don't mind only carrying 10rds, as I train frequently and know in 99.9%of SD situations less than 3 rounds are used, but if this guy held 15, it would be game over IMO. And it would probably be way more popular than it is, I've found most people have never even heard of the 239, I mean I never really heard of it until I saw one at a gun shop, and picked it up and was just wowed by how great it felt. I went on a hunt, and was able to get one used(barely) with NS 3 mags and some hogue grips for 600 bucks. Couldn't turn it down, and I've been carrying it almost everyday recently. |
|
Update. I saw and handled one in a gunstore that I just happened into. It is a standard (no melt) model and it has both barrels with it (.357 & .40), two magazines. I would say it is in very good condition -- maybe 90+%. Has one long scuff on the slide that is just on the surface of the finish (whatever that finish is).
The guy was asking $799. We talked and currently the price is $725 out the door cash. Still seems a little bit high to me, but it does have both barrels -- which I would use. It sure felt great in-hand and I really like the fire control and manual of arms of that pistol. The price is "close" but not close enough for me to pull my wallet out. What do you guys think? |
|
Quoted:
Update. I saw and handled one in a gunstore that I just happened into. It is a standard (no melt) model and it has both barrels with it (.357 & .40), two magazines. I would say it is in very good condition -- maybe 90+%. Has one long scuff on the slide that is just on the surface of the finish (whatever that finish is). The guy was asking $799. We talked and currently the price is $725 out the door cash. Still seems a little bit high to me, but it does have both barrels -- which I would use. It sure felt great in-hand and I really like the fire control and manual of arms of that pistol. The price is "close" but not close enough for me to pull my wallet out. What do you guys think? I think you did the right thing... Does it have NS? 700 with 2 barrels and NS doesn't seem to bad except for that cosmetic issue., unless it come with both in some sort of sig configuration. I guess I got a pretty good deal on mine. |
|
Check this one out, MINT SIG SAUER 1990's P239 .40 S&W - NIB |
|
Quoted:
I have an m11a1(which is essentially a 229 right? ) and the 239 just feels perfect in my hands with the plus one on all my mags. I really don't mind only carrying 10rds, as I train frequently and know in 99.9%of SD situations less than 3 rounds are used, but if this guy held 15, it would be game over IMO. And it would probably be way more popular than it is, I've found most people have never even heard of the 239, I mean I never really heard of it until I saw one at a gun shop, and picked it up and was just wowed by how great it felt. I went on a hunt, and was able to get one used(barely) with NS 3 mags and some hogue grips for 600 bucks. Couldn't turn it down, and I've been carrying it almost everyday recently. FYI, I recently bought an M11A1, and I thought the grips were just a little to big for my little hands. I swapped them out with some E2 grips, and they are FANTASTIC. I recommend you give them a try. Check Top Gun Supply. |
|
There's something about the 239 that makes it my fav single-stack concealable handgun. Part of this is its "melted" shape, which makes it attractive as well as much more comfortable to hold and to conceal. Also, it's quite thin, only about 1/4 inch thicker than the new single-stack guns (Shield, XDs). Both of these factors combine to make it unusually comfortable for concealed carry. Its caliber flexibility is also unusual as well as something that should not be minimized, IMO.
An even more subjective aspect of Sigs is their fit and finish, which I find to be unusually good. This P-series traditional Sig especially looks, feels., handles and performs very well in an old school style, IMO. If you agree with most of these assessments, a lot of personal confidence in a handgun is one result. The only other handgun I have handled that creates these impressions is a well-made 1911. As much as I appreciate the Shield, the XDs, and other newer handgun designs, the P239 really is unique in many ways - it's done well in the test of time. If you haven't handled a 239, I recommend trying one on for size the next time you're in a local gun store. Now if I can only resist trading up for a higher level 239 - mine is just a basic model, but I'd *really* like to have an SAS model!! The rosewood grips shown in this thread look great, too. |