Sig 239 .40 vs 9
- Thread starter mrat
- Start date
mrat,
I've had 229 in .40 for a while and love it VERY MUCH. But it's bulky for CCW, so I'm picking up my P239 in .40 this Thursday from an FFL. Then of course, I'm going to shoot them both for comparison and post my observations here.
One strange thing I don't quite follow in your post is that both guns feel the same to you. Perhaps you mean that everything about these guns feels the same to you, except the caliber. Even that would be strange for I find them too different in size and weight and that does make a considerable difference.
Moreover, I take .40 caliber for what it really is -- a significantly more powerful cartridge than 9 mm. And so it feels in all the aspects of its behaviour -- recoil, muzzle flash, blast, etc. Hell, to me .45 feels somewhat smoother in most of the guns.
I've had 229 in .40 for a while and love it VERY MUCH. But it's bulky for CCW, so I'm picking up my P239 in .40 this Thursday from an FFL. Then of course, I'm going to shoot them both for comparison and post my observations here.
One strange thing I don't quite follow in your post is that both guns feel the same to you. Perhaps you mean that everything about these guns feels the same to you, except the caliber. Even that would be strange for I find them too different in size and weight and that does make a considerable difference.
Moreover, I take .40 caliber for what it really is -- a significantly more powerful cartridge than 9 mm. And so it feels in all the aspects of its behaviour -- recoil, muzzle flash, blast, etc. Hell, to me .45 feels somewhat smoother in most of the guns.
I've had one in .40 for almost a year. 7,000+ rounds, love it. It's singlestack mag & slim design make it great for CC. The .40S&W is noticeably sharper (recoil) than a 9mm. In a larger pistol, maybe with ammo variants, it might not be as noticeable. BIG difference in stopping power between the calibers, get the .40 if you can handle it.
smith_6288
New member
Hey guys,
I actually have the 239 in both 9mm and .40 and I've got to tell you, they are both seriously great guns. When I saw your post I went and pulled them out of the safe. I tend to prefer the 9mm more, but that's only because I am more comfortable with 9mm. It's mostly in my head. Both are relatively the same size, single stack magazine. Great trigger pull.
If you replace the stock SIG shells with hogue rubber grips you will not notice very much recoil at all. It's an incredibly smooth weapon. I would say that, next to my HK P7 PSP, the 239 in 9mm is by far my favorite gun. I think that it's great for CCW as well.
You also may want to make sure that your 239 has the steel guide rod. I got mine in May of 99 and it came with a plastic guide rod. Never posed a problem, but I switched it out for a steel rod. I just felt better that way. The sights on the 239 could use some changing too.
What are you paying for your 239?
[This message has been edited by smith_6288 (edited February 09, 2000).]
I actually have the 239 in both 9mm and .40 and I've got to tell you, they are both seriously great guns. When I saw your post I went and pulled them out of the safe. I tend to prefer the 9mm more, but that's only because I am more comfortable with 9mm. It's mostly in my head. Both are relatively the same size, single stack magazine. Great trigger pull.
If you replace the stock SIG shells with hogue rubber grips you will not notice very much recoil at all. It's an incredibly smooth weapon. I would say that, next to my HK P7 PSP, the 239 in 9mm is by far my favorite gun. I think that it's great for CCW as well.
You also may want to make sure that your 239 has the steel guide rod. I got mine in May of 99 and it came with a plastic guide rod. Never posed a problem, but I switched it out for a steel rod. I just felt better that way. The sights on the 239 could use some changing too.
What are you paying for your 239?
[This message has been edited by smith_6288 (edited February 09, 2000).]
Marko Kloos
Inactive
I prefer the 239 in 9mm, for several reasons. Ammo is dirt cheap, which translates into lots of practice. Recoil is extremely benign, which makes it good to control for follow-up shots, and it's easy on the gun (as opposed to the high-pressure rounds .40 S&W and .357 SIG). You get one more round in the magazine, and there are a lot of fine loads available in 9mm. With a good JHP design like the Gold Dot, it doesn't really matter whether you shoot the BG with a 9 or a .40.
Also, accuracy on the 239 is outstanding in all calibers. Yesterday at the range I dumped a magazine of cheap Magtech 9mm in the 10 ring from 25 yards...shooting DAO, decocking the SIG after every shot. Not too shabyy for a short barrel. I have owned many SIGs, but the 239 in 9mm seems to be the most accurate one I've ever shot.
OTOH, it *could* be all the practice that I get in with the 9mm, which goes for 6 and change per box even when purchased at Wallyworld or the range.
Also, accuracy on the 239 is outstanding in all calibers. Yesterday at the range I dumped a magazine of cheap Magtech 9mm in the 10 ring from 25 yards...shooting DAO, decocking the SIG after every shot. Not too shabyy for a short barrel. I have owned many SIGs, but the 239 in 9mm seems to be the most accurate one I've ever shot.
OTOH, it *could* be all the practice that I get in with the 9mm, which goes for 6 and change per box even when purchased at Wallyworld or the range.
I carry a 239 in 9mm daily. I definitely agree with the "cheaper ammo more practice" theory. I originally looked for a 239 in .40 but couldn't find one. I had to have the gun *now.* 
The one thing I liked about the .40 was that I could switch it over to .357Sig if I wanted to. I like that versatility.
I find the 239 to be extremely comfortable for carry, though it's a little on the large side for warm weather/warm building carry. My wife's Glock 19 isn't much bigger than the 239. I wish Sig would come out with a mini like the G26's size. I'd be the first in line.
The one thing I liked about the .40 was that I could switch it over to .357Sig if I wanted to. I like that versatility.
I find the 239 to be extremely comfortable for carry, though it's a little on the large side for warm weather/warm building carry. My wife's Glock 19 isn't much bigger than the 239. I wish Sig would come out with a mini like the G26's size. I'd be the first in line.
I don't like the .40 S&W so much, as a result I own 2 239s (9mm and .357 Sig). If I could choose only one, it would be the 9mm with night sights and Hogue grips. If I could choose 2, I'd get what I have and dress 'em like I did. Regards, Dennis
PS If I could get 3, the 3rd would be the 220 in .45 ACP, and I just might!
PS If I could get 3, the 3rd would be the 220 in .45 ACP, and I just might!
Get whichever cartridge suits your shooting style and taste. There is plenty of 9 vs 40 vs 45 threads for you to look up, if you wanna go sown that road. No SIG, IMNSHO, is bad. Seems like you need to decide if you're going to use it for concealed carry, or whatever, and let the obvious factors of economics decide for you when it comes to practice/carry rounds. If you reload, then it's not much of an issue. On the other hand, if you don't, how much do you shoot? I have a few guns that will never be used for CCW (my primary use) but I got them either because I liked the gun in general, or it was too cool to pass up(my DE in 50AE)!!
For ease, since you own a SIG in 40, you could go that way. On the other hand, if you want a gun that's cheap to feed and fun to shoot, 9 wins out hands down.
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Remember, no matter where you go, there you are!
For ease, since you own a SIG in 40, you could go that way. On the other hand, if you want a gun that's cheap to feed and fun to shoot, 9 wins out hands down.
------------------
Remember, no matter where you go, there you are!
I've got the P239 in 357, just love it.
Got a suggestion, get the P239 in .40 (but I would recommend .357
), and then get a 9mm bbl from Bar-Sto. Actually, get a Bar-Sto from someone else, cheaper.
Then you get two, two, two guns in one.
You're right on Bachman. Got mine from them. Great folks.
[This message has been edited by Joseph (edited February 11, 2000).]
Got a suggestion, get the P239 in .40 (but I would recommend .357
), and then get a 9mm bbl from Bar-Sto. Actually, get a Bar-Sto from someone else, cheaper.Then you get two, two, two guns in one.
You're right on Bachman. Got mine from them. Great folks.
[This message has been edited by Joseph (edited February 11, 2000).]