Sig P232 .380 for a girl or....
- Thread starter RT13
- Start date
I don't think there is a true answer here, Just some great suggestions, The real answer is that she needs to try many cal's with different loads, My wife at 105# is very happy with her Thunder 380, Loaded with Magtech Golds, Believe me the 85 Gr with nr 3 shot in the hollow points @1082 fps and 221 fp will indeed stop who ever is stupid enough to wanna try one (or 2)
on for size,
It is after all where you hit them that counts. It used to be "my" gun for carry when the 45 was to bulky, It is now "her" gun and we both feel better about the night time trips to the store or even the day time trips shopping, The 380 is not a wus gun, It does require a proficent handler to get the job done.
Which gives her an excuse to shoot shoot shoot and shoot some more, Hell she scares me with those 2" or less groups
Bobcat
on for size,
It is after all where you hit them that counts. It used to be "my" gun for carry when the 45 was to bulky, It is now "her" gun and we both feel better about the night time trips to the store or even the day time trips shopping, The 380 is not a wus gun, It does require a proficent handler to get the job done. Which gives her an excuse to shoot shoot shoot and shoot some more, Hell she scares me with those 2" or less groups Bobcat
I guess I'll be the odd ma...er person...out
But I would buy her a nice new, or used, revolver in .38 Special.
I'm assuming this is her first gun. The revolver will be much easier to understand, operate, load, & maintain. No safety to operate to begin a shooting string or end one before the cylinder is empty, selective DA or SA shooting, will function just as reliably with cheap lead reloads in any bullet shape as with premium ammo, etc.
This would go for any new shooter - male or female.
For the first handgun, a revolver allows you to concentrate on simpler "safe-handling" firearm techniques & maintenance rituals. It's easier to become familiar with, allowing for less stress when learning how to shoot.
If she becomes proficient & shows a continuing interest, then moving up to a semi-auto is a nice reward for reaching a goal.
Just my $0.02, FWIW.
But I would buy her a nice new, or used, revolver in .38 Special.
I'm assuming this is her first gun. The revolver will be much easier to understand, operate, load, & maintain. No safety to operate to begin a shooting string or end one before the cylinder is empty, selective DA or SA shooting, will function just as reliably with cheap lead reloads in any bullet shape as with premium ammo, etc.
This would go for any new shooter - male or female.
For the first handgun, a revolver allows you to concentrate on simpler "safe-handling" firearm techniques & maintenance rituals. It's easier to become familiar with, allowing for less stress when learning how to shoot.
If she becomes proficient & shows a continuing interest, then moving up to a semi-auto is a nice reward for reaching a goal.
Just my $0.02, FWIW.
I have to agree with Kevin in regard to a revolver being overall much simpler to operate and understand. The deciding factor will be whether or not she likes the feel of the gun in her hand and how it feels to shoot.
As I mentioned, I thought for sure I'd end up with a revolver, but after shooting several, I realized that I didn't like how any of them felt. I went with an autopistol. Different strokes for different folks is true in the gun world too.
Shoeless
As I mentioned, I thought for sure I'd end up with a revolver, but after shooting several, I realized that I didn't like how any of them felt. I went with an autopistol. Different strokes for different folks is true in the gun world too.
Shoeless
My thoughts:
First and foremost, this is her gun. So she picks it. Period. If you violate this rule you will not get the results you want (her being proficient and actually carrying the gun) and you might as well not read anything that else that I have to say. She picks it, period. Also, as a gunowner (not to mention female) she reserves the right to change her mind. What she wants as a carry gun today she might not like in five years.
Second- don't get hung up on caliber. So long as the round meets some minimal level of damage potential, it should be a viable choice. Where that line is drawn is up to her- but as (presumably) more educated in firearms, you should probably give her guidance. I carry a .380 (a P232, incidentally) off-duty, and I consider the round to be on the weak side of accptable, but still adequate.
Now, in no particular order:
Reliability. Duh. It must go bang when she shoots it every time. My wife has a nasty habit of limp wristing my P232. She probably jams it once per range session. It almost never jams for me, and certainly hasn't done so since I sent it back to Sig a few thousand rounds ago for a checkup and minor fix.
The P232's heel mag release is not quite as fast as a standard mag release, but I think the major gripes come from people who are used to using the standard release and just never drill doing mag changes with the heel release. My wife can change magazines pretty quickly with the P232. Why? She practices with it, thats why. (If your wife can shoot the P232 reliably- unlike mine, we're working on that- I think it would be a good gun to have her try out).
The BHP is the other top-shelf auto I'd recommend that she consider. Its a classic, it fits small hands, it can carry up to 18 rounds of 9mm.
Also, advice steering her to a small .357 is not bad either. A good .357 (available cheap in the USED section) is always an excellent choice for novice shooters, and if she gets into shooting it will always have a niche in her collection. Remember, .357s can shoot .38spl.
Makarov is also a good choice for a cheap and reliable (utterly reliable) auto. The only problem is that the sights really, truly suck. They're certainly usable, but...man. Pick one up and see what i mean.
Mike
Well said, and so very true on both points.
First and foremost, this is her gun. So she picks it. Period. If you violate this rule you will not get the results you want (her being proficient and actually carrying the gun) and you might as well not read anything that else that I have to say. She picks it, period. Also, as a gunowner (not to mention female) she reserves the right to change her mind. What she wants as a carry gun today she might not like in five years.
Second- don't get hung up on caliber. So long as the round meets some minimal level of damage potential, it should be a viable choice. Where that line is drawn is up to her- but as (presumably) more educated in firearms, you should probably give her guidance. I carry a .380 (a P232, incidentally) off-duty, and I consider the round to be on the weak side of accptable, but still adequate.
Now, in no particular order:
Reliability. Duh. It must go bang when she shoots it every time. My wife has a nasty habit of limp wristing my P232. She probably jams it once per range session. It almost never jams for me, and certainly hasn't done so since I sent it back to Sig a few thousand rounds ago for a checkup and minor fix.
The P232's heel mag release is not quite as fast as a standard mag release, but I think the major gripes come from people who are used to using the standard release and just never drill doing mag changes with the heel release. My wife can change magazines pretty quickly with the P232. Why? She practices with it, thats why. (If your wife can shoot the P232 reliably- unlike mine, we're working on that- I think it would be a good gun to have her try out).
The BHP is the other top-shelf auto I'd recommend that she consider. Its a classic, it fits small hands, it can carry up to 18 rounds of 9mm.
Also, advice steering her to a small .357 is not bad either. A good .357 (available cheap in the USED section) is always an excellent choice for novice shooters, and if she gets into shooting it will always have a niche in her collection. Remember, .357s can shoot .38spl.
Makarov is also a good choice for a cheap and reliable (utterly reliable) auto. The only problem is that the sights really, truly suck. They're certainly usable, but...man. Pick one up and see what i mean.
Mike
hksigwalther
New member
The P230/232s are a bit big for .380ACP (as compared to others of that same caliber). Might want to try a Bersa or FireStorm in .380ACP.
There are, however, 9mms that are just as small as the .380ACPs. This will get you higher performance in the same size package. There is the drawback of higher recoil though. Go rent out a 9mm for her to see how she feels about it.
If she isn't going to be using it for CCW work and just for shooting, my opinion is go with a BHP with Spegal grips. (How many times have I suggested that combo?)
There are, however, 9mms that are just as small as the .380ACPs. This will get you higher performance in the same size package. There is the drawback of higher recoil though. Go rent out a 9mm for her to see how she feels about it.
If she isn't going to be using it for CCW work and just for shooting, my opinion is go with a BHP with Spegal grips. (How many times have I suggested that combo?)
gun for woman
My wife really liked the Sig P232 with the rubber Hogue grips. The .380 doesn't have much kick, but it is snappy. She also thought the little .380 bullets were cute.
She got to try the CZ-83, which is not nearly as cool looking, but higher capacity and more solidly constructed. I think it may have a better trigger as well, but I didn't get to try them side by side.
But the CZ has the standard plastic grips, and she found that it whacked the web of her hand pretty good. My wife is about 5'6" and 120# with sort of average sized woman's hands.
I think that your fiance will probably be fine with either the sig or the cz-83 so long as they have rubber grips.
Nobody makes rubber grips for the cz-83 though, so you'd have to order some thinner wood grips for it, and put a handall on it. Even so, it will be cheaper than the Sig. But like I said, the Sig looks cooler.
I'm guessing that a Makarov would be okay as well, if you upgrade the recoil spring and put Pearce grips on it.
Interestingly enough, my wife also _loves_ the CZ-75SA, she says it is as comfortable to shoot as our Ruger .22, only with a bigger bang. This is with some flatter Hakan grips, otherwise the grip is too thick. Its a big honking gun, but it is easier to shoot well than the Sig or CZ83.
My wife really liked the Sig P232 with the rubber Hogue grips. The .380 doesn't have much kick, but it is snappy. She also thought the little .380 bullets were cute.
She got to try the CZ-83, which is not nearly as cool looking, but higher capacity and more solidly constructed. I think it may have a better trigger as well, but I didn't get to try them side by side.
But the CZ has the standard plastic grips, and she found that it whacked the web of her hand pretty good. My wife is about 5'6" and 120# with sort of average sized woman's hands.
I think that your fiance will probably be fine with either the sig or the cz-83 so long as they have rubber grips.
Nobody makes rubber grips for the cz-83 though, so you'd have to order some thinner wood grips for it, and put a handall on it. Even so, it will be cheaper than the Sig. But like I said, the Sig looks cooler.
I'm guessing that a Makarov would be okay as well, if you upgrade the recoil spring and put Pearce grips on it.
Interestingly enough, my wife also _loves_ the CZ-75SA, she says it is as comfortable to shoot as our Ruger .22, only with a bigger bang. This is with some flatter Hakan grips, otherwise the grip is too thick. Its a big honking gun, but it is easier to shoot well than the Sig or CZ83.
First On Race Day
New member
It's all psychological.
My wife feels comfortable with her Sig 232 so she shoots it well. She doesn't even know the correct nominclature, but calls it her "007" pistol.
My wife feels comfortable with her Sig 232 so she shoots it well. She doesn't even know the correct nominclature, but calls it her "007" pistol.
Sgt Pepper
New member
Rather large and heavy for a .380!?!?!? What about the Browning BDA .380 or Beretta of similar manufacture? Now, that is big and heavy for a .380, but boy, what sweet shooting pistols. BTW, 10 years or so ago, nobody would have said any of those pistols were "big and heavy for a .380." I think that current perspective is skewed by the fact that big-caliber guns are available in small-caliber weights and sizes, even though these may not be the best or most comfortable pistols to shoot. I know one thing - the Sig 230/232 is light for a Sig!
I didn't say "rather large", I said "relatively large" (of course relative to all those micro-9/40/45s). My experience with the micros has been disappointing to say the least. They are either too fat, too heavy, too heavy a trigger for accurate shooting, too light a trigger for carrying safely, too long a trigger pull, too much recoil, too small a grip, blah, blah, blah...
The P232/230 is just right IMNSHO
The P232/230 is just right IMNSHO