Tried to shoot a SIG!

W

Waitone

New member
I'm in the hunt for a CCH slide type. I like to PPK format. So I shot a Bersa/Firestorm in .380ACP and a CZ in .380ACP. Walther's reputation scares me off.

Today I want to shoot a SIG 230. Weight was right, not top heavy like a Kahr, slight weight to the front, sights acquire quickly, thin profile for carry, grips fit my hand to a tee. Then I come to the mag release and to my horror its a European style.

That killed any thought I had of purchasing a SIG. What is it with Chermans? Every slide gun I shot has a frame mounted mag release. Great handgun. I woulda done the deed right there but the mag release won't hunt.

Am I being Xenophobic?
 
Greeting's Waitone,

On the smaller SIG-SAUER handguns, the magazine
release will always be of the European style;
as I haven't ever seen one with the American
style?:( With that said, the American style
can be found on their larger frame guns; as
made in Germany, or of course manufactured in
Exeter, N.H.

In the early day's, when Sig was imported by
Hawes International; some P220's arrived in
the U.S.A. with the "heel magazine release",
or the European style. I too, don't care for
this type of magazine release; however, back
then the price was right so some people bought
'em? An LEO friend of mine, still carries his
P220E; even as we speak!!!:D:)

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
Frankly, I prefer the "European" style magazine release. I think the "American" (Browning) style is overrated except for competition purposes. (Before you "truly faithful" start flaming, I clearly stated it is a personal preference.
 
Walther's reputation shouldn't scare you. Interarms American produced copies are what you have to be careful of.

The German Walther PP series has an excellent reputation for reliability and accuracy.

Don't rule these out of your search.
 
Look at an HK P7M8 in 9MM. Its the size of the Sig 230, but is in a more potent caliber, plus it has the mag release wher you want it.
 
The heel magazine release was the first ambidextrous magazine release. The Browning, or American, button style is truely a left-handed magazine release.

Remember, nobody ever inadvertantly dropped a magazine with a heel release.
 
The release is different, that's for sure. It's not something you'd want in competition, but once your used to it, it really isn't as cumbersome or slow as it might first seem.
 
SIGS are the best!

I am not too much into compacts and I also don't really like Euro style mag releases but Sig is a great pistol and I find it to be one of the best if not the best guns around. The feel and accuracy is excellent. try not to let the mag-release button location prevent you from getting a good gun. The full size Sigs as said have the American style side mag release but the compacts still uses that style. Atleast on some models. But Sig compacts are excellent! Good shooting...:eek:
 
You won't do much fast reloading with a gun like the 230 anyway. It's for hosing something down at close range. If you don't do it with the first seven, the next seven probably won't gonna help.
 
There is nothing wrong with a Euro mag release. Nothing wrong with it at all. Its a more secure hold onto you mag, it wont release with out your direct intention to release it. Its fast too. Often JUST AS FAST as a thumb release for those used to using it. Think about it... you dont have to adjust your grip like many people have to with stock release buttons.

Now, don't compair these to IPSC guys with those race guns and competition rigs and mag carriers... compair them to real fighting setups that police and military guys use... or better yet - to the get ups you see at IDPA matches.
 
My first service pistol was the P1 with a heel-base mag catch, and I carried a P7PSP with the same kind of mag release for years. The heel-base mag catch is no disadvantage at all, it actually works better in some respects than the American-style one. It's truly ambidextrous, and mags have no chance to be accidentally ejected. You need to use two hands for a mag removal, which some tactically-minded folks find unacceptable, but other than that there's no real disadvantage to it.

Don't discount a fine pistol on the basis of the location of the mag release. "Tried to shoot...", the location of the mag release didn't affect its handling or accuracy, did it? :)
 
Waitone -

Take a look at the Sig P232, which replaced the 230 in their lineup a couple of years ago. IIRC, it does have a magazine release button rather than the european release catch. It is styled after the older 230 as well, so it is a good looking gun. They also make a 239 if you want a small pistol in a larger caliber than the 232's .380.
 
Of those you mentioned...I prefer the CZ-83 in .380. I have large hands for one...secondly, the trigger on the 83 is much better than any of those you mentioned. (IMHO)
However, I have bought a couple guns this summer which have the mag release on the bottom and other than a few cuss words during my first few trips to the range...I can handle either.
I guess I prefer the button up on the frame...mostly because I'm pretty used to the location but heck, I'm just happy to add another gun to my collection...
My Mak and CZ-52 are too fun to shoot!
 
Heel Release

...And just what is wrong with the heel release???!!!!:rolleyes: I find, or did find that when I went from the Makarov, or the P38, or the P5 to one of my Glocks, I went looking for the heel release!!!!:eek: This was at the range under slow fire, relaxed conditions too!!!! That is why I am thinking hard about carrying the P5 in place of the P99!!!:cool:
 
It's for hosing something down at close range. If you don't do it with the first seven, the next seven probably won't gonna help.
Click to expand...

That was pretty much my reasoning when I bought a P232 for carry. For carry purposes, the situation where I'm likely to need it is going to be in an almost point-blank encounter (carjacking or mugging attempt). I carry a spare mag, but that's mainly just because I can, not because I think I'm going to need it. If I'm outgunned to that extent in such a situation, I'm probably going to be dead before I can reload regardless of the magazine release.
 
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