Used Sig P232 Could use some advise

R

Rothdel

New member
I have an opportunity to purchase a used Sig P232 from a local dealer. Comes with a box and 2 mags. Other than that not a lot is known about it. I inspected it and it looks like a clean gun from what I can tell.

I kind of got glassy eyed when I picked it up so I don't think I'm being the impartial buyer I should be.

They are asking $430 for it.

1. Fair price?
2. Any thing I need to watch out for prior to purchasing?
 
price seems about right if its in prime shape. no particular problems with that gun at all. give it the usual inspection for a semi auto fixed bbl gun.
 
If it is in good condition and you like it that is a fair price with 2 mags and the box. Condition is everything IMHO so it hard to tell you more without more info.
 
They sell for $500-$550 used here, and Sig just stopped making them this year so they will only get harder to find.
 
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A lot of these are appearing lately -- I would be searching for a re-import mark on it as it seems some of the newest ones on the market are former European (or otherwhere?) issue or service guns of some manner. Please note that a re-import should *NOT* necessarily mean that it is undesirable or less desirable... but it will almost always slightly affect the "value" of it (at least when directly compared with one that has no re-import mark on it.)

Before these started arriving (I want to say it's been within the last 6 months) I would say that the price you are looking at is on the low side for these guns. They've historically had a fine reputation for build quality.

If you have wanted one for some time, this may be a fine one to purchase. Do keep in mind that some manufacturers do treat these firearms differently than ones that were built and sold for civilian or private use. (I say this only as I have heard that Smith & Wesson does this for guns bearing serial numbers that were sold to LE or similar for commercial/issue duty. Not saying S&W won't help or service them, but the 'official' word is that S&W will not honor any implied lifetime warranty on guns that were sold in this manner originally... and they have the serial numbers to check them)

If I were you and interested, I would search the FRAME of the pistol for a new and different stamping of a company/city/state that re-imported it, and then perhaps use that re-import mark to knock a few dollars off the price. I am often happy to knock 5-7% of the price down simply to cover the sales tax if the handgun in question has a somewhat decent price on it to begin with.

Good luck!
 
The price depends on condition, of course, but also as to which model, the blued alloy or stainless. $430 is a good price for an alloy P232 and an excellent price for stainless. The grips differ as well. wood will command a higher price. Plastic and Hogue polymer are standard.

Nice guns, a good addition to any collection.
 
The blue is the P230 and the stainless the P232 unless I am mistaken.
Click to expand...

The P230 and P232 came in both finishes. The P232 came in several other finishes as well. Here are a few examples.

 
I paid $500 for mine (alloy frame, steel slide, blued) a few months ago, and included Hogue grips. So I think $430 is a good price. Check gunbroker for a comparison.

Viper, I think the 230 was a steel frame & slide and was available blued or stainless. It was replaced by the 232 and had a couple subtle internal upgrades, and the blued 232 has an alloy frame. The stainless 232 just had the internal upgrades.
 
the frame material did not differentiate the 230 from the 232. look at the slide serrations on the two for the quickest difference. next look at the sights.
 
Viper, I think the 230 was a steel frame & slide and was available blued or stainless.
Click to expand...

No quite correct either. The P230 was available in both alloy, (blued) or stainless frame. The photo above of the P230, A .32acp model), is an alloy frame.

Lots of variables in the P230/232 line. Knowing exactly which model is necessary to price the gun correctly.
 
Some good advice offered. I love mine. It's a German made one, blued. I've heard there are US made ones, but have never seen one.
 
A LGS gets good condition trade-ins about every other month and they typically list them between $430 and $499, depending on condition, their mood and the number of pistols in their used case.
 
The second gun from the top is a blue alloy P232. You can tell a 232 from a 230 by the slide serration count. Note that 1, 2 and 4, all P232s, have fewer serrations, versus number 3 which has more and is a P230.

Sig even put out a combo model... alloy frame with stainless slide at one point.
 
Once again thank you for all your help. This Forum is a wealth of knowledge.

The gun is after closer examination a P230 not a P232. The Serrations were the give away.

Over all the gun looks solid and does not appear to have been shot a lot. It has a stainless frame and black (polymer?) grips.

I really have no need for another .380 but have to be honest pretty smitten with this little jewel.
 
$430 for a stainless Sig is a good deal. It should come with the older stainless mags which are all steel, no plastic follower or base, if they are original.
 
You are in the same situation a year after my purchase. The gun shop in Cordova TN had two 232s and two 230s. Three were blued.

Same price of $450 for my stainless with the box and two mags.
This gun showed very little wear and was a very good deal at the price compared to prices today for brand-new 232s.

Bought the stainless because of more resistance to corrosion. The 232 was reportedly improved over the 230 for improved feeding of various types of jhp ammo.
My only ammo has been fmj and the gun has had no issues at all.
You might also like the Brazilian 'Pau Ferro' wooden grips (E-Bay etc).
 
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Sig 232's are great guns but the market seems to be really soft for them. Arguably the finest .380 chambered pistol out there. Certainly one of the finest.

I've had mine posted for sale for what I thought was a quick sale and had no luck. (Alloy frame - stainless steel slide, night sights, four factory mags, nice belt holster, factory box plus over 400 rds of factory ammo for $550. But seems like most folks think that's too much).

Maybe it's just my area. But what I am seeing is that accross the board gun sales have gone way down. And don't get me started on Black Rifles.

Regards,

Rob
 
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