Sig P239: Yeah or Nay

[ECVMatt]

Good evening to all,

I have always loved the Sig 225 but never seemed to pick one up. I now have a chance to buy a P239 in 9mm with 10 mags for a good price. It also has Trijicon HD's and the SRT installed as well.While not a 225, it is pretty close. I probably would not CCW the gun, just shoot it at the range or in the desert.

It seems like the correct answer to should I buy a new gun is alway YES, but I was wondering if anyone has any particular insights about the P239.

Thanks in advance for any information.

[Jared]

I loved the one I used to have and at times wish I hadn’t let it go. Slide never locked back for me, thumb always hit it, but that’s just something that happens when I shoot Sigs.

The things shoot like much bigger guns for me. Like it’s ridiculous (for me) some of the scores and times I could get out of a 239 and how little performance drop there was next to some guns that should have been much more capable.

So why did I let them go? To me I couldn’t justify keeping a slim small semi auto that I wasn’t going to carry, and I wasn’t carrying either of them.

[GJM]

I still have two in my safe. They are amazing examples from another era, of what a quality Sig metal gun was. They shooter bigger than their capacity, but also carry bigger than their capacity.

In a world on 10-15 round, optics ready slimline pistols, they are mostly historical.

[4RNR]

If you're not going to carry then whatever. Otherwise they're kinda pointless with today's carry options.

I really wanted one until I came across one at a LGS. They had the P07, G19 and the 239. All 3 guns were basically same size and thickness except one weighted more and carried less ammo

Sent from my moto z4 using Tapatalk

[shootist26]

Good evening to all,

I have always loved the Sig 225 but never seemed to pick one up. I now have a chance to buy a P239 with 10 mags for a good price. It also has Trijicon HD's and the SRT installed as well.While not a 225, it is pretty close. I probably would not CCW the gun, just shoot it at the range or in the desert.

It seems like the correct answer to should I buy a new gun is alway YES, but I was wondering if anyone has any particular insights about the P239.

Thanks in advance for any information.I own 2 and carry them primarily due to state mag limit issues. When I shoot objective standards like FAST or bill drill, there is very little drop off compared to full size 9mm guns for me. They really do shoot amazingly well, especially if you make the grips a little grippier.

The biggest issue wifh it is the weight. It is heavy, no way to get around it. Size wise it actually conceals well due to its very thin grip.

If you think mag limits are in near future,It definitely is a great gun to have. I learned to shoot on a DA gun so I like the trigger. People with small and medium size hands will like the grip size. I modified some talon grips on mine.

That being said, if I lived in a free state I would be carrying a modern full capacity 9mm.

[Shoresy]

Cliff's Notes:
- Carries like a small gun, shoots like a big gun. Even if it's not a carry gun, it isn't any less enjoyable than a 226/228/229.
- Mags come and go, and I don't believe they're currently being produced. When they aren't readily available, they're hard to find and expensive. That makes them hard to replace, and 10 mags with the pistol is attention-getting.
- Small sample size, but the few I've handled have been very reliable.
- They tend to retain their value. If you decide you don't like it, it's not going to lose value either being sold immediately or sitting in a safe.

To my mind, it checks all the blocks of "fun range pistol" and "interesting" very nicely. There are other pistols that do the same, but if the price is right, I'd do it and not think twice...

[MattyD380]

I have 3:

80722
It’s the carry gun I always come back to (I mean, seriously—I have 3) for a couple reasons.

1. It’s DA/SA. If you’re looking for a compact, single-stack DA/SA carry gun, your options are fairly limited. And this is a damn good one.

2. It’s not “tiny”—but it is compact and concealable. Even though it has a silhouette reasonably close to a G19 or a CZ compact (like someone mentioned), the single-stack grip is thin, small and lays flat when you’re carrying. And the slide isn’t much thicker than a 1911. I tend to think P2XX Sig slides (with the exception of the Legacy P229) are pretty much the same in terms of width—just over an inch. Definitely thinner than an HK, Walther P99/PPQ or just about any Beretta. The .357/.40 P239s have a beefier slide than the 9mm P239s—but it’s actually just taller, not wider. Which I found surprising.

3. It’s good for small hands. Which I have. I can reach (and control) the DA pull better than on many doublestack DA/SA designs. And I don’t have to adjust my grip as much transitioning to SA.

4. It’s accurate AF. Even if none of the above were true, I think you could make a case for the P239 on the merits of shootability alone. My examples have always shot very well (for me, anyway). I haven’t done a whole lot of shooting over the past year and half, and I can still go out and put most of 50 rounds into the center of a target at 10 yards. Some seem to think it’s one of the most mechanically accurate Sigs. I dunno. But I’ll say I tend to shoot a P239 a bit bitter than a P225.

80724

5. It’s reliable. Never had an issue with my P239s—both in 9mm and 357.

As far as drawbacks? You only get 9 rounds of 9mm (or 8 of .40/.357). And it’s not as light as a polymer single stack. But… it’s not like it’s a boat anchor, either. Other than that… I feel like it kicks copious amounts of ass both as a carry gun and just a cool gun to have and shoot.

[L-2]

I vote "yes", as I sometimes still carry my old P225 (I just hope it doesn't break). Regarding SIG mags, the last pricing on P239 9mm mags was ~$45.
https://gunmagwarehouse.com/sig-sauer-p239-9mm-8-round-magazine.html

My "yes" vote all depends on how much this P239 package deal will cost and if the OP wants to spend the money for a SIG which the OP might not use much, but just wants to own.

Even though I own and sometimes carry the P225, I'm more likely to carry my Glock 19 gen5, SIG P229R, or Glock 26 gen3, among others (I'll carry almost anything I own).

[M2CattleCo]

I carried one a long time ago and it was a great gun, concealed well.

Totally outclassed by a Glock 19, and maybe even a 26 though. They’re heavy and the little bitty grip is something to work around.

[jnc36rcpd]

I carried one as a back-up to my issue SIG 226 for a while. As mentioned, it's heavy (at least in comparison to polymer pistols) which is why I dropped it from that role.

When I was actually relevant as firearms training coordinator, I convinced on-high to replace the detectives' optional 230's with the 239. As a side note, most preferred the uniform 226, but none complained about the 239. Later I got on-high to authorize the 239 as a uniform weapon for officers for hands too small to effectively shoot the then .40 226 well. Their Q scores didn't go like I hoped they would, but the three officers (all female troops with smaller hands) who chose the 239 all liked it.

The 239 next came up for discussion when the Street Crime Unit "needed" a smaller gun for their many secret undercover operations that rivaled anything Crockett and Tubbs ever did (because Sonny and Riccardo seldom hung at the Seven-Eleven talking with uniform cops). Street Crimes felt the 239 was too small a capacity for their dangerous and covert duties which eventually led to the FNS-9.

Conclusion of this long story is that the 239 is a reliable, accurate, and concealable weapon. If you want the gun for a range toy, I think you'll do well. I always liked the 239, but like our Street Crime Unit, prefer higher capacity.
'
'

[FrankinCA]

I have two..in restricted states like California, good house gun (and occasionally carry gun).

In free states, Glock makes more sense. As mentioned by others, it shoots like a large gun. The weight can be an issue.

Magazines are hard to source and holster options are limited.

[steve]

If it is a good price and comes with 10 magazines the 10 magazines might make it worth the price alone. They are getting harder to find and can be expensive. I had one, carried one as a duty gun and one as a backup. I liked my P225 better.

[MK11]

I always thought the 239 was superior to its main rival, the S&W 3913, in every way but looks.

[Sammy1]

I sold mine years ago and really miss it. My only complaint was the grips lack of traction but that can be fixed. My 239 was a tack driver.

[ccmdfd]

Had a couple back in the early 2000’s.


My examples had the best straight from the factory DA triggers I’ve seen on a SIG. Didn’t need any trips to Grayguns, etc.



As mentioned by many, they occupy a strange place in the size/capacity/weight spectrum, and thus work well for some but not for others.


I ended up selling them because I never carried them, choosing higher capacity guns which carried similarly.


They should run well as they were from back in the “good old SIG days”, but I do wonder what the spare parts situation is these days. Will SIG work on them? Small parts will wear with usage.

[Borderland]

I have two. Real nice shooters for the size. A bit heavy to carry but doable. Mag capacity is only eight and also hard to find, so that's not good. Parts aren't readily available either.

A P-30SK is about the same size, lighter with a 10 rd mag. I have both but still prefer the Sig SRT and controls.

Prices keep going up in the used market so somebody must like them. I bought one of mine for <500 about 5 years ago. I think the street price now is about 700.

[JAH 3rd]

People sell firearms for various reasons. Most reasons I've heard is they need the money to finance another purchase, not necessarily a firearm or to pay a bill. Other reasons is that the firearm doesn't work as anticipated when it is actually shot. Or isn't reliable.

If you can shoot the pistol before you buy it, do so. That will help with your decision one way or another.

I say buy it. The price for what you get seems reasonable in your opinion. Being a P239, you probably won't have too much trouble selling it if you end up not wanting to keep it. A great way to end the year!!

[TheNewbie]

Will Sig repair a P239 if one has issues with it?

[AMC]

My answer would be absofuckingly yes....especially if it's a good deal as you said. Love my little 239, but wish it was in 9mm (it's a .40). I carried it as a backup to my 226, but agree that it's a bit heavy and bulky for that. But too heavy as a concealed carry piece? Nah. I've carried fullsize metal guns concealed for 25 years. The 239 is a dream in comparison. You guys need to join Duke in his gym!

[TheNewbie]

The LGS has a couple of 9mm P239s for less than 500 bucks. I’ll go check them out and see if yo quiero. The only thing is if I have issues with them will Sig work on them still.

[MattyD380]

Will Sig repair a P239 if one has issues with it?

I sent one of mine into Sig to have it converted from DAK to DA/SA, in late 2020. They had the parts and did the conversion. So... seems like they could/would still work on one?

It's also worth noting that "The Sig Armorer" now offers a strut/seat setup for the P239.

https://www.sigtalk.com/threads/p239-super-strut-and-seat.415038/#post-5845538

So... in addition to smoothing-out the DA pull and making it a lot easier to swap out the mainspring (i.e., you don't have to F with the old-school, roll-pinned strut)... one of the hardest-to-find parts for the P239 (the P239 strut is unique to the P239, and not other Sigs) is now readily available.

I want to order some for my P239s. Just haven't gotten around to it.

[Borderland]

I sent one of mine into Sig to have it converted from DAK to DA/SA, in late 2020. They had the parts and did the conversion. So... seems like they could/would still work on one?

It's also worth noting that "The Sig Armorer" now offers a strut/seat setup for the P239.

https://www.sigtalk.com/threads/p239-super-strut-and-seat.415038/#post-5845538

So... in addition to smoothing-out the DA pull and making it a lot easier to swap out the mainspring (i.e., you don't have to F with the old-school, roll-pinned strut)... one of the hardest-to-find parts for the P239 (the P239 strut is unique to the P239, and not other Sigs) is now readily available.

I want to order some for my P239s. Just haven't gotten around to it.

Good to know. I haven't looked for parts in awhile but I had it in the back of my mind that they would become available at some point. I think the feds bought large numbers of P-239's for CC back in the day. 22 years is a long production run.

[KevH]

I still have two in my safe. They are amazing examples from another era, of what a quality Sig metal gun was. They shooter bigger than their capacity, but also carry bigger than their capacity.

In a world on 10-15 round, optics ready slimline pistols, they are mostly historical.

Well said.

I love the P239 for what it is. Mine is a 9mm that wears Nills and Dawson FO sights, is extremely accurate and shoots well better than a gun its size should.

My SIG P365XL with a manual safety does everything the P329 did, but holds more rounds and is lighter and smaller.

It's hard to justify a gun like the P239 these days unless you just really must have a TDA trigger.

[muzzleblast]

...I now have a chance to buy a P239 in 9mm with 10 mags for a good price. It also has Trijicon HD's and the SRT installed as well.While not a 225, it is pretty close. I probably would not CCW the gun, just shoot it at the range or in the desert...

Lots of great info given in the responses. The P239 is a great pistol. Buy it, try it. It sounds like you have found a pretty good deal.

[DrkBlue]

Had a 239, but it never was a great shooter. Mainspring May have been weak. I bought it because I loved an X’s P225.
Traded it off.

A decade later, I bought a P225-A1. A smidge bigger than the P239, but a way better shooter for me. Also not as ugly as the pregnant guppy belly on the 239.

[LJP]

I bought a used one shortly after Sig stopped production and support of the P239. If the one you’re looking at comes with 10 mags, buy it. As others have noted, those are the hard part to source, and being an auto-loader, they’re sort of integral to the equation. I like it for what it is. For an AIWB gun in a magazine capacity restricted state, it’s a good choice. Shoots like a bigger gun. Hogue has some good grip options. JM Custom makes holsters for it. I will admit that mine was more for nostalgia and want than any need, and that I carry my P365X far more often, but I really like the P239. (Of course, first gun I ever bought was a Sig P220, so that may have something to do with it…)

[BehindBlueI's]

Since it comes with a lot of mags, that's a plus. Isn't this one that Sig quit making mags for?

I kicked one around several times, but just never got one due to how close in size it was to the P229. I just couldn't think of a situation I could carry the P239 that I couldn't carry the P229 except for ban states and I was already using a P245 for that (which, arguably, is an even dumber use of weight/size to capacity). I like my P245 quite a bit, although I can't recall the last time I shot it at this point since returning to AGATT. (All Glock All The Time)

[Borderland]

Since it comes with a lot of mags, that's a plus. Isn't this one that Sig quit making mags for?

I kicked one around several times, but just never got one due to how close in size it was to the P229. I just couldn't think of a situation I could carry the P239 that I couldn't carry the P229 except for ban states and I was already using a P245 for that (which, arguably, is an even dumber use of weight/size to capacity). I like my P245 quite a bit, although I can't recall the last time I shot it at this point since returning to AGATT. (All Glock All The Time)

I can find them in various places for $40 but the normal suppliers like CDNN don't have them anymore. That tells me that Sig no longer contracts MecGar, or whoever made them before, to supply the Sig dealers. There's somebody on ebay that seems to have an endless supply but they're pricey.

[revchuck38]

I'm pretty sure SIG stopped making magazines for the 225/P6. I got two from the last production run about nine years ago.

[Ptero]

I'm pretty sure SIG stopped making magazines for the 225/P6. I got two from the last production run about nine years ago.

Many of you probably already know this, but for those who don't, the P225A1 mags are the same as P239 mags with a different baseplate. I had some spare mags from a 225A1 I sold, ordered some 239 baseplates (I think I got them from Midwest) and swapped them out. Same same with 100% reliabilty.

Still love my P239 9mm, just don't carry it much because Glock is what my agency issues. They are more practical, but completely soulless.

[revchuck38]

Ptero - 225A1 mags =/= 225 mags.

[TheNewbie]

I checked out the P239 at the LGS today. Was in excellent shape, LNIB and $550. Not a bad deal, but I am think I had rather focus my money elsewhere.

[Ptero]

Ptero - 225A1 mags =/= 225 mags.

Not according to my experience and Lucky Gunner(https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/a-tribute-to-the-sig-p239/) see the second to last paragraph. Swapping out the baseplate fixes the issue of sticking out the bottom of a P239.

[revchuck38]

I don't question that the 225A1 mags can work in the 239 by swapping baseplates. I'm just pointing out that the 225A1 mags are not the same as the 225 mags, and don't work in 225/P6s.

[Ptero]

I don't question that the 225A1 mags can work in the 239 by swapping baseplates. I'm just pointing out that the 225A1 mags are not the same as the 225 mags, and don't work in 225/P6s.
Never said 225 mags were compatible with P225A1 mags. Was just pointing out to those interested in P239s that there is an alternative mag available with minimal effort.

Whatever though, rock on with your bad self.

[revchuck38]

Never said 225 mags were compatible with P225A1 mags. Was just pointing out to those interested in P239s that there is an alternative mag available with minimal effort.

Whatever though, rock on with your bad self.

Okay, I misunderstood you. No worries!

[Rock185]

Count me as a strong "Yeah". I did CCW a 239 years ago. Very fine little pistols IMHO. Due to the tiny grip, I eventually changed to something that fit my hand better. Still, wish I'd tried slightly larger Nill, Hogue, etc. grips before the 239 went to a new home...

[JAH 3rd]

I checked out the P239 at the LGS today. Was in excellent shape, LNIB and $550. Not a bad deal, but I am think I had rather focus my money elsewhere.

Years ago I read where Ruger was discontinuing its P90 .45acp pistol. I found one online at a site I had purchased firearms before. The pistol was stainless slide/aluminum frame. 8+1 capacity. Safety/decocker version. I bought the pistol because it was being discontinued. Not a very good reason, but that was my thinking.

So when the pistol came in I had a thought about why it was dropped from Ruger's lineup. Economics for one, metal vs polymer. I guess there was cost savings there. Ergonomics were somewhat non-existant. The front and backstrap were smooth. The grips, though sculpted, offered little traction. Sights were adequate, but could have used a bit more light on both sides of the front sight. Bulky and 8+1 can be thrown in as a negative, but that is a personal observation.

I tell this story for one reason. Don't be me. That is, buy a P239, get it home and say, "Man I could a had a V-8". Or to put it another way, could have gotten a similar sized polymer for about the same price with double the capacity. I think someone on this forum said something to the affect that, "Emotions can lie, but facts don't. Or something close but with the same advice.

[ECVMatt]

I think I am going to pass. I appreciate all of the info and almost pulled the trigger.

I got a chance to handle on and it is just too small for my hand. I really love the quality and the style, but for the price it just is not worth it.

I guess that means I get to keep shopping before the wife and kids get all my gun money spent on Christmas.

Thanks again,

Matt

[jnc36rcpd]

Count me as a strong "Yeah". I did CCW a 239 years ago. Very fine little pistols IMHO. Due to the tiny grip, I eventually changed to something that fit my hand better. Still, wish I'd tried slightly larger Nill, Hogue, etc. grips before the 239 went to a new home...


My 239 had the standard grips. When I was firearms training coordinator, we traded the last of our 9mm pistols for .40 weapons. Just because I could, I took one of the company guns with Hogue grips to the range. No complaints about the standard grips, but the Hogues were a significant improvement.

[Borderland]

I think I am going to pass. I appreciate all of the info and almost pulled the trigger.

I got a chance to handle on and it is just too small for my hand. I really love the quality and the style, but for the price it just is not worth it.

I guess that means I get to keep shopping before the wife and kids get all my gun money spent on Christmas.

Thanks again,

Matt

What was the price? $600 would be good. $750, not so much. Was it LGS, or a friend/relative? Just curious. I'm loaded down with Sig and HK compact 9 mm so not looking.

[Borderland]

Many of you probably already know this, but for those who don't, the P225A1 mags are the same as P239 mags with a different baseplate. I had some spare mags from a 225A1 I sold, ordered some 239 baseplates (I think I got them from Midwest) and swapped them out. Same same with 100% reliabilty.

Still love my P239 9mm, just don't carry it much because Glock is what my agency issues. They are more practical, but completely soulless.

That sounds right. The P225A1 mags are going out of stock also. Hence the $40 price. I think it was discontinued like the P-239. All good things must come to an end.

[ECVMatt]

What was the price? $600 would be good. $750, not so much. Was it LGS, or a friend/relative? Just curious. I'm loaded down with Sig and HK compact 9 mm so not looking.

We hadn't really gotten to price yet, but it was around 750. In the end that is just too much for what will only be a range toy.

I really do like the gun, craftsmanship, and legacy of the platform but just not that much. I would like to thank everyone again for their comments and thoughts.

I am still wrapping up my Sub 2k project so I will get that 100% done and then spend some money on ammo to train with the Sub 2k and my EDC and call it good.

Right now I need to focus on the guns I have and training....well at least try to do that.