Sig Sauer P239 - 9mm v. .40S&W

[mikem317]

Anybody shoot both? Just wondering if there's any general comments on them.

(Or does anybody own both that would let me try them?)

Ideally I'd like to get the one chambered in .40S&W, but knowing there's a 9mm option makes my decision that more difficult.

 

[M1911]

Yes, I've owned both. Sold the .40. I prefer the 9mm. The .40 has more recoil and muzzle rise. A quality 9mm round is enough for me.

 

[SemiAutoSam]

I just bought or at least have said I will purchase the SIG P245 and will own both of the Sig P239's before the new year is here if my coin holds out.

I bought the P245 first as I recently found out that sig is not offering it any longer.

Its not showing now but it was here.
http://northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=79442

 

[shanef]

I have the P239 in .40S&W and it is my primary carry - great accuracy and handling with self protection ammo.

 

[Bob P]

Yes, I've owned both. Sold the .40. I prefer the 9mm. The .40 has more recoil and muzzle rise. A quality 9mm round is enough for me.

+1. Tried both, the 9 is much nicer to shoot.

 

[drgrant]

The 9mm is somewhat easier to shoot.

The 9mm also is way easier to find used at affordable prices.

-Mike

 

[richc]

I found the 9mm more manageable. The .40 was much snappier on the recoil. The 9mm is very smooth.

My thinking is if you're going to get a .40 cal pistol, then go for a .45. I think the recoil difference is small between the .40 and .45, so get the bigger payload.

Best,

Rich

 

[gerrycaruso]

I,m not a fan of the .40 as a defensive round. Most .40 cal guns also come in 9mm. The 9mm is easier to shoot and ammo is alot cheaper. I like my p220 because it has less perceived recoil than most .40s and hits harder. Both the 9mm and .40 cal shoot flatter than the .45 but unless you shoot a handgun at over 100 yards you won't see the difference.

 

[KMM696]

No love for the 357 Sig 239, eh?



The 239 I carry is a 357 Sig. I got it after converting the Glock 27 I used to have from 40S&W to 357. To me, the recoil is between the 9 and 40. It is a bit tougher to find ammo, though. Most 40 and 357 Sig pistols can be converted from one to the other with a barrel swap, and sometimes different magazines.

Extra steps if you reload 357Sig, too.

 

[M1911]

No love for the 357 Sig 239, eh?



The 239 I carry is a 357 Sig. I got it after converting the Glock 27 I used to have from 40S&W to 357. To me, the recoil is between the 9 and 40. It is a bit tougher to find ammo, though. Most 40 and 357 Sig pistols can be converted from one to the other with a barrel swap, and sometimes different magazines.

Extra steps if you reload 357Sig, too.

.357 Sig? Too expensive. Too hard to find. Really, really loud report. Too hard to reload. YMMV.

 

[Bob P]

No love for the 357 Sig 239, eh?



The 239 I carry is a 357 Sig. I got it after converting the Glock 27 I used to have from 40S&W to 357. To me, the recoil is between the 9 and 40. It is a bit tougher to find ammo, though. Most 40 and 357 Sig pistols can be converted from one to the other with a barrel swap, and sometimes different magazines.

Extra steps if you reload 357Sig, too.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[clinotus]

I've a 239 in 9mm which I find extremely snappy, so much so that I never carry it. What I do carry are 229s in 40 and in .357sig. I find the larger sigs with their extra weight manage the snappiness of the rounds. I've never had any issues in 40.

While you used to be able to find and get 9mm for what seemed like pennies, with ammo shortages and all things being relevant, why not consider the 40? It offers you about the same capacity plus a 9mm on steroids. Best of both worlds.

 

[MasterShinken]

I carry the 239 in .40 as my primary. Never had a problem with the recoil really, and like the ballistics of the .40 over the 9mm

 

[mikem317]

Anybody know of a range that has both (.40S&W and 9mm) available for rent?

 

[gerrycaruso]

Have you called the Manchester Firing Line?

 

[wacky_doug]

You're just going to have to shoot both. Any recoil is manageable with practice.

I have the P239 in 40, and I was surprised that it didn't flip up more given it's so small. The gun feels top heavy, which helps compensate.

If you've got the cash, you can get a match-grade bar-sto conversion barrel for the P239 40 that will convert it to 9mm. You'll have to replace the mags, too. Not an especially cheap option, but something to consider.

 

[drgrant]

You're just going to have to shoot both. Any recoil is manageable with practice.

I think worth mentioning is Hogue finger groove grips. Normally I hate those grips on most sigs, at least the double stack ones- I have a box full of the things I've taken off of different sigs over the years, but on the P239 they're a gift from god. They really help keep the muzzle flip to a minimum. Back when I had my P239 I couldn't shoot it for beans with the factory "soap bars" on it.

-Mike

 

[Chrisg67]

My thinking is if you're going to get a .40 cal pistol, then go for a .45. I think the recoil difference is small between the .40 and .45, so get the bigger payload.

Best,

Rich

i disagree with this in my opinion that .40 is a good mix between 9 and .45 in that you get more power than 9mm, but alot more capacity than .45 with .40 double stacks. my compact glock carries 13+1 in the gun.

 

[Bob P]

I think worth mentioning is Hogue finger groove grips. Normally I hate those grips on most sigs, at least the double stack ones- I have a box full of the things I've taken off of different sigs over the years, but on the P239 they're a gift from god. They really help keep the muzzle flip to a minimum. Back when I had my P239 I couldn't shoot it for beans with the factory "soap bars" on it.

-Mike

Let me add that if you don't like the rubber, the wood grips help control also (and look seriously spiffy to boot) - the do bulk the grip a bit but don't snag on clothing. and I agree with Mike that the factory plastic grips are slick as sh** unless you've got tiny hands.

http://northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=828562&postcount=153

 

[wacky_doug]

+1 on drgrant's recommendation for Hogue finger grips. The P239 is un-shootable with the factory grips, especially if you have larger hands.

 

[clinotus]

I think worth mentioning is Hogue finger groove grips. Normally I hate those grips on most sigs, at least the double stack ones- I have a box full of the things I've taken off of different sigs over the years, but on the P239 they're a gift from god. They really help keep the muzzle flip to a minimum. Back when I had my P239 I couldn't shoot it for beans with the factory "soap bars" on it.

-Mike

I'll third this motion but go a bit further and state that all of SIG's grips are horrible.

A set of finger grip Hogues will work wonders on the 229 and the 226 but is a must for the 239. The normal Hogues work best on the single stack 220.

 

[Jose]

I can't believe this....

Nothing good can come of the .40 S&W.

 

[Chris]

Hogue grips make the 239.

BTW, with the .40 and aftermarket barrels, you can have all 3 calibers (9,.40, .357 SIG.)

The 239 in .40 was my carry pistol for a while. Only mag capacity was the drawback.

 

[wacky_doug]

@Jose: Why is there so much hatred for 40s&w? I'm always seeing comments like this.

 

[mikem317]

Have you called the Manchester Firing Line?

No, but I did get a "try mine" offer from a NESer. I was actually hoping that somebody had both and I'd buy them lunch.

+1 on drgrant's recommendation for Hogue finger grips. The P239 is un-shootable with the factory grips, especially if you have larger hands.

Is that true for the .40 and the 9mm version?

 

[wacky_doug]

Mike,

drgrant had it right. The factory grips are best described as "soap bars". Sure the 9mm is easier to hold with the factory grips than the .40s&w, but you really need the hogue finger grips for control.

 

[Bob P]

Mike,

drgrant had it right. The factory grips are best described as "soap bars". Sure the 9mm is easier to hold with the factory grips than the .40s&w, but you really need the hogue finger grips for control.

The Hogue wood grips work just as well, don't cause your cover garment to cling and look better.

 

[mikem317]

Mike,

drgrant had it right. The factory grips are best described as "soap bars". Sure the 9mm is easier to hold with the factory grips than the .40s&w, but you really need the hogue finger grips for control.

Thanks. I got to get my hands on both models before I start shopping for accessories. I actually have two pair of Hogue grips for my other Sigs, but I have yet to install them (rubber variety).

 

[drgrant]

The Hogue wood grips work just as well, don't cause your cover garment to cling and look better.

They do work good but sometimes you have to wait. When I got the
hogue rosewood grips for my P220 they took like a month or so just to make
the things.

-Mike

 

[Bob P]

They do work good but sometimes you have to wait. When I got the
hogue rosewood grips for my P220 they took like a month or so just to make
the things.

-Mike

Well that's what you get for special ordering! I made sure I ordered something that showed in stock