Sig P230/232 or S&W J Frame for deep CCW use?

[RedsoxFan4Lyfe]

For deep CCW use? I have a line on a Kahr PM40 at a good price. $450 almost NIB. Owner said it kicks like a mule, he put less than one box through it cause of that.

Im leaning toward a J frame Airweight or Sig P230. I love the Sig, shoots so nice and fits like a glove. BUT my brother said .38+P is MUCH better than .380 should it ever be needed. Is this true? On that note I have shot heavy .38+P loads in Airweights and its not fun at all.

Thanks for any help..

[Berto]

THe plastic (PM) Kahrs are too hit and miss with frame, trigger and peening issues, IMO...not sure that would be much a good thing, more so in the .40 which had big issues early on.
Every maker has their share of issues, but for the $$$, the plastic Kahrs have too many....but $450 might be tempting ,were it a 9.:supergrin:


Between the J frame and a P230, both could be good choices;

The snubby is lighter, overall easier to conceal and as reliable as it gets. The .38sp is well above .380 comparing best loads-it's like comapring 9mm to .380.
The downside will be recoil, you'll need to learn to live with that and practice often if you want to master a snubby.

The P230 is a great .380, and the longer barrel will really help get better performance from that round too. There are some pretty decent .380 loads that will do well enough from the P230 and you'll havea few extra rounds to play with as well...it'll be a little easier to work with than the snubby and accuracy will also be likely easier for most folks to get from the P230.
Downside will be extra weight, DA/SA transition trigger and still weaker round.

I like the snubby.

[smirnoff]

I completely agree with Berto on J Frame and Sig - have no experience with plastic Kahrs. I own both, carry neither right now, but plan to carry Sig occasinally - I just preffer automatics, but its strictly personal prefference. Sig also feels better in my hand with Hogue rubber grips and is a natural pointer. It also depends on how you plan to carry it - J Frames can be carried in the picket, but the drum makes is a little thick for my IWB carry liking. Sig is also a beautiful well made gun. Logically, I would be split between the too, but I am leaning towards Sig on a personal preference.

[FLRon777]

Another vote for the Smith & Wesson J-Frame .38

The Airweight 442 or 642 (stainless version) weighs 15 oz. empty. Shooting 38+P's shouldn't be too uncomfortable.

If you are going to the range you can shoot regular .38 loads and just keep the hotter self defense ammo for when you are carrying. In the unlikely event that you need to use it for protection, a round or two with +P ammo won't be noticeable.

It's such a easy carry package you will find it a pleasure to have on you in your pocket.

[mike253]

I carried a SIG 232 for 5 or 6 years and have probably well over 10k rounds through mine. For me, it was the perfect carry gun. Weighs in at ~17 oz., conceals well, points naturally, and is very accurate out to 15 yards.

I have a S&W 638 now as well. It's not as accurate out to 15 yards, it doesn't point as naturally, only holds 5 rounds instead of the 7+1 of the 232 and is slower to reload, even if you aren't entirely used to the mag release location of the 232. The weight difference between the 2 is almost irrelevant, especially given the 3 round capacity advantage of the 232.

That being said, my 232 has been almost completely retired from carry duty. My G19 is my "everyday carry" and the 638 is my "pocket carry" or "I'm being lazy" carry gun.

The shape of the snubbie lends itself to easy concealment in the pocket or the waistband and because self defense situations tend to occur inside of 10 feet, it's more than accurate enough.

[awpk03s]

I have owned and carried both a P232 Sig and a SW 637 J Frame. The Sig is the better gun, points better, shoots better, faster, and is more accurate. However, for 'deep ccw' I'd have to lean towards the J frame. It's very light weight (The Sig in stainless like mine is heavy) and very easy to conceal easily and comfortably in a variety of different carry methods. IWB, ankle, pocket, or one of those shirt holsters or shoulder rigs. If you've already got a CCW weapon, and are looking for something to carry as back-up, or as a concealment option when you can't carry a full size auto, I'd get the J frame.

[sphillips45]

S&w 642

[DoubleDog]

If I was in your situation I 'd go with the J frame...

I carry a P-232 in an ankle holster when I can't carry any other way for what ever reason...Great gun! Accurate, dependable, fast followup shots, and the trigger is sweet...It's just that I've been thinking lately that a .380 no longer cuts the mustard...

I'm thinking about trading it for a .38 snubby...

DD~

[bac1023]

I love the Sig P232.

[JKG]

Berto summed it up well.

I'd choose the J-frame.

[agarr]

I have a pile of J Frames. Love em. That said, the 230 is a honey of a pistol. For CCW, load with Corbon 90 grain JHPs or perhaps some HydraShoks. It's a great little gun. I am in the market for another one. My daughter is about to be old enough for her CWP and I am considering a Sig for her to carry.

She already has a Model 66 2.5" and a Beretta Model 92 Elite......