Hi guys-
Just a heads up to Florida residents.
I was told about a pistol in the possesion of the above (Empire Guns and Pawn on N. Florida Ave in Tampa) a while back.
I called and spoke to the owner and his father.
I just want to say that it was by far one of the best experiences I have had purchasing a used pistol.
Not only did Craig the owner deal personally with me, he put a hold on the gun and helped me sort through some of the purchase details.
I managed to acquire a p-230 in 32acp.
It was exactly the gun I wanted at a fair price and the transaction was smooth as silk.
Craig even threw in a gun rug.
Then to top it off, Craig e-mailed me that the previous owner stopped in and after Craig talked to him promised to look for any additional mags and the box.

I was initally cautious dealing with a pawn shop, but, I would not hesitate dealing with Craig again.

Notice the decocker, the SAFETY & the LANYARD LOOP. There is also a LOADED CHAMBER INDICATOR on the other side.

My first 3 shots of magtech were in the same hole essentially!



Nils

Nice- I've never seen one of those before. Was it imported or a European Purchase originally?


Mitch

Lanyard loop I have seen--but never one with a safety--any importer marks on it?--nice catch!! dmd

IIRC, the Japanese Police used to have P230s exactly in this setup. This might be a surplus pistol or of some production overrun from that japanese contract.



________________________________________________

I will take better pics of it when I liberate it from the ffl.
There is a serial on the front of the grip as well as side of the frame.
It has multiple proofs etc... on frame and chin.
It is a late 1990's gun
I believe it is a surplus or over-run.
I'll check but I think it has exeter markings and I am not sure if it is W German, German or other.
I'll run back tomorrow and try to get better pics.
It was NOT NIB or LNIB by the definitions from this forum....however it was extremely clean with all indications of being fired maybe one or two times based on the wear on the frame, barrel, magazine and slide.
All the better for me as I had no remorse in firing it....
N

PS anyone with additional information I would welcome it!

quote:

Originally posted by from HH:
IIRC, the Japanese Police used to have P230s exactly in this setup. This might be a surplus pistol or of some production overrun from that japanese contract.
________________________________________________

Ding, Ding, Ding...we have a winner...

I used to have one of these. Didn't care for it much...

Wow! That looks like a very nice Sig! Definitly not something you see everyday.

I would buy two of them right now.

quote:

Originally posted by nils:
Craig e-mailed me that the previous owner stopped in and after Craig talked to him promised to look for any additional mags and the box.

P232 .380acp mags should work with your gun. They did when I tried them.

Honestly, I would say skip the box and see if he will send you the extra mag. The box is just going to be the standard Sig blue plastic box.

Foolish to pass up a sig box that is properly numbered to the gun--esp such a rare "Japan" sig--dmd

quote:

Originally posted by dmd45:
Foolish to pass up a sig box that is properly numbered to the gun--esp such a rare "Japan" sig--dmd

already got 2 extra mags.
anyone know how "rare" this is...
oh, it shoots so nice...no recoil and tight groups.
Yes, I shoot it.....
n

I don't think they are all that rare. They went for around $350 new IIRC. They were pretty common at gun shows when they came in.

If the owner finds the box and you want it, then by all means get it. It's just that the box would probably cost more to ship than a single magazine and it is just a standard blue plastic box that new Sigs currently come in.

In the interest of full disclosure, I should admit that I don't particularly like the current Sig box. I think they are too big.

You might want to give Sig a call and see about replacing the metal magazine followers with plastic ones. They may send them to you free of charge.

Enjoy the gun. It is a lot of fun to shoot. I would love to see Sig start making a P232 in .32acp now that they are moving production to Exeter.

After Nils bought his gun he got a tip on another and was kind enough to pass it on to me. I bought the one he told me about from forum member Fishbait and the transaction was completely satisfactory.

Mine was NIB (Fisbait is a dealer) and looks like the gun in Nils' pictures. I have not fired it yet but am looking forward to do so.

Thanks again for the tip, Nils!

Not to be a party pooper but what is all the excitment about a 32acp? It's a 32 for heaven sakes. Now if it were a new 9mm luger I would jumping up & down esp if it were not a blowback design...but guys, it's a 32!!

quote:

Originally posted by GrandPotter:
Not to be a party pooper but what is all the excitment about a 32acp? It's a 32 for heaven sakes. Now if it were a new 9mm luger I would jumping up & down esp if it were not a blowback design...but guys, it's a 32!!

It's an uncommon variant of the 230. Collectors like them.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

quote:

Originally posted by GrandPotter:
Not to be a party pooper but what is all the excitment about a 32acp? It's a 32 for heaven sakes. Now if it were a new 9mm luger I would jumping up & down esp if it were not a blowback design...but guys, it's a 32!!

It's an uncommon variant of the 230. Collectors like them.

Gotcha! So not really for carry or back-up?

quote:

Originally posted by GrandPotter:
Gotcha! So not really for carry or back-up?

Hmmm, I wasn't aware of an absolute minimum size for one to consider a carry or back-up firearm to be. I thought that was primarily a personal choice or decision and not opinionated or skewed statistical figures.

It's a smart piece and just because it's a .32 doesn't mean it is any less reliable nor less accurate than any other firearm in it's caliber. I'd be willing to bet it'll go "bang" every time the trigger is cycled. I thought THAT was one of the more critical factors in deciding a carry or back-up gun.

quote:

Originally posted by Growler67:
Hmmm, I wasn't aware of an absolute minimum size for one to consider a carry or back-up firearm to be. I thought that was primarily a personal choice or decision and not opinionated or skewed statistical figures.

There is somewhat of a consensus among "experts" (define that any way you like) that once you drop below .380acp or .38spl, your probability of stopping an agressor dramatically drops off. With that said, I would have no problem carrying a .22lr or .32acp if I could shoot it fast and accurate and it was reasonably easy to conceal.

As mentioned before (and will mention again in case Sig Sauer is reading this), I would love to have a P232 in .32acp.

I had one of these P230's, but sold it because I didn't like the safety. The safety is not a positive on/off safety like a 1911. My thumb had a tendancy to move the safety when I was shooting and that made me uncomfortable.

quote:

Originally posted by Broadside:
There is somewhat of a consensus among "experts" (define that any way you like) that once you drop below .380acp or .38spl, your probability of stopping an agressor dramatically drops off. With that said, I would have no problem carrying a .22lr or .32acp if I could shoot it fast and accurate and it was reasonably easy to conceal.

Sometimes it's not even about fast and/or accurate. I had a shop teacher (and gunsmith) way back in HS that carried a little 2-shot .22lr pistol in his pocket at all times. When I asked him why he even bothered carrying that little thing, his response was that he had no intention of ever pulling the trigger unless it was up against someone's throat.

Nifty.