My wife and I have a SigPro 2340 for our all around pistol (home defense, IDPA, carry when I lived in a free state). We keep it in the nightstand for things that go bump in the night. The problem is, the nightstand is too far from the front door. I realized this last night when, at our new house, someone knocked on the door at night. We don't know anyone here yet, but I instinctively opened it and immediately regretted it. Not that anything bad happened, but how would I know that would be the outcome. It was some kid going door to door selling ADT security systems. I declined and he asked, "Do you know how much crime there is around here?" I said, "Yes, that's why we're armed to the gills." He said, "Oh" and walked off.

I have the big safe in the closet next to the front door with a 12 gauge loaded with buckshot in it, but that seems pretty cumbersome to answer the door with each time. I thought about moving the SigPro to the safe during the day, but with all of the moving back and forth, I don't want something to happen and me have to wonder which spot it's in. The only logical answer is to get a new gun, which the wife actually recommended.

Let it first be noted that I'm in California, so I'm limited to 10 rounds and it has to be on their approved list. Everything I think I might want seems to be on that list though. My dilemma is that I have so many wants, that I'm not sure what the ideal gun would be. It has to be wife usable, meaning it has to be comfortable in her smallish hand and not have so much recoil that she'd rather not use it. Other thoughts I've had were that since I'm limited to 10 rounds, might as well make them big ones. I'm needing a .45 to round out my calibers since I have 9mm, .40, and 357 Sig barrels for my SP. Another thought was something smaller than my SP which would be more suited to concealed carry for when I move back to a free state. Yet another thought was to get something high capacity like the XDm's and suffer with the 10 rounders until I move and then get the big boy mags. So many dilemmas.

I've always wanted a P239 in 9mm, so that's on the list. I used to have a P226 and liked it, but think maybe a P229 would be better suited for concealed carry down the road. As Para had prophesied, I may want a Glock. I like the size and horsepower of the G30, but never held one. I haven't shot a Glock since a few years after they originally came out, so I don't even remember how they feel. I haven't fondled, but I like the XD's and the new Smith autos intrigue me too. Every time I think I decide on something, I come back to, "Will it fit my wife's hand?" , and "Will the recoil make her not want to shoot it?. Maybe the P220? Maybe I should just stick with my first idea of the P239.

Any thoughts?

ETA - I'm looking for used to keep it on the cheap and wheel guns, reliable as they are, don't particularly interest me.

I vote P220. You already mentioned you don't have one in that flavor. If you're limited in rounds, why not choose a big one! How long do you anticipate being in Cali? Plenty of folks carry a P220 without issue.

#2 vote is another Pro. You're already used to using it at night and very familiar with the pistol. You've already got mags. Think of it as a His & Hers. (Pro's are going for cheap right now).

I also vote P220. The .45 is not any more to handle than the lighter Sig Pro, just different.

I actually think the .45 less to "control" than the 9mm, but YMMV.

If you and your wife can rent one and try it, it would be a good thing.

And not to be preachy, just can't let the point of you telling the ADT kid about your "being armed".

No one should know but you, your wife and the last thing in the bad guys last quickly darkening moments.

You never know if your being cased, or if someone will run his yap about you.

Is the P220 thinner in the grip than the SigPro or P226 because it's a single stack? Maybe the thinner grip would make it more "wife friendly".

Point well taken sigmonkey.

I pick a P220-Nice intimidation factor
Bob

Yes MikeV the P220 has a slimmer grip
Bob

quote:

Originally posted by MikeV:
My wife and I have a SigPro 2340 for our all around pistol... The only logical answer is to get a new gun, which the wife actually recommended... Let it first be noted that I'm in California, so I'm limited to 10 rounds... I've always wanted a P239 in 9mm, so that's on the list... Maybe I should just stick with my first idea of the P239.

Any thoughts?

To me, all of the statements above scream "P239, 9 mm!". The wife is already familiar with the SP2340 controls, so the P239 will be familiar right off the bat and might fit her better. I would choose 9 mm for the wife. She's better off confidently firing three good shots of 9 mm than struggling to make 3 shots of a high recoil cartridge like .45.

Based on my limited, but relevant, experience, I recommend AGAINST a GLOCK in this case. I have both a P239 and a G19 (both 9 mm). After break-in, both pistols have been 100% reliable IN MY HANDS. In a recent group outing, the G19 FTF/FTEed pretty reliably (1-2 times per mag) in the hands of two less experienced and weaker handed shooters. The same shooters had no problems with the P239. I'm sure this is a limp-wristing issue that can be solved with training, but for HD use by the wife, better to avoid this possibility altogether.

quote:

I'm limited to 10 rounds, might as well make them big ones.

If they're for you, I agree. For the wife, take advantage of the 10 round limit by going to a smaller gun - P239!

If you're going to consider the P239, I also suggest considering a P228, but I would make a final choice based on what's more comfy in your wife's hand.

I can see you two now, one with SP2340, one with P239, Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Oh yeah!

quote:

Originally posted by Sundo:
...
Based on my limited, but relevant, experience, I recommend AGAINST a GLOCK in this case. I have both a P239 and a G19 (both 9 mm). After break-in, both pistols have been 100% reliable IN MY HANDS. In a recent group outing, the G19 FTF/FTEed pretty reliably (1-2 times per mag) in the hands of two less experienced and weaker handed shooters.
...

I should add that I could NOT clear these malfunctions with standard tap-rack-bang. I had to follow a very specific sequence of actions to clear the malfuction:

1. Lock the slide back
2. Drop the mag
3. Clear the jammed round(s)
4. Load mag, release slide

ALL of my G19 malfunctions had to be cleared this way. This would have been disastrous in a SD situation.

Again, I'll emphasize that in my trained hands, I've never had a malfunction in my G19, not even during break-in. But in the hands of the two weaker-handed, less-experienced shooters, these malfunctions occurred with just about every mag. The same two shooters had zero malfunctions in my P239.

quote:

Originally posted by Sundo:
I can see you two now, one with SP2340, one with P239, Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Oh yeah!

LOL! That's funny. We also got a couple of AR15 lowers with consecutive serial numbers for his/hers guns.

I've been seriously considering the P220 and P239 and am looking for used ones for sale. I want to get something before my wife changes her mind. You mentioned the P228. Why that vs the P229? I've had a P226. Isn't it basically the same thing only slightly smaller? Is the grip size the same?

quote:

Originally posted by MikeV:

quote:

Originally posted by Sundo:
I can see you two now, one with SP2340, one with P239, Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Oh yeah!

LOL! That's funny. We also got a couple of AR15 lowers with consecutive serial numbers for his/hers guns.

I've been seriously considering the P220 and P239 and am looking for used ones for sale. I want to get something before my wife changes her mind. You mentioned the P228. Why that vs the P229? I've had a P226. Isn't it basically the same thing only slightly smaller? Is the grip size the same?

I'm thinking of building a 9 mm AR. Consecutive serial numbers? Cute!

If the second pistol purchase is for you, I'd recommend the P220, since you're interested a .45. For the wife, I'd recommend the smaller P239 with lower recoil 9 mm.

The P228 length, width, and height are the same as the P229 (unless you count the slightly wider slide of the P229, which does not affect grip). In fact, the P228 frame is identical to the P229 9 mm frame. The P228 is 2 oz lighter and less muzzle heavy because it has a stamped carbon steel slide instead of the P229's heavier milled stainless steel slide. P228 fans swear it is better balanced and points faster than a 9 mm P229. I've handled both, and I tend to agree, although I haven't fired both in a side-by-side comparison.

Actually, I retract my P228 recommendation, assuming your wife has typical female size hands. The P228 grip is probably about the same size as the SP2340 grip, so there will be no benefit to the wife of going to the P228. I'm caught up in the current final-batch-of-FrankenSIG-P228s craze, so take any P228 recommendation that comes from me with a grain of salt.

My primary recommendation is still the P239, 9 mm. I'm a bit biased because that is my first and favorite gun, but my experience shows that it shoots reliably, even in the hands of weaker handed shooters.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith, with SP2340, P239, and consecutive serial numbered AR-15s! What an image!

Another vote for the 220. It is a very accurate and contollable pistol in .45 and hella fun to shoot. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in all my 9's I forget about it.

based on what you've said, I would recommend the P239 or P220...

i am an extremely firm believer in deciding on a weapon system and training, training, training with it...for you, you've already made that decision with Sigs...so stick with them


for me, its 9mm Glocks....

to the guy above with the G19...i would have the gun checked out by a gunsmith....i've shot literally tens of thousands of rounds through 9mm glocks, and never had a malfunction like the one you describe...i've had my wife shooting 17s, 19s, 26s, and 34s...she is far from an experienced or strong shooter, but i've never had her limp wrist a glock into the malfunction you describe...FWIW...any gun can develop issues...and no company is immune to an occassional bad gun....get yours checked out

If you are concerned that your wife will not like the recoil or the gun you choose will not fit her hand, let her hold them and if possible shoot them. Get her involved in the decision. Give her the list that works for you and let her pick a 1 or 2 or a few that work for her and make the decision together. I did that with my wife and she chose an sp2022 in 9mm. I am 100% happy with that choice. She now sees the pro as her/our gun, but mostly hers and she wants to shoot "her" gun more often. Win, win.

Make sure its something you both can shoot well and do get training if you haven't had it already...

One vote for the P239.

quote:

Originally posted by animalmother:
One vote for the P239.

+1

+2

Go... 239 if you don't mind having two flavors of ammo. Otherwise I agree with the 220.
I also live in Kalifornia. I feel your pain!

My opinion...P220 (Pre-2005 used) or G-30SF.
I have the G-30SF and love it...But both of you need to try the grip... SF is smaller, but it may still be big for small hands. I had a P220 Carry built in 2007 (I bought it new last May) but it died (Extractor) at 147 rounds, so I had Sig fix it and then I sold it back to the store.