quote:

Originally posted by thomjb:
Just back from a couple of hours at the range.
Great day and low stress. Well the new Sphinx Sand shoots just as bad as the other ones I have. One hole if I do my part at 10 yards all day long.

I did try it in some holsters and found it is an almost perfect fit for a KT Mech Kydex holser for the Sig P320 Compact.

The Sphinx Sub Compact also fit in this very well. YMMV

Have a good evening all!

Thanks for the info on the holsters. I've got my newest addition on the way and she's a beauty. Will post pics when she arrives. You're gonna like this one....

Cor-Bon jams my Subcompact like a lock.

I fired a bunch of Blaser Brass ball since my last post, and as predicted, my gun is loosening up to a point that I can release the slide with one thumb, and can also now lock the slide back, so the pistol is definitely a keeper.

Today I tried JHP. Cor-Bon +P 125 gr. locked the pistol 2 out of three times so tightly when the slide slammed forward that the range officer had to put the pistol into a padded vise to hold the slide as a strong guy really put effort into cycling the frame. It popped the cartridge free both times. No more tries with Cor-Bon, which feeds well in my P239.

I then ran 100 rounds of Winchester Ranger T-Series through the subcompact without issue.

When I returned home, I looked at the OAL of the rounds and easily saw that the Cor-Bon was substantially smaller. Using a dial micrometer I got the following results for OAL:

Cor-Bon 1.040"
T-Series 1.115
Blaser Ball 1.160

These measurements were NOT done with a precision micrometer, but they are close enough.

The much shorter Cor-Bon would not feed, and the others fed perfectly. The Win. Ranger T-Series is my first choice in any case, but this is why we test before using for carry.

After another 100 faultless rounds of T-Series the Sub will displace my lovely P239 SAS Gen2 as my carry piece.

As for holsters, I will use a Remora #6 IWB (non-retained open top). I have been using this holster more and more for my P239, and finally have to admit that it is more comfortable to wear and easier to wear than my Milt Sparks VM-II. It also doesn't try to pull my pants down.

MP

quote:

Originally posted by MusProd:



After another 100 faultless rounds of T-Series the Sub will displace my lovely P239 SAS Gen2 as my carry piece.

Wow! That's saying something. My 239 was owned for 16 years and was my edc for a little over a decade.

Glad the thing loosened up for you. I've only used Fed HST 124gr +p and Hornady Critical Duty 135gr +p out of mine but I do have some +p+ to try at some point. I've yet to get any of them to choke on anything but haven't tried anything other than the common stuff. Have tested 115, 124, and 147 though.

I will have to look into that holster of yours until my VMII for the subcompact comes around. MS doesn't have a subcompact yet.

The Cor-Bon is REALLY short. I'll pick up some other +P rounds as well to try as the Ranger T Series +P is very difficult to find, and most places sell any of that series, +P or not only to law enforcement. I can get some non plus, but I prefer the extra energy of the +P load.

If necessary, I'll ask a police lieutenant close friend to buy some with his credentials for me. It is not illegal for civilians to own, just that Winchester markets it as a LEO product.

I have enough on hand for immediate use, but that's it.

When you check out the Remora holster site, you'll be surprised at the ultra simple concept that works extremely well. And they are very inexpensive.

Thanks for yours and everyone else's help and encouragement.

MP

It seems quality JHP 9mm +P are not widely available. I found and ordered some Fed. HST earlier today, but I gave up on searching for Hornaday Critical Duty +P. The HST was priced below my expectations.

If the HST functions well, I'll have it and the Win. Ranger T-Series. The two will give me all that I need. If it doesn't function well, I'll still have the flawless T-Series.

MP

Mus go to gunbot.net. Select 9mm then sort by brand. In your browser select find or control F and look for your flavors of JHP. Speer GD's are always expensive but I found 124gr +p and 147gr +p HST's, Hornady critical duty 135gr +p, etc, for decent prices. Out of the subcompact barrel you definitely want HST's. They perform much better than Critical duty out of the shorter barrel. I run HST's in the subcompact and Critical Duty out in my compacts for defensive use. SGAmmo is my first choice but then I'll check gunbot on the regular. I source most of my HST's locally in 124gr+p for about $21 a box of 50. I usually can't find that good of price on it, online.

I use both gunbot and ammoseek. Both much better than trying site by site.

Thanks for the comment about HTS and the Sub.

MP

Replacing the Sig P239 with the Sphinx Subcompact is a statement. I carry the P239 too. This makes me more curious about the Sphinx Subcompact.

If my review of it is still on here, find it. A bunch of us were prior 239 nuts, 229 nuts, or both. Best subcompact I've ever had my hands on. Stunning trigger and accuracy.

Help needed

I really want to carry the Sub as my EDC, but I had problems again today at the range, and I won't carry it until it can run a couple of hundred rounds without an issue.

Firstly, the pistol runs great with Blaser Brass 115gr. ball, and also with JHP Win. Ranger T-Series 147gr. (not +P) and 124 gr. +P.

The pistol will not run Cor-Bon 125g4r. +P as that cartridge's OAL is much shorter than the others, and totally chokes the gun solid when the slide slams forward.

Today I tried Fed HST 149 gr. +P, and it fed just fine, HOWEVER 4 shots out of 80 just went click. Each time the slide was not completely into battery by ~ 3/16 of an inch. Very slight finger pressure, maybe 2 pounds, against the back of the slide put it into battery. I also ran ball ammo today w/o incident. As an aside, I lightly lubed the pistol with Clenzoil before going to the range.

I just removed the barrel to check the chamber, and the HST, like the other cartridges easily slips into the chamber.

I don't want to be limited to only the Win. T-Series, as that round is often not available.

Any ideas or suggestions? Could the slide rebound back that small amount after slamming home a round (I have never heard of such a thing, so I'm grasping at straws)?

My P239 SAS Gen 2 has never malfunctioned in any way with any ammo, so I will not exchange it from carry for any pistol less reliable.

HELP!
MP

ADDENDUM: I just looked at the pistol again without the barrel or spring in, but with the slide in place and the pin inserted. I saw that the earlier out of battery condition was exactly the same distance as when lining up the slide to insert or remove the pin, and the pressure, without the barrel and spring in place, to put it back into battery is the same couple of pounds as when shooting today. Any clue there?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MusProd,

Have you contacted KRISS? Me personally, I have had Corbon 9mm +P 115 JHP not work in a few handguns, so when you said that it didn't surprise me. I'm sure there are some it works great in, but I quit using it many years ago. I use only Winchester Ranger 127gn JHP +P+ or Underwood 124gn GDHP +P+ in all my 9mm handguns without any issues. I've never ventured into the heavier 9mm bullets so I can't give any personal experience on them. What is interesting is the infrequency that it's happening. If it's working great with the Winchester standard and +P loads along with others, it makes me wonder.

Not sure what else to tell you except to once again contact KRISS and tell them the situation. I'm interested myself.

I just spoke to Kriss. They want the pistol back to check it out. Full return directions will be e-mailed to me. It goes back on my nickle.

quote:

Originally posted by MusProd:
I just spoke to Kriss. They want the pistol back to check it out. Full return directions will be e-mailed to me. It goes back on my nickle.

MusProd please let us know how things turn out.There is a lot of interest in this pistol.

quote:

Originally posted by wcb6092:

quote:

Originally posted by MusProd:
I just spoke to Kriss. They want the pistol back to check it out. Full return directions will be e-mailed to me. It goes back on my nickle.

MusProd please let us know how things turn out.There is a lot of interest in this pistol.

Absolutely agree. Would like to know how everything is handled and how quickly. I'm pretty sure their service department isn't overworked. As per the warranty, it's normal for you to ship it to them on your dime. They pay return shipping on a warranty issue.

Kriss sent me an e-mail shortly after I called them with a list of questions, basically contact information, serial number, etc., and a request for a description of the problem so they could issue an RMA and shipping instructions.

In my response I did ask them to pick up shipping. We'll see on that. I also asked for an expedited time as 2-3 weeks seems way too long compared to SIG.

We'll see what happens.

MP

Excellent CS follow up by Kriss:

I received a filled out RMA form that Kriss prepared from the e-mail answers that I supplied them along with a pre-paid FedEx shipping label.

They are extremely quick in replying to an e-mail question. I told them that I didn't know if the issue was the pistol, ammunition, or possibly magazines. They requested I send my 4 mags back as well and give them information on the ammunition used.

I am impressed.

Now I will be patient until they either contact me or send the pistol and mags back.

MP

quote:

Originally posted by MusProd:
Excellent CS follow up by Kriss:

I received a filled out RMA form that Kriss prepared from the e-mail answers that I supplied them along with a pre-paid FedEx shipping label.

They are extremely quick in replying to an e-mail question. I told them that I didn't know if the issue was the pistol, ammunition, or possibly magazines. They requested I send my 4 mags back as well and give them information on the ammunition used.

I am impressed.

Now I will be patient until they either contact me or send the pistol and mags back.

MP

Thanks for the update Musprod. I know those guys don't have many coming back, but just the fact that they asked for the gun, mags, and all the info on the ammo tells me they really want to find out exactly what the problem is. Looking forward to the report when it comes back telling us what was wrong and what was done to correct it. Master gunsmiths fit and assemble these guns, so I'm pretty sure the same folks handle any warranty issues.

quote:

Originally posted by tundrav84wd:

quote:

Originally posted by MusProd:
Can anyone do a comparison of a P239 9mm and either a Sphinx Compact or Sub-compact. I read the specs of all three, and the Compact seems a bit too large for a P239 carry guy. Is the sub-compact too small? The overall height is slightly less, which makes me ask if the pinky finger is on or under the grip.

The barrel is shorter, so is anything compromised there?

I am very happy with my P239 mm SAS 2nd gen, but all the current hype about the Sphinx has me looking.

Thanks for any feedback.

MP

You're in luck....I grabbed my Wife's P239 9mm and took a few shots. If you love your P239, you'll love this Subcompact. IMO, the Sphinx is so much more ergonomic. My little finger is at the very edge of the slight pinky extension on the P239. On the Subcompact, there is 7/8ths of my little finger on the grip with about an 1/8th of an inch hanging just below the bottom of the mag. Because almost all of my little finger is on the grip, I don't even notice what very little is off it. Here is some pictures to illustrate things.

Also notice, that with both guns, fully loaded, in the last 2 pictures, there is only 2 ounces difference in weight. 9 rounds in the P239 and 14 in the Subcompact Sphinx. Winchester Ranger 127gn +P+ ammo in both. I haven't been able to pry that P239 away from my wife since she bought it. She's had it for right at 15 years, however, she sure has taken a liking to the Sphinx, especially with 5 extra rounds and little weight difference.

You had mentioned a shorter barrel on the Sphinx. Trust me on this,...it means nothing on this gun. Accuracy or otherwise. It has a polygonal barrel, which in my experiences has led to greater accuracy. A little more expensive to make, but hey, it fits in with the rest of the gun. Hope all this helps.

In this picture I laid the Sphinx on top of the P239. You should be able to see the differences.



Grip width, hardly any difference. 1.11 inches for the P239 and 1.17 inches for the Shpinx. Both measurements taken at the widest part of the grip.



Grip to Grip comparison



P239 weight fully loaded (9 rounds)



Sphinx Subcompact fully loaded (14 rounds)

Thanks for the excellent comparison photos! It does look as though the trigger reach of the Sphinx SDP is significantly longer than that of the P239.

No, not really. In his pic he lined up the rear of both pistols for the shot. If you look at the pic the trigger guards aren't really line up for that. Also the SDP is a slim trigger while the 239 is "fat". There isn't a significant difference between the two in that regard, nothing worth even thinking about anyways. So speak softly and carry a big Sphinx

<whispering> Carrying a "bigger" Sphinx now.