I have a modest collection of SIGs but have always wanted to add a German-Made P230 to my collection. Yesterday, My Incredible Wife asked if I was going to the Grand Re-Opening of my favorite LGS (The Armories Kissimmee Florida). I didn't plan on going and said: "I don't want to buy anything". She said, "You never know- You might see something Good." They were incredibly busy and had SIG Reps showing the typical 'New Stuff'. However, I managed to sneak a peek at this little beauty hiding in the case. I quickly took the picture and found the owner of the shop. He stopped everything, got the pistol out of the case and handed it to me. Longer Story Shortened- wifey said it was "Pretty" and it was mine. No box or paperwork, one magazine KE Date Code P230SL for under $400 OTD. He threw in a small Allen Soft Pistol Pouche to get me home. It is not perfect cosmetically (few dings and scratches) but it appears the bore is in incredible shape and there is very little internal wear. I'm not familiar with the P23* line but have quickly learned the SL Steal Magazines are very pricey and difficult to find.

I love the 230sl! I think you got a good deal on it. I've had two and both gave me problems but I think they were not running right when I bought them. One day I'll get around to buying another one. That wife of yours is a jewel for encouraging you to pursue what you love.

It's a good looking pistol akasigfreak. For $400 you did pretty good, but as you noted - finding mags will set you back quite a bit. For period correct mags like the one your pistol came with (stainless with stainless floor plate and follower) you're talking about $75 - $100 per on average when you can find them. Plain Jane blued mags with blued followers go for $50.

I sold my 232 to my brother because the recoil was a little too snappy for my taste, I consolidated calibers and just couldn't get used to the European mag release. It's a good little gun and should serve you well.

I think the P230s and 232s are some of the best looking and designed semi-autos ever made. Is probably the gun that put me off Glocks... which look like a shoe box compared to a P230.

Keep the wife, she’s a good ‘un. Magazines for the P230 may be a good bit more expensive and harder to find.

Nice score.

That's a West German sweetheart! I found a butted one a few years back, a little rougher on the finish, but nice overall. I'd like to eventually pick up a stainless like yours. Beautiful

Great find - a wonderful example you’ve got there - you did very well. The gun’s nice, too!

Nice snag! I always lusted after a P230/232 SL. But it’s not really a practical pistol anymore. So it took a police trade in deal to make me buy. Being trade-in it wasn’t in great shape. But the SL is easy to touch up. Carefully file mars, if even needed. Then bead blast. The oil some fine sandpaper and slide the slide along the paper, only going one direction. Then you’ll have the original bead blasted look on the frame, slide serrations and the rounded part of the slide, and the brushed look on the flat sides.

Or just accept the personality that the marks give the pistol and just shoot it!

ETA:
I remembered I have a couple pics after doing the slide but I still haven’t blasted the frame yet (my buddy with the cabinet moved and hasn’t organized enough yet):

Thanks, Everyone.
I broke it down and did a much-needed thorough cleaning. By the looks of it, I doubt it had ever been disassembled. I thought it was smooth before- it is unbelievable now.
I've been eyeballing the Hogue G10 Checkered Grips too.

I updated my profile.
Thanks!

Congrats on the great find. I had a 230 and a co-worker convinced me to sell it to him. I missed it so much that I turned around and bought two 232's to fill the void. I think it's a beautiful gun and quite accurate.

I picked up a NIB 230 about a year ago. I found it to be a very picky eater. It likes 90gr JHP, OAL 0.930" and 100gr FMJ no longer than 0.965.

I ordered the Hogue G-10 Checkered Grips for her.

^^^ Those are the same grips I have on my stainless P232. Stunning looking.

quote:

Originally posted by akaSigFreak:
I ordered the Hogue G-10 Checkered Grips for her.

I have the same P230SL with KD markings from a retired LEO. Also got a nice leather ankle holster with it. The hogue G10 Checkered grips are nice too, as I have them on two other sigs. Prettiest Sig ever. I still carry it often. I had a P232 so I have plenty of magazines, but not the stainless heeled magazine the P230SL came with.
Congrats it is a sweet pistol

Very nice P230SL! They are very cool pistols!

ive got the opportunity to pick one up in fantabulous condition, two stainless mags, box, a box of ammo and holster for $500..im chewin it over tryin to decide if I want it or sumpin else.

quote:

Originally posted by bolo4tom:
ive got the opportunity to pick one up in fantabulous condition, two stainless mags, box, a box of ammo and holster for $500..im chewin it over tryin to decide if I want it or sumpin else.

Two mags? Lucky! The stainless mags are selling for close to $100.

I'm getting a little nervous about the G10s. I ordered them after I heard the P230SL was such a smooth shooter, but now, everyone makes it sound like its a little snappy without the Hogue Rubber Grips absorbing some of the vibrations.

akaSig, I got the 230 and yes, it has two factory stainless with stainless followers and base plates. those are the high dollar ones. its also a W. German all steel model and in beautiful shape.