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With all the new micro/mini/nano/sub-particle subcompact pistols on the market today one CCW option is continually over-looked – the subcompact. Large enough to soak up the recoil of its full power cartridge, yet small enough to comfortably rest in a Super Tuck holster, the sub-compact is often the best balance of concealability and capacity. A pocket-carry convert, I used to take my little J-frame hammerless wherever I went, and to be honest it’s very convenient. But five shots of .38 special with a two-second reload time doesn’t instill tons of confidence in a shooter. As a result, I jumped to the other side of the spectrum and picked up a Glock model 27. But it printed like a pocket-carried Gideon’s from a sketchy motel . . .

The Glock G27, while substantially larger, somehow managed to give me only a marginal increase in grip real-estate than the aforementioned j-frame sporting boot grips. Feeling discouraged, I traded the G27 for a full-sized G17 to use for home defense and resigned myself to carrying the snubbie .38.

Some years later I bought my then-fiancé her first pistol, a SIG SAUER P239. Slim, compact, and smooth, the little SIG automatic afforded her plenty of room for a full two-handed grip with thumbs forward while easily disappearing into a Crossbreed Super Tuck IWB holster. As I slowly opened the iconic blue case, not unlike Dr. Jones, my initial impression of the SIG was that it’s a no-nonsense business gun with the lines of a jet-black 85’ Firebird. In a bit of internet role reversal, the gun enthusiast borrows the novice’s gun and falls in love. Oddly enough, she found she really enjoyed my Colt Gold Cup since she didn’t have a CCW license yet.

After carrying the SIG in generic IWB holster for a few weeks with a shoddy belt, I learned four important lessons; 1) I really enjoy having a spare magazine on me compared to a cumbersome speed loader (or worse yet, an ironically named speed strip), 2) I’m too old to wear my shorts down to my ankles, 3) a proper holster is a must for an all-metal pistol and 4) a good solid belt can work wonders for mitigating the weight of carrying heavier guns.

Sporting a matte black finish and a magazine capacity up to 10+1, the SIG P239 not only looks the part of secret service heater, but plays it just as well. I found that in local IDPA-esque scrimmages, I shot consistently as well as I normally do with a full-sized Glock. At 10 yards the plates had better invest in Kevlar protection because they had nowhere to hide. Intrigued by the small gun’s big performance, I decided to shoot it from a rest at 15 yards to get a better idea of how well she’d group. At that distance I could cover my grouping with a silver dollar, and at greater distances, a DGU’s legality would be seriously questionable.

At first glance, the Sig P239’s sharp angular edges might appear painful, but the engineers over at Exeter obviously know their stuff. I initially wondered if the gun’s lack of a beavertail would lead to a symptom PPK owners are all too familiar with: slide bite. However, I was pleasantly surprised that despite my 1911-inspired ultra high grip, the SIG’s slide, unlike the little dog of Pink Panther fame, does not bite.

Lest you think the SIG is all bark and no bite, she doesn’t just look pretty and carry well, but also shoots circles around most guns with twice her sight radius/barrel length. While one could argue that such accuracy is unnecessary in a concealed carry piece, (or maybe even detrimental, as it’s usually indicative of tighter tolerances and thus less reliability in harsh conditions) I believe your wife being held as a human shield would beg to differ. However unlikely that situation may be, no one in history has ever complained about being too thin, having too much money, being too good looking or having a gun that’s too damn accurate.

Specifications:

Caliber: 9 mm
Magazine capacity: 8(+1) rounds flush with magazine well, 10(+1) with extended grip
Materials: Aluminum frame, stainless steel slide
Weight empty: 29.5 ounces
Barrel Length: 3.6″
Overall length: 6.6″
Sights: Fixed front and rear, white dot front sight, post rear (Dot the “i”)
Finish: Matte black lower; stainless steel upper
Price: $858 MSRP

 

RATINGS (out of five):

Style  * * * * *
Sig has nailed the alphabet soup agency look with this slick little piece.

Ergonomics  * * * * *
Volumes thinner than its double stack plastic fantastic contemporaries, the SIG fills the palm well, offering the shooter great controllability.

Reliability  * * * * *
It plowed through almost 300 rounds without so much as a hiccup. Or a cleaning.

Customizable  * * * *
With a wide variety of both OEM parts and aftermarket grips (check out Hogue’s aluminum grips, freakin’ sweet!) the Sig P239 offers the shooter no shortage of customizability. If that’s a word.

Carry  * * * * ½
While not as light as some of SIG’s more recent offerings, the only downside to this gun are the sharp edges which either a reputable gunsmith or upgrading to the SAS (SIG Anti-Snag) package would remedy.

Overall Rating * * * * *
An easy-shooting all-metal compact piece with accuracy to spare. A standard for other carry guns to live up to.

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144 COMMENTS

  1. Having used both the P239 and S&W 3913NL, I prefer the S&W as it is just as reliable, but thinner. The only detractor is the non-rebounding decocker on the S&W as opposed to the 239. If you are looking for a thin single stack, the 3913 series is worth a look as well. Unfortunately it is no longer in production.

    • I agree with you experience. I tried out a S&W 3913 around 1988-89. It was compact, and sweet. Didn’t care for the safety.
      Later that year, I purchased a SIG P-226 in 9mm.
      Absolutely Fabulous.
      A large, military duty gun, accurate as hell, and super reliable.
      Still going strong after 23 years.

      Still, with my small hands, I would like something thinner.
      Viola! I hope to get a P-239, SA/DA, probably in .40 S&W. Later, get a drop in barrel in .357 SIG.

      Then I will have a good range of calibers, from .22, .38 SP, 9 mm, .40 S&W and .357 SIG.

      Wish me luck.

      • That is exactly what I did and I have not regretted it for one second.
        The 239 is a fine carry gun whether you are using 9mm, 40 S&W or .357 Sig.
        I love the fact that you can interchange the barrels, and with a custom Hogue grip you just can’t beat it.
        If the Texas Rangers and the Navy Seals carry Sigs (P226), then a Sig is just fine with me albeit more expensive than some of the other semi-autos.

        • Absolutely Correct Texas Highway Patrol under Lt. Walker , and Navy Seal Command chose the SIG for a reason, Completely Reliable Under All Adverse Conditions. 5*’s

  2. You can reload a J-frame in 2 seconds? Good heavens, why would that make you hesitate to carry one? That is (if true) extremely fast. Most people can’t reload anything that fast.

    • Your comment confused me initially until I realized that I wasn’t terribly clear. I can reload the 442 I carried in 2 seconds once I have the gun up and the speed loader in the other hand. It was my first dedicated carry piece and back when I had the time I used to practice reloading for 10 min every other night. If you included me getting said speedloader from my pocket it would have taken me an additional 1-2 seconds at least. Especially when shaking with adrenaline.

        • Seems like Mr. Grant confuses opinion with fact, and fact with opinion. Something that is the same width is the same width. Period.

        • “The G26/27 are the same width as the P239. 1.2 inches.”

          Measured at the widest point, which for the P239 is the decocker. The G26/27 are the same width all over, including the grip. The P239 is slimmer everywhere except at that one point — the slide and grip are both slimmer than those on the G26/27. Therefore, it is more concealable.

        • Same width is not the same width when it comes to concealment. I have carried both Glocks and XDs in the same holster model as a SIG 239, and I can say for certain that the SIG 239 is MUCH more comfortable and MUCH more concealable due to the shape of the pistol and the thin grip frame on the SIG 239. This holds true in jeans and a t-shirt, tucked under a dress shirt, under a suit jacket – the SIG 239 is easier and more comfrortable to conceal.

      • So true , I’ve got one and its thickness makes it print like the New York Times !, I thought I was the only one with that issue

    • … it isn’t the 239… I find Glocks are “top heavy” and simply don’t fit my hand as well as the P239. I have thw. 40 S&W, and I love this for Concealwd Carry-crossbreed supertuck is the way to go… Accurate & no failures for over … 10 years.

  3. “But 5 shots of .38 special with a two second reload time doesn’t instill tons of confidence in a shooter.”

    It does me. Shootings with multiple shots almost always involve gang bangers and drug dealers targeting each other. How often does a law abiding citizen end up in a situation legitimately requiring the presence of a gun on the street to halt a potential attack or an actual shootout need using up five rounds? On the street, I’d prefer a revolver for the simplicity (pull, point, and shoot) to respond fast to an ambush type attack in a hope to beat that 21 foot rush at me in 1.5 seconds.

    • As a fellow CCW’r I’m sure you’re familiar with the Latin phrase, “If you wish for peace, prepare for war.” Why would you take anything less capable if you could conceal it nearly as easily? I love my snub-nosed .38 and I can shoot it accurately or I can shoot it fast, but I sure as hell can’t do both. The Sig’s greater heft soaks up what little recoil the 9mm para has and affords the wielder twice the capacity.

      • I’m familiar with the phrase and knew it long before I held a gun. I think I addressed my reasoning above. I’m far more concerned with an ambush attacker and the most effective way to respond than the potential for getting into a multi-shot shootout. I find the revolver’s attributes a faster, simpler, and more reliable tool to respond to some thug coming at me.

    • be careful of designating your CCW to just handle one scenario with just 5 rounds. What if you’re out for a stroll and a pitbull takes a major dislike to your scent? PitBulls are fast…..I’d like more than 5 in this scenario for sure. I also carry concealed when hiking in state parks…..in Florida Feral Hogs are abundant…..my beretta PX4 compact has 12 rounds of .40 PDX1 and I’m not sure that’d be enough……(my extra mag has 12 too)
      A final note, Flash mob robberies and Gang mobs terrorizing and robbing citizens have become in vogue lately in places you’d never thought they’d be. America is changing with 50 Million on Food stamps and unemployment benefits running out for millions, it reinforces to me the reason I carry CCW in the first place, for the things I DON’T anticipate and therefore can’t avoid.
      On the printing of a larger CCW pistol….. I use CCW breakaway britches and shorts. I have asked two different veteran police officer trainers in combat handgunnery whether they can tell I am carrying a pistol and the answer was definitely not…..They were surprised and I was happy I have found an alternative to holstering that is comfortable and very quick on the draw as well. You do need that thick BELT though as the author suggests….but that goes with all CCW I think.

      • Red pepper or grizzly bear spray have their uses with animals when walking around my area and if I go into mountain lion territory I’ll be carrying a 357 and my friends will have their 9 or 45 cals. Should America and Portland Oregon devolve into flashmob and other gang attacks on citizens then I might re-consider my weapons.

      • I totally agree with you on pitbull defense, and it’s one of the reasons I don’t usually take my ultra light titanium / scandium 5 shot snubbie into the woods or on the trail.

        Then again, it’s so compact and comfortable I can jog with the damn thing, and the Weimaraner and Lab LOVE jogging, and the pitbull would probably go after them first. (And I’ve already decided that a pitbull, coyote, etc. will not be pre-maturely ending their lives if there is anything I can do about it.)

    • Revolver triggers are what turn me off from revolvers. If I were to go with low capacity, I’d go with a 1911.

    • I have both a sig p239 (which I like) and a S & W 686 .357. I carry the 686 for personal defense. Im with Aharon on this one, hit what your aiming at and you dont need a bunch of shots. Im just not going to pull the trigger unless im sure im going to hit my intended target.

      I have to say, though, i would be ok carrying my sig.

    • “On the street, I’d prefer a revolver for the simplicity (pull, point, and shoot) to respond fast to an ambush type attack in a hope to beat that 21 foot rush at me in 1.5 seconds.”

      The P239 pictured above is a DA/SA. Just as simple (pull, point, and shoot) as your revolver but when you use the extended 10 round magazines, you have five to six more rounds (depending on the revolver) before you have to stop to reload. I’ll take my Sig DA/SA over any revolver anyday, but to each his own.

    • Well….every Youtube security camera video I’ve ever seen of a civilian shooting at a bad guy, if that answers your question.

    • IF it happens to you, it is a 100% statistic. Don’t be an assumptive assclown. Get with the program, and train properly.

  4. SIG P239 is quick on target, fits my hand rather that trying to fit my hand around it, easy to be accurate with, low on recoil, smooth, and reliable. The one I own is a favorite for many uses.

    Thanks for the review.

  5. I love me some Sig 239! I fire my .40 SW Sig 239 better than I fire my old school german-made .40 Sig 229! Great gun!

  6. I love my P239, except for the DAO trigger. That’s why I plan to switch the hammer and add a decocker. Da/Sa is my preference for carry.

  7. In my search for a subcompact I shot the Sig P239 at my LGS. The last four SA shots at 25 yards could be covered by my index finger. The first DA shot was was just a couple inches higher than that. I didn’t buy one as I wanted to shoot a 40 in DAK and couldn’t find one. Also no rail (that I don’t know if I need anyway). Looking back I do regret that decision a little.

    Happy shooting, dv

  8. Possibly the best all-around concealment handgun on the market. An ideal balance of accuracy, power, size, and shootability. The P239 DAK is the gun I buy for all my nephews and nieces as graduation presents. Even if they never become regular shooters, it’s so simple they’ll never forget how to use it, and it will serve either for recreation or self defense. In fact, after I decided on that gun for them, I started carrying it myself. You’re absolutely right: a gun that’s nice enough to work well for novices is really darn wonderful if you’ve got a bit of experience. Which means it will continue to serve the kids if they do become experienced shooters. The P239 is really a lifetime gun for anyone.

      • Jason, You can be my uncle also is you’ll buy me a P239 SAS! I looked at the price and found it to be more expensive than any weapon I own. I bought the Colt Defender 1911 90 Series back in 2008 for $748 new.

    • The P239 platform, while a bit heavy for carry, is by far and away better than the new, smaller model P938. The larger P239 has a longer barrel and is far more accurate and jam resistant.

      Thee best variant of the P239 for the money is the plain, standard model in double action. The only improvement, perhaps, would be adding the SRT (short reset trigger) and slightly reduced power Wolff hammer spring. This is one sweet model in any of the 3 calibers it’s available in.

      • I would agree for winter carry but not in the summer time. Unless I feel that I might really need to use a weapon I can’t carrying the 239 with shorts and summer attire. My 293 will get the job done just as well at close range.

        • The 239 is very easy to wear in summer wear. Then again, I carried a Government Model for over 20.

          As others said, it is smooth, thin in the right place (butt section) and just short/large enough to not be clumsy as subcompacts often are during manipulation drills.

  9. My dad has been carrying a P239 in .40S&W for a long time, he recently ordered a .357SIG barrel for it so I can’t wait to try that out. Great solidly built shooter that’ll run circles around any Glock, can’t say I remember seeing it ever fail. I may have to get myself one in 9mm someday, I don’t care for .40S&W as much as my father does.

  10. Nice gun but I still don’t see a need to go below a compact. I buy extra long golf shirts, LL Bean or REI wear and I can carry any of my handguns without obviously printing. My wife walks around with an M-9 and women’s cloths and nobody seems to notice. I think we tend see the telltale signs of a gun on our person because we know it’s there. Unless a person is into firearms they won’t notice a gun even you are open carrying.

    • The 239 is NOT a sub-compact. It is a compact pistol according to Sig’s website.
      The 224 is definitely a sub-compact and you can also interchange barrels just like the 239.

  11. Great little gun. IMO, it’s about as small as you can make a handgun without compromising how it shoots *at all*.

    Sometimes I think I should have bought a Glock 19 instead- twice the ammo and a grip that’s only a *tiny* bit thicker. But I find the SIG’s SA trigger is so perfect, I can’t quite bring myself to drop the cash to make the switch.

  12. “Volumes thinner than its double stack plastic fantastic contemporaries”

    According to mfr’s specs, the 27 is THINNER than the P239. Glock 27= 1.18″, Sig P239= 1.2″

    • One other item I’d like to mention is the weight. 29.5 oz for the P239 vs. 19.75 oz for the G27. Huge difference, over a half pound and then some.

    • I stand corrected, gun certainly feels thinner to me. Perhaps it is because I use Hogue’s Aluminum grips? I don’t know what the specs are on those, and my current set are on a friend’s gun right now so I can’t measure. Anyone have a set they are willing to measure?

      • Just measured the slide on my 239–about .9″, maybe a mm or two thinner. The Glock is noticably blockier, while the even the non-dehorned versions of the Sig seem to taper better.

  13. I own a P239 and it’s the gun I prefer to carry, it’s light enough to be comfortable, shaped to shoot well, and reliable enough to trust. The P226 isn’t bad to carry as long as I’m in a suit coat, but most times the P239 gets the nod. When I can’t carry anything else, I’ve got a PF9 for pocket carry. Hopefully the new P938 will be replacing it this year.

    YMMV, but I love my Sigs over all my other pistols. Glocks, S&Ws, Rugers, I’m most comfortable with Sigs, so that’s what I carry.

    It wouldn’t be hard to convince me to add a Sig Pro and a P229 to the group. 🙂

    • Get the Sig Pro. You won’t regret it. Best $400 I ever spent. No questions about it. I OC it for hiking in a Blackhawk SERPA holster and its easy to forget its even there, and packs enough ammo to take out any threat in my neck of the woods. I’ll never get rid of her. I will add some more Sigs to my collection when I get my CCW for sure!

  14. The P239 will always be a winner for me. It was my first conceal carry pistol. I still have it in Sig357 / .40 caliber.
    It is about 15 years old, but still shoots as well as most full sized hand guns. While I no longer carry it in summer, I do carry it from time to time in Winter. It is one of my favorites..

  15. I was a fan of the P239. I bought it in .40 and then added a 9mm slide so that I had the option of either caliber. One thing that bugged me about the P239 was that if you wanted to shoot .357 Sig, you not only had to buy a new barrel, but mags as well and Sig mags are not cheap. Whereas the P229 .40 mag also holds the .357sig round, the P239 mags are dedicated. While I liked the P239 and even purchased a Crossbreed holster for it, at nearly 2 pounds, it is not a lightweight gun. It makes shooting a lot easier, but carrying less so. I recently decided to pick up a SA M1A, so to fund that purchase, I’ve decided to sell my P239. I’m hoping that Sig’s new P938 is going to be that perfect blend of carry and power. I love my P238, but want a bit more punch than its .380

    • Sig P239 in .40 cal. needs only a barrel swap to convert to .357Sig cal. The .40 cal. mags work fine loaded with .357Sig ammo. However, the inverse is not so; .40 cal. ammo will not fit in the tapered magazine body of the .357Sig magazines.

      In sum: Just stick with .40 cal. mags to fire both calibers. And btw, those ….357Sig mags can be used for 9mm ammo if you get the 9mm conversion barrel.

    • I love my 938 that I bought to ccw. I bought a pocket holster that looks like a wallet. I also wear cargo shorts and pants. The only caveat to my love for it is it’s SA only without a decocker. Trigger and thumb is an accident waiting to happen. My p239 9mm SAS Gen2 is being delivered today. CT LG-439 sometime next week.

  16. i had 2 of the 239’s, one in 40sw the other in 357 sig…
    it was possibly the most accurate and reliable compact auto i had ever purchased up to that point in time…
    6k+ rounds with only 3 FTF (defective ammo) in the 40sw, the 357 sig had problems w/bullet setback on the only readily available ammo, so i bought an extra 40sw barrel…
    nothing but good to say about this model of sig…
    their other stuff was, ummmm, not so good…
    i will recommend the 239 to anyone who needs a small, functional pistol of adequate caliber…

  17. “A pocket-carry convert, I used to take my little J-frame hammerless wherever I went, and to be honest it’s very convenient. But five shots of .38 special with a two-second reload time doesn’t instill tons of confidence in a shooter…”

    Two .38 Special Airweights provide ten shots and are no more burdensome to carry than one P239. The cost of two revolvers and one pistol are roughly equal, as well. Admittedly, the SIG has much better sights but the J-frame is more easily retrieved from a pocket.

    The pistol is more “shootable” but the revolver is more convenient, which suggests it will be carried more readily. Perhaps the “pocket nines” will some day render the discussion moot but for now, the P239 is no threat to the J-frame’s popularity.

  18. Excellent assessment and consensus on what I also believe to be one of Sig’s best kept secrets and one of the most overlooked item in their catalog of arms. My preference in the 357Sig variant in traditional DA/SA.

  19. Have had a 228 for about ten years and about three years ago bought a 239. Shoot a sig after anything else then you understand!

  20. The Colt .45 Officer Compact shoots better than the Sig. Better ergonomics, better recoil feel. You might even pinch your trigger finger using the Sig getting caught between trigger and trigger housing.

    • That’s just crazy! I have never pinched my finger on any of my Sigs, and I own 4 of them. As for your Colt Officer being more accurate with better ergonomics and shoot ability, I will kindly completely disagree with you on all points. Sigs are excellent firearms and the ergonomics are perfect as well. All of my Sigs (P228 9mm, P220 .45ap Combat, P239 .357sig) are all some if not the most accurate and comfortable to shoot handguns I own. I would recommend a Sig to anyone new to highly experienced. They are very well made quality guns, and their customer service is excellent.

      • Brent’s point is not without merit. The Officer’s model is the standard bearer on many fronts, like accuracy, reliability and ergonomics for other manufacturers to meet. Sig has met that standard with it’s metal frame P series from yesteryear. But these days it appears Sig has lost their way. A vivid example is not just Sig’s polymer frame junk but also their newest all-metal P938. It has been plagued with ftf and other reliability problems. After the fact customer service to redress the P938 problems has not been stellar as it was with other models in years gone by.

        It’s disappointing that the same great architects of the metal frame P series firearms you mention here have allowed the ill-designed P938 to get into production. For CCW or EDC I’d opt for the Colt Officer’s model without hesitation.

    • At one time I had an OfficersACP,P226&P228.The Colt was built while they were having quality control problems and had been factory corrected. I got it used and it was nice but heavy. Sold it and the 226 to fund a 220.Never regretted it. But if you’re a 1911 fan,the ACP is a good choice.

  21. I love the P239. I bought my wife one years ago, and find myself carrying it often. I carry a 4″ XD most days, but if I need to carry under a nicely fitting suit jacket, or tucked under a shirt, the little P239 and it’s rounded lines just disappears. It is also very comfortable to carry.

    A lot of other people must think the same, because we sell more Front Line tuckable holsters for the P239 than almost any other pistol, probably because it has been overlooked by many of the big holster manufacturers.

  22. Yes! Frontline offers several great holsters for use with the SIG P239.

    After a good experience with the 9mm SIG P228, I decided that I wanted a concealed carry weapon with a slimmer grip – a single stack magazine instead of the SIG P228’s double stack magazine. Going with lesser capacity made me want to use a more effective round than the 124 gr. +P 9mm Parabellum Gold Dot GDHPs that I was using in the SIG P228.

    I purchased a .40 S&W two-tone SIG P239 SAS with the SRT Short Reset Trigger and three dot night sights. Picked it up only a few months old and lightly used for much less than a new non-SAS pistol. I didn’t like the Hogue grips that came with it, didn’t like the SIG black plastic stock grips, but with Hogue G-10 checkered grips I am now happy. The pistol came with two magazines. I picked up another magazine and two +1 magazine adapters that replace the floorplate and extend the grip a quarter inch. That gives me 7+1 via the first magazine in the SIG on the belt in a tuckable Frontline lined holster counterbalanced with two 8 round spare magazines on the other side.

    Ran several boxes of each type of various ammo through it without a hiccup, except some people firing a 12 gauge shotgun in an adjacent lane at an indoor firing range asked how I was able to fire that shotgun so quickly when I was testing the 180 gr. Fiocchi Extrema XTP JHP rounds. The flash and bang were both a bit more with that round than the 180 gr. Speer Gold Dots GDHP and 180 gr. RWS FMJ FP rounds.

    • After seeing all the comments raving about their 9mm P239 pistols, i decided to get one for myself. I went looking for a used pistol with night sights and a SRT like i have on my .40 S&W SAS Gen II. I did not find a SAS, but I did find a P239 Tactical, which has night sights, a SRT, 4.0″ threaded barrel and serrations on the forward part of the slide. The longer Tactical barrel does not make it any harder to conceal than the 3.6″ barrel and provides faster fps and muzzle energy, I do not miss the SAS smoothing by using holsters with a body shield. The 9mm caliber has less recoil then the .40 S&W for faster, accurate follow up shots. Since I use +1 magazine extender bases on the .40 S&W, the capacity is the same for me in both calibers. The only negative I see is that I prefer the full height serrations on the rear of the slide of the .40 S&W P239 over the lower height serrations on the 9mm P239, because for racking the slide or releasing the slide during reloading i use the hand over the top the slide method instead of the slingshot pinch method.

      • I’ve been a Colt 1911 .45 caliber shooter for decades, and carried the FN Browning Hi Power, 9mm, as an advisor in South America. Before that, I was in covert ops and carried a Walther PPK 9mm kurz under a suitcoat. My latest addition to super concealed carry is my Sig Sauer P938 with the Sig Sauer rubber grips with thum and finger grooves.

        While I still have my Colt Defender .45 caliber, I bought an FNS-40 a few months ago. It is not the Browning HI Power by any means, but, then again, I don’t have enough money laying around to buy a Hi Power off of the Internet! At first, I was quite pleased with the FNS. I had never owned a striker fired weapon before and felt a little lonely for the hammer of the FNH. A friend of mine, who shoots with me, fell in love with the FNS-40, but, being a trend setter, he discovered the P239-40 SAS Gen 2. When he bought it, he and I pitted against the FNS. I fell in love with the P239-40 SAS Gen 2!!! While I miss the 14-round capacity of the FNS magazine, I love everything about the P239-40 and can handle the 7+1 capacity. I ordered mine and traded in my FNS-40 as a down payment.

        In regards to holsters, I am a returning customer of DM Bullard, in Azle, TX. Previously, I had had some custom leather IWB holsters made for me by Kirkpatrick, of Laredo, TX; however, when I searched for the perfect IWB holster for my P938, I chose DM Bullard. Similarly, I have ordered another DM Bullard holster, this time for the Small of the Back (SOB) IWB, for my soon-to-arrive P239-40 SAS Gen 2.

  23. regardless of which is actually thinner, i’ve found that single stack pistols fit my hand best. every time i see one of those sig p239 they’re already spoken for. for now i will have to make do with my makarov or 442. my biggest complaint with pistols like the glock isn’t their quality, the have that in buckets, it’s that they’re so square and chunky feeling in the hand. my sigma suffers from that as well. reliable and easy to carry but just feels off when in hand.

  24. The p239 is a sweet piece, but I still carry my S&W Nightguard 8-shot .357 Revolver with PDX1 rounds. Trigger action feels a-ok to me, especially once it’s staged! 🙂 (though it is a little bulkier for a carry piece – but hey, I only need to hit them once with that baby!)

    😉

  25. I traded my XD9 SC for a Sig P239. Hated the XD and love the Sig. Feals good and shoots great. Compaired to my LC9 it is like night and day. The LC9 is a little easier to carry but when I can it’s the Sig that I want with me. Also have an M&P 40 and it’s ok but from now on I will only buy Sig firearms. They are worth the money.

  26. A longtime glock and ppk carrier, a sweet little p239 .357 found me at the gun show and followed me home. I am having trouble finging the 10 round mags. Anyone have a source?

    • Those 10 round magazines people are writing about are extended magazines for the 9mm SIG P239, which normally has 8 round magazine capacity.

      Normal magazine capacity for the .357 SIG and .40 S&W rounds is 7 rounds. You can get a Plus 1 Kit extender for the .357 SIG and the .40 S&W magazines:
      http://www.topgunsupply.com/sig-sauer-magazine-p239-.40-.357-magazine-plus-1-kit.html

      For .357 SIG, 8 round extender magazines are available, which appear to have the Plus 1 Kit adapter already installed:
      http://www.topgunsupply.com/sig-p239-357-8rd-magazine-extended-capacity.html

      If you already have the 7 round .357 SIG magazine, get the Plus 1 Kit. Otherwise, the 8 round magazine costs the same as the 7 round magazine and are only a quarter inch longer, yielding a better grip.

      So, if you absolutely need 10 rounds in your SIG P239 magazine, 9mm is your only current option. If you already have a .357 SIG or .40 S&W P239, you can acquire the 9mm magazines and a 9mm Bar-Sto Conversion Barrel that will fit in the larger slide used by the .357 SIG and .40 S&W P239:
      http://www.topgunsupply.com/bar-sto-conversion-barrel-sig_p239-9mm.html

      I am not affiliated with Top Gun Supply, but have ordered from them and am a satisfied customer. I would order from them again.

      Personally, I would prefer to carry a double stack 13+1 or 15+1 9mm SIG P228/P229 than go with the single stack 10 round extended magazines for the SIG P239. If you live in a place that restricts magazine capacity to 10 rounds, SIG still provides 10 round magazines for the P228/P229.

    • I had the opportunity to buy the P239-.357 SAS but turned it down because of the difficulty in finding Sig .357 ammo. Check MidwayUSA online. You may have to buy 1,000 rds in order to get a good break for your money, but at least you’ll have some ammo!

  27. Good review! I fondled one in a local store, and I’m sold. My go-to pistol is a P226, so there’s about zilch re-training for the P239. Still trying to find out how many mags the dang thing comes with!

    Charlie

  28. One overlooked benefit to the Sig P239 over a Glock is the confidence inspired in concealed, round-in-chamber carry. The P239 has that safer, heavy-first-shot, double-action trigger at approximately 11 pounds. Glocks can keep you on needles and pins regardless of their “safe action” design. I would hazard a guess that there are a lot less unintended discharges with Sigs, especially in panic, L.E.O. instances.

    And even that heavy first pull is no liability with training and practice. Make it a Sig P239 for me any day, any way over a Glock where concealment is required.

  29. Hi:

    I’m looking to buy my first handgun and have read through all of TTAG’s highly-rated reviews. I really appreciate all of your great info. Have learned a lot. I live in GA and want to apply for a CCW license.

    I was a Naval Officer for 9 years. Once upon a time…a lifetime ago at the U.S. Naval Academy…I qualified with the 1911 as an Expert Marksman. Have had no shooting experience with handguns since then.

    After reading so many great reviews, it seems like the P239 would be a great starter gun for me. Would you have any recommendations regarding caliber and ammo type? I need to do more reading in this area…

    I’d also like to buy a 1903 Colt Auto .32 Hammerless or its 1908 .38 variant in pristine condition. (Have a big appreciation for older, great weapons and TTAG’s writeup on the 1903 sold me). I’ve gone through a few websites looking for one at a decent price. Any recommendations as to the best sites/sources?

    Sorry if these are dumb questions. As mentioned, I’m a novice…but plan to get up-to-speed and practice a lot once I make a purchase or 2. Finally, if you can recommend the type, length, frequencey, etc. of training classes I should utilize, I’d greatly appreciate it.

    Thanks a lot for your help.

    Sincerely,

    Ken

    • That 1911 you qualified with at the academy was a 1911A1 with a 5″ barrel. I carried one in the Army for over 20 years and hated it! If you like to bark and bite of a .45, I recommend you try the Colt Defender, Series 90, .45 caliber. It has a 3″ barrel and comes with finger groove rubber grips. Try going to an indoor range in your area. Normally, these ranges have rental weapons so you can experience the feel you like handling the weapon and firing it. This will also give you an idea of “control”, which is probably the most important aspect of weapons not excluding “safety”.

      9mm is a nice caliber. How you intend to use it is another issue. The muzzle velocity of 9mm ammunition is higher than many larger calibers. The use of fracturing ammunition, such as Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP) and Hydro Shock are great for personal protect and stopping power at close ranges. I’ve owned almost all of the calibers, and still have a .357 magnum Colt Python. Nice and powerful but not concealable, that is, unless your Inspector Callahan (Dirty Harry.) Hope this helps.

  30. My duty pistol for the past 24 years has been the P226. My off-duty, a P225. With the 40S&W now being approved I have a P229 in 40S&W coming for duty carry. Wanting to carry the same caliber on and off duty, I just ordered a P239DAK in 40S&W. Being a firearms instructor I have handled/shot many handguns. I still love my Sig Sauer!

  31. I purchased a 239 in 40 S & W as my first gun. I still shoot it better than any other gun I’ve purchased. I bought a Sig 238 for my wife and just got a 938 for myself. They feel great in our hands and are dependable for carry guns. Slightly pricey, but like all better things in life, easy to justify once you shoot one.

  32. I purchased the P239 14 years ago for a daily carry, and it is still my number 1 CCW. I have put many many rounds through it, and it has performed flawlessly.

    It’s a keeper!

  33. This is my EDC and I freaking LOVE this pistol! I’ve fired about 1500 rounds through it and never had a single stovepipe.

  34. I just bought a P239 SAS and will be picking it up tomorrow! It will be my 7th Sig, and I haven’t been disappointed with any of them yet!

  35. I’ve applied for my carry permit. & plan to also take a few courses to understand my local laws,& try to just do it right. Though I have fired a handgun before, this will be my first handgun purchase. I’m not loaded with free cash so this very well may be my only handgun purchase for a LONG time. I’ve researched based on my assumed abilities, cash available,CC needs. I feel the p239 will give me the best of all worlds! I think the safety mechanisms , & feel in my hand & the reviews online all are guiding me to the p239 in 9mm. I’m now down to locating my best price. If sig would like to send me a coupon to use,just let me know! LOL!!

    • Bob you won’t be disappointed with the P239. It is a GREAT first pistol. I owned a 9mm version and still own one in .40. The only drawback is the magazine capacity. I traded my 9mm for a P228 because I wanted more capacity. The 228 is only slightly larger, but with the double-stacked magazine, I can get 15 rounds in a flush-mount mag. It you live in a state where magazine capacity is restricted, then the 239 will be a perfect pistol for you!

      • Came home today & my permit was in the mail so now I’m chomping at the bit! Been Ckg local shops but I’m considering going to a gun show in March here in town. Generally , are prices better there? Or can I use the fact that they are coming as excuse for locals to come off their prices

        • Try private party listings (my personal favorite is http://www.armslist.com). I have purchased many guns through them (including my p239). Depending on your state it is faster, easier and usually cheaper than an LGS. I am in WA State and FTF private party sales are all cash & carry and there is no required paperwork (although most sellers will want you to complete a bill of sale or have a look at your ID and/or CPL)….

    • Try Rockwell Arms. A friend of mine got a new, in box, Sig P239 SAS Gen 2 .40 caliber for $865. I just bought the same weapon for $990 + tax yesterday, in Albuquerque, NM. I doubt you’re going to find a lower price unless it’s a used weapon on GunBroker.com or GunsAmerica.com.

  36. Bob,
    Gun shows “can” offer some deals, but in my experience, you really have to work hard to get the pistol you want at a fair price. Our gun show has a couple of dealers with pricing that is below what I might find in a store, but for the most part prices are still pretty close to normal retail. One good thing about guns shows is that you can see a lot of different brands and models. Good luck in your search!

  37. You need 10 minimum rounds, considering you are not going to connect with all your shots on a moving target. The member who said he will only shoot when he is sure he will hit the target, has not been in a gunfight. You will miss at least 30% of your shots, “no matter how good you are”. When you have several people or animals moving at high speed in different directions, it’s a lot different than when you are shooting targets that aren’t shooting back.
    I carry at least a Pm9 with 8 rounds, 7+1, and 2 extra mags, and that is just around the home area, If I am heading out, I grab a second gun, usually a XDS with the 7 rounder. It’s hard to hit 2 or 3 targets without missing or getting shot. Before they break off.
    Normally I would take a glock 26 with the +2 in it, and 1 extra mag. Last thing you want to do is run out of ammo, you would feel very foolish to say the least.

  38. I have the p239 in .40 and I love it. Light, compact, and fits great in the small of my back (my preferred ccw position). If I feel I need a backup (hiking, going into an area where there might be trouble, etc), then I have a Ruger sp101 snub in .357.

    The p239 though is my daily carry piece. 8 rounds (in .40) and I always carry an extra mag with 8 more. I have been in gunfights before and I can say that if 16 shots (21 if I am carrying the .357 backup) will not eliminate the threat or make it possible for me to get away to safety then I am not sure anything less than a full auto 30 round AK/AR, etc would :).

  39. I just purchased a sig 239 gen 2 sas. I wan’t sure what gun I was going to buy until i came across this gun. I was looking very hard at the p229 models but thought this one was a little bit better of a conceal carry piece.

    • I am a senior citizen, having been in the clandestine service of this country, abroad, when I was younger, and a retired Army Special Forces operator. For Christmas 1961, my parents gave me a Walther PPK 7.65mm. Three years later, I had entered the clandestine service and was permitted to carry it since it did not lend any identify to the one carrying it (the government only issued the 1911A1 45 cal.) For my first assignment In South America, I had a friend make me a leather should holster with two 7-round magazine carriers for concealed carrier under my suit coast, and [probably] one of the first IWB holsters for off duty wear. That Walther PPK weapon saved my bacon on several occasions. As soon as I could get my hands on the 9mm Kurz version of the weapon, I began carrying that concealed.

      I am in the Fall of my life now, and still carry a concealed weapon. And, yes, I still have the Walther PPK 9mm Kurz; however, I also own a SIG P938 9mm. Additionally, I own a Colt Defender 90 Series, 45 cal. and an FNS40. While I love their concealment profile (well not so much the FNS), once fully loaded, they make it hard to keep my pants up, even with a good belt!

      I have seen the P239 gen 2 SAS, and, frankly, fell in love with it! I simply haven’t saved up the money to buy one. I love reading about it, and think about it when I go to the range every week.

      Nice article!

      Larry Richardson
      Los Lunas, NM

      • Larry,

        I have the P239 SAS and it is wonderful to hold, carry, and shoot. HOWEVER. . . Just be advised that it is not by any means a light weapon. I only carry mine in the cooler months when I wear long pants and a stiffer belt. I’d have pants around the ankles if I tried to carry a 239 in my summer attire (shorts), as much as I wish I could.

        Good luck!

        • A good friend of mine who shoots with me just got his P239-40 SAS Gen 2. I got to fire it and fell in love with it. I owned an S&W Midel 239 for many years, and knew that it was rated as the best shooter S&W ever produced. As a matter of fact, I carried it concealed (although it’s a full size service weapon) working as an Intelligence consultant following 9-11. My current .40 caliber handgun is the Belgium-made FNS-40, which is a beautiful firearm, but does not even compare to the Sig Sauer P239 SAS Gen 2! Now, I’m trying to sell or trade-up to the P239 SAS Gen 2.

  40. Amen.

    I mean, all this talk of multiple rounds and reloading. Are people heading into war zones with their CC pistols as only weapons? If so, I suggest something along the lines of the AR15 or AK47 – – – Or better yet, avoid that location.

    Seriously, unless one is an LEO or in some way otherwise required to be in a place so bad that a gun FIGHT could break out, I see no need to be preparing for such a highly unlikely event. Should we carry a lightening rods too?

    Home defense? Sure, load up to the hilt! But walking-around defense for a spontaneous attack? Keep it simple and easy, but just be armed. If you think there is even a chance of being gang-attacked, go elsewhere or, if you have to be there, bring other armed people.

  41. I actually just purchased an almost new p239 (.40 S&W) yesterday for $520… I say almost new because it only has around 250 shots through it. It looks really nice and feels great.

    It’s my first gun “purchase” and I’m pretty excited. Now, I put that in quotation marks because both my parents were police officers, my father gave me a nice .22 rifle when I was 12, my grandfather left me his Browning over-under 12 gauge shotgun, and my father gave me his service pistol (Glock 23, .40)… however, I see his gun as more of a momento than something I’ll CC (mostly, I want to try and keep it in the best shape possible, so I keep it clean and take it to the range with me whenever I go to give it a workout).

  42. I picked up a P239 DA/SA (just like the one tested) shortly after my October 31, 2012 post. Loved it then, and still do going on 3 years later. It’s my EDC, and I have never had a problem with it at all.

    Charlie

  43. I bought a 239 SAS in 357 sig about 6 years ago and it has become my favorite. Carry a 938 when I need something lighter and keep a 226 for welcoming the uninvited at home. The 239 is accurate (for me) as the 226 and is instinctively easier to shoot than the 938 although it’s too heavy to slip into a pocket while I’m cutting the grass.

  44. I have a P239 “Tactical” with its extended threaded barrel in 9mm. It is quite comfortable to carry, and it is just big enough to not be clumsy when manipulating it. Just barely long enough butt to place my pinky fully on the 8-round magazine’s floorplate extension with no room to spare. Heavy enough so it doesn’t recoil much.

    Not sure where the “sharp edges” are, as I’ve run my fingers all over the thing and no cuts? I just finished working in some vineyards and wore it for six weeks inside the waistband without issue.

    Yes, she’s a keeper. Good job on the article!

  45. I purchased a P239 for my wife to carry. I had our gunsmith reduce the first trigger pull to 7 lbs and the second pull to 5 lbs. I added a Crimson Trace laser grip and a Short Reset Trigger. This is a great carry firearm. During summer weather it has become my EDC in an Alien Gear IWB holster. When the wife decides to carry, I’m back to my SIG 1911.

  46. My P239 was originally 40 S&W. I also have fitted BarSto match barrels for 9mm, 40 S&W, and 357 SIG. My favorite thing about this gun is shooting 357 SIG, it is an accurate and powerful round with little recoil. I like the P239 because of the sturdy metal frame. It is a little too large and heavy for every-day concealed carry. I hate the “combat sighting” that Sig uses, the bullet hits behind the front sight rather than at the top. It took a lot of searching, but I eventually found replacement tall night sights that fit. I love the accuracy of this gun. I find that I’m somehow a better shot with double-action shooting, so the DAO option might have been a better option for me. The decocking lever isn’t much practical value and probably makes the gun a little bigger than necessary. I prefer the modern “thumbs up” hold, but you find that your thumb rests on the magazine release lever and it prevents locking on the last round. My solution for that was to cut down the release tab and learn to release by pulling the slide. I love Hogue grips on this gun. I used a Crimson Trace laser grip for a while but my accuracy suffered with the fatter plastic grip and it seemed the laser was always needing battery replacements. I’m sure there are better guns, but not many shoot 357 SIG and can be so easily converted to shoot other calibers.

  47. I carry a P239 .357. It took a while for me to find the holster I prefer, but I don’t leave home without it. I purchased a 9mmc with a lighter recoil spring, I use the 9mm ammo to practice with. It is just cheaper. The 9mmc and spring cost about $150, I was very lucky according to some folks with my conversion. I am able to use the same magazines by using the lighter recoil spring I can shoot the 115g ammo. Using the original .357 recoil spring I has to use the 124g ammo, the 115g is just a lot cheaper to practice with.

  48. I thank you for this article. I have a p239 in 9 mm and with 500 rounds through it, there have been zero malfunctions. It have been used for shooting between 2 yds and 25 yds for qualifying as an off duty weapon, and I would put it against any firearm as a carry piece in the southern U.S. for the months of March through November. In shorts. With only a t-shirt.

  49. I just purchased a P 239( April 2017) and have fired several hundred rounds in two weeks.Not a single Misfire or FTF.Typical Sig.It gets back on target fast with little recoil.Shoots the center out every time.I currently own a P-226, and a P-238 HD.All are flawless and accurate.I trust my life to any of my Sigs.I purchased a new Kimber 1911 Eclipse ultra Carry 2 last year and it was in the shop four months. Worked well for about 500 rounds not back to FTFs again.1369 $ wasted .Cant go wrong with Sig quality,durability and accuraccy.

  50. After many months of research and stops at the gun shops I’m irreversibly SOLD on the Sig P239 and thus, I’ve finally ordered my SAS .357 yesterday. It should be a GREAT winter carry here in Minnesota.

    My summer carry thus far will be the Sig P290 (it should arrive this week yet) or the Ruger LCPll .380 (I have carried lately) but I have my eye on the new XDE 3.3″ 9mm Hammer.

    I’ve read the entire thread here – the info is great! I’ll be looking into those carry pants and the holsters mentioned above as well! Thanks to all who contribute! Great Forum!

    Great Review James!

  51. There is a reason Ford, Chevy and Chrysler sell so many cars. People are different. In a time far away I daily carried (and used) a .38/ .357 in the county’s black & white and detective cars for 25 years, because that what was issued. IMHO old revolver shooters were trained to hit center mass better because of the 6 round limit before down time to reload. And Zombieland first rule is double-tap in all cases anyway. That said I look at handguns as a tool of 1/3 instinct point & shoot and the rest good quality training and practice. Proficiency is a perishable skill if not regularly used.

    There is no perfect weapon. I pickup a Glock (good reliable guns) but everything is wrong in my hand. I pickup my 9mm P239 and everything lines up and just works quickly to first round on target and easy followup shots. But your mileage may vary. I would tell anyone to go “feel” many pistols & revolvers before narrowing down exactly what you like and works for you. Grab one off the counter and bring it up to eye level – is it on target or do you have to move it around to line up? The caliber wars not withstanding (I am still a .45ACP making a bad guy just STOP what they were doing religious believer), I would put my heavy by 2017 standards Hogue gripped P239 right near or at the top in a list of compact carry weapons for me.

  52. The gun’s a boat anchor. if you want thin get a Sig P320 or 250 with the small frame. 13 rounds of 357 Sig or 15 rounds of 9 mm. Beats all hell out of 8 plus 1 and 29.5 oz. empty.

    • Heavy, but no boat anchor by any means.
      Not everyone has the privilege to live in a state that allows ownership of mags with more than 10 rounds, so the rest of us compromise and get multiple magazines. So what if I have to carry a spare mag. If it doesn’t bug me, it shouldn’t bug you.

  53. The Sig 239 has been an almost constant companion for over 20 years. After finally getting the right holster that “little” 9mm has been almost a no feel carry. Thanks to the Andrews holster and the right belt an all day carry is not a problem. Never any problems with the functioning and have appreciated how that Sig just fits my hand. I was initially trained as a “point shooter” and have never had to start with the “wrist cock” unlike trying to qualify with a Glock 19. Even at my advanced age I still get qualifying scores of over 95% consistently ( particularly if I ditch the bifocals). I even bought one for my son years ago. While I have a few other handguns ranging from .45 to 7.65 and every once in a while I will take one out for a carry and a shoot at the range. But I put it away and resume that Sig attitude. Yes, I have a 250 , 320, 226, 220 but when it is all said and done it’s that 239. Just my experience

  54. Good review. Have owned 2 P239s. I have to agree it is a fine weapon. However, I feel the Kahr P 9 might solve your concealment problem a little more effectively. At 15oz lighter it is I feel every bit as accurate. You would lose a round because capacity is only 7+1. But if you haven’t hit it in 8 rounds might be time to practice. The CW 9, which a slightly cheaper version of the same gun, is every bit as reliable as the P9. But not quite as accurate. At under 25 yards the difference is not important.

  55. The 239 is one I’ve always wanted & since it’s now discontinued, I got one in 9mm before it was too late. MagGunWarehouse still had mags, so I bought 6x. I also, searched around and found P239 specific spares (springs, recoil rod, pins, etc.) & stocked up while they are still available. I love this gun! Shoots better than I ever will, is reliable and very desirable.

    • Where did you find the New 239?

      I Purchased a Sig P239 SAS chambered in 357Sig and absolutely loved it. I gave it to my Son to help him get started with his collection and proceeded to hunt for another for myself only to find they are discontinued.

      I had no luck finding New in the Box 239s so I opted for a Used Equinox, also chambered in 357 Sig. It is not SAS however and I would really love to acquire a NIB P239 SAS.

      Thanks for the P239 review.

      I absolutely concur with everything you said!

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