Are all P239s the same size? 9mm same size as 357 Sig?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Dec 24, 2018
Messages
1,410
Location
Texas
Hello,

Lately I've really been looking to getting a Sig p229 (found some surplus ones in 40 S&W) or a Sig p239 (perfect mix of 226 series and P230)
but in 357 Sig. So any that are chambered for 357 Sig or 40 S&W are obviously gonna do.

At my LGS today, I saw and handled a Sig p239 in 9mm and it's the perfect size for a mid caliber handgun. However, I still want the p229 more, but if I can't get one of the surplus ones in time I'll settle for a p239. I like both the P226 platform and the 230, so a 239 is perfect mix.
My question is, are all the Sig p239s the same size? Would a 9mm easily convert to a 357 sig, or do I have to look out for different frame sizes?
Also, what's the difference between the 238 and 239?
 
Not sure exactly about the size between the 9mm and 357/40's, but I dont think its much.

I had a 239 in 357SIG. You cant convert the 9mm guns up, but, with the right barrel, you can convert the larger caliber guns down. You can also convert the 357SIG and 40's with a simple factory barrel swap, and in some cases, mags too. I had P229's and P226's, that were 357SIG, and also had spare 40 barrels for them. The factory barrels of either caliber drop right in, and both rounds worked with the same mags with them.

My P239 was one of the early guns, and its mags would not accept 40 rounds, as the mag body had an offset in it at the "neck" on the 357SIG case. I also had a few 40 mags that worked with both rounds. You may want to look for that if youre buying used and the gun is older.

The P238 is a Colt Mustang copy of sorts, and not your typical P series SIG. I had an early one of those too, and it never ran right and was a PITA. My P230's on the other hand, work great, and were always great shooters. Still have one, and wont let it go.
 
All 239s have the same frame size, but the slides may be different. Most P series Sigs have one slide for 9mm and one slide for .40/.357, but I have heard that the slides are the same for the 239 (unfortunately I can't confirm that). If you want caliber interchangeability, go with a .40 or .357 sig.

The 239 is one of the few guns that has different magazines for .40 and .357 sig. As AK103K noted, the .357 Sig mags have tabs which center the .357 Sigs, but don't allow .40 rounds to fit. You should be able to run .357 from the .40 mags, but I have to think that there's a reason Sig made different types of mags for each caliber. 9mm of course needs a 9mm mag.

Further complicating all of this is that the 239 has been discontinued by Sig meaning parts and mags are no longer being made, making them more expensive and harder to find. You'll probably want to grab a number of mags once you get the gun. The current production 225A1 uses the same mags as the 239 in 9mm, but you'll probably want new baseplates to match the 239.
 
1) Call Sig

2) Before you choose the 229 over the 239 shoot both. I find the 229 grip is a tad fat for my hands. I have to rotate my grip and reach too far forward to get my finger on the trigger of a 229 or a 226, I don't have that problem with the 239.

3) If you are considering buying a 239 take a look at the 225 A-1. It's basically a 239 with a redesigned frame. The redesigned frame has a more squared off front on the trigger guard as opposed to the "sweeping" profile of the 239 trigger guard. I carried a 239 for 6 years and finding a belt holster designed for the 239 was challenging. I ended up carrying it in a holster designed for a different gun. I bought a 225 A-1 on July 4th and have been very pleased with it as a replacement for my 239. I like the grip and feel of the 225 better than the 239. Sig's Customer Service Rep told me the 225 A-1 and the 239 use exactly the same slide so the redesign is all in the lower.
 
I agree with Plan2Live on the 229's grip being a tad "fat". It is. The 226 was the sweet spot for me with the alloy framed SIG's. The P250's were really about the best.

I actually found the 239's grip, with factory stocks, to be a little to narrow. They need more swell through the palm so the gun doesnt move around while you shoot.

I ended up putting a set of Houge Coco Bolo on mine. They have enough girth to fill your hand. This was my P239 along with one of my P229's.

enhance.jpg

Heres a better shot of it alone....

enhance.jpg


.
 
The 357 Sig will convert to 9mm, but not the other way around. The P239 and P238 are two completely different concepts and totally different pistols. The P238 is a miniature 1911 in 380 ACP. Nothing remotely similar between it and the P239.
 
Well if I'm fast enough, I guess I'll just settle for the 229.
I have a sporterized Lee-Enfield that I'm trying to trade/sell so I can get one of the surplus P229s.
One of the things I like about hammer fired guns is they're more customizable than striker fired, because on a hammer fired gun the grips are removable and replaceable. And you can redesign the hammer if you want to. When/if I get the p229, I'm thinking wood grips are what I'll choose.
 
Just watch those wood grips dont make it too "fat". They are pudgy enough with the factory plastic stocks.

Most seem to want to go the other way with the thinner E2 versions offered.
 
The 9mm, .357 Sig and .40 S&W p229s are all the same size. The differences are the barrel and for 9mm the recoil spring and magazines. Here's one that started as a surplus .357 Sig, was converted to .40 S&W and is not 9mm. All Sig parts. Surplus p229s are widely available.

If you go with either .357 Sig or .40 S&W you will want to get the barrel for the other caliber as all od the rest of the parts are the same. So it really does not matter which you start with.

However, if you want a 9mm, you can save mony by getting a .22lr classic p226 and a caliber xChange kit from Sig. The cost of both is less than the cost of a new 9mm p226 (or at least that was the case when I did this, YMMV) and, again they are the same gun once you install the xChange kit. You will end up with a pistol that can shoot 9mm as well as .22lr.

If you do all of this then you will end up with a p229 and a p226 that can shoot 4 calibers :)


index.php
 
Last edited:
I had a 9mm P239 for years, a close friend had one in 40. We could not tell them apart as size wise. They are so close to the same size. I would call them the same size. I miss my P239, alot
 
I have the 239 in 40 and my Mrs. has the 239 in 9mm. Hearing about the "interchangeability" of the 239, I tried to put a 40 mag in the 9mm. Not working. When I put the 9mm mag in the 40, it was sloppy loose. Several of my P series Sigs have Sig Sauer conversion barrels to 357 Sig. It's just good clean fun!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top