Grip probs on my P239; Trade for P229??

[Falconeer]

Greets folks.

I'm in a bit of a dilemma, and I'm hoping for some advice. In December I purchased a Sig P239 in 357 Sig (I also installed Hogue finger groove grips). My plan was for this to be my CCW pistol. However, I've had the gun out three time since I purchased it to the tune of about 400 or so rounds and I'll be damned if I can find a comfortable grip with it. I find myself having to reset my grip after each shot.

My normal grip is fairly standard; right handed, trigger on first joint, thumb down. With my P226 I wrap my left hand around the right, with left thumb on top of right thumb nail. When I do this grip on the P239 my trigger finger hits my left thumb. I can't seem to find a place to put my left thumb which doesn't interfere or feel uncomfortable. My stance is modified Weaver (left and right arms bent).

I love the fit of my P226 (also with Hogue finger groove grips). I recently installed the 'short' trigger on the P226 which I'm still evaluating. Double action trigger pull was just a touch long, especially with the M6 in place. I don't think I have 'large' hands, but I don't think they're small either.

Do I need to spend more time on the P239, or do I need to move to the P229 (also in 357 Sig)? I love the pistol other than the grip issue, and I'd really like to be able to shoot it well. Can anyone suggest any articles, etc with grip ideas? I'm willing to take however long it takes to do it right, but the LRPC Gun Show (it's one of the bigger ones around) is this weekend and would be a good opportunity for the trade if that's the route I go.

Lastly, please no suggestions to go to Glock, HK, 1911, etc. I'd like to stay with a either the P239 or P229. Thanks in advance!

 

[MK11]

I recently switched to a thumbs down grip. Right thumb curled down on grip, left thumb curling down as well but more like riding along side the gun while the left hand wraps around the right hand (not to sound dumb but look at the DVD for the movie Collateral--that's how I'm, holding my thumbs). I switched more because I was trying to work on a grip with the 1911 that allowed me to ride the safety but avoid holding thumb over thumb (which I find uncomfortable while riding the safety) or thumbs forward, which I detest. It seems to work pretty well with my P239.

It took me a looong time to get used to the P239 but now I love it. The P229 feels great right off the bat but you can't carry it as easily in the summer as you can the P239.

 

[Ala Dan]

Being a long time SIG user myself I find the grip of the P239 to be most
uncomfortable~! Of course, I'm use to the much larger SIG P220A~!

 

[WillBrayJr]

Try a different set of grips before trading it in

 

[TexasRifleman]

Try a different set of grips before trading it in

Agreed. First thing I did with my 239 was yank the factory grips and install Hogues. Much better now.

 

[Murphster]

I'm regularly amazed that Sig produces such high quality guns and then slaps grips on them made of buttered Teflon. I have a 239 in 9mm that I can't get comfortable with. I went with Hogue grips and am much happier. But. The Hogues have places for your fingers and one of those places is smashed up against the trigger guard. "Ergonomically correct" isn't a phrase I'd use to describe it. Doesn't hurt or overly bother me with the 9mm. Might be a problem with larger calibers. You'd think Hogue or Pachmyer would tap the market with a nice rubber grip that approximates the stock grip but affords a non-slip grip.

 

[TexasRifleman]

There is also a company called "Nill" that makes wood grips for Sigs.

I have seen their 239 grips and they look tempting, but I have not ordered a set.

One of our members here at THR has some mighty fine photos of his Sigs in these grips. I hope he won't mind if I post a link to his webpage.

Tthere are several photos of a 239 in these wood grips, and a link to the source for them.

http://www.praxagora.com/lunde/sigs.html#p239nill

 

[waterhouse]

I went for the hogue grips with the finger grooves on my 239. It fit much better, but still not as good as I had hoped. You might want to give that a try though.

Mine was a 9mm, so I got rid of it and got a 225. I'm much happier with that one. At one point I've owned every SIG but the 210, and the only ones that didn't feel great in my hand were the 239 and 245.

 

[Falconeer]

I recently switched to a thumbs down grip. Right thumb curled down on grip, left thumb curling down as well but more like riding along side the gun while the left hand wraps around the right hand (not to sound dumb but look at the DVD for the movie Collateral--that's how I'm, holding my thumbs). I switched more because I was trying to work on a grip with the 1911 that allowed me to ride the safety but avoid holding thumb over thumb (which I find uncomfortable while riding the safety) or thumbs forward, which I detest. It seems to work pretty well with my P239.

I'll give that grip a show and see how it works.

It took me a looong time to get used to the P239 but now I love it. The P229 feels great right off the bat but you can't carry it as easily in the summer as you can the P239.

That makes me feel better. I love the P239 package, and chambered in 357 Sig I figure it's one of the best CCW pistols out there. When you say a 'long time', approximately how many rounds until you felt comfortable?

 

[Falconeer]

Being a long time SIG user myself I find the grip of the P239 to be most uncomfortable~! Of course, I'm use to the much larger SIG P220A~!

It's definitely a different feeling than my P226. But trying to pack that for CCW is a bit difficult.

 

[Falconeer]

Try a different set of grips before trading it in

I have Hogue finger groove grips on it (I forgot to mention that originally; I've edited my original post). I'm not a fan of wood grips generally (looks/feel). The only other thing I've seen is that Pachmayr 'Glock sock' type thing. I've never held one, but I can't see it being comfortable (the ridges where the stock grips and the 'sock' meet).

 

[Falconeer]

I'm regularly amazed that Sig produces such high quality guns and then slaps grips on them made of buttered Teflon.

I'm right there with you. I shot my P226 for a while with the stock grips but they never worked. I wonder if Sig figures users will be wearing gloves? (I heard that's the reason the HK grips tend to be rough)

The Hogues have places for your fingers and one of those places is smashed up against the trigger guard. "Ergonomically correct" isn't a phrase I'd use to describe it. Doesn't hurt or overly bother me with the 9mm. Might be a problem with larger calibers.

I haven't had a problem with the Hogues on my 357 Sig P239 in regards to the trigger guard. My big problem is my grip shifting on each round.

You'd think Hogue or Pachmyer would tap the market with a nice rubber grip that approximates the stock grip but affords a non-slip grip.

+1 to that. Has anyone tried the non-finger groove P239 grips? I believe Hogue makes them, but I've never seen/handled them.

 

[Falconeer]

There is also a company called "Nill" that makes wood grips for Sigs.

I have seen their 239 grips and they look tempting, but I have not ordered a set.

I've seen their stuff; very nice!

One of our members here at THR has some mighty fine photos of his Sigs in these grips. I hope he won't mind if I post a link to his webpage.

Tthere are several photos of a 239 in these wood grips, and a link to the source for them.

http://www.praxagora.com/lunde/sigs.html#p239nill

Thanks for the link! All kinds of droolable stuff there. I've never been turned on to wood grips on pistols. That being said, I've never held the Nill grips. Both my Sigs have Hogues; you'd think Sig would just either make Hogues standard or make them an option.

 

[Falconeer]

I went for the hogue grips with the finger grooves on my 239. It fit much better, but still not as good as I had hoped. You might want to give that a try though.

I have Hogue finger groove grips on my P239. I forgot to mention it in my original post.

Mine was a 9mm, so I got rid of it and got a 225. I'm much happier with that one. At one point I've owned every SIG but the 210, and the only ones that didn't feel great in my hand were the 239 and 245.

I don't think I've seen a P225. They don't sell that one anymore, do they? How concealable is it, and how concealable in comparison to the P239 or P229?

 

[DogWithGun]

I recently bought a 239 sas I also ordered a pair of stock factory plastic grips from sig figuring that I might want to preserve the wood ones for a while. Interestingly the wood ones come with a built in palm swell that makes a huge difference with my rather large glove size 12 hands. So, I decided to leave the wood ones on. Now my point, You might try looking for a grip with a palm swell that will feel fuller in your hand. That might make all the difference for you too.

 

[old_ironsights]

I use stock grips on my P239, but on the front of the grip I lay in a strip of the soft side [the "loop" of hook & loop] of Velcro.

The Velcro is cheap, comfortable, gives an excellent gripping surface and is easily replaced.

 

[waterhouse]

I don't think I've seen a P225. They don't sell that one anymore, do they? How concealable is it, and how concealable in comparison to the P239 or P229?

I don't think they sell it anymore, but there are used ones out there. I don't have a 239 to get pics with, but the 225 is basically the same size frame as a 228/229, just in an easier to conceal single stack version.

I tried both the 228 and 239 before I found the 225. I carried the 225 for a couple years and didn't notice it to be any more of a pain to carry around than the 239, but I shot it much better. Now I carry an HK p7 if I'm carrying a 9, but the 225 will remain one of my favorites.

the 229 is the two tone

 

[Falconeer]

I recently bought a 239 sas I also ordered a pair of stock factory plastic grips from sig figuring that I might want to preserve the wood ones for a while. Interestingly the wood ones come with a built in palm swell that makes a huge difference with my rather large glove size 12 hands. So, I decided to leave the wood ones on. Now my point, You might try looking for a grip with a palm swell that will feel fuller in your hand. That might make all the difference for you too.

Thanks for the info! Huh... I wasn't aware the SAS wood grips were any different. Do you know who makes the grips for Sig by any chance?

 

[Falconeer]

I use stock grips on my P239, but on the front of the grip I lay in a strip of the soft side [the "loop" of hook & loop] of Velcro.

That's an intriguing idea. You do that to keep the pistol from rotating in your hand?

 

[Falconeer]

I don't think they sell it anymore, but there are used ones out there. I don't have a 239 to get pics with, but the 225 is basically the same size frame as a 228/229, just in an easier to conceal single stack version.

I'll have to handle a P225 and see what it's like. Although that messes with my caliber choice. I REALLY like the 357 Sig round.

 

[TheEgg]

Not every gun is going to fit every hand -- my 239 with Hogue grips fits me perfectly. I think you may just have a bad match between your hand shape and the 239.

If neither the stock nor Hogue grips work for you, I would probably try out the 228/9 or the 225.

 

[outofbattery]

I now carry a 239 daily and shoot it quite well,but initially had some problems with it and couldn't hit nearly as well as I could with the 220,225,226,230 and 2340.It frustrated me enough that I wanted to trade it in as the pistol would roll in my hand because the rear of the grip did not fit very well in my palm using the hold I've become accustomed to.The Hogue grip was worse than stock as there wasn't enough room for my middle finger as I have large hands.I discovered that if I moved my left hand down to cup the butt it would work well for me.No shame if you have to try another gun,that's what they make them for but don't give up on the 239 yet;it's a great pistol.

 

[DogWithGun]

Thanks for the info! Huh... I wasn't aware the SAS wood grips were any different. Do you know who makes the grips for Sig by any chance?

Wish I did. I tell you what. I'm feeling generous today. I had a problem with the L/S grip on my new P239 SAS. A bit of the internal "spacer" wood block that positions it between the frames broke off at what must have been a weak grain.
I shot the pistol yesterday without problems. The broken grain only makes it a bit more difficult to get the seams to line up on the backstrap, but they work fine. Sigarms is sending me a new set on warranty. If you like I will USPS you this set to try out and see if the grips with the swell feel any better in your hand. I would hate to see you sell such a nice gun for lack of finding a correct grip. At least you can give several different types a try before you make up your mind.

 

[kirkcdl]

Falconeer,I had the same "greased Teflon" feeling with my stock grips,and I thought the Hogues made the gun too thick for my comfort when carrying.I went to the local ACE hardware store,and bought 65 cents worth of the grip tape that you'd use in a shower stall.I only put it on the front strap and the one side of the grip that my palm was on.Problem solved,for under a dollar.Thin enough that it carries and conceals really well,and no slippage at all,even when shooting one-handed...

 

[Falconeer]

I discovered that if I moved my left hand down to cup the butt it would work well for me.No shame if you have to try another gun,that's what they make them for but don't give up on the 239 yet;it's a great pistol.

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll do some dry fire and see how it works.