Carry Out Sigs

["DoubleAction"]

At one time I carried the Sig P-220, much lighter option to my steel frame Colt 1911s, in the .45 ACP. For the past five years I've grew partial to the P-239 in .40 S&W and 357 sig for most on the go carry. There are times I wish I had something smaller, but the 239 works around my choice of clothing cover.

[KrustyBurger]

DA, after digesting your thread awhile ago on the .40 239 barrel conversions, I just spied a new .357 Sig barrel at a local shop & grabbed it for $150. It had a slight initial fitting 'glitch', tending to lock tight & be a bit reluctant to manually retract the slide, but the dealer stoned it lightly and it test fired without a hitch. After 50 rnds, that slight hitch seems to be gone. The new barrel shot a little low/left at first, but after I adjusted, it put two nice cluster holes near the X at close range w/S+B fmj. So far, I like it!! It's neat to basically have two pistols in one & sure beats laying out another $5-700 for another Sig & different mags. I'm now tempted to look for a .40 conversion barrel for my '93 P-226, though I suppose I can't use its hicap 9mm mags for .40s? Also, do you have any favorite hpt. defensive loads in both calibers that your 239 seems to shoot well? Thanks.

["DoubleAction"]

Krusty; I like the 135 grain Corbon in the .40 S&W for the 239, it's a fast and accurate cartridge, and no doubt, one that should provide penetration, combined with engery and bullet expansion.
Many prefer the thought of shot placement verses calibers, the 239 provides the best of both worlds. I've shot Golden Sabers, Gold Dots, Eldorado Starfires, Winchester SXT, Hydra-Shoks in 135 gr, 165 gr, and 180 gr., and many other cartridges; I'll trust about any of those in the Sigs.
The 357 sig cartridge is another story, one that I really enjoy the feel of shooting. I have often went to the range to begin with the .40 S&W, only to switch out to the 357 sig. Big difference; For me, I feel much better shooting a higher velosity cartridge with a lighter bullet, and I try to duplicate this with a larger diameter bullet in the .40S&W, that is one reason I enjoy the 135 gr. Corbon. The most obvious difference in the .40 S&W and 357sig is the case wall thickness, the 357 sig case is thicker, in order to safely obtain those higher pressures. I'm not one to trust in those 1300 fps bullets in the .40S&W by many manufacturers of ammunition, but I do occassionally shoot the Corbons.
For a good cartridge in the 357 sig, I like the Triton Hi-Vel; It will get you 1350 fps with 506 ft. lbs. of muzzle energy from a 4" barrel, in a 125 gr. bullet, but it costs around $12. for 20 cartridges like all the rest. I do not practice with this stuff alot, but rather other high velosity ammo I get from georgia arms, federal, or winchester.
When fired, the defensive ammunition in the 357 sig will definitely cause people to pause, not from the mere sound of it, but the rapid successions and shot intervels.
I think of the 357sig as expelling a small Thunderbolt from the palm of one's hand. Glad to hear you have the barrel.

[KrustyBurger]

Thanks, DA. I believe we think along the same lines as I use several of those same brand/types in my 9mms. Tritons are rare here, and C.T.Dirt or CDNN won't ship to MA even when you're licensed, the cowards. I'm really just getting into .357 Sig & .40. It's difficult here in Kerryland as many newer pistol designs in those calibers came after our 1998 "Gun Control Act" pistol requirements, and are either unavailable or in short supply.

["DoubleAction"]

Krusty; For your 357 needs, check out the georgia arms "Sheer Power Plus", Patrick Sweeney chronographed their 357 sig cartridge at 1458 fps on average. This is brand new ammunition in new Starline cases with the 125 gr. Gold Dot Bullet. You will be very hard pressed to find a more affordable price, at $16. dollars for 50 rds, in a defensive cartridge you can practice with. They do ship ;D
www.georgia-arms.com