reliable self-defense ammo for sig 232

[petepaaz]

    I just bought a new Sig 232 in of course 380...surprisingly Speer gold-dot jammed a few times, not exactly comforting in a self-defense gun. When they did fire, I got my best groups with them ironically. However, the Rem. golden Saber 102gr JHP fed perfectly, but with a little less accuracy. I always thought Sigs were throated adequately for all modern JHP type ammo...apparently not.
    I have had complete confidence in Speer Gold Dots for my 1911A1 45ACP...which never misfires, shoots accurately, and have been thoroughly proven to expand well.....but what about the golden Sabers in 380....will the good feeding qualities be matched by actual performance on target?

[navylawdog]

Petepaaz,

I would say go with the golden sabers. If they feed reliably then they are already better than your other choice. Personally I use hydra-shoks in my wife's .380. You might want to try them.

Navylawdog

[petepaaz]

     Does anyone have more info or experience with other self-defense ammo in the 232?....with the cartridge being so marginal for self-defense I want to make sure the ammo will perform

[Rogue Ram]

I'd have to go back tomorrow and look, but I think the Speer ammo is mandatory on the Treasury and USDOJ ammo schedules, and, that is what I shot in mine all the time. I'll check that and post back here.

RR

[PeterCartwright]

I've never shot a 232 but I'm wondering if you might want to try the Gold Dots again after you shoot your gun a couple hundred rounds or so.  Might make a difference after the action has "worn in" a bit.

[petepaaz]

   some good thoughts, thanks guys....Peter, the break in time has been minimal- you may be on to something. I really want the best ammo for such a marginal performer. It's a great little gun....although I still prefer my full-sized 1911A1 for serious stuff...just doesn't conceal as well.

[mcwoodduck]

I have a P230 that I purchased a long time ago when I lived in VA as a carry gun.  I can not see too much different between the 232 and the 230 other than the grips.  I thought the 232 would come out with the sights that are on all the other P models and offer nite sites for the little gun.
I took mine to the range along with 300 rounds of ball ammo and let everyone shoot it.  I don't think I shot it till it was well into the second box of 50.  I first wanted to put it out as a rental but the shop owner didn't want the liability.
No matter what you will need a little break in period.  I then purchased a box of every type of self defense ammo made to see if there was a better type.  I was on a College budget but if I was going to bet my life on the gun I wanted to be sure it worked and spent the money to break in the gun.  Mine will shoot everything I load in the Mag and past the first 200 I don't think I have had any problems when I have shot it.
I liked to carry the golden sabers in mine as I like bigger bullets.  I have Hydro shocks in it right now only because I'm out of the sabers and waiting for some to show up in the gun shop.  Wall Mart has the 380's in 100 round boxes, get three shoot all of them and then try the self defense loads you want.  Better look for an IDPA shoot near by and go use it there to break it in.
I have used my 230 for a modified steel shoot my club puts on.  With ball ammo it's enough to move the swingers and pop ups.  Not as accurate as I am with my 226 but it's a pocket pistol and as long as I can keep all rounds inside of a clay pigeon at 7 yards I'm happy the little gun will get me out of trouble. 

[jro45]

I own a p232 in 380 I reload and it shoots very close groups All shots into a 1.5" target. I think those bullets go at 920 FPS Thats not real fast but Think of those westners  Shooting there rounds about 750 some got close to 900 fps.

[slim rem 7]

try one box of corbon on someting where you can get an idea of penetration and expansion..
 i believe you will be surprised as i was..i was totally surprised at the difference with the corbon and some other protection rds.. this assuming your gun feeds the rds well.. good luck