The little Sig P232 in all its glory - in the red box - factory certified used - with all the usual suspects - and two mags . . .

Sig started this series with the P230 in 1977 - they released a re-design in 1996 - the P232 - The most obvious differences? The front sight is milled as part of the slide - no dovetail - and the slide serrations are fewer and deeper ( and they are great! ) -the magazines have a plastic base plate with a lip for your finger to hang on - changed from a flat stainless base - the changes in the design numbered like 60 - almost all of them were internal . . .

The only way to lock the slide back is with an empty magazine in the pistol and then remove the magazine and pull back on the slide to release - or put another loaded magazine in it - then pull back and release the slide and chamber a fresh round . . .

There is no external slide lock / slide release - there are only 3 external controls besides the trigger . . .

And the trigger on this particular one is sweet - Double Action is 5 1/2 to 6 lbs and smooooth - the single action has a wee bit of take up - you are lifting the firing pin block - and then a clean and distinct break - at just under 2 lbs - I'm talking LIGHT - REAL NICE Single Action trigger pull . . .

#1 -The take down lever . . .

#2 - The decocker . . .

#3 - The magazine release - "European" style - in the heel of the grip . . .

The "stock" grips - rebranded Hogue over molded rubber with good texturing - real nice upgrade from the hard plastic grips on the P230 and some P232's . . .

Rather than pulling down the trigger guard to facilitate take down - Sig used a take down lever - rotate it down . . .

Pull the slide fully to the rear and lift it off the back and bring it forward - simple as can be . . .

Slide the spring off the barrel and your ready for bath time . . . ( you know I just couldn't help myself - LMAO! )

A look under the hood - front of the slide is at the top - at about 1 1/2 inches from the very back of the slide you can see the firing pin block - and you don't see any machining marks - Sig is GOOD STUFF . . .

A look at the feed ramp - virtually no wear on this pistol . . .

A look at the barrel and frame mating - the barrel is pressed in then pinned - it ain't going anywhere . . .

Are you done with the Barbra Steisand yet Bruce? - How does it shoot??

Real well - thank you very much - the first target is not quite a magazine dump - about 2 rounds a second - bring it up - point - shoot . . .

This next target is one round per second - again - bring it up - point - shoot . . .

With the over molded grips on it - a nice natural pointer - And for a direct blow back pistol - it manages the recoil impulse very well . . .

This is the part where I tell you to rush right out and get yourself one - and if you can't decide between two of them - buy them both.

Well that ain't likely to happen here since Sig stopped production on the P232 in 2015 - you see them on Gun Broker every once in a while and they have become pricey - REAL PRICEY . . .

Part Two we are going to compare the P232 with some other options that are available - and when you realize you can get the same basic sized pistol in a 9mm or .45ACP ( God's chosen caliber as handed down to St Browning - LOL! ) and the fact that there is really not an easy way to go to a larger caliber with a direct blow back pistol - then you begin to realize why Sig let this one go . . .

Have Fun! - Run the Gun! - and remember - Fish Heads are Cheap!!