Just picked up a new Sig 229 that finally came in at the dealer in town today.
Inside and out, looks like it's had no more than a few test shots at the factory.
However, the envelope for the shell casings is dated April 2004.
This seems odd to me, as when I've brought Glocks, the shell casings are never more than a couple months before the purchase date.
The serial number starts with an AL, which I'm guessing is old, due to the shell casing envelope.
I did read on the Gunzone about a 229 in 9mm cracking with an AL prefix, but the slide was German manufactured, so I'm not concerned about this, but the story happened in 2003, so I'm guessing my
gun is new/old from this info also.
It came with 13 round mags, but they're both LE, and I'm assuming Sig doesn't LE label new hi caps anymore.
Anyway- any links to where I can date this serial number?
Thanks

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Sig Sauer P230 Serial Number Lookup

Nov 20, 2011 i Have a p220 9mm with american mag release. Serial number on slide, frame and box all match. Serial is G236 2xx. HOw can I find out more about this gun or if it was a 38super conversion.

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SIG P230 / P232^[1]
Type	Semi-automatic pistol
Place of origin	Germany, Switzerland
Service history
Used by	See Users
Production history
Designer	Walter Ludwig, Hanspeter Sigg , Peter Blickensdorfer
Designed	1977
Manufacturer	SIG Sauer, SIGARMS
Produced	P230 1977–1996 P232 1996–2015
Specifications
Mass	520 g (18.5 oz) ^[1]
Length	17 cm (6.6 in) ^[1]
Barrel length	9.1 cm (3.6 in) ^[1]
Width	3.0 cm (1.2 in) ^[1]
Height	12 cm (4.7 in) ^[1]
Cartridge	.32 ACP, .380 ACP and 9×18mm Ultra
Action	Double Action/Single Action (DA/SA) With decocking lever
Feed system	8-round magazine (.32 ACP) 7-round magazine (.380 ACP & 9mm Ultra)^[2]
Sights	Fixed front and rear

The SIG Sauer P230 is a small, semi-automatic handgun chambered in .32 ACP or .380 Auto. It was designed by SIG Sauer of Eckernförde, Germany. It was imported into the United States by SIGARMS in 1985. In 1996^[3] it was replaced by the model P232.^[4]

History[edit]

The earlier models of SIG P230 can be identified with 'Made in W.Germany' imprint on the slide. The P232 incorporates more than 60 changes to the design of the P230. Most of the changes are internal. Some of the changes are: The P232 has a drop safety to block the firing pin. The P230 front sight is machined into the slide. Buy RARE No RsRv Sig Sauer P230 SL.380 ACP Stainless 9mm Kurz P 230 P230SL: GunBroker is the largest seller of Semi Auto Pistols Pistols Guns & Firearms All.

SIG P230 was designed in 1977 as a concealable law enforcement sidearm. After World War II, the West Germanstate police mainly carried Walther PP and Walther PPK models chambered in .32 ACP, as at the time, no 9x19mm pistol was compact nor portable enough for concealed carry. However, various terrorist incidents in West Germany circa early 1970s, such as 1972 Munich Massacre and Red Army Faction's activities, pushed the West German law enforcement outfits to seek new, more powerful handguns to counter to these new threats. P230 was submitted for the search, but was not selected. The West German police decided to use 9mm Parabellum ammunition, with SIG Sauer P225 (P6), Walther P5, and H&K P7 being selected, and would be issued at the discretion of each state.

Design[edit]

SIG P230 in hands of a member of Nara Prefectural Police

The design and function of the P230 is of the simple fixed barrel, straight blow-back configuration. It has a reputation as a well-built firearm, and competes with the smaller Walther PPK. With its relatively narrow slide and frame it can be carried in an ankle holster or beneath body armor.

The P230 was available in both blued and all-stainless finishes. The blued version features a blued steel slide and a matching, anodized aluminum frame, whereas the stainless version was completely made from stainless steel. Both versions came with a molded polymer, wrap-around grip that is contoured to give the shooter a comfortable and secure hold on the pistol.

The trigger comes from the factory with a 24 newtons (5.5 lbf) single-action pull, and is capable of both single-action and double-action. Pulling back the slide sets the hammer backwards and downwards to its single-action position, making for a very short trigger pull, with minimal take-up. The double-action pull is longer and more stiff. It has no external safeties, though it does have a de-cocking lever positioned just above the right-handed shooter's thumb, on the left side of the grip. The lever provides for a safe method of lowering the hammer from its full-cocked, single-action position, to a 'half-cock', double-action safe position where the hammer itself falls forward to a locking point about an eighth of an inch from the rear of the firing pin. Once de-cocked, it is physically impossible for the hammer to drop completely and contact the firing pin, which would otherwise greatly increase the risk of the unintentional discharge of a chambered round. In order for the round to discharge, the full double-action pull would have to be completed, which allows for the pistol to be carried reasonably safely with a round chambered. In addition, the SIG P232 has an automatic firing pin safety.^[3]

The sights are of the traditional SIG design and configuration, with a dot on the front sight and a rectangle on the rear sight. To aim using the sights, the shooter simply aligns the dot over the rectangle. The magazine release is located behind and below the magazine floor plate. The magazine is released by pushing the lever towards the rear of the grip, at which point the magazine can be removed from the pistol.

The earlier models of SIG P230 can be identified with 'Made in W.Germany' imprint on the slide.

SIG Sauer P232[edit]

The P232 incorporates more than 60 changes to the design of the P230. Most of the changes are internal. Some of the changes are:^[5]

The P232 has a drop safety to block the firing pin.
The P230 front sight is machined into the slide. The P232 slide is cut for a dovetailed front sight.
The P230 slide has 12 narrow, shallow serrations. The P232 slide has 7 wide, deeper serrations.
The P230 factory grip panels are flat and smooth plastic with some checkering. The P232 factory grip panels are thicker plastic and 100% stippled. (The grip panels are not interchangeable between the two models.)
The P230 factory magazine floor plates are aluminum. The P232 factory magazine floor plates are plastic.

Overview[edit]

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Due to its small dimensions, it is easily carried as a backup weapon or as a concealed carry handgun, holding 8 + 1 rounds of .32 ACP or 7 + 1 rounds of .380 ACP (9mm 'Kurz' or Short), respectively.

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Discontinuation[edit]

Imports of the SIG

Sig Sauer P230 Serial Number Lookup