Sig Sauer P238

[AJBert]

I've never really been a fan of the pocket pistols (Baby Brownings aside) let alone the mighty .380. That being said, a beautiful little Sig P238 came into the store yesterday and I REALLY liked it!


All metal frame, wood grips, three mags and pretty much NIB.


With the advances in boolits and I'm thinking this little guy just might make a great BUG or pocket pistol when attire requires. However, I don't know the first thing about them and was hoping for some honest feedback from those that know.


I will visit the Sig site but as we all know, members of a certain site can be a bit biased towards whatever flavor that site might be. I tend to trust the members here much more than other gun sites to be honest, even with our beloved Kahrs.

[phil413tx]

I personally love the little p238. I own a p380 as well and for months a friend was trying to get me to shoot his P938 and p238. I had no interest for the longest time.

Then last weekend I shot his P938 and fell in love. I was hitting the middle of the target each time. I went to the store and bought one. My dad was with me and did the same thing. At the store, I asked to see the P238 next to it. It was so tiny and I had heard so many good things about it. I decided to wait.

All weekend long it bugged me. So Monday I went to the store to 'look' at it again. The guy remembered me and gave me a very good discounted price since my dad and I had just bought two guns. I couldn't refuse. I took it to the range and put 200 rounds through it. It is such a soft little shooter. It was so easy to hit the target quickly everytime. I was making very tight groups. I am in love with both of these little P's from Sig.

Now saying all of that, I know the all steel p238 is about 5or 6 ounces heavier. It might be heavy for pocket carry. However, I can only imagine how many shots you can quickly get on the bulls eye with the extra weight. It would have almost no recoil.

[rjt123]

They shoot nice. Easy to rack. Pretty. I had one for a while, but eventually sold it.

I liked it fine for the range, but never really carried it. There doesn't seem, at least to me, much point in carrying such a small pistol on the belt...so pocket carry.

The problem with that for me is that it's single action. I always carry with one in the pipe and ready to fire. For the P238 that meant "cocked and locked"...in the pocket. I just was never comfortable with that, YMMV.

If you're cool with condition 1 in your pocket, then I say go for it. They're super nice little pistols. Of course, they cost a good bit more than a CW380, but price isn't everything.

Let us know what you decide!

[kerby9mm]

There are variations in them. Earlier ones had a thinner slide/ there is 3 generations of mags/ only get one with the flatwire recoil spring. I had an early one that worked fine after the flatwire spring was installed. The newer one is the equinox version & has never malfunctioned with any ammo even reloads. Also the triggers can vary in them. Dry fire it to see if you like it. Overall great gun but I don't carry it anymore & probably will sell it.

[RRP]

It is the mousegun choice of 1911 fans. Good quality firearm.

[Bob T]

It is the mousegun choice of 1911 fans. Good quality firearm.

Exactly! As a 1911 fan, I could not pass up the P238 when looking for a small gun.
It looks like a 1911, it breaks down like a 1911, and I am OK with condition 1 carry.
And it does shoot soft, because unlike most .380s, it is not a blowback, it is recoil operated. And it is very accurate and nicely made.
Yes, they are costly, but I bought the Cabelas version made just for them, with black wood grips and night sights, for $650.
I honestly like it so much, I am considering a P938.

Here is a pic of mine with its big brother:
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c163/Baatfam/ForumPics/Shooters/firearms-1030223.jpg (http://s27.photobucket.com/user/Baatfam/media/ForumPics/Shooters/firearms-1030223.jpg.html)

[CJB]

I've yet to find a pocket that my PM9j would not fit into.

Compare the sizes, and you'll find the PM9/CM9 are pretty dang small.

Just sayin'

[Bill K]

Sounds like you already carry. Do your other carries have a thumb safety? I personally would not carry pistols of different manual of arms, whether carrying just one gun or two. I know that others do, so to each his own.

[Bob T]

Sounds like you already carry. Do your other carries have a thumb safety? I personally would not carry pistols of different manual of arms, whether carrying just one gun or two. I know that others do so to each his own.

Well Bill, I live in Illinois, so no carry yet. (Application is in though, should have my permit in April:))

I've owned a 1911, a Browning Hi-Power, and a Ruger 22/45 for 20+ years...
I never had a gun without a thumb safety until I bought my K40 at the end of last year, and it still feels weird not having a safety.

Once my gun clears the holster and is pointed at the target, the safety comes off...I don't even think about it.:)

[FLBri]

I have both P238 and P938 in the SAS version. I love both and carry one or the other, depending on dress. I also have a PM9 that I am quite fond of. The 938 and PM9 are a little redundant, but I can't bring myself to get rid of either. They are both perfectly reliable. Cocked and locked doesn't bother me as the Sig 238/938 trigger is not a 'hairline' trigger at all. The safety is a very solid on or off tension, also. They are both amazingly accurate with the single action trigger and good felt recoil.

I love my PM9 and if the cocked and locked thing bothers you, the PM9 is the perfect pocket pistol. The 938 is just slightly longer than the PM9j but doesn't present any hindrance to pocket-ability. The 238 is a very thin, light, and solid little 380 that can go anywhere.

[aKahrt_and_p2KT]

Easy to rack is why my Mom bought one after trying my wifes. The Kahr 380 was just too hard to rack.

It's a small gun but it's beautiful and has about as many of the good things a gun can have, wood grips, quality build, night sites. I highly recommend it.

[O'Dell]

Well Bill, I live in Illinois, so no carry yet. (Application is in though, should have my permit in April:))

I've owned a 1911, a Browning Hi-Power, and a Ruger 22/45 for 20+ years...
I never had a gun without a thumb safety until I bought my K40 at the end of last year, and it still feels weird not having a safety.

Once my gun clears the holster and is pointed at the target, the safety comes off...I don't even think about it.:)

I'm with you on the manual safety. My first pistol was a Browning HP and I shot 1911's on pistol teams in the sixties and early seventies. My first hand gun w/o a safety was my first SIG in 1980. Currently my only non manual safety guns are a P220, my Kahrs, and a LCP [a gift]. I switched my allegiance from SIG to HK a few years ago for this very reason.

I still automatically swipe off the safety on all pistols whether they have one or not.

[AJBert]

I need to go back and take a much closer look at this little P238 as I don't get a chance to do a real close look at them when they come in. If the racking is nice and easy it just might become the wife's, as her little Beretta has become a bit tough for her. My "guess" is it will be put out for about $500 or so.


The other problem I have is that it came in with a nice, clean Mossberg 500 in .410. Something about those pump .410s get to me! Not sure I can swing both without the wife knowing about both and I'm pretty sure she won't even agree to one of them! I do know I'll be getting one of them but really need to check them both out much closer. I've got 30 days to decide before they'll be put out and I can put my name on one or both before that time.

[Bill K]

Well Bill, I live in Illinois, so no carry yet. (Application is in though, should have my permit in April:))

I've owned a 1911, a Browning Hi-Power, and a Ruger 22/45 for 20+ years...
I never had a gun without a thumb safety until I bought my K40 at the end of last year, and it still feels weird not having a safety.

Once my gun clears the holster and is pointed at the target, the safety comes off...I don't even think about it.:)

That is so good to hear. I recall hearing about a jewelry store owner that got shot up pretty bad but survived. He got his gun out and tried to return fire with the robber but had not taken off the safety. He commented afterwards about not being a special forces guy or something like that so what did you expect from me.

[Bob T]

The one thing that disappointed me about the P238 was, considering the cost of a Sig, that they only give you one magazine....:rolleyes:

[phil413tx]

The one thing that disappointed me about the P238 was, considering the cost of a Sig, that they only give you one magazine....:rolleyes:

I do agree with this statement. They can at least give us a second one for the price.

[JohnR]

Love my little Sig P238. If you get a second mag, make it the 7 rounder. The control you gain with a longer grip is worthwhile.

[FLBri]

Love my little Sig P238. If you get a second mag, make it the 7 rounder. The control you gain with a longer grip is worthwhile.

Agreed! the 7 rounder is the perfect compliment for both function and looks. 8 Total rounds (w 1 in the pipe) in a micro pocket carry!

[CJB]

the reason I carry Kahr is because I feel the long trigger pull makes it safe to carry in my pocket

[rjt123]

^^^^
+1

[berettabone]

I need to go back and take a much closer look at this little P238 as I don't get a chance to do a real close look at them when they come in. If the racking is nice and easy it just might become the wife's, as her little Beretta has become a bit tough for her. My "guess" is it will be put out for about $500 or so.


The other problem I have is that it came in with a nice, clean Mossberg 500 in .410. Something about those pump .410s get to me! Not sure I can swing both without the wife knowing about both and I'm pretty sure she won't even agree to one of them! I do know I'll be getting one of them but really need to check them both out much closer. I've got 30 days to decide before they'll be put out and I can put my name on one or both before that time.
I always thought, that the Sig P250 was a pretty easy rack............

[JGIORD]

Just make sure the serial number starts with 27A or later and you are good to go. There were some issues with the earlier models.

This is a true pocket pistol. Very mild recoil shoots and aims well and very easy to rack. If you like the manual safety ala 1911 then it is a no brainer. For me as much as I like the gun I don't like manual safeties on carry pistols.

However, with that being said I still carry it in my pocket from time to time. But I also carry my PPK in my pocket which is my most accurate gun for me.

[AJBert]

Just make sure the serial number starts with 27A or later and you are good to go. There were some issues with the earlier models.

This is a true pocket pistol. Very mild recoil shoots and aims well and very easy to rack. If you like the manual safety ala 1911 then it is a no brainer. For me as much as I like the gun I don't like manual safeties on carry pistols.

However, with that being said I still carry it in my pocket from time to time. But I also carry my PPK in my pocket which is my most accurate gun for me.
Got a much closer look at it today, but didn't know about the serial # and problems with the older ones. Will have to check the serial # tomorrow and see what it is.


Condition is better than I thought, as in NEW. Can't even tell if it has been shot. Bluing is 100%, wood grips pristine. Three mags, two 6's and one 7, with no wear visible at all. It also has the Sig night sights. Price is just under $550 to boot.


Jumped over to the Sig forum last night and finally found the post I was looking for, "What ammo do you recommend for my P238?". About fifteen posts all stated the same, doesn't matter what you throw in it this little gun will spit it out with zero problems.


I really like the similarities to the 1911 and have no problem with the external safety and SAO. I have my name on it and really looking forward to bringing it home after the 30 day waiting period.

[kerby9mm]

The earlier before 27A was a problem with the safety. There are 2 slide sizes/ 3 different mags/ 2 extractors/ 2 recoil springs. My thinner slide 2nd gen mag 1st gen extractor one worked fine after the 2nd gen recoil spring was installed. My Equinox made in July 2011 has all the upgrades & feeds anything even range reloads. The earlier ones had a feedramp hitting the mag that put a small ding in the bottom of the feedramp. The newer ones do not ding the feedramp. Sig really made the gun right after early problems.

[AJBert]

Checked the serial # today and it does indeed begin with 27A! Looks like either the missus or myself will be getting a purty little pocket pistol very soon.

[kerby9mm]

There are variances in the 28A's. The box will have the date on it.

[AJBert]

Brought home the P238 today and took a couple of pics to show off. Unfortunately my good camera was left in CO last year during hunting and I bought a very cheap camera until I can get the good one back. The pics are terrible and I'd be too embarrassed to post them up.


Also bought a box of range ammo to put it through its paces with the three mags. I've got more .380's to push through it but wanted some fresh stuff just to do a functional test and to make sure there are NO .380 rounds when I give it to the wife.


Safety first, right?


It really is a purty little thing and I hope the wife really likes it! Otherwise it will become my BUG on the ankle.

[DKD]

The Sig P238 IMO is one of the best pocket carry .380's on the market. The Sig night sights are second to none. No one should fear condition one cocked and locked with this guns very positive safety. Colt liked it so much when they reintroduced their Mustang 380, they copied the Sig safety...can't tell the safety's apart. HMMMMM?

[kerby9mm]

Number is doing the same with a higher price.