Are Sig p238 really worth the money?

[toivo]

Go here and put in "P238" -- you'll get lots of price options:

http://www.gunwatcher.com/

The "stainless" HD model will run more, for sure, but be aware that all P238s have a stainless Nitron slide; some are finished and some are not.

Carrying a single-action cocked-and-locked is a personal choice issue. I feel safe with it since the safety has a very positive action and the trigger isn't all that light for a single-action pistol (mixed blessing, I know, but it isn't a range gun).

 

[Hullraiser]

Mine was $549 with all the goodies. Night sights. Spare extended mags, laser, holster. Expensive, but I've seen some way over priced.
I love Sigs in general and the p238 is no exception. It has the lightest recoil of any sub compact 380 I've shot, accurate & beautiful! Yes it's worth the money. I must say though I carry a TCP with ct laser a lot of times too. Very snappy recoil. But I don't worry about scratching it when doing rough work on the ground etc. The laser that came with P238 went on for 2 min. Then came off, never to return. Ruined the looks and it's very accurate in SA anyway.

 

[ForumSurfer]

I just bought a p238 "sport 12". Came with 2 mags, sig light rears, tritium/fiber optic front and hogue grips. $500 brand new all over the net. 400 rounds and no trouble. I'd like one more mag just so I can run BUG matches. I won't be running a high round count defense class with it because that's not it's purpose. It's not my primary carry, but there are times when it's all I carry. Namely when I'm in gym shorts. I also picked up some nice custom cocobolo for it. My main carry gun is a government sized 1911 so I appreciate the same manual of arms. I really wanted a mustang cause I'm a colt guy, but the mustang with the aluminum frame was more expensive and had a ramped front sight so adding night sights would be pricey.

 

[ForumSurfer]

 

[B1gGr33n]

I can't speak for the Sig, but I do have a 738. 500+ rounds so far without a single hiccup. Earlier comments are correct, though, the snap from that little thing makes it difficult to do more than 3 or 4 mags per session without a break. My wife won't shoot it.

 

[Hullraiser]

My wife shot the TCP 738 once also. One round & said she never wanted to again. Hasn't tried the p238, but it's at least 1/3 lighter recoil

 

[hardluk1]

I have a 100lb daughter that loves her TCP 738 and my wife has one when smaller is wanted. I am not going to carry a 380 when there are 9mm and larger choices in micro size pistols.

 

[herkyguy]

I'm surprised no one has suggested the new Glock 42.... The price is lower than the 238 and it gets good reviews.

The LCP was too snappy for me. I love my 238 SAS. I paid a bit over $600 total. It's fun to shoot and I really appreciate the night sights for a ccw.

 

[Ibmikey]

Several years ago I purchased a Sig 238 because it is so closely cloned from a Star DK (one of my favorites and about the first small 380). Since that time I have put quite a few rounds through it without incident, find it very controllable and accurate at defensive distances. The pistol is easily concealed so there is no excuse to leave it home. I bought a SIG 938 to keep it company but the 380 is my favorite.

 

[Hullraiser]

The Sig P238 is one of those guns you kept & don't sell or trade. Do considering you'll have it forever the cost of ownership is very low.

 

[jerryd]

Just picked up the G-42 going to replace the PPK lighter and les recoil!

 

[bscott29]

I have a Bodyguard 380 and love it. Very accurate and easy to shoot.

 

[kokapelli]

Just picked up the G-42 going to replace the PPK lighter and les recoil!

Let us know how it works out. I shot one at my range and liked it, but it had feeding problems with three different brands of ammo. It may have just been this particular gun.

 

[Praxidike]

I went to a local dealer just to look and feel the TOP before buying online, but some how the sales man ended up selling me a used mint P238 SAS for $480 + threw in another mag... The Glock was okay, but I th think the Sig was better...

 

[CMV]

I chose the P938 but they are very similar in size. Very happy with it (and all my other Sigs). Seems to eat any ammo I give it and has been reliable. I really like the small size - you forget you have it on you.

Pros:

All metal gun - not a plastic frame
Night sights
Controls similar to a 1911
Reliable
Accurate*

Cons:

Only 1 included magazine and spares are kind of expensive. For the price you'd think at least 2 would be included.
Stiff trigger. Breaks cleanly, but mine measures at 7.5 lbs even after 250+ rounds.
Accuracy*

I have accuracy as a pro & con. It's not a tack driver. with it's small size and short sight radius I'm not nearly as precise with it as some of my other pistols. I stay inside the 9 ring of a B-29 target @ 15 yds but I'm all over the place inside that ring. But for something that small to put it's rounds consistently around CM is good.

I like the little holster that came with mine too. I bought this primarily for a warm weather carry gun but I think it will be my all the time carry gun. Compared to an officer size 1911, this makes the 1911 seem like you're lugging around a cinder block. It just carries & wears comfortably. Not enough weight to make my belt want to sag, can stay on my hip seated in the driver's seat, not bumping it into things while wearing, & I'd probably have to dress like a teenage girl to get it to print.

Might cost more than a P3AT or Bodyguard or LCP but it's still a good value.

 

[Giterboosted]

Forgive me for not reading through all the replies but yes, just a simple yes, best .380 I've ever owned

 

[Sergei Mosin]

Congrats on the new pistol. Let us know how you like it.

 

[fedlaw]

I got my P238 at Megasports in Plainfield, IL for about $500 w/Galco stocks, Tru-Glo sights and extra mags. It is accurate, reliable and with its DeSantis Nemesis goes nicely into a front pants pocket when I have to play dress-up.
(I bought it just after the problems had been corrected, around July, 2012. It has been 100% with about 650 rds. down range.)

 

[Praxidike]

Congrats on the new pistol. Let us know how you like it.

It's my first .380 and I think it's a beautiful gun, but I still regret buying it... I'm having problems finding any ammo locally. I can catch 9mm at walmart every now and then, and all gun shops have 9mm and many even have 22lr....380? not so much...

 

[Hullraiser]

I've had best luck with LGS's Otherwise online. I don't even bother with Walmart.for ammo.

 

[Snowdog]

Anyone who has difficulty finding ammunition and isn't restricted from purchasing ammunition online by state or municipal law, I would strongly suggest doing that. Ammunition purchased from LGS and Walmart account for less than 10% of my ammo purchases. The vast majority of the ammunition I purchase is from websites. Tens of thousands of rounds purchased online over the past 10 years and I've yet to experience a lick of trouble.

Even when the ammo shelves at your LGS have long ago collected dust, you can still fine ammunition online if you know where to look.
And if you're desperate enough, you can always go to one of the several online auction site and find what you're looking for as long as you're willing to pay top dollar for it.

 

[Jlr2267]

It's my first .380 and I think it's a beautiful gun, but I still regret buying it... I'm having problems finding any ammo locally. I can catch 9mm at walmart every now and then, and all gun shops have 9mm and many even have 22lr....380? not so much...

At current 380 price/availability, it makes sense to reload (for me). Get yourself a hand press, components, and never go without ammo again. 380 is a bit of a pain, but worth it IMO.