Need Some Sig P238 Schooling

Status
Not open for further replies.
T

TenDriver

Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2009
Messages
1,223
Location
Huntsville, AL
My wife wants one. She'll be carrying at times as well as general shooting. I'd prefer her have a 9mm, but she is dead set on the 238.

What do I need to know about this pistol? How is it carried (SA trigger, 1911 like?).

Anyone handload for it?

Thanks!
 
I have the P938, the very similar model to the 238, but in 9mm. First, I really like this gun. Because it is SAO, "1911 style", most will probably carry this in a cocked and locked condition. But she could, of course carry with the hammer down if she's not comfortable with that.

The 238 guys will chime in, but I think you're making a very good choice.

And if you're ok with a slight extension on the mag, the Sig extended mag (assuming its available on the 238 as it is on the 938) not only adds a round, but IMO makes the gun more comfortable to shoot.
 
I have a 238. One of the sweetest shooting .380s I've ever owned or shot. Cocked and locked is the way to go, with a GOOD holster.
 
Make sure, if buying used, that the gun has a flat recoil spring. Early units had a round recoil spring that caused no end of problems.

Reassembly requires pushing the ejector down with your thumb before putting the slide back on the frame. Easy to forget the first time, especially if you didn't read the manual, and then you're sitting there wondering why it won't go back together (ask me how I know.)

My wife's P238 does fine with WWB flat nose ammo. I prefer ball in .380, so have never tried hollowpoints. It's a fine little gun, scary accurate even in the hands of an inexperienced shooter. It carries like a mini-1911, SAO, C&L, but slips right into a pocket.

The P938 is the slightly larger 9mm version. I've thought about one for myself but never have pulled the trigger (I like my LCR too much.) I don't know how my wife would do with 938 recoil; we bought her 238 before the 938 came out. You might see what your wife thinks about the 938, but if she's got her heart set on the 238, get her the 238.
 
It has a firing pin block and a half cock notch. I don't know if it's considered drop safe when on half cock. But it's a lot more likely to go off while trying to lower that hammer on a live round than it is to be dropped and then fire. Carry it cocked & locked, or not at all.
 
I carry my P238 cocked and locked in a Desantis Nemisis pocket holster. Before I would trust the safety I carried it empty for a week and made sure I did things to try to disengage it. Never happened. The safety works as it should. Also, with the right holster it's a non-issue.

I reload for it as well. It loves 95 gr. FMJ over 3.2 gr W231 with a C.O.L of .97

Great little shooter. I have the HD version so it can get a little heavy in the pocket if not using a good belt.
 
My 238 came with the regular coil spring and after somewhere around 1000 rounds it is still 100%.

I am now carrying with Freedom Munitions XTP JHP and have put 50 rounds of this ammo through it without incident.

By the way the P238 was my favorite 380 pistol until I purchased a G42.
 
My wife got one recently, she's working on getting used to the safety. She carried a 38 snubbie for years, old habits die hard! I've loaded a bunch on 105gr Bayou Bullets, LSWC, 3.6gr Power Pistol. Haven't chronographed them yet, they seem to work just fine. Light recoil.
 
My wife bought one maybe a year ago. Its the tribal style, and she thought it was pretty. But, shes used to carrying DAO, and getting her to practice new habits has been tough. I honestly dont think she'll ever grow accustomed to it, and she is having a hard time accepting cocked and locked as the proper way to do it.

So in the meantime, I carry it whenever a little more discretion is adviseable and I cant carry my Hi power.
Ive run a myriad of different ammo through it (about 700 rounds total so far), and it hasnt choked even once. Weak loads, hot loads, cast, FMJ, HP, it does not care. Great little pistol, I like it a lot!

My only beef is that the trigger is pretty stiff. And thats fixable.
 
The HD model helps keep the gun recoiling straight back as opposed to a G42 which always twists up and to the left in my hand.

The slightly heavier HD P238 keeps its place in your hand.

And for up close and personal shooting it is very, very good.

be safe.
 
Thanks guys.

If carrying with the hammer down, is there a block to prevent it from firing if she drops the pistol?
Click to expand...

Per Sig Sauer... you're not supposed to carry chamber loaded and hammer down. I called and asked. It's a great little gun. I call it a "combat pocket pistol," because it shoots like a full-sized gun. It's probably THE most accurate pocket pistol based on trigger and sights. It's a pleasure to shoot. It's 9mm brother however, is both 15% larger (making it just a little too large for pocket carry) and much snappier.
 
sauer1911 said:
The HD model helps keep the gun recoiling straight back as opposed to a G42 which always twists up and to the left in my hand.

The slightly heavier HD P238 keeps its place in your hand.

And for up close and personal shooting it is very, very good.

be safe.
Click to expand...
Not so for me. I can double tap much faster with the G42.
 
I have both the P238 and P928. Both are great guns and like some others do I carry cooked and locked in a DeSantis pocket holster. I've done so for some time and have no concerns about the safety being disengaged.
 
GarySTL said:
I have both the P238 and P928. Both are great guns and like some others do I carry cooked and locked in a DeSantis pocket holster. I've done so for some time and have no concerns about the safety being disengaged.
Click to expand...

That is my major concern. Mainly because I have no 1911 experience. Wish she'd have chosen something DAO if she's going to carry it.
 
I fell in love with it the first time I saw one. everything I wanted. compact size, 1911 "feel" and real sights.

the fact that it shoots well is simply a bonus.
 
My daughter carries hers cocked and locked. It did have a reliability issue when new, but after the factory replaced the extractor it became a solid performer. I've fired it a time or two and found it to have easily visible sights, low recoil, and good accuracy. I may end up getting one for myself.
 
I have a P938 Sport 13 with the rubber grips. I have shot the P238 and really like the gun. Between the two, the P238 is the lighter shooter for sure. It is thinner and I can see the draw for your wife.

First of all, I wouldn't try to convince her to change. That would just probably annoy her. It isn't worth it. Get her what she wants.

Carrying: I carry my p938 mostly cocked and locked (in an IWB holster). When in my jacket pocket, I carry it with no round in the chamber.

If she chooses purse carry, it should be cocked and locked. If she can't get use to the safety, I would recommend full mag with no round in the chamber without safety. Can't have an accident with this gun unless the trigger is pulled, period !

I would recommend viewing videos about the safety mechanism. There definitely is a true disconnect between the firing pin (and space separation) and the chambered round. In any position, whether the safety is on or not, the gun will not fire unless the trigger is depressed when cocked ... So, as long as the trigger is covered, it is not physically possible to fire the gun (according to sig). In that case, theoretically, cocked and locked is as safe as any other position.

Let your wife do her own research and learn that for herself. That is the easiest way for her to decide (for herself).
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

T
  • Locked
Sig P238 Versus Sig P238 HD
Replies
17
Views
13K
richardKatts
R
J
  • Locked
Sig P238
2
Replies
27
Views
2K
Shadowdancer
S
M
  • Locked
Nice....Sig P238 Copperhead
2
Replies
26
Views
2K
kokapelli
K
WestKentucky
  • Locked
My wife who doesn't get excited over guns, got excited over a purple P238
Replies
19
Views
1K
Hometeached1
H
BP Hunter
  • Locked
Question on the Sig P238
Replies
3
Views
749
bigfatdave
B
Back
Top