Sig 328 recoil spring vs. Mustang Pocketlite

Status
Not open for further replies.

IMTHDUKE

Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2004
Messages
1,022
Location
Sweet Home Alabama
Here is a comparsion of the Sig 238 recoil spring and the Mustang recoil spring which will work in the Sig.

springs-1.gif

The Mustang spring is on the top...notice that it's a double spring.

I had a problem with FTE with my Sig 238 and Sig is sending a new recoil spring. Here is a guy who they sent a new spring to....notice the size difference....
SIGP238recoilspring.gif

The new spring sent is on the bottom....he said he only had about 200 rds through the gun. I think they see that the orginal springs are a problem. The Mustang spring is a 12 #.
 
I've thought about why couldn't they make a smaller dia. guide rod to fit the SIG P238 and make a washer ring to match the new rod dia. to fit into the front of inside of the pistols slide. Then maybe you could use double springs like the LCP & Kel-Tec uses. Anyone thing it would work? LM
 
I know for a fact that the Mustangs have a spring problem, it's caused by the spring being too short, there not being enough room. The answer for the Colt Officer's model is the IMSI flat wire spring, and if someone made them for the Mustang they would be the answer for them too.
 
I talked to SIG a couple days ago.
I've been having a lot of trouble with my P238. One problem is the spring.

The SIG rep said they have a stronger replacement spring now, and would send me one.
That above picture is mine. The spring has been replaced three times now in under 400 rounds.

I'm sure the new spring will not fix my extraction/ejecting problems. The gun has already been back to SIG once and I'm pretty sure the replacement spring they installed was the new spring. It corrected nothing.

I'm coming to the conclusion that the P238 has a basic design fault.
 
I talked to SIG a couple days ago.
I've been having a lot of trouble with my P238. One problem is the spring.

The SIG rep said they have a stronger replacement spring now, and would send me one.
That above picture is mine. The spring has been replaced three times now in under 400 rounds.

I'm sure the new spring will not fix my extraction/ejecting problems. The gun has already been back to SIG once and I'm pretty sure the replacement spring they installed was the new spring. It corrected nothing.

I'm coming to the conclusion that the P238 has a basic design fault.

This sounds like the beginning of where I am at: Have not sent in the gun yet. My Mustang Pocketlite fires flawlessly.

On your conclusion: I sincerely hope you are wrong.
 
How many rounds are you supposed to get on a factory spring?

I see on their website that the springs are for sale in a three pack, and they have the comment "due to the recommended replacement interval" listed in the comments, but I cant seem to find that interval anywhere in the manual or their website. Anyone know?

I just picked up a P238 over the weekend, and fired 200 rounds through it, and the only issue, were the first two rounds. Seems the P238 has the same problem that all the other SIG's seem to have, a dislike of thumbs. The issue I had was because of my grip and my thumb was pushing the slide stop up. Changed my grip, and the gun functioned with the remaining 198 rounds without issue.
 
238_spring2.jpg

238_spring.jpg

238_spring3.jpg


I had a similar problem with the spring. My second shot is a gov380 spring (bottom) and the 238 on top. Look at how thin the spring is!
 
The above pics shows the spring installed backwards. DO NOT INSTALL IT THAT WAY!!

I am not accusing anyone of doing it. Guns get taken apart a lot in the stores and what not and it could have happened by a potential customer.

The larger diameter end of the spring needs to go towards the end of the barrel. I recall someplace in the manual stating that. If you install it backwards the smaller diameter coils usually overlap and failure occurs. I would like to see a better spring maybe a flat spring like in my 239 used in the 238. But with that being said I have over 500 rounds through my fiances 238 and the spring is a tad shorter and thats about all. I need to check the tension on it however feels a little weak.
 
The above pics shows the spring installed backwards. DO NOT INSTALL IT THAT WAY!!

Good call:)

I had a Robrbaugh refinished at Robar and they sent the gun back with the spring install backwards...:eek:

I am sure they re assemble hundreds of guns, but even the so calleded, "experts" slip up sometimes.
 
We all have seen someone field strip a firearm on the gun counter at a shop with no manual. Well in the case of the 238 it's an easy mistake when reassembling it to drop that spring the wrong way.
 
Sig sent mine back with a new slide, new mag and new spring. The spring is installed correctly now. It will be interesting to see if it works any better.
 
Well, now I am a happy camper. Sig sent me a different recoil spring...about 1/2 inch than the orginal.

Went to range and fired:

2 mags Fed Hydra shok....zero problems
2 mags Rem. Golden Saber....zero problems
2 mags Rem FMJ....one FTE

For some reason it does not like the Rem. FMJ....that was most of the problem last time.

As far as my carry rds....JHP....so far flawless.
The little gun is very accurate. I like it.
 
Seems the P238 has the same problem that all the other SIG's seem to have, a dislike of thumbs.

It's a fault of the Mustang that the P238 design is drawn from. I fixed mine by having a native friend carve a set of walrus ivory grips with a channel for the thumb. When I buy a P238 (which I will, once they work out the other teething problems), I'll have another set made for the Sig.

Moostang.jpg
 
My P238 has been flawless with everything I feed it.

When I read about the spring problem I called sig and they said I have a late production model and it has the upgraded spring and they recomend the recoil spring be replaced at 1500 round intervals.

All in all it's an outstanding shooter.
 
The issue I've been having with the thumb, is due to a thumbs forward grip, and the thumb of my left hand, thats against the frame, hits the underside of the slide stop, forcing it up and locking the slide back. I dont seem to have the problem if I shoot with a different grip or one handed.

I've got about 400 rounds through mine now, and the second 200 (again, FMJ ball) werent as rosy as the first. Had a number of extraction failures, and a few light strike failures. The extraction failures were annoying in that the case was always still part way in the chamber, and its not a quick clear. The light strike failures arent real confidence inspiring either.

The P238 is the first SIG I've ever had troubles with (out of 17 others). I have two P230's in .380 that have been flawless since day one, but they are a basic SIG design. I cant help but wonder, even though SIG's name is on them, if this isnt just another poorly executed 1911 copy, with all the associated problems that come with them. I suppose time will tell, one way or the other. Until I'm comfortable with it working, its just an expensive toy.

I did contact SIG about the spring replacement issue. I was told by the rep that they should be replaced at 1000 round intervals, and thats why they sell them in a three pack, which of course, are currently unavailable and they dont back order.

I'm still trying to figure out the best way to carry this thing too (if that ever becomes a possibility). I dont have a problem with cocked and locked, as the safety is very heavy and secure, but that is also an issue, as its VERY loud when its swept off (as loud or louder than my M1's, M1A's, or AK's!), which I really dont like. Its much quieter and requires about the same effort, to just thumb cock the hammer. Just not to sure if I'm liking that mode.

I'm also wondering why the thumb safety doesnt lock the slide. For an old 1911 person, it adds a little confusion as to the state the gun is in, when the slide will open with the safety on.
 
Well, I just got back from a quick trip to the range, and its not looking good for the P238 and me. 150 rounds, and about a dozen failures to extract out of them. Seems if there was indeed a break in required, it should be there by now, and especially with ball ammo.

I also noticed that a number of the recovered brass (which is becoming another chore) have the case mouths chewed up to the point they wont be reloadable. I noticed a few of them last round too.

The "chore" thing with the brass is, it chucks them all over the place, some of which are a lot farther out than you'd expect, and you have to wander all over the range in search of your brass. I'm wondering if its not in need of an extractor tune. Maybe thats the cause of the extraction problems.

Adding insult to injury, the grips all of a sudden got loose in the last couple of mags, and one of the grip screws is now MIA.

If this puppy dont straighten up here right quick, its outta here. (Well, just as soon as I get a new grip screw that is :) ).
 
I have a couple of Wolff springs coming until I can get some of the factory replacements. We'll see how it goes, but my patience is running thin now, and I'm not going to waste to much more time or money on it.

This is what I get for an impulse buy and not following my own advice (to me: :neener:). :)
 
I just now got the Wolff springs in the mail. These are Colt Mustang/Pony springs. I got an 11# spring, as well as a 12# spring. Both look exactly like the factory spring that came with the SIG. The only difference when you compare them all side by side is, the Wolff 11# spring, is one coil longer than the factory spring with 550 rounds on it. The 12# spring is pretty much exactly the same size as the factory spring. Is the factory spring a 12 pounder, does anyone know?
 
I just now got the Wolff springs in the mail. These are Colt Mustang/Pony springs. I got an 11# spring, as well as a 12# spring. Both look exactly like the factory spring that came with the SIG. The only difference when you compare them all side by side is, the Wolff 11# spring, is one coil longer than the factory spring with 550 rounds on it. The 12# spring is pretty much exactly the same size as the factory spring. Is the factory spring a 12 pounder, does anyone know?
Did you get the springs from Wolff Springs?

I thought about ordering them from Wolff but since my P238 has been flawless I decided to go ahead and order the three pack from Sig until I can find out what the correct poundage is.

Let us know how they work for you.
 
I got them directly from Wolff. SIG didnt have any, either on their website, or on the phone. I didnt think to ask what the weight was when I was on the phone until I got off (of course :) ).

SIG's deal on the (3) springs is probably the better deal, at $12 + S&H. The two Wolff springs cost me $23 shipped. Assuming they work, and are the trouble. Then again, if they are recommending you change them every 1000 rounds (Bad Kimber UC deja vu here), you pretty much need to get some if you shoot on a regular basis.
 
I got them directly from Wolff. SIG didnt have any, either on their website, or on the phone.

That is interesting....Sig sent me a new recoil spring....it's about a quarter of an inch longer than the orginal spring that came in the gun.
 
I just received the three pack recoil springs I ordered from Sig and it included three firing pin springs as well. I called and asked if I needed to replace the firing pin spring each time I replaced the recoil spring and he said no, they just include them incase it needs replacing.

The new spring is longer than the one in the pistol but that's normal. Any single spring recoil spring shrinks after being fired for awhile. Otherwise I can see no difference.

Recoil%20Springs.JPG
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top