Which would you buy for pocket carry? Why?

I would acquire the Sig P238. Why...... I had one once, but lost it to my bunkmate. Purchased that sweet little .380 as a pocket gun and it was a dandy. However, when the Mrs. came out to the home range one day with a glass of iced tea, she noticed it laying on the shooting table. "Gee, that's a cute little thing, can I shoot it once?" Six holes in the center ring from 15'. You know the rest of the story.
Dave
SWCA#2778

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mr mom
Fire Chief, Retired

What's a BG?

Body Guard

Thank you Arik,just couldn't figure it out ?
I have to admit I was looking at the Sig myself but have decided to stick with my LCP.

I was looking at a Sig 238 today at the LGS. Nice gun but I wanted to go with the 9mm versus the .380. The Sig 938 is almost identical to the 238 only chambered in 9. You may want to check them out if you aren't locked into the .380 caliber. If you are then the 238 is the ticket. They were out of stock on the 938 so I have one on order.

I agree, the 938 would be a better choice over the 238..i don't own one, but I have fondled one..Sweet !
Plus the 9 mm ammo is a heck of a lot cheaper and more ammo selections than the .380..

Finances, or actually the lack of finances, forced me to go with the BG. Mine is the version with the Crimson Trace laser. It's pretty well built considering the plastic frame. Lots of downsides though - the DAO trigger is pretty heavy. And, I think the trigger itself is plastic. The safety is difficult to engage but not too bad to dis-engage. But, the biggest downside to me is what happens if I ever have a dreaded kaboom. There are some nasty looking photos here on S&W Forum. A KB is probably not very likely - but the SIG, in addition to all of it's other benefits, will at least protect your hand better. If I had it to do over again - I would have saved my money (a lot more!) and got a P-238 ...

My wife got a P238 after becoming interested in my P938. I've owned a few .380s and shot a few more... hands down the P238 has impressed me the most.

I do pocket carry my 9mm from time to time, and the .380 would be even easier.

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- The Federalist #46 -

My wife has a BG380 and a P238. She doesn't like the P238 because she has to cock it for the first shot, it's heavy and the hammer has to be let down. She carrys the BG380 because it's light and has a real DA trigger that works like a revolver. Larry

Not sure this is a fair comparison. Body Guard and Sig 238/938 are totally different platforms.

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I currently own an LCP, used to own the old style BG. I've shot the 238 and new BG.

Th 238 is slightly larger / heavier....... and the disadvantages and there. I can hit bullseye with the 238 at distances I'm happy just hitting the target with the LCP / BG. The trigger is beautifully crisp for clean, on target breaks... unlike the lengthy pull of the BG / LCP. The Sig is also easier to disassemble and clean, and much easier to rack the slide and manipulate safety (where applicable). The 238 is easier to handle while shooting and feels MUCH softer. And, just icing in the cake, the Sig is far more attractive.

Once I save up a few more pennies, I'll have one of my very own... or the 938....

OR, the 238 can can be carried as intended and you don't need to cock the hammer.

Purchased mine last July 2014.

While in the LGS, it was the old, we have something to show you, I knew I should have retreated out the door.

They showed it to me, I bought it.

Really well made, the night sights are incredible on this Equinox model. For me, it is perfect.

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Doesn't hasta call me Johnson

[QUOTE=MrJT;138344620



OR, the 238 can can be carried as intended and you don't need to cock the hammer. [/QUOTE]

I don't carry striker fired pistols with one in the barrel and I don't carry external hammer fired pistols cocked. One of the safety rules is never trust a mechanical safety. Most of the time when I hear about a gun going off it's a striker fired or external hammer that is carried cocked and locked. I will repeat the safety rule to never trust a mechanical safety. Larry

Without being knowledgeable on the Sig internals I'm wondering if carrying it with the hammer down on a live cartridge would be more dangerous than cocked and locked.

The Sig is similar in design, but not identical, to the 1911 platform. No grip safety. Intended to be carried cocked and locked. I don't know if chambering a round, sqeezing the trigger and slowly letting the hammer down allows the firing pin to rest on the primer.

Curious as I have the 938 on order. Maybe some Sig experts can reply.

Sorry for the thread drift.

I wouldn't own a S&W BG in its current Tupperware form.

It's annoying to have a plastic firearm named after the M38.

Just my opinion, of course.

Well - upfront, I don't yet own a P-238 - but I checked my Colt .380 Gov't. The P-238 is a copy of the Colt AFAIK - and no, the firing pin does not rest on the primer when the hammer is down. The Colt has a FP which is shorter than the FP channel - and it has a FP safety. That said - it does require you to carefully lower the hammer on a loaded chamber - which I am completely confident in doing. Adding a hammer drop would solve this potential problem area but I have no problem with status quo.

I have to agree with the Tupperware comments - I'm sure the BG is as well-built as S&W can do given the plastic build, but I would be happier with the SIG. I keep my Colt with a round in the chamber, hammer down, and safety on - which is a capability, as I'm sure everyone knows probably better than me, that the 1911-series does not have. Having the safety on gives me one more level of something required before the pistol can be fired...

The P238 is the better shooter by far with a good trigger and very light recoil. It does have some additional size and bulk. If averse to carrying cocked and locked, it would not be the one to get. I believe those who carry such guns hammer down to be foolish.

The BG380 will be easier to tote in a pocket and the trigger will require more concentration to work in a hurry. For a small frame revolver shooter it may be easy to adapt to. It will be harsher to shoot and more difficult to make accurate hits with.

I always go for the better shooter. The Colt Mustang Pocketlite is nice too, having a less bulky slide but more rudimentary sights. Kimber's micro 380's are nice, too.

All .380 pocket pistols are a compromise. I compromise ease of shooting and cartridge size for ease of pocket concealment. For me, a pocket carry pistol has to be lightweight. While the Sig P238 is a fine handgun, it's too weighty for me. I have to pocket the pistol while wearing shorts to dress pants. In this case, I'd choose the Bodyguard over the P238.

I own a Sig P938. Great little 9mm single stack. It's just big enough to not be too uncomfortable to shoot. It's big enough and heavy enough to not be a pocket carry pistol for me. I have a Kahr CW380 for that.

Good luck with your choice.

-John

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-John

While I can not comment on the BG, I carried my wife's Sig p238 all day yesterday. It sat flatter in the particular pair of jeans that I was wearing than my J frame pre-36.

I bought it for her several years ago. We both shoot it quite well. I found it exceptionally reliable and it has not had any failures in the time that we have owned it. The quality and finish of this pocket pistol are typical Sig - outstanding.

I have not been able to bring myself to buy (or even like) and of the polymer pistols on the market. I have owned two Glocks and sold them both - one let me down in a time of need and neither had any soul.

I would recommend trying both before you buy....maybe a local range has some that you can rent and run a box of ammo through?

....and I carry the Sig p238 cocked and locked (it is designed to be carried this way). I am NOT a fan of lowering a hammer on a live round as I had a close friend discharge his Kimber Super Carry while disarming in a parking lot of a movie theater (scared the water out of me as he was standing next to me at the time).

good luck in your search.

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On the Oak Savannah

^No question about it - the P238 is a far superior pistol and I'd recommend it to anyone comfortable with carrying a .380 SA pistol.*


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[QUOTE=SAFireman;138345223

....and I carry the Sig p238 cocked and locked (it is designed to be carried this way). I am NOT a fan of lowering a hammer on a live round as I had a close friend discharge his Kimber Super Carry while disarming in a parking lot of a movie theater (scared the water out of me as he was standing next to me at the time).

good luck in your search.[/QUOTE]

Plus one on the lowered hammer. Screams nothing but trouble to me. If needed in a rush you have compromised your shooting grasp by having to thumb back the hammer. Adrenalin rush and loss of motor skills makes this a difficult task. Would make more sense to carry the gun unchambered and if needed draw the gun with proper grip and rack the slide similar to the Israelis. To each his own I reckon.