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Sig Sauer P238
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ProCarryNAustin
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Tried both the P238 and the P938. Chose the 938 in the end. Recoil was not that much worse and I shot the 938 better. Try to find a place you can rent and try both.
I have one. I like it. I have put about 400-500 rounds thru it. Only one irritation. When you are wiping it down after cleaning you want to be VERY careful not to snag the little spring that holds the slide lock pin into place. If you tweak it you have to replace it and it is some serious fun to do. I found out the hard way.
My P238 was one of the early ones, and I had a very few jams with some hollow points not feeding occasionally. I polished the feed ramp, which had fairly heavy tooling marks, and never had a failure after that with FMJ, plated, HP's and Buffalo Bore lead flat points. It's been absolutely reliable for about 2,000 rounds now. I did find I had to use the 7-round mags with the pinky extension to shoot it well. My arthritis is really affecting my hand strength and dexterity, and the extra finger grip really helps with that.
In fact because I can no longer make a tight fist, I found the P938's slightly longer front-to-back grip more to my liking, because it fills my grip more and doesn't require me to close my fist as much as the P238.
I bought one about 18 months ago, once again use the mags with pinky extension, and love it. I noticed that the feed ramp was well-polished from the factory on the P938, and I've yet to have a malfunction with 115 gr and 124 gr FMJ, JHP and the ~conical Hornady 115 gr FTX Critical Defense.
My only hiccup with the P938 was from it's ambidextrous safety. I carry mostly OSWB at ~3:30. Three times I scared myself silly when I found myself carrying cocked with safety OFF. I finally realized I was bumping the exposed weak-side safety moving around my shop and it moved to OFF without my realizing it. I removed the weak side safety lever and no problems since.
I found both guns accurate, with good sights, (excellent tritium night sights) and shoot to point of aim at seven yards with common SD ammo.
In fact because I can no longer make a tight fist, I found the P938's slightly longer front-to-back grip more to my liking, because it fills my grip more and doesn't require me to close my fist as much as the P238.
I bought one about 18 months ago, once again use the mags with pinky extension, and love it. I noticed that the feed ramp was well-polished from the factory on the P938, and I've yet to have a malfunction with 115 gr and 124 gr FMJ, JHP and the ~conical Hornady 115 gr FTX Critical Defense.
My only hiccup with the P938 was from it's ambidextrous safety. I carry mostly OSWB at ~3:30. Three times I scared myself silly when I found myself carrying cocked with safety OFF. I finally realized I was bumping the exposed weak-side safety moving around my shop and it moved to OFF without my realizing it. I removed the weak side safety lever and no problems since.
I found both guns accurate, with good sights, (excellent tritium night sights) and shoot to point of aim at seven yards with common SD ammo.
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No problems at all with mine - but it is too heavy given the size and caliber. I picked up the Kimber version of the same pistol and like it better – especially the price. The Kimber was right at $200 cheaper. If I had it to do over again - I would pick up a nice used SIG P232 that I could safely and comfortably carry with a round in the chamber.
Echo40
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From what I've heard, the SIG P238 (as well as it's 9mm big brother the P938) is a reliable pistol, but if I were in the market for one then I would check out some of the other Micro 1911s on the market like the Colt Mustang, (which was the basis for all the others including the P238) the Kimber Micro, and the Springfield Armory 911.
It's a shame that the P232 is no longer sold in the US, it's a darn good firearm. Yeah, it was a bit more expensive than the competition that was the Walther PPK/S and significantly more expensive than the Bersa Thunder, but it was fairly popular and by all accounts worth the extra money.
I had an opportunity to purchase one used for $300 back in early 2016, which I often regret passing on as I ultimately ended up paying $500 a few months later for a S&W PPK/S, but I would have liked to have owned both.
It's a shame that the P232 is no longer sold in the US, it's a darn good firearm. Yeah, it was a bit more expensive than the competition that was the Walther PPK/S and significantly more expensive than the Bersa Thunder, but it was fairly popular and by all accounts worth the extra money.
I had an opportunity to purchase one used for $300 back in early 2016, which I often regret passing on as I ultimately ended up paying $500 a few months later for a S&W PPK/S, but I would have liked to have owned both.
My wife and I were able to test out the Sig P238, Kimber Micro 380, & Springfield 911 in comparison to her Glock 42. The Kimber seemed to have a bit of trouble cycling properly(not limp wristing, failure to feed) so she had no interest in it. She really liked the P238 but couldn't see a noticeable difference in accuracy from her Glock 42 although the P238 had less felt recoil because of the added weight. I thought she would like the Springfield 911 but because the 911 weighed in less than the P238 it seemed to have a noticeable increase in recoil. Ultimately she choose to stick with the Glock 42.
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
I had stuck with wheel guns because I couldn't rack semi-autos. Then hubby asked the counterman at an LGS if there was something easy to rack, and he handed me the P238. I grudgingly got it, mostly to appease my husband.
Was not comfortable with it, so I got a private lesson at the range to get acquainted. Since I bought it in Oct. 2014, I've come to appreciate it's small size and accuracy. Since it was my first and only Semi-auto for quite a while, I put a lot of ammo through it just learning the system. It's never had a failure to function in the approximately 2,000-3,000 rounds I and other shooters have put through it.
Mine came with Hogue finger grips that help tame the snap.
Hubby pockets it with the flush mag.
Was not comfortable with it, so I got a private lesson at the range to get acquainted. Since I bought it in Oct. 2014, I've come to appreciate it's small size and accuracy. Since it was my first and only Semi-auto for quite a while, I put a lot of ammo through it just learning the system. It's never had a failure to function in the approximately 2,000-3,000 rounds I and other shooters have put through it.
Mine came with Hogue finger grips that help tame the snap.
Hubby pockets it with the flush mag.
REM 3200
US Veteran
I bought an early P238 and have had no problems with it.
It has fed both Ball and JHP well, no bobbles.
Very happy with it.
Now, all that said, if the P938 had been available then,
I would have bought it instead just to get the 9mm.
It has fed both Ball and JHP well, no bobbles.
Very happy with it.
Now, all that said, if the P938 had been available then,
I would have bought it instead just to get the 9mm.
Echo40
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Don't feel too bad, out of short barrels like those of the P938, 9mm Luger doesn't offer much of an improvement over .380 ACP anyway. (Seriously, if you compare the specs between ammo shot from the P238 and P938, you'll see only a moderate improvement in standard pressure loads.)
Besides, the slide ought to be easier to rack on the P238 because it uses a lighter recoil spring.
Besides, the slide ought to be easier to rack on the P238 because it uses a lighter recoil spring.
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
That's what my husband said, but he grabs it as often as I do, though I don't know why. He has complimented it's build quality often though. Guess he just likes it.
coachcash86
Member
I own one of the earlier versions of the P238. I love the gun for the fun of it, but I don't know that I'd trust it with my life. The main reason is that my usual grip puts my thumb too close to the magazine release and in rapid fire self defense draw and shoot simulations when I'm not consciously thinking about moving it lower, I have inadvertently released the mag after shot 3 or 4 causing a jam a few times. Also, I've had a few fail to feeds with certain HP ammo, not Hornaday Critical defense because of the plastic "point" so to speak, and never any ball ammo. But as with any self defense weapon, you don't carry ammo it doesn't shoot reliably so that's not an issue.
Birdgun
Member
I love my little P238 SAS. With over 500 rounds thru it, it has been absolutely reliable for me. The slide is easily racked and that seems to be why so many women love this little pistol. And, it amazes me how easy the pistol is to shoot well. I'm not the only one who has found hitting the mark enjoyable in this little package.
Sig Sauer Model P238 SAS in 380 Auto
Thanks for looking at my little P238.
God bless,
Birdgun
Sig Sauer Model P238 SAS in 380 Auto
Thanks for looking at my little P238.
God bless,
Birdgun
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