Question on CC micro .380, Sig, Kimber

[only2hands]

Long winded question. I currently have a Ruger LCP which for me simply disappears IWB, which I absolutely love. The two things that I do not like about it is it's long trigger pull and snappiness. I realize it is a tool, but I often shoot my carry guns, and for me, the LCP simply is not a joy to shoot. I have been reading that the felt recoil on the Sig P238 and Kimber Micro Carry are pretty much night & day compared to the LCP. This is attractive to me. Of course I plan on renting these two guns and trying them out before I drop my hard earned cash. So far I have handled the Sig and love everything about it. And now for my question. I have IWB carried a few guns with thumb safeties( M&P Shield, Ruger LC9 and Ruger SR9c), and because of how small and close the safety switches fit to the frame, have had zero issues with any of those safeties unintentionally switching either on or off, and I can get in some pretty contorted positions sometimes. So with the way the safety switches stick out from the frame so much farther on these 1911 style Sig P238 and Kimber Micro Carry than on the other guns mentioned, is there an issue with the safety switches unintentionally flipping?

 

[lrrifleman]

Greetings. I realize that this may lean towards hypothetical (since I am awaiting my purchase permit to take possession).

While I do have 1911s, a J frame, and a S&W Model 439 for my CFP,I realize that these sidearms may not fit the need 100%. I personally don't like the idea of striker fired handguns (my preference, right or wrong). I turned to some 1930s technology. I purchased a Mauser HSC 380. The benefits of this model are as follows:
DA/SA,
The thumb decocker also locks the firing pin,
The slide automatically returns to battery when a new magazine is inserted.

The one disadvantage that comes readily to mind is the magazine release, it is the European style which is a retention button at the base of the grip. As a result, dropping a mag won't be as quick as with a 1911 style mag release.

I have found that the HSC resides comfortably in holsters designed for the Sig 230/232 family.

 

[kscharlie]

Most of the time, my carry gun is a SIG P938, which is pretty much the same as the P238. I have never had the safety move either on or off, unless I was intentionally moving it. Also, if you like the P238, I might suggest you give the P938 a try. You get more oomph in the same size package. Felt recoil to me is very little more than .380.

 

[Grayfox]

The Sig and the Kimber are both close copies of the Colt Mustang.
I have two Mustangs and love these little guns. I carry the Mustang XSP on my daily walks.
Yes, the recoil is much more manageable in these guns. The reason is that they are locked breach designs similar to their big brother, the 1911.
Traditional blowback .380s require heavier springs and the felt recoil in them is much snappier.
Can't speak for the Sig or KImber, but I've never had a problem with the safety lever on my Mustangs accidentally becoming disengaged. The Mustang also has the Series 80 firing pin block
Any of these mini-1911 pistols will serve you well.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Never had the safety move unintentionally on the P238, carrying IWB, OWB, and purse.

 

[only2hands]

Most of the time, my carry gun is a SIG P938, which is pretty much the same as the P238. I have never had the safety move either on or off, unless I was intentionally moving it. Also, if you like the P238, I might suggest you give the P938 a try. You get more oomph in the same size package. Felt recoil to me is very little more than .380.

A co-worker has offered to let me shoot his 938. As for a 238 and/or Kimber, I'll need to see if my local range has one for rent. I have shot plenty of sub-compact 9mm's, they all kicked pretty good, some more than others. One new problem is that recently I have been experiencing a bit of pain in my right thumb on down into my wrist. I really don't shoot a lot, maybe 100 rounds/week in 1 or 2 outings, but the pain is increasing. At my young age of 56, it may well be some arthritis setting in. I can handle about 4 or 5 cylinders of .38 spl from the S&W 442, but with the pain that's about it. On the flip side, I can shoot my larger, heavier handguns including the Shield 9 without too much pain. I am just hoping the .380 load out of a 238/Kimber will be doable. I handled a 238 at the LGS, and the ease of racking the slide is just incredible! I wish S&W would come into the game with these small 1911 style .380's.

 

[Florida J Frame]

When you go to the range rent a Glock 42. You may be surprised. I recently replaced my snappy LCP with the Glock due to some arthritis in my shooting hand and it completely solved the problem. It's a very soft shooting gun even with SD ammo and easily pocket carries in a Sticky Holster.

 

[samwood]

I purchased a LCP when they were first introduced. It required two trips back to Ruger before it operated reliably. I still had a difficult time seeing the front sight, so I purchased a LaserMax sight to assist in centering my shots on target. This also required purchase of a new pocket holster to accommodate the laser sight.

Two years ago I purchased a Sig 238 Equinox. After shooting the 238, I immediately sold the LCP with the laser sight, 4 magazines and pocket holster to a friend for about 1/2 of the cost of the Sig 238. For my use, the 238 is a far superior (though more costly) pistol. The 238 is far easier to shoot; the trigger pull is shorter and smoother, the sights much more visible, and the recoil barely noticeable. In my small hands, I'd say felt recoil would be about half that I've experienced while firing standard velocity 38 special loads in a model 442 and also much less than that of a 432 (airweight 32 magnum).

The LCP is lighter and a smaller bulge in my pocket. I've examined some newer LCP specimens; the sights and trigger pull seem significantly improved when compared to my example.

I've had no problems with the safety flipping off on my 238. If that happens, my 238 has a smooth 6lb trigger pull that would likely prevent me from shooting myself without some conscious effort on my part. For me there is no contest between the two pistols; even less if perceived recoil is a consideration as only2hands indicates.

 

[B3500]

I put a heavier recoil spring in my lcp (factory 9 lbs to 13 lbs from Wolff's) and a Hogue HandALL that made it a more civilized. Might be worth a try in yours. I don't see the lcp as a range toy, but as a last ditch piece, it does the job.

 

[USAF385]

I have a Sig P938 9mm which drew my wife's attention. She liked the feel and style so she wanted to try a P238.

Needless to say, within a week she had her own Rainbow Titanium P238.

Dang. By far it's the best shooting pocket .380 I've ever shot. I can easily ring the 10" steel plate with no misses at 30ft. It's softer shooting than lcps or bgs or kahrs, and I can fire it at a much quicker rate. Dead on accurate at distances it has no business shooting from.

The safety is easy to manipulate and I've never had it move unintentionally on either gun. It has a very positive on and off.

Also, it does have a firing pin block as well, so even if the safety somehow slips off and the hammer somehow drops, it won't fire if the trigger isn't pulled.

The Sig night sights are quite nice too.

Here are our Sigs with the flush magazines.