Sig P238 - any caveats?

Last week I shot a Sig P238 and fell in love with it. Four shots, ten yards, all in a golf-ball size group just under my point of aim. Recoil wasn't much more than a .22, trigger was supurb, sights were wonderful, and all in all it was an excellent shooting experience - so much so that I want to get one ASAP for my daily carry. I'm aware it's a single action and the extra caution that merits. But, I can shoot the gun well and where I want the bullets to go --- two things I could not do with my Taurus 738. Sold it the next day after shooting the Sig.

I remember when the P238 first came out there were several issues with the guns including jamming, feeding issues, and magazines ramdomly dropping. I read somewhere online that Sig is now up to the 3rd generation. It sounds like most issues have been resolved, but before I drop $500+ I want to make sure that is accurate. Academy has NIB for $479.00 with one mag. I know it' a special run for Academy - again, from what I'm reading it's a stock P238, just with Academy's mark.

Used guns on GB seem to be within a few bucks of Academy's new guns (balance S&H and FFL with sales tax and it's pretty close). If I were to buy a used gun, what would I need to watch out for?

Thanks,
Q

If you buy used, make sure the gun has the newest magazine follower (they went through a few designs) and the flat recoil spring.

Depending on the model, you may be able to get a new one for around $500.

My wife and I both enjoy her P238.

Newer ones have worked out the flaws that made some early ones problematic.
However I have an early one that I had to replace the recoil spring. The originals were coiled wire (round) and they tended to ... "scrunch" for lack of a better term, with use.
I replaced it with the newer flat spring and it works flawlessly now.
I would suggest you buy a new one if possible so you won't have to retrofit it, but it isn't that expensive or hard to do. It's just something you shouldn't have to do with a new gun, that's all.

Sig replaces old style springs no charge. I have two p238s and love em

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Just bought one a couple of weeks ago,it's been perfect right out of the box.Best sights and trigger on a pocket gun in my opinion.No problem carrying cocked and locked in a pocket holster,safety is very positive.

Summer or winter, neither my wife nor I ever leave the house without a p238. Excellent quality. unmatched shootability for a pocket gun. Sleek and easy to conceal.

I have had mine for about two years now and as far as I'm concerned it is hands down the best true pocket pistol you can buy.

No caveats, just buy one.

Then shoot circles around all yer buddies still carrying P3ATs, LCPs, Bodyguard, etc.

My wife has one and loves it. No problems with anything from light hand loads to +p carry ammo. Extremely accurate for being so tiny.

I used to love my P238, then my wife saw it, belongs to her now. I get to shoot it now and then, good little pistol.

All the above is true. The newest ones have a thicker slide than the early ones, which presumably is more durable than the skinny slide. It will also affect kydex holster fit.

It's my favorite .380.

It's got me wanting a P938

Mine is on its way! I found a package deal on a two tone with laser, night sights, Hogues and extended mag. (the Equinox is pretty sweet looking though)

I did the same thing, shot one at a range and fell in love.

I picked up a 238 for the wife--now my youngest has it.
Great sights for a little weapon

Shoot it enough to make sure it is broke in and then get a good holster. As much as some folks complain about the 380, I use mine as a carry gun routinely. Light small, stainless and now, very reliable with night sights.

Caveats? Only one: if you aren't planning on buying a .380 "pocket" gun or don't have such a purchase in your budget, don't shoot a P238.

If you shoot one, you'll want to own one.

Hopefully, I'll be making a trip to Academy today to pick one up.

What about magazines? I see Sig mags are just under $50 on GB. Ouch! Stick with Sig mags, or is a quality after-market a more affordable - yet still reliable - option?

Q

Hopefully, I'll be making a trip to Academy today to pick one up.

What about magazines? I see Sig mags are just under $50 on GB. Ouch! Stick with Sig mags, or is a quality after-market a more affordable - yet still reliable - option?

Q

Colt mustang mags will work, I have read, but you can get factory 7 round mags with a nice pinky extension that don't add much to the end of the grip. I'd pay more for that.

Academy has NIB for $479.00 with one mag. I know it' a special run for Academy - again, from what I'm reading it's a stock P238, just with Academy's mark.

Used guns on GB seem to be within a few bucks of Academy's new guns (balance S&H and FFL with sales tax and it's pretty close). If I were to buy a used gun, what would I need to watch out for?
I would not worry about things to look for. Based on what you are saying, I would not even consider buying used. Your choice but with a new price of around $480 I would not even look at used guns unless I could get one for $400 or less.

A NIB P238 for $489 is pretty darn good. Keep in mind though that there about a half dozen or more finish variations, some priced maybe 10-15% higher than others. And you always get just one mag with a new P238.

A NIB P238 for $489 is pretty darn good. Keep in mind though that there about a half dozen or more finish variations, some priced maybe 10-15% higher than others. And you always get just one mag with a new P238.
When I purchased my P238 about two years ago it came with just one magazine, which is the one on the far right in the picture.

I purchased two more magazines from contact Arms and they are the two shiny ones in the middle. If I recall correctly the ones from Contact were about $35 each.

I then found out that Colt mags would work as well and purchased two from Midway and they only cost $16 apiece two years ago. The Colt magazines have worked flawlessly and I wish I had known about them sooner.
http://ompldr.org/vZnV1dA/P238-Mag.jpg

same size and less weight, the $400 Diamondback 9mm has over twice as much power. Use CorBon 100 gr PowRBall ammo in it.
More powerful, yes but twice! I don't think so.

By the way I owned a Diamondback 380 and I sure hope your 9mm works better than my 380 did.

There's no doubt 9mm has more power. Not worth discussing. But I would much much rather have a P938 or Kahr CM9/PM9 than the unreliable Diamondback.

Best of both worlds. A 238 in the pocket. 938 or EMP on the belt. Two guns, way easier to carry than a full size.
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/520/medium/P9070012.JPG (http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/118267)

yes, twice as much. ever CHRONO factory 380 loads, in such short barrels? 150 ft lbs, guys. The Diamondback gets the 100 gr CorBon well over 1250 fps, which means it's got 350 ft lbs or a bit more.
Twice as much! The Buffalo Bore 100gr Hardcast in 380 from a P3AT chronos at 1160fps with An energy of 240 ft/lbs of energy and according to the math I use that is hardly 50% less energy than your 9mm.

A run-of-the-mill .44 Magnum round leaves the muzzle with around 900 ft/lbs of energy. That's roughly 2.5 times the average 9mm energy and six times the .380 energy.

So, when I make a CNS hit with a .44 Magnum, the BG is gonna be six times more out of commission than if I had made the same shot with a .380.

Never knew there were degrees of "down and done," but it's nice to know.

Actually I came to the conclusion a long time a go that bullet energy in handgun calibers is irrelivent and the only thing that counts in these calibers is a well placed hit that penetrates deep enough to damage a critical organ.

Mine came in tonight ... I can't wait until I can go shooting! (first thing tomorrow)

It's SO tiny and so nice in the hand. It's been a few months since I fired one and I only put 10 rounds through a gun some nice guy at the range let me shoot.

I just can't get over how small it is. It even fits in my pocket! (not totally concealed, but a long shirt would do it) That's really hard to do with women's jeans.

Gotta put a Remora on the list for sure. Those are so versatile. Pocket, waistband, purse.

This is the coolest new toy I've had in a while. I hope my 229 doesn't get too sad :(

Next to the 229:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/FirecrackerKTM/2012-10-12203042.jpg

In my hand:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/FirecrackerKTM/2012-10-12203111.jpg

229 in my hand:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/FirecrackerKTM/2012-10-12203207.jpg

In my pocket:
(Yes I know that it needs to be in a holster, this is just for photo purposes)
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b229/FirecrackerKTM/2012-10-12192607.jpg

Wow. 100 rnds tonight. Amazing to shoot!

Picked mine up Friday afternoon. Between one thing and another I didn't get out to shoot it this weekend. Got it cleaned and lubed, though, and if I get a chance I also have a 100-round box of Winnie White and a couple boxes of HPs ready to go.

I've gotta ask, though - mine has a trigger pull that has to be at or near 10lbs of pull. Anyone else have this issue? I don't have a trigger gauge, but this is no joke - it's at/near a Sigma level! Have to see if my local 'smith will do a quick trigger pull test and then call Sig about it. Searching the interwebz it seems that the heavy trigger issue isn't uncommon. I wonder if it's an Academy P238 issue (read: lower cost has to be at some expense...QC maybe?)?

Q

It's going to lighten with use.

Mine feels "nicer" than my 229 on SA but I don't know if it's necessarily just about pull. I really can't say what all makes it awesome but it feels good and I am pretty happy with my shooting for the first time ever having fired it.

I did have to trade my 2nd mag that I bought because the plastic pinky thing at the bottom wasn't attached right so the mag wouldn't seat. But the nice people at the range/shop traded me for one that worked.

The trigger lightens up after use. 8 lbs is the spec. It is heavy but that is essential for safety. My trigger does feel lighter.

The P938 does feel heavier.

I need to get a trigger scale to determine the actual weight.

I got my GF a P238 scorpion and both she and I love the thing

Right now it has over 400rds of JHP down the pipe with zero malfunctions

Great sights, light recoil, great trigger, great night sites... what's not to love?