I have both the LCP and the Army Talo version of the Sig P238, also my wife has carpal tunnel, and her carry is a p238. She was able to shoot the $200 LCP, but she loves the lower recoil and easier to see sights on the 238.
Even with the hogue grip, and the heavier 13# spring (and steel guide rod), which helps reduce the snap, the lcp still has some snap to it and is not as easy to shoot or rack (the heavier spring does make this harder to rack) as the 238. With the stock spring I think it racks pretty easy but snaps more (YMMV). I carry my LCP more than I carry any other pistol, it is so easy to drop in a pocket with a pocket holster. Even when I carry something on my hip, I often carry it as well. The LCP is a gun I carry when nothing else can be concealed it hides that well in a pocket or IWB.
I have several Rugers, more than any other brand of firearm, but for someone with CT or Arthritis, I would recommend the 238 all day over the LCP. That said, her 238 was $600 new in box and mine was $500 used. The extended magazine was $42. My LCP cost me $200 out the door.
Oh, and BTW, when I go to the range, I shoot a minimum of 1 box of ammo through each of my carry guns, LC9s, LCP, P238, LCRX. of all of these the p238 is the easiest to get through a box with. YMMV
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