What would be the SAO or DA/SA equivalent of the P-238?

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Hokkmike

Hokkmike

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I think most of us agree that SIGs are of good quality. and, I'll continue that the P-238 is generally held in high esteem as a well made pistol for pocket carry.

I LOVE the gun but cannot get past carrying it cocked and locked in my front pocket. In a hip holster yes - but inside the pocket no. I don't want to reach in there, bump the safe, and BANG!

I previously carried a Smith & Wesson Bodyguard. It has an external safety and the (in)famous long trigger pull. I felt Ok about having one reside in my front right pocket chamber loaded w/safe in the ON position. Just take it out, flick the lever, and you are good to go. I would not venture so far as to say that it is the quality equivalent of a P-238.

Is there a pistol, likely a .380, that in your opinion fits the bill as a SAO or DA/SA equivalent of the p-238?
 
Yep, I wouldn't carry a P238 either for that same reason. I carry a Browning BDA, which has a twin in the Beretta 84fs Cheetah. They are DA/SA with a decocker, double stacks carrying 13 rounds. If you want a single stack 9, Springfield has a new DA/SA with a hammer and decocker.
 
I don't want to reach in there, bump the safe, and BANG!
Click to expand...

I don't want to argue against your decision because I have my own comfort issues. I briefly considered a Ruger LC9S Pro which many people love and I do believe it is well designed, but that trigger is way too light and short for my comfort level without a safety. On the other hand, the Sig P238/938 design causes me no concern. I do believe it should be in a holster but, IMO, the chance of "bumping" the safety and inadvertently putting it to off-safe is next to nothing. I believe you would have to deliberately move it. To me it is safer than "safe-trigger" striker-fired DAO pistols. I'm not trying to change your mind, just presenting another point of view.

Cocked and locked does require training to *always* swiping the safety off when drawing.
 
Is there a reason you guys are not considering an inside-the-pocket holster for your carry?

I wouldn't carry my j-frame (640) without one....

jfh
 
I carry a Colt .380 pocketlite, same as a 238. I have had it for 3 years and carry in a Desantis pocket holster cocked and locked. Some people cannot get over the mindset of cocked and locked. and yes you need to keep it in a holster!
 
For many people, the idea of an internal striker that is mostly or completely cocked but mechanically blocked is completely OK as long as they cannot see the cocked striker. The same situation with a visible hammer that requires a conscious act to unblock it produces anxiety. I totally understand the concern but in all honesty I believe it is irrational. I had similar concerns for a long time. Now I am opposite. A cocked striker that I cannot see its condition bothers me much more than a hammer that I instantly know its condition and whether its safety is properly applied or not. People are different and we are not always completely logical.
 
Hokkmike asked "Is there a pistol, likely a .380, that in your opinion fits the bill as a SAO or DA/SA equivalent of the p-238?"

There really isn't a DA/SA hammer fired pistol of similar size as the P238. I keep hoping Sig will eventually offer the P238 and P938 in a DA/SA variant or even a DAO. But wish in one hand and well you know the rest of that saying.

As for SAO, if I read the intent of your post correctly I think you meant DAO and if you did mean DAO then the original Ruger LCP and the LCP Custom fit that description and are smaller than the P238. Both are at bargain basement prices right now if you can find one. I often pocket carry a LCP Custom. Not a lot of fun to shoot but extremely concealable.
 
^But is his Sako 300mag stuffed in his pocket?

The LCP is the only pistol I care to pocket carry based on it's weight and size. Anything bigger or heavier is out of the question.
 
The Bersa Thunder CC is DA/SA and pretty near the same size as the P238 though it is blowback action.
The Bersa holds 8+1 rounds as well.
maxresdefault.jpg
 
I'll second the Ruger LCP for consideration - especially the Custom version. Sig also made the P290RS DAO in .380 but it's a bit larger than the P238 but it is a true DAO with re-strike capabilities unlike the LCP that won't re-stike.
 
Yeah, an LCP or P3AT. They are smaller and lighter. With a pocket holster and DAO trigger they feel safe to me.
 
Not truly an equivalent, but the Kahr CW380 is a possible option for pocket carry. I love mine. A "butter smooth" DAO trigger. Very similar to a revolver but a with a lighter pull. My specimen measures at 5.5 pounds and doesn't stack. Much softer shooting than my LCP and much easier (for me) to shoot accurately. I can shoot it along side my larger pistols and it performs better than it should.

The Kahrs are a little more "hit and miss" with reliability than some others. If you have patience, they turn into a fine choice. Mine has been perfect since new.
 
kokapelli said:
I don't think you can call the LCP and P3AT triggers "DAO" triggers.
Click to expand...
I have an LCP Custom. After I chamber a round the hammer is down. When I pull the trigger it cocks the hammer then releases it. That is the definition of Double Action. When the slide cycles the hammer returns to the down position so on the next shot the trigger has to cock the hammer and release the hammer, just like a revolver with an exposed hammer. What would you call that if not DAO or Double Action Only?
 
Plan2Live said:
I have an LCP Custom. After I chamber a round the hammer is down. When I pull the trigger it cocks the hammer then releases it. That is the definition of Double Action. When the slide cycles the hammer returns to the down position so on the next shot the trigger has to cock the hammer and release the hammer, just like a revolver with an exposed hammer. What would you call that if not DAO or Double Action Only?
Click to expand...
I would call DAO if a round fails to fire you can just pull the trigger again without racking the slide.
 
Size wise, I'd second the PPK (not PPK/S), DA/SA, same capacity, approx the same height, about 1/2 inch plus longer barrel, only a little heavier than the all steel P238 HD, and very slim.
 
Also the forthcoming Taurus is supposed to be a true DAO striker-fired pistol with no pre-staging of the striker. I would have concerns about the longevity of the rubberized portions of the frame, however.
 
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