Sig Sauer P938 Legion Unboxing and Initial Impressions

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Zaydok Allen

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Last summer the trigger blade safety on my XDs broke and I had to send it back to the factory for repair. That left me devoid of a small carry gun in the middle of summer. I didn’t like that because I don’t care to open carry unless in the woods. Printing is undesirable in my book also.

So over winter I resolved to buy a backup summer time carry gun. The natural pick would’ve been an XDs in 9mm or 45 but I’m gravitating more toward the need for capacity than diameter and weight for social encounters. Not really looking to debate that here.

I’d been eyeing up the P938 for awhile and when the Legion version came out I liked the features.

Yesterday I went to a gun show with a friend as is our tradition and afterwards went and got lunch, and then went to our LGS since gunshows seldom yield anything good here. I saw a few nice old Smiths that were way over priced. But seriously how many Winchester 94s can I look at.

At the LGS I spotted my heart’s desire, fondled it briefly, and pulled out my credit card. Came home with the Sig pictured here.

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It’s a bit smaller and several ounces lighter than my XDs also pictured here. I guess I’ve been carrying polymer guns long enough now that I just wanted something a bit different. And I’ve been shooting a 1911 for years so it feels natural.

It has excellent night sights, nice checkering to enhance your grip, the finish is very nice, it has a flat blade metal trigger, and a magazine funnel that gives me a full grip. It’s also a 7+1 capacity in 9mm over a 5+1 design in my XDs 45. All in all it’s a bit more comfortable in the hand than my Springfield also. I wear XL gloves for reference.

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This gun is tight. In fact I took it apart briefly and had trouble getting it back together because it was lacking lubrication obviously, and the barrel wasn’t unlocking when I tried to put the slide stop back in. However once it was stripped, cleaned, lubed and the rails greased as Sigs like, everything was now smooth and reassembly was uneventful. When you shake the gun there is no rattle what so ever.

The slide cycles very smoothly now and the gun points pretty naturally for me. I’m going to have to get used to swiping the safety on the draw, but like I said I shoot a 1911 and also a SAO P220, so it’s not unnatural for me. The trigger is also on par with an acceptable 1911 and breaks very cleanly. The safety has a very positive and audible click.

This version comes with three magazines and they are not the standard P938 magazines. They have a different floor plate to accommodate the mag funnel.

I haven’t shot it yet but I’m guessing I’m going to really like it based on reports. I’ll share impressions after I do if anyone wants to know.

Last Black Friday Stealth Gear had a big sale so I took advantage and got myself a nice IWB holster. So once I test it out and feel good about reliability I’ll start carrying it regularly.

The only concern I have is about the am I safety. I have managed to pinch my hand on the right side lever while disengagement two or three times. I need to practice extensively to make sure that doesn’t happen in a bad situation or replace it with a single sided safety. I’m reluctant to do the later though incase shooting week handed is needed. Practice will likely cure that situation.

I can’t seem to find any commentary about +p ammo in the manual. Does anyone know about that? I carry it but don’t shoot much of it in my guns. Why beat them up?

I need to also register with the Legion Sig page and see what all the hub bub is about.

The XDs isn’t going anywhere but it’ll likely be my “heavily used recreation trail” woods gun. There’s a lot of tourists in the warmer months and I like to hike. I don’t care to open carry in those situations. Too much headache. I only carry openly off the beaten path. Dangerous animals are more likely to need a bit more thump anyway so I like a 45 or 357 for open carry in the woods.

So all in all I have a nice little pair of compact carry guns to fill my needs now, assuming the Sig pans out.

I know the P365 is about the same size and holds more ammo. I’m just not ready to commit to one yet as I’m still hearing headache stories. But at some point I will. It’s apples and oranges really. The P938 is just a more established gun.

I need to find out how often to replace the recoil spring also.
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Nice! I briefly thought about a 938 (and was eying the Legion) as a summer carry option.

I decided against it after renting a 938 and deciding I didnt like how it shot, i just cant get comfortable with guns that small, plus the 938 had an annoying habit of puking out its mag under recoil almost every mag (yes, it's my grip at fault, I understand). I again decided that the Glock 26 is all the smaller I can really go on a gun and be happy with it.

All that said, I was very accurate with the one I tried and the Legion I fondled seemed very nice, I like the little changes like the trigger and nice sights.

Hope yours serves you well!
 
Nice! I briefly thought about a 938 (and was eying the Legion) as a summer carry option.

I decided against it after renting a 938 and deciding I didnt like how it shot, i just cant get comfortable with guns that small, plus the 938 had an annoying habit of puking out its mag under recoil almost every mag (yes, it's my grip at fault, I understand). I again decided that the Glock 26 is all the smaller I can really go on a gun and be happy with it.

All that said, I was very accurate with the one I tried and the Legion I fondled seemed very nice, I like the little changes like the trigger and nice sights.

Hope yours serves you well!
Yeah I tried on a p238 and anything smaller than this P938 just isn’t going to work for me. This is as small as I care to go.
 
I have a 938 Extreme. I don't like the way the base plate on the standard 938 magazine sticks out to the rear so it matches up with the backstrap. I have considered calling Sig to see if they can put the Legion magwell base on my Extreme but haven't taken the time to make the phone call yet. Does anyone know the answer?
 
460Shooter

Nice informed review! I have had a SIG P238 for a number of years now and it has become my go to gun in a .380 (I still have my Colt Mustang but the better sights on the P238 make more sense for concealed carry). I have a small hand so moving up a little in size to the P938 wouldn't be a problem and I'm very familiar with the 1911 platform so I would be right at home with the SAO trigger set-up. You've definitely given me something to think about when it comes to looking at another 9mm for concealed carry.

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I've been packing some of the Federal 150-grain stuff that's labeled as designed for "micro" pistols in my P-938 Extreme. I love my 938; it's going to the range regularly and I just dig it ('course I'm also an old 1911 dinosaur). Any, the Federal Micro load seems to group well, not excessive recoil by any means. Haven't chrono'ed it, it's probably slower than dirt.

I usually shoot either 124 or 135 grain +Ps in all my 9mm pistols, and they've always been fairly controllable -- and accurate -- as well in my P-938. Baby SIG comparison, below, provided as an extra …
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I'm seeing reviews that range from 300-1500 rounds as far as recoil spring life goes. At least they are cheap.
 
Wow, I've got way over 300 rounds through mine now … probably should order a couple asap, thanks.
Those numbers were based on some folks saying they had some feeding issues and a spring replacement fixed the issue. I find it had to believe 300 rounds would wear one out. I mean I'd need to break mine in and then replace the spring immediately.

I'm guessing 1500 rounds is probably pretty prudent. $12 for a set of 3 recoil springs and 3 firing pin springs seems pretty reasonable. Ill probably buy three sets and be good for quite a long time. Of course, I better shoot it thoroughly first to make sure I really like it.
 
Funny, I rarely look to the SIG Store unless they're the only place with something I need in stock, because if they're not having a sale, everything is typically full MSRP and more than everywhere else.

Timing of this thread is interesting because I almost bought a 938 Legion last Friday, first one I'd seen in a store; the trigger was noticeably better than the trigger in my Extreme. The wife's 238 Extreme, on the other hand, has a most excellent trigger, almost too light. Anyway, I like the Legion's carry-melt and the mag-well, so I'm keeping my wallet ready ...
 
@460Shooter : It's about time!!! Sheesh! What took you so long brother??? :) LOL!

Welcome not only to the P938 club, but also to the Legion club! (I have a P226 SAO Legion.)

As you know, I love my P938, and shoot HST 147 gr. +P ammo out of her all the time (this is my normal self defense ammo), but she also shoots pretty much anything I throw at her, including my handloads.

I also have a Stealthgear IWB holster (the "Onyx"), and sing its praises all the time as well. The most comfortable IWB holster I have ever worn, especially in the summer since it breathes.

I change my recoil and firing pin springs once a year during my deep cleaning over the winter. Not sure that is necessary, and I have never had an issue, but they are so cheap, I figure "why not" with the gun that protects me and my loved ones.

Congratulations, and I hope you are still just as much in love with her after you shoot her. I'm happy for ya man! :thumbup:
 
@460Shooter : It's about time!!! Sheesh! What took you so long brother??? :) LOL!

Welcome not only to the P938 club, but also to the Legion club! (I have a P226 SAO Legion.)

As you know, I love my P938, and shoot HST 147 gr. +P ammo out of her all the time (this is my normal self defense ammo), but she also shoots pretty much anything I throw at her, including my handloads.

I also have a Stealthgear IWB holster (the "Onyx"), and sing its praises all the time as well. The most comfortable IWB holster I have ever worn, especially in the summer since it breathes.

I change my recoil and firing pin springs once a year during my deep cleaning over the winter. Not sure that is necessary, and I have never had an issue, but they are so cheap, I figure "why not" with the gun that protects me and my loved ones.

Congratulations, and I hope you are still just as much in love with her after you shoot her. I'm happy for ya man! :thumbup:
:D Well this got in the way


along with $1700 worth of vehicle repairs, a winter that wouldn’t end, and of course all the associated heating costs. Better late than never though right?!?

Thanks for the spring replacement figures. I think replacing a few springs once a year is pretty reasonable. I’m actually thinking I’ll shoot it with one spring for practice and then throw a fresh one in for carry. Function test first of course. Once the practice spring dies, the carry spring will become the new practice spring, and onward. Bug like I said, they are cheap.

Stealth gear makes good stuff don’t they? This is my third. I’ve got two Flex OWB holsters, one for my VP9 and one for my P30SK. Love em.

Do you find the 147 gr ammo hits more at point of aim than lighter ammo? I typically carry 124 gr ammo, but I know heavier ammo tends to lose less speed out of a short barrel, but the POI usually rises also.

Glad to finally join the club!
 
Funny, I rarely look to the SIG Store unless they're the only place with something I need in stock, because if they're not having a sale, everything is typically full MSRP and more than everywhere else.

Timing of this thread is interesting because I almost bought a 938 Legion last Friday, first one I'd seen in a store; the trigger was noticeably better than the trigger in my Extreme. The wife's 238 Extreme, on the other hand, has a most excellent trigger, almost too light. Anyway, I like the Legion's carry-melt and the mag-well, so I'm keeping my wallet ready ...
Old Dog what ammo do you carry in yours?

@Garandimal same question. Ammo choice and bullet weight?
 
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Do you find the 147 gr ammo hits more at point of aim than lighter ammo? I typically carry 124 gr ammo, but I know heavier ammo tends to lose less speed out of a short barrel, but the POI usually rises also.

Since SIG uses a "combat sight picture", I am just covering the target with the dot and blasting. I know that heavier bullets do have a tendency to shoot higher since they are in barrel longer, and hence are affected by the barrel raise during recoil more than a lighter bullet, but at the shorter distances that this gun is made for, I don't really notice a difference. My experience is that 124 gr and 147 gr seem to shoot about the same out of this gun out to 10-12 yards.
 
How do you like the trigger?

And, have you shot a std. mdl. as comparison.
GR
I like the trigger very much. It's on par with an entry level 1911, and breaks cleanly, but has a pivoting motion rather than straight back pull. Doesn't have an effect on the feel though really.

Haven't shot another one for comparison.
 
Old Dog what ammo do you carry in yours?
Just used up all the Federal Micro (150-grain) I'd stockpiled, so now I've pretty much standardized and gone with Federal HST 124-grain rounds in all my 9mm pistols. Have a lot of that in +P, which I use in my larger pistols, but the small ones are very accurate, cycle reliably, and don't demonstrate excessive recoil with the standard velocity (non-plus P) stuff...
 
Yesterday I put this little gun to the test at the range. I fed it 250 rounds of Remington UMC 115 gr FMJs. Then I shot 50 rounds of 124 gr +p HSTs.

It is a surprisingly pleasant gun to shoot and it beat me up less than others I own. The 115s all hit about 1 inch low for me at 15 yards. I was hitting a bit to the right for the first 100 rounds or so also but that was me not the gun.

When I took my time the accuracy really shined.

I did have one FRTB malfunction but I did not have the magazine fully seated so that was again my problem.

I really like this little gun. I shot it accurately and quickly and had decent center mass groups at 10 yards. I need to work with it some more but I think after another 300 rounds I’ll be pressing it into service.
 
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