Help with Sig P238 recoil spring...yikes

[IMTHDUKE]

I have an early model P238 and it has the old round recoil spring. Sig updated it for me with the new flat spring. Problem is I could not get it to go into the end of the barrel after putting it on the guide rod. Called Sig and they acted like I was a 16 yr old kid that didn't know what I was doing. I then took it to a Sig dealer gun store and they could not get it to fit. After about 30 min and with two men holding it at the same time they got it to fit. And told me jokingly....don't take that out again.
My question for you 238 owner is, has anyone experienced this? The new flat spring is longer than the old one, but Sig assured me it was the correct spring. Can anyone measure their spring and post the length to let me compare? Smith at the store told me this is not normal but did not have a 238 to compare mine with. Not understanding all I know about this deal Any help will be great.

 

[LightningMan]

I have a brand new one that hasn't been compressed yet, as I got 2 when they updated my spring, so only have had to use 1 so far. Anyway the un-used one measures 3.750" long. Hope that helps. LM

 

[firecrackerktm]

When was the spring change made? Approx. what serial number?

 

[IMTHDUKE]

Not sure on the serial #, just they don't use the round wire now. I finally got mine in. Its super tricky....you have to make sure that none of the edge on the spring is overlaping on the hole so the guide rod does not hang on it and that is what prevents it from goin through. One other thing to remember about field striping a gun....usually Sigs are a snap.

 

[cfullgraf]

When was the spring change made? Approx. what serial number?

The change was made in the first year of production, near the end of that year. Early P238s had lots of problems and it seems the flat spring had the biggest effect in correcting the problem. It fixed mine.

I think one of the problems was Sig did not allow for enough space in the gun for the round wire spring when the slide was retracted. Many, included me, damaged recoil springs during shooting. I went through several Sig and Wolff round wire springs before the flat spring was introduced.

For the OP, the flat spring should not be difficult to install. Mine went in fine and no more difficult than the original round spring.

If your spring was very difficult to install, you got the wrong spring. Fight with Sig over that or just order another one. They are not very expensive.

Top Gun Supply (http://www.topgunsupply.com) carries Sig parts. That is where I got my flat coil spring several years ago when I replaced mine.

I found Top Gun easier to deal with than Sig itself.

Side comment on the P238, I replaced the Sig grips a set of Hogue neoprene grips. At least for me, the gun moved less in my hand with the neoprene grips and that help eliminate feed and extraction issues.

Hope this helps.

 

[IMTHDUKE]

Something wrong with mine...I promise you, I had to Smiths that took 30 minutes geting mine in the gun.
And that was after I finally gave up on it.

 

[David E]

Something wrong with mine...I promise you, I had to Smiths that took 30 minutes geting mine in the gun.
And that was after I finally gave up on it.

I agree something is wrong, but the question is: what now? I see three viable options:

1) Get another spring

2) Return it to Sig for repair/inspection (on their dime)

3) Dump the gun.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Is the spring directional? (i.e., one end closed tighter or differently than the other.) Putting it in backwards would certainly mess you up.

 

[IMTHDUKE]

I definately wont dump the gun. I just can't see why Sig would send the wrong spring and then tell me its the right one. I will get another spring and start from there.

 

[Lee D]

"Is the spring directional? (i.e., one end closed tighter or differently than the other.) Putting it in backwards would certainly mess you up."


i have a newer pistol with the flat spring and despite what the manual states, there isnt any difference from one end and the other????

 

[cfullgraf]

The round wire spring is directional and the instructions were very specific about that.

I have slept since I fooled with the flat wire spring and I do not specifically remember but i do not think it is directional.

 

[cfullgraf]

I definately wont dump the gun. I just can't see why Sig would send the wrong spring and then tell me its the right one. I will get another spring and start from there.

It is not unheard of that the wrong part gets put in the right box. It is not like the spring itself has a part number on it. That should not happen but it does. But I would think Sig would be a bit more open to looking at the spring to insure that it is correct.

Check and make sure there is no debris in the spring pocket that might reduce the room for the new spring and try a new spring.

Compare them before you install the new spring. If they are different, send Sig a picture and fuss.

I would not get the new spring from Sig. Get a Sig spring, just not from Sig.

From the debacle around the introduction of the P238, I am not thrilled with what I heard about Sig's customer service. Fortunately, I did not send my P238 back to them but I did benefit from others' troubles and the eventual upgrades. Sigs look like nice handguns but the experience has soured me on buying another Sig for the moment.

The P238 has been fixed, I do not intend to start love/hate war on Sigs so let's not go there, and everyone needs to come to their own conclusion about Sig as a company.

I do like my P238 and intend to keep it.

 

[jpcortese]

P238 flat recoil spring

Got mine yesterday from Sig (it was free) and installed it just now. It measured 3.25 inches, is non-directional and went it easily, but I can see that you do need to be careful that it doesn't get hung up on the guide rod. After installing it the gun functions perfectly although I won't be able to fire it until this coming weekend. Hope this helps.

 

[IMTHDUKE]

Sent mine back to Sig to let them wrestle with it, them they will correct the problem. Apparently the spring is sprung

 

[Tommygunn]

I too have the old P 238 and it came with the old round wire spring which got scrunched after ....lots.... of firings. I ordered a set of new "flat" springs. Went in in a snap, no problem.
Sorry ...... I have no idea what happened in your case. It should not have happened.

 

[floatyguy]

If you decide to contact Top Gun Supply as cfullgraf suggested ask for Brad Buelow. I'm sure he will be more than happy to assist you. Just tell Brad that Dave from Fallon, NV suggested that you talk with him.