Kahr p380 vs. Sig p238

[SafetyManCSP]

I am thinking about purchasing a pocket gun for concealed carry. I am torn between the Kahr p380 and the Sig p238. Does anybody have any positive feedback about either weapon?

 

[dogmush]

I have a P238, and love it. It's the softest shooting .380 I've shot and has a sweet trigger, something that seems to be harder to get in mouse guns then you would think.

However, I shoot 1911's and don't have a problem with condition 1 carry. If a safety or hammer back bother you then a P 238 isn't right for you.

 

[LightningMan]

Have them both, shoot them both well enough, but carry the Kahr. Just like the simple operation of the Kahr, just pull the trigger. LM

 

[kokapelli]

I would get the Kahr if you feel more comfortable with a double action only trigger, but when it comes to shoot ability IMO there just nothing out there in a pocket pistol that shoots like the P238.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I have more faith in the reliability of the Kahr action...it's just a better engineered design

 

[2wheels]

Can't say I've shot the Kahr, but my Sig P238 is by far the sweetest shooting pocket .380 I HAVE shot (S&W Bodyguard, KelTec P3AT). It's accurate, recoil is minimal for such a small gun, and it's easy to shoot well thanks to the generous sights and SAO trigger.

 

[Salty1]

If your comfortable carrying cocked and locked then get the 238, hands down it is a better gun and more accurate at 50 feet. If not the Kahr is a fine choice and the double action trigger is not that bad, not great but not bad......... or hold off till mid summer and get one of the new Sig 938's just a bit larger than the 238 but chambered in 9mm.... then again Kahr has the CM9 and CW9 which are smaller and affordable........... the choices are expanding as the manufacturers are getting into the smaller size carry market

 

[m2steven]

I have both pistols and I also agree the Sig 238 is the best shooting of the 2. However, mine has spells where it won't feed much of anything followed by long periods of perfect service.

I find the Kahr to be as accurate as the 238. It has slightly more recoil but much less than most 380s.

I tend to carry my Kahr more than the Sig only because of my rare but genuine problems. I love the safety on the Sig. Most people don't like safeties but the Sig does have a 1911 type trigger (which is great). The safety could keep you from accidently ventilating your thigh or worse.

Get the Sig if you think the new ones are bug free. Otherwise, you'll also love the Kahr. It's trigger is the same superb trigger on all Kahrs.

 

[Coop45]

The Sig 238 comes with good sights and the trigger is super nice. The Kahr has okay sights. I went with XS Big Dots as replacements. I like them both.

 

[Aiko492]

I owned both, from my personal experience there is no comparison. I initially bought the Kahr and was unable to get through a magazine without a feed or eject issue (tried 4 HP and 3 FMJ ammo). Kahr CS said to put the several hundred rounds through it for break in-no change. My LGS was very kind and gave me full credit which I used towards the Sig. The P238 gave me no issues at all other than it did not like Gold Dots. Much, much more comfortable gun to shoot. The Kahr was pretty snappy. Maybe I just had a lemon Kahr, many people are happy with theirs.

 

[71Commander]

I have them both.

My Kahr has been back for service two times. I keep getting light primer strikes. They replaced the barrel the 1st time and sent it back. Nothing changed. I have consigned myself to the fact that I will have to use ammo with Federal primers. Not a big deal since I reload.

The Sig is not as accurate but then I can shoot lead in the Sig.

I'm waiting for the 938.

 

[Robbins290]

Never handled the kahr, but the sig p238 is a darn good gun. Very light. Comes stardard with nite sights. I thought it was pretty accrate for a pocket pistol. If your a 1911 fan, you will like the sig. Just my .02


Let us know what you decide to get

 

[kokapelli]

I have more faith in the reliability of the Kahr action...it's just a better engineered design

"it's just a better engineered design"

I know that you like like to knock the P238 every chance you get, but have you noticed that in this thread it is the Kahr that has the most problems?

 

[9mmepiphany]

I actually don't like knocking the 238, I really had high hopes for it when it was introduced...but there are just better choices available for defensive use. SIG just went through a series of bad choices at the time, including the Mosquito, the 238 and their selection of a designer for the GSR. Some of their issues have been addressed, some not so much.

I'll re-post what I wrote on the other thread:

"It is the curse of hanging out with the country's foremost SIG gunsmith, who also happens to have been around when the original designs were new.

I figure with the hundreds of SIGs he sees in the shop every year, plus his relationship with the SIG factory, he has a pretty creditable basis for his opinion"

I'm pretty serious about the choice of defensive pistols and try to offer information creditable information, taken over a wide sample of guns, so that folks can make an informed choice when selecting a pistol

 

[ForumSurfer]

I'm going through the same process. I'll end up getting the ruger lcp.

Here's my opinions:

Kahr p380 - great pistol! Loved my kahr cw9. Accurate and reliable. Unfortunately it is heavy and a 9mm weighs almost the same.

Sig p238 - great shooter. Probably my favorite pocket 380 if I had to pick one to shoot regularly. Pricey and heavy for a pocket pistol. For that much weight, I'd rather carry an airweight snubbie.

ruger lcp - shoots well, extremely light. very affordable.

Of course my needs are unique. I refuse to wear a smart carry, I don't care for belly bands, I don't like off body carry (fanny pack) and I just want something I can carry in the waistband of my gym shorts should I ever need it. It would only be during emergencies when I need to leave the gym or anywhere else I may be wearing gym/swim trunks without changing clothes. Tied or not, a glock 26, smith snubby or p238 is just a little heavier than I feel comfortable with. I don't feel great about carrying a 380, but it sure beats nothing.

http://www.mouseguns.com/PocketAutoComparison.pdf

 

[ForumSurfer]

but the sig p238 is a darn good gun. Very light.

It most certainly isn't.

Compare it to other 380's and you'll find it to be nearly the heaviest of the bunch. It is just plain heavy for what it is, and not because of some outlandish quality you can't find elsewhere.

It is only light when compared to "pocket" 9mm pistols.

 

[Prorock]

I have owned a P380 and currently own the P238. The P380 would FTF, FTE now and again. I have never had trouble with the P238. As a bonus the P238 is fun to shoot!

 

[kokapelli]

I actually don't like knocking the 238, I really had high hopes for it when it was introduced...but there are just better choices available for defensive use. SIG just went through a series of bad choices at the time, including the Mosquito, the 238 and their selection of a designer for the GSR. Some of their issues have been addressed, some not so much.
I'll re-post what I wrote on the other thread:
I'm pretty serious about the choice of defensive pistols and try to offer information creditable information, taken over a wide sample of guns, so that folks can make an informed choice when selecting a pistol

We must be reading two different threads! You continue to knock the P238 without regard to all the praise it gets from P238 owners in this and most other threads here.

You claim the Kahr is a better design even though there a number of posts right here in this thread about problems with the little Kahr!

As for better choices, that's not what this thread is about. The title of this thread is "Kahr p380 vs. Sig p238" not what better choices there are.

And last but not least, I don't care what your friends title is because I've been a member of the gun culture for enough years to have learned a long time ago to take so called experts opinions with a grain of salt.
I much prefer the opinions of actual owners which in the case of the P238 are overwhelmingly positive.

By the way, I'm in no way knocking the Kahr 380, in my previous post I even recommended it if you want a DAO trigger in a pocket pistol. I have two Kahr pistols and am very happy with them, but when it comes to the two 380s the P238 is just a better shooting pistol.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Please don't take my posts as a personal critique of your choice of the 238, I simply offer an opposing view/experience

Did you even follow the link to the Grayguns site?

 

[allaroundhunter]

I personally love shooting the P238. It is accurate, IME reliable, and very soft shooting.

While it might be heavier than other polymer .380 offerings, it is this extra weight that helps the P238 shine with minimal recoil, and very accurate and fast follow up shots. (And when people say "heavy", it really isn't that heavy"

I will take the P238 over any other pocket .380.

 

[wtxj]

Took me 3 different pocket pistols, first Kahr, then the LCP, then the P 238.

Will never buy a Kahr product again.

 

[Pismopal]

sig vs kahr. .380

I have been reading with interest all that I can get my eyes on about this subject and my mind is made up. I am keeping my LCP...it shoots everything I put in it flawlessly..it is light which why it kicks hard..and it is accurate and comfortable. Thanks for the help!

 

[kokapelli]

I have been reading with interest all that I can get my eyes on about this subject and my mind is made up. I am keeping my LCP...it shoots everything I put in it flawlessly..it is light which why it kicks hard..and it is accurate and comfortable. Thanks for the help!

What was the subject of this thread?

 

[heeler]

As much as I love my Kahr PM9 I have to admit after reading from numerous owners of the Kahr 380 over at the Kahr forum having many issues of reliability I would be very hesitant to buy one(especially at their price) even though I much prefer it's design over the Sig.
Having owned a Colt Mustang I want zero to do with a hammer cocked micro .380 for pocket carry or deep concealment carry.
Ymmv on this opinion.
So after owning an even less desirable DB380,I chose the Ruger LCP as the other carry type 380 micro pistol.
Mine is accurate,reliable,and has fed and fired every ammo I have run thru it.
Ten points to Ruger!!

 

[shootingthebreeze]

I have a Kahr P380 and it is a fine handgun; simple in design, accurate, easy to clean, and re-assemble. However my new addition which is the Kahr CW45 is my main defense weapon and the Kahr P380 a backup only. Both have the same internal design which is nice.
I would only consider a .380 as a backup not a main defense pistol. Kahr makes fine .45 carry pistols. I consider the .45 the minimum caliber one should consider for main defense. My Kahr CW45 shoots like a dream and is extremely accurate. Carries very well.
My Kahr P380 is incredibly accurate and extremely reliable never had an issue at the range. But to me the .380 should only be last resort/final defense. Unless you are an incredible shot who can acquire a head shot every time then the .380 could be your main battle weapon. But as far as stopping power and incapacitating power the .45 has it beat.
I am not familiar with the Sig P238. I can say again that the Kahr P380 is an excellent handgun. I never had a problem with it. One thing that amazes me is its accuracy.