My SigP238 (.380 cal) experience... disappointed

[TheProf]

I just bought my brand new Sig P238 yesterday. And today, as I was manipulating the slides (I was going to take it apart and clean it...before shooting), out comes the firing pin block!!!!! Yes.. it pop right out.

And if it did not land on the brand new plastic box that the gun came in, I would not have heard it at all.. and would not have known that something was wrong. I'm very disappointed at the poor (and fragile) quality of this gun. (And Sig's quality was the very reason I got this gun to begin with.)

Mind you, I have an LCP. I was going to "upgrade" to the Sig P238. At the gun shop, the Sig just felt "more quality" than my LCP. So...I went for it. My mistake.

I'm sending it back to the manufacturer tomorrow. I will keep you guys up to date on their customer service.

I've lost trust in this pistol....

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Damning with faint praise

At least - based on my experience in 2007 with a 1911 - they will pay for shipping and turnaround will be fast. Is this one of the recalled ones?

 

[Shear_stress]

Just curious what you mean by "manipulating" the slide.

 

[9mmepiphany]

that perked my interest also

 

[TheProf]

1. Not sure if it one of the recalled models. I mean...i just bought the thing two days ago...and I assume that all the recalled models were already sold. Does anyone have the recall serial numbers?

2. The part that fell out was the "firing pin stop"... not firing pin block. ( I just checked the schematic diagram.)

3. I was doing a basic "racking the slide" and it fell out. Yup... a simple racking of the slide.

4. I called the gun store where I bought it. They are having their gunsmith look at it tomorrow....for free. They said it was a simple fix...that it happens all the time...from what it sounds...it's a piece that is put on the gun last...and it is secured by some type of locktite (????) (Is that some type of glue??) (Ok...that just sounded scary...so I will get clarification from the gunsmith himself. The store manager was not very clear in his explanation... but he assured me that the gun is a safe gun and that it was a simple fix.

Does anyone have info on how the firing pin stop is secured on the gun?
How likely will it come out in the future?
What are the safety consequences?

 

[Shear_stress]

Does anyone have info on how the firing pin stop is secured on the gun?

Not sure on that model, but in other 1911-styles guns it is retained by the rear of the firing pin.

 

[stevemis]

1. Not sure if it one of the recalled models. I mean...i just bought the thing two days ago...and I assume that all the recalled models were already sold. Does anyone have the recall serial numbers?

Look it up. Don't be a hero.

2. The part that fell out was the "firing pin stop"... not firing pin block. ( I just checked the schematic diagram.)

That shouldn't ever happen unless you were racking the slide..

3. I was doing a basic "racking the slide" and it fell out. Yup... a simple racking of the slide.

Ok, I was kidding. It shouldn't happen, even when racking the slide. Something is way out of whack or it wasn't assembled properly. I'm leaning on out of whack, because the pistol would not have fired at the factory if it was an assembly issue (the firing pin stop would have been blocking the pin).

4. I called the gun store where I bought it. They are having their gunsmith look at it tomorrow....for free. They said it was a simple fix...that it happens all the time...from what it sounds...it's a piece that is put on the gun last...and it is secured by some type of locktite (????) (Is that some type of glue??) (Ok...that just sounded scary...so I will get clarification from the gunsmith himself. The store manager was not very clear in his explanation... but he assured me that the gun is a safe gun and that it was a simple fix.

NO NO NO. Don't let someone who talks about locktite anywhere near your gun! It's not held on with locktite and it's not common for them to fall off. If the "gunsmith" borks your pistol up, you'll have a hard time getting Sig to fix it without charging you. Send it to Sig.

Does anyone have info on how the firing pin stop is secured on the gun?
How likely will it come out in the future?
What are the safety consequences?

Lots of questions here. The firing pin stop slides into the machined grooves in the slide.. it's supposed to be a pretty close fit. The back of the firing pin keeps the stop from falling out because it is under tension from the firing pin spring.

You did see a firing pin and spring, right?

As for the future, again don't be a hero. Let Sig look at it. If it happens once, it will happen again. Mr. Murphy says it'll happen while you need the gun for something important.

What are the safety consequences? Well... obviously if you lose the stop, the pin will come out. This will render your gun incapable of firing. The firing pin could fly out of the housing under spring tension and get you in the eye. One of many many reasons why it's prudent to always wear safety goggles when shooting or disassembling guns.

Again, this isn't something that is normal, common, or fixed with Locktite. Send it to Sig.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

Maybe the firing pin had been removed by some safety conscious soul who thought the gun would be more safe on display without a firing pin? Hence the stop fell out.

 

[TheProf]

Ok.. guys...just checked the serial number on my new Sig. No..it is not one of the recalled ones.

Looking closer at the gun today, I can still see the firing pin there. Without the firing pin stop, I can see it protruding out. (When the hammer is cocked, I have a clear view of the firing pin.)

I think you guys are right...I will be sending it back to the factory. I wonder if any others have had this issue? ("Firing pin stop" falling out)

 

[amd6547]

I would just depress the firing pin and slide the firing pin stop back into place, making sure that the tail of the firing pin is protruding from the hole in the stop. See if there is still a problem.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I can still see the firing pin there. Without the firing pin stop, I can see it protruding out.

you should be able to see the firing pin protruding, even with the stop in place.

are you saying you can't get the stop back in place?

 

[G27RR]

Glad to hear you're sending it back. Once they fix the problem, give it a chance. They are great little guns. I had some early problems with mine (some FTEs and the slide not fully closing) but I attribute them to not cleaning it before I used it. After cleaning and using some of the grease that came with it on the slide, I've gone through 300 rounds with zero problems. Planning to use it as a pocket and/or BUG. Good luck.

 

[DasFriek]

The only way that can happen is if the firing pin is stuck forward or the firing pin is broken.The gun works and takes down just like a 1911,but im so up on the info on the firing pin safety plunger,or if that little plunger on the opposite side where a plunger is on a 1911 is one or not.No info exists ive seen on how to disassemble that also.

I take my firing pin and extractor out and clean every time i clean the gun since its so easy.
Ill admit whats happening is weird,but give that gun a chance.
I love mine alot and its just as fun to shoot,ask a LCP or P3AT owner how fun their guns are to shoot?

 

[TheProf]

Problem with P2380 solved!!!!!!

You guys were right. The firing pin needed cleaning. It seems that the packing grease that the gun came with from the manufacturer hardened and prevented the firing pin from seating itself inside the firing pin stop. The dealer's gunsmith cleaned it for free.

I spoke personally to the gunsmith....and he did somewhat restore my faith in Sig's reputation for quality.

I test fired the P2380 for the first time today.

Here's my report:
1. It feels like a real gun.....not some toy pocket pistol.
2. It is super accurate for its size. It really shoots where you point it to .
3. The single action trigger is nice and crisp.
4. I shot 70 rounds on it today. 100%. No failures of any kind.
5. Compared to the LCP, I can fire this gun more accurately, less recoil, and most importantly, easier follow up shots.


I still have to "break it in"...with another 130 rounds. But due to the ammo shortage...and spreading my break-in period to two range trips...and not all at once.

 

[docnyt]

+1 for SIG

 

[bdb benzino]

Glad you got it all worked out, it can be so frustrating on a brand new pistol!!

 

[Shear_stress]

Problem with P2380 solved!!!!!!

You guys were right. The firing pin needed cleaning. It seems that the packing grease that the gun came with from the manufacturer hardened and prevented the firing pin from seating itself inside the firing pin stop. The dealer's gunsmith cleaned it for free.

Cool! Glad you got that issue resolved. Really drives home the point for folks to clean even new guns thoroughly when they get them home.

 

[DasFriek]

I gotta agree with always cleaning a gun before shooting for the first time,but ill bet 90% of us wouldn't pull the FP stop off and clean the firing pin and extractor.I know i didn't.

Im happy your happy now,sounds stupid ill admit.Its because i really like this little gun alot.I even trust it so much i carry cocked and locked in my back pocket in a Nemisis holster.

Look for Corbon DPX at $35 a box or Hornady Critical defense at $22 or Gold Dots at $22 for the best SD ammo.
I use the Gold Dots as ive not found any of the Critical Defense locally,but its a very reliable expander for a .380
The other 2 are also,i just have a thing for the Hornady as i do have it for my PPS9

BTW when cleaning your gun its easy to pull that FP stop and pull out the firing pin and extractor especially for cleaning,that really helps with reliability.

And a side note ive mentioned in other threads.While cleaning this gun and the slide is off.Be very careful of manipulating the safety up into the on position,if it goes a tad further which is easy to do.The pin that makes the safety have such a positive on and off feel will come flying out at 2x the speed of light and possibly take an eye out or even worse you can loose that little pin and powerfully small spring holding it in.
Ive done it twice now,it shoots so hard i actually inspected my ceiling while looking for it as it comes out that hard.

This next session was me wanting the gun perfect,it was fine but i adjusted it anyhow.
Ive also found that if you ever have any last shot slide locking back issues or feeding issues look at the mags first,being so small any small bend or accidental adjustment on them will create all kinds of bad feed issues.
Mine was barely locking the slide back on the last shot,i adjusted the follower ever so slightly and fixed it,but then it wouldn't feed hollow points anymore.A small adjustment to the mag feed lips fixed that,these adjustments were so small you wouldn't think it would do anything but it doesn't take much.

Im pretty familiar with the gun now,and the more i learn the more i like it.
Good luck with yours!