Need Input from Sig 238 Owners

[montgomery381]

My wife is wanting to get a ccw pistol. We have gone to the LGS's and she has handled all the leading candidtes, the S&W Shield, Sig 938, Kahrs, Glock 42, S&W Bodyguard and Ruger LC pistols. The 238 is what felt best to her and the one that she is excited about owning. So, that is the one I'm looking into. That being said, what I need to know from 238 owners is how reliable does the 238 feed? I have read that there have been some issues and I was wondering if this is/was a common issue and if the issues have been worked out. Any and all responses will be appreciated.

 

[David E]

Reliability issues have been worked out.

The real issue is how she will carry it.

Chamber empty? She will have to practice racking the slide safely and reliably during the draw.

Chamber empty, safety on? She will have to practice racking the slide safely and reliably during the draw AND take off the safety.

Chamber loaded, hammer down safety off? She will need to practice safely cocking the hammer during the draw.

Chamber loaded, hammer down, safety on? She will need to practice safely cocking the hammer during the draw AND take off the safety.

Chamber loaded, safety on? She will need to practice taking off the safety during the draw.

AND if she's done shooting but still has ammo in the gun, she will need to practice putting the safety on.

If she chose a DAO gun, (Kahr .380?) presuming a loaded chamber carry, the weapon handling is much easier to learn and remember, even when stressed: To shoot, point gun, pull trigger. To stop shooting and return the gun to a safe status, take finger off the trigger.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

The P238 problems were related to recoil spring and magazine design, both of which have been fixed. A new pistol shouldn't have any problems. The one I bought for my wife (I know, I know, but it's what she asked for, so there) a couple of years ago has been flawless. It's handy to carry and fun to shoot.

 

[horsemen61]

I love mine it works flawlessly outta the box everything from boutique sd ammo aka buffalo bore to run of the mill fmjs to my hand loads

 

[Peter M. Eick]

David E summarized nicely the issues with the 238. I carry mine and like it but I still have not found the perfect way to carry it. Cocked and locked appears to be the best for me but I am working it still. It does have a firing pin block and a nice strong safety.

 

[Mainsail]

My wife carries hers cocked & locked. I picked up an extended magazine with the little pinky extension and she prefers it, even though she doesn't 'need' it.

It's been 100% reliable unless the magazine is inserted with the slide forward. If the mag is inserted with the slide forward, it isn't completely latching in place and will fall out with the first shot. With the slide locked back and a mag inserted, the gun works properly. It will likely need to go back and have this rectified. Right now it just means she can't carry it topped off with one extra round (+1).

 

[Giterboosted]

Got one for the fiancée for her birthday, I can't say a bad thing about it really. I love it so much I'm Guna get myself one, it's the softest shooting .380 I've ever Felt of any size really, accurate as can be, and wow what a looker. I'd suggest it, definately suggest it

 

[jigglyjames29]

I would not recommend a pistol that requires the use of a manual safety if she's not willing to practice drawing/disengaging the safety frequently.

 

[Eb1]

I shot one this weekend, but it didn't turn me on. Have you checked into the Bersa Thunder? Is double action/single action so you can carry safely with one chambered like a revolver. Has a manual safety if you wish to use it, and it can handle the +P rounds. I love mine. 90 grain bonded hollow points or XTPs at 1200 fps. Makes for a wicked .380 ACP.

 

[Tomac]

Wife loved her P238, very reliable and easy to rack. Only reason we sold it was the thought of having to find & manipulate the small safety under stress.
Tomac

 

[montgomery381]

Thanks for all the responses. I feel compelled to comment on concerns that have been made about her choice. I agree that the manual safety is not optimal. However my wife is very smart and can figure it out. Also I explained the necessity of practice to get the actuation of the safety to be second nature. And the reason I did not push her to another option is that this is the one that she picked and is excited about. She is even doing her own research and has her own gun broker account! So she is more invested and therefore more likely to put in the time to practice than she would be with a gun I picked for her. And if it turns out that it doesn't work for her then we'll sell it and do some more shopping. Thanks again for ALL the replies, they were appreciated.

 

[Snowdog]

If you're ok with SAO and the .380acp (and I am on both counts), then the P238 is an awesome little pistol.

I carry my P238HD year-round despite it having been purchased as a hot weather carry pistol. It's easy to get spoiled by the sized and quality of the P238.

 

[kokapelli]

Two years and about 1,000 rounds and not a single malfunction. I will say I do not use jhp ammo in 380 so can't speak for that.

 

[rskent]

I love mine. A great little pistol. I carry mine mostly in a owb belt holster. It hides very well under a tee shirt.
It will crinkle brass now and then but I haven’t had any stoppages yet. I use XTPs.

 

[gym]

If she likes it, you are already ahead of the game, she will make it her business to learn everything she needs to. When you push something other than what someone wants on them, regardless if you were right or wrong, they will never feel the same way, as when they choose it themselves.
Have fun.

 

[Byron]

Bought one a few months ago.It has the new spring.It shoots flawlessly,quick to change magazines.I have a permit and carry mine constanly. I carry95 grain round nose and 1/2 cock on safety.