New Sig 238 .380: basically a revival of the little Colt 380s? (SHOT Show 09)

[MatthewVanitas]

Looks like something made in Junior High shop class.

Now you're just being ridiculous.

The lower looks almost identical to the Mustang, except that it has the trendy aluminum grips.

The slide looks just like a downsized Sig slide.

What's so unusual about it?

Or do you have any great zingers about Glocks "hah! made outta plastic!!!" to share with us?

 

[Peter M. Eick]

As a Gov380 owner and occasional carry gun, I view this a great. The gov 380 is a locked breech 380 and is very easy to shoot. They are getting quite expensive in the used market. Sig saw a smart thing (ok another smart thing that colt dropped) and now they are marketing it.

Yes it is a bit clunky sig styling but it can be melted if that is the issue.

 

[panther22]

The comments about everyone copying each other got me thinking. Wasn't the Colt Pony a design they got from Astra years ago? And didn't Iver Johnson make a version of it too? I'm not sure there have too many new ideas in the gun world since John Browning.
Next yera we'll see the 9mm copies of Kel Tec's PF9 out at the Shot Show, assumingwe can still own guns by then.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

As a Gov380 owner and occasional carry gun, I view this a great. The gov 380 is a locked breech 380 and is very easy to shoot. They are getting quite expensive in the used market. Sig saw a smart thing (ok another smart thing that colt dropped) and now they are marketing it.

Apparently it's better yet, according to the analysis at 230grains:
http://230grain.com/showthread.php?t=37221

Basically, it says the prototype P238 includes a bunch of custom-style 1911 features, including:

Another view of the firing pin stop. Note the small radius. Using small-radius firing pin stops is an established technique in 1911 tuning that produces reduced recoil by giving the hammer greater mechanical advantage over the slide. Its presence on the P238, plus the fact that the P238 uses a Browning-style locked-breech recoil mechanism instead of the blowback systems found on other .380s, suggest that the P238 may be one of the softest-recoiling micro semi-autos.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

The pictures I have seen indicate it looks just like a gov 380 but more blocky. Hard to say yet it if uses a bushing or more like the shorter mustang if I remember right.

 

[HisSoldier]

Isn't the frame aluminum? As much as I hate plastic I think I'd take it over aluminum in a handgun. There's no comparison to an all steel Mustang plusII or .380 Gov't model if it has the the aluminum frame.
The Colt Mustang, and .380 Government model are definitely related design-wise to the Star DK, as was the original Colt Pony, the one none of us has probably ever held in our hands as it never reached production and only 50 were made (A stone cold DK copy but with steel frame). The latter DAO Colt Pony is a whole different design.

 

[wadcutter45]

I want one. I will buy one when they're available

 

[smilin-buddha]

Does anyone have a date when they hit the streets/

 

[outerlimit]

According to the blog post at 230grain.com, it said a projected release date of June, 2009.

 

[smilin-buddha]

Thanks for the information. Looks like I am going to be saving for another one. Todd

 

[KevininPa]

I think I'll keep my 232. That blocky little thing just doesn't appeal to me.

 

[bulbboy]

Finally, someone is bringing back a gun that should have never gone away. Have one on order already - Sig says they will ship in June