Sig 232 or 238? Need Help deciding

[solman]

So I have been wanting to add a .380 to the stable and narrrowed it down to these two models but not sure which way to go. I like the small size of the 238 but it seems like it might be hard to shoot well with a two finger grip. The 232 has the DA/SA trigger and fills the hand more but not as compact. I don't carry living in NJ so its not an issue , I will retire in a few years and likely end up in a more CCW friendly state. Do both models shoot well?
Anyone have or shot both what do you think?

 

[Manson]

I have shot both. The 238 is a surprisingly soft shooter for its size. Both guns are accurate and reliable. The 232 is too large for pocket carry but would still be easy to carry IWB. Some people don't like the idea of carrying a pocket gun like the P238 cocked and locked. Wouldn't bother me. I prefer the P232 simply because it's gorgeous.

My advice is head to your local gun store and handle both. Shoot them if you have the opportunity. You may find the P238 grip too short. You may not. Good luck.

 

[dogmush]

FWIW, and I love my 238, I wouldn't bother with it if I didn't need to slip a pistol into my pocket every now and then.

I firmly believe that the P238 is the easiest and most pleasant to shoot of the pocket sized .380's. But the entire idea of a pocket sized pistol is a handicap over a real sized gun.

So, if you're not going to carry it why bother with all the compromises inherent in any pocket pistol?

That said, if you're ever going to move to somewhere you can carry, a tiny easy to grab pocket pistol is really handy to have.

 

[kokapelli]

Without a doubt the P238 is the softest shooting pocket 380 out there.

 

[berettaprofessor]

To be contrarian, the P232 is a quality gun and much better than thw Walther/S&W for instance. It will be a better target gun and more accurate do to a fixed barrel.

 

[Lee D]

i own both, and while they are both excellent pistols, i prefer the 238 for concealed carry.
if im gonna carry a pistol thats the size of the 232 it might as well be a 9mm.

as for accuracy, my 238 will easily outshoot my 232 with all ammo

 

[allaroundhunter]

I have shot both, and the P238 is actually a softer shooter. The P238 is actually more accurate as well (from the experience I have had)

I intend to pick up a P238 at some point, the reason I have fired them is because my mother was looking into a compact .380 for carry. She also agreed that the P238 was easier to shoot, the P232 had a bit of a snappy recoil to it. The P238 was as soft as can be.

 

[tangomike706]

I've carried them both as backup pistols at one point or another , they are both accurate , reliable and well built , I still carry the p238 for what it's worth . mostly due to the size , and it is in my opinion very soft recoiling for it's size . I would recommend shooting them both and going from there .

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

Can't speak to the P232, but the P238 is a very sweet little shooter. It isn't ideal for the pocket, but is small enough to get by if you need it to. I wouldn't see much point in carrying the P232 since you have better options for the same size and cheaper prices. But, it's probably a great range gun.

 

[Stealth01]

Never shot a 232 but I can say my P238 Equinox has been flawless! She's a joy to shoot and very accurate!

 

[nelson133]

The GF has a 238 and loves it. It is the softest shooting of all of the mini 380s, and I have shot most of them myself. The sights are excellent and the gun is accurate. I don't own one because I am not comfortable with cocked and locked carry in a pocket, especially with no grip safety.
I am a Sig fan and wanted a 230 or 232 for a long time, but when I shot one it turned out my hands were too big for it. If you have large hands, that slide will cut you up. I tried gripping it in various ways, but nothing worked.

 

[solman]

Thanks for all the input. I am leaning towards the 238 based on all the good feedback on it. I don't have access to shoot both so I have to make a choice based on the good reviews they received.

 

[KevininPa]

I have the ...

.....232 and love the way it shoots. But mine is also the all stainless model. Not as snappy as an alloy frame. I've never shot the 238 but would like to. That locked breech has to really smooth it out. Was going to check them out more seriously until I read about the new Sig 938. Also getting interested in the 239, only slightly bigger than my 232. Didn't look at other nines because most of them are DAO. And I do love my sweet, SA goodness! I've been noticing a lot of 232SLs for sale lately on forums. They are a bit heavier than most would like.

 

[krupparms]

The 238 is a very accurate &easy to shoot . I picked up 3 colt mustang + magazines for it as they didn't have sig magazines in stock. They fit &function just fine &were cheaper! I hope they come out with other Mil. Service models .The U.S.M.C. model looks very nice! Just a thought.

 

[Trad Archer]

I'm a fan of the p238.

 

[Road Less Traveled]

I pocket carry a P238 every day - love the trigger!

 

[sig228]

Hold out for the P938. Coming soon. Same height and width. Only 4/10 of an inch longer.

http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/p938-rosewood.aspx

 

[allaroundhunter]

Hold out for the P938. Coming soon. Same height and width. Only 4/10 of an inch longer.

The OP said that he wants to add a .380 ACP......

Here is what he said:

So I have been wanting to add a .380 to the stable and narrrowed it down to these two models but not sure which way to go