Sig P-938 ?

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joneb

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I have a XDS 9x19 3.3" which has been a reliable gun but I don't like the trigger and the bulk.
I prefer SA or DA/SA semi auto, so the Sig P-938 caught my attention. The only thing about this gun I didn't care for was the alloy frame, is there a chance Sig will make a P-938 with a stainless steel frame???
 
There is always a chance, but it's somewhere between slim and none, and slim left town. It's designed to be as light as possible with a metal frame, stainless would add weight so why would anyone do that? Alloy frames are pretty well proven by now.
 
I agree, there probably not too many shooters who want to carry a very heavy little gun. The Wright would be a show stopper for many.

I have shot the P238 and P938 and I like them both. In a heavier package they would not carry as well as they do now, IMO of course.
 
The alloy frame/light weight is a major part off the appeal of that class of gun. I wouldn't be worried about the durability at all.
I would carry this in the waste band so weight is not a issue. I would rather have a more durable pistol, I am aware of two Sig alloy frame failures.
 
I'm "aware" of plenty of steel frame failures too. Don't have to look very far to find failures with any brand if one wants to play that particular game.
So you think a alloy frame will out last a steel frame?
 
Currently this is Ms. gamboogals EDC, A Sig P-938 Equinox

I would not be concerned about the frame

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If it had a steel frame, it would be less optimal for pocket carry, which is what I use mine for. It's a surprisingly accurate, soft-shooting little fellow. I might worry about the frame if I were putting a thousand rounds a week through it, but it's not what I think of as a range gun. It's more of a carry-a-lot, shoot-a-little sort of thing.
 
The frame will stand up to plenty of use. The only caveat I personally know of is to be careful not to overtighten the grip screws. They are threaded directly into the frame—no bushings.
My P938sas is my EDC. In my pocket every day!
 
Don't worry about the durability of a 938 with it's alloy frame. Personally, if you like a 1911 platform, you'll love the SIG238/938 platform. To me, it's about the pinnacle of that style and scarily accurate. FWIW, a 938 with a full style frame would likely weight close to a 1911 Officers model and would defeat it's purpose.
 
I honestly don't know what the benefit of making this pistol with a stainless steel frame would be ... Having shot comparable-sized 9mm single stack pistols (e.g., LC9, XDs-9) I found the P-938 to be much easier to control as well as significantly more accurate with far better trigger.

Also (though I've not looked far) I have heard no reports of "frame failures" ... and I've been a pretty regular reader of the SIG-specific forums as well.

My P-938 Extreme is probably my most favorite of all time sub-compact, and the fact that it's a 9mm is a huge bonus, since most pistols this size are .380 or .32, more difficult to shoot in a far inferior caliber.
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Steel is an alloy.
I was using the terminology from Sig's specs for the P-938
I have heard no reports of "frame failures"
I'm concerned about frame rail wear over time.
I would guess a steel frame would add around 6 oz, which would not be any heavier than my current conceal carry guns. I would think the extra weight would help tame the recoil and allow for faster follow up shots.
 
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I’m with you, Joneb. If they made a 938HD with a steel frame, I’d be all over it. I think plenty of people would buy it. Quite a few people purchased the 238HD, though admittedly not in enough numbers to keep it in the lineup. But, even a limited run of 938HDs would sell out quickly, I believe. I’d probably buy two, almost certainly. I think it would only add 4-5 ounces. They used to “spec” the 938HD in their owners manual at 21.7 ounces or so and cataloged it for a couple years without producing any.

In that size/weight category, I have to say I have been pleased with my P290RS, but it’s a different animal with its long, but smooth, DAO trigger. I’d prefer a 938HD.
 
I may lament not purchasing the "melted" version, yet I do thoroughly enjoy my nine thirty eight. I can attest to it's accuracy and the fine trigger. I shoot mine a great deal, every trip gets a carry piece round. Were it any heavier I would have not purchased it, as it is nearly perfect now.

The two twenty nine ASF would be the stainless version of this pistol.
 
I would think the extra weight would help tame the recoil and allow for faster follow up shots.

I don't think this will pan out quite as favorable as you're expecting. Think about where you're adding weight by converting to a steel grip frame - it's all in your hand. The extra weight will help reduce how hard you're hit in the hand, but since all of that mass is already in your grip, and none out under the nose of the pistol, it really won't help reduce muzzle flip. I've played that game with 1911's, it adds noticeable weight, but doesn't really reduce my splits. Recoil with the 938 isn't as substantial as guys might think - that 16oz ballpark where the 938 and LCP live seems to be a pretty happy weight class, and the grip design of the 938 tends to fill the hand better than most.

The two twenty nine ASF would be the stainless version of this pistol.

I can't find specs for an ASF model, but the P229, even in compact, is a size larger pistol than the P938. Double stack, 1.7" longer and 1.6" taller, 0.4" thicker... It's a double stack 9mm, instead of a single stack, wrap around, traditional type grip instead of 1911 style shingles... And many of the P229 models are "alloy" frames to boot - i.e. the ASE compact (Alloy Stainless Elite). If there's a single stack P229, stainless compact version, I'd be interested to see it, sure seems like that would be a completely different model - i.e. 938.
 
Yes. ASE not F. But yeah, point being that this is a specialised pistol, any changes would make it a completely different tool for a different purpose.

While I do shoot mine a lot, I don't consider it a range gun. I do feel it is a perfect, always there and ready to help companion. While also never being in the way, too much to carry or shoot.

As far as muzzle flip and follow up shots are concerned... Every pull of the trigger leads you to the next shirt button....
 
The alloy vs steel frame discussion is largely with high round count guns used extensively on ranges. You practice with one of those, then shoot your carry ammo to eliminate the rounds getting a lot of chambering and to feel the difference for how a smaller lighter gun will handle. Putting thousands of rounds into a carry gun will result in more wear, higher spring compression cycles, and generally boot it down the lifecycle towards repairs and issues sooner. That's counterproductive to reliability which is more important.

Steel, alloy, or polymer, what you don't want to discover is which is less optimal in your carry gun because you shot it to the margins of it's life so soon it can't be trusted. Get it broken in with ammo you consider reliable then let it coast in the larger part of it's performance envelope for years rather than shoot it to the limits and wonder what might break or fall off this time. That kind of thing needs to happen to the range gun for practice where broken parts are acceptable, even in competition.

It's just like a committed self defense knife - you give it the edge it needs, then you leave it alone and don't use it. Carry something else for cleaning fingernails, opening cardboard boxes, or loaning to the ignorati who will likely try to twist screws with it. Your self defense weapon isn't your EDC chore tool.

This is where the alloy vs steel concern for carry guns falls apart. You don't want to shoot it constantly. You preserve it and keep it hibernating in a high state of reliability where you can count on it.
 
Agreed.
While I do shoot it to stay proficient and to keep the ammunition 'fresh', it has no where near a fraction the round count my nineteen eleven has. I have no fears about the wear put on it. I am also not deluded by the high quality of the pistol. I do understand that it will need repair at some point in the future. (or a replacement xcoughx)
But to have such a fine weapon and never shoot it is too much for me.
 
I guess for me a stainless steel framed 938 would be worth buying, a Al alloy frame not so much. I will wait and see if Sig offers one in a limited release and I will buy two and later sell one for twice the cost.
 
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