Sig P238 - any caveats?

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Quoheleth

Quoheleth

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Last week I shot a Sig P238 and fell in love with it. Four shots, ten yards, all in a golf-ball size group just under my point of aim. Recoil wasn't much more than a .22, trigger was supurb, sights were wonderful, and all in all it was an excellent shooting experience - so much so that I want to get one ASAP for my daily carry. I'm aware it's a single action and the extra caution that merits. But, I can shoot the gun well and where I want the bullets to go --- two things I could not do with my Taurus 738. Sold it the next day after shooting the Sig.

I remember when the P238 first came out there were several issues with the guns including jamming, feeding issues, and magazines ramdomly dropping. I read somewhere online that Sig is now up to the 3rd generation. It sounds like most issues have been resolved, but before I drop $500+ I want to make sure that is accurate. Academy has NIB for $479.00 with one mag. I know it' a special run for Academy - again, from what I'm reading it's a stock P238, just with Academy's mark.

Used guns on GB seem to be within a few bucks of Academy's new guns (balance S&H and FFL with sales tax and it's pretty close). If I were to buy a used gun, what would I need to watch out for?

Thanks,
Q
 
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If you buy used, make sure the gun has the newest magazine follower (they went through a few designs) and the flat recoil spring.

Depending on the model, you may be able to get a new one for around $500.

My wife and I both enjoy her P238.
 
Newer ones have worked out the flaws that made some early ones problematic.
However I have an early one that I had to replace the recoil spring. The originals were coiled wire (round) and they tended to ... "scrunch" for lack of a better term, with use.
I replaced it with the newer flat spring and it works flawlessly now.
I would suggest you buy a new one if possible so you won't have to retrofit it, but it isn't that expensive or hard to do. It's just something you shouldn't have to do with a new gun, that's all.
 
Sig replaces old style springs no charge. I have two p238s and love em

Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 2
 
Just bought one a couple of weeks ago,it's been perfect right out of the box.Best sights and trigger on a pocket gun in my opinion.No problem carrying cocked and locked in a pocket holster,safety is very positive.
 
Summer or winter, neither my wife nor I ever leave the house without a p238. Excellent quality. unmatched shootability for a pocket gun. Sleek and easy to conceal.
 
I have had mine for about two years now and as far as I'm concerned it is hands down the best true pocket pistol you can buy.
 
No caveats, just buy one.

Then shoot circles around all yer buddies still carrying P3ATs, LCPs, Bodyguard, etc.
 
My wife has one and loves it. No problems with anything from light hand loads to +p carry ammo. Extremely accurate for being so tiny.
 
All the above is true. The newest ones have a thicker slide than the early ones, which presumably is more durable than the skinny slide. It will also affect kydex holster fit.
 
Mine is on its way! I found a package deal on a two tone with laser, night sights, Hogues and extended mag. (the Equinox is pretty sweet looking though)

I did the same thing, shot one at a range and fell in love.
 
Shoot it enough to make sure it is broke in and then get a good holster. As much as some folks complain about the 380, I use mine as a carry gun routinely. Light small, stainless and now, very reliable with night sights.
 
Caveats? Only one: if you aren't planning on buying a .380 "pocket" gun or don't have such a purchase in your budget, don't shoot a P238.

If you shoot one, you'll want to own one.
 
Quoheleth said:
Hopefully, I'll be making a trip to Academy today to pick one up.

What about magazines? I see Sig mags are just under $50 on GB. Ouch! Stick with Sig mags, or is a quality after-market a more affordable - yet still reliable - option?

Q
Click to expand...

Colt mustang mags will work, I have read, but you can get factory 7 round mags with a nice pinky extension that don't add much to the end of the grip. I'd pay more for that.
 
Academy has NIB for $479.00 with one mag. I know it' a special run for Academy - again, from what I'm reading it's a stock P238, just with Academy's mark.

Used guns on GB seem to be within a few bucks of Academy's new guns (balance S&H and FFL with sales tax and it's pretty close). If I were to buy a used gun, what would I need to watch out for?
Click to expand...
I would not worry about things to look for. Based on what you are saying, I would not even consider buying used. Your choice but with a new price of around $480 I would not even look at used guns unless I could get one for $400 or less.
 
A NIB P238 for $489 is pretty darn good. Keep in mind though that there about a half dozen or more finish variations, some priced maybe 10-15% higher than others. And you always get just one mag with a new P238.
 
beatledog7 said:
A NIB P238 for $489 is pretty darn good. Keep in mind though that there about a half dozen or more finish variations, some priced maybe 10-15% higher than others. And you always get just one mag with a new P238.
Click to expand...
When I purchased my P238 about two years ago it came with just one magazine, which is the one on the far right in the picture.

I purchased two more magazines from contact Arms and they are the two shiny ones in the middle. If I recall correctly the ones from Contact were about $35 each.

I then found out that Colt mags would work as well and purchased two from Midway and they only cost $16 apiece two years ago. The Colt magazines have worked flawlessly and I wish I had known about them sooner.
P238-Mag.jpg
 
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twinny said:
same size and less weight, the $400 Diamondback 9mm has over twice as much power. Use CorBon 100 gr PowRBall ammo in it.
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More powerful, yes but twice! I don't think so.

By the way I owned a Diamondback 380 and I sure hope your 9mm works better than my 380 did.
 
Best of both worlds. A 238 in the pocket. 938 or EMP on the belt. Two guns, way easier to carry than a full size.
 
twinny said:
yes, twice as much. ever CHRONO factory 380 loads, in such short barrels? 150 ft lbs, guys. The Diamondback gets the 100 gr CorBon well over 1250 fps, which means it's got 350 ft lbs or a bit more.
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Twice as much! The Buffalo Bore 100gr Hardcast in 380 from a P3AT chronos at 1160fps with An energy of 240 ft/lbs of energy and according to the math I use that is hardly 50% less energy than your 9mm.
 
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