Sig P238 Range Report

Status
Not open for further replies.
I shot my 238 for the first time yesterday afternoon. The recoil was very light for a .380, probably less than my 232. At fifteen yards the gun is dead accurate with all shot either in the ten ring or just above it with a tedency to shoot just a little high but group tight. At seven yards the gun was dead center in the ten ring in a relatively small group right around 2.5 inches, or would group just a bit high, possibly due to getting my grip right. I was using Blazer Brass as the range had just got some in. With the Golden Sabers that will be used for SD I would imagine even better accuracy possible. That I was getting results like that from the git-go shows just how fine of a pistol that this is. I used both SIG and Metalform Mustang mags. I'd say that the gun has great potential, but first time out it has already realized much of it.

The only fly in the ointment was a failure to feed right at the end. I realized that I had cleaned up the gun before I shot it and had failed to re-lube it. It was running really dry and after firing some forty rounds the lack of lube became an issue. This happened to me once with a Smith CS9. Stupid, stupid, stupid. My trip to the range was rather impromptu (got released from jury duty early), basically found time, and this threw me off. Fortunately there was no damage to the gun and I have no doubt that this issue will be resolved by proper lubrication. This leads me to believe that the 238 may prefer to run just a bit on the juicy side.

My aluminum grips were shipped yesterday. I'm not overly fond of the Blackwoods. As to ammo, if I can find PowRballs I may use them along with or instead of the Golden Sabers.

All in all this little gun really amazed me.
 
Went by the range briefly with mine again...oh crap- :eek: the top left grip screw is missing:banghead:
I had already snugged them up at least once, maybe twice. Fortunately I found the screw in my range bag.
The screws had a very small amount of OEM thread locker on them, maybe one threads worth. Not enough apparently. I slobbered 'em up good with blue loctite, full thread coating. Hopefully they'll stay put now....
Might want to check yours if you have a P238.

Oh- I did have one round fail to chamber completely in about 25 rounds.

Dang.

I'm really, really wanting to trust this gun for pocket carry, so far my S&W 638 snubbie still reigns.
 
Hey Rhinoh, while I think my issue was caused by lack of lubrication, I'm going to have to do more work with it before I would trust it, not the least of which will be with hollowpoints. I can't assume that there isn't something else going on here, but the gun went from perfect to the problem, so I think it will be nothing, but, I have to be sure.
 
I've read many reviews on this pistol and it seems to be a 50/50 toss up. It should be able to feed jhp with no problem you would think.
 
I have received my "repaired" pistol. It still will not manually feed JHP's. I don't trust Sig service since they did not thoroughly review and repair the pistol which explains the quick turn-around.

Therefore I have taken it upon myself to resolve the issue. The rounds appeared to be hanging on the left side of the feed ramp/barrel. I have polished the feed ramp and slightly adjusted the angle of the lips on the magazines so the ammunition is lined up perfectly parallel to the barrel. I can now manually cycle rounds (JHP - Cor Bon). I will follow up with range results once I can find some more ammuntion. I may grow to like this pistol but I will NEVER purchase another Sig. Too bad they have decided to rest on the laurels of brand recognition alone and not back it up with QC.

BTW, Diana Chapman was in place temporary to resolve the many P238 returns and complaints. She is not seasoned firearm service personnel, so I would take her responses (typical sales ignorance) with a grain of salt. However, I also spoke with Bill Silver, Vice President of Commercial Sales. He off course did not want to buy the pistol back but did offer that I could return the pistol to the dealer and they could negotiate a refund. I am determined to see if I can make it work reliably. Like many of the public, I am not interested in the poor customer service at Sig.

I am not a gunsmith but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night!
 
I know this is an older thread, but I am on the same boat with many of you... I get FTF on JHP... FMJ feed just fine. In fact I can shoot more accurately with FMJ, but that could be a mental thing not to have to deal with FTF; therefore, I can focus on actually shooting more accurately. But I digress, anyone found a "remedy" for this problem? I haven't contacted Sig yet. I have the newer magazine so that shouldn't be the problem. Honestly, I think it's a feed ramp issue. Mine gets stuck right when the bullet of the JHP ammo hits the feed ramp. I am very tempted to do some Dremel polishing work on the feed ramp but don't have the guts yet... don't even know what tip would be appropriate; new to Dremel to be frank. Anyhow, any news? Any development? Please, share! Thanks.
 
Got my P238 a week or so ago and I've fired reloads and factory ammo (about 100 rounds) and all chambered, fired, extracted and ejected perfectly. I was surprised at the lack of recoil. My PPK has alot more recoil than this does.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

L
  • Locked
Question on SIG P238?
Replies
2
Views
416
Flint Ridge
F
G
  • Locked
sig p238 jamming
Replies
20
Views
3K
9mmepiphany
9mmepiphany
A
  • Locked
Finally Range Time with New Sig P238
Replies
4
Views
394
Aiko492
A
C
  • Locked
Sig Sauer P238
2
Replies
28
Views
3K
wally
wally
S
  • Locked
Sig P238 slide won't lock back on the last shot
Replies
6
Views
4K
Shaggy
S
Back
Top