Sig P238 versus Colt Mustang XSP

[Mitlov]

I've decided that I want my next firearm to be a baby 1911 in .380; I recently tried handling a Sig P238 and the ergonomics and trigger were both heavenly (I'm a small guy with small hands, and it fit me perfectly; hell, with the extended magazine, even my pinkie had a secure grip). So really, it comes down to these two pistols as my next purchase. I know the Sig is a safe bet--they're incredibly popular, the early teething issues have been sorted out from what I've read, and they seem to have very high owner satisfaction. The XSP has a couple features I prefer--particularly the ambi safety lever (I'm a southpaw), and the reduction in weight without additional felt recoil (due to the polymer frame). And while polymer isn't luxurious and isn't what I'd want on an heirloom or a range toy, I get that it's a practical material for a carry gun.

However, I don't have any sense of whether the Colt Mustang is as safe of a bet reliability-wise as the P238, and that's a big deal to me. Or whether there might be other downsides to the Mustang XSP.

I know people always say "rent them both," but there's no handgun ranges that rent pistols where I live.

Anyone have some firsthand experience with one or both and want to weigh in?

 

[CNobbe]

Haven't tried the XSP, but I have owned a couple of P238s that were reliable, accurate, and good quality. Have also tried the alloy framed Colt Mustang, same story. Friend of mine bought the Kimber micro .380 and after 20 rounds it was reliable as the rest.

I can't speak to the Kimber, but you can use the Sig mags in the Colt and vice versa. They're basically the same. I'd lean towards the Sig though as pretty much all of the versions of 238 come with night sights.

 

[Ibmikey]

I have a Sig 238 and 938 (9mm) as well as a Mustang. The Sig pistol is a much easier weapon to shoot because of the night sights which are nice easy to see sights in the daytime also. My Sigs have been trouble free through many hundreds of rounds (fmj) where the Mustang had several FTF during firing sessions. Yes the mags are interchangeable and design of both mimic their ancestor the Star DK.

 

[bannockburn]

Mitlov

I have both a P238 and an older Mustang. I like certain aspects of the Colt design, like how there are few if any sharp edges to the gun but I also like the upgraded features on the SIG like night sights and the Nitron finish (plus all of the extras it came with). Accuracy and reliability has been great with both pistols so they're both equal in that regard. Probably what it comes down to with your choice of the P238 or the Mustang XSP is which one feels, balances, and handles better to you. Let us know which one you go with.

 

[cfullgraf]

Yes the mags are interchangeable and design of both mimic their ancestor the Star DK.

At least with the original Mustang, the magazines are not interchangeable with the Sig 238 with 100% reliability. While the magazines physically will insert in either pistol, the followers and magazine lips are different.

I cannot speak for the current manufactured Mustangs though.

My original Mustang is as reliable as a light switch. Once my early production Sig 238 got all the updates, it has been reliable as well.

 

[bikemutt]

I really like my Sig P238, it's almost fun enough to shoot as a range gun

 

[HexHead]

I've decided that I want my next firearm to be a baby 1911 in .380...

Just keep in mind that the Mustang, and it's Sig and Kimber derivations, only cosmetically resemble a 1911 on the outside, inside they are nothing like a 1911.

 

[GarySTL]

Good point HexHead. I have a P238 and P928 and think they're good guns. I looked at the Colt and was disappointed to find that it wasn't a 1911 trigger. We're the original Mustangs 1911 type triggers?

 

[Mitlov]

Just keep in mind that the Mustang, and it's Sig and Kimber derivations, only cosmetically resemble a 1911 on the outside, inside they are nothing like a 1911.

Understood, but in my case I meant that I was looking for something with identical control placements, grip angle, trigger feel, etc, so that switching between it and my full-size 1911 would be a no-brainer. The ergonomics and controls seem identical and the procedure to field-strip looks pretty similar; I was less worried about the nuts-and-bolts under-the-skin differences.

 

[krupparms]

Another + for the SIG 238! It's a great little gun! I have a mix of Colt & SIG magazines & they all work fine in my 238. Haven't tryed the Kimber, but the Colts are nice great little guns also! Good luck!

 

[herkyguy]

I couldn't see myself spending $600 for a Colt with those horrible sights on the mustangs. Other than that, I'd be willing to give them a try.

My P238 has night sights and is accurate. I've had reliability issues with WWB and most HP ammo, but it sails through magazines of hand loaded 100 grain round nose bullets.

 

[sauer1911]

+1 with Herkyguy. I just got a p238, ran a couple hundred 100gr ball ammo thru it and it is awesome.

Cleaned it and now have Sig .380 hollow points loaded, 7round mags.

Its ready to go, hope I never need it. But if I do, I will use it.

be safe

 

[Lucky Derby]

Good point HexHead. I have a P238 and P928 and think they're good guns. I looked at the Colt and was disappointed to find that it wasn't a 1911 trigger. We're the original Mustangs 1911 type triggers?

No. The original Mustangs are the same design as the current Mustangs.

 

[GarySTL]

That's interesting. I'd assumed that they had been. Thanks.

 

[fedlaw]

Another +vote for the P238. It is reliable, shockingly accurate and has the 1911 manual of arms.

 

[Old Dog]

Disclaimer: no experience with the current incarnation of the Mustang. I've had two Mustangs over the years. One was the Plus model with the longer grip. Both possessed pitiful (non-night) sights. Smooth front-straps. Both unreliable with JHPs. Pretty pistols, but never trusted them for carry (aside from the caliber consideration).

Wife has now two P-238s. Serrated front-strap for a positive grip. Outstanding Sig-Lite night-sights. Cool Hogue G-10 stocks. Absolutely superb triggers. Accurate and 100% reliable.

The 238s are available for around the same prices as the current Mustangs, but have more useful features (less the ambi-safety). My vote would be for the SIG if you want a .380, as for the price, the SIG just might be a better bet ...

 

[AFK]

+1 on the Sig. I really like the sights on mine. It did take about 500 rounds for mine to start digesting all kinds of ammo. Now it's as smooth as as can be and very accurate. I also disassembles it and polished the parts related to the trigger. It lightened it up a hair and smoothed it out.

 

[Mitlov]

Here and elsewhere I've looked, I've gotten very inconsistent reports of reliability on the Mustang (it is for some, not for others). On the other hand, everyone agrees that the P238 (so long as it wasn't one of the early models) has flawless reliability. That's a huge deal for me, because this will be at least in part a carry gun. Looks like I'm going for a Sig P238 as soon as I convince the better half that we really need more firearms

 

[vaalpens]

Looks like you are possible looking at the P238, but it should have an ambi safety. The P238 does come with ambi controls.

http://www.osagecountyguns.com/firearms/handguns/browse/sig-sauer-sigtac/p238/ambidextrous-handguns.html

 

[mach1.3]

Everyone keeps mentioning early model P238's as somewhat unreliable until the fixes or updates were put in place??? What SN# and before would be considered early models?

 

[Mitlov]

Looks like you are possible looking at the P238, but it should have an ambi safety. The P238 does come with ambi controls.

http://www.osagecountyguns.com/firearms/handguns/browse/sig-sauer-sigtac/p238/ambidextrous-handguns.html

Sweet, every P238 I've ever seen just has a righty safety, so I didn't realize that an ambidextrous safety P238 was available. That's my single biggest gripe about the P238, was that I wanted an ambi safety. So problem solved.

 

[Snowdog]

My P238HD has an awesome trigger that contributes to the awesome accuracy. With standard pressure FMJ and JHP, it has also proven to be perfectly reliable. My only issues revolve around some of the +P offering, particularly Underwood's impressive 102gr Golden Saber +P load. The pistol is perfectly controllable with this load, but experiences an occasional failure to extract.

I currently carry my P238 with Hornady 95gr Zmax that I somehow purchased several boxes on the cheap a couple years ago (far cheaper than Critical Defense retails for now) after running through my RA380T. However, I would eventually like to use the six 50 round boxes of Underwood +P that I have. It's accurate stuff with some serious gusto that I have no problems putting through my P238 "Heavy Duty".

 

[Mitlov]

Good news: my wife is really interested in the Sig P238, particularly the "SAS" model (one of the ones available with an ambi safety).

Bad news: I think she wants it for herself

 

[1goodshot]

Isn't the new Browning 1911 in 380 coming out this month?

 

[Mitlov]

Isn't the new Browning 1911 in 380 coming out this month?

My issue with the Browning is simply its size; while smaller than my 1911, it's still a heck of a lot bigger than a P238 and larger than I want for a carry gun.