Sig P238

[Peter M. Eick]

The problem was the run of "HD" models with the soft slides. I have not heard of anyone else having systematic problems other then the "HD" soft slide models like mine. They fixed it, it works, and I now carry mine.

Great gun, very easy to carry in a pocket and easy to shoot.

 

[Cokeman]

How were the HD models different? Different metal?

 

[LaTiratrice]

The bad reviews here totally put me off because the Sig P 238 is what I've been wanting as a purse gun!

 

[kokapelli]

The bad reviews here totally put me off because the Sig P 238 is what I've been wanting as a purse gun!

I don't know what you are reading but from what I am reading the people that actually own P238s all like them very much with exception of two or three people on this board that have had problems with theirs.

If you read through the threads on this board you can find people that have had failures with Just about every kind of pistol.

My personal experience with my P238 has been perfect and I consider it an exceptional gun in it's class.

I waited until the P238 had been in production for a good while before taking the leap and glad I did.

IMO the LCP, P3AT and TCP are good shooters bit next to them the P238 is in a class by itself.

 

[harmon rabb]

I don't know what you are reading but from what I am reading the people that actually own P238s all like them very much with exception of two or three people on this board that have had problems with theirs.

If you read through the threads on this board you can find people that have had failures with Just about every kind of pistol.

My personal experience with my P238 has been perfect and I consider it an exceptional gun in it's class.

I waited until the P238 had been in production for a good while before taking the leap and glad I did.

IMO the LCP, P3AT and TCP are good shooters bit next to them the P238 is in a class by itself.

This. Even if buying a 238 is a gamble, and I don't really think it is anymore, it's still worth it, because a working 238 is a damn deadly little pocket gun.

 

[rspeters]

I love mine. Mine was made in october 2010 and hasn't given me any issues. I love the sights, the way it handles, the trigger, and it's size. Perfect ccw gun for me.

 

[Bmont2409]

I have had one for about 18 months and it is an amazing little pistol. Well over 2000 rounds through it and no real problems after the first 2 or 3 mags through it. Have had some fail to ejects when my wife was limp wristing it. When she holds it firmly it works great. I have shot P33at and LCP and find the sights terrible, trigger pull long and stiff and recoil sharp. I can run a couple of boxes through the P238 but sure wouldn't want to with the other 2 i mentioned.

 

[Cokeman]

Any of you care to post pics of your P238s?

 

[cpirtle]

If you read through the threads on this board you can find people that have had failures with Just about every kind of pistol.

And it's usually the same handful of people who jump in every thread to share their experience. There's a reason people in sales say that one unhappy customer can cost you a hundred good ones.

If you are really concerned hit all of your local shops and ask them how their experience has been with customer satisfaction, I have yet to find a shop that won't be honest. After all, they're the one you'll be standing in front of if it's a basket case.

My wife has severe RA in her hands and if she wasn't a southpaw we'd have 1/2 a dozen of these in the house because she absolutely loves mine. Between us we have owned about every small 380 made and nothing comes close to the P238.

She finally settled on the Kahr 380 being more ambi-friendly and while it's a heck of a nice little gun it's still quite a bit more snappy than the Sig.

Kokopelli had it right when he said it's in a class by itself.

 

[cpirtle]

These are the only ones I have handy..

 

[Cokeman]

What are you guys paying for .380 range ammo? Wal-mart here has 100 round boxes for $32. 9MM is $22.

 

[cpirtle]

Sportsmansguide.com has several different ones for under $15 a box, I just stocked up last week, some were in the $13 range..

 

[Cokeman]

How many in a box?

 

[LaTiratrice]

I don't know what you are reading but from what I am reading the people that actually own P238s all like them very much with exception of two or three people on this board that have had problems with theirs.

Sometimes it's the bad press that gets my attention more. :/

 

[kokapelli]

Any of you care to post pics of your P238s?

My P238 (left) next to my PM9

Another shot of my P238 next to my PM9 and you can clearly see how much thinner the P238 is.

 

[kokapelli]

What are you guys paying for .380 range ammo? Wal-mart here has 100 round boxes for $32. 9MM is $22.

I recently purchased 1000 rounds of Federal American Eagle 95 gr fmj from ammo man. the cost was $289 including delivery to my front door and no tax. That's 29 cents a round for good quality 380 ammo.

http://www.ammoman.com/

 

[Cokeman]

Not bad.

 

[Cactus Jack Arizona]

I just became a P238 owner as of yesterday, albeit with some trepidation. I just got back from the range and here is my report:

Using Sellier & Bellot FMJ, I enjoyed decent+ accuracy and very good reliability. Then, I added Remington Golden Saber JHP into the mix and enjoyed even better accuracy with the same very good reliability. The only jam that occurred was when I was one-handing it. More than likely I believe that could be due to limp-wristing.

I only shot about 100 rounds today. I'll be shooting more later this week when I go to the outdoor range. I expect the same reliability. However, I expect to get better accuracy with time and practice.

btw, after checking Sig's site, I found that my P238 was not one of the recalled pistols.

 

[Cactus Jack Arizona]

I would post a pic of my P238, but there's no point. It looks just like the one Koka posted.

 

[rellascout]

To me it is a roll of the dice. There are just as many reports of guns that do not run vs guns that are perfect.

To me the risk is too high when you consider there are other cheaper and more reliable options.

I think the fact that Bruce Gray one of the top names in Sig Pistolsmithing will not touch them because he believes that they are based on a flawed design which he cannot overcome.

 

[kokapelli]

Clearly there is a bias here from some people against the P238. The comments from actual P238 owners are mostly overwhelming positive, but that doesn't seem to mean anything to a lot of people that just don't seem to want to like the pistol for reasons that are beyond me and these people seem to manufacture all kinds of reasons to justify their bias.

If someone can't afford or just dosen't want to spend the amount of money the P238 costs, fine but to try to discourage others from purchasing this fine pistol is just sad.

Yes the early P238 pistols had some problems, but what pocket 380 hasen't had teething problems?

 

[mopar92]

Mine is just fantastic!!

 

[rellascout]

Clearly there is a bias here from some people against the P238. The comments from actual P238 owners are mostly overwhelming positive, but that doesn't seem to mean anything to a lot of people that just don't seem to want to like the pistol for reasons that are beyond me and these people seem to manufacture all kinds of reasons to justify their bias.

If someone can't afford or just dosen't want to spend the amount of money the P238 costs, fine but to try to discourage others from purchasing this fine pistol is just sad.

Yes the early P238 pistols had some problems, but what pocket 380 hasen't had teething problems?

Maybe my count is off but I counted 6 owners stating that their gun had problems. 13 stating that they are good to go and have been from day one.

So out of 19 first hand accounts 31% say that their guns were defective. Some people sent them back and are now satisfied but I personally would not use a gun I had to be sent back to the factory for service as a carry gun. YMMV

I honestly have to ask. Do you feel that 30% of actual owners reporting problems right out of the box is acceptable?

 

[9mmepiphany]

Clearly there is a bias here from some people against the P238...

...If someone can't afford or just dosen't want to spend the amount of money the P238 costs, fine but to try to discourage others from purchasing this fine pistol is just sad.

While you have every right to your personal perception, it makes it no more valid than any other and I would usually give more weight to the opinion of a Gunsmith of Bruce Gray's reputation and experience with Sig pistols. His experience with the design spans it existence through four manufacturers...it is not like it is a design without a track record

The purpose of this forum is to provide a place where a reader can fine differing opinions than their LGS or range. That means folks may disagree or have different experiences with a gun...that is why it is important to provide a basis for the opinion you may hold as opposed to something like "It's a great gun" or "It is junk"

The folks I see here trying to discourage others prior to purchase are trying to encourage the buyer to do more research or be more wary. It is really sad when folks make a purchase of a poorly designed gun and than return when their expectations of it are not met...only to hear, "We told you so"

I don't expect someone not to purchase this gun based on my opinion, just as I did not expect it when I warned people about the Sig Mosquito, the early Sig GSR or the early S&W Sigma 380.

All I try to do is give them the benefit of the research I have already done...they are always free to ignore it

but what pocket 380 hasen't had teething problems?

Just off the top of my head...Kahr P380 and Seecamp 380

 

[kokapelli]

Maybe my count is off but I counted 6 owners stating that their gun had problems. 13 stating that they are good to go and have been from day one.

So out of 19 first hand accounts 31% say that their guns were defective. Some people sent them back and are now satisfied but I personally would not use a gun I had to be sent back to the factory for service as a carry gun. YMMV

I honestly have to ask. Do you feel that 30% of actual owners reporting problems right out of the box is acceptable?

To get the numbers your using you are including minor problems that in most cases happened when the pistol was brand newnand cleared up after a magazine or two.

This is exactly what I'm talking about.