Sig P238 What do you guys think?

James Dean · 04-07-2011, 09:57

I saw some videos some good some bad. The new p238 seem to be better. Anyone have one?

ImpeachObama · 04-09-2011, 20:06

Mine was made in Oct 2010. No problems. I needed to oil it a little and found what ammo it liked. My favorite gun just because it is so cool. I have others that are much bigger, I just like the P238 as my favorite factor. I have the Equinox.

Brandon G · 04-09-2011, 20:12

I love mine, its an awesome gun. only complaint i have is that the finish on the black pistol isn't that tough. I carry mine every where and its starting to show signs of hoster wear only after about 6 months. but other than that its a awesome tool to have

Scamp · 04-10-2011, 13:02

I have one made in May 2010, and have been real happy with it.
I had a few (4 or 5) feeding problems at first, I called SIG and had them send me the new flat wire recoil spring. I also bought two of the newer (3rd gen?) mags. Since then I have about 200rds through it with not one feeding issue!
I also use the original magazine at the range, and don't have any problems with it, but I carry it with the newer mags.

James Dean · 04-12-2011, 17:58

Have any of you used Speer 90gr JHP's ?

ImpeachObama · 04-12-2011, 19:00

I would think the Speer's would work just fine. I use them in 9 and 40.

bac1023 · 04-13-2011, 20:41

I never liked the P238.

James Dean · 04-17-2011, 08:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by bac1023

I never liked the P238.

Why???

Warhorse · 04-17-2011, 08:56

Caliber wars?

9mm is the smallest pistol caliber I carry for defense, .38 Spl is the smallest revolver cartridge I carry for defense.

IrvJr · 04-19-2011, 18:16

I just bought one. It was made in March of this year. I like it a lot. I've only shot 88 rounds through it but it's been flawless so far.

It's really well made and it shoots well too, in spite of it's tiny size.

I had heard some mixed reviews with some people having very negative experiences with their guns. However, these guns seem to be very popular at my local shop. They had a bunch out on display when i first started shopping around for a P238. I came back a week later and 2 or 3 of them were already sold. The clerk said that it was a fairly popular item. I'm guessing that Sig has ironed out the bugs with these pistols. They've been in production for a while now.

It's a really cool gun. I was originally looking at a Kel Tec P32 and a Ruger LCP, but I opted for the P238. It seems like a more durable pocket pistol and it's almost the same size as the LCP. Also, it is very comfortable to shoot the all metal pistol. The recoil is really light and it's easy to rack the slide on the little P238. The sights are nice and visible, and the gun is really nicely finished.

MikePapa1 · 04-27-2011, 16:05

I love mine. It's the second one I've owned and I've loved them both. It likes to be cleaned and lubed to fire well consistently. The only problem I hear people complaining of regularly is failure to eject, which based on my observations generally occurs because their gun is dirty. I carry mine regularly cocked and locked in an RKBA pocket holster as a BU to my Sig 220.

G36_Me · 04-29-2011, 09:35

I bought one for my birthday this year. (wife is awesome) I got it because of the 1911 like feel and wanted the 'best' I could find.

My emotions are a bit mixed.
1. Love the feel of the gun.
2. the sights that came on it are perfect for me. Wide enough, dots show up well, accurate on target. Metal and seem very sturdy.
3. shoots like a demon!! accurate as can be, stable, recoil very good
4. size is awesome
5. holster that came with the gun is great

now to the mixed part of the evaluation
for the price of the gun... I expect perfection.
The trigger has a bit of grit to it, but I'm an old target shooter and sensitive to this. The trigger is fit for purpose, but I'd like it to be a bit smoother and a bit lighter. When it does break, it's a clean break.

I've had a few no primer strikes and a few light primer strikes. I talked to Sig and of course they gave me the, "what kind of ammo are you using crap". I'd buy that in the light primer strike world, but not in the no primer strike world. I'm sure there is something that is at issue in the firing pin channel with the firing pin block/safety that is not as clean. They said they'd fix it any time if the issue continued, so I'm continuing to shoot it and hope it smooths out and becomes reliable.

In summary, I'm madly in love with the looks, feel and shootability (is that a word?) of the gun. I don't have the confidence to carry it yet. This is my first Sig.

Snak3 · 04-29-2011, 20:22

I had a 238 Rosewood, recent production, that I was very happy with. Zero malfunctions after 200 rounds. It was going to be my primary CCW piece, but I opted for the Kahr PM9 simply because of .380 ammo cost and because I reload 9mm.

Great little gun though IMO.

Lester R. Britton · 04-30-2011, 12:00

I've had one now for about a year and it's great. No problems whatsoever. It slips right into my pocet (in a pocket holster from El Paso Saddelry) and you'd never know it was there. The only thing that bothers me lately is that the .380 just isn't a stopper. It's fine for carrying with summer clothing and all but in the winter I wonder if it would penetrate heavy clothing. I hope never to find out, but I carry my S&W J frame in the winter. But, the Sig feels great, shoots great and I like it.

IrvJr · 04-30-2011, 13:37

I put another 200 rounds through my little P238 again yesterday. I really like this gun. I've ordered a pocket holster from Woolfe holsters for this little gun. It's surprisingly accurate for such a tiny gun. It takes some getting used to the small grip, but i was able to shoot the gun rapidfire and still keep the shots on a 4" target at 25 feet.

jbone84 · 05-20-2011, 11:42

I bought a P238 about two months ago, probably have 150 rds through it to date. No FTFs, FTEs, light or no primer strikes. Carries comfortably in my Desantis Nemesis, but would like to try some IWB/OWB options. Any suggestions for IWB in particular?

Also, I only have the one factory magazine. Anyone have luck with aftermarket magazines? I have heard some not so great FTF stories from aftermarket mags with this one, but am a bit hesitant to start to shell out $45 a magazine for the Sig ones if there are other options out there.

TIA.

IrvJr · 05-20-2011, 12:56

jbone84 - i haven't tried any aftermarket mags in my P238, but I bought some Sig mags from Top Gun Supply for a cheaper price than Sig. Also, for an IWB holster, I got a Desantis Cozy Partner for the P238 (Cozy Partner 028). It's a really comfortable, well-made, conceable holster. The P238 is so thin and light and a breeze to carry.

I just put over 250 rounds through my P238 again this past week. What a great little pistol!

jbone84 · 05-20-2011, 20:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by IrvJr

jbone84 - i haven't tried any aftermarket mags in my P238, but I bought some Sig mags from Top Gun Supply for a cheaper price than Sig. Also, for an IWB holster, I got a Desantis Cozy Partner for the P238 (Cozy Partner 028). It's a really comfortable, well-made, conceable holster. The P238 is so thin and light and a breeze to carry.

I just put over 250 rounds through my P238 again this past week. What a great little pistol!

I appreciate the advice - I will check out Top Gun Supply and also the Cozy Partner from Desantis.

I look forward to putting another couple hundred rounds through mine as well.

jbone84 · 05-20-2011, 20:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by bac1023

I never liked the P238.

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Dean

Why???

I would also like to know why.

xaman · 05-22-2011, 18:55

I love mine. It had some issues early on, but a trip back to Sig on their dime fixed it. It's been flawless since returning.

It's a blast to shoot, and it's SO easy to carry IWB, and decent in a pocket.

mgentry · 06-19-2011, 10:57

I bought a Sig P238 HD about six weeks (Pistol was made in Feb 2011) ago for my wife. While checking it out - I decided that she would have to get her own. I have had no issues with my Sig when I use the type 3 mags. I've found the Sig shoots very softly and accurately. I carry Wilson Combat ammo in my pistol. I didn't think that I would like a pistol this size but after I started shooting it, I found out I was mistaken.

Pistols and Parts LLC sells Sig Type 3 mags for the P238 for $31.95 - cheaper than Sig sells them.

Great little pistol! http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/...8/DSC_9934.jpg

DennisE · 06-22-2011, 18:33

My 238 HD has proven to be accurate and a 100% reliable. A great pocket holster carry in Florida's hellish summer heat! Dennis

Ruggles · 06-22-2011, 18:44

Just posted a range report over in the 1911 forum

http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1351371

Very happy at this point with mine.

Beanie-Bean · 07-02-2011, 09:19

I've got a P238 HD, which I keep in my CCW rotation. One of the SigLites on the rear went out, so I sent the slide back to Sig (they sent me a shipping label, so it was no-cost on my end) and I had a nice day/night CCW option again.

I don't keep an accurate count of how many rounds I've got through it, but I'd say between 300-400 rounds, and it hasn't rejected anything I've fed it. I've shot Federal, Monarch, S&B FMJ through it, and carry Hornady Critical Defense with it.

I've got a total of three of the newer mags, and none of them have caused any feed malfunctions, or any ramp damage as depicted in some of the early adopter videos I've seen. The recoil spring is also a flat one, not the one originally shipping with this model.

It is so nice to just put it in your pocket if you're in a hurry, or to have it IWB. My IWB holster is from Tommy Theis, and it's a horsehide version (thinner material than his leather offering) with the kydex j-clips to keep the holster in-place when drawing.

Recoil is about what I'd expect from this gun, and since it is one of the heavier P238 offerings, it's really not bad at all. I like the trigger MUCH better than any LCP or Kel Tec .380, too. LH-thumb safety is nice if you're accustomed to the 1911, but there is no grip safety.

Here it is next to a G27 Gen 4, and a G23, along with a nice Spyderco UK Penknife so you can get an idea of the size.

G36_Me · 07-03-2011, 08:50

Beanie-Bean, I hope you have that picture framed, it's beautiful.