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Sig Sauer P238 Opinions

MAC702

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jul 31, 2011
Messages
6,331
Location
Nevada
I've shot a few of them.

During one session, a student had one that had several misfires. It took us several instances before I was able to figure out that it was actually having difficulty locking into battery. This pistol has a normal trigger pull and drops the hammer when not in battery, using a firing pin block as the safety mechanism. But the hammer fall was sufficient to drop the slide into battery. So when you examined the pistol after the malfunction, it appeared to be a misfire, but with no primer strike, so not ammo-related. When in shooting position, focusing on the front sight, you don't notice it's out of battery, until you started looking for it.

This is not a negative, it's just a notice to know that this is how this pistol handles a failure to go into battery. It turns out, she wasn't racking the slide properly, and this little pistol wants the full force of the recoil spring. Not releasing it without letting go sharply was inducing the malfunction. It always fired properly while shooting.

I was always a fan of the Colt Mustang. Sig did a nice job bringing the concept back to the market at the right time.
 

Wstar425

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2014
Messages
570
Location
Tomahawk and Abbotsford, Wi.
Don't have a 238, but do have a 938 Scorpion. The 938 has had some "birthing" issues, have not heard of many problems with the 238. The 938 is a pretty good little kicker. Ironically, wife (it's her gun) doesn't seem to mind, I find no pleasure in shooting it whatsoever. Maybe it is the way it fits her hand and gets lost in mine? I would not want to have it be my only firearm in a day at the range.

I'm not sure I would recommend a SAO for a first gun, but if it is to be a pocket or purse gun, I could maybe live with it? I would wonder if the draw is the coloring of the gun, and how pretty it is? That should not be a top level criteria, in my opinion. However, owning up to having a Scorpion, I probably can't really say too much. It was not her first gun, actually her 4th handgun, and she liked the Scorpion or the Equinox. If she likes a pretty colored gun and that is what catches her eye, she will shoot and carry it, I see no real problems other than there may be a better choice, that's just plain black and not getting a fair review?

I'm assuming this is her first gun. If that is incorrect, disregard most of this. Have not heard much bad about the 238 on SigTalk, other than the caliber related issues.
 

STLDaniel

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2015
Messages
86
Location
Saint Louis
Ex had the 238, my mom has a S&W bodyguard. I was a little surprised, because I love my S&W M&P9 and Shield, but greatly preferred the 238 over the bodyguard. Nothing wrong with either, that's all opinionated on "feel" to me, but I'd recommend the sig.
 

Wstar425

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2014
Messages
570
Location
Tomahawk and Abbotsford, Wi.
Favoring instead something with no thumb or grip safety?

Yes.

Again, I carry a 226 SAO and plenty of people have started out on a 1911, I suppose. If there was a perfect firearm/car/house for everyone, there would only be one model. When people ask me what kind of gun should I buy, I say I need to ask a bunch of questions, and there are no wrong answers.
 

moonie

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2010
Messages
251
Location
High Point NC
Wife purchased her first firearm at a gunshow recently, it was a 938. She looked at the 238 but I insisted 9mm at a minimum. She loves her 938, I do have a friend with a 238 and it has been flawless for her. We have had a few FTE's however we are still breaking it in.
 
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jeep1969

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2016
Messages
13
Location
Lake Lure, NC
My wife has a 238 and a 232, she and I both prefer the 232 out of the 2. The 232 is more comfortable and accurate just not as pretty as the 238. I prefer my 220.
 
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