Considering a Sig 938 Extreme or S&W Shield

[Trendkill]

I know there were some issues with this particular model in the past and I'm wondering if these gorgeous little guns are behaving well now. Anyone have personal experience with the 938 ? The other gun I'm considering is the Shield also in 9mm but I just don't think I'd like looking at it as much. In all seriousness....I need some actual user input. Thanks.

[Mytmoss]

I have both, I like both. The Sig is easier to conceal, the Shield is easier to shoot well. The Sig has more of a bite when shooting it too. The Shield also has more rounds.

See if you can try them both before making that decision.

[Trendkill]

Perhaps I should just get both...Lol. If you had to only have one , which would you have the most faith in..? Have they both been reliable..? And yes...While I've held both I've shot neither so I need to make a point of doing that.

[Mytmoss]

I have faith in both, although I did have problems with the Sig that have been fixed. It had a "feature" where the magazine would drop down as I was firing. I sent it to Sig for repair and has been no problem since.

[Milsurp Collector]

I have two Sig P938's. One of them is my primary carry gun. It has a Crimson Trace laser. The other one has the Sig laser, which isn't as good. Both have Hogue grips. I was considering a Shield, which I still think is a nice gun especially for the price. I was handling a Shield at a gun show and the guy behind the table introduced me to the P938. He said he carries one. Later at another gun show I found a used one and I bought it. The guy at the second gun show who sold it to me also carries a Sig P938. I liked it so much that months later when I was at another gun show I bought another used one. I wasn't even looking to get another P938 but when I saw it at a good price I thought I should buy it before someone else did.

They are easy to conceal, accurate, reliable, and are actually fun to shoot. I don't like recoil and I'm not bothered by the P938's recoil at all. I don't agree with people who say they are snappy. With the Hogue grips and extended magazine they are very comfortable to shoot. I have shot Blazer, Winchester, and Hornady Critical Defense 115gr, my own handloaded 124gr, and Federal HST 124gr and 147gr ammo with no malfunctions.

One thing to be aware of when looking at a used P938 is that Sig improved the design of the sear spring and mainspring housing. You can read about it here http://sigtalk.com/p238-p938-pistol/...g-housing.html Both of my P938's had the older style parts. Even though I wasn't having any problems I ordered the upgrade parts and upgraded both of my pistols myself. It isn't hard to do. The customer service guy I talked to at Sig also carries a P938!

If you like 1911 ergonomics you'll feel right at home. One negative is the price of the extended magazines, around $45.

[Mytmoss]

One thing to be aware of when looking at a used P938 is that Sig improved the design of the sear spring and mainspring housing. You can read about it here http://sigtalk.com/p238-p938-pistol/...g-housing.html

^^^^^^^^ This is what Sig replaced on mine

[dfletcher]

I know there were some issues with this particular model in the past and I'm wondering if these gorgeous little guns are behaving well now. Anyone have personal experience with the 938 ? The other gun I'm considering is the Shield also in 9mm but I just don't think I'd like looking at it as much. In all seriousness....I need some actual user input. Thanks.

I've had one for a few years and it's become my default carry gun. An alloy J frame is lighter but bulkier. I carry the 938 in an MTR OWB loop holster for easy off & on. I like that the gun can be cycled with the safety on, nice night sights, functions perfect and recoil is fairly light. The trigger is horrible, serves its purpose I suppose.

Sig sells a 22 conversion unit, considering its cost I think you'd have to go through alot of 9mm to make up for it. Longer barrel, nicer sights and might be a good practice set up for a new shooter.

Maybe it's because I've already got one and always like "the next" gun better but were I in OH I'd look at the Kimber Mini in 9mm. From what I've handled out of state it seems a bit nicer finished. I don't think you'd go wrong with either.

[Title1guy]

+1 on the P938. I have the Scorpion model. Though, I have had to use the flush 6 round mags until I can send it back to Sig as well for the dropping problem with the extended mags. It conceals very well in the pocket with either a Sticky Holster or a DeSantis Superfly. Just be sure to practice flipping off the safety when drawing.

[Milsurp Collector]

Maybe it's because I've already got one and always like "the next" gun better but were I in OH I'd look at the Kimber Mini in 9mm. From what I've handled out of state it seems a bit nicer finished. I don't think you'd go wrong with either.

I think you mean the Kimber Micro 9. It is an obvious Sig P938 knockoff. There are no Kimber factory extended magazines available so there is a little less to grip. The extended magazine makes a big difference in feel and adds one round of capacity.

[Trendkill]

So I'm hearing so far that the 938 is still finicky....That gives me a little concern. As for the Kimber micro....It didn't feel like a dream in my hand like the 938 did...Nor did it seem as well put together. That was just my initial impression.

[sffred]

I love my P938 scorpion. Too bad I haven't shot it yet.

[Milsurp Collector]

So I'm hearing so far that the 938 is still finicky....

No, that's not correct. Problems were related to the older mainspring housing and sear spring design. New (post July 2015) P938's have the improved design. If you get one made after July 2015 you shouldn't have any concerns. Sig will replace the old parts under warranty and apparently they routinely upgrade pistols when they are sent in for repairs. You can also as I said earlier order the parts if you get an older P938 and do the upgrade yourself.

Again, I have had zero problems or malfunctions with several types of ammo, both before and after I updated my two older P938's.

[wyiel]

...deleted...

[Mute]

I had a P938. Never had any issues with it. No jams with either ball rounds or Federal HST. Tested with the standard flush mags as well as the extended ones. I actually like the p938 more than the Shield in terms of how it shoots. Between the two, I'd take the P938.

[Jimi Jah]

One is well under $400 with the rebate. The other is off roster and around a grand if you can find one.

I went with the rebate gun.