Sig P238

[Tiberius]

Fellow Calgunners,

I'm looking for opinions on the Sig P238. It's the pocket-sized, 1911-ish, SAO .380. It's pretty similar to the Colt Mustang (which I hear is coming back).

I'm specifically looking for a pocket gun. I've looked at the LCP, the Kahr .380, the S&W Bodyguard, and while I don't dislike any of those - and would probably like any of them - I like the P238 the most. Good feel, sights, and trigger.

But the one concern about it is that to carry it with a round in the chamber, you're cocked and locked. The guy at the gun shop was fairly negative about it for this reason, because of the possibility that the safety could get disengaged and lead to an AD. To me, there's little difference between the P238 with safety off (which I wouldn't do) and carrying a Kahr or LCP - the triggers are longer, but if something gets in your trigger guard (like a pen or coin or whatever) you probably have trouble either way.

I personally think that pocket carry takes a bit more care and vigilance than normal holster carry - a good pocket holster is mandatory and I wouldn't carry without. I don't see cocked and locked as necessarily more dangerous than combat-style (LCP/Kahr), but maybe I'm missing something. I don't like the P238 enough to want to have an AD with it, especially from a pocket. I'd appreciate any insight from the group. The P238 is calling me, but maybe she's evil . . . .

T

[Bushido-sig]

In theory the safety could get disengaged...I guess. But in reality I think it is far fetched, especially if you have the P238 in a pocket holster. The safety is easily disengaged with your thumb but not so flimsy that the slightest touch will disengage it.

In my humble opinion, I think you are good to go with the P238. You've already shown the proper mindset of "care and vigilance" (which should be practiced with firearms in general ALL THE TIME anyhow) for pocket carry. I do not pocket carry but if I did, I would not have pens, keys, or anything else in the same pocket for reasons you have stated and also they may interfere with your draw from the pocket.

I say go for it. I initially bought my P238 to get my lady into shooting but have found myself quite fond of it.

Hope this rant helps. Good luck and be safe!!!l

[JeremyS]

But the one concern about it is that to carry it with a round in the chamber, you're cocked and locked. The guy at the gun shop was fairly negative about it for this reason, because of the possibility that the safety could get disengaged and lead to an AD.

Having shot a P238 somewhat recently, I can tell you that the safety has a very positive click engagement to it. Sure, it could be disengaged accidentally but it takes a good press downwards to do it. Assuming it was disengaged somehow, you still have to pull the trigger. Even though the gun is single action only, the trigger is not a light trigger at 7+ lbs pull. To me, both the safety release and the trigger pull have to be pretty deliberate. That said, if you are considering pocket carry then do it with a good holster than covers the entire trigger guard and that stays in place in your pocket and stays in place on the gun. Some holsters may even cover the safety.

Like you said, nearly all of the other legit pocket-sized guns lack safeties in the first place and rely only on a long, heavy trigger pull as the safety. Many of them are striker fired and require the action to be cocked in order to function (will not fire the striker repeatedly without the slide cycling to pre-cock it some amount). To me, that makes them single action also. I don't see a real functional difference between that and the P238 except the P238 adds a manual safety and the trigger pull is not as long. 7 lbs is fairly heavy -- I think most pocket guns are 7 to 11 lbs pull -- but the pull isn't as long as many of the other ones. It isn't as short as a typical 1911 though either... it does have to travel a bit.

[Bushido-sig]

To me, both the safety release and the trigger pull have to be pretty deliberate.

EXACTLY!!!!

[InGrAM]

If you CC the p238 or any mustang correctly you will be fine. You might want to look at the sig p938 it is the same gun (a little bigger) but is in 9mm. Something that Colt should have done 2 decades ago.

[Tiberius]

Thanks for the replies - sometimes a little affirmation helps.

Does anyone know how the p238 is set up internally? My 1911 instincts go against this, but is carrying it with the chamber loaded and the hammer down an option (assuming you don't slip when lowering the hammer and have an AD)? One concern would be that it wouldn't be drop safe in that situation, if the hammer is against the firing pin which is against the primer.

[InGrAM]

Thanks for the replies - sometimes a little affirmation helps.

Does anyone know how the p238 is set up internally? My 1911 instincts go against this, but is carrying it with the chamber loaded and the hammer down an option (assuming you don't slip when lowering the hammer and have an AD)? One concern would be that it wouldn't be drop safe in that situation, if the hammer is against the firing pin which is against the primer.

DON'T! Carry it cock and locked. condition 1

[Tiberius]

I agree - I wouldn't do that. It wouldn't even be convenient. I was just typing out loud . . ..

[stix213]

I absolutely love my P238. I wouldn't consider a P238 with a safety less safe than an LCP without a safety. Gun doesn't go off just cause the safety was disengaged. You have to pull the trigger too. You're holster should have the trigger protected.

The Sig P238 has a hammer position that is almost down but not all the way down that you can set it to. Sometimes I dry fire practice from that position since the hammer barely drops from there so I'm not concerned with not having snap caps. Though I doubt that is a recommended way to carry it.

[stix213]

My biggest recommendation with the P238 is to make sure you have a good recoil spring. Mine started jamming around 100 round count. Swapping to a Wolff 12LB Colt Mustang spring resolved the issue. I've heard the newest P238's have a new spring design to address their problems, but I haven't seen one yet to comment.

[Bushido-sig]

I recommend getting the extended mags too. The grip feels a whole lot better in your hands. I've been told the Hogue grips are a good-to-have item too. I don't have them so I couldn't comment. Also, just a thought, the Hogues might make the draw more restrictive from the pocket.

[Loaded for bear]

I own the P238 and the Colt Mustang Pocketlite, and I love them both !!! The P238 is an awesome gun. I have about 400 rounds through it and the only problem I had was when I used a Colt 7 round extention mag. I carry mine with one in the hole and hammer down. I practice pulling the hammer and firing at the range, plus if I need it the hammer cocks back in about a second. I highly recommend the P238.

[solanoshooter]

Owned a P238 and carried it regularly in either a pocket holster or Crossbreed holster. The safety engagement is solid. Takes deliberate pressure to disengage. I tired everything when I first bought the gun to simulate an accidental disengagement and it never happened.

Recently sold the P238 only after ordering a 938.

[Tiberius]

Well shucks a 938 would be great - better round and cheaper to shoot - but I didn't think they were even available yet . . . .

[solanoshooter]

I ordered mine last month and the Sig rep told my FFL that it would be here in July or August. Which probably means September or October.

Until then I have my Kimber Solo. Which will probably also be for sale very soon as I'm picking up a M&P Shield this week.