sig p238 vs ?

C

countryboywithgun

New member
I need a small ccw due to the fact that i work in healthcare and i can only carry on lunch, trips to wally world or other small trips I sometimes make throughout the day. I usually dress in dress slacks and its quick in and out trips. I don't want to deal with my full size 1911 i usually carry when i am off. I have been looking at the p238 because i like 1911s. Would loves some thoughts on this or any other small lightweight suggestions..
 
I really liked the idea of the P238 but read way too many reports of quality issues. I think at best, quality is hit or miss. Half may function flawlessly and the others will be lemons. I went with the P232 instead. Gorgeous little gun, extremely reliable. CDDN has them for $429, factory refurbished.
 
I was also attracted to the 238 but a little research revealed that there are apparently still ongoing issues with this model. So, I decided to go with the Ruger LCP which has proven to be very reliable and is actually significantly less expensive.
 
Take a good look at the Kahr 380 or Kahr PM9. I've handled or shot a number of different pocket pistols, and the Kahr 380 is easily my favorite. Good luck!
 
I also have a Kahr P380 but it is a whole different gun than the P232 or P238. It's a great little pistol and my go-to gun for pocket carry but it is very small. Consequently, it is not as easy to grip as the larger guns. Recoil may even be milder than the P232 but the trigger on the P380 is DA. And although the DA is probably the best one out there, I still find that the trigger pull impacts accuracy negatively.
 
I had a P238 and it was trouble from the git go. It appears they may be getting them straightened out, but I'd wait until you dont hear anymore, or at least, very few complaints.

I also have a couple of P230's, which is the P232's predecessor. Basically the same guns, just very minor differences. They really arent small, but they were really the only true SIG compact until the P238 showed up. Both my P230's are reliable, accurate, and easy to shoot with. I dont think you'd be disappointed, but I think they are probably a little big, especially if you want to stuff one in your pocket.

If youre looking for something in the size range of the P238, I'd look at either the Seecamp LWS .32, or the Ruger LCP. Of those two, I'd take the Seecamp without hesitation. I have both, and while the Ruger works, and works well, its just not a Seecamp.

For any of the above, Id seriously look at a Smart Carry holster. It will easily carry anything youve seen listed in the thread. The boy who makes them actually carries a GM 1911 with one. A little big for how I dress, but he seems to not have troubles. The biggest I've carried in one, has been a P230 or P239. I usually carry my Seecamp in one.

These are one of the most concealable and comfortable holsters I've worn. You dont need a cover garment, you dont even need a shirt, and you can easily wear one while wearing your scrubs, and no one would be the wiser.
 
Good question, one I toyed with for a while. I had a sig 232 and really wanted a 238, after months of carrying the 232 I couldnt see carrying the extra weight in the same caliber. I decided to get a 238 and LOVE it, really LOVE it. Shoots very well and carries excellently. I use a belly band b/c I work in an office environment and am sitting/standing a lot and giving presentations all the time. For quick access to the firearm I simply reach in my shirt and pull the little pistol out. I have all sorts of holsters and found this is the best for me. If you are hesitant at all on the sig, check out s&w body guard or the taurus tcp IMHO.
Let us know what you get
 
I've got two Sig P238s. The first was the SAS model, the one with the 'melt job' on the slide, and I went for it because it was so beautiful (eyes of the beholder). Then I got what I originally wanted which was the all steel model. I've got 300 trouble free rounds through each of them. Mostly Winchester range ammo but also some Speer Gold Dot and some Remington Golden Sabers. No FTF, FTE or any other glitches. I've also got a Kahr P380 with 400 rounds, same ammo as above, through it.

It is the one I choose to carry because of the DAO. I don't want to have to remember to flip the safety off in a stress filled situation. It is a great little gun but I did have one FTE per each hundred rounds for the first three hundred. I ran another hundred through it last week and it ran perfectly.

The Sig P238 will have the date of mfg on the box. My SAS was made in May of 2010 and the all steel HD model in Septemeber 2010. I believe that the glitches have been worked out and if you get one of recent mfg you'll be alright. Kahr P380 or Sig P238 are real good IME.
 
I have a P238 with the Nitron finish, rosewood grips, and night sights that has had about 600 rounds through it. It has an October 2010 date and I have had absolutely no problems with it. The only issue is that the front of the trigger is very sharp. It was an easy fix with a jeweler's file and some 600 grit emery cloth.

IMG_01565.JPG
 
I only saw one person mention the bodyguard pistol... I do kinda like the look but does it function well?


It also looks like any sig 238 with a born on date past sept 2010 might be more of a usable pistol... i do plan on carrying it;)
 
t is the one I choose to carry because of the DAO.
Click to expand...

i'm sure that is a typo. the 238, like the colt mustang it copied, is NOT DAO.
to the OP, i'm also involved in the medical community and i've been carrying the 238 in a pocket holster for over a year. it's been flawless after about 50 rounds. i carry buffalo bore bhp +p, but it runs fine with hornady CD as will. it won't reliably feed FN FMJ.
i sold my pm9 after i bought the sig.
 
I have a sig 238HD that has been back to SIG 3 times now. I have had 2 slide changes and as of today I am still not sure it works right. There are some very significant issues with the 238 especially the HD's (all stainless).

Tread carefully with the 238.

To answer your question, I would get a used H&K P7 PSP. Exceptionally reliable and readily available.
 
The KelTec and the Ruger are your best choices.

Both have been well shot out by other buyers for problems.

The Ruger gets alot of great reviews from it's owners.

It's a copy of the KelTec-both have excellent warranty protection that come with them when bought new.

Both conceal excellent in any well made pocket holster.

Both can be carried loaded safely and drawn and fired immediately if need be.

No manual safety's-no racking of slides needed.

These is another class of concealed hanguns that upsizes your caliber but also upsizes the guns to where you have to work to conceal them in dress clothes.

This class includes the eexcellent Walther PPS,the new Taurus 709/740,some Kahr handguns too as well as some other handguns like the KelTec PF9 also.

In this class,the Walther PPS is a class leader.

The 740 by Taurus looks interesting becuase of it's small size and the fewer reports of issues with this new gun.

Plus it's price is around $150 less then the Walther at internet gun sales sites like Buds Gun Shop.

I've handled the 740 and the PPS.

Both look to be very well made.

Obviously the nod would go to the Walther but we I would hope that considering the price difference.

If you are to pocket carry,you might want to consider the hard chrome or parkerized versions of the lower priced models(KelTec/Ruger).

The Walther's finish is very durable and does'nt need to be upgraded.
 
One thing I really like about the p238 over the Ruger or Kel-Tec is the better sights. I've had a kel-tec in.32 that I really liked (it was stolen) and a kel-tec in .380 but I liked the .32 better so the .380 went away. I would trade 10 kel-tec/Rugers for the p238 myself. Recoil is less and again I love to see the sights.
 
p238

Mine is dated May 2010. It is a little finicky with ammo. Some brands fire and eject better than others. If you go to the range and compare to an LCP or other tiny 380 you will see a huge difference. Granted these are not range guns but the Sig is a real pleasure to shoot compared with the others. It is a good looking little 1911. If you are interested in shooting the gun and eye appeal, this is your gun. If you just want something for your pants pocket, there are less expensive and less finicky models out there.
 
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