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AR15.COM
9/4/2009 5:47:38 PM EDT
The new Sig p238 .380 range report-

Anybody have the gun, or have shot one?

I'd like to know everybody's impression, before I try and order one. Although they do look sweet.

9/5/2009 6:37:16 PM EDT
[#1]
I purchased one last night and took it for a ride today.  First off, both the look and feel are excellent.  Sig quality is far from questionable here as they have produced a well designed, well executed pistol that feels great in your hand, even for its small size and scant 15.2 ounce weight.  Mine is the standard version with 3-dot contrast sights and black plastic grips (although I hear I am supposed to have aluminum...).  The trigger is about 5 lbs and pulls crisply without any noticable drag at all.  The slide and barrel are fit perfectly to eachother and the frame and there are no noticable hitches in movement from front to rear or side to side.  Recoil rod is metal - no plastic - thanks Sig and the spring weight is light enough that anyone should be able to operate the slide with ease.  The controls are well-placed, out of the way of interference during firing.

This moring I headed to the range with the P238 and one of my other 1911's.  I brought a full-size pistol because I thought after 20-30 rounds through the P238 I would be tired and need to shoot something less punishing on the hand.  50 rounds of CCI Blazer ripped through the little gun with hardly a notice of felt recoil.  This pistol shoots better than it looks!  At 21 ft, I was placing 2-3 inch groups consistantly quickly and with little effort.  I thought for a moment that this must be a fluke, maybe I was having a really good day, there is no way this thing can be this easy to shoot...  After 50 rounds, it occured to me that there was not a single malfunction, hiccup, slow down, or question as to the ability of this pistol.

When I got home, I broke it down, cleaned it, oiled it, and loaded up 6+1 Federal Hydrashocks and slipped into a Blackhawk #3 pocket holster.  I carried it in my right pocket all day long without any worries of the safety moving or the little, cocked gun going boom in my pants (that's a hell-of-a quote).

To sum up, until last night I had no desire to ever purchase a .380.  Ammo is harder to find than the proverbial needle in a haystack, and the cartridge is generally not well executed in my opinion.  It always seems to me that the pistol is too big for the cartridge or the pistol is so small it is unshootable.  Neither is the case here.  This is probably the best use of a .380 semi-automatic back-up pistol I have ever seen.  It is a sophisticated design, executed flawlessly, leaving one to wonder why it is that Sig waited so long to put the damn thing on the market!  Go get two...
9/7/2009 10:21:17 AM EDT
[#2]
I regret selling my Colt mustang pockelite years ago.  This thing is a close copy, I may have to get one.  
One thing, why the hell didn't they do it in 9mm? It has a locked breech, and the cartridge isn't much longer.
9/8/2009 8:42:47 PM EDT
[#3]
Did your 238 come with 1 mag or 2?
9/8/2009 9:12:35 PM EDT
[#4]
Quoted:
Did your 238 come with 1 mag or 2?


Mine came with 1.  It shipped from the factory on 8/25/09.
9/10/2009 1:24:34 AM EDT
[#5]
Bought one yesterday at Sportsworld in Tulsa. It is the entry level model with three dot sights. It also came with one mag and was shipped on 08-27-09.  I went there intent on getting a Ruger LCP, but was impressed by the look and feel of the Sig. The sig is a little heavier than the LCP, but I figured it would soak up the recoil a little better, and be faster back on target. Also I carry a 1911 on duty and am partial to cocked and locked carry.  Got it home and ran a few mags through it for accuracy and function checks. Used two different personal defense types of ammo.  Golden Saber, 102 gr. , brass jacketed HP, and Magtech, Guardian Gold, 85 gr,, JHP.  Recoil was much less than what I expected it to be , and both rounds shot to point of aim.  From seven yards the accuracy was impressive, and I was able to keep all rounds in an area the size of a human face, without any problem.  I am really impressed with this little gun, as it is obviously a quality firearm. Fit and finish are great and it just feels and looks good.  I did notice some rust inside the slide when I broke it down for cleaning.  In the front area of the slide where the recoil spring rests and in the inside front right corner .  I soaked it down with Hoppes, then gunscrubber and hit it with a nylon brush.  Some of it remained, but I think I will be able to get it completely off during the next cleaning.  All in all I'm very pleased with this pistol.
9/11/2009 3:27:20 PM EDT
[#6]
isn't there a recall on these?
9/11/2009 3:39:27 PM EDT
[#7]
Quoted:
isn't there a recall on these?



Yes.  There is a range of serial numbers that are subject to a recall, bu only if the gun shippd prior to July 31st.

Mine was in the range but did not ship until 8/25 so it was good to go.


9/11/2009 3:59:50 PM EDT
[#8]
what was the issue with them?
9/12/2009 8:03:17 AM EDT
[#9]
Quoted:
what was the issue with them?


In some case the hammer would drop while the safety is activated...you know what could happen after that..there's another post somewhere on here that explains the recall and the serial number range that is affected by this. I have a most recent production one and it runs flawlessly.
9/17/2009 7:35:31 PM EDT
[#10]
Got my new P238 a couple of days ago...can't put it down!

What a great development for CCW! This mini-1911 style .380 w/metal frame is 'ready' for my HUGE Double Tap order!

I'm so happy to have a 'pocket pistol' that's strong enough for some serious ammo.

Way to go Sig! Way to 'see' what the market wants!

They're going to sell a bunch of these.
9/25/2009 4:43:12 AM EDT
[#11]
My Range Report With Pics
9/26/2009 7:11:01 AM EDT
[#12]
Got mine last month, traded one of my Mustangs toward it and am completely satisfied.  Have put over 150 various rounds down range with no problems.  The night sights are great and this is a fine carry pistol that I rotate with the Khar P380.
9/26/2009 9:20:42 AM EDT
[#13]
I'm very happy with mine.  It sits in my pocket the way I want it to.  The night sights are clear and easy to use.  It hits what I aim at.  What's not to like?