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That's what I like about my P238: its a classic, 1911-style single-action. I can't stand the LOOOOOOOOOONNG trigger pull of DA or DA/SA semi-autos. Feels like the trigger on a kid's toy cap gun. Just a personal preference, of course, but that's my perspective.

You are correct in noting that X degrees is X degrees, regardless of barrel length. The problem is, as was also noted, that a smaller sighting radius means that LESS barrel movement is needed to move the aiming point X degrees.

At 20 feet, you will shoot approximately 4.2 inches off target for every ONE degree the barrel swings. If the barrel pivots, say, 3 degrees, that's over 12 inches at 20 feet, enough to miss a target completely. And therein lies the crux of the matter: a little 2 inch barrel covers 3 degrees with much LESS muzzle movement than a big full sized 1911. While you'd have to be a pretty sloppy shot to swing a big pistol 3 degrees off target, with a little pocket gun a 3 degree error would be almost imperceptible, and could thus get you killed.

Once again, I'm by no means decrying pocket guns - I carry a P238 .380 - but just stating my opinion that using a pocket gun for CC carries with it a MUCH greater requirement for practice and skill than a larger gun, especially for the inexperienced shooter or first time gun buyer.

wgoforth wrote: however if your having probs hitting bullseyes with that P238, practice more or have it checked out. My wife and I both carry one and unlike the polymer pocket guns I have carried, these are as accurate for me at 21 yards as a full sized. It really surprised me first time out.

I don't have a problem hitting a bullseye with it, IF I'm taking my time and aiming carefully and using the sights. What I'm talking about here is the person who's not accustomed to this kind of pistol, and just point-shooting at a fairly rapid rate, say a shot per second, at a target 20-25 feet off, which pretty fairly duplicates a lot of self defense situations. I'm not trying to start a debate - there's really no point to argue. I'm just giving beginners a heads up if they're planning to buy a pocket pistol or snubbie for CC.

Purplehood wrote:Are you suggesting that we Aim?

Sir, I'm not suggesting anything, sir. I'm telling you that even if you DO "aim," you still may not be able to hit the side of a barn with one of these pocket guns, especially in a defense situation, sir.

The purpose of the OP is not to reiterate the need for practice, which has already been hammered home quite well. It's to point out that a person who isn't experienced with a pocket gun might be very surprised at how difficult it is to hit anything with it. Try putting up a standard paper plate at 25 feet. Pull out your snubbie or pocket pistol, hold it up at shoulder level, below your line of sight, and empty it at the plate, say two shots per second. This roughly duplicates how you'd fire in a defense situation. Unless you've been doing some serious practicing, chances are most or all of your shots will miss the plate completely.

Like I said, I love my P238 .380, but beginners need to realize that using a small pistol for CC creates a whole new set of issues. I never see this being discussed here; that's why I brought it up.

I remember the very first time I ever shot a "small" gun, a Charter Arms Undercover, a little .38 snubbie with a 2" (or maybe it was 1 3/4") barrel. At that time I had been doing a lot of Steel Challenge shooting with a 1911 with $2,500 worth of competition mods, and was pretty good at it. I shot over 500 rounds a week in practice. I went to an indoor range with my new snubbie, loaded it and blasted away at a human-shaped target at 12 - 15 yards. Most of them didn't even hit the paper. It was a real slap in the face, a very sobering experience.

I have owned and carried all kinds of handguns, from big Ruger Blackhawks to 1911s to snubbie revolvers to my current baby, a SIG P238. I just wanted to make a quick comment, aimed mainly at those who are new to small guns. One thing to remember is that the barrels on these guns are SHORT: 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches. Without a good amount of practice, it can be very difficult to hit a vitals zone beyond 10-15 feet. With a barrel that short, a TINY fraction of an inch in movement - say moving it slightly when you pull the trigger - can move the impact point several inches or more. I still remember a friend of mine, a veteran IPSC shooter with a full house Wilson 1911, trying out a little 38sp snubbie with a 2" barrel. He sprayed shots over a 2 foot circle at 5 yards. We had a good laugh about it, but at the same time we acknowledged the potential seriousness of the matter.

What's also important is that this combines with another factor: the need for accuracy with these guns in a self-defense situation, because of their lower power compared with big calibers. Hitting 8 inches off with a .45 ACP against a charging assailant will still very likely get his attention. 8 inches off with a .380 would very likely just annoy him.

Now, I'm NOT decrying small guns, by any means! As I said, my daily carry is a .380, and I love that little gun. But just take this as a friendly heads-up that there are some unique factors to consider if you decide to carry one of these smaller weapons. I'm sure some will post up saying they can shoot 2" groups at 25 yards with their pocket guns, but that's totally different from the heart pounding, grab-point-fire shooting of a self defense situation.