TexasCHLforum.com

The day after Thanksgiving I took the 938 out to my brother-in-laws home range and put another 100 or so rounds through it. Not a single malfunction. I also was able to try the 2 new 7 round magazines I picked up at GT Dist 20% off sale. The extra length makes for room for my pinkie finger....but I'm comfortable shooting with either size mag.

With over 200 rounds now, I think the breakin is finished. All operations are smooth. The trigger was nice from the beginning but is very smooth now. To say that I'm pleased with this pistol is an understatement :-)

Ken

Stratman wrote:I don't have any experience with the 938 but I got my wife a 928 .380 because of the ease of racking the slide. FYI the .389 is a 9mm caliber with a bit less bullet weight and powder than the standard 9mm. However, it has plenty of punch as shown in gel tests to drop a threat. The 928 is a great little carry gun. Light, very concealable, reliable and accurate. It has had so few FTFs in over 500 rounds I think they were due to weak loads or limp wristing. My wife has no problem getting close groups at 30 feet so it has no accuracy problem. She made 241 out of 250 on her CHL shooting test with it.

I understand the argument for going with the bigger boom 9mm but if that caliber size proves too difficult the 928 is a great second choice...if you can beat the crowds trying to get one.

I'm assuming you meant the Sig P238 .380, the little brother to the P938 9mm.

Ken

I just got off the phone with Alessi. Wait time for the APX could be 4 months But I ordered one.

Ken

The other day I did take the new P938 to the range. I fired 100 rounds of Remington 115 grain, 10 rounds of CCI Lawman 124 grain, and 5 rounds of Federal Hydra-Shok JHP 124 grain. I didn't have a single malfunction of any kind. The 938 is noticeably more comfortable to shoot than my S&W 642. The 938 SA trigger is easier to pull, and the travel is significantly shorter than the 642 DAO trigger.

I wasn't looking for accuracy this time, just putting the rounds through it for breakin. That said, there were only a few holes outside the silhouette target outline :-) I do have to get used to the 1911 style operation and the "combat sight picture" since I was tending to shoot lower than my point of aim.

So far I am quite pleased with the 938. I was concerned about possible malfunctions given my hand strength and tremors. Now for a lot more practice And I need to order an Alessi APX holster to fit the 938. I've been very happy with that holster for the 642.

Ken

I did purchase a P938 Rosewood at GT Distributors. I've cleaned and oiled it but haven't hit the range yet. I'll post a report when I do.

Ken

jrandyw wrote:Thanks for the detailed info Ken. I'm considering getting something for my dad for CC. He lost a good bit of hand strength due to some health issues.

For your dad....if a .380 is a possibility, take a look at the Walther PK380. Very easy to rack the slide (but I never have fired one).

Ken

Yesterday I did make it down to Red's South and rented the Sig 938. I also brought my S&W 642 with me to compare. I fired a full 50 round box (Federal 115 grain FMJ) through the 938 and nearly that much (Lawman 124 grain) through the 642. Here's my impressions.

The 938 was more comfortable to shoot than the 642 in terms of recoil. (I'm comparing this to the Kahr CM9 and K9 that I used to have.) 938 seems to fit my hand better. The 938 sights are much easier to see. The 938 SA trigger (about 8-9 pounds) is easier to pull and shorter travel than the DAO 642 (about 12 pounds). My 642 has at least 500 rounds through it and the 938 probably has that many too as a rental gun.....so both are definitely broken in. Racking the 938 slide is the easiest 9mm I've tried. The thumb safety is in just the right place for me.

I was surprised than the shot pattern looked somewhat tighter with the 938....even though I've fired the 642 a lot more. In my personal case, tremors in my hands affects accuracy, especially as I get more tired. Towards the end of the session I was having more difficulty keeping on target with both firearms. Also, the last magazine in the 938 was Federal 124 grain HydraShok JHP....and the last round failed to feed properly. I'm certain that FTF was caused by me.

So....I was impressed with the 938. I'm considering buying one. It might just replace the 642 as my CCW. That said, the 642 always goes bang when the trigger is pulled :-)

Thanks for all your comments.

Ken

Kenk wrote:Yes I did check with Reds. None in their rental fleet.

Ken

Well I had checked with Reds North, but not South. I just called the South store and they DO have the 938 for rent !! Now I have to get down there to try it :-)

Ken

OrangeAnimal wrote:You won't have trouble racking the slide but hanging on to it may be of some challenge. I already own the P238 and it can be a bit tricky to hang on to. I highly recommend the extended mags. Even if I limp wrist the gun it still fires just not accurately. Never a malfunction from my P238 and when I shot my buddies 938 it was very similar. Follow up shots take practice with the short sight radius (nothing new if already have shot anything with a similar distance between the sights) and the kick reduces the ability a step further.

I don't know your reasons for going for the 938 but after owning a 238 I know I won't ever sell it but I am in no rush to go out and get it's 9mm twin. I decided for many reasons to buy the XDS 9mm the recoil is light even considering it's size. It conceals easily.

Thanks for your comments. The first thing that attracted me to the 938 was the ease of racking the slide and the way it fits into my hand. I gave up on the CM9 I had after 300 plus rounds because of my limp wristing caused failures. The 938 sight radius should be similar to the CM9 and my 642. I carry the 642 IWB (appendix position) or pants pocket, and I'd want the 938 to carry the same way. I'm leaning towards the 9mm over the .380, hence the 938.

Ken

Ultra_Solo_Sig_0904 wrote:if you're ever in the NW Hou area i'd be glad to let you try mine at our local range. They really are a great gun for concealed carry. you will not find a smaller, lighter, well made 9mm in a single stack for it's round capacity. it's round capacity to me is the only hindering factor at 6+1 flush mag or 7+1 ext mag. Nowadays we're seeing more crime evolving from a single armed attacker to multiple attackers and i would feel better having more rounds of the same caliber vs less. the p938 is a versatile little gun though and can be carried in pocket, wallet holster, on your hip, ankle, shoulder rig although i'm not a fan of any shoulder rigs personally. IMO it's probably the best BUG you can get if you remember that it is a mini-1911 and train yourself to click that safety off everytime you grab it.

Thanks for your offer. If I get close to Houston, I'll contact you.

The magazine capacity is kinda small....but not as small as my 642 (5 rounds) :-)

Ken

Yes I did check with Reds. None in their rental fleet.

My main concern (at my age and hand strength) is racking (seems OK with the 938's I've fondled), recoil (although I doubt that it's more than my 642), and function. Function because I gave up on a Kahr CM9 because I believe my lack of hand strength caused some (not many) failures, any being too many for a CCW.

The Sig is pretty expensive for a pocket pistol so I don't want to buy one and find that it doesn't work for me.

Ken

No 938 shooters around Austin????

I've been interested in the Sig 938. I've been able to handle some at a number of gun stores and it fits my hand and racking the slide is easy enough for my old hands. No one in the Austin area has one available as a rental. I'm really reluctant to buy a gun that I haven't tried firing....especially given the price of a new 938.

Does anyone know of a range that has a 938 rental? Or is there anyone in the Austin area with a 938 they would be kind enough to let me try?

Thanks,
Ken