Short review: Sig P238
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 8:27 am
I am not personally a fan of the 1911 platform. Actually, it is more the SAO that concerns me, although mentally I KNOW it's perfectly safe. However, my wife fondled a sig P238, subcompact 1911 and not only REALLY liked it, but was able to easily rack it and handle the controls. Took it home, examined it and was impressed. Took it to the range, and ~I~ had to have one. It has now become my daily carry.
I have had the KT P3AT, LCP, TCP and for past 6 mo the Smith and Wesson Bodyguard .380 which I REALLY liked...until I shot this. With some differences, the others are fairly much clones of one another. One will lock back on last round, another won't, etc. The sig is a different animal, yet is in the easily pocketable mouse gun catagory.
It is basically the old Colt Mustang, with a few changes for Sigginess. Aluminum frame rather than polymer. There are many aftermarket grips for it, as well as 15 different variations of the model from the factory. We got her the 2-tone and me the SAS. Hers has plastic grips (which we are going to replace) and my SAS comes with attractive wood grips. My grips are half checkered (comfortable) and half stippled (not as comfortable...though very grippy).
Field stripping was EASY. No tools neccessary. Everything was solid and quality. There is no barrel lug on these.
Taking to the range was a surprise. Anticipating the recoil of my former .380's, I was amazed. There was probably 1/3 to 1/2 less perceived recoil. I will account that to the all metal frame. It was also a deeper decibal, more pleasant on the ears. THAT I would not have thought of. Follow up shots were easy and on target...more weight, less muzzle climb. I was expecting this to at least be a traditional gut gun. Fine at 15 feet, but not 15 yards. This thing is more accurate than I am for sure. At 15 yards, I was still hitting tight groups. I fed it various brands of ammo, and it easily digested everything I fed it. Even with intentional sloppy handling, I could not get it to have limp wristing problems.
These little things have the typical sig BIG price. Hers was $550 and mine $650. Prices don't seem to vary much from store to store. For the extra $100, mine has the wooden grips and custom shop melt job, dehorning. All of them come with Sig-Lites, tritium night sights. IF you decide you want the melt job later, you can send the slide back and they can do it after purchase for $100. Unfortunatly, they only come with one magazine, and spares are backordered. The mag capacity is 6, and there is a 7 round factory mag with extended rubber bottom available for same price....both backordered.
It does come with a kydex clip on belt holster. Fine for range, but TOO snug a fit to be able to quickly deploy. I am carrying OWB in a Galco Stinger holster. Leather, 15 degree forward cant.
I have had the KT P3AT, LCP, TCP and for past 6 mo the Smith and Wesson Bodyguard .380 which I REALLY liked...until I shot this. With some differences, the others are fairly much clones of one another. One will lock back on last round, another won't, etc. The sig is a different animal, yet is in the easily pocketable mouse gun catagory.
It is basically the old Colt Mustang, with a few changes for Sigginess. Aluminum frame rather than polymer. There are many aftermarket grips for it, as well as 15 different variations of the model from the factory. We got her the 2-tone and me the SAS. Hers has plastic grips (which we are going to replace) and my SAS comes with attractive wood grips. My grips are half checkered (comfortable) and half stippled (not as comfortable...though very grippy).
Field stripping was EASY. No tools neccessary. Everything was solid and quality. There is no barrel lug on these.
Taking to the range was a surprise. Anticipating the recoil of my former .380's, I was amazed. There was probably 1/3 to 1/2 less perceived recoil. I will account that to the all metal frame. It was also a deeper decibal, more pleasant on the ears. THAT I would not have thought of. Follow up shots were easy and on target...more weight, less muzzle climb. I was expecting this to at least be a traditional gut gun. Fine at 15 feet, but not 15 yards. This thing is more accurate than I am for sure. At 15 yards, I was still hitting tight groups. I fed it various brands of ammo, and it easily digested everything I fed it. Even with intentional sloppy handling, I could not get it to have limp wristing problems.
These little things have the typical sig BIG price. Hers was $550 and mine $650. Prices don't seem to vary much from store to store. For the extra $100, mine has the wooden grips and custom shop melt job, dehorning. All of them come with Sig-Lites, tritium night sights. IF you decide you want the melt job later, you can send the slide back and they can do it after purchase for $100. Unfortunatly, they only come with one magazine, and spares are backordered. The mag capacity is 6, and there is a 7 round factory mag with extended rubber bottom available for same price....both backordered.
It does come with a kydex clip on belt holster. Fine for range, but TOO snug a fit to be able to quickly deploy. I am carrying OWB in a Galco Stinger holster. Leather, 15 degree forward cant.
