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Recently got a new Sig Sauer P238 for my wife. After 175 rds, we've encountered 9 FTEs (failure to eject). Four FTE out of 100 rds of PMC 95 grain FMJ. Three FTE out of 50 rds of Fiocchi 95 grain FMJ. And two FTE out of 25 rds of Remington Golden Sabre 102 grain jacketed hollow point.

Anyone else encounter FTE issues with their P238?

Any suggestions?

I had the same type of issue when I bought mine. I called customer service at Sig and they sent me a new spring which helped the matter. Also a firmer grip may have helped also. The response from Sig was swift and helpful.

This issue has arisen on the board before, if you try a search you may find other tips. Good Luck.

Limp wristing is the most common cause I have seen for failures. It could be a plethora of other things but I would try a firmer grip first.

mrvmax wrote:Limp wristing is the most common cause I have seen for failures. It could be a plethora of other things but I would try a firmer grip first.

While replacing the spring may help, ice found most issues with the 238 to be solved by gripping better.

Thanks. I just spoke to Sig customer service. They offered to get me a shipping label to send the gun to them. But also said that the issue might clear up with more range time. I'm going to fire another 100 rds through it and see what happens. This 380 ammo is damn expensive nowadays to fire a lot!

I'm 99.99% sure I'm not limp writing it. Shooting with both hands and have pretty firm grip. I can't even limp wrist my Glock 19 or 26 when shooting with my off hand only.

Hoping that there will be no more FTEs. Scary for my wife to use the P238 for defense if I (or she) can't have confidence on it.

I find that my P238 likes to run a little wet. I lubricate it a little more than my M&P. While I have had very few issues (occasional FTE) they have been related to my grip. I love my P238, and can shoot it for hours (go to defensive pistol classes with it occasionally and run around 200 rounds through it) I did end up getting a new spring, not because I was having an issue, but I went to clean it after a range session and the spring was broken. They sent me the new "updated" spring. I have had it for 2 years, have over 1000 rounds through it easy, and can count on one hand the number of issues.

Hope you get your issue resolved and enjoy it as much as I do mine.

armanius wrote:Recently got a new Sig Sauer P238 for my wife. After 175 rds, we've encountered 9 FTEs (failure to eject). Four FTE out of 100 rds of PMC 95 grain FMJ. Three FTE out of 50 rds of Fiocchi 95 grain FMJ. And two FTE out of 25 rds of Remington Golden Sabre 102 grain jacketed hollow point.

Anyone else encounter FTE issues with their P238?

Any suggestions?

Had the same problem. Found that round nose and hollow point work best, rather than any flat nose target ammo. I also found that cheaper ammo has a greater FTE rate than the good stuff.

Any FTE is unacceptable IMO. I used a nice amount of grease to help with this. I really believe it is a flaw in the gun. Let me know what you find out. I'm thinking abut having the ejector sanded a bit.

armanius wrote:I'm 99.99% sure I'm not limp writing it. Shooting with both hands and have pretty firm grip. I can't even limp wrist my Glock 19 or 26 when shooting with my off hand only.

My wife said the same thing. She never had issues with my 1911, Ruger P89, or Sig P220. Then I had her muscle up on her P238 and the issue disappeared. Heh. The 238 is just temperamental that way. At least in my experience.

So you may or may not be limp wristing. Having a smith (or Sig) take a look at it isn't a bad idea at all.

armanius wrote:Recently got a new Sig Sauer P238 for my wife. After 175 rds, we've encountered 9 FTEs (failure to eject). Four FTE out of 100 rds of PMC 95 grain FMJ. Three FTE out of 50 rds of Fiocchi 95 grain FMJ. And two FTE out of 25 rds of Remington Golden Sabre 102 grain jacketed hollow point.

Anyone else encounter FTE issues with their P238?

Any suggestions?

Don't many offense by this, but did you clean the gun really well inside and out when you brought it home? Also, what lube are you using on it? As mentioned, Sigs like to run "wet", that's to say with a lot of lube. My favorite for Sigs is Slide-Glide or similar grease.

I cleaned it pretty good before the first shoot and then cleaned it again after the first shoot. I use the MPro7 cleaner and then the MPro7 oil. I will give it extra lube this time around and see if it does better. Any recommendations for a better cleaner or lube/oil/grease?

Slide Glide? Not sure if I've ever seen that anywhere. Who makes it?

Divided Attention wrote:They sent me the new "updated" spring.

Is there a visible difference between the original spring and the "updated" spring?

AndyC wrote:That's why we take the guns to the range to test-drive 'em and see what they like, see what needs tweaking or fixing. Don't panic about it yet - parts just might need to "mate" together properly.

When you say "FTE", can you be more specific? What exactly happens? We can help you troubleshoot if we know what the symptoms are indicating.

I took lots of pics. I will upload them on Sunday.

FTE, aka failure to eject -- the spent shell gets stuck between slide and the barrel, and sometimes the next round in the magazine joins the entanglement.

brhalltx wrote:

Divided Attention wrote:They sent me the new "updated" spring.

Is there a visible difference between the original spring and the "updated" spring?

I asked Sig customer service guy and he told me that there is only one spring for the P238. I asked about a flat spring that others have referred to, and he said there is no such thing for the P238.

armanius wrote:

brhalltx wrote:

Divided Attention wrote:They sent me the new "updated" spring.

Is there a visible difference between the original spring and the "updated" spring?

I asked Sig customer service guy and he told me that there is only one spring for the P238. I asked about a flat spring that others have referred to, and he said there is no such thing for the P238.

There is a visible difference between the "original" spring and the later "flat" spring. Perhaps this CS guy was not around when the original spring was replaced, and he's correct, there is NOW only one spring for the P238. To check yours, remove the spring and see if the coils are flat, not cylindrical. If flat, you have the latest one.