First time on the range with my P238

[johncanfield]

Sig already had the gun for the "case face" issue and they replaced the ejector. That significantly improved the problem and I wouldn't send it back unless it gets substantially worse - it's not a big deal at this point. They replaced my gen 2 magazines for gen 3 on their dime. Then they shipped my repaired Sig to a gun store in Anchorage Alaska instead of me by mistake . Imagine my surprise when that gun store called me and said they had my Sig!

The gun store had to send it back to Sig, then Sig sent it to me - my P238 is well traveled! For all of the hassle, Sig sent me a Sig trigger guard laser gratis.

[Divided Attention]

Sigs - LOVE MINE - like to run a little "wet". Keep it lubricated well. I can count on both hands any feed/fire/eject issues I have had with mine in the past year and over 600 rounds through it. I even had a broken recoil spring for a bit and didn't know it. I found out when I went to clean it after going to a class and putting almost 150 rounds through it. I had one of the older "round" springs, called Sig to order my new one and they sent me the "flat" spring at no charge to me. Customer service was awesome.

It doesn't sound very reliable or robust.
A more than 1% failure rate is higher than any gun I would want to rely on. Which I suppose might be a question for another thread. What is an acceptable failure rate for a carry weapon?

The spring was installed backwards - something you can't do with a flat spring, being backwards allowed the spring to partially slide over the front of the pin by about 3 wraps. It still ran fine in spite of this. I am not sure if it was "their bad" or mine, as I thought I was very careful when I took it apart for cleaning to put everything back the same way every time. Some of the "issues" I had were user issue as loose grip with rather rapid fire, weak hand firing. I have not had an issue in a VERY long time, and most if not all were in the first 300 rounds. I was also very new to semi-autos and "pocket" sized guns. I consider it very reliable now that I am more reliable Early on the P238 had some hefty issues, yes they do tend to be picky with their magazines, that is why nothing new goes with me as daily carry until tested to the point that I am willing to bet my life on it. It is also why I try to practice as often as practical. JMPHO - YMMV

[wgoforth]

Sig already had the gun for the "case face" issue and they replaced the ejector. That significantly improved the problem and I wouldn't send it back unless it gets substantially worse - it's not a big deal at this point. They replaced my gen 2 magazines for gen 3 on their dime. Then they shipped my repaired Sig to a gun store in Anchorage Alaska instead of me by mistake . Imagine my surprise when that gun store called me and said they had my Sig!

The gun store had to send it back to Sig, then Sig sent it to me - my P238 is well traveled! For all of the hassle, Sig sent me a Sig trigger guard laser gratis.

I'll let 'em send mine to Alaska for the free laser! Their Customer Service is very good.

[rwg3]

Thanks for all the feedback. I will try to work on this some more this next week. I do appreciate the sharing of experinces

[Rugerboy50]

Went to the High Caliber Pasadena show today.

One of the vendors was selling the basic p238 for $438.00. Great price if someone in the Houston area is interested in this firearm i would head that way tomorrow.

I love shooting mine.

[wgoforth]

Went to the High Caliber Pasadena show today.

One of the vendors was selling the basic p238 for $438.00. Great price if someone in the Houston area is interested in this firearm i would head that way tomorrow.

I love shooting mine.

Yes, you can find those regularly and are the non-night-sight, plastic grip, black slide models. Thats not a bad thing, just be aware that it is the most stripped down version.

[Ruark]

Be sure you use the new magazines. They have a flat follower with a little dimple sticking up.

Be sure you have the new "flat wire" recoil spring.

As with all .380s, be sure you hold it with a firm grip, not with a soft wrist and/or floppy bent elbow. This isn't a .44 magnum; there's not an abundance of power there to work the slide. The spring needs a solid base to "push against."

I clean mine with brake parts cleaner and #9. Lubricate the hammer/trigger with a few drops of CLP. Use a little shot of white lithium on the slide and rails.

My practice ammo is Speer Lawman. It's reliable and shoots fairly clean. Stay away from Monarch; it's filthy stuff. White box is unreliable. PMC Bronze is OK, but shoots a little dirty. My carry ammo is Buffalo Bore 100 gr. hardcast.

Do these things, and go ye forth into the land.

[G26ster]

Be sure you use the new magazines. They have a flat follower with a little dimple sticking up.

Be sure you have the new "flat wire" recoil spring.

Just got/installed my new "flat wire" recoil spring from Sig. Can anyone confirm that it is much longer than the old spring, and can be installed in either direction as it is the same width along the entire spring, unlike the old spring which had wide and narrow ends? TIA

[Pawpaw]

Just got/installed my new "flat wire" recoil spring from Sig. Can anyone confirm that it is much longer than the old spring, and can be installed in either direction as it is the same width along the entire spring, unlike the old spring which had wide and narrow ends? TIA

It's only longer because it hasn't spent any time in the pistol. After it's been in there a while, it will take a set and be much shorter. That is normal for recoil springs.

Yes, the new spring can go either direction. It sounds like you have the right one.

[G26ster]

Thanks Papaw. Everything fit together fine, and the gun seems to dry function normally. Just wanted to confirm. Will test her out on the next range visit. BTW mine is the SAS model I've had for 18 months or so, with about 400 rds so far. Neat little pistol.

[particle]

I love my P238. I've taken it out to the range a few times and have never had a single failure with it.

[johncanfield]

Here's mine with the Sig trigger guard laser and some pocket lint (it gets carried a bunch.) We've put about 800 rounds through ours. Note to self, order a couple of recoil springs (replace at 1,000 rounds I think it said.)

[wgoforth]

Here's mine with the Sig trigger guard laser and some pocket lint (it gets carried a bunch.) We've put about 800 rounds through ours. Note to self, order a couple of recoil springs (replace at 1,000 rounds I think it said.)

They tell you that as do several manufacturers...but until you start having issues, I wouldn't bother prophylactically changing them. Just have one on hand.

[Pawpaw]

Here's mine with the Sig trigger guard laser and some pocket lint (it gets carried a bunch.) We've put about 800 rounds through ours. Note to self, order a couple of recoil springs (replace at 1,000 rounds I think it said.)

They tell you that as do several manufacturers...but until you start having issues, I wouldn't bother prophylactically changing them. Just have one on hand.

I'll have to disagree with you, since we're talking about a carry pistol. You never know when it will start acting up, so I would faithfully follow the manufacturer's (hopefully conservative) recommendations.

For a range piece, sure. Throw an extra spring in your range bag & wait for the one in the pistol to start causing problems. You're not betting your life on that one.

[wgoforth]

Here's mine with the Sig trigger guard laser and some pocket lint (it gets carried a bunch.) We've put about 800 rounds through ours. Note to self, order a couple of recoil springs (replace at 1,000 rounds I think it said.)

They tell you that as do several manufacturers...but until you start having issues, I wouldn't bother prophylactically changing them. Just have one on hand.

I'll have to disagree with you, since we're talking about a carry pistol. You never know when it will start acting up, so I would faithfully follow the manufacturer's (hopefully conservative) recommendations.

For a range piece, sure. Throw an extra spring in your range bag & wait for the one in the pistol to start causing problems.

I agree I don't want anything that will/could create a problem for my life safety... however if you look throughout owners manuals, you'd be surprised how many guns tell you to do this. I was asking agun shop owner this very question on the 238, and he said his Glock was recommended at 2,500 rounds and he has over 10,000 through it. The 1,000 rounds was still based on when Sig was using the roundwire on these P238's, and haven't changed the info that they have a new designed spring. I am to be talking with aSig Armorer soon anyway and will ask him this and report back.

Edit: Just read the owners manual and it doesn't seem to say anything about replacing spring at any interval. Is there a quote or page on this? I searched a PDF copy using the word "spring" and looked at every instance. I would have thought there would have been something under the maintenance section of the manual.