LCP vs P238

[wgoforth]

A friend and I did a compare over the 4th with his LCP and my P238. P238 wins hands down because of the SA trigger and low recoil due to it's weight. My friend didn't like the fact that the P238 is 1911 style with safety and he doesn't carry one in the pipe, but to each is their own, I rather have good shot placement.

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Not only would they very possibly not have time to rack a round, but need to be able to deploy one handed. That other hand may be cut, broke or being used to deflect a knife or shove a person back. If they are not comfortable carrying a round in the gun they have, they need to find a gun they would be comfortable doing so with. I used to not carry one in the chamber, and prepared with the Israeli style of racking as I pulled...the time I practiced with had it to an art...but then the issue I began working with was the upclose, self defense. Most self defense will be at bad-breath range.. that increases the possibility of needing to push them away or to deflect an object. Lots faster to sweep off that safety with thumb of strong side, than to rack a round.

[PeaceOfMind]

Don't think anyone has mentioned the LCP does not lock open on last round. For me that is a deal breaker. The Bodyguard and P238 do lock back. I have had the LCP, Bodyguard and now carry the P238. As said, the main question will be single or double action. The BG handles better all around than the LCP to me. The P238 better than any. Though the laser was more of a gimmick to me on the BG (your not going to need or have time to use it in an upclose defense) it does provide counterweight to the barrel and reduces muzzle flip.

You can find a plain jane P238 for $450, so price a little more compatable with the others.... this one does not have night sites and has plastic grips.

Exactly my thoughts...Slides that do not lock back don't sit well with me. No safety, not even a grip safety is not for me either. I have a basic P238 (not a fancy finish or night sights or grips for that matter) but I love it. Paid $430 otd at a GRB gun show. $20 more for some grips that look better and maybe $20 for a spare mag. Got a Tucker holster for it and I'm set. I think lasers are probably only good for training purposes so other than that I don't want one. Night Sights are nice but not necessary to me. At least in no way I can think of....If it is too dark to see my sights what makes me think I can see my target. I'm sure there is a rare chance I could need them but anywhere around Houston there will be ambient light that I can use and you WILL NOT catch me in a dark alley.

The finish on the P238 is great. No loose ends anywhere I can find. While cleaning, I dropped the slide on the garage floor from about 5'. Left the slightest of nicks in the finish. Oh well. About the grip size, the gun fires so smoothly that I see no need for an extended grip. Have one on my XD 40 SC and thought I would get one on every pistol. After shooting the P238 I decided not to get one. It doesn't even try to come out of my hand. A buddy (6'5" so naturally large hands) shot it and didn't even mention the grip so it must have been fine with him too. Oh and the guy will NEVER go without voicing his opinion so it REALLY must have not bothered him .

I have a KelTec P3AT also and was worried about my boys the whole time due to the lack of safety. Couldn't carry one in the chamber so why carry it? That's just how I live my life!

Glad you enjoy it... I wouldn't hesitate to carry a round in a chamber with a DAO like the LCP/KT/BG, etc. Long trigger pull, and in holster should not be problem. Remember that cops carry Glocks all the time w/o a safety. Remember "Keep your booger hook off the bang switch" and you'll be fine. Actually, I prefer sans safety as the fear in an emergency many people would not remember to switch it off. Might still give the extension a try...it feels like a different gun with it, AND you are getting an extra round also.

The only thing I don't like about the extended grip mag is the way the extension piece doesn't match up with the butt of the grip. That seems weird that they would not make it of a more Pearce style extension. A grip extension also makes it just that much harder to not have it print. 6 + 1 capacity will probably do the trick anyway. Unless PCP is involved!

[wgoforth]

Don't think anyone has mentioned the LCP does not lock open on last round. For me that is a deal breaker. The Bodyguard and P238 do lock back. I have had the LCP, Bodyguard and now carry the P238. As said, the main question will be single or double action. The BG handles better all around than the LCP to me. The P238 better than any. Though the laser was more of a gimmick to me on the BG (your not going to need or have time to use it in an upclose defense) it does provide counterweight to the barrel and reduces muzzle flip.

You can find a plain jane P238 for $450, so price a little more compatable with the others.... this one does not have night sites and has plastic grips.

Exactly my thoughts...Slides that do not lock back don't sit well with me. No safety, not even a grip safety is not for me either. I have a basic P238 (not a fancy finish or night sights or grips for that matter) but I love it. Paid $430 otd at a GRB gun show. $20 more for some grips that look better and maybe $20 for a spare mag. Got a Tucker holster for it and I'm set. I think lasers are probably only good for training purposes so other than that I don't want one. Night Sights are nice but not necessary to me. At least in no way I can think of....If it is too dark to see my sights what makes me think I can see my target. I'm sure there is a rare chance I could need them but anywhere around Houston there will be ambient light that I can use and you WILL NOT catch me in a dark alley.

The finish on the P238 is great. No loose ends anywhere I can find. While cleaning, I dropped the slide on the garage floor from about 5'. Left the slightest of nicks in the finish. Oh well. About the grip size, the gun fires so smoothly that I see no need for an extended grip. Have one on my XD 40 SC and thought I would get one on every pistol. After shooting the P238 I decided not to get one. It doesn't even try to come out of my hand. A buddy (6'5" so naturally large hands) shot it and didn't even mention the grip so it must have been fine with him too. Oh and the guy will NEVER go without voicing his opinion so it REALLY must have not bothered him .

I have a KelTec P3AT also and was worried about my boys the whole time due to the lack of safety. Couldn't carry one in the chamber so why carry it? That's just how I live my life!

Glad you enjoy it... I wouldn't hesitate to carry a round in a chamber with a DAO like the LCP/KT/BG, etc. Long trigger pull, and in holster should not be problem. Remember that cops carry Glocks all the time w/o a safety. Remember "Keep your booger hook off the bang switch" and you'll be fine. Actually, I prefer sans safety as the fear in an emergency many people would not remember to switch it off. Might still give the extension a try...it feels like a different gun with it, AND you are getting an extra round also.

The only thing I don't like about the extended grip mag is the way the extension piece doesn't match up with the butt of the grip. That seems weird that they would not make it of a more Pearce style extension. A grip extension also makes it just that much harder to not have it print. 6 + 1 capacity will probably do the trick anyway. Unless PCP is involved!

Not quite sure what you mean about grip not matching up to butt... Are you comparing the actual factory mag? Here is what it looks like in it. To me feels and looks better than a Pearce style.

[PeaceOfMind]

Don't think anyone has mentioned the LCP does not lock open on last round. For me that is a deal breaker. The Bodyguard and P238 do lock back. I have had the LCP, Bodyguard and now carry the P238. As said, the main question will be single or double action. The BG handles better all around than the LCP to me. The P238 better than any. Though the laser was more of a gimmick to me on the BG (your not going to need or have time to use it in an upclose defense) it does provide counterweight to the barrel and reduces muzzle flip.

You can find a plain jane P238 for $450, so price a little more compatable with the others.... this one does not have night sites and has plastic grips.

Exactly my thoughts...Slides that do not lock back don't sit well with me. No safety, not even a grip safety is not for me either. I have a basic P238 (not a fancy finish or night sights or grips for that matter) but I love it. Paid $430 otd at a GRB gun show. $20 more for some grips that look better and maybe $20 for a spare mag. Got a Tucker holster for it and I'm set. I think lasers are probably only good for training purposes so other than that I don't want one. Night Sights are nice but not necessary to me. At least in no way I can think of....If it is too dark to see my sights what makes me think I can see my target. I'm sure there is a rare chance I could need them but anywhere around Houston there will be ambient light that I can use and you WILL NOT catch me in a dark alley.

The finish on the P238 is great. No loose ends anywhere I can find. While cleaning, I dropped the slide on the garage floor from about 5'. Left the slightest of nicks in the finish. Oh well. About the grip size, the gun fires so smoothly that I see no need for an extended grip. Have one on my XD 40 SC and thought I would get one on every pistol. After shooting the P238 I decided not to get one. It doesn't even try to come out of my hand. A buddy (6'5" so naturally large hands) shot it and didn't even mention the grip so it must have been fine with him too. Oh and the guy will NEVER go without voicing his opinion so it REALLY must have not bothered him .

I have a KelTec P3AT also and was worried about my boys the whole time due to the lack of safety. Couldn't carry one in the chamber so why carry it? That's just how I live my life!

Glad you enjoy it... I wouldn't hesitate to carry a round in a chamber with a DAO like the LCP/KT/BG, etc. Long trigger pull, and in holster should not be problem. Remember that cops carry Glocks all the time w/o a safety. Remember "Keep your booger hook off the bang switch" and you'll be fine. Actually, I prefer sans safety as the fear in an emergency many people would not remember to switch it off. Might still give the extension a try...it feels like a different gun with it, AND you are getting an extra round also.

The only thing I don't like about the extended grip mag is the way the extension piece doesn't match up with the butt of the grip. That seems weird that they would not make it of a more Pearce style extension. A grip extension also makes it just that much harder to not have it print. 6 + 1 capacity will probably do the trick anyway. Unless PCP is involved!

Not quite sure what you mean about grip not matching up to butt... Are you comparing the actual factory mag? Here is what it looks like in it. To me feels and looks better than a Pearce style.

Yeah it feels better but looks funny. You can see that gap between the extension and the bottom of the grip. Why isn't the top of the extension on the same angle as the bottom of the grip? I know you can see a gap w/other extensions but at least its all the way across. When I bought the pistol, I bought one of those mags but traded my dad for his 6 cap mag cause he likes the extension and I dont. I seriously don't need it to shoot it. Could help with accuracy but I'm not spraying it all over with out it so....