IWB Sig Sauer P238 Holster

[alpmc]

Hey everyone!
I know this subject has probably been discussed before, but I have not been able to find much information through the advanced search option. So if you can link me to an existing thread that covers the info I seek I'd appreciate it!

I'm waiting for my CHL (sent May 10th). Due to a severe car accident and many surgeries, my waist does not tolerate heavy weight. I know myself pretty well and I decided that I needed a sub compact or I would not carry routinely at all. Fortunately for me, I have many friends with CHL's and who carry a variety of sub's. I shot all of the the sub compacts that are currently on the market! Without boring you with the list and my personal opinions on shooting, the Sig Sauer P238 was by far my absolute favorite despite it's slight extra weight! So I bought one yesterday!

I can't afford to experiment with several different holsters so I'm counting on the experience of some of you guys who have carried the little Sig to help me buy the best and most comfortable IWB holster. I usually wear casual clothing, jeans and tee's with the occasional button down, untucked, shirt. I'm 5'11" at 180. I feel I want to carry at 2, 3, or 4. I also want something slim/low profile and light. I want to be able to re-holster with one hand.

Here are a few of my questions:
Leather or Kydex? Straight position or canted forward? High carry position or low? Holster with leather between you and gun or always wear under garment? Loops or clips? Double or single attachments?

Hope I can get some input from some of you P238 carrier's! I'm not really interested in any of the pocket style holsters.
Thanks!

Sorry! I should have posted in the Holsters and accessories! You mod's may want to move this thread!

[joe817]

First of all, welcome to the forum! Glad to have you with us!

And congrats on owning one great looking gun.

In the Day-To-Day section of this forum is a sticky thread called "A great holster resource". And it is. Our very own Longtooth created it. It has links to 60 or so holster makers:

http://www.texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=6515" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I found it to be an valuable resource when I was looking for a holster for my Colt Gov't .380.

[USA1]

I feel I want to carry at 2, 3, or 4. I also want something slim/low profile and light. I want to be able to re-holster with one hand.

I'm going to fall back on my default recommendation...Crossbreed Supertuck.
It meets all of those requirements.

Holster with leather between you and gun or always wear under garment?

Personally, with the good ole Texas heat I find wearing an undergarment hot and uncomfortable.
I would have to say a holster with a "sweat guard" ie, leather between the gun and skin is a must.
The Supertuck also addresses this issue.

Hope that helps a little.

[alpmc]

joe817 - Thanks! I did find this to be a great resource. Problem is, I still don't have enough underlying knowledge about carrying to know what I should get! Not all manufacturers make holsters for the P238.

USA1 - Thanks! I have read many endorsements for the Crossbreed mini-tuck. I have a mental block when it comes to Kydex. I feel that it would be much more prone to gun wear than leather. Also, what position is most comfortable, both sitting and standing, with the CB mini-tuck............ 3 or 4?

To me, I think a 4:00 carry or behind the hip would have a greater chance of printing. Especially when bending down. But I just don't know. After reading about handog................I really want to make the right choice.

[USA1]

what position is most comfortable, both sitting and standing, with the CB mini-tuck............ 3 or 4?

I have tried all positions and for me personally, 3oclock works best for comfort, especially while driving.
As for printing, the Crossbreed and similar IWB holsters do a good job of holding the gun close enough to the body that most people can wear a regular T-Shirt with little worry.

It does take some adjustment to get the cant and depth fine tuned enough so that the gun can be easily drawn yet have minimum printing.

About the Kydex...I worried a little about holster wear too.
In my own experience, I have not noticed it to be a problem but maybe someone else can comment further on that.

[joe817]

alpmc, to throw some ideas out there to you, I daily carry my little gun in a Don Hume holster like this one:

http://www.donhume.com/index.php?main_p ... ucts_id=35" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It's well built, retains the gun very well, and easy clip on/clip off with a VERY strong clip. I bought it for $30 at the Ft.Worth Gun Show last October. It's IWB and I wear it at my 10:00 as I'm left handed.

Since the Sig P238 is about the same size(I believe) as a Colt Mustang, they have that holster. It should will fit very well (IF same size as Colt Mustang).

D.M. Bullard makes a tuckable holster for your gun:

http://estore.websitepros.com/1565531/Categories.bok" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That's my absolute favorite tuckable of them all. I'm seriously thinking about getting one. I need a tuckable for summer weather.

Ross Holsters has many holsters for your gun (& mine). (I almost got this one instead of the Don Hume...but funds were tight at the time I needed a holster). This page of holsters fits your gun. Take a look at the M15 Tuckable:

http://www.ccwsupply.biz/RGLColtGovtPonyMustang.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Anywho, there's some ideas. Happy shopping!

[alpmc]

USA1 - Thanks again for your responses. I really like the mini-tuck and I did not realize it was adjustable. I will try and find out about the Kydex and how it wears on your gun.

joe817 - Fantastic! Thanks! I really liked the D.M. Bullard. It seems as though it sits very low and is a straight drop. I wish there was a place to try all of these holsters on! None of our local GS carry holsters for the P238. It makes it hard to know what I might like! I was carrying my Siggy around the house tucked inside my waistband this afternoon........I think I like the 3:00 position.

Whats the advantage of a forward cant? I can see where a cant would raise the angle of the grip making it easier to grasp in a rush. It also seems to place the alignment of the grip with your torso......this appears to help on the printing while bending. I could be imagining this though!

Also, it seems as though the draw would be faster with the gun carried higher than your belt.

Sound off if you can help! Thanks!

[USA1]

Whats the advantage of a forward cant? I can see where a cant would raise the angle of the grip making it easier to grasp in a rush. It also seems to place the alignment of the grip with your torso......this appears to help on the printing while bending.

You are correct.
A forward cant means that the butt of the gun doesn't protrude rearward as much, therefore meaning less printing.
The other advantage, which you already mentioned, is drawing the gun in a more natural forward motion
as opposed to straight up...IMO.

[BADBUBBA]

I carry a Sig P250 subcompact in a crossbreed supertuck works great for me.

[Salty1]

DM Bullard, I carry a 238 in one and feel there is nothing better.... You can have one in about 8 weeks from order date.

[alpmc]

USA1 - Thanks! You have reaffirmed that I still have some deductive reasoning powers! Although my ex wife called it the ability to sling............you get the idea!

BADBUBBA - Thanks! The CB Mini-Tuck seems to be the most suggested IWB holster.

Salty1 - Thanks! I do like the Bullard! I realize you highly suggest this holster but I would like to know your thoughts on it's low position and it's straight drop. I'm trying to get pros and cons on high vrs low carry position and straight drop vrs a forward cant. Which draws easier and of course comfort and conceal ability.

I did read up on the ongoing debate between Kydex vrs Leather..............in reading, I found that most everyone agrees that Leather is LESS likely to cause holster wear/rash than Kydex and that the Kydex's wear is negligible. Don't get me wrong, I know my Sig is a tool that I will use every day and daily use/practice will lead to bumps an bruises. But, I have a tendency to take pretty good care of all my toys so I don't want to expose the Sig to undue wear and tear. This is the mental block I eluded to earlier!

[Salty1]

What I like about the Bullard holsters is the amount of adjustment they offer. The clip and be moved vertically in the holster(just re-position the screw in a different hole) to raise it higher off the belt. I like my grip just slightly above the belt for the ease of removing it. The cant can also be adjusted for the perfect fit, I carry mine in the 2:00 position which works perfectly for my body type, I liked it so much I also bought one for my LCR. I used a WRB holster until my Bullards arrived, for a $30 holster it was not bad, just no adjustment.

[alpmc]

Thanks Salty1!
Is this D. M. Bullard the same holster you are talking about? Or is it this one????

[Salty1]

I have the 2nd link you pasted in. They even look as good when you get it as it does in the picture....

[joe817]

All I can say is...... I'd take either one. It just plain don't matter to me. Both are beautiful in my eyes....

Besides...I really can't tell the difference. Both are tuckables, are they not? In any event he makes good looking holsters.