great to hear 68Charger. It's such a convenient carry weapon...even with the little holster they provide...I tried it with a pair of shorts I had on (no belt) and a t-shirt and it hid well - and was very comfortable...I really couldn't even feel it there. When I get my CHL, I can totally see myself carrying this quite a bit since it seems to fit my usual attire. Obviously, in the winter months when wearing jeans or pants all the time and heavier shirts/jackets, I'll probably switch to something else - but for an everyday carry - I really like this thing.
I did have a couple ejections straight over my head - I had read about that too. I'm just going to keep shooting it and hope for the best. My intention is to put at least another couple hundred rounds through it and then if I have any significant problems, contact SIG and see what they think.
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Return to “For Those Considering the SIG P238...”
- Wed Sep 14, 2011 11:39 pm
- Forum: General Gun, Shooting & Equipment Discussion
- Topic: For Those Considering the SIG P238...
- Replies: 24
- Views: 5294
- Wed Sep 14, 2011 4:33 pm
- Forum: General Gun, Shooting & Equipment Discussion
- Topic: For Those Considering the SIG P238...
- Replies: 24
- Views: 5294
For Those Considering the SIG P238...
I bought one earlier today...
I read a bunch about these online and after messing with one the last two times I was at the gun shop, I decided that I had to have one.
BUT, after reading some of the horror stories about the FTE's and FTF's...I started to read up and my understanding is that most folks have resolved these issues with a few modifications - some did it themselves...some sent their 238's back to SIG. I guess the best advice at this point if you're in the market for one is to make sure you get as new of a model as possible. Definitely make sure it has the Gen3 mag as that's one of the main jamming culprits.
1) the barrel has a bit of a bur where it touches the mag. Some folks have sanded that down with 2000 grit with good results (or sent it back to SIG and they did it). Youtube video of that " onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.
2) The 1st and sometimes 2nd generation mags (and the Colt mags apparently...) had some design flaws and the 3rd generation seems to fix most issues. BTW, you can find the Gen3 P238 mags here: http://www.topgunsupply.com/sig-sauer-p ... azine.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
3) One other issue is the first gen recoil spring. There's an updated flat spring that fixes some problems as well...need to check mine when I open it up...but not sure how to tell what it is since I don't have anything to compare it to, but I know that spring has caused some issues as well.
I basically bought the newest black/Nitron they had (mfg date was August 2011) and it came with the Gen3 mag. I wanted the SAS model as they melt it at the factory - nice and smooth...but they didn't have one in stock...
I put 100 rounds through it at the range on the way home and thought it did OK, especially since I hadn't cleaned/lubed it - it was right out of the plastic wrap. I had two FTE's. That said, I did exactly the same thing with both my P30 and the Glock 36 and haven't had a single issue and have about 600 rounds through the H&K and 200 or so through the Glock.
BUT, I'm gonna take it apart later and clean it up and take a look at the barrel and see if it's rubbing against the mag, clean it up nice and use some good oil. One other thing I read is that these really require good lube to operate properly. Perhaps in defence of the pistol...I wasn't using great ammo either. It was the cheapest Winchester 380 stuff I could find in the store, which I bought on purpose to put this thing to the test.
I'll update if I find any issues during the tear down. Otherwise, great pistol - I'm super accurate with it up to 7-10 yards...past that I can put all 6 rounds in about a 6" group. Need some practice with it...
Also picked up a Glock 36 today...HOLY CRAP WHAT A GUN!! Man, can't believe I'm shooting a .45...it handles so well...
My P30 is still the favorite for me - best ergonomics, not sure if it is...but it feels lighter than the 36...stock DA/SA trigger is killer and it's the one I'm most accurate with (and the one I'll be using for my CHL qualification). The 36 is great and I could put rounds on top of each other at about 5 yards...but move it back to 10-15 and I struggled a bit with it. I think I just have to get use to different sights and the recoil is definitely manageable...but different of course than the P30.
I read a bunch about these online and after messing with one the last two times I was at the gun shop, I decided that I had to have one.
BUT, after reading some of the horror stories about the FTE's and FTF's...I started to read up and my understanding is that most folks have resolved these issues with a few modifications - some did it themselves...some sent their 238's back to SIG. I guess the best advice at this point if you're in the market for one is to make sure you get as new of a model as possible. Definitely make sure it has the Gen3 mag as that's one of the main jamming culprits.
1) the barrel has a bit of a bur where it touches the mag. Some folks have sanded that down with 2000 grit with good results (or sent it back to SIG and they did it). Youtube video of that " onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.
2) The 1st and sometimes 2nd generation mags (and the Colt mags apparently...) had some design flaws and the 3rd generation seems to fix most issues. BTW, you can find the Gen3 P238 mags here: http://www.topgunsupply.com/sig-sauer-p ... azine.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
3) One other issue is the first gen recoil spring. There's an updated flat spring that fixes some problems as well...need to check mine when I open it up...but not sure how to tell what it is since I don't have anything to compare it to, but I know that spring has caused some issues as well.
I basically bought the newest black/Nitron they had (mfg date was August 2011) and it came with the Gen3 mag. I wanted the SAS model as they melt it at the factory - nice and smooth...but they didn't have one in stock...
I put 100 rounds through it at the range on the way home and thought it did OK, especially since I hadn't cleaned/lubed it - it was right out of the plastic wrap. I had two FTE's. That said, I did exactly the same thing with both my P30 and the Glock 36 and haven't had a single issue and have about 600 rounds through the H&K and 200 or so through the Glock.
BUT, I'm gonna take it apart later and clean it up and take a look at the barrel and see if it's rubbing against the mag, clean it up nice and use some good oil. One other thing I read is that these really require good lube to operate properly. Perhaps in defence of the pistol...I wasn't using great ammo either. It was the cheapest Winchester 380 stuff I could find in the store, which I bought on purpose to put this thing to the test.
I'll update if I find any issues during the tear down. Otherwise, great pistol - I'm super accurate with it up to 7-10 yards...past that I can put all 6 rounds in about a 6" group. Need some practice with it...
Also picked up a Glock 36 today...HOLY CRAP WHAT A GUN!! Man, can't believe I'm shooting a .45...it handles so well...
My P30 is still the favorite for me - best ergonomics, not sure if it is...but it feels lighter than the 36...stock DA/SA trigger is killer and it's the one I'm most accurate with (and the one I'll be using for my CHL qualification). The 36 is great and I could put rounds on top of each other at about 5 yards...but move it back to 10-15 and I struggled a bit with it. I think I just have to get use to different sights and the recoil is definitely manageable...but different of course than the P30.