SIG Sauer P238

SIG Sauer P238
P238 pistol manufactured by SIG Sauer, Rosewood variant
P238 pistol manufactured by SIG Sauer, Rosewood variant
TypePistol
Place of origin
  • Switzerland
  • United States
Production history
ManufacturerSIG Sauer
Unit costMSRP $679.00
Produced2009–present
Specifications
Mass15.2 oz (430 g)
Length5.5 in (140 mm)
Barrel length2.7 in (69 mm)
Width1.1 in (28 mm)
Height3.9 in (99 mm)

Cartridge.380 ACP
Feed system6- or 7-round single-column detachable box magazine
Sights3 dot white or tritium night sights, or Tru-Glo Fiberoptic (all model specific)

The SIG Sauer P238 is a compact .380 ACP caliber, single-action pistol announced by SIG Sauer at the 2009 SHOT Show. It is modelled after the M1911, similar to the Colt Mustang.[1][2] Grip panels are fluted polymer making this an all-metal frame firearm in competition with plastic-framed pistols in the same class as the Ruger LCP and the Kel-Tec P-3AT.[3]

The P238 has an aluminium frame and a stainless steel slide (with the exception of the HD model which is all stainless steel).[4] Initially, P238 pistols had standard sights with night sights as a more expensive option. However, all models currently produced have night sights standard. Starting in 2012, many variants have an ambidextrous thumb safety standard or as an option.

Variants[edit]

When introduced in 2009, the P238 was available in a matte black finish and a two-tone finish with a matte silver colored slide and black frame. Since then, SIG Sauer has produced a number of variants including some short run commemorative editions. Among the variants are versions with various finishes, with a stainless steel frame and different grips and embellishments.

The SIG Sauer P938, chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum and introduced at the 2011 SHOT Show,[5] is a slightly larger version of the P238.

Recall[edit]

In July 2009, SIG Sauer issued a recall of all P238s sold within a certain serial number range, which they referred to as a "Mandatory Safety Upgrade".[6] The reason stated for the recall was that a small number of P238s were built with defective manual safety levers, leading to "the remote possibility that the gun could fire unintentionally, thus creating a risk of injury or death", although SIG Sauer emphasized that no such injuries had actually occurred.[6] The recall only applied to pistols within a specific range of serial numbers, DA000501 to DA003216, and did not affect any 27Axxxxxx serialized pistols.[6]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Third-Time Lucky: Sig Sauer P238 Review
  2. ^ Buffaloe, Ed. "The SIG Sauer P238 and the Colt Mustang Side by Side". Unblinking Eye. Texas. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
  3. ^ SIG Sauer product page Archived 2010-08-21 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ SIG Sauer product page
  5. ^ Bauman, Randy (June 19, 2018). "Sig Sauer P938: Tiny 9mm 1911 Goodness?". pewpewtactical.com. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c "P238 Mandatory Safety Upgrade". sigsauer.com. July 2009. Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2012 – via Wayback Machine.

External links[edit]