SIG Sauer P238

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SIG Sauer P238
Sig-sauer-P238.jpg
P238 pistol manufactured by SIG Sauer, Rosewood variant
Type Pistol
Place of origin
  • Switzerland
  • United States
Production history
Manufacturer SIG Sauer
Unit cost MSRP $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]

Contents

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

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

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]

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References

  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. 1 2 3 "P238 Mandatory Safety Upgrade". sigsauer.com. July 2009. Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2012 via Wayback Machine.