SIG Sauer P238
Encyclopedia
The SIG Sauer P238 is a compact .380 ACP
caliber, single-action pistol
announced by SIG Sauer at the 2009 SHOT Show
. It is a version of the Colt Mustang pistol with a classic SIG Sauer scalloped slide and finger relief under the trigger guard. Grip panels are fluted polymer making this an all-metal frame firearm in competition with plastic-framed pistols in the same class like the Ruger LCP
and the Kel-Tec P-3AT.
Shortly after the pistol's introduction into the commercial market, SIG Sauer issued a recall of all P238s sold within a certain serial number range, which they referred to as a "Mandatory Safety Upgrade." The reason stated for the recall is 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.
There have been three updates applied to the magazine used by the p238. The third generation magazine has been so far the most reliable. The recoil spring was also updated in late 2010. The new spring is a flat coil spring with better performance and longer life expectancy.
.380 ACP
The .380 ACP pistol cartridge is a rimless, straight-walled pistol cartridge developed by firearms designer John Browning. The cartridge headspaces on the mouth of the case. It was introduced in 1908 by Colt, and has been a popular self-defense cartridge ever since...
caliber, single-action pistol
Pistol
When distinguished as a subset of handguns, a pistol is a handgun with a chamber that is integral with the barrel, as opposed to a revolver, wherein the chamber is separate from the barrel as a revolving cylinder. Typically, pistols have an effective range of about 100 feet.-History:The pistol...
announced by SIG Sauer at the 2009 SHOT Show
SHOT Show
The ' is an annual tradeshow for the shooting, hunting, and firearms industry. It is the biggest event of this type in the world together with IWA & OutdoorClassics , also taking place annually. "SHOT", besides being a general reference to shooting, is an acronym for "Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor...
. It is a version of the Colt Mustang pistol with a classic SIG Sauer scalloped slide and finger relief under the trigger guard. Grip panels are fluted polymer making this an all-metal frame firearm in competition with plastic-framed pistols in the same class like the Ruger LCP
Ruger LCP
The Ruger LCP is a subcompact, .380 ACP pocket pistol announced by Sturm, Ruger at the 2008 SHOT Show. The pistol lacks certain features required for sale in California or Massachusetts.-Overview:...
and the Kel-Tec P-3AT.
Shortly after the pistol's introduction into the commercial market, SIG Sauer issued a recall of all P238s sold within a certain serial number range, which they referred to as a "Mandatory Safety Upgrade." The reason stated for the recall is 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.
There have been three updates applied to the magazine used by the p238. The third generation magazine has been so far the most reliable. The recoil spring was also updated in late 2010. The new spring is a flat coil spring with better performance and longer life expectancy.