SIG Sauer P238

SIG Sauer P238
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
Produced	2009 - current
Specifications
Mass	15.2 oz (430 g)
Length	5.5 in (140 mm)
Barrel length	2.7 in (69 mm)
Width	1.1 in (28 mm)
Height	3.9 in (99 mm)
Cartridge	.380 ACP
Feed system	6 or 7(extended) round single stack magazine
Sights	3 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 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.

The P238 has a aluminum frame and a stainless steel slide. Initially, P238 pistols had standard 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 2012 variants of the P238 are:

• Nitron - original black finish with polymer grips
• Two Tone - original black frame, matte silver slide, polymer grips
• Rosewood - same as Nitron with rosewood grips
• Blackwood - same as Two Tone with black wood grips
• Rainbow - unique multi-hued slide finish
• Equinox - designed by the SIG Sauer Custom Shop with a different two-tone look and TRUGLO front sight
• HD (Heavy Duty) - stainless steel frame, matte silver finish
• Tactical Laser - Two Tone gun with a red laser unit attached to the front of the trigger guard
• SAS - dehorned version of the Two Tone
• Lady - red frame, scrollwork on slide
• Extreme - Nitron gun with G10 grips and extended magazine
• Gambler - Rosewood model with 24k gold inlay of cards and script on slide
• Diamond Plate - diamond plate finish on slide
• HDW (Heavy Duty - Wood) - same as HD, but with wood grips instead of G10
• Desert - tan with rubber grips
• Scorpion - two tone flat dark earth (tan/brown) color with G10 grips
• Black Diamond Plate - same as Diamond Plate, but in black

Discontinued variants include:

• USMC - 24k gold inlay of bulldog and "Semper Fi"
• Liberty - 24k gold inlay of liberty bell
• Copperhead - copper colored frame with a snake emblazoned on the slide

Recalls

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." 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. According to SIG Sauer, the recall did not affect any pistols with a serial number that started with "27Axxxxx".

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.