Sig Sauer pistols are the top choice of federal law enforcement, elite military professionals and many citizens focused on personal protection. It is hardly surprising that one of Sig Sauer’s most popular personal protection handguns is the P238, chambered in the venerable .380 ACP cartridge. This semi-automatic, locked-breech, short-recoil-operated, hammer-fired, single-action pistol features a 7+1 capacity with its extended magazine and 6+1 with a flush-fit mag.
The P238’s profile and design are immediately familiar to fans of the classic 1911 pistol, as this gun closely resembles it, minus the barrel bushing and grip safety. The pistol’s steel, Commander-style skeletonized hammer must be cocked for the pistol to fire, and the left-side-mounted thumb safety makes “cocked and locked” carry easy, making it the preferred method to keep the pistol in a defense-ready state for most.
One very nice feature is that the user can leave the safety on/activated and still manipulate the slide, greatly increasing user safety when doing a press check or other slide manipulation. The slide lock/slide release is fully functional, not something often seen on micro-compact pistols, and extremely convenient and easy to use. The slide locks open on an empty magazine and the slide release allows it to easily drop. The magazine release is located in the most familiar place for American shooters, right behind the triggerguard. It briskly ejects the steel magazines.
Atop the slide, Sig has included its outstanding three-dot SIGLITE Night Sights. While they are unobtrusive, they are high profile enough to acquire a real sight picture and offer excellent sighting capabilities. They also glow very brightly in low-light environments, allowing for accurate targeting even in less-than-ideal conditions.
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To help cut down on the pistol’s weight, the frame is aluminum alloy with a matte-black Nitron finish. This is extremely well done and matches the finish on the slide and barrel. The rear of the frame features a short beavertail that extends past the end of the hammer, protecting the web of the hand against hammer bite, especially with a high grip.
The P238’s grips are a tactical gray and black Hogue G10 with very aggressive checkering for a secure hold. The front and the rear of the grip frame feature vertical serrations that also aid in securing a firm hold. The rear grip frame serrations are actually on the polymer mainspring housing. The area underneath the triggerguard has a slight upward indentation that helps get a better grip. Even with my large hands, I was able to get a full two fingers on the front of the grip.
Although this is the smallest and lightest-weight pistol Sig manufactures, at just over 15 ounces unloaded, it is a slightly heavier than comparably sized polymer-framed micro-compact pistols. Of course, Sig Sauer makes a full selection of pocket pistols available in a variety of calibers as well.
Sig P938
The Sig P938 is identical to the P238 and features almost the same weight and only slightly larger dimensions, but it is chambered in the more powerful 9mm cartridge for the ultimate in pocket protection. Like the P238, the P938 is directly inspired by the classic 1911 pistol, and it is available in a variety of finishes and grip options. A left-side manual thumb safety allows for “cocked and locked” carry, and there is an available ambidextrous safety as an option to satisfy the needs of left-handed shooters as well.
Sig P250
Of course, for those who prefer a more modern design, it is hard to beat the incredibly innovative and award-winning Sig P250 series of pistols. This completely modular polymer pistol only serializes the internal steel frame and fire control unit, so one gun can be easily converted from full size to subcompact in a range of calibers for any need. The grip frame, slide, barrel and magazine can all be changed by the user, turning one gun into many. In the subcompact category is the Sig Sauer P250 Subcompact Nitron. This DAO pistol has all the advantages of a polymer frame in terms of light weight, corrosion resistance and durability and adds a fully ambidextrous magazine release and a slide stop/release.
Sig P290RS
The P290RS Subcompact is a polymer-framed, semi-automatic 9mm with 6+1 capacity. Designed from the ground up as a concealed carry handgun, the P290RS features DAO operation and a lightweight, snag-free design.
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Distinct among polymer pistol designs, the P290RS also includes removable grip panels that can be replaced with wood or aluminum for a personalized look and feel. The P290RS also features a fully usable slide stop and full-sized night sights for enhanced targeting in low-light conditions.
For those looking for a high-quality concealed carry pistol, there is definitely a Sig Sauer out there for you. From classic styles like the metal-framed P238 and P938, to ultra-modern polymer-framed pistols like the P250 and the P290, there is a Sig Sauer that is right for you.
For more information, visit http://www.sigsauer.com or call 866-345-6744.
