Just picked up a new Sig P238 HD (all stainless) on Friday and ran about 200 rounds through it today. First 50 rounds were flawless, but then the slide started to fail to lock back after firing the last round. I have 4 magazines, and the issue was happening on all of them.
I figured it was a new gun and just needed to be broken in and needed a good cleaning. While cleaning it I noticed that the slide release had “bashed” up the slide pretty good. I never see this happen on any other gun I own (sig 228, 220, p6, 1911, xd-9, glock 17, cz p-01, etc).
Here are some pics…I am interested in hearing from other p238 owners to see if they have the same type of wear. I have searched several sites and have not seen any similar issues.
Not the cause of your problem but notable just the same for someone else that might come across this thread …
A friend started having the same issue with his P238 Equinox after a couple of hundred rounds. He broke it down (probably for the first time) and noticed the recoil spring was basically crushed in on the end where it slides over the rod/plug. He called SIG and they sent him another one. Problem fixed. One more reason to break your pistols down completely when you first buy them and inspect/clean/lube them.
I would appreciate hearing from 238 owners regarding their initial operating experiences with their pistol. I recently took possesion of a new 238 HD model. I put 60 rounds thru it yesterday. It was too hot outside to continue shooting. Although I am happy with the workmanship and accuracy I had a few problems.
I am wondering if these things will go away after a break in period.
Most of the problems ( jams, faulty ejections, slide failed to stay back on last round) occured with Sellier & Bellot ammo but I also had a couple of irregularities with Winchester ammo. All of the ammo used was FMJ. The Winchester bullets are more truncated as opposed to being rounded bullet tips. The weights was similar. I have used the S & B ammo many times in my PPK with no problems. Of course I have never had a problem EVER with my PPK. Faultless/ perfect after years of use.
Have others 238 owners had "break in " problems with their 238?
Does your 238 prefer certain ammo? If so which types?
I was surprised that there is a small gap on the right side between the aft end of the barrel and the firing pin stop. At first I thought it might be a manufacturing defect. I am surprised that Sig does not mention that this gap provides a good visual indication that a cartridge is loaded or not loaded. Is this visual indication available on the non HD models also?
Any other user “lessons learned” on this pistol would be appreciated.
I am hopeful that my feed problems will go away after a few hundred rounds but I am looking for some recent real time experience with this particular pistol. Guess I am a little anxious after the “first date” with my new found companion the SIG 238.
Thanks, Buck
I finally received by 238 HD back from sig at the end of July, 3 months after I sent it to them for service. Sig redesigned the slide for the HD stainless models to fix the slide damage.
I took it out to the range and fired 125 rounds and while there was no more slide damage, i still had 2 FTF and every other round the brass was ejected right back at me.
Too many issues for concealed carry, so I traded mine for a snubbie revolver.
LCR 357 (17 oz)…still small and light enough for me (6-2 250lbs) to hide easily but the extra weight allows my wife to shoot it with regular 38s (federal nyclad 125 hp). She is very recoil shy.
The Sig 238 is apparently a clone of the COlt Mustang.
I had a 380 COlt Pony stainless for a while in the 1990s. However, that kept happening to me. They replaced the slide and it happened again. It is irritating.
I’d get one in carbon steel if it were me, as stainless is a little softer.
