UPDATE 3: Sig Sauer P238 Range Report

[Pawpaw]

The first recoil spring in my P238 was stacking which caused ejection problems. Sig sent me a replacement round-wire spring. It was much longer than the original, probably because the original "took a set" from being in the gun.

After a few rounds (200 - 300 I think), the replacement spring collapsed. This time Sig sent me two of the new flat-wire springs. They were much longer than my (now collapsed) replacment spring.

So far, the pistol has been 100% with the new spring. I've shot about 100 rounds of FMJ and 40 rounds of Hornady Critical Defense without a single failure to feed, eject, or go bang.

[Divided Attention]

Thanks! I was just a little wierded out by how much longer the new spring was than the original. It was fun to get installed! Can't wait to go "prove" function so I can carry this one again! Although with summer here - and being off for the summer will carry my 9 more because I can...

Thanks again!

[Divided Attention]

Took my "Liberty" out yesterday and Youngest and I put a couple mags through it. Worked like a dream! Sure is a fun little pistol. Will be nice to put her back in rotation, although this experience has built my comfort with the Colt.

[cobber]

I've just discovered the forum, great resource!

I'm a 1911 shooter, and decided to pick up a Sig P238 as a back up. HOWEVER, it has been nothing (well, almost) but annoying to date. I thought the problems would be behind it, but I have the loose slide stop, failure to eject combo.

First I thought it was the mag, as it failed to lock the slide back on empty. I would reseat the slide and the lock would work once or twice, and then fail ever after. Sig CR suggested cleaning the magazine, but that clearly wasn't the problem.

For those of you who fixed a loose slide release with new parts from Sig, did the 'fix' last? The FAQ on Sig's website suggests it takes several hundred rounds to break a gun in properly, but I have never had so many problems with a new firearm. I love everything about the gun that isn't a problem. And I just like the 1911.

And this is surprising from Sig. I had a P239 once that was a dream to shoot (darnit why'd I sell that anyway?).

Anyone still having problems with their P238's?

[Divided Attention]

Just curious was your 238 new or used, and I wonder about the recoil spring - flat or round? I was VERY lucky and never had an issue with mine - even with the round spring - it even shot with a 1/2 loop in front of the recoil pin. If I understand correctly they made some adjustments along the way and the newer ones are not having the problems some of the earlier issues had. I also know they are using a flat wire recoil spring as well. They sent me one and customer service was great when I discovered my spring had been installed backwards. I have probably 500 rounds through mine and LOVE it!

Grip is important with this weapon as well. I can "make" it FTE by holding it loosely. It takes a firm, consistent grip. Hope you get yours sorted out.

[cobber]

Thanks for the response!

It is a new gun, just manufactured on the 12th of August, so it does have the flat recoil spring. I've had a few failures to feed/eject in about 300 rounds, and a handful of stovepipes, but the slide lock falls out all on its own when I rack the slide with no magazine. I think the looseness of the stop also explains the problems I thought I had with the Sig magazine. I was using Colt Mustang magazines, as it was all I could get from my dealer. They DO lock on an empty slide.

I hope I'm not limp-wristing! On a .380 that would be pretty sad.

I love the gun, shoots very nice but ...

Probably back to the shop with this one for a check. Meanwhile back to my 1911!

[TLynnHughes]

Thanks for the response!

It is a new gun, just manufactured on the 12th of August, so it does have the flat recoil spring. I've had a few failures to feed/eject in about 300 rounds, and a handful of stovepipes, but the slide lock falls out all on its own when I rack the slide with no magazine. I think the looseness of the stop also explains the problems I thought I had with the Sig magazine. I was using Colt Mustang magazines, as it was all I could get from my dealer. They DO lock on an empty slide.

I hope I'm not limp-wristing! On a .380 that would be pretty sad.

I love the gun, shoots very nice but nice...

Probably back to the shop with this one for a check. Meanwhile back to my 1911!

I hadn't gotten back to update this update in quite in while. Here's the outcome so far with my little problem child P238. After getting all the replacement parts from Sig, the gun seemed to have been fixed. We worked through about 150 target rounds and about 50 self defense rounds without issues and I felt comfortable carrying. Occassionally took it to the range to give it a workout and remain confident in it. Out of the blue at one of the range trips, it started having the same issues.

At first, I was irritated and just wanted to get rid of the gun. But it really is the perfect solution for some of my carry days. After thinking about it (and sulking a bit), decided to give Sig a chance to make it right. We called Sig and they had us ship the gun back to them. They replaced the recoil spring with a flat recoil spring as some have mentioned in this thread and others, as well as the slide release lever retention spring, and made some other part replacements (don't have the list in front of me).

Long story short, it runs like a dream now. We right away put 100 rounds through it and have discovered that it doesn't like Winchester flat nosed rounds. But the round nose cycle with no issues. I took it to a class this weekend and allowed others in the class to shoot it at the range. Eight different people put about 100 self defense rounds through it with not so much as a pause.

I'm happy with the decision to keep it and am completely satisfied with Sig customer service. I hope you can hang in there and get the glitches worked out. I think it's well worth it. Oh...and if you decide to keep it, spend the money on the new extended magazine. It's really nice!

T.

[helicopterpilotdoug]

One thingI have found out about the 238's is that they like to run wet. I use Slide Glide on the rails and that makes a big difference, any good gun grease should work though. I make it look wet, not caked on, I also disassembled the mags and used a spray cleaner and lube on them. Might be worth a try.

Mine was having serious hiccups during a recent range trip. Dropped it in the bag and shot something else.
Got it home and saw it was dry as a bone. All lubed up, runs like a train.

too!
When we bought our first P238 for my wife, we left the gun store and went directly to the range with it. Had several problems just as the OP described. Brought it home, and cleaned it up well, used some Slip 2000 EWL to lube it and made another trip to the range. It was like the difference between night and day! Lube is very important with this pistol. Keep it clean and lubed, and the P238 will fire flawlessly. BTW I highly recommend Slip 2000 EWL. I use it on all my firearms. A little on the expensive side, but IMHO well worth it!! (No affiliation)