It was just a couple of decades ago that most folks in this country considered the 380 ACP cartridge as severely underpowered for social work. It was grouped together with cartridges such as the 22 Short, 32 ACP, and a child’s cap gun. However, in recent years, 380 ACP ammo has become more powerful, and is loaded with bullets that are capable of expanding at 380 velocities. The demand for 380 ACP ammunition and pistols is now greater than ever, as more and more citizens assume their civic duty to go armed. There are several very good small, lightweight 380 pistols now on the market, and SIG Sauer entered the market with another dandy choice a few months ago; the SIG P238.

The P238 is different from the other popular offerings available. Instead of a polymer frame, the P238 uses an aluminum frame with a stainless steel slide. It is also a single action design, with a thumb safety, very reminiscent of the defunct Colt Mustang of a few years back. The P238 operates with a locked-breech short recoil action. The hammer must be cocked either manually or by the action of the slide to fire each shot. The best way to carry the SIG P238 is in what is called condition one; that is with a round in the chamber, hammer cocked, and the safety on. In this mode, all one has to do is point the pistol, flip off the safety, and pull the trigger to fire. Most small 380 pistols now on the market do away with the thumb safety, relying instead upon a long trigger pull and a firing pin safety. Either system works very well, and is as safe as the person carrying the pistol. Some people prefer a manual safety, and for them, the P238 is an excellent choice, with one limitation. The P238 is a decidedly right-handed pistol, as there is no thumb safety for a left-handed shooter. Of course, a left-hander can fire the SIG perfectly well, but in a hurry, it is hard for a lefty to manipulate that thumb safety and keep a secure grip on the pistol. The thumb safety works very well, and secures the hammer from movement. The thumb safety is placed perfectly for a right-handed shooter to quickly sweep it downward with the thumb of the right hand to ready the pistol to fire. It is also easy to place back in the safety-on mode, when needed.

The P238 is a very good-looking pistol, with its matte black frame, wood grips, and stainless slide and small parts. The slide has diagonal serrations for easy manipulation, and the sights, while large and easy to see, are well rounded so as not to abrade clothing or skin. The P238 slide locks to the rear on an empty magazine, and the slide latch release is easy to reach with the thumb of the shooting hand. There are vertical serrations on the front and back of the grip, as well as stippling on the wood stocks, for a secure hold while firing the pistol. The frame has a generous beavertail to protect the web between the shooter’s thumb and trigger finger, and the hammer recesses into the beavertail section, to avoid any chance of hammer-bite while firing the pistol. The P238 is a very compact design, and while it is slightly heavier than the polymer 380 pistols on the market, it is just as small.

Critical specifications are listed in the chart below. The weight is listed in ounces, and linear measurements in inches. The grip and frame widths were measured at their widest points. Maximum width is measured to include the thumb safety. Height includes the sights and magazine base. The trigger pull is listed as pounds of pressure. Weight is listed with an empty magazine in place. SIG specs call for an unloaded weight of 15.2 ounces with magazine, but I weighed the sample gun repeatedly, and found it to be a bit lighter.

I fired a variety of ammunition over the chronograph to check velocities, with the results listed in the chart below. Velocities are listed in feet-per-second. Velocities were recorded ten feet from the muzzle. Bullet weights are listed in grains. JHP is a jacketed hollowpoint bullet. DPX is a hollow nose homogenous copper bullet. FMJ is a full metal jacket roundnose bullet. FP is a full metal jacket flat-nose bullet. PB is Cor-Bon Pow’RBall. HC is a hard cast flat-nose lead bullet. Velocities were taken at an elevation of 541 feet above sea level, with an air temperature of ninety-two degrees Fahrenheit, and humidity of fifty-one percent.