SIG P938 9mm Sub Compact

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SIG has scaled up their .380 ACP P238 platform to create the 9mm P938. The P938 is all metal, single action and has a 6+1 capacity. I did not have the opportunity to fire the gun but what I saw I liked.

Specifications
Caliber 9mm NATO
Capacity 6+1
Finish Nitron or Stainless
Grip Wood or G-10
Barrel 3.0″
Overall Length 5.9″
Weight 16 oz
Sights Low-Profile SIGLITE Night Sights
MSRP (Price) $795-$838
Steve Johnson

Founder and Dictator-In-Chief of TFB. A passionate gun owner, a shooting enthusiast and totally tacti-uncool. Favorite first date location: any gun range. Steve can be contacted here.

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  • http://monderno.com/ Monderno

    The P238 is a great gun, I’m hoping this is just as good!

  • George Osmer

    so what happens to sig p290?

    • Jeff Smith

      I’m betting they keep it in production. It’s MSRP looks to be almost $300 less and it’s a DAO action instead of the SAO of the P938.

      • http://sorcerousendeavors.weebly.com Chris

        Having shot the P290 and the P938, I’ll happily take the P938. The former is not a pleasant gun to shoot, as the trigger guard slaps the crap out of my index finger when shooting it. I prefer the DA pull on my P239.

  • JohnB

    So, does it take Wilson Combat magazines?

  • http://exigentcircumstance.wordpress.com JoeG

    Is the safety ambidextrous or removable?

    It’s a nice looking pistol, but as a lefty I won’t own a gun that I can’t make fire with just my left hand.

    • JM

      All P938s will have an amib-safety lever as standard.

      • http://sorcerousendeavors.weebly.com Chris

        The P938 has an ambidextrous safety that’s very positive, and works very well. I rather like the one that’s on my P938 Nightmare.

  • Bryan S.

    Let hope it has less issues than the .380 one of my bosses had, it had to go back to sig 4 times before he decided he didnt want a range gun (wouldnt trust it for carry) and sold it back to the shop.

  • Alex-mac

    Would this qualify as a 1911?

    • hojo

      No. It certainly has features in common with a 1911, but it’s much thinner and smaller, and I doubt any of the parts are interchangeable. I don’t know how much parts commonality there is with the 9mm, but Hickok45 did a review of the .380 version (p238) of it here: http://youtu.be/6W4AVpxvGgg

      I want.

  • KalashniKEV

    This is exactly what I’ve been saying I wanted. I can’t believe they made this.

    Now if the PS-90 came out in 9x19mm I’d have to buy a lottery ticket or start telling fortunes…

  • Spade

    Hmmm, my wife is considering a Springfield EMP. This might be a competitor to that.

    • Doug

      Better make sure she can rack the EMP before you buy one for her.
      They have a ridiculously stiff spring in them.
      I picked mine up cheap from a guy who bought it for his wife but she couldn’t rack the slide.

      • Spade

        She can.

        If your friend’s wife can’t rack the slide then there’s really some other issue besides the gun.

  • ap

    Let’s hope this thing runs better than the P238.

    • JM

      What problems are you having with your P238? Mine, my best friend’s, and my brother-in-law’s all run flawlessly and always have.

      • vyse

        There were a few issues with the P238 when it was released. SIG has changed a few things over time though, so hopefully this release goes smooth. I’m definitely interested to see how it turns out.

    • West

      What was your problem?
      Mine wont feed hollow points.

      • joehittmann

        try the hornady critical defence, they feed pretty well

      • joehittmann

        critical defense*

    • jagersmith

      I am a gunsmith, and I used to like the p238 for days when I was just wearing shorts and a regular t-shirt, but after 2500 rounds, I was having non-stop failure to fires. I examined the hammerspring, the firing pin, the firing pin spring, and then I discovered the problem. It was the firing pin block spring which failed, and unfortunately, I had to drift out the rear sight to replace it. I also have had to replace the recoil spring every 500 rounds, a ridiculously low count. A normal end-user should not have to deal with such constant detailed maintenance and parts replacement such as this. I talked to Sig about my issues, and their reply was that the gun “wasn’t meant to be fired that much”. Not an acceptable response in my book. Given, my 340PD will crack after 5000 rounds of .357, but that’s the price you pay for lightweight, tiny guns with a lot of power.

      • Benji

        Had to replace both springs on my two P238s after approx 500 rounds as well. Still have occasional FTEs and is very picky about ammo.

        That being said…. I will be buying a P938 as soon as I can get my hands on one. Ha!

      • Dr Funk

        Well to be fair, its not billed as a combat or duty gun. If you want a gun that will survive 10,000 rounds, you shouldn’t even be looking at subcompact pistols. The gun’s longevity is limited by the strength of the parts and the strength of the materials used, and the strength of those parts is limited by their relative size. Smaller, thinner parts break more easily. If they made the innards beefier, then the gun would necessarily be bigger.

        Everything is a trade-off.

        • Rickter

          Amen, bro! I’ll wear out my glock at the range with practice and keep my 938 held back for when something’s actually hitting the fan!

    • Gunnar

      My P238 has been 300 rounds of Corbon DPX tested using factory magazines before being carried as backup weapon. Everyone that has complained to me about reliability issues used cheap ammo or did not have the right grip with this gun.

  • http://www.federaleagent86.blogspot.com Federale

    Single action? That is a big difference from other manufacturers. And just that bit more unsafe than DA/SA or DAO small guns. Cocked and locked in a pocket carry?

    • hojo

      It’s different, because it’s designed for people who like the 1911 mode of operation. I wouldn’t say it’s less safe. People accidently shoot themselves with DAO pistols too. If you compare it to single action striker-fired SA pistols, you could make the case that it’s safer, because it gives you the option to decock and lock, which you don’t have with a glock or XD. With any quality firearm, the most dangerous and unpredictable part is the operator. If you train with your carry gun, and use some sense (notice I didn’t call it common sense), then you’ll probably be ok. If you never put in any serious training time with your carry gun, then you’ll probably shoot yourself in the leg.

    • Gunnar

      I hear these comments from novice or untrained shooters all the time. If you have a quality firearm that has been well tested and trained with, there is no “less safe” factor.

    • Dr Funk

      If its not cocked and locked, it won’t shoot.

      …which is the whole point of carrying a firearm, is it not?

  • Piers

    I’m curious as to when they’ll make a .40 S&W version!

  • surfgun

    The 9mm round may be a little hard on these little guns. It will be interesting to see how much they can take?

    • Bagworm1

      It’s not that much smaller than my LC9, and it can take it. And it takes it very well. At about half the price.

  • drewogatory

    Just to play devil’s advocate; what advantages does 6+1 of 9mm in a 1911 platform bring in a carry pistol over 5 rounds of .357 in a simple, dead reliable,cheap snub nosed revolver? None, that’s what. It’s not a duty pistol, it’s a last resort emergency backup. Why add a whole extra layer of mechanical complexity and an extra step in your manual of arms on the microscopic chance you’ll need to do a combat reload? You’re far better off carrying a Glock 19 under those circumstances. K.I.S.S. and save the shiny toys for the range where everyone can admire them.

    • hojo

      It’s not a 1911 platform. It’s much more compact.

      • hojo

        meaning, if you take the smallest 1911 you can find, this is still a lot smaller than that. Also, it’s smaller than a S&W model 37, or Taurus Model 85, which aren’t even .357.

      • hojo

        also, down-voting this is stupid, since it’s a statement of fact… idiot.

      • drewogatory

        How isn’t it a 1911 pattern? Hickok45 even titled his video which you linked “Shooting and discussing this popular little pocket 1911″. And an LCR .357 is 6.5″ long and 17 oz’s, I hardly think .5″ and 1 oz is a significant size difference. And the Smith M&P 340 is 6.3″ long and 13.3 oz’s which is even smaller. I’m happy for you to rebut my argument, but claiming “it’s not a 1911 because it’s smaller and anyway .357′s are alot bigger” which, aside from being factually wrong,doesn’t address my point which was why add a layer of unnecessary cost and complexity to a tool for no gain in practicality?

      • SpudGun

        Here are some of the advantages of carrying a P938 over a 5 shot .357 revolver -

        Slimmer and easier to conceal
        Single action trigger
        9mm has less recoil then .357 but you’re not losing much in the way of so called ‘stopping power’
        Faster follow up shots
        6+1 is greater then 5 – if you know how many rounds you are going to fire in a self defense situation before hand, then carry a Derringer.
        Much faster reloading
        Familiarity with 1911 controls
        9mm is cheaper then .357 and more widely available

        That’s just off the top of my head.

      • Gunnar

        Just to add,

        You can also carry magazines easier than a speed loader or moonclips.
        Consistency in switching from auto to auto

    • hojo

      I guess it depends on your definition of pattern. If pattern means, “kinda looks like”, then I guess it’s fair to say it’s 1911 patterned, but to me it means that it uses the 1911 spec. in at least some aspects of it’s design. There are of course, tons of 1911 compact pistols out there. Someone mentioned the Springfield EMP, which to my way of thinking would be a compact 1911 patterned pistol. None of those guns can share any parts with the p238/p938, because they’re too big in every aspect.

      Aside from a derringer, I can’t think of ANY .357 that would be smaller than this, particularly in terms of width, which is important for concealment.

      • hojo

        with respect to not addressing “unnecessary cost and complexity”, I didn’t address that because I don’t necessarily disagree. It may be that for a lot of people, particularly ones who can wear looser clothes, a small revolver such as the .357s you mentioned would be a more practical choice.

        My original intent was to point out that you might not understand how tiny this pistol actually is, particularly since you seemed to think it was a compact 1911, which it is not. If anything, it’s “patterned” on the Colt Mustang, which is also NOT a 1911.

    • Dr. Funk

      It takes less time to reload an automatic cartridge than to manipulate a speedloader. That’s why.

      K.I.S.S. only applies if the simpler alternative doesn’t also handicap you.

      • Dr. Funk

        Sorry, *automatic cartridge magazine*

  • Jeff Smith

    Does anyone know if this is chambered specifically for for 9mm NATO? I noticed that the picture from SHOT Show lists it simply as “9mm.” If so, that’s a terrific idea for a CCW.

    Also, does anyone know if a 9mm NATO chambering will handle +P+ rounds? My understanding is that 9mm NATO is rated about 500 PSI higher than 9mm +P rounds.

  • Billca

    Buy one now, I foresee a short lifespan for this pistol.

    It’s fine for a cop’s ankle gun or a B.U.G. in case your primary runs dry or malfunctions. Beyond that, my reaction is meh. There are better small 9mm pistols out there, including DA/DAO pistols that make more sense. With the Sig, proper safety dictates that your holster not only cover the trigger guard, but have a safety (retention) strap between the hammer and firing pin. Having carried a 1911 and a Colt Mustang before, it’s all too easy to find that safety lever disengaged during a day’s journey — during some bending, kneeling, twisting or other motion.

    I’d rather have the EMP-9. Or even a Kahr CW-9. My K-9 is similar, but heavier and a wee bit larger than the P938. On a pistol this size, I think a DA or DAO action makes more sense, especially when used as a back-up gun. As a primary? It’d be a primary only on days approaching 100° when you can’t hide anything else.

    • Brad

      Short lifespan? All of your arguments against the P938 also apply to the P238, and yet the P238 is popular anyway. The P938 exists because of the popularity of the Sig P238. So the marketplace seems to agree with Sig instead of you.

      • Billca

        The Colt .380 and Mustang variants had about a 3-5 year run, then were gone because there weren’t enough sales to justify production costs. The 9mm might sell better, however I think the SA trigger and C&L carry will turn off a lot of potential buyers, especially those thinking of pocket carry. Just my opinion and worth every penny you paid for it!

      • baldyfreak

        I agree, the want for a 9mm version directly communicated to Sig is one of the main reasons they decided to do the P938! This sucker will outsell the P238 two to one because of the popularity of 9mm over 380! Man I can’t wait to get my hands on one! I want to wait a little bit to see any teething issues ironed out before I buy, but my guess is I won’t be able to wait very long! Dang I want one of those! BTW a good holster is a must for a single action! It would suck to get a bullet in the leg! A good holster and good practice is a must for any CCW as I’ve heard people shooting themselves accidently with glocks!

      • Gunnar

        I thought Colt Mustangs did not sell very well because they were introduced when revolvers were more popular backup weapon, there were no customers in the concealed carry market, and no use for 380acp in other areas.

      • Dr Funk

        You do realize that in 1986 when the Colt Mustang first debuted, only 8 states were shall-issue and only one state (Vermont) was unrestricted. 26 states were may-issue (so basically only if you were a cop or were buddies with your county sheriff) and 15 were no-issue. That means there were only 9 states with truly open markets for concealed carry guns. This is what the Mustang was up against when it was released. Frankly, it was a bit ahead of its time.

        Today, there are 4 unrestricted states, 37 shall-issue states, 8 may-issue states (which sometimes function as no-issue), and 1 no-issue state (the People’s Republic of Chicago, aka Illinois). So there are 41 states where there is an open market for concealed carry guns. So today, there are obviously a lot more people who are in a position to legally buy and carry concealed firearms like the Mustang or P938.

        That is why the Colt Mustang saw such a short lifespan. It was too far ahead of its time. They launched a product for concealed carry permit holders before there were enough to support a market for the gun. Today, the market is booming because the overwhelming majority of states allow concealed carry now, as opposed to 1986.

        Then you look at Sig’s product lines and their longevity. For example, they’ve been selling the P220 with few modifications since 1975. That’s a run of 37 years and counting. And the gun has spawned numerous other similar products in Sig’s portfolio. So don’t doubt the ability of this gun to sell.

        Just a personal anecdote; I went to one of my local gun shops about a year and a half ago to check out what they had as far as concealed carry guns. I asked the owner there if he stocked any Sig stuff, because I just generally like the feel of the guns and was possibly interested in a full size Sig. He said he didn’t sell Sigs because he didn’t see the benefit versus what it would cost him to be a Sig dealer, how people didn’t know the brand and his customers only wanted American brands, etc. This was over a year ago. Now, I went in that same store two weeks ago and this time he had several full frame Sigs on the wall and two different P238s in the case. When I asked about seeing the P238, he mentioned that they were pretty much just flying off the shelves for him, that they were extremely popular, and just about everyone that handled one really likes it. So obviously, Sig is doing something right. Its a solid gun.

      • Mike A.

        Dr. Funk,

        I enjoyed reading your post and I agree with your market assessment. With that being said, I am a police officer and a use of force instructor. With any firearm, I recommend two things…as I’m sure you do. First, make sure it fits you. In short when you put it in your hand, does it feel like an extension of your arm? If so, you will likely shoot it well. Second, I like to employ the K.I.S.S. principal. If you are in a deadly force situation, you will be under a tremendous amount of stress. Therefore, you will lose the use of fine motor skills. How much do you have to do to make this pistol fire a round at someone? I have not seen one or fired one but man do they look cool. My only hesitation is if I am in that “defense of life” moment, will I remember to take off the safety and cock the hammer? I don’t know if I will. I’m just saying. However, these guns sure look “cool”, and concealable. Just my two cents. Thank you for your comments.

        Respectfully,
        Mike

      • Mike A.

        After thinking about this further, I guess you could carry this weapon with the hammer cocked, safety on and in a holster that conceals/protects the trigger guard. The safety comes off with your thumb on draw and you are in business.

        Maybe it’s just me but I don’t like the feeling of carrying a loaded/cocked weapon in my shorts. I carry the Glock Model 22 on duty. I do like Glocks for the simple reason is that you point it and pull the trigger…there is no other thought involved in making the weapon work. I also wear holsters, both on and off duty, that protect/shield the trigger and trigger guard. In other words, your safety is your finger. Don’t put your finger on the trigger unless you have made the conscious decision to destroy what the weapon is pointing at. Obviously, this applies to all firearms in all situations.

        Mike

      • Dr. Funk

        Mike,

        The way I see it, carrying a Glock is like carrying a 1911 without the safety engaged. Yeah, I know they’ve got the safe action trigger. But that only prevents discharges from dropping the pistol. Most negligent discharges involve pulling the trigger or dropping the hammer. Combining your safety mechanism with the trigger defeats the purpose of it, in my opinion.

        I’m not saying that carrying a SAO cocked-and-locked is unsafe, or that carrying a Glock is unsafe…just that they’re pretty much comparable. You trade the safety mechanism for simplicity in switching to the Glock. You’re also giving up a crisper trigger pull.

        I think there’s validity to the concern about being able to manipulate the safety in a life-or-death situation. But that’s what training is for. You build up your muscle memory so that flicking the safety off is just part of drawing your weapon. I don’t see flicking the safety off as requiring any more or less dexterity than a trigger pull.

        Its all about trade-offs and finding what’s most comfortable for you. And of course, people should be sure to take all the necessary precautions that come with the firearm they’ve selected.

    • Tommy

      You’re a moron. That is all

      • Billca

        Refer to the comment policy below. I express an opinion, feel free to disagree, but at least put some cogent thought into the expression.

        • Drum bum

          I agree with Tommy. That’s all

      • Joe

        I don’t think it is valid to say the Colt pocket autos were a commercial failure and thus other single-action pocket .380′s will be as well. The Colt Government .380 was introduced nearly 30 years ago, and the firearms market has completely changed since then. In 1983 fewer than 5 states had shall-issue concealed carry laws, as compared to 40 today. Pocket autos are one of the most popular types of concealed carry guns, and a portion of that market (not the majority, but probably enough) prefer SAO pistols.

        Saying that the SAO Sigs (and Colts, now that they’ve reintroduced the Mustang) is like saying compact 1911′s aren’t viable because they require C&L carry and that buyers will prefer a Glock. Of course there’s a portion of the market that will, but taste varies widely in this as in everything.

      • St. Grendel

        I agree with Tommy. That is all.

    • Mike

      My P238 has a nice safety that takes effort to disengage so you obviously have never handled the P238 or Springfield EMP. THE EMP is huge in comparison and almost as big a carrying a full size Glock. For concealed carry on a thin person that is way too big, if you are a big guy or fat the size of the gun may not be an issue. My EMP imprinted every time I carried it even with expensive inside the waist holsters, my P238 never imprints and is accurate out 20 yards plus easily controllable in rapid fire.

  • Geno

    I love my p238, everyone at the range has one for carry. This gun isn’t going to be for everyone. But for people who shoot 1911′s (thats pretty much all I shoot) at the range all the time, it seems a little ridiculous to carry a DA or DAO when your life may depend on it… I don’t want to be trying to pull the hammer back on my Taurus Slim (which I would never want my life to depend on) and be trying to figure out what the hell happen to my hammer because thats what I’m use to doing with my Big boy guns. I live in a very low crime area and I’d rather have a gun with a hammer down that is completely safe. If that’s what you practice and all you own its no big deal. I just hate the idea of sticking a gun down my pants that doesnt have a safety. I don’t want to loose my will to live because of an accidental misfire. Some idiot just had a gun go off and shot someone at a church down the street form me… So I’m really looking forward to the this one being in the 9mm, so I have something with more power when I have to go across the river…

  • baldyfreak

    This Sig 938 will be the most popular concealed carry since the Walther PPK! I bet its popularity will run for another century! While I find the larger 1911 offerings from Sig extremely ugly renditions of the 1911 theme, the sig 9238 is a far sexier gun than the older Colt mustang! The classic Sig angular chamber and slide makes for a very sexy single action mustang-like auto, and now a 9mm version? Hold on to your butts everyone as this sucker will OUT-SELL EVERY OTHER AUTOLOADER FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS! I hope Sig makes a lot of them because it will be hard to get your mits on one! I hope they do an HD variant too!

  • TED WRIGHT

    I think the new Sig P938 will be a great firearm if it is anything like the P238. I own and have shot most of the major, quality firearms on the market and have carried a firearm as an officer for over forty years. I have also been a firearms instructor since 1969. Take my word for it this gun will be a great sell for years to come for people who shoot and know how a 1911 type firearm works. For them it should prove to be completely reliable and concealable. It will need to be completely reliable, accurate and small enough to hid away.

    • DW

      I am used to carrying a Sig p229 DA/SA and a Ruger LCR. Do you the P938 would be an unwise choice considering the different format? I’m used to guns going off whenever I pull on the trigger. If you think this would be a poor choice, do you have any suggestions for an equally reliable mini 9 or .380? Thanks.

      • Matt

        Take a look at the Kahr pistols. I think they are some of the best of the single stacks and they put the p229 trigger to shame.

  • renegade

    It’s funny how people think this gun would be unacceptable for a CARRY gun…Forget about BUG. I’m not a cop….I am however, military…With that being said, if my state (Texas) was open carry then I would carry a large multi-round COMBAT Gun or Duty gun…the p238 is awesome thus far for it’s little size. I’ve shot 200 rounds so far with Walmart American eagle FMJ and Remington Gold Saber and I have no issues thus far…the p938 will give me a cheaper 9mm option. I have 2 compact XDm pistols and they are simply TOO DAMN BIG and FAT to conceal unless I was willing to go un-proffessional at work with untucked polo shirts. I’ll keep an XDm in the car for that day I drive up on a police shoot out and the police invite me in to shoot someone or provide suppressive fire….(HIGHLY UNLIKELY)….6 rounds is plenty. Hopefully one round does the job of what it was intended for….SELF DEFENSE.

    Back to the gun itself…..based on the p238…..This gun should be HOT! 9mm, light and thin, and hopefully reliable (I’m not GOD and neither are YOU so don’t say you can predict that it will bust on me). It’s sexy too. I recommend for guys to get the extended mag for your pinky. It’s not necessary, but feels great.

    • Tommy J

      “the police invite me to shoot someone” hahahahahaha that’s something a total PoG would say! What’s your Branch? MOS?

  • Dirv

    I’ve heard a lot of pro’s and con’s. I’ve never owned a sub-compact and I really like the feel of the P238. i have always used SA. i just don’t think i can wait for the actual user reviews on the P938. i’m about two weeks away from my CHL …

    • Speedi

      I recently bought my wife the p238 to replace her SW BG. Of course I had to take it to the range immediately.. I was amazed at home much fun it was to shoot. It ran everything and was really accurate and easy to operate with one hand. She loves it because its solid and shaped better for recoil,now its much more fun for her at the range. Plus she thinks it looks cool, of course.
      I got points for that move..
      I’ve been carrying an LC9 and PM9 they’re both nice guns. But after using the p238 I moved on to the p938 and It has been flawless. I ran numerous random ammo. I did listen to the blogs and ran a box of 124 grain and then some plus-P defensive. This is s Great Weapon and its very easy to use with one hand. I love the fact that the trigger has a deliberate pull but not Way way back, its upfront where it belongs. It made quick paced shooting much more accurate for me.

  • Jerry

    I bought the Sig P938 yesterday and took it to the range today. If had not shot this gun today I would not believe that such a small 9mm would have such little recoil. The ammo I used was Federal 115 grain FMJ target ammo. I had no FTF or FTE with 100 rds fired. The only problem I had was that in the first 50 or so rounds I had to rock the mags a little to get them to insert. I could put all the shots into 5.5 ” shoot n see target from 30 feet afther I had fired about 20 shots. If everyone that buys one has the same experience that I did , Sig will have a sales winner with this gun.