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Want a good small 9mm?

5K views 64 replies 32 participants last post by  boilergonzo 
#1 ·
You might look into the SIG P938.

Due to needing a small pistol for pocket carry I first bought a early (2010) SIG P238 (380). It was a stinker. Even after a couple trips to SIG and multiple parts changes, the gun wouldn't get through a magazine without jamming. I got rid of it.

I still liked the little "1911" style pistol and when the P938 came out, against my better judgment, I bought it.


The gun turned out to be totally reliable and accurate.
Even for it's small size and light weight the gun is a pleasure to shoot, with surprisingly light recoil.
I like shooting it. Been shooting it today and off and on for several weeks.


If you are a 1911 cocked and locked carry type person and like small guns you might check out the SIG P938.

Size comparison with the Glock 42 and Ruger LC9.


I like the P938 so much I bought a pretty one for carry. :)
 
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#40 ·
I think that the thumb safety is an issue, both in favor and against.

At least on the P938, Condition-One carry is not a problem. The safety is both small and positive.

And that's the problem, at least for me. Because it is a deliberate action that is not native to decades of carrying a GLOCK.

I train w/ it, and can incorporate it into a smooth and quick presentation, but it doesn't come to hand, because of its size, like a 1911.




Nutter
 
#43 ·
"I train w/ it, and can incorporate it into a smooth and quick presentation, but it doesn't come to hand, because of its size, like a 1911."


I have smallish hands, so it just happens that when I raise my thumb to swipe off the safety my knuckle bone rests exactly centered on the safety. (For me) it's probably one of the easiest to disengage thumb safeties out there.

I'm thinking shooters with bigger hands could have problems with this safety.

 
#47 ·
"I train w/ it, and can incorporate it into a smooth and quick presentation, but it doesn't come to hand, because of its size, like a 1911."


I have smallish hands, so it just happens that when I raise my thumb to swipe off the safety my knuckle bone rests exactly centered on the safety. (For me) it's probably one of the easiest to disengage thumb safeties out there.

I'm thinking shooters with bigger hands could have problems with this safety.

I meant that it doesn't start on the safety like a 1911. I have to bring it up and swipe it.




Nutter
 
#48 ·
"I meant that it doesn't start on the safety like a 1911. I have to bring it up and swipe it."


I'm sorry but I don't know what you mean, "it doesn't start on the safety like a 1911".

The 1911 thumb safety operates like the P938, except when the 1911 safety is Up/On (cocked and locked) the slide is locked forward in place by the thumb safety.


When the P938 safety is Up/On (cocked and locked) the slide can still be pulled back to chamber or eject a round/case.
At first I thought this P938 feature was strange but I've found it to be quite useful.
I like the idea of having the safety ON (hammer cocked) when chambering a round.
Instead of having the hammer back, safety Off when chambering a live round like the 1911. I have seen 1911 pistols "slam fire" when chambering a round.
 
#49 ·
"I meant that it doesn't start on the safety like a 1911. I have to bring it up and swipe it."


I'm sorry but I don't know what you mean, "it doesn't start on the safety like a 1911".

The 1911 thumb safety operates like the P938, except when the 1911 safety is Up/On (cocked and locked) the slide is locked forward in place by the thumb safety.


When the P938 safety is Up/On (cocked and locked) the slide can still be pulled back to chamber or eject a round/case.
At first I thought this P938 feature was strange but I've found it to be quite useful.
I like the idea of having the safety ON (hammer cocked) when chambering a round.
Instead of having the hammer back, safety Off when chambering a live round like the 1911. I have seen 1911 pistols "slam fire" when chambering a round.
Many don't like the series 80 FPS but it would prevent a slam fire....
 
#51 ·
When the P938 safety is Up/On (cocked and locked) the slide can still be pulled back to chamber or eject a round/case.
At first I thought this P938 feature was strange but I've found it to be quite useful.
I like it to, and like you, I insert a mag and chamber a round without ever taking the safety off, after dry fire practice or cleaning. This is a feature of the P238 and P938 that I think doesn't get enough play.
 
#53 ·
I was an armorer and an MP when I was in the Army (long ago). I loved shooting M1911A1s, but they were a real pain to keep running. I'll admit that these were old "garrison pistols" and well worn, but every range detail brought 10-20% of them back non-functional. On the other hand, our S&W M10s (used by female soldiers) and Colt Detective Specials (used by MPI and CID) NEVER broke. I likewise experienced superb reliability with the Sig Sauer P220 (DA/SA w/decocker) I carried as an agent and the Glocks that are my retirement pieces. This has brought me to the realization that handguns have come a long way since the 1911 was first conceived 108 years ago. I prefer the newer formats.
 
#56 ·
"Generally, I can draw a 1911 w/ my thumb already on top of the safety.

The P938 in an IWB holster doesn't permit that, so I have to add a swipe to the draw."


Oh, OK I understand.
If I was holster carrying a larger gun than the P938, it would possibly a 1911.




"You are the envy of every New Orleans pimp.....:supergrin:"


Maybe not but a lady friend that has a SIG 238 wants this pretty P938 bad. :)
 
#58 ·
Not to muddy the waters, but this thread got me browsing the Sig offerings, and I saw the 232 has been discontinued. :-(((

What is filling that role in the Sig line? The 232 was just so darn classically elegant. The other Sigs -of which I have 220s and 226s, are so industrial, so very SIG-ish. The 232 is a great pistol and a lovely design. Sorry to see it go.
 
#61 ·
I loved the 230/232, and finally wound up with a 230. Loved everything about it, right up to the nasty slide bite it would give me on my thumb joint. No matter how many ways I tried holding it, it had a taste for my flesh. Wound up trading it off.

A 938 is on my short list, behind a few others.
 
#62 ·
My complaint about the P230 is the magazine release. Like the original P220, it uses one of those Euro types that requires both hands. Still, the pistol shoots beautifully and I really like the execution of the decocker.
 
#64 ·
The glocks I was referring to are carry guns (19/23, 26/27), which really aren't hard to conceal, especially the subcompacts.

Sticking with 9 the 26 is a larger gun, but holds 4 more rounds and isn't difficult to conceal.

What is going to get in the trigger guard while carrying in a proper holster?

I'm glad the sig works for you. As far as I can tell they are very well made tools. I'm glad it works for you I just prefer no safety on a carry pistol
If I can carry something that large, I do, and agree. Sometimes I wear light athletic clothes or certain dress slacks that a gun like the G26 is just too big. I do have a place for smaller guns. Everyone has different needs and preferences. It is a free country, and I am happy you have something that works well for you.
 
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