Sig P238 vs P938: What’s the Difference?

By Thomas Kirk

The Sig P238 shoots .380 ACP and the P938 shoots 9mm. The P938 is the larger pistol: about 0.4 in longer, with a longer barrel, a deeper grip and about 0.8 oz more weight. Both hold 6+1, and grip panels are made for one model or the other, so they don’t swap.

Sig P238 vs P938 Specs Side by Side

Both are single-action, 1911-style pocket pistols. Specs are from Alien Gear’s P238 vs P938 comparison. Figures also match the Wikipedia entries for the SIG Sauer P238 and P938. Check your exact model, since finishes and editions vary.

Main Differences Between the P238 and P938

• Caliber and recoil. The P238 fires .380 ACP. The P938 fires 9mm, which carries more energy than .380 ACP. Reviewers still describe the P938 as mild for a micro 9mm because of its all-metal frame.
• Length and barrel. The P938 is about 0.4 in longer overall and has a 3.0 in barrel against 2.7 in on the P238.
• Grip size. Owners on forums such as 1911Forum and The Firing Line describe the P938 grip as deeper front to back, which gives larger hands more to hold. Both guns are 1.1 in wide.
• Capacity. Same on both: 6+1 flush, or 7+1 with an extended magazine and pinky extension.
• Concealment. The P938 is a little longer and heavier, so it can be harder to pocket carry. Both are small enough for inside-the-waistband carry.

P238 and P938 Features Compared

• Construction. Both have an aluminum frame, a stainless steel slide and a 1911-style layout.
• Action and safety. Both are single-action, so the thumb safety must be on whenever the hammer is cocked. The P938 has an ambidextrous safety. The P238 shipped with a single-side safety, and many variants have had an ambidextrous one since 2012.
• Sights. Current P238 models come with night sights as standard. Most P938 variants have SIGLITE night sights.
• Factory grips. The P238 ships with fluted polymer panels. P938 factory panels vary by variant, and some come with G10 laminate.
• Buying a used early P238. In July 2009 SIG issued a mandatory safety upgrade for serial numbers DA000501 to DA003216, over defective manual safety levers. Check the serial number on any early pistol you buy used.

Are P238 and P938 Grips Interchangeable?

No. The P938 frame is slightly longer front to back, and grip panels are cut for one frame or the other. Owners on SIG Talk have reported for years that P238 panels do not fit a P938, and the reverse. Buy panels listed for your exact model.

Check these before you order:

• Safety cut. The P238 came with a single-side thumb safety, and an ambidextrous safety was offered from 2012. Panels must match your safety, or they can interfere with it. Our guide to ambi safety cuts on 1911 grips explains the difference.
• Material. G10 has the most texture. Wood is smooth and slides out of a pocket cleanly. Rubber helps with recoil but is thicker and tends to grab clothing on a pocket draw.
• Thickness. Thicker panels feel better in the hand and print more through a cover garment.

Find grips for your pistol:

• Sig P238 grips
• Sig P938 grips
• All Sig Sauer grips

P238 or P938: Which Should You Choose?

Pick the P238 if you want the smallest and lightest option, prefer .380 ACP’s softer recoil, or plan to carry in a pocket.

Pick the P938 if you want 9mm, have larger hands, or want a slightly longer barrel and grip. Put your hand on both before deciding, since hand fit is the biggest difference between them.

Sig P238 and P938 FAQs

What are the differences between the Sig P938 and the Sig P238?

The P238 is a .380 ACP and the P938 is a 9mm. The P938 is about 0.4 in longer, has a 3.0 in barrel against 2.7 in, weighs about 0.8 oz more and has a deeper grip. Width (1.1 in) and capacity (6+1) are the same. See the table above for the full numbers.

Why was the Sig P238 discontinued?

We found no SIG Sauer announcement discontinuing the standard P238, and Wikipedia lists its production as 2009 to present. The rumor usually comes from specific variants and limited editions that have gone out of production, and from retailer stock-outs. Confirm with SIG Sauer or a dealer that the exact model you want is still listed.

Did SIG discontinue the P938?

Not fully. Wikipedia lists P938 production as 2011 to present, and Alien Gear’s P938 review says the series is not fully discontinued, with models such as the Legion still in production. Many older cosmetic variants have been dropped, and reviewers say new ones can be hard to find, so confirm the exact variant you want is available.

Is the Sig P938 a good carry gun?

For many people, yes. It is a flat 9mm that holds 6+1 (7+1 with an extended magazine), weighs 16 oz and was designed for deep concealment and backup use. Reviewers call its recoil mild for a micro 9mm because of the all-metal frame.

Two cautions: with the flush magazine the short grip leaves larger hands with pinky overhang, and because it is single-action the thumb safety must be on when the hammer is cocked, which takes practice. For pocket carry, use a pocket holster that covers the trigger.

Related Guides

• 1911 Ambi Safety Grips: Do You Need an Ambi Cut?
• What 1911 Grips Fit My Pistol?

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