Sig Sauer P238 Black Pearl Gun Review

By Melissa

Specifications

Model: P238 Black Pearl

Caliber: .380 ACP

Barrel Length: 2.7″

Ammunition Capacity: 6(7 with extended magazine)

Price: $720

Sig Sauer P238 Black Pearl Usage & Features

Primary Use:

Concealed Carry

Are you right handed or left handed?

Right

What features does this gun have that appealed to you?

It’s small, has a safety, has very little kick and is easy to manipulate and take apart for cleaning. It’s size makes it easy to conceal, even on a woman with a smaller, curvy frame. Night sights.

Tell us about shooting this gun:

Pure fun. It’s very reliable – the only jams I’ve had is when I’ve ‘ridden’ the slide back instead of pulling and releasing. I can shoot and control the gun easily, even one-handed.

How does it fit your hand, how do you like the sights, how difficult is it to rack the slide, how would you describe the trigger pull, and how would you describe the recoil?

The Sig Sauer P238 Black Pearl fits my small hands extremely well, even with the extended magazine. Racking the slide is smooth and easy, even without much hand strength. Trigger pull is easy, but still requires deliberate thought. Recoil is minimal. This gun is just plain fun to shoot, even for me.

How reliable is it?

As stated above, the only time I have had it jam is when I’ve racked the slide and ‘ridden’ it back – obviously this is only an issue with the first bullet. When I rack correctly (pull back and release), I have zero issues and have never had an issue mid-magazine. I have fired several hundred rounds through it at this point.

Any problems with any type of ammunition?

Not yet. Have only fired FMJ at this point (rounded and flat nose).

Does this gun have any specific ammunition requirements? If so, please explain:

Not that I have found.

What do you dislike about shooting this gun, if anything?

There is nothing that I dislike about my Sig Sauer P238 Black Pearl.

Was it easy to take down and clean?

Easy, though it takes some coordination to hold the slide back and release the slide stop at the right point.

Would you recommend this gun?

Yes.

For someone considering this gun, what would you tell them?

The Sig Sauer P238 Black Pearl is definitely a gun worth considering, for all of the points listed above. It is extremely reliable and comes with a lifetime, transferable warranty. When my daughter is old enough, I will likely give this one to her and buy myself another. Call me vain, but I also like that the engravings and special grips make it aesthetically pleasing as well.

Anything else you would like to share about the gun?

Something to consider: .380 ACP ammo is much more expensive than 9 mm. The Sig Sauer P938 is basically the same gun in a 9 mm. If you have the ability, try both before buying. If you like the P238 best, great. If like them both about the same, save yourself some future $$ when buying ammo and buy the P938.