The Sig Sauer P238 was the first .380 ACP BUG to grace my gun safe, a welcomed addition to the 9mm polymers, .38 SPL revolvers, and .45 ACP 1911s. 

The Sig came to me by way of the Guns.com Vault. Initially intended for my first video review, the P238 was meant to be nothing more than a means to dip my toes into video content creation. When it arrived at my FFL, I fully intended to test it, as I do every gun that comes way, film it, then repackage it and send it back to Guns.com. 

The engraving on my model just kicks the looks up, turning heads at the range. Besides, who doesn't want a beauty by their side? (Photo: Jacki Billings/Guns.com)

Related: Check out my first look at the Sig Sauer P238

As I opened the Sig Sauer case, I was struck first by its beauty. The finish and Rosewood grips gave it a sleek look. Especially in a sea of black, polymer pistols occupying much of the space in my gun cabinet, the Sig P238 stood out. I took it to the range for the first time and fell in love. The trigger, the fluidity of the action...everything about it screamed, "buy me!" So I did. 

After more than a year's worth of use, where do I stand on the P238? Let's find out. 
 

The Sig Sauer P238: A Refresher

The Sig Sauer P938 comes in a small package but is it a worthy .380 ACP? Read on to find out. (Photo: Jacki Billings/Guns.com)

The P238 adopts a 1911 look but in a tiny package. Measuring just over 5-inches in length with an overall width of 1.1-inches, the P238's height stands at 3.9-inches. The gun tips scales at 15.2-ounces unloaded. 

In total, the P238 packs six rounds in its flush fit, stainless steel magazine -- a design that contributes to its overall sleek aesthetic. The pistol uses a stainless-steel frame with a Nitron coated slide to combat corrosion. A year later, it looks the same as it did when it arrived -- obviously, that finish is doing its job. 

The flush fit mag grants an aesthetic appeal to the pistol. (Photo: Jacki Billings/Guns.com)

Though the P238 series offers a bevy of styles, mine comes in a nice hard-coated anodized frame with Rosewood grips. The grips, of course, feature the Sig logo embedded just in case you forget what you're shooting. Capping off the notable features, the P238 brings a beavertail style to the table for those that like to choke up on the gun while shooting, a manual safety, and the added bonus of Sig Lite Night Sights. 
 

A Year Later
 

The Sig P938 has appeared in many of my reviews, including this look at the best holsters for exercising. (Photo: Jacki Billings/Guns.com)

If you have paid attention to the slew of videos and articles I've produced since 2019, you probably have noticed the Sig P238 pop-up on occasion. The perfect micro-pistol for holster reviews and concealment style articles, the Sig proved itself a nice addition to my arsenal. 

Easily slipping into a thigh holster, the P238 has also been a hearty addition to my date attire. As a single lady, I'm an advocate for safe dating, and for me, that means packing a firearm. While I usually EDC a Glock 19-sized Shadows System MR918, sometimes that setup just doesn't hack it for dresses, skirts, or skinny jeans. In those times, I have found myself transitioning to the Sig Sauer P238. Either in a Can Can Concealment Hip Hugger or Thigh Holster, the Sig Sauer has been a loyal companion. 

Do I prefer 9mm most days? Yes. Do I think it's a more effective round? Also yes. But is it always practical for this lady? Not always, so the .380 ACP will do. 

That trigger, tho...(Photo: Jacki Billings/Guns.com)
Shooting the P238 is a pleasant one. The .380's minimal recoil paired with that trigger ( did I mention I dig it?) makes for a comfortable range experience. (Photo: Jacki Billings/Guns.com)

The P238 has accompanied me to several range days since joining my pistol collection in 2019. After 1,000 rounds or more, it's still chugging along. Though my range days have been limited in the past six months, thanks COVID, the Sig is always ready to munch on some Speer, Federal, or Winchester rounds with little issue. 

The P238's reliability is appreciated, but its standout feature has got to the trigger. Smooth like butter, the 7.5-pound single-action trigger is a dream to shoot. A fluid press to the wall and a nice reset, the trigger won me over. To this day, it's still my favorite piece of the P238 and frequently has me losing track of time at the range. 
 

Final Thoughts
 

For a .380 ACP, the Sig P238 is a winner. (Photo: Jacki Billings/Guns.com)

The Sig Sauer P238 has been my go-to BUG and micro-compact since it wandered into office in 2019. Reliable and compact, the P238 has proven itself time and time again. Not to mention, she's a real looker with that gorgeous finish and Rosewood grips. 

Would I purchase the Sig P238 again? In a heartbeat. It's worth mentioning, if you want a similar compact style but prefer a 9mm chambering; you might want to take a look at the P238's sibling -- the P938. (Psst, I reviewed that one too. Check it out here: Sig Sauer P938: A BUG for 9mm Fans)

All in all, those looking for a BUG, pocket pistol, or a compact date night pistol chambered in .380 ACP will be quite pleased with Sig Sauer's P238. MSRP on the P238 usually starts around $630 with special edition finishes and models heading north of $999. 

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