Sig Sauer P938
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SIG released the sub-compact P938 in 2011. It has an identical outward appearance and the same internal mechanisms as the older micro-pistol, P238. The P238 is a slightly smaller gun, but it shoots .380 ACP. On the other hand, the P938 shoots 9mm, the CCW ammo of choice. In addition to the similarities between the P938 and the P238, SIG modeled this sub-compact pistol after the 1911. Thus, if you are a fan of that standard sized pistol, you will love and adapt quickly to the P938.
In addition to the pistol itself, buying a P938 will get you one stainless steel magazine (which holds 6 9mms, or 7 with the extended magazine), a chamber flag, gun lock (different varieties are given depending on your location and dealer), trial-sized Mil-Comm TW25B grease, a small Kydex holster, and an owner’s manual. All of these fit into a lockable plastic case.
READ MORE BELOW on Specs, Models, and Diagram
Best options For P938
P938 Inside Holsters
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P938 OWB Holsters
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Digging deeper into the Sig Sauer P938 pistol
Specs
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Trigger: SAO
Barrel Length: 3 in
Overall Length: 5.9 in
Overall Width: 1.1 in
Height: 3.9 in
Weight (unloaded): 16 oz
Different Versions
At the time of this writing, SIG offered fourteen models of the P938. These options change the materials and texture of the grips. We’ve provided a quick glance at the fourteen models below. Please see SIG’s website for a more complete comparison.
P938 ASE Micro Compact: Comes with walnut grips and a stainless steel PVD frame and slide.
P938 Blackwood Micro-Compact: Comes with blackwood grips and a two-toned stainless-steel slide with black anodized frame.
P938 BRG Micro-Compact: Comes with Nitron stainless-steel slide, black hard-coat frame, and Hogue rubber finger groove grip.
P938 Combat Micro-Compact: Comes with Nitron stainless-steel slide, FDO anodized frame, FDE rubber grips, and front cocking serrations.
P938 Emperor Scorpion TB Micro-Compact: Comes with a threaded barrel, G-10 Piranha Grips, and an FDE PVD frame.
P938 Extreme Micro-Compact: Comes with a Nitron stainless-steel slide, black hard-coat frame, and Hogue G-10 Piranha Grips.
P938 Navy Micro Compact: Comes with a navy frame and rubber grips.
P938 Nightmare Micro-Compact: Comes with a Nitron stainless-steel slide, black hard-coat frames with contrasting controls, and Hogue black G-10 grips.
P938 Nitron Micro-Compact: Comes with a Nitron stainless-steel slide.
P938 Rose Gold: Comes with a polished and engraved slide and custom G-10 grips with rose gold medallion.
P938 SAS Micro Compact: Comes with natural stainless-steel slide and custom walnut grips.
P938 Stand Micro-Compact: Comes with stars and stripes “stand” engraving and custom grips.
P938 We the People: Comes with “We the People” engraved slide, custom aluminum grips embossed with 50 stars, and custom distressed finish.
P938-22 Target Micro-Compact: Comes with adjustable sights and checkering rosewood grips.
SIG still releases new model options for the P938 all the time. So, if you don’t see what you want here, it may be scheduled to release in the near future. Sig’s website.
When researching a conceal carry weapon (CCW), the semi-automatic sub-compact market might seem a little crowded and overwhelming. There are a ridiculous number of pistols to choose from, all with different features, materials, and specs. In today’s article we will help you narrow down your purchase options by describing one of the best sub-compact pistols on the market, SIG Sauer’s P938.
But First A Look back at Sig’s beginnings
It is no wonder than SIG Sauer has a worldwide reputation for making extremely high-quality firearms. The company has been in existence since 1853. Ironically, SIG Sauer—founded by Friedrich Peyer im Hof, Heinrich Moser, and Conrad Neher in Switzerland—began as a wagon company call the Swiss Wagon Factory. Yet, in 1864 the Swiss Wagon Factory won a prestigious gun competition put on by the Swiss Army. Their muzzle loading rifle changed their product line from wagons to small arms. Because of the company’s transformation, the founders changed the name to Swiss Industrial Company (or the Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft) otherwise known as SIG. And, thus, one of the most recognizable names in small arms was born.
SIG did not come to the United States until the 1980s, when it opened SIGARMS in Tyson’s Corner, Virginia. With their move to the US, SIG began to produce some of their most well-loved pistols, such as the P228 and P229. Since the 1990s, SIG has been expanding their catalog, branching out from firearms to training and accessories. This opens up a lot of purchasing options for fans of the brand. SIGARMS change their name to SIG Sauer in 2007, and in 2014 completed a move to their new corporate headquarters in Newington, NH, where they currently develop and test all in-development pistols.
For a longer and more detailed look at Sig Sauer’s history and their move to the United States, visit their website here.
Diagrams
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Reliability
Reviewers report that the modern SIG P938 is an extremely reliable pistol that can handle a wide variety of ammunition. However, some of the first guns sold had a number of defects, the most significant being a failure to feed (FTF) and a failure to extract (FTE).[1] Apparently SIG had used the extractor, extractor spring, and recoil spring from the slightly smaller P238 (which uses .380 ACP). These parts couldn’t stand up to 9mm rounds. To SIG’s credit, they offered to fix the problem in the affected guns at no cost to the owner.
SIG’s response to the malfunction on the early P938s indicate their commitment to excellence. They offer a limited warranty on all of their firearms for the lifetime of the owner. For more details on the warranty visit here.
Sig Sauer P938 Features
The Sig P938 comes with many features that makes it stand out from the other sub-compact pistols on the market. Unlike many sub-compacts, Sig’s P938 puts all of the gun’s controls in the same places as its “parent” pistol, the 1911, which increases your transition to the small gun. Here are a few more highlights:
Materials and Grip
SIG sets the P938 apart from its competition by making it out of a completely metal frame. The alloy frame distinguishes it from its plastic counterparts. While the alloy may add some weight, the pistol’s unloaded 16 ounces still provide enough comfort for most people to conceal carry this gun all day.
As mentioned above, you can buy a P938 with a wide variety of grip types. Some are extremely strong grips, while others are less intense. Customizability is the name of the game with SIG’s P938. They provide more grip options than any other sub-compact competitor on the market. However, such customizability will cost you. All models for the P938 range from $700-900 MSRP.
Trigger
Unusual for a sub-compact, SIG designed the P938 to be a single-action only (or SAO) pistol. The P938 presents one of the only options for adherents of the “cocked and loaded” carry variety. With the SAO trigger you can also carry with the hammer down. But, you will need to de-cock the pistol after loading. As with any type of trigger and carrying preference, the more you practice, the more natural it will be when you need to draw and shoot the gun in a hurry. Practice does make perfect in this instance.
Most reviewers list the trigger pull as smooth.[2] The 7.5 to 8.5 lbs. of pressure to break may seem a little extreme for such a small gun. However, it can provide another safety, wince you will not have to worry about the trigger getting caught on a piece of clothing or other item while drawing and firing.
Accuracy
SIG’s trademarked SIGLITE night sights offer an excellent view of the target. They are full-sized, even on this mini pistol, which allows for a much better view down the barrel. A couple of the model options have adjustable sights (most significantly, the P938 Target), while most include fixed sights.
When buying a sub-compact pistol, you should keep in mind that they are not designed for accurate long-range firing. Sub-compacts should be “combat accurate” at 5-7 ft, which applies to the P938. Reviewers have tested the gun at longer ranges up to 25ft., and it performed well, but it will not be completely accurate at those distances. SIG designed the P938 as a CCW, and for that purpose—self-defense—it shoots extremely reliably and accurately.
Safety
Sig’s P938 comes with an ambidextrous safety and a firing pin block safety. The firing pin block safety will prevent the pistol from discharging when dropped. Having an ambidextrous safety allows for both handed shooters to use this gun. Some reviewers have noted the stiffness and relative smallness of the safety, but this does not inhibit the performance of the pistol.[3]
Extras
Extended magazines take the P938 for a 6+1 pistol to a 7+1 pistol. The addition of one round may not seem like much, but the extended magazine offers additional space for your grip. The magazine extends down below the grip to allow for the pinky to join the party. With the flush standard magazine, most people’s hands will not allow a three-finger grip on the pistol. Thus, with the extended magazine you will have a better and more stable hold of the gun.
Conclusions
With the P938, SIG Sauer has created an extremely competitive and easy-to-handle sub-compact semi-automatic pistol. We would expect no less from a company with such a distinguished history. When you buy a SIG, you will pay for this history of high quality materials and workmanship. However, you will receive one of the most popular sub-compacts on the market, and will quickly see why the SIG P938 has such an exemplary reputation.
[1] Chris Sajnog, “Sig Sauer P938 Review and Range Report,” Navy Seal Approved Gear (January 15, 2016), https://chrissajnog.com/sig-sauer-p938-review/ (accessed 2/22/18).
[2] Patrick Sweeney, “Pocket Parabellum: SIG P938 Review,” Guns & Ammo (May 22, 2012), http://www.gunsandammo.com/reviews/pocket-parabellum-the-sig-p938-review/ (Accessed 2/22/18) AND Chris Sajnog, “Sig Sauer P938 Review and Range Report,” Navy Seal Approved Gear (January 15, 2016), https://chrissajnog.com/sig-sauer-p938-review/ (accessed 2/22/18).
[3] Chris Sajnog, “Sig Sauer P938 Review and Range Report,” Navy Seal Approved Gear (January 15, 2016), https://chrissajnog.com/sig-sauer-p938-review/ (accessed 2/22/18) AND Patrick Sweeney, “Pocket Parabellum: SIG P938 Review,” Guns & Ammo (May 22, 2012), http://www.gunsandammo.com/reviews/pocket-parabellum-the-sig-p938-review/ (Accessed 2/22/18) AND Suzanne Wiley, “9mm SIG Sauer P938 Review,” The Shooter’s Log (January 22, 2014), http://blog.cheaperthandirt.com/9mm-sig-sauer-p938-review/ (Accessed 2/22/18).
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