Sig Sauer P238 Review Vs Smith and Wesson Bodyguard

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I have been looking at a ownership new 380 cal. light weight conduct pistol.It has come downwardly to these two pistols the Due south&W bodyguard and sig sauer P238.Your thoughts on these 2 pistols,good and bad?Thanks,frank c.
I was over my FFL transfer dealers the two weeks agone picking up my Beretta 84. He had a Bodyguard .380 there and I asked him if I could check it out. Information technology felt cracking in my hand and the fit and finish were well done. Before I talk virtually the trigger permit me country I'm a revolver guy, so I'm used to long DA trigger pulls, but man that trigger was about a mile long and at least 2 stages! I have some former H&R .22 revolvers that have better triggers on them.
I remember it would exist VERY worth while to hire a babysitter and shoot information technology before you buy one.
I agree. Hire 1 first. My married woman loves hers. Once yous become used to the trigger, it'due south a groovy little gun. It goes forever, and then breaks over only when you call up you're out of room. I would depend on information technology for SD but not much fun to practice with.
Although I acknowledge I have never handled a Bodyguard I have read several times that the laser activation is a bit cheesy and not well thought out.
At least the pistol has regular sights to make up for that.
Not sure of Sig has the issues worked out of the P238 yet.
I am certain the loyalist will shortly come forth most that.
I don't know anything virtually the South&W merely I did accept a SIG238. Multiple trips to SIG, new parts "that volition fix the SIG this time". I hear SIG finally got the 238 fixed but IMO it's too expensive to take a chance on.
The SIG
I don't know that the Sig is a pocket behave item like the S&Due west. It is designed such as a 1911 to be carried cocked and locked for rapid deployment. Best served as IWB carry. I like the looks and the ergonomics are not as appropriate for me as the S&W (I accept handled both, shot neither).

For what its worth, if you do a search on each of these items you will find a plethora of information and opinions.

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Sig 238, no contest there. TJ
I have a BG 380. I like it but I'g nevertheless trying to get used to the trigger.
I was interested in the Sig P238 besides. Groovy picayune gun. I was looking for a pocket carry gun though and the Sig is SA only. I knew I wouldn't feel comfortable conveying in my pocket cocked and locked so I ultimately decided it wasn't correct for me.

I establish that the perfect pocket gun didn't exist. There'south ever a tradeoff somewhere; long and heavy trigger, no sights, as well bulky, wrong activeness type, besides expensive, etc.
I haven't handled or shot the Southward&West Bodyguard. I've had a Sig P238 for some time and I'thousand very pleased with information technology. It replaced a Kel-Tec P3AT. IMO information technology is far superior to the Kel-Tec in every way. The trigger pull is heavy, merely is a typical 1911 trigger. (I'grand fractional to 1911'due south) Information technology breaks clean and has a very short unmarried activeness travel. A lot of these tiny .380's are a scattering to shoot, but the P238 isn't bad at all. Mine has been flawless and then far. I shot 300 rounds of Remington hardball thru it first to brand sure information technology functioned OK. Since then, I've shot 200 rounds of Hornady personal defense ammo in it without a bobble. I sometimes conduct information technology considering it tin exist and then easily hidden. I have an IWB holster, but usually carry information technology in a wallet-style pocket holster in my back pocket. Most of its time is spent every bit a BUG. Sig magazines are a little hard to find and pricey, but Colt Mustang mags tin can be readily establish, piece of work well and are cheaper. I as well similar the sights - for a small gun, they are piece of cake to run into and being nighttime sights is an added bonus. The only fault I can find with it is that the bottom edge of the trigger is kind of sharp and prolonged shooting sessions cause a sore trigger finger. A little touch up with a Dremel would quickly fix that problem.

Final edited: Aug 18, 2011
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I have an early SIG 238, which I've been happy with and oasis't encountered any issues with to appointment. I've handled (but non shot) the Due south&West Babysitter 380 and liked what I saw. Both would be worthily of serious consideration. Equally others accept suggested, try to rent both before making a purchase conclusion.

Remora Holster

Last edited: Aug 19, 2011
I went to my local gunshop today they had a nice used sig p238 HD model with iii clips orginal box and paper work for $425.I as well looked at the S&W 380 bodyguard,my likes,overnice and light weight,laser.Dislikes hard to engauge saftey and long trigger pull.I ended up ownership the sig p238.
Both are neat choices from hearing from personal friends who ain them. The only problem I would have with the bodyguard is that poor alibi for a laser that yous're stuck with since information technology'due south integrated. If they offered it without a laser for a bit less $ i'd love information technology. Both would be an aligning for me due to no ambi safe, only the Sig would be the one i'd purchase in the end.
I have had a P238 for almost 2 years. It hides in the pocket without a problem. I cary it in a Don Hume pocket holster, and it but disappears, even in a pair of Levi's. The single activity trigger is tough to beat out.
I agree with DPotvin, IMO, in that location just isnt a pocket pistol that is everything I want it to exist.
I dont own the Sig but I actually like it, or at to the lowest degree I desire to. It feels practiced in the hand, and has a adept trigger (compared to every other pocket pistol on the market), but the reliability issues I keep reading nigh keep me from buying i. It seems to be about 50%, the people that have skillful ones absolutely honey them, the others have abiding FTF problems. The Diamond Back DB 380 feels skillful and shoots good to, merely it is also plagued with reliability problems. If either the P238 or the DB380 were reliable I would be happy with either of them, just they're non, so I'll continue carrying one of the sub compacts for now.
I really like mine. Subsequently installing the free flat-wound recoil spring I've had no problems. Use it every time at the range along with my 9mm's. My round count is over 1000 for this CCW.
I'thousand using a IWB holster that hides it well, acquit it all the fourth dimension, beloved information technology.
I too tried the LCP and LC9 before the P238. I did non treat the heavy long trigger pull.
Between these two definitely the Sig however, I would not limit myself to just these two. I have a Kahr P380 that's a sugariness pistol to shoot. I recommend you attempt ane if you can yous might like it.
I have the Sig P238 Equinox, a belatedly build model. The gun has smashing sights, is very accurate, and a pleasure to shoot! It has been flawless at the range!!
I've always been a fan of S&W and Sig's. With that said, I do believe that each has its place in the service and CCW market. Sig is known for existence a solid firearm correct from the become get. I ain a P220, a P226, and P229 as well as a couple of their 1911 models. Great pistols overall. Southward&W has, well, a long history of existence reliable weapons which, if you consider it a plus, made here in America. I own a 1000&P9c and endemic the Thou&P45, 642 and 442. Sold all just the Thou&P9c. I've been able to shoot both the P238 and own a bodyguard 380. I tried both out before deciding which to buy. Not to mention, I've owned the LCP, TCP, Keltec, Walther, etc.
P238, cute little pocket pal. So many variations available now that you lot can suit it to your individual taste and desire. Decent little shooter and a familiar design if you are a fan of the 1911's.

Bodyguard 380, this has to exist the smoothest and softest shooting 380 I've always shot. So far completely reliable. The grip is long enough to feel comfortable in my easily (i wear size large/Forty gloves) It has actual sights that are piece of cake to see.

Weight goes to the bodyguard. Fully loaded in a comptac holster and it pretty much disappears when I have it IWB. The p238 has a bit of heft to information technology considering information technology is just a 380.
Sights to to the Sig. Night sights are always a plus.
"Prettiness" goes to the Sig but the Bodyguard isn't also far behind. The various models of the P238 give it the edge though.
Trigger pull goes to the Sig likewise. It is just overnice and short (again 1911 fans). The Bodyguard is a true DAO pistol and the pull is longer and heavier but for me, considering it was a pocket gun, I liked it.
Shooting, well, similar I said earlier. I found the Bodyguard to be more consistently accurate and softer shooting. Surprising considering the p238'south frame.
Accessories, this is a tough ane. Sig always has more options which I really don't consider accessories but they can exist viewed as such. Bodyguard comes with the integrated light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.
Holsters are bachelor for both models in diverse designs ranging from IWB/OWB/pocket constrict/rear pocket/neck wear/ankle.
Price goes to the Bodyguard. You can discover the S&W for less than $400. The Sig starts at over $500. That depends on your piggy depository financial institution.

So why did I become with the babysitter instead of the p238. Honestly, I felt the S&W a bit more comfortable in my paw and information technology was more of a consistent shot for me. Maybe the P238 was slipping in my hand simply it did not shoot as consistent equally the S&W. Also, the fact that information technology came with the integrated laser was a BIG plus. Though, I take nonetheless to really accept information technology on while I conduct information technology. Toll was also a consideration. Did I really want to pay $500-700 for a 380acp? I didn't. But you may. Is the sig proper name for a 380 worth the price deviation? To ME, considering the babysitter shot meliorate and had the laser, it wasn't. The determination is yours in the finish just I wanted to give y'all my opinion on it. Again, this is my opinion. Either style, adept shooting mate!!

Last edited: Aug 28, 2011
This is only thought by people who don't sympathise the concept of "point shooting". The babysitter laser switch is right where your index finger should exist -- either potent or weak mitt when bespeak shooting. They take had some bad switches, but will fix them straight away should you get one of the pistols with them.
No doubt the Sig P238 is by far the all-time of the mouse guns at the range and is only plain fun to shoot, just its size in weight are as well shut to my Kahr PM40 for me to take the downgrade to .380. When the PM40 can't hide, I go with the Babysitter or the Ruger LCP.

To be honest my P238 has not had reliability sufficient for comport. The LCP and Bodyguard have never bobbled and I can even apply inexpensive Wolf steel cased ammo in them for practise. Also the P238 has poor ambi features -- when I bear a mouse gun its usually for left hand use.
I can't comment on the Bodyguard, non having shot one. Notwithstanding, I do have a P238 and it's a great little pistol. I am more authentic with the P238 than any other pistol I have shot, and it conceals well in a pocket holster.
Effectually the Spring of this year, the LAPD authorized the Ruger LCP and a special variant of the South&W BG380 for redundancy/off-duty use.
It's interesting to notation that the special variant of the Due south&W BG380 for the LAPD does not accept a manual condom and does not accept the laser.
That model may be available to the public in the future.
Ive had 2 P3AT's both ran keen,Take a Kahr p380 and a Sig 238.
Both of these are dandy,shoot well,and recoil is very manageable,The Kahr is a little nicer in the pocket but If I had to choose it would be my Sig.
It just flat out shoots,the night sights are the best ive seen on on the small 380's and the ergo,s are well 1911 ish.
Advise you take a look at Walther, too. Small, accurate, easily concealable, and they probably take more than experience in building pistols for this round than all the other manufacturers put together.
My personal opinion is that pocket guns should always be DAO. I dearest Sigs, but I think the Due south&Westward BG380 is the better choice.