OP
And the winner by a boatload.....
- Thread starter Millie
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The Keltec operates on an different manual of arms. The are both guns in the same caliber but operated differently. All poodles are dogs not all dogs are poodles. You cannot carry the Sig P238 the same way you carry a Keltec. I am sorry to be blunt but if you do not understand the difference you are a ND waiting to happen.
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My P238 has the best trigger of any gun I own. Even my CZ 75b with a trigger job. I can hit steel plates at 50 yards with that little gun and carry it every day. Great choice.
My suggestion, carry safety on and just learn to draw and flip the safety off.
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My suggestion, carry safety on and just learn to draw and flip the safety off.
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OP
Ok, some suggestions from you.
I already said I'm rethinking the carry method! I'm pretty sure I said that.....maybe not. I'm working on it. Just give me a minute.
Give me a suggestion for a better way, not just "criticism ", help me get it sorted out.
This, or one of my pocket holsters.
Yeah, 50 is a long way with that little gun. And if you ever get a chance to shoot steel, do it. It's a reactive target. You get to hear the round hit and see the target fall, or swing. It's a lot of fun. My club has a steel plate rack and dueling tree at 15 yards and steel swinging plates at 25 and 50 yards for pistol and .22 rifle. When I get board with the plate rack I move over to the swinging targets.
You had talked about at some point not using a safety. We're all against that. That being said don't count on the safety always being on as like I stated before sometimes they get accidentally get switched off.
A good practice is the gun gets raised up, safety comes down, gun gets lowered, safety goes up.
Sorry if we sound critical but this is important.
Chief, I used to have a high quality holster for the 1911 that the retaining strap actually went under the hammer in cocked and locked preventing the hammer from dropping on the firing pin while holstered.This, or one of my pocket holsters.
Yeah, 50 is a long way with that little gun. And if you ever get a chance to shoot steel, do it. It's a reactive target. You get to hear the round hit and see the target fall, or swing. It's a lot of fun. My club has a steel plate rack and dueling tree at 15 yards and steel swinging plates at 25 and 50 yards for pistol and .22 rifle. When I get board with the plate rack I move over to the swinging targets.
It was awesome! Have you considered making something like that?
OP
Thank you. That's helpful. Lol. (As opposed to telling me I'm a ND in the making or whatever.)This, or one of my pocket holsters.
Yeah, 50 is a long way with that little gun. And if you ever get a chance to shoot steel, do it. It's a reactive target. You get to hear the round hit and see the target fall, or swing. It's a lot of fun. My club has a steel plate rack and dueling tree at 15 yards and steel swinging plates at 25 and 50 yards for pistol and .22 rifle. When I get board with the plate rack I move over to the swinging targets.
However, I have no pockets and my preferred pants have no belt loops....may have to start wearing my jeans again.....
I figured out the Kel Tec, I'll do the same with this gun! Its lucky I love research!
OP
I understand this is important.
The safety is pretty hard to move. How does it get switched off without me knowing?
And as far as carrying the new gun, I'm working on the new method with what I have here right now, unloaded. If needed, I'll get a new method. I'm carrying the Kel Tec as usual when leaving the house, as it's been a good method for me...sticky holster, or belly band.
I'm not carrying the Sig when I'm out and about until I've worked out a good safe way to do it.
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Jeppo
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I carry a new gun/holster combo, fully loaded with snap caps that weigh like live rounds, around the house until I'm comfortable enough with it to go out "in the wild".
Congratulations! That part is behind you. Now for the fun part, shooting.
The barrel length on the P238 is only 2.7”, so choose your self-defense ammo carefully. Basically you have to trade between penetration and expansion. I favor expansion because in the absence of a hit to the vitals (central nervous system, heart) the bullet should create as large a wound channel as possible.
Looking at lucky gunner.com/labs/ ballistic tests again, one bullet stands out in terms of expansion - Hornady 90 gr FTX Critical Defense. Even if the muzzle velocity is lower than the test condition due to the shorter barrel, this round will likely still have adequate penetration and expansion. It’s difficult to say for sure without a ballistic test, but this is definitely the self-defense round that I would choose for the P238.
Definitely don’t let the local gun store clerk pick a different self-defense ammo for you. All of the other bullets that have ample penetration also have very poor expansion.
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The barrel length on the P238 is only 2.7”, so choose your self-defense ammo carefully. Basically you have to trade between penetration and expansion. I favor expansion because in the absence of a hit to the vitals (central nervous system, heart) the bullet should create as large a wound channel as possible.
Looking at lucky gunner.com/labs/ ballistic tests again, one bullet stands out in terms of expansion - Hornady 90 gr FTX Critical Defense. Even if the muzzle velocity is lower than the test condition due to the shorter barrel, this round will likely still have adequate penetration and expansion. It’s difficult to say for sure without a ballistic test, but this is definitely the self-defense round that I would choose for the P238.
Definitely don’t let the local gun store clerk pick a different self-defense ammo for you. All of the other bullets that have ample penetration also have very poor expansion.
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OP
Thanks!
Now starting an ammo list! And doing research.
I've so far read that my gun is best for experts, and not good as a main gun, only a backup to a 9mm or something. Well, I wasn't happy with 9mm, and I'm comfortable with my gun! Oh, I think I also read it doesn't like hollow points! Is that where the jacketed HP come in?
I appreciate your input.
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S4f
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Congrats on a fine firearm, I carry its big brother the 938 from time to time , the safety will smooth out some over time,
If carried on a belt in a holster condition one, it's safe, pretty much no matter the holster style.
If carried in the pocket, in any bag etc. you must find a holster (they are out there, have seen pocket style with this feature) that covers the safety completely, this will prevent the safety from accidentally coming "off" since the safety is protected from touching anything until drawn
I'll be honest I would/will/do carry single action only autos in/on belt holsters..
I personally would never carry one any other way, to me the risk of accidental discharge isn't worth the risk...too many nice DAO or SA/DA autos for this role...or a revolver...
If carried in the pocket, in any bag etc. you must find a holster (they are out there, have seen pocket style with this feature) that covers the safety completely, this will prevent the safety from accidentally coming "off" since the safety is protected from touching anything until drawn
I'll be honest I would/will/do carry single action only autos in/on belt holsters..
I personally would never carry one any other way, to me the risk of accidental discharge isn't worth the risk...too many nice DAO or SA/DA autos for this role...or a revolver...
Millie when I started carrying daily I had to change my wardrobe completely. I like the inside pants holster over a belt holster. So that being said I got 1 size bidder pants and 1 size larger shirt to cover my gun.People with smaller waist don't really need larger shirts but as I have gotten older my waist has gotten bigger hence bigger shirt. You really need to wear a belt . If not the added weight of the pistol will cause your pants to sag on one side.What kind of pants to you mostly wear,dress pants or jeans. Both will need a belt. .if you want a inside the waist band holster look at Concealment Express kydex holsters. You can get an excellent iwb holster for $37 delivered .
Millie, you ask smart questions and seem to well receive smart answers... and smart a** reply to the other ones. I like It!
Relying on the safety brings on a concern in some carrying situations, such as purse carrying. The pistol will safely bounce around in the purse day after day, but something could possibly bump the lever just right making it not safe and bouncing around in a purse.
I personally do not rely on the safety on the firearm. I instead use a holster as my (physical/external) safety. A whole lot can be said for a holster that well protects the trigger AND gives well balanced retention.
This is also why you hear us talk about having drawers full of holster. As we evolve our carrying style, body type, EDC (Every Day Carry) choice, ect, our 'ideal' holster choice will change.
Relying on the safety brings on a concern in some carrying situations, such as purse carrying. The pistol will safely bounce around in the purse day after day, but something could possibly bump the lever just right making it not safe and bouncing around in a purse.
I personally do not rely on the safety on the firearm. I instead use a holster as my (physical/external) safety. A whole lot can be said for a holster that well protects the trigger AND gives well balanced retention.
This is also why you hear us talk about having drawers full of holster. As we evolve our carrying style, body type, EDC (Every Day Carry) choice, ect, our 'ideal' holster choice will change.
Good points. Every carry gun should be in some kind of holster that covers the trigger. The safety on my 938 is exposed and occasionally I do find it off. No worry as long as it is in the holster, which it is except for cleaning and practice. There are pocket holsters that can work for carry methods other than on belt, but belt is most secure and most available when needed.
The reality is the P238 is your primary CC weapon because it works for you. It fits your hands, you can work the slide and safety, and it’s comfortable for you to shoot. Most handgun reviews are written by men with larger hands who prefer larger guns and calibers. The P238 may not be a good primary weapon for them, but it is for you. Practice making your draw smooth and it will eventually become fast.
It’s likely that your gun is reliable with most JHP ammo (one review specifically mentions that Hornady 90 gr FTX Critical Defense is reliable). The best way to confirm any particular ammo will work is to buy a box of 20 and fire full mags until the box is done. Start with a clean gun. If no problems, buy two more boxes. Test fire the second box and use the third for self-defense loads. If no problems after test firing two boxes then you know a failure to feed or extract is no more likely than 1 in 41 (the next round fired could fail). You could keep test firing to improve the statistics, but the stuff is expensive! I usually stop at one or two boxes.
If you experience a failure, you’ll probably have to switch ammo and test fire again.
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This is how I carry my P238 most of the time Classic Hip Hugger Holster.
I am allergic to heat so, in summer when I am wearing skirts or dresses, this is my carry method of choice Thigh holster with garter.
I am allergic to heat so, in summer when I am wearing skirts or dresses, this is my carry method of choice Thigh holster with garter.
OP
I'm trying to figure this out, it's a pain! I usually wear yoga pants, but that's not gonna work with this heavy n n, I'm thinking! Lol. I rarely wear jeans, and never wear belts! I might be able to change my pants style just for going outside my house, not sure about a belt though! Might just have to deal with it, but looking all over the web for ideas. I'm sure I'll come up with something that's safe and also works for me.
OP
Yoga pants! No jeans, no belt! I'm screwed! Lol.
And yes on the inside the waist, I want the gun to blend in with me.
I'll check out your recommendation, thanks!
OP
I did actually think about a purse, but I'm funny about mine and carry lots of stuff in it, my gun would get lost in there! Checked the special purses for CC, didn't like them. I want my gun as close as I can get it!
The Kel Tec has been very comfy on my left hip in a sticky holster, but the new gun is lots heavier and seems bigger. Not to mention, the sticky holster doesn't seem to cover the safety to my satisfaction. So....research! Lol.
Alas, your friends and relatives will not even recognize you after you make the adjustments.
"Is that Millie?"
"No, it can't be - she never wears jeans."
"No, it can't be - she never wears jeans."
is also I wear the hip hugger with leggings or yoga pants. If you check the sight, there a corsett holster. I use this with exercise clothing in winter. I have played a whole set of tennis whearing the corsett.
OP
If only!!!
You're probably slim and shapely, right? Lol. Ask the guys I went shooting with about my shape....think round!
I do have a couple of belly bands, one works well with the Kel Tec, haven't checked it with the new gun yet.
Not sure I could have something that low on my hip.....hmmmm.
As for the thigh holster, I love that idea!!! Unfortunately, I've got too much thigh right now for it to work! Maybe I'll revisit that in about 50 lbs.!
But thanks for the links, maybe as the extra "me" is shed, one of those might start to be feasible.
ladder13
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I was never one for the “dress around the gun” philosophy. I’ve simplified my life to using either an alloy J frame like my 38-3 or my Kahr CW380. I wear shorts and T’s most of the year, or at least as much as I can, so I’m not carrying a full size anything, especially all steel gun. More power to those who do so.
Small guns simplify my wardrobe as I don’t need oversized pants and shirts to cover. Just slip in the pocket or IWB, and go.
I may change up a little during the winter but don’t consider it necessary.
Small guns simplify my wardrobe as I don’t need oversized pants and shirts to cover. Just slip in the pocket or IWB, and go.
I may change up a little during the winter but don’t consider it necessary.
True, the best answer is find what works best for you and stick with it.
Ladies have other considerations. I dress for season and purpose (professional, casual, sports, weather) and unfortunately, this requires changing carry method from time to time. It's not as easy as it sounds. And, as I repeat in my classes, you will go through several before you find what suits you.
Of course for me, that drawer of misfit holsters became training aides for CCH classes.
OP
It's definitely not easy! I don't want to have a drawer full of holsters!!! Of course, now that I've spent all my money on my gun, I guess I'd better get a good one the first time....good luck to me! Lol.