Sigsauer P238 Owner's Manual

Read the instructions and warnings in this manual carefully before using this firearm; do not discard this manual.

This instruction manual should always accompany this firearm and be transferred with it upon ownership, or when the firearm is loaned or presented to another person.

Reliability. First time, every time.TM

P238

Handling & Safety

InStRuctions

For Product Service on this model, Please Call [phone]

sig sauer, INC. • 18 Industrial Drive, Exeter, New Hampshire 03833 usa

OWNERS MANUAL

1

State-By-State Warnings

Certain states require, by law, that their own specified warning notices, in larger-than-normal type be conspicuously included by the

manufacturer, distributor, or retail dealer with firearms sold in that state. SIG SAUER sells its products in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Because our products may be sold in these states, we include the following:

CALIFORNIA:

WARNING

“Children are attracted to and can operate firearms that can cause severe injuries or death. Prevent child access by always keeping guns locked away and unloaded when not in use. If you keep a loaded firearm where a child obtains and improperly uses it, you may be fined or sent to prison.”

ADVERTENCIA

“A los niños atraen las amas de fuego y las pueden hacer funcionar. Ellos pueden causarse lesions graves y la muerte. Evite que los niños tengan accesso a las armas de fuego guardándolas siepre con llave y descargadas cuando no las esté utilizando. Si usted tiene una arma de fuego cargada en un lugar en que un niño tiene accesso a ella y la

usa indebidamente, le pueden dar una multa o enviarlo a la carcel.”

CONNECTICUT:

“UNLAWFUL STORAGE OF A LOADED FIREARM MAY RESULT IN IMPRISONMENT OR FINE.”

FLORIDA:

“IT IS UNLAWFUL, AND PUNISHABLE BY IMPRISONMENT AND FINE, FOR ANY ADULT TO STORE OR LEAVE A FIREARM IN ANY PLACE WITHIN THE REACH OR EASY ACCESS OF A MINOR UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE OR

TO KNOWINGLY SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OR POSSESSION OF A FIREARM TO A MINOR OR A PERSON OF UNSOUND MIND.”

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MAINE:

“ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD IS A CRIME. IF YOU LEAVE A FIREARM AND AMMUNITION WITHIN EASY ACCESS OF A CHILD, YOU MAY BE SUBJECT

TO FINE, IMPRISONMENT OR BOTH. KEEP FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION SEPARATE. KEEP FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION LOCKED UP. USE TRIGGER LOCKS.”

MARYLAND:

“WARNING: Children can operate firearms which may cause death or serious injury. It is a crime to store or leave a loaded firearm in any location where an individual knew or should have known that an unsupervised minor would gain access to the firearm. Store your firearm responsibly!”

MASSACHUSETTS:

“WARNING FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS ATTORNEY GENERAL: This handgun is not equipped with a device that fully blocks use by unauthorized users. More than 200,000 firearms like this one are stolen from their owners every year in the United States. In addition, there are more than a thousand suicides each year by younger children and teenagers who get access to firearms. Hundreds more die from accidental discharge. It is likely that many more children sustain serious wounds, or inflict such wounds accidentally on others. In order to limit the chance of such misuse, it is imperative that you keep this weapon locked in a secure place and take other steps necessary to limit the possibility of theft or accident. Failure to take reasonable preventative steps may result in innocent lives being lost, and in some circumstances may result in your liability for these deaths.”

“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE OR KEEP A FIREARM, RIFLE, SHOTGUN OR MACHINE GUN IN ANY PLACE UNLESS THAT WEAPON IS EQUIPPED WITH A TAMPER RESISTANT SAFETY DEVICE OR IS STORED OR KEPT IN A SECURELY LOCKED CONTAINER.”

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NEW JERSEY:

“IT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE TO LEAVE A LOADED FIREARM WITHIN EASY ACCESS OF A MINOR.”

NEW YORK CITY, NY:

“THE USE OF A LOCKING DEVICE OR SAFETY LOCK IS ONLY ONE ASPECT OF RESPONSIBLE FIREARMS STORAGE. FOR INCREASED SAFETY, FIREARMS SHOULD BE STORED UNLOADED AND LOCKED IN A LOCATION THAT IS BOTH SEPARATE FROM THEIR AMMUNITION AND INACCESSIBLE TO CHILDREN AND OTHER UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS.”

NORTH CAROLINA:

Any person who resides in the same premises as a minor, owns or possesses a firearm, and stores or leaves the firearm (i) in a condition that the firearm can be discharged and (ii) in a manner that the person knew or should have known that an unsupervised minor would be able to gain access to the firearm, is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor if a minor gains access to the firearm without the lawful permission of the minor’s parents or a person having charge of the minor and the minor:

(1)Possesses it in violation of G.S. 14-269.2(b)

(2)Exhibits it in a public place in a careless, angry, or threatening manner;

(3)Causes personal injury or death with it not in self defense; or

(4)Uses it in the commission of a crime.

TEXAS:

“IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE, TRANSPORT, OR ABANDON AN UNSECURED FIREARM IN A PLACE WHERE CHILDREN ARE LIKELY TO BE AND CAN OBTAIN ACCESS TO THE FIREARM.”

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WISCONSIN:

“IF YOU LEAVE A LOADED FIREARM WITHIN THE REACH OR EASY ACCESS OF A CHILD YOU MAY BE FINED OR IMPRISONED OR BOTH IF THE CHILD IMPROPERLY DISCHARGES, POSSESSES, OR EXHIBITS THE FIREARM.”

Please check with your licensed retailer, state police, or local police for additional warnings, which may be required by local law or regulation. Such regulations change constantly, and local authorities are in the best position to advise you on such legal matters.

WARNING - LOCKING DEVICES

This firearm was originally sold with a keyoperated locking device. While it can help provide secure storage for your unloaded firearm, any locking device can fail. All guns are designed to fire if they are loaded and the trigger is pulled. Therefore, never install the locking device inside the trigger guard or in any way that makes it possible to pull the trigger! Do not leave the keys in the lock.

The ultimate responsibility for secure storage of any firearm must depend upon its owner and his or her individual circumstances. Firearms should be stored unloaded, in

a secure location, separate from their ammunition.

NEVER INSTALL THE

LOCKING DEVICE INSIDE THE

TRIGGER GUARD

To maximize effectiveness and reduce the chances of malfunction or damage to a firearm, ALWAYS refer to the locking device’s manufacturer directions for installation and removal of the device.

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FIREARMS SAFETY IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

This owner’s manual is designed to assist you in learning how to use and care for your SIG SAUER® pistol properly.

Only when you are certain that you fully understand this manual and can properly carry out its instructions, should you practice loading and firing your firearm with live ammunition. Having a gun in your possession is a full-time job; you cannot guess and you cannot forget. You must know how to use your firearm safely.

If you have any doubts about your ability to handle or use this firearm safely, you should seek supervised instruction. The Sig Sauer Academy™ provides all levels of firearms safety and skill training, from beginner to expert.

For more information contact:

www.sigsaueracademy.com • [phone]

Main campus:	Epping, New Hampshire
Satellite Facilities:	Range 82, Midland, VA
	NRA Whittington Center, Raton, NM

SAFETY MUST BE THE FIRST AND CONSTANT CONSIDERATION OF EVERY PERSON WHO HANDLES FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION.

For more information about safety, responsible firearms ownership, and shooting sports, contact:

National Rifle Association (NRA) of America

11250 Waples Mill Road

Fairfax, VA 22030-7400 • 1-800-672-3888

www.nra.com

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	TABLE OF CONTENTS
Topic		Page
State-By-State Warnings		1
Locking Device		4
Warnings of Great Importance		8
1.0	Safety Rules	9
1.1	Protect Your Eyes and Ears	9
2.0	Mechanical Characteristics and Weapon Theory	10
2.1	Weapon Description	10
2.1.1 General		10
2.1.2 Principal Features		10
2.1.3 What You Should Know About the
	Single Action Only Trigger System	11
2.2	Main Parts	13
3.0	Ammunition	14
4.0	Handling	18
4.1	Preparation Instructions	18
4.2	Loading the Magazine	18
4.3	Loading the Pistol (Ready to Fire)	19
4.4	Reloading During Shooting	20
5.0	Firing	22
5.1	Clearing a Jam	23
5.2	Firing the Pistol	24
6.0	Unloading the Pistol	26
6.1	Unloading the Pistol (Magazine not Empty)	26
6.2	Unloading the Pistol (Magazine Empty, Slide Open) 27
6.3	Lowering the Hammer (storage)	28

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Topic			Page
7.0	Procedures in Case of Malfunction		30
7.1	Troubleshooting Guide		31
7.2	Minimize Malfunctions		32
8.0	Maintenance		33
8.1	Pistol Disassembly		33
8.2	Magazine Disassembly		36
8.3	Cleaning the Pistol		37
8.4	Pistol Assembly		38
8.5	Magazine Assembly		40
8.6	Function Verification		41
9.0	Sights		45
9.1	General Information		45
9.2	Windage(Left/Right) Adjustment		45
9.3	Elevation (Up/Down) Adjustment		46
10.0		Transportation and Storage	47
11.0		Service and Parts Policy	48
11.1		Parts Policy	48
11.2		Service Policy	49
11.3		Shipping Firearms for Repair	49
11.4		Ordering Parts	51
13.0		Parts List	52
13.1		Specifications	53
The Basic Rules of Safe Firearms Handling			54
Warranty Information			55

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WARNINGS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE

ARE FOUND WITHIN THIS MANUAL

SELECT FOR FULL WARNING
Locking Devices	4	Dropped Pistol	23
Alterations	8	Unloading	25, 29
Safety	12	Jam	30
Ammunition	14	Maintenance	33, 41
Lodged Bullet	16	Inspection	44
Ammunition	17	Alterations	44
Lead Exposure	17	Sight Adjustment 46
Loaded Pistol	21	Storage	47
Trigger	22	Parts Purchasers	48
Malfunction	22	Shipping	51
Handling	23

OTHER CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS APPEAR

THROUGHOUT THE MANUAL

FIREARMS ARE DANGEROUS WEAPONS

READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS IN THIS MANUAL THOROUGHLY AND CAREFULLY BEFORE USING.

WARNING - ALTERATION

This product was designed to function properly in its original condition. Alterations can make it unsafe. Do not alter any part or add or substitute any parts or accessories not manufactured by SIG SAUER Inc.

DO NOT ALTER ANY GUN

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1.0 Safety Rules

The safety warnings in this manual are important. By understanding the dangers inherent in the use of any firearm, and by taking the precautions described herein, you can experience complete safety in the use of your pistol. Failure to heed any of these warnings may result in serious injury to you or others, as well as severe damage to the firearm or other property.

PISTOLS are classified as FIREARMS and are sold by SIG SAUER with the specific understanding that we shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for malfunctioning of the firearm, physical injury or property damage resulting in whole or in part from:

•criminal or negligent discharge;

•improper or careless handling;

•unauthorized modifications; defective, improper, hand-loaded,

•or reloaded ammunition;

•corrosion;

•neglect; or

•other influences beyond our direct and immediate control.

This limitation applies regardless of whether liability is asserted on the basis of contract, negligence, or strict liability (including any failure to warn). Under no

circumstance shall SIG SAUER, Inc. be liable for incidental or consequential damages, such as loss of use of property, commercial loss, and loss of earnings or profits.

1.1 Protect Your Eyes and Ears

Always wear safety glasses that meet the requirements of

American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z87.1 and ear plugs or “earmuff” type protectors whenever you are shooting. Always make certain that persons close to you are similarly protected. Unprotected eyes may be injured by powder, gas, carbon residue, lubricant, metallic particles, or similar debris that may emanate occasionally from any firearm in normal use. Without ear protection, repeated exposure to shooting noise may lead to cumulative, permanent hearing loss.

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2.0Mechanical Characteristics and Weapon Theory

2.1Weapon Description

2.1.1. General

The SIG SAUER pistol is a modern handgun incorporating the latest technical advances in weapon design for military, law enforcement and sporting use. They are mechanically locked, short recoil operated pistols with semi-automatic reloading. Firing takes place with each pull of the trigger until the magazine is empty. The slide remains open after the last round has been fired from the magazine.

2.1.2 Principal Features

The single action only trigger, in combination with the thumb safety, ensures safe carrying of the weapon and provides instant readiness when needed.

The automatic firing pin safety blocks the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled.

The hammer safety intercept notch prevents the hammer from contacting the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled.

The disconnector prevents the hammer from falling when the slide is out of battery (not fully closed).

The pistol can only be disassembled from the “slide open” position.

Distinctive high contrast sights and excellent ergonomics, ensure rapid target acquisition and engagement, even under poor lighting conditions.

Extremely compact dimensions and lightweight materials, combined with the powerful .380ACP cartridge, provide an excellent platform for concealed carry or personal protection.

The closed design of the pistol prevents dirt and other debris from entering the pistol, ensuring proper function in harsh environmental conditions.

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2.1.3 What You Should Know About the Single Action Only Trigger System

The P238 is a Single Action Only (SAO) pistol. This pistol incorporates many of the same safety features found in other SIG Sauer pistols, including the firing pin safety, hammer safety intercept notch, and disconnector. The P238 features an integrated thumb safety, located above and to the rear of the left-hand grip.

The thumb safety blocks hammer movement and can be engaged with the hammer cocked (ready to fire) or hammer forward.

Move the thumb safety fully SAFETY ON upward to engage. The

thumb safety is ON (SAFE) when fully up.

Move the thumb safety fully SAFETY OFF down to disengage. The

thumb safety is OFF (FIRE) when fully down. When the thumb safety is down, the hammer is free to fall when the trigger is pulled

You can cycle the slide when the thumb safety is engaged with the hammer cocked. When the thumb safety is engaged with the hammer forward, slide movement is blocked.

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WARNING – SAFETY

•With the pistol loaded, the thumb safety must be ON (UP) until ready to fire. Failure to engage the thumb safety can lead to accidental discharge, causing injury, death or damage to property.

•After each discharge, the pistol is in the cocked and ready to fire condition. When shooting is complete, you must engage the thumb safety or unload the pistol.

•Never disengage the thumb safety when pulling the trigger – the firearm will discharge when the thumb safety is moved into the OFF (FIRE) position when the trigger is depressed.

•Never lower the hammer by pulling the trigger and attempting to ease the hammer forward manually. Manually lowering the hammer is dangerous and prevents full application of the pistol’s safety features. Accidental discharge could result, causing injury, death or damage to property.

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2.2 Main Parts

22

5

4

23

6

3

2

1

10

8

40

28

27

1	- Frame	10	- Trigger
2	- Slide stop	22	- Front sight
3	- Thumb safety	23	- Rear sight
4	- Barrel	27	- Grip plate
5	- Slide	28	- Grip screw
6	- Hammer	40	- Magazine
8	- Magazine catch

Note: Refer to section 13 for a detailed parts list and diagram.

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3.0 Ammunition

1.Use only high-quality, original, factory-manufactured ammunition. Do not use cartridges that are dirty, wet, corroded, bent, or damaged. Do not oil cartridges. Do not spray aerosol-type lubricants, preservatives, or cleaners directly onto cartridges or where excess spray may flow into contact with cartridges. Lubricant or other foreign matter on cartridges can cause potentially dangerous ammunition malfunctions. Only use ammunition of the caliber for which your firearm is chambered. The proper caliber is permanently engraved on your firearm; never attempt to use ammunition of any other caliber.

2.The use of reloaded, “remanufactured” hand-loaded, or other non-standard ammunition voids all warranties.

Reloading is a science and improperly loaded ammunition can be extremely dangerous. Severe damage to the firearm and serious injury to the shooter or to others may result. Always use ammunition that complies with the industry performance standards established by

the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute, Inc. (SAAMI) of the United States or ammunition manufactured to military specifications.

WARNING – AMMUNITION (CARTRIDGE) NOTICE

SIG SAUER SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE OR INJURY WHATSOEVER OCCURRING IN CONNECTION WITH, OR AS A RESULT OF, THE USE IN ANY SIG SAUER FIREARM OF FAULTY, NON-STANDARD, “REMANUFACTURED” HAND-LOADED (RELOADED) AMMUNITION, OR CARTRIDGES OTHER THAN

THOSE FOR WHICH THE FIREARM WAS ORIGINALLY CHAMBERED.

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3.Firearms may be severely damaged and serious injury to the shooter or to others may result from any condition causing excessive pressure inside the chamber or barrel during firing. Excessive pressure can be caused by obstructions in the barrel, propellant powder overloads, the use of incorrect cartridges, or defectively assembled cartridges. In addition, the use of a dirty, corroded, or damaged cartridge can lead to a burst cartridge case and consequent damage to the firearm and personal injury from the sudden escape of high-pressure propellant gas within the firearm’s mechanism.

4.Immediately stop shooting and check the barrel for a possible obstruction whenever:

•You have difficulty in, or feel unusual resistance in, chambering a cartridge

•A cartridge misfires (does not go off)

•The mechanism fails to extract a fired cartridge case

•Unburned grains of propellant powder are discovered spilled in the mechanism

•A shot sounds weak or abnormal. In such cases it is possible that a bullet is lodged partway down the barrel. Firing a subsequent bullet into the obstructed

barrel can wreck the firearm and cause serious injury to the shooter or to bystanders

5.Bullets can become lodged in the barrel:

•If the cartridge has been improperly loaded without propellant powder, or if the powder fails to ignite (ignition of the cartridge primer alone will push the bullet out of the cartridge case, but usually does not generate sufficient energy to expel the bullet completely from the barrel).

•If the bullet is not properly seated in the cartridge case. When such a cartridge is extracted from the chamber without being fired, the bullet may be left behind in the bore at the point where the rifling begins. Subsequent chambering of another cartridge may push the first bullet further into the bore.

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6.If there is any reason to suspect that a bullet is obstructing the barrel, immediately unload the firearm and look through the bore. It is not sufficient to merely look in the chamber. A bullet may be lodged some distance down the barrel where it cannot easily be seen.

WARNING – LODGED BULLET

IF A BULLET IS IN THE BORE, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SHOOT IT OUT BY USING ANOTHER CARTRIDGE OR BY BLOWING IT OUT WITH A BLANK OR ONE FROM WHICH THE BULLET HAS BEEN REMOVED. SUCH TECHNIQUES CAN GENERATE EXCESSIVE PRESSURE, DAMAGE THE FIREARM, AND CAUSE SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY.

If the bullet can be removed with a cleaning rod, clean any unburned powder grains from the bore, chamber, and mechanism before resuming shooting. If the bullet cannot be dislodged by tapping it with a cleaning rod, send the firearm to SIG SAUER.

7.Dirt, corrosion, or other foreign matter on a cartridge can impede complete chambering and may cause the cartridge case to burst upon firing. The same is true of cartridges that are damaged or deformed.

8.Do not oil cartridges, and be sure to wipe the chamber clean of any oil or preservative before commencing to shoot. Oil interferes with the friction between cartridge case and chamber wall that is necessary for safe functioning, and subjects the firearm to stress similar to that imposed by excessive pressure.

9.Use lubricants sparingly on the moving parts of your firearm. Avoid excessive spraying of any aerosol gun care product, especially where it may get on ammunition. All lubricants and aerosol spray lubricants, in particular, can penetrate cartridge primers and cause misfires. Some highly

penetrative lubricants can also migrate inside cartridge cases and cause deterioration of the propellant powder; on firing, the powder may not ignite. If only the primer ignites, there is danger that the bullet may become lodged in the barrel.

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WARNING - AMMUNITION

Death, serious injury, and damage can result from the use of wrong ammunition, bore obstructions, powder overloads, or incorrect cartridge components. Always wear shooting glasses and hearing protectors.

IMPROPER AMMUNITION DESTROYS GUNS

WARNING - LEAD EXPOSURE

Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas, cleaning firearms, or handling ammunition may result in exposure to lead and other substances known to the state of California to cause birth defects, reproductive harm, and other serious physical injury. Maintain adequate ventilation at all times. Wash hands thoroughly after exposure.

SHOOTING OR CLEANING GUNS

MAY EXPOSE YOU TO LEAD

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