[GCBHM]

No question, get the P239. It is a professional's gun, where as the P938 is really more of a novelty, IMO. They're cute little guns, but not to be confused with a professional grade gun that can be pressed into serious shooting. You have your defenders of the little gun, and it has its place, although not in my inventory, but I think you'd be much better served, and happier, with the P239. The P239 should be easily concealed on your frame with shorts and a t-shirt. I am 5'11 200 and conceal a G19 quite easily and comfortably, which is somewhat larger than the P239. I think the P938 is really a waste of time, as a defense gun. Better than nothing, but not much, FWIW.

 

[markm]

Boy, the 239 is a much finer weapon than the 938 but is substantially larger in every dimension. I'd consider the 938 for a backup and even though all my work fine I think they are a bit cheesy. To me the main draw to SA is the trigger, besides being available in real calibers. The 938 comes with a terrible trigger and I'd rather suffer the DA pull then that. the 239 while being bigger is still carryable for me.

 

[Str8shtr]

I don't think anyone in a gunfight ever wished for a smaller gun. And like Cooper said, a firearm isn't supposed to be comfortable, it's supposed to be comforting. I have the P239, and like you I'm 6' tall. The P239, while a compact firearm, still feels substantial in the hand, and is very concealable in a quality holster. +1 for the P239.

 

[bblr]

I carry a P239/9 everyday. I prefer the safety of a DA/SA gun for carry. My opinion is the P938 is more of a pocket-carry gun when you can't carry a bigger gun on your hip.

 

[christak]

Those are different guns... You have to decide what is more important to you. The 938 is a fine small gun, but as others have stated, it may not be what you'd want if you can tolerate the extra 10 ounces and size of the 239. 357 versus 9mm is also a consideration. I carry a 938...it works for me because I don't want the extra size and weight living here in Florida. Definitely a personal decision in my opinion. I carry the 938 every day. Not sure if I would carry the 239 as regularly.

 

[FLASIG]

Those are different guns... You have to decide what is more important to you. The 938 is a fine small gun, but as others have stated, it may not be what you'd want if you can tolerate the extra 10 ounces and size of the 239. 357 versus 9mm is also a consideration. I carry a 938...it works for me because I don't want the extra size and weight living here in Florida. Definitely a personal decision in my opinion. I carry the 938 every day. Not sure if I would carry the 239 as regularly.

I live in South Florida and at 69 I carry either my M11A1 and now a P229 SAS 357 from the time I get up to the time I go to bed. I also have a very accessible P239 9 mm as a back up in the house. I opt to carry a higher capacity in todays environment in South Florida and I am comfortable with it.
My choice.

 

[Sig Texas]

938 is too small for me. 239 is the "smallest" SIG I own/carry. I prefer DA/SA over all other systems. The 239 is slightly more narrow than 220's and 226's and feels much lighter (7 + 1). Get one in 40 SW and you can drop in a 357 barrel and use the same mags. This one has been outstanding.

 

[sigsrok]

For summer carry or even winter carry, a small gun makes more sense. P938 or the P238 are perfect.

Most self defensive incidents occur between 3-10'. Any gun will do the job.

Small SIGs are all you need for carry. It's cool to have high fire power. But not really needed in the civilian world.

Military and police need all the fire power possible.

 

[jeffy56]

There is also the P290rs. DA only, slightly bigger than the P938 and a couple of rounds more. More grip with the extended mag.

 

[ThnkFrst]

Living in Michigan as I do with it's four seasons, I carry either the M11A1, P239 (chambered in 357 SIG) or the P938 all IWB @ 3:00. For me, the season and therefore the attire is the determining factor. The P239 is my preferred carry piece but there are times when the P938 just conceals better and that's what I go with.

To suggest that the P938 with 8 rounds of Federal 124g HST loaded isn't a legitimate self defense weapon is ridiculous. Even if you really believe that, don't get down range from me with mine. True, it isn't the one that I'd repel from a chopper with, swim 5 miles to the ocean shore with or crawl through the muck and mire to the objective with...but when do I do that anymore. Properly maintained and trained with, the P938 is a deadly weapon...period.

That said, if I could find a hammer fired pistol of the same size/weight/caliber/capacity as the P938 with a DA/SA trigger or even a DAO trigger, I'd buy it and carry it. I keep looking but carry the P938 till an alternative shows up. Currently, the P290 is under serious consideration.

My recommendation would be to get both the P239 and the P938. I think you would find that the P239 works more often than you might expect, but when it just doesn't, you have the P938 to fill the gap.

JMHO.

 

[GCBHM]

For summer carry or even winter carry, a small gun makes more sense. P938 or the P238 are perfect.

sigrok, we typically don't disagree much, but I have to take exception on this...neither of these guns are perfect for me, and not only b/c they're small guns that are inherently more difficult to be accurate with, but also b/c they're SA guns in a small frame, which make it a little harder to operate under pressure than a DAO or striker fire gun. Perfect for some isn't perfect for all.

Most self defensive incidents occur between 3-10'. Any gun will do the job.

Most ambush type self-defense incidents occur within 21', but the majority of defense incidents occur either in the home or work place with fewer than 10% occurring on the street. Also, it is not a true statement to say that any gun will do the job. If it is the wrong fit, or if it is an unreliable gun, it could very well end in disaster.

Small SIGs are all you need for carry. It's cool to have high fire power. But not really needed in the civilian world.

I read one account not too long ago in which over 51 rounds were exchanged btwn a homeowner and an intruder. While this isn't the norm, you never know what you're going to encounter. Granted, most will never have to even draw their gun in self-defense, and this includes police officers, but...do you really want to trust your life to five or six rounds? Jerry Miculek says his preferred CCW is a J-frame, but he is also very, very good. I would rather have it an not need it than need it and not have it. Just food for thought.

Military and police need all the fire power possible.

Not necessarily. I was in the military for over 15 years and never "needed" firepower. The police in some places don't even carry guns. It's all a matter of your environment. Sometimes a small little Sig might be all you need, while at other times you might want to take a high capacity pistol, while in some circumstances you may want to have an AR-15 close by, just in case. For those taking the time to read the thread, please understand that situational awareness is key in every aspect of defense, so don't put yourself in a compromising situation b/c someone told you a small gun is all you need. Just food for thought.

 

[Str8shtr]

For summer carry or even winter carry, a small gun makes more sense. P938 or the P238 are perfect.

I lived in Florida, right on the Gulf coast in Crystal River where flip flops and shorts were all I could bear in the summer. The P239 would be no problem in a quality holster and a ploy blend short sleeve shirt to conceal it, and would be as small as I'd want to go. YMMV.

 

[JBP239]

That said, if I could find a hammer fired pistol of the same size/weight/caliber/capacity as the P938 with a DA/SA trigger or even a DAO trigger, I'd buy it and carry it. I keep looking but carry the P938 till an alternative shows up. Currently, the P290 is under serious consideration.

I agree I wish there was something the size of the P938 with a DA/SA trigger. I'm not a fan of carry weapons with a safety...that is what kept me from getting a P938. There is nothing wrong with having a safety but I prefer the DA/SA trigger for carry.

I have a P239 that is my primary carry gun. I also have a P229c, P290RS, and Kahr PM9 that I carry. The P239 is my overall favorite carry gun it's very accurate, 100% reliable, and very easy to shoot. The P229C is great for when I want more capacity but the extra thickness of being a double stack can make concealment a little more difficult depending on what I'm wearing.

I like to carry the PM9 or P290RS in warmer weather since they can be concealed easier especially when wearing shorts and t-shirt. I prefer the PM9 over the P290RS overall...I just can't get used to the P290RS trigger.
The PM9 works great with a pocket holster, very convenient way to carry when wearing cargo shorts especially.

So like ThnkFrst said I would recommend getting both if you can swing it. It's hard to have just one carry weapon that is ideal for all types of carry situations.

 

[whynot]

@ the OP

FWIW... I have been conceal carrying for a little over a year... of that I carry about half the time quite simply because of a no carry policy at work otherwise I carry as much as I possibly can... but between the 2 you listed I would choose the 239..... I feel "safer" with the DA/SA pistols and like the size of SIG "compacts"

Now if I were looking for something to put in a pocket for special situations I would buy the "latest" ruger .380 and put it in the appropriate pocket holster

I don't think I would feel comfy with the small 1911 style pistol.............

Side note: I had a 290rs and it was a great gun but was too heavy to pocket carry

Just my 2 cents which is exactly what it is worth ;-)

 

[bumper]

The P938 had teething pains going in, and a few lingering too, and as with other current production SIGs, QC has been spotty at times - all a given. But as sorted out, the P938 is small, reliable, powerful, amazingly accurate and a great option for a small carry. I carry it mostly OWB and when riding my bicycles, IWB. (I did hate the heavy trigger - mine are modified.)

My active brain cell count is way down from my youth, still at 72 I can manage the transition from SAO/safety to DA/SA P229 40 (my main squeeze). Of course the challenge of switching operating systems, on the fly and in the heat of the moment, will vary from one person to another, but I think the issue is much overblown. I don't try to wrack the bolt on my AR by grabbing the top of the receiver, and when I pick up a different gun, I don't go brain dead.

GCBHM, no offense, your opinion of the P938 is fallacious . . . go play with your Glocks

(Disclaimer, yeah, I know I'm gonna catch heck from GCBHM for that last, but what good is a hornet's nest, except as home to a hornet, unless you get to poke it and run once in a while?)

 

[GCBHM]

GCBHM, no offense, your opinion of the P938 is fallacious . . . go play with your Glocks

(Disclaimer, yeah, I know I'm gonna catch heck from GCBHM for that last, but what good is a hornet's nest, except as home to a hornet, unless you get to poke it and run once in a while?)

HA!

No, seriously, I think they're neat little guns. I just don't want to spend that kind of money for a gun I know I'm not going to carry, and frankly, I'm not in to the whole pocket pistol hysteria. For me the P938 is more of a novelty gun that Sig produced to grow its market share, and it has met with mixed reviews. That said, to each their own. I just gave my insight based on my fallacious point of view.

I do have a real 1911 on layaway, though! Does that count for something other than a Glock?

 

[bookemdano]

I traded a 239 for a 938. Wish I hadn't of done that. Not that I've had any trouble out of
the 938 but after my infatuation with the baby 1911 wore off, I found I liked the 239
better. I bought a .22 cal conversion for the 938 and that's the way I use it for the most
part. I carry my 290RS when I need a small 9mm.
First 239 I find that wants to swap for something I have and don't use, I'm getting me
another 239.
Dano

 

[46Slick]

I have both pistols. Mostly I carry the P239 DAK in .357sig. The P938 has its safe a little too far to the rear to use smoothly. I fumble with it to take off safe, and re-grip to fire. Both pistols are super accurate and easy to shoot. The DAK is like a DA revolver @ around 6lbs triggerpull. I also have a second P239 in .40s&w that is DA/SA.

 

[ThnkFrst]

Say WHAT?!

GCBHM, no offense, your opinion of the P938 is fallacious . . . go play with your Glocks

Oh, you said fallacIOUS.

Sorry, my bad.