Sig P238 Recoil Spring Redesign

[moongovernor]

I bought a Sig P238 new in June and have really liked it. After putting probably 1000 rounds through it, about every third shot was a failure to fire.

I check the rounds and there were no marks from the firing pin. I shot a few more rounds and figured out that the slide wasn't moving forward all the way!

After taking the gun apart, I figured out that one end of my recoil spring was bent and was getting hung up on the recoil spring guide.

I stopped by Acme Sports in Seymour and they took apart one of their P238s and the spring was completely different!

I called Sig and they said that they're putting flatwire springs that are longer than the original springs in the the P238 now and sent me one for free. Just got it today! Hope it solves my problem!

If Sig has redesigned these springs, I'm a little surprised they haven't issued a recall. Anyone else had this problem?

 

[Brown]

Thanks for the info. looks like I need to call Sig.

 

[moongovernor]

Glad I could help!

I just put 100 rounds through my P238, and the new recoil spring is doing the trick!

Out of 100 rounds, I had 4 FTEs. Is this normal?

I was shooting Winchester 380 Auto 95 grain FMJs. I was also using an extended Colt Mustang clip that holds 7 rounds. (I love the pinky rest - it makes a world of difference in how the gun handles.)

Anyone have any advice about my FTEs?

 

[AJBB87]

I had a Sig P238 equinox.

I bought Colt Mustang mags because they were cheaper than the Sig mags. I found that I had more malfunctions when using those than I did with the Sig mags so I ponied up and bought a few from Sig. That helped a lot!

YMMV...

Now that Sig is making their own 7 round mag with the pinky grip, I'll be getting some of those too.

AJB

 

[DeadeyeChrista'sdad]

Not a whole lot of rounds through mine, like less than 50, but no malfunctions of any kind so far. Knock on wood.

 

[moongovernor]

Sig's website says they're out of the extended mags. I called to place a back order and they talked me into buying three! If you just buy one, it's $46, plus $14 for shipping. If you buy three, the total cost is $108 and there's no shipping charge. The service rep said the mags should start shipping in the first week of April. Guess now I'll just have way too many mags!

I also mentioned my FTE problem, and he said I was probably limp wristing! Zing.

 

[ProLibertate]

Anyone else had this problem?

I had the same exact issue after about 600 rounds through mine. I love the gun, but I started to worry about the reliability of it until I studied what was happening. Sure enough, after a few rounds (especially in rapid fire) the slide would fail to return to battery. It was close (maybe less than 1/8th of an inch) but it wouldn't lock up.
I called Sig a few days ago and started to explain the issue. Victoria (the customer service rep I spoke with, who is a delight by the way) didn't even let me finish my sentence before telling me they'd mail me a new flat-wire recoil spring free of charge.
I got a shipping confirmation email yesterday so hopefully it will be here soon.
I have read the same issue on other sites, and everybody has agreed that the new spring is almost twice as long, twice as strong, and fixes the issue immediately.
Can't wait to find out for myself. I miss carrying the little Sig. It has been one of my favorite guns I've ever owned or even fired.

 

[88E30M50]

I run a 12# (going from memory here) Wolff spring in my P238. I had a couple of FTFs before that have never happened after the change. I had not heard about the 7 round mags. My experience with after market mags was similar to AJBB87's. Mostly work, but not reliably enough for carry.