Sig Sauer P938 BRG Semi-Auto Pistol – *6/*BRGAMBI

DESCRIPTION

Sig Sauer P938 BRG Semi-Auto Pistol – The Sig Sauer® P938 BRG is an extremely reliable and concealable semi-auto pistol that offers the ballistic advantage of the battle-proven 9mm cartridge. This P938 BRG features a black, hard-coat anodized alloy frame, and a Nitron™ coated stainless steel slide. Hogue rubber, finger-groove grips provide an excellent hold, enhancing fire control for rapid follow up shots. Sig P938 pistols are modeled on a 1911-style, single action design, with an ambidextrous thumb safety; though the slide can be cycled with the safety engaged. The hammer recesses into the beavertail section of the frame to protect it when carrying the weapon on safe, and to avoid hammer-bite while firing. The pistol operates with a locked-breech, short recoil action (instead of blowback) that locks the action closed. Slide serrations enhance the shooter’s ability to pull the slide back for loading and clearing the action. The Sig Sauer P938 BRG Semi-Auto Pistol comes with SIGLITE® night sights, dovetail to the slide, for rapid sight acquisition in any light, including total darkness. The compact P938 can be carried comfortably all-day—everyday, keeping it within reach for situations that call for rapid deployment of well-placed shots.

Chambered in 9mm
Reliable and concealable
Nitron coated stainless steel slide
Anodized alloy frame
SIGLITE night sights
Single action design
Ambidextrous thumb safety
Slide serrations
Review: Sig Sauer P938

By ALEX LUFFO FROM gunspatrol.com

In recent years there has certainly been no shortage of sub-compact, “pocket-sized” 9mm pistols to choose from. Market demand has spoken, and manufacturers have answered with available products. However, if you’re a “cocked & locked,” hammer-fired kind of a gal (or guy) you’ve been almost completely overlooked. Thankfully, one of the only options out there happens to be a pretty good one — the Sig SauerP938

Sig makes at least 10 variations of the P938, and my loaner is in the form of the P938 Rosewood flavor, which sports nice Hogue rosewood grips. In the lockable plastic case you’ll find the pistol, one stainless steel magazine, a chamber flag, gun lock (may vary depending on where the gun is shipped), owner’s manual, trial-sized tube of Mil-Comm TW25B grease & Mil–Comm promo flyer, and a minimalist Kydex holster with lanyard.

Holster

Let’s start with the “holster” just to avoid any confusion and ensuing accidental deaths. While the P938 is an attractive pistol, it is not jewelry and this lanyard is not designed to be a necklace. Wearing it as such positions the muzzle within a foot of your chin, pointing at…your chin. So, not high on the recommended list (okay, maybe as the last item on your bucket list). This is probably obvious to you, but as the intended function of this holster does not seem to be mentioned in the owner’s manual or on Sig’s website I figured we’d briefly cover it here.

This tiny kydex piece clicks solidly over the trigger guard and ensures that the trigger cannot be depressed by objects in your bag, purse, pocket, waistband, tackle box, glove compartment, desk drawer, etc. The lanyard allows you to anchor the holster — maybe it’s more of a sheath, really — in said bag or clothing or container, so when the gun is drawn the holster is pulled off and stays behind. Shove the little gat down your pants or into your pocket and tie the lanyard to your belt. Drop it in your “go bag” and affix the lanyard to a handle or other point. Options are limitless, really. Just…you know…maybe not around the neck. Sig Sauer P938 BRG

Build

All configurations of the P938 feature a stainless steel slide on an aluminum alloy frame. All are single action only, hammer fired, and sport an ambidextrous thumb safety. While some of the mechanics are different, at a high level the pistol is a miniature 1911.

Parts machining, fit, and finish are all good. Solid quality look and feel like you expect from most of Sig’s products.

A ball detent provides a tactile click when snicking the safety on or off. It requires specific intent to engage, but disengages easily and naturally with a downward sweep of your thumb. Very familiar to 1911 shooters.

Same familiarity, then, with the magazine release button and the slide stop lever. Not all “microcompact” pistols have their controls in the normal or expected locations, but once again the P938’s are in the “right” relative places for those familiar with a 1911 or, for that matter, with the vast majority of pistols.

Takedown is accomplished by pulling the slide back until the disassembly notch lines up with the slide stop properly, and then pushing/pulling the slide stop out of the frame. The slide is now free to slide off the front.

One thing I found interesting is that there is no channel in the slide for the ejector — the ejector is actually spring-loaded and, to allow the slide back onto the frame, you must push and rotate the ejector forwards and down below the back of the slide. Once the slide is over it, the ejector springs back up into position. Sig Sauer P938 BRG

A useful departure from the standard 1911 design is that an engaged safety does not lock the slide in place. This means you can rack the slide — thereby chambering or ejecting a round — with the safety on the entire time. The P938 also has a firing pin block safety. Some 1911s have both of these things as well, and an argument could be made that they’re desirable features in an everyday carry piece. Typical 1911s do have a grip safety, while the diminutive P938 does not.

Finish

The P938 Rosewood sports a Nitron-coated slide and a black, hard coat anodized frame. Some versions have bare stainless or two-tone slides, and some have nickel accents (slide stop, mag release, safety, mainspring housing pin). The P938 Scorpion is the only model without a black frame, instead rocking a Flat Dark Earth coating on frame and slide. I think it’s also the only one with front slide serrations. Grip styles and materials vary across the P938 line. Sig Sauer P938 BRG

Sights

Sig’s P938 line comes with SIGLITE Tritium night sights dovetailed into the slide. A flat front ledge on the rear sight will allow tactical operator types to manipulate the slide one-handed (hook the rear sight on your belt or other object, and rack away). They’re actually the same, normal-sized sights you would find on a P226 and many other Sig models…

…which is actually a small point of contention for me. Take sights designed for a full-size slide and put them on a pocket gun and the distance between them shrinks, which makes the front sight grow in comparison to the rear sight.

Basically, the notch in the P938’s rear sight needs to be wider, and if this were my gun I would open it up a bit. There isn’t much light on either side of the front blade in the close-up photo above, and when you’re actually holding the gun out at arm’s length those gaps no longer exist. I know my offhand accuracy suffered a bit because of this, and if it weren’t for the nice dot on that front blade I think I’d be all over the place to the left and right.

Magazines

Most P938 variants come with the flush-fitting, stainless steel, 6-round magazine with flat, stainless steel follower seen here. Sig does make a 7-round mag with extended baseplate, and it’s included with a few of the P938 models instead. They’re both available for about $36 at a retailer. I’m not actually sure if any of the P938 configurations ship with multiple magazines in the box.

Trigger

A curved, serrated trigger rests in the undercut trigger guard. Mechanically it deviates from a 1911’s in that it’s actually hinged at the top (see pin below slide stop), so it rocks or swings like most modern pistol triggers do rather than pulling straight backwards like a 1911 trigger. Sig Sauer P938 BRG

The trigger pull is quite good. Just a bit of slack (aka take-up or pretravel), basically no perceptible creep, and then a crisp break. Reset distance is a bit longer than a decent 1911 (possibly thanks to the firing pin block, which would explain the vast majority of the pretravel), but is still very short compared to the P938’s peers. There’s just a bit of grit in the trigger’s travel, which actually seemed to smooth out as I broke the gun in. The reset is a nice click that you can easily feel. I suppose it really isn’t fair to compare the P938’s trigger fundamentals to a quality 1911, so gauged against its microcompact peers I’d easily say it’s in the top tier.

With that said, a light pull weight doesn’t mean “good trigger” to me as it does to some folks, so Sig’s spec of 7.5-8.5 lbs sits just fine with me. Especially for a self defense pistol with a short trigger pull. My own testing with a Timney trigger pull gauge had this example coming in between 7 and 7.5 lbs each time, averaging out closer to 7.

On The Range

With only one, 6-round magazine it was a bit of a slow process to really put a lot of lead on target, but I went through over 250 rounds of 115 grain reloads and 50 rounds of various factory ammo ranging in weight from the 92.6 grain Magtech to the 147 grain Federal American Eagle that were both also used in the accuracy testing above. I had no malfunctions of any sort. Sig Sauer P938 BRG

The closest thing I could consider even approaching a malfunction is that the bottom of the slide seems to drag particularly hard on the top round in the magazine (and/or the feed lips are particularly slippery). For example, insert a fully-loaded magazine and chamber a round. Pop the magazine out in order to top it off so you can carry the P938 at full 6+1 capacity. Well, when you eject the magazine — and it may not drop free in this case for the following reason — the top round is going to be pulled forwards toward the front of the feed lips. It will need to be put back in place before you can load that final round. My H&K P7 does this also, as do a decent number of other unquestionably high quality pistols, but they don’t all do it. The workaround would be loading a single round or at least some amount less than 6 into the mag, chambering your one-in-the-hole, then filling the mag the rest of the way. For the record, chambering from the magazine is suggested over dropping a round into the chamber and releasing the slide for safety’s sake as well as for extractor preservation. Pistol extractors, with very rare exception, don’t actually pop over the rim of the rounds, rather the rim slides up the breech face and under the extractor as the round is moving up into the chamber. The front of the extractor is almost certainly beveled so it’s capable of popping over the case rim, but it usually isn’t intended to and this can shorten its life or break it outright.

Considering the lilliputian Sig’s extremely light weight and the fact that one’s pinky finger has no home on it, I found its felt recoil to be pretty comfortable. Even the Magtech +P fireball monsters were surprisingly pleasant to shoot. At first, the safety was drilling me on the strong hand thumb but wrapping it a bit more to the side of my weak hand thumb rather than right over the top cured this. A larger beavertail would prevent the touch of hammer bite I got a couple or few times, but would obviously make the pistol longer as well and potentially less comfortable to carry. Sig Sauer P938 BRG

Trigger pull was very nice. Consistent and repeatable with a clean break is always appreciated. My only gripe here would be slight discomfort in recoil. Despite otherwise softer-than-expected felt recoil as described above, there is some movement and muzzle flip that’s hard to avoid with such a light gun, and the bottom of the curved trigger gnawed away at my finger over time. Some combination of the muzzle going up, the trigger curving forwards at the bottom, and the trigger’s fairly square edges plus the gap at the front, bottom above the trigger guard. Only a minor annoyance.

On the range, SIG’s P938 was combat accurate for me. I don’t think I ever missed the hit zone of a torso target at 5 yards, but at 7 or farther when trying to shoot about as quickly as I could get a legitimate sight picture I would wander left or right towards the edges or totally off at longer ranges. Usually left, as the very slim grip and short reach to the trigger tend to slightly screw with my grip and trigger pull fundamentals until I get used to it. However, I’m blaming my just slightly-disappointing left/right accuracy on the sights. Again, I’d open up that rear notch a bit if it were mine.

Conclusions

Overall, the Sig Sauer P938 is more pleasant to shoot than you’d likely expect. I’m sure it would be even better with an extended mag that allows all five fingers to join in on the fun. It’s super light, feels like a “real gun,” runs reliably, and is one of the easiest-to-conceal 9mms available.

The cost of entry is on the high side, but the quality is commensurate. Where I really think the P938 is worth it is when you’re used to shooting a hammer-fired pistol with manual safety — especially and particularly a 1911. If you compete with a 1911, target shoot with one, carry one when your attire affords it, etc etc, then the P938 is a no-brainer. Same manual of arms in a carry piece or backup gun as your primary or as what you’re most used to and trained on? Yes, please. Sig Sauer P938 BRG

Specifications: Sig Sauer P938

Caliber: 9×19 (there is a .22 LR variant as well as two 9mm-to-.22 LR conversion kits)
Capacity: 6+1 or 7+1 with extended magazine
Barrel Length: 3.0″
Overall Length: 5.9″
Height: 3.9″
Width: 1.1″
Weight: 16 oz with unloaded magazine
Sights: SIGLITE Night Sights
Grips: Hogue Rosewood (varies by P938 sub-model)
Trigger: Single Action Only. 7.5-8.5 lbs pull weight (7 lbs as tested)

Ratings (Out of Five Stars):

Accuracy: * * *
It’s there mechanically, and the rear sight thing is an easy enough fix.

Ergonomics: * * *
I’d say it’s par for the course for tiny nines. If you’re a huge 1911 fan you’ll probably feel more generous here, but it definitely isn’t as ergonomic in the grip as, say, an S&W M&P Shield. Also the trigger nitpick.

Reliability: * * * * *
Works out of the box. Fed a variety of ammo including three brands of hollow points and cheap reloads. Zero stoppages. High quality.

Trigger: * * * * 1/2
Very good among pocket pistols.

Customize This: * * * *
Lots of holster options. Some sight, grip, and laser options as well. Swappable grip panels alone put it above the norm. No accessory rail, though.

Overall: * * * *
Okay here’s the deal. I personally like some other options a little better, especially for the price. The P938 isn’t going to replace my Beretta Nano, which is still my choice in this size category and my EDC. BUT… if my primary were SAO, cocked-and-locked, hammer-fired, and especially if it was a 1911 and/or my experience, training, etc. was on this manual of arms, I’d CCW a P938 in a heartbeat. It would be the choice without question, and it will be my recommendation for anyone who falls into this category (e.g. Nick Leghorn, who CCWs a commander-sized 1911 IIRC).

Review: Sig Sauer P938: Tiny 9mm 1911 Goodness?

By FRED TOAST FROM gunspatrol.com

With dozens of compact or sub-compact semi-auto pistols on the market, its hard for any of them to stand out.

Some manufacturers try to throw add-ons or gimmicks on their guns to try and catch your eye when you’re looking over the sea of normality at the gun counter. Sig Sauer P938 BRG

Others, like Sig Sauer, just focus on making an amazing product and letting their work speak for itself.

Let’s see if Sig’s 9mm P938 is the right micro-gun for you!

Background

The Sig Sauer P938 was introduced at the 2011 Shot Show. For shooters who gravitate toward 1911 pattern handguns, the P938 offers a sub-compact, easily concealable handgun that will be an easy transition from a full-size 1911 handgun.

If you cruise over to the Sig Sauer website you’ll find a nearly endless list of selections on the handgun pages. The P938 alone is currently offered in 15 variations. This particular review will focus on the Scorpion version of the 938.

This little handgun found its way home to our gun safe when it pulled my wife to the gun counter at Cabela’s like a Star Trek tractor beam.

While there were numerous models to choose from the Scorpion’s good looks and the Sig Sauer logo on the grips pretty well made the decision for us. You have to understand though, my wife’s first handgun and primary carry gun for many years was a Sig P220. Sig Sauer P938 BRG

The first thing to note is this gun is small. With the supplied 6-round, flush fit magazine you could easily carry this in a pocket or purse and never even know it’s there. However, if you have big hands or long fingers you may find that the grip is too small for you.

While comfortable in my hand, I found my trigger finger position was a bit different than on bigger guns and pretty consistently pulled my shots a bit low and left at the 5-yard range.

For my wife, her shots were consistently centered on her point of aim.

The gun is finished in a Flat Dark Earth color with Hogue G-10 grips that are a handsome laminate with green, tan and light brown.

Sights are the awesome Siglite Tritium Night sights in a 3-dot configuration that are easy to pick up in full daylight and are super bright and sharp in low light.

Controls are predictably where you would expect them to be on a 1911. The slide stop is on the left side as is the magazine release. The Scorpion comes standard with an ambidextrous safety that allows for safe, confident Condition One carry. There is no grip safety on the P938. Sig Sauer P938 BRG

With regards to manipulating the controls on the P938, I did find that with my larger hands sometimes the magazine would hang up on the bottom of my palm. If I adjusted my grip, the magazine ejected smartly

I also found that a couple of times I was riding my support hand thumb on the slide stop and caused the slide not to lock open on the last round. Again, a bit of grip adjustment and the slide locked open every time on the last round.

Range Time

I have spent a couple of days with the gun at the range and probably run about 300-400 rounds of 9mm total through it so far.

The majority of my shooting has been with handloads consisting of 115 gr Berry;s Plated Round Nose bullets. I experienced no failures to feed, fire, and eject, other than the above mentioned issued of riding the slide stop and not having the slide lock open.

With the handloads I found it easy to keep my 5-yard off-hand groups at about 1 1/2”.

For a very small gun with very little mass, I expected a fair amount of recoil…

Surprisingly the little gun is very well behaved and easy to control, enough so that my 12-year-old nephew had no problem shooting it. Firing quickly with 5 rounds loaded in the magazine I tended to string my shots vertically. As the day went on, my rapid-fire groups began to shrink as I continued to work on my grip position.

Most of my shooting was at the 5-yard mark. However, I did run a couple of magazines downrange at a 12”x12” plate at 35 yards and hit the plate every time. Sig Sauer P938 BRG

Likewise, we have an 8” round plate at 65 yards and I hit it 2 out of 10 tries. At both 35 yards and 65 yards, I held on the top right edge of the targets at about the 2 o’clock position.

Reloads were quick and easy once I adjusted my grip to allow the magazine to eject and fall free. A quick rack of the slide and the gun was ready to run again.

Breaking the gun down for cleaning is simple and easy:

Drop the magazine.
Retract the slide and inspect the breach to be sure the gun is unloaded.
Line up the takedown notch with the slide stop, push the slide stop out of the frame and ease the slide off the frame.
The recoil spring and guide rod lift out easily.
The barrel is then easily removed for cleaning.
To reassemble the gun after cleaning, reverse the takedown procedure. Just be sure to press the ejector down and forward before moving the slide all the way to the rear. Sig Sauer P938 BRG

By The Numbers

Reliability: 5/5

I experienced no issues with the Sig as far as feeding, firing, ejecting. No stoppages, no failures. Like all Sig products, I believe this gun will serve you reliably for many years.

Feeding it cheaper brass cased ammo for training ran perfectly, CCI, American Eagle etc. are great for training on a budget.

Accuracy: 4/5

The gun grouped well at the 5-yard range I tested it at. Though my groups were a little low and left, I feel my grip and hand size were more to blame than the gun or sights. Hitting steel out to 35 yards was not a problem

Ergonomics: 4/5

The controls are easy to manipulate and reach. This gun is a sub–compact model and as such it is small. Those with bigger hands may find like I did, that they need to modify their grip somewhat.

Practice makes perfect and training with your carry gun so you are confident and consistent will be important with the little P938.

Looks: 5/5

This gun drew my wife to the gun counter like a magnet. I’m a fan of the Flat Dark Earth color and the grips. The Sig really stands out from the blued steel and stainless crowd. Sig also seems to make the P938 in almost every flavour and color.

Customization: 2/5

I give the P938 a low mark here only because there is not much that can be or needs to be done to it to provide a quality concealed carry option for you.

There is a .22 LR conversion kit that used to be available from Sig Sauer that will allow you to train with cheaper ammo, sadly it seems to have been discontinued.

If you’re interested in trying to find a used one, Lucky Gunner took it for a spin and reviewed it before it was discontinued.

Value: 4/5

There are no cheap Sigs. The P938 is no exception. With a suggested retail price of around $700, you need to be sure this is the gun for you.

The Sig reputation for quality and reliability justify the price for this gun.

Overall Rating: 4/5

Conclusion

The SIG P938 is a CCW that is, dare we say it, cute. It comes in a variety of stylish finishes and is pretty accurate and ergonomic for its small size. There’s not a lot you can customize and the price is definitely up there, but it’s one of our favorites. Sig Sauer P938 BRG

Make no mistake; I am a fan of Sig Sauer handguns. The P938 is just the latest model to find its way to our safe.

I find that I reach for the P938 more and more frequently when I am getting ready to head out the door. Tucked away discreetly in a Simply Rugged Cumberland holster I feel confident the Sig is up to any task I ask of it.

If you’re interested in more CCW holsters, you’ll want to see our review of the Best Concealed Carry Holsters 2018

Until next time, Aim Small…Miss Small. Sig Sauer P938 BRG