P238 Emperor Scorpion
About this product
The Sig Sauer P238 Emperor Scorpion is a micro-compact, single-action-only 1911-style pistol chambered in .380 ACP, and this listing is priced at $699.99. As a firearm, it ships to a licensed FFL dealer for pickup — it does not ship to a residential address.
What is the P238 Emperor Scorpion good for?
Buyers searching p238 emperor scorpion or sig p238 scorpion are almost always looking for a deep-concealment backup or primary carry gun that handles like a scaled-down 1911 rather than a modern striker-fired pistol. The single-action-only trigger gives a short, crisp break that 1911 fans specifically look for, and the small .380 ACP chambering keeps the whole package light and easy to conceal.
What comes on the Emperor Scorpion?
This variant wears a coyote Cerakote finish over the stainless slide, paired with a hard-coat anodized aluminum-alloy frame, custom Hogue G10 grip panels, and an ambidextrous thumb safety for left- and right-handed shooters alike. SIG Lite day/night sights are standard, so you get tritium visibility in low light without buying an upgrade separately. The 2.7-inch barrel and roughly 5.5-inch overall length keep it genuinely pocketable, and it ships with both a 6-round and a 7-round magazine so you can choose flush-fit concealment or a slightly longer grip for more control.
How does a single-action 1911-style pistol carry differently than a striker gun?
Because the P238 is single-action only, it is designed to be carried cocked-and-locked, meaning the hammer is back and the thumb safety is engaged with a round chambered. That is a proven, decades-old carry method for 1911-pattern pistols, but it is a different mental model than a striker-fired pistol with no external safety, so if you have not carried a single-action pistol before, spend time specifically training the safety-off draw stroke before trusting it for daily carry.
The ambidextrous thumb safety on the Emperor Scorpion makes that draw stroke workable for both left- and right-handed shooters, which is not something every micro-1911 offers, and it is worth confirming your holster of choice properly indexes the safety lever regardless of which hand you draw with.
Because the P238 platform has been around for well over a decade, holster options are plentiful even as Sig adjusts production on the base line, so finding quality leather or Kydex for this pistol is not something you need to worry about regardless of how the broader P238 supply situation develops. The same goes for spare magazines and grip panels, which remain widely available through the aftermarket even if factory Sig stock tightens further, so long-term ownership costs should stay reasonable regardless of what Sig ultimately decides for the line.
Is the P238 still in current production?
Sig Sauer's own discontinued-products listing now includes several P238 configurations, and reporting on the line has been mixed between supply-chain shortages and an actual phase-out. We are flagging this honestly rather than guessing: if current availability matters to you, confirm with your FFL whether this unit is new remaining stock or a used or pre-owned example, since replacement parts and support could lean more on the secondary market going forward.
Checkout runs through our secure checkout, and once your background check clears we will get the pistol moving to your chosen FFL. If a 1911-style SAO trigger in a genuinely pocketable .380 is what you are after, the Emperor Scorpion remains one of the more distinctive options in that space.
FFL transfer required
This item is a firearm and ships only to a licensed FFL dealer, never to a home address. At checkout, enter your preferred dealer as the shipping address, or leave it blank and we will assign a licensed dealer near you at no extra cost. You complete the background check and paperwork with the dealer when you pick up.
California buyers: handguns must be on the California roster for delivery to a California FFL, a Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) and DROS are handled at the dealer, and the 10-day waiting period applies. Out-of-state buyers receive the firearm through their own local FFL under their state's rules.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Genuine 1911-style single-action trigger in a pocket-size pistol
- SIG Lite tritium night sights included standard
- Ambidextrous thumb safety
- Ships with both a 6-round and 7-round magazine
Trade-offs
- Sig has signaled the P238 line may be winding down — confirm current availability
- .380 ACP has less stopping power than 9mm for those who prioritize caliber
- Single-action-only design requires more deliberate safety habits than a double-action pistol
Key attributes
| Transfer | Ships to your FFL dealer |
| Caliber | .380 ACP |
| Capacity | 6+1 or 7+1 rounds |
| Barrel Length | 2.7 in |
| Action | Single-action only (SAO) |
| Finish | Coyote Cerakote slide, anodized alloy frame |
Frequently asked questions
- Is the P238 single-action or double-action?
- Single-action only, in the style of a scaled-down 1911.
- What magazines come with it?
- One 6-round and one 7-round magazine.
- Does it have night sights?
- Yes, SIG Lite day/night sights are standard.
- Is the P238 still in production?
- Sig's own discontinued-products page now lists several P238 configurations — confirm current availability and whether this is new or pre-owned stock with your FFL.
- Does this ship to my home?
- No, it ships to a licensed FFL dealer for pickup only.