P238 Two Tone
About this product
The Sig Sauer P238 is a micro-compact single-action .380 ACP pistol built on a scaled-down 1911-style platform, and this listing is the Two-Tone finish — a stainless bead-blast slide over a black alloy frame — priced at $499. It's one of Sig's longest-running micro-compact carry pistols, aimed at shooters who want genuine 1911 trigger feel in a pocket-sized package.
What does it mean that the P238 is "1911-style"?
The P238 scales down the classic 1911's single-action-only trigger system, manual thumb safety, and overall operating principle into a much smaller frame designed for deep concealment rather than duty or competition use. Shooters who already know and prefer the 1911 manual of arms — a crisp, short single-action trigger pull with a manual safety carried in the "cocked and locked" condition — get that same feel in a pistol small enough for pocket or ankle carry.
What are the core specs on the Two-Tone model?
This P238 runs a 2.7-inch barrel with an overall length of just 5.5 inches and a height of 3.9 inches, weighing just under a pound — genuinely small for a metal-frame pistol. It ships with both a 6-round and a 7-round magazine, giving owners the option of a flush-fitting shorter magazine for maximum concealment or the extended 7-round magazine for a fuller grip and slightly more capacity. The checkered rosewood grip panels add both texture for a secure hold and a classic aesthetic distinct from the polymer grips common on most modern micro-compacts.
What safety and sight features does it include?
The P238 uses ambidextrous thumb safeties, consistent with its 1911 heritage, along with SIG Lite day/night sights that remain visible in low light — an important feature on a pistol this small, where sight radius is already short and every advantage in fast sight acquisition matters. Being single-action-only, the P238 is designed to be carried with the hammer cocked and the thumb safety engaged, a carry method some shooters need training to get comfortable with if they're coming from a striker-fired or DA/SA background.
Who is the P238 built for?
This pistol suits shooters who specifically want 1911-style single-action trigger feel in the smallest practical carry package Sig makes, typically as a backup gun or deep-concealment primary for situations where printing a larger pistol isn't an option. It's less suited to shooters who want a simpler point-and-shoot manual of arms without a thumb safety to manage.
What should California buyers confirm?
Confirm current California handgun roster status for the P238 Two-Tone with your FFL before ordering. As a firearm, it transfers through your chosen licensed FFL dealer rather than shipping to your home, along with the required background check and any state waiting period.
How does the P238 compare to Sig's larger P938 9mm sibling?
Sig also sells the P938, essentially the same micro-1911 platform scaled for 9mm instead of .380 ACP, and shoppers torn between the two are usually weighing slightly more felt recoil in the P938 against more common and often cheaper 9mm ammunition versus the milder-shooting but pricier-per-round .380 ACP in the P238. Both share the same general dimensions, single-action operation, and thumb safety, so the caliber decision comes down to priorities around recoil, ammunition cost, and per-shot energy rather than any difference in the platform's handling or reliability between the two — try both if you can before deciding.
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 true pocket-size pistol
- Ships with both 6- and 7-round magazines for flexible carry options
- SIG Lite day/night sights standard
- Distinctive Two-Tone finish with rosewood grip panels
Trade-offs
- .380 ACP carries less energy per round than 9mm
- Single-action-only operation with a manual safety requires more training than a striker-fired pistol
- California roster status should be confirmed before ordering
Key attributes
| Transfer | Ships to your FFL dealer |
| Caliber | .380 ACP |
| Capacity | 6+1 / 7+1 |
| Barrel Length | 2.7 in |
| Action | Single-Action Only (SAO) |
| Finish | Two-tone: stainless bead-blast slide, black alloy frame |
Frequently asked questions
- Is the P238 single-action or striker-fired?
- Single-action only (SAO), scaled down from the classic 1911 operating system, carried cocked-and-locked with a manual thumb safety.
- What magazines does it come with?
- One 6-round and one 7-round magazine, giving the choice of maximum concealment or a fuller grip with slightly more capacity.
- How big is it?
- 5.5 inches overall with a 2.7-inch barrel and 3.9-inch height, weighing just under a pound.
- Does it have night sights?
- Yes, SIG Lite day/night sights are standard on this model.
- Is this a good first carry gun?
- It suits shooters already comfortable with 1911-style single-action-only operation and a manual thumb safety; those wanting a simpler manual of arms may prefer a striker-fired pistol instead.