[2500 HD]

In the market for a quality carry pistol small like the Kimber Solo (9mm) or the Sig 238 (.380). Both pointed good for me in the store and both fit nicely in my front jeans pocket undetected. Price is close enough it doesn't matter to me.
Anyone have experience with either of these 2 pistols. Looking for Good and bad feedback, as well as if ammo is more available from one to the other. How much advantage is there with the 9 vs. the .380? Thanks ken

 

[skeetfield]

I like to shoot my Sig 238 and it is fairly accurate but don't like it for
concealed carry. Have to pull hammer back or carry with it back and safety on.
Solo's are picky on ammo. Bought two guns yesterday that I really like; a Kahr
P380 which is very comparable to the Sig in size and quality, and the new Glock
42. Paid 450.00 (cash/no sales tax) for the Glock (new in the box) and I love it.

 

[Setterman]

Look at a P938 (9mm). Almost the same size but with the extended mag, you have a better grip and they are very accurate, more fire power.

 

[RSVP410]

Ken,

The first thing you should decide is the cartridge. The 9mm will provide more power and a wider range of bullet weights and types. I'm sure for similar size pistols, most would recommend the 9mm.

Sig has the P938 which is very similar to the P238 except it is 9mm. There is a big difference in action types you have to consider. The Solo is a double action only and the Sigs are single action. I wouldn't recommend carrying a single action cocked and locked in your pocket so, you'll have to decide on speed vs safety. The DAO pistols might be your best choice and there are other good choices to compare to the Solo such as the Ruger and Kahr (P9 or CM9)

Good luck,
Scott

 

[RSVP410]

I forgot to mention, I have a Kahr CW9 and it is a great value and has worked well with all ammo types. A friend has one too and has had similar results

 

[RSVP410]

I forgot to mention, I have a Kahr CW9 and it is a great value and has worked well with all ammo types. A friend has one too and has had similar results

 

[blade819]

Take a look at the S&W MP Shield in either 40S&W or 9mm. Small sturdy gun. I bought a 40S&W Shield last month locally for $348..

blade819

 

[RSVP410]

I forgot to mention that I have the Kahr CW9 and it works very well on all ammo types, is easy to carry and a good value. The P9 is more money and has more features. Springfield Armory also offers a small single stack 9mm.

Scott

 

[creek]

I have the Sig P238. It is a high quality gun that you would expect from a Sig. I have shot several hundred rounds with zero problems. If I had it to do over again, I would buy the Sig P938 (9mm) which was not available when I purchased the P238. the P938 is almost the same size, price, and feel of the P238.

I sold a Kahr P380 to purchase the Sig because of jamming problems with the Kahr.

John

 

[1ChemE]

I have a solo and think it will be a great carry gun. It is striker fire so you won't have to worry about carrying g it cocked and locked. The only downfall to the solo is ammo selection. You must shoot only the recommended ammo on Kimbers website. It will not function reliably with standard 115 grain ball ammo. I had a lot of FTFs. Not one issue with 124 grain federal premium home defense hollow points. The ammo is expensive but the gun is not a plinker.

 

[claybrdr]

Got a Sig P938 and love it. I'm used to the 1911 platform so carrying it cocked and locked doesn't bother me a bit.

 

[stokinpls]

Take a look at the Glock 42. I handled one yesterday, I gotta have one. Good luck.

http://www.gunbroker.com/All/BI.aspx?Keywords=glock+42

Bob Falfa

 

[coveybuster]

I looked at these two guns, plus the Colt Mustang.

I ended up buying the Colt. Just felt better in my hand.

One thing I didn't like at first was the front sight was impossible to pick up bringing the gun up from the low ready position. Some fluorescent orange jig head paint solved that problem.

I carry it very comfortably in a DeSantis Nemesis front pocket holster.

I can keep a three shot burst from the low ready position in the 8 ring at 20 feet so I don't think the .380's lack of power compared to the 9mm is an issue.

It is loaded with Cor-Bon JHP's. They are on the hot end for .380's, and function flawlessly in the gun.

Maybe another option to explore.

 

[Sky Buster]

The S&W Shield should not be over-looked. One of the
five top picks in a small 9mm carry gun. They are hard
to find as demand is high.

 

[Shooting Coach]

I have seen a bunch of malfunctions on our indoor range with both of the guns you mention. Failures-to-fire on the Solo, failures-to-extract on the Sig. I would never consider either one of them for carry. I still pack my Glock 19. Always works.

If the Glock is not your cup of tea or you want a smaller gun, I would also think about the Shield. They work. If the 40 is too snappy for you, get the 9X19 version.

Your carry arm MUST WORK EVERY TIME. Period.

 

[crusha]

Don't forget the Kimber Solo also has that totally-unnecessary "dummy switch" (safety). This gun is oriented towards people who aren't totally comfortable carrying "hot," or grew up hunting in a field with a shotgun with the safety on, and think a switch makes you safer. (Problem is, pheasants don't shoot back). It's a "halfway house" toward going all the way to something you just pull and shoot, but I think they messed up what could have been a perfectly good defense gun if not for that.

 

[shoot em all]

I owned one of the first batch of Solos that came out and lots of feeding problems. I know they had delays after first batch so they probably got it corrected by now. It was a neat and accurate little 9mm. good luck jim w.

 

[2500 HD]

I will check out the shield and the glock. Thanks for all the input. I like the idea of the 9 and .40 seems a little more available than .380 by me.

 

[GBatch_25]

Suggest you also look at the Springfield Armory XD-S. It comes in both 45ACP and 9mm.

http://xdspistol.com/

Gene in Illinois

 

[OldGoat]

How do Shield and/or XDS stack up in 9mm? Ed