The P238 is a single-action. 380, and the Titanium Rainbow model has a distinctive finish on its stainless steel slide and controls. (Photo courtesy of J. Scott Rupp)
January 08, 2026
By J. Scott Rupp
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It’s hard not to love a good-shooting, easy-carrying micro compact, and that describes the resurrected SIG P238 . Chambered to .380 ACP, it’s a single-action semiauto that’s about as small as they come.
Despite the tiny dimensions, it’s incredibly easy to shoot well. For one thing, it weighs nearly 15 ounces due to its alloy-frame construction, so it’s light but not too light. It also benefits from a crisp single-action trigger, which on this sample broke just shy of five pounds.
The sights are SIG’s excellent SIGlite day/night. (Photo courtesy of J. Scott Rupp) The SIGlite sights are among the best out there. They are steel, set in dovetails and feature tritium vials set inside large white outlines—providing a great sight picture in any light or lack thereof.
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The Titanium Rainbow nomenclature stems from the PVD finish. It’s not for everyone. On the set of “Handguns” TV it proved polarizing, with me in the minority of finding it cool-looking.
Finishes The P238 includes a single-side thumb safety. (Photo courtesy of J. Scott Rupp) The rainbow finish is on the slide as well as the controls, which include a single-side thumb safety. The slide can be racked with the gun on or off Safe, and both the safety and slide stop are ideally sized. There is no grip safety.
I loved shooting this pistol. Even though it’s not possible to get all your fingers on the short grip, I could still get accurate hits—fast—at practical defensive distances. But that short grip also makes it easy to conceal, and the slide is rounded and beveled for an easy draw.
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(Accuracy results provided by the author) Downside? Capacity is just six rounds, and the supplied mag has a flat base, where as other P238s offer an additional seven-rounder with a finger-hook extension for more real estate on the grip.
Still, if you’re looking for something distinctive in a .380 single action that you’ll be happy to carry every day, don’t sleep on this one.
SIG P238 Titanium Rainbow Specs Type: single-action semiautoCaliber: .380 ACPCapacity: one 6-round mag suppliedBarrel: 2.7 in.OAL/Height/Width: 5.5/4.0/1.0 in.Weight: 14.7 oz.Construction: rainbow titanium PVD stainless steel slide, anodized alloy frame, polymer gripTrigger: 4 lb., 13 oz. (measured)Sights: SIGLite night front and rearSafeties: manual thumbPrice: $750Manufacturer: SIG Sauer, SIGsauer.com
