Best SIG P238 Holsters 2022

Finding a suitable concealed carry holster can sometimes be a challenge. For many gun owners, their holsters either wear out too quickly, don’t provide enough retention, or aren’t comfortable to wear.

For subcompact weapons like the SIG Sauer P238, it is essential to find the right holster for the job. When it comes to self-defense equipment, your gear should fit comfortably and perform optimally, and your holster is no exception. This guide can help you determine which holster is the best fit for the SIG P238, so you don’t have to sacrifice your safety or comfort.

What Makes a Great Concealed Carry Holster?

A quality holster should fulfill multiple specific goals. They must provide a good fit for your weapon, offer excellent retention when holstered, and be comfortable enough to wear all day. A good concealed holster should also come with features to enhance concealability and reduce printing.

The most common types of concealed carry holsters are low-profile belt holsters, either inside the waistband holsters (IWB) or outside the waistband holsters (OWB). Belt holsters are gun holsters designed to fit on a gun belt using at least one belt loop or belt clip.

Although virtually every state in the U.S. allows concealed carry in one form or another, many do not allow open carry. Therefore, it is critical to use the right type of holster for the job.

High-quality holsters should also come with customizable and adjustable elements, such as an adjustable retention screw, configurable ride height and cant, and compatibility with concealment-enhancing accessories, such as a wedge or a mod-wing.

• Adjustable retention allows you to change how loosely or tightly your holster shell grips around the holstered handgun. Adjusting your holster’s retention pressure lets you find the perfect balance of retention and draw speed.
• Configurable ride height lets you choose how deeply your handgun sits relative to your waistline when holstered. Low ride enhances concealment, high ride improves access, and mid-ride is a perfect balance between the two.
• Cant is the rotational angle of your holster, which affects the orientation of your pistol’s grip when holstered. Experiment with different cants to find the ideal draw angle, improve your holster’s comfort level, and obtain a faster draw speed and a more positive grip.

What is the Best Holster Material?

Gun holsters are typically made from leather, ballistic nylon, or Kydex, a type of thermoplastic. Although holster material is one of the most common debate topics among gun enthusiasts, many experts and professional shooters consider Kydex to offer the highest performance and the best balance of cost and effectiveness.

Leather holster facts

While leather is more comfortable, visually appealing, and a more fitting choice for traditional gun holster applications, this material has many well-known drawbacks, such as the tendency to wear out quickly if not given regular leather care and maintenance.

Another common issue with leather holsters is the leather material. Quality leather holsters require the finest and most durable leathers, which can be reasonably expensive. Beware of any holster advertised as made of genuine leather; this is the  least durable type of leather material, typically made from scraps of bonded leather glued together in layers. This means that holsters made of genuine leather are the most prone to premature wear and tear.

Additionally, although it may provide some scratch protection, the relative softness of a leather holster may not protect it from hard impacts very well.

Nylon holster facts

The primary benefit of ballistic nylon is the price. This material is inexpensive, making it easy to purchase one or multiple nylon holsters for a reasonable price. Additionally, it is a lightweight holster material, making it easy and convenient to wear.

However, nylon holsters have low durability and virtually no resistance to moisture. Nylon concealment holsters tend to deteriorate within a few months of daily carry, especially when carried IWB due to the friction between the wearer's waistband, body, and holster.

The biggest drawback of a nylon holster is frequently marketed as an advantage: They are often advertised as universal holsters that can accept multiple makes and models of handguns. However, this term hides the nylon holster’s inability to provide adequate retention for any of them.

Additionally, the soft nature of nylon fibers means a nylon holster cannot be shaped or molded to match your handgun’s dimensions, resulting in a loose and unsafe fit.

Facts about Kydex holsters

Kydex is a thermoplastic material made from flat sheets and molded around the shape of a specific firearm. This attribute means that a Kydex holster provides a snug and tight fit for the gun it is intended to accept, providing superior retention.

Kydex is also resistant to water, moisture, sweat, solvents, and all but the harshest chemicals. It is also a highly durable rigid material capable of withstanding scratches and impacts without damage, serving as a protective shell for a holstered handgun.

A high-quality carry gun holster made of Kydex typically uses thin, low-profile 0.08" sheets in its construction. Although thinner than the sheets employed in heavier OWB duty holsters, they remain highly durable and provide additional comfort and concealment.

Although Kydex is a high-quality material, it is also relatively inexpensive. Most Kydex holsters are affordable; the only holsters less expensive than Kydex models are cheaper nylon holsters. Kydex holsters are highly cost-effective, providing a safe carry holster and superior retention for much less than a decent leather holster.

Kydex is lightweight, sturdy, durable, sweat-proof, and reasonably priced, making it the ideal gun holster material.

SIG P238 Specifications

The SIG Sauer P238 is a single-action subcompact carry gun chambered in .380 ACP. It can be viewed as a modern incarnation of the Colt Mustang, a subcompact version of the 1911 pistol, but featuring more modern materials. It is an ideal carry gun for shooters who prefer 1911 controls and aesthetics in a small-sized pistol.

The SIG P238  was first released to the civilian market in 2009 and was SIG Sauer’s first true subcompact pistol aimed at customers favoring deep concealed carry in IWB or pocket holsters. Like the 1911 pistol it is patterned after, the P238 is a single-action pistol with a manual safety, allowing you to carry it cocked and locked.

Multiple P238 models are available, each with a different color and finish: black Nitron, two-tone, stainless steel, flat dark earth, Cerakote, rainbow titanium, and numerous others. Many grip colors and materials are available, such as black plastic, rosewood grips, pearlite, or molded rubber.

With an overall length of approximately 5.5", a width of 1.1", a barrel length of 2.7", and an unloaded weight of about 15.2 oz., the SIG P238’s diminutive dimensions make it easy to conceal. It uses a single-stack flush-fit 6-round magazine, allowing for a total loaded capacity of 7 rounds. SIG Sauer also offers 7-round extended baseplate magazines, extending the P238 pistol’s height and increasing its capacity by 1 round.

The Best Holster Type for the SIG P238

Most carry gun holsters come in three types: Outside the waistbanD (OWB), inside the waistband (IWB), and paddle holsters.

When choosing a holster for the SIG P238, it is essential to consider the handgun’s intended applications. As a subcompact pistol meant for deep concealment, you should choose a holster that helps you make the most out of the pistol’s dimensions. Therefore, the best choice for the P238 is the IWB holster.

Why the IWB holster is the best choice

Inside the waistband holsters (IWB) are designed to provide maximum concealment of your firearm. When worn correctly, an IWB holster should let you completely conceal your gun, even with a single layer of cover garment, such as a shirt.

IWB holsters are also highly secure and do not come loose, making it significantly harder for your gun to fall out. If security and concealment are your primary concerns, this is the holster style you need. A good IWB holster also provides a comfortable carrying experience.

The best IWB holsters are manufactured from Kydex and made into a low-profile mold that easily and efficiently tucks in behind the waistband and does not restrict your movements. The trigger is protected with a trigger guard, but the gun does not catch as you draw, providing a smooth and quick draw of your weapon in any situation.

Excessive exposure to body heat and sweat can damage your gun’s finish, potentially introducing rust. Look for IWB holsters featuring a full-length sweat guard. They protect your handgun from body sweat's damaging effects even when carrying your handgun for extended periods of time. A sweat shield is the best way to keep your gun’s finish in good condition when carrying every day.

Verdict

If matching the qualities of the SIG P238 to the qualities of the holster is important to you as a concealed carry citizen, the best option for you is the  Incognito Concealment T3. This hand-crafted Kydex IWB holster comes with a full suite of adjustment features, making it an excellent choice for regular carry, EDC, and other self-defense applications.

This sturdy holster is compatible with 1.5" standard belt clips, extended 1.75" models, or the Discreet Carry clip for additional concealment. The T3 holster is available right- or left-handed and is compatible with a mod-wing, improving concealment for appendix carry.

The Incognito T3 is a fully adjustable holster featuring a retention adjustment screw for tightness adjustment, adjustable belt clip heights, and adjustable cant. Its contoured shape fits against the natural curves of your body, providing you with maximum comfort even when wearing it for an extended period.

Although the P238 is an excellent pistol, its relatively low capacity means you might want to have an extra magazine. Pair your T3 holster with IWB Kydex magazine pouches such as the  Incognito Stash, allowing you to have extra ammunition at your disposal for the most dangerous carry situations.

The Most Dependable and Practical Everyday Carry Holsters

Incognito Concealment crafts the best IWB, OWB, and paddle-style Kydex holsters available on the market. Incognito Concealment makes each of their SIG Sauer P238 holsters specifically for this pistol size, so you can be sure that an Incognito holster fits your gun perfectly every time. You can reach us for further inquiries at (586) 333-4240.