I've done a lot of research on the Sig P238 (.380 ACP). The experts say it is the smaller brother of the famed 1911 model pistol.

 

Question 1: The P238 is supposed to be carried "cocked and locked." A whole bunch of videos show how to lower the hammer in preparation for making the gun safe. I would be a bit skittish about this. Isn't it possible, with the safety on, simply to drop the magazine and cycle the gun, thereby ejecting the live round with zero chance of firing?

 

Question 2. The P238 is single-action only. You can't have a round in the chamber and rely on a heavy double-action pull to make the gun less unsafe. Instead of cocked and locked, wouldn't it be possible to carry this gun with the hammer down, and to cock it before firing the first shot? Of course, this assumes that you could magically, safely lower the hammer with a round in the chamber.

 

And if so, isn't it too bad the gun has no decocker?

 

I'm new to this type of firearm and appreciate any advice.

 

Of course any reference to "carry," real or imaginary, is purely theoretical. Even if we were permitted to I am obviously not skilled or confident enough. 

Answer 1

 

If the gun is cocked and locked I see no reason to lower the hammer if you are making the gun safe. Don't reky on You Tube videos for the proper methods. I would make the gun safe as you say.

 

Answer 2

 

The 1911 and I imagine the SIG 238 have inertia firing pins. This means that even with the hammer down the firing pin doesn't contact the primer of the round in the chamber. Carrying chamber loaded with the hammer down (condition 2) is not a good way to carry. You can't have the safety on in condition 2. Carry in condition 1, cocked and locked.

 

You can lower the hammer safely on a 1911 design. The inertia firing pin allows you to do this. There is no reason to lower a hammer on a live round. The 1911 design doesn't have a hammer dropper because it doesn't need one. Most DA/SA. pistols copy the trigger system Walther designed in the 1920s and do drop the hammer when putting on the safety.

 

HOWEVER, you will find some 1911 designs (Star, Llama for two) that do not have inertia firing pins and you should never attempt to lower the hammer on a live round as the firing pin will be in contact with the primer. A blow to the firing pin will discharge the gun.

 

If carrying cocked and locked bothers you, don't get a 1911 design.

 

Master a DA revolver first and everything else is easy.