I know this is an extremely old thread, but since there are still many who will search this same question and come to this thread, I thought I would try to update some misunderstanding on the internal mechanisms of the P238. I am not suggesting the the advice offered by the many is inaccurate. There are, however, a few points of detail. I hope others will find useful.
First of all, you are free to carry the gun however you like, but Condition 1 is recommended. That said I'd like to address a couple of points.
As to this post regarding the P238: "I carry my p238 not cocked and locked what I do is rack one in the chamber , load the magazine to full capacity then drop the hammer keeping it on fire not safety, if EVER I need to use it it's just as easy to cock the hammer manually then drop the safety without the fear of accidental fireing of "cocked and locked" ...." The underlined portion of this statement is not feasible unless the gun is malfunctioning. When the P238 safety is on with a round in the chamber, you cannot fully cock the hammer back. The safety must be released first before effectively cocking the hammer.
While Sig does not recommend treating the half-cocked position as a full-fledged safety, it does have a specific purpose. The P238 has a firing pin block. The original 1911's and 1911A1's do not have this. If you choose to have a round in the chamber, safety off and with hammer down (Condition 2) and in the heat of the battle you must draw and pull the hammer what happens if your thumb slips? As you pull the trigger, it goes to half-cocked (firing pin block engaged) and as you continue to pull the trigger and slip, the hammer falls to the half-cocked position and the firing pin does not strike the primer. This feature, however, does not apply when getting the gun into Condition 2. When you rack the slide to charge the weapon, the hammer is put back without ever setting the firing pin block. Pull the trigger and the gun will go bang. When you try to let off the hammer slowly (using your thumb to block the hammer) and slip, the gun may discharge here as well because no firing pin block is engaged. This is why Condition 2 is typically not recommended. However, if Condition 2 is your decision and the gun is in that state, know that their is a firing pin safety, should your thumb slip while manually cocking the hammer on a P238.
While the following question wasn't asked but for those who are unsure, how do we safely unload a P238 in Condition 1 (locked and loaded) or Condition 2, but I've cocked the hammer to fire and changed my mind. Don't we still have to remove the mag; release the safety and let the hammer down slowly? NO. First remove the magazine. With the safety on and hammer back the P238 allows you to rack the slide and eject the live round. The safety is still on. You can then lock the slide, verify the gun is empty; release the slide; release the safety; and let the hammer down. This comment was not intended for the experienced, but for those new to this particular weapon and the novice in general.
My comments here were not intended to cover all the opinions on the various conditions of readiness or every nuance of the P238, but I do hope future readers might find some of this helpful. I do agree with those on this forum, however, that Condition 1 is the preferred method of carry for the P238. If you are not comfortable with this you may certainly resort to Conditions 2-4. It's your right to do so, but then you really should be considering a DAO, DA/SA, or a striker-fired pistol.
And now my hobby horse moment: As human beings we are all built different; so carry what you are comfortable with, but more importantly carry what you have routinely practiced with. If you don't, you will be a danger to yourself and others, which ultimately hurts the cause of the good people on this forum. Routine training is crucial. It doesn't matter how many lives are saved by those who carry, the national media won't report it because it does not fit their anti-gun agenda, but let one person negligently discharge a weapon due to a lapse in judgment or lack of familiarity with their firearm and the whole country hears about it. For any newbies out there or those who've become rusty with their own carry weapon, I pray you won't mind this friendly reminder. It may be our 2nd Amendment right to carry, but if we don't all carry responsibly, we may find ourselves individually or collectively without that right.
While the above paragraph is slightly off topic, in my opinion, it is germane to why it is important to be familiar with the P238 or any other gun you may choose to carry. :smile: