Plus, there is almost always a more powerful self-defense round out there. I routinely carried my duty weapon (early years .357 S & W mod 19) and back up .38 S & W Chief Special with +p ammo. I have put a thousand rounds of all kinds into these beauts and only 2 FTFs. But it is still comparing the .38 Special, with one hand tied behind it's back, to a .380 ACP which is allowed all the advantages. SW380 - Forgotten Pocket Gun That Should Stay Thataway - Breach Bang Clear In a real world gun fight capacity rules over caliber. I really like it because it's all metal and so dampens the recoil. (PS-I had a local 'smith do some smoothing of the edges and it's amazingly easy to get in and out!) I have always enjoyed the way this pistol feels and shoots. I've found the fit and overall feel of the pistol to be more favorable than the Sig 238. In fact this Model 1911A 380 is just a smaller version with all parts being virtually identical. So I trade off a couple of rounds and a little fire power in order to have the gun with me more often rather than back home in the safe. Simple. 400 rounds later with only one ftf, I couldn't be happier with the decision. If you can afford a Sig you will not regret it. No other cartridge has that claim to fame or infamy if you prefer. A review of .380s and no mention at all of Springfield's excellent 911? It's a pocket gun and after a few carries you will forget you have it on you. Well said Chris. If buying today, I would buy Sig if money were no object and LCP2 if looking for a good price and good performance. Ruger LCP as #1? I picked up a Kimber Micro 380. .380 guns tend to conceal better than many others out there on the market. I'm a novice and feel quite comfortable with ALL aspects of the LCP 2. HP/JHP ammo is the definitive defensive ammo type, but if you're not allowed to carry it then you need to rely on a larger caliber to do the same job. So much so that all, absolutely all the later models that have been made up to the present, including the iconic Beretta 92, have copied and reproduced this decocker / safe system. (I'm not, due to the absence of a grip safety.) Pass on the II and get the original. , If I were to replace my Bodyguard the Ruger LCP would be my choice. I bought the glock 42 and have used a lot of different ammo(hollow point and fmj) and it has never failed very nice gun, My bodyguard was $225 shipped. Best 380 Pistols for Concealed Carry [2023] - Gun University I have the LCP2 and the P238. For the short test, out of box function and flexibility of this gun is fine. Deep carry a kimber ultra raptor II for primary weapon. Check out our Best Places to Buy Ammo Online or jump straight to .380 ACP self-defense rounds. The hornady personal protection ammo is a good match for the gun. It seems to be ignored often when discussing .380 's. I like mine too but my wife has a lcp2. Or the author has no clue. The p3at hasn't failed yet at the range. The barrel length is just 2.75 inches and its capacity is also six in the magazine, one in the chamber. And when you want the BEST .380 possible, carry a Walther PPK/S. BATTLE OF THE RUGER .380S: LCP VS. LCP II. WHICH is now said to be or is suggested to be outdated, is more of a "sales marketing" issue than a technical one. . I moved her to my S&W M&P Shield 2.0 9mm and she can fire and control it much better. . Winchester 209 Primers Shotshell The non-corrosive and all-weather primers provide quick reliable ignition in any shooting conditions. I don't even own one (yetnext on the list). Magazine capacity is six, plus one inside the chamber. Still I would highly recommend this pistol, especially if you need to pocket carry. Made In United States of America The object of concealed carry has only ONE OBJECTIVE.to stop the threat. While larger .380 pistols such as the Walther PPK/S, Walther PK380, Bersa Thunder 380, and Glock 42 dont have this problem, the truly small pocket pistols such as the LCP and TCP most certainly do. I inherited my Dad's Browning BDA .380. I always thought I needed to carry a 9 or 45 now I know I don't. Mine has more than 500 rounds with no malfunction other than slide failing to lock back after final round a couple of times. I don't know why it keeps appearing in these 380 pocket lists, must be advertising? Rent and shoot them all. Also, the penetration is very low. I have put rounds through all of the pistols in your post. The 380 is in between the 22/25 pocket pistols and the 38spc/9mm sub compacts. However, Im having trouble finding a pistol for conceal carry. That and I own a Sig P238 that has been the best everyday carry gun I have ever owned and the 911 seemed to be a copy of the P238 only made by Springfield and slightly better looking in my opinion. Bottom line for me on this pistol, Ill never get rid of it, but I would replace it as a daily Carry. Thank you for your article. It's not one of your top 5 but works for me. Check out our full review of its 9mm brotherthe CW9. (both very lightweight and extremely easy to conceal). Copyright 2023 Pew Pew Media, Inc. All rights reserved. To the point of I wish these two models didnt even exist. With the proper ammo this weapon can't be beat for carry and at 10 yards put your shoot where you aim it. Most accurate?? Plus search YouTube for "Texas Rancher Wild Hog .380" and watch his video. I love my Bersa Thunder Combat. .380 pocket pistols have a well-deserved reputation for having some of the worst trigger pulls of any semi-automatic pistols on the market. I LOVED it for its size and wanted it to come in #1! I am a 76yr. Maybe some loctite, but maybe the manufacturer should already have that resolved. The 911 has a light, crisp SAO trigger, great night sights, and the 7+1 extended magazine has enough grip to make it easy to shoot. The accuracy is very nice (I am going to paint my sights). The best of class (IMHO) is the old P238 HD. To start, it seemed heavy so carrying it in my pocket felt pretty funky. 1. I've had mine for 30+ years and carried it in an ankle holster. Without seeing his actual data, I would agree with 95% of what is said. Mine is the Tribal edition. I love those kind too, and all kinds of guns for that matter, but those big .40, .45's etc.. have there place and it's not in your pocket feeling like a brick.. You understand living in Florida. over again. Note: DOES NOT FIT Glock 43, Ruger LC380, and other larger frame 380's. And Howard H - I couldnt agree more. The LCP II was available when I bought mine but I chose the original and I'm glad I did. It is a little heavier but the recoil is super manageable. That can be both GOOD and BAD, but Beware of that trigger. Recently, I also purchased the Bersa Thunder plus 380 (15+1 capacity) and it too hasnt failed to feed, eject or fire with Ball or JHP ammo! If it doesn't, it suggests it is your grip. I have a 1st edition LCP. Very fine gun overall. The weapon I carry must be conceable, in an ankle holster. Love it so much bought the CM 9 big brother for IWB holster use. The article is about pocket .380s. You left of far and away the best .380 on the market the Springfield 911, best of the bunch as far as recoil and a beautiful gun optically, sights are top of the line right out of the box. And just like my performance center 9mm shield it will run anything without fail. You'll be surprised at how thin and lightweight this pistol is making it easy to carry all day long. Happy with both options!!! As a curious fact and proof of the historical importance of the iconic Walther PP Series, I will say that the exceptional, world-renowned Frank Sinatra, carried a beautiful, beautifully engraved Walther PP pistol that was auctioned off at a fortune. So that is her EDC . The Five Worst Guns I've Ever Owned - The Mag Life It's also rock solid reliableOver 100 rounds of mixed ammo types without the first hiccup. For it's 2.5 inch barrel, I can easily hit center mass at 25 yards or less and with rapid fire shots. I have a Glock 20, which is a fine gun, but I found the Glock G42 unimpressive (felt like a clunky brick despite the smaller form factor.) Even though discontinued, the Taurus TCP 738 is the best of the best. Be safe. It MIGHT be OK in a totally CLEANED gun first 6 or 7 shots but that's about it reliability goes out the window after the first mag. Try the Remington RM380, it was a pleasant surprise. Looking to replace it with something more reliable. Just like the crazies that are carrying guns illegally and using them criminally. I could almost copy and paste Petes review of the LCPII as my experience. Well interesting take though on all the ammo comparison charts I've seen on this site for popular handgun ammo I've yet to see the 9mm makarov mentioned and personally I carried a FEG PA-63 a hungarian made pistol though no longer on the market here carried it on me for least 5 years before I changed to a SiG P245 Compact due to the fact that I could Extremely easily find magazines available that fix in quiet extended size for the gun as it Accepted Magazines for the P220 as well which is a common officer carry ever since been a SiG guy still got the p245 but switched to a p938 Texas edition few years back But I'll Say this about the 9mm makarov and the FEG PA-63 at that, that is one gun to this day I regret selling but the local gunshop owner wanted it as a carry as he had one previously that got stolen when he was in the hospital and since they were no longer on market here I parted ways with mine but the 9mm makarov Is a absolutely great round can't even begin to describe how well it feels in the hand compared to a Luger. Otherwise, I REALLY like the bodyguard and would feel 95% to 99% comfortable with it. Happy surprise the G10 grips are awesome secure! While there are other, more powerful rounds out there, this is likely the smallest one youd ever want to trust your life to. Surprised it didnt make the list. I am 6'2" and was shot in the gut in a drive by shooting and I doubled over in pain. I have some arthritis in my hands and find that the LCP II kind of beats them up. Last 10 years carried a Glock 36 . My most consistent shooters have been . all of them. People have a right to not be a VICTIM and carry a gun for protection and to neutralize a criminal gun. Just shot 4 of the 5 on the .380 list. Get proficient on YOUR time. 5: CZ Model 83 380 Auto You'll have to find this one used, because it was discontinued in 2012. While I'd agree that we've never had a better selection of ammunition for the .380 ACP, and that it is a viable alternative to a .38 Special snub gun, the .38 Special really deserves to compared to the 9 mm Parabellum. A few BIG points about the Sig P238 that should be in most any article about them: The SIG P238 has a single-action trigger that is light, crisp and easy to shoot. I wanted to LOVE the LCP because its SO easy to conceal. Replacement parts were free from Bersa and I did the labor myself, pretty easy to work on. The revolver, obviously, shoots every time, and, knock on wood, the .380 has never had a feed, fire or ejection problem, either. However, I definitely recommend anyone in the market for a superior and concealable .380 be sure to check out the 911. Add Pearce grip extenders and a Pachmayer grip for a perfect .380 great trigger (practice makes perfect) gooot sights and shoots like a dream for me. Part of my problem though was my huge hands. I just recently purchased the SW M&P .380 EZ which is also sweet. She knows a good gun. Winchester #209 Shotshell Primers On their website they recommend the +P version for the Glock 42. Kahr CT380 is a great choice as well. Both cartridges are most similar when the .38 Special ballistics are compared when coming from a snubnosed revolver with a 2" (or slightly shorter) barrel. Not yet, and hopefully never will, but it WILL be the one that rides with me. Even though its a much smaller cartridge, the .380 is about as strong as a .38 Special. The new LCP II is single action only unlike the other 2, "ole reliable" would shoot barbed wire if would cycle. anything extra and your It takes an attacker 1.5 seconds to reach you from 21 feet. Sharing my experience. I currently own 4 .380 pistols. Finally, while the Bodyguards do come with a safety, they are hard to disengage. No problem with the safety or trigger on M&P .380 Bodyguard. For comparison a Sig P365 is 17.8 oz unloaded. 45 ACP as a duty weapon as an administrator. Then again, those guns which are deeply concealed tend to be harder to access in a stressful situation. And they are ultra reliable. I carry it a lot because of how I dress. So much for credibility of the write up. The Best .380 Pistols For Concealed Carry Glock 42 Ruger LCP II .380 1 Glock 42 While we see that the Glock 42 becomes the largest pistol on our list for concealed carry, we cannot help ourselves not to include it. I have a KAHR CW 380. I, too, love the Sigs. Ive used many .380s but the best is the bersa thunder 380 cc . Today I have a Glock 43. Walther CCP 6. This makes me nervous so Ive always sought help to clear the chambered bullet but now I know what to do! This pistol is a real bargain and is one of the cheapest around. kind of scary. Some of the results of this study show that rifles and shotguns are very effective (duh!) It's certainly uglier and much more expensive. Best .380 (arguable, I know), best carry features (arguable, I know), best price for a P238 (can't argue there). Then youre going to want to take a closer look at the Shield EZ 380! The Ruger LCP has a long, heavy trigger pull, but the LCP II does not. I was disappointed when we went to the 9mm but I understood why we did so. Check Price. The Kahr CT380 runs perfectly. . It has a longer mag for those of us with larger hands, built in Crimson Trace laser grips, will shoot any ammo you put through it, the fact that it is a hammer fired pistol it eliminates the trigger pull issue that some of the others have, it also has a metal frame and slide, and it looks great(not that that's important, just an added bonus). The CT380 is 7+1 and still as small as the others & the price is right. This gun has never had a FTF except with Corbon hollow points. It eats anything you feed it. I have nothing bad to say about it except it feels cheaper than the others. Ammunition will differ slightly in energy, and that affects ejection. This time he is either getting his $ back, or a replacement. IF you think of BUG, think of a true BUG out situation? Most instances of conflict occur within 5 feet. It's hard to find something online, as almost everyone is talking about JP/JHP rounds. It has a slide stop (not too useful as a slide release but it holds the slide back when you're empty), and second-strike capability which I've had to use. My PPK/S is accurate enough to shoot snakes from a "safe" distance. it's a practical REALITY..if your troup were say, 5 strong and each member carried 500 rounds of .22 you are now sitting on 2,500 rounds of ammunition.one goes down, loses a box, whatever and you STILL have a large, large amount of ammo.now assume everyone also has a .22 pistol? 380 ACP Hollow Point from a short barrel (i.e. It just fits perfectly in my hand. M&P Shield EZ .380 6. The trigger pull on the LCP II most closely resembles the trigger on larger striker fired polymer pistols such as the Glock. I'd suggest hitting local gun shops and getting a deal on some of the more"creatively designed" (ahem) versions out there. The grip is also slightly enlarged in order to get a better grip, with an improved stippling job as well to better accommodate wet or slippery conditions. I went with the Glock 42 and enjoy shooting it, additionally I am a Glock armorer which factored into the decision. I have a Ruger .380. These write ups for .380 always list guns like the P238, colt mustang, etc.without explaining the issues with carrying SA only pistol (especially in a pocket). Nope! The chamber seemed pretty dirty so Im willing to give the weapon another chance, but I was very disappointed. I prefer these smaller pistols to large cannon-like guns b/c Im almost 51 years old and have a chronic illness which has caused Rheumatoid Arthritis in some of my joints, especially my hands. Another great gun is the CPX3 .380 pistol made by SCCY on the east coast of Florida. I bought Pierce grips for the Glock 42 mags which allow a 7th bullet into the mag. I currently own a S&W Shield, but need something much much smaller to wear on my ankle without moving down to a .22. Buyer beware! The .380 cartridge is as nasty as any other small one! The trigger guard on the LCP has also been enlarged in order to accommodate a gloved finger without risking pulling the trigger. Last but not least, and while this is entirely personal preference, many regard .380 autos as having poor ergonomics due to the fact that their extraordinarily small size means you cant get a full grip on them. When it comes to a 380/9mm Kurtz however, without question, my old Stainless Sig P232 was and remains my favorite. Any list discussing pocket-carry guns that does not at least mention the best on the market, the Seecamp, is incomplete. In turn, out of guns of equal weight the .380 produces nearly half the recoil energy. 6 Best 380 Pistols [Updated 2022] - Alien Gear Holsters Can't go wrong with this one. G6 Research Radically Invasive Projectile (RIP) Ammo 380ACP. Taurus and Bodyguard quite snappy but you can adapt. Super concealable with 10 rounds of .380 ACP although snappy. I like the others the LC-380 has a long smooth trigger pull like the RM-380, both are good I just don't care for that long pull. Not adjustable and too hard for me to comfortably see down. Handgun Recoil Chart | AmmoForSale.com Well over a thousand rounds through it without a hitch. It's oh so slightly bigger (barely) than a Glock 42. So embarrassing she emptied the box of low cost ammo and then shot the ammo that my gun rejected. I am a Pocket gun enthusiast that has been shooting these guns almost weekly for 10yrs. You need to know how your self-defense ammo handles in your firearm so it doesnt take you by surprise. I bought the Kimber .380 Raptor after a day of shooting a buddy's. Good luck! I find it scary anyone encouraging someone to Cary a gun right or no right. The serrations on the LCP are also wider in order to get a better grip in slippery conditions when racking the slide. I have owned a Ruger LCP but it was just a little too small for me but thats just a matter of personal choice. I have just started working with some SIG Sauer V-Crown but dont have a good data set yet. Another BIG vote for the Rem 380. I would like to comment on a takeaway I have. A Glock model 30 which is a compact 10+1 45ACP. Mine has gone through hundreds of rounds from every brand I find, and there's no more than an occasional jam. In many important aspects, the 911 is quite similar to the Sig P238 but I believe the former is superior in every way. Also the Decocker and the fact that I can lock the frame as a pistol with the key when my grandchildren are around are a plus. You forgot or ignored the Bersa Thunder 380. What good is stopping power if you aren't comfortable with carrying at all times or can't put bullets on target. The Sig has a more "boxy" feeling to the slide, whereas the Kimber's slide is more "melted" along the edges, making for a more comfortable pistol for all day carry. Carry what makes you comfortable, I guess. The size and weight make it very easy to carry especially with the screw on belt clip. The little heavier metal gun helps recoil (won't beat you up if you're a rook/woman) and it won't come apart when you bang/drop it and a heavy/quality holster won't mess it up with heavy use. I think it came out right around the time of your article so why didn't you list it? Now mind you I am only comparing 380s. Bought the SW body guard, it is great, easy to conceal. If a person were looking for a 1911 style .380, I would recommend the Browning .380 over the Sig you listed. Copyright 2023 Center for the National Interest All Rights Reserved. All the .380s are snappy & regardless of how I adjust my grip, they all give me varying degrees of "trigger bite", leaving my trigger finger sore after shooting. Thanks for the review. Which surprises me due to how hard the slide is to pull back. But if I am wearing pants, belt, etc I opt for the Sig. The 238 is very easy to conceal. One of the best things about the Bersa is that even if you have large hands, this is a very nice gun to grip and hold. Curious on you opinion of Kimber Micro? It shows .38 Special being a larger caliber than .45 ACP and 9mm being larger than .380 among other errors. The only real way to know for certain how a gun is going to handle is to shoot it before you buy it. Easy to shoot, very reliable and inexpensive (~$285). I noticed the Kimber Micro .380 didn't make the list. Your article stated that the Kahr 380 was the smallest 380. A very fine pistol. I just purchased a S&W Bodyguard ($50 manufacturer's rebate through June). Anyway, a great video. I have the Springfield 911 and that gun is amazing compact good grouping lightweight are amazing. The LCP II also features forward and rear serrations on the slide, whereas the original LCP only featured serrations on the rear. If they weren't they wouldn't be the most copied designs, just like Glock. Paul Harrell has done a lot of testing on his meat targets and he came to the conclusion the Underwood's Xtreme Penetrator Ammo, which he does not recommend for larger calibres, is a superb choice for the 380. Its internal mechanism has nothing like the Walther, not at all, other than its external appearance and that the spout is fixed. Both tend to come out of my pocket stuck to the weapon. Not good. put hyper-velocity rounds through your .22 semi-auto rifle and enjoy 80% .22 mag performance for the first what, 50 yards, mostly in the first 25??? You missed It in your review but it is mechanically similar, but smaller than the non CC (conceal carry) model. you have to wear shorts with a tucked in shirt), the LCP II will be a great option. Add to that that .22 ammo has come a long, long way too??? You're currently reading page 1; Page 2; Not an inconvenience of power loss or what have you but, societal break down. Weve got a dedicated section for the AR-15 here. These discussions are frequently exchanged between strictly internet gun forum aficionados (armchair commandos at best); so, perhaps, a little background information is in order: I once became very suddenly and very unexpectedly involved in a cleverly set up, triangulated, 3 shooter ambush; and there I was, right, at the center of the deadly triangle!. I also have a Micro 9 which is a bit larger than the Micro 380. These handguns are reliable and easy to manipulate. The advantage of the Browning is the added grip-safety. Yeah congrats you live in a heavily restricted country that doesn't allow you to own "military calibers" you must be so proud. I never really liked it. This writer is SPOT ON w/the issue of firing & nothing happening w/the Bodyguard! Carry it anyway you like, in a situation My first experience with what was certainly a 30 lb. When you see a list of the Best .380s and the Beretta Cheetah is not on it there is something disingenuous going on. All being said; the little guys are all hard to shoot without a lot of practice with solid grip. Josh is an avid firearms enthusiast who fired his first gun when he was just 10 years old. The 84 is a great pistol but I wouldn't carry it in my front pocket. .380 pocket pistols have a well-deserved reputation for having some of the worst trigger pulls of any semi-automatic pistols on the market. I know the California Highway Patrol carried .38 spl. My right hand and wrist are sore when I leave the practice range, but they don't ache for days as they have with 9mm. Ive been a lawman for over 40 years and Ive carried many handguns both in uniform and plain clothes. I have owned a Remington RM380 for about 9 months now. It's got a long trigger pull, but I don't think that's a problem with a concealed=carry gun for close-up self defense. Just wanted to say, I own 4 different caliber Taurus pistols and I am very satisfied with my 357 mag, 1911 Commander 45 acp, and 38 special. I strongly suggest checking out Kimber. I ran into a good deal on .45 ACP JHP ammo, but it would not feed in either of my 1911's. I have both Cheetah and an LCP (with an upgraded trigger) and carry the LCP often for those reasons. Thanks for getting the Bersa Thunder 380 on the list. The range officer called for a cold range and inspected her Glock in disbelief. Love the sig p238 tried the lcp gave to my brother. When you get up to the most powerful ones, the guns are so big and cumbersome that it doesnt make sense to carry them. It speaks to me in a purely utilitarian language, which is fine, it has it's place. No feed or FTF issues at all. The only .380 cartridge I'd ever use, is Precision One. The password should contain at least 8 characters with at least one number or special character. Not sure if it's litigation prevention or what, but I slapped a Giessele two stage in it and never looked back. The barrel length is just 2.75 inches and its capacity is also six in the magazine, one in the chamber. I get it you are thinking "carry the 9mm", but I like the lighter weight and low recoil of 380. so I need all 6 of 380 on target to make a stop, no problem, we practice constantly and hopefully I can do that, as shot placement is king. i bought a Bersa thunder plus with a 15 round mag for 350.00 bucks and it has never had a failure to feed or any other issues. Reliability is also excellent. BEST: Sig P238. Great review. The Shield is not hard to carry and conceal, but my .380 is so much more comfortable and concealable that it is the one I choose most of the time.
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