I'm sure this has been covered a bunch but I'm a cheap bassturd without stars and can't search so well.

So... if you were gonna buy a lil' .380, which one would you (or did you) buy?

Why?

I have the Ruger LCP and love it! No opinion on the S&W.

Bodyguard has actual usable sights dovetailed in. Laser is worthless.

I have a co worker that is former LEO. The LCP is his everyday carry weapon. Swears by it and its ease of carry in all clothing. Has a cool back pocket holster that profiles just like a wallet. He almost has me convinced.

Taurus TCP .380 from Academy. They have them for an everyday life price of $199. Can't beat it.

same caliber, almost is the 9mm Makarov.

CZ-82 (or 83, one is 9mm Mak the other is .380)
FEG PA-63
and the russky Makarov.

Military/police weapons, Walther PPK knock-offs, reliable (see "Military/police weapons") pretty inexpensive.

Just something else to think about. I've used a PA-63 as my CCW for a while now. (Disclaimer: I don't carry often, since I work on federal property, so I can't take it when I leave the house M-F. In fact, I let my CHL lapse due to seldom usage. Now I'm going to retake the class to have the CHL... mainly to simplify weapons purchases.)

Wife just purchased a Kahr K 380. Very small pistol. Shoots well. She also has a PK 380 Walther. That one fits my hands better but it's pretty big for a .380.

I have a Sig P238 that I use as a secondary CCW. Just got the wife a Ruger LCP as she is getting her CHL. I love my Sig as its a 1911 style frame. The S&W was my other choice on the wife's. Only reason I got the Ruger is I found it in stock when I went to Cabelas. Haven't had a chance to shoot or sight it in yet.

Justin '03

I've seen some refurbished CZ82/83's that looked pretty amazing. Gunsmiths are starting to use them as a starting point for custom carry weapons.

I had the Ruger for a couple years. It worked but it certainly isn't great. I second the Sig P238. It's the Lexus of 380s. Costs more but you get what you pay for

quote:

---

So... if you were gonna buy a lil' .380, which one would you (or did you) buy?

---

None.

quote:

---

Why?

---

I don't think .380 is an acceptable personal defense round (strictly my opinion). The advantage of the .380 is that it can be packaged in a pistol that is small and light and can be carried in a pants pocket. The Springfield XDs, the S&W Shield, and some of the Kahr models are just a tad heavier/larger than a .380 pocket pistol, they are available in more acceptable personal defense calibers, they are much easier to shoot well than .380 pistols, and they can be carried in a pants pocket.

Check outthe Bersa 380. I have a bodyguard that shoots well once it's broken in. The Bersa was perfect from day one. Some articles claim the Bersa has the best trigger of all 380s.

I have a CZ82, PA63 & a P64 all shoot a 9x18(makarov) round. The cz is a great handgun. The P64 after some modification is my primary carry. I really don't care for the FEG PA63.

Kahr P380. Better than both the guns you listed in the OP.

I bought a S&W bodyguard, its ok. The Sigp238 shoots much smoother and I like it more-- and i believe has an option for night sights. knowing what I know now, I would either get 238 or 938 (if you want to pack a heavier punch- i think dimensions and weight are very similar).
Ive tried to carry a 40 before and it is just way too bulky and heavy.
My opinion is if a 380 is going to be light and comfortable and you'll carry it more often (always) then go with that !

I used to carry a sig p232 and now carry the LCP. I have no complaints with the LCP. the trigger pull is long but that's because it has no safety. for me, it's been light, accurate and reliable

I agree with WildcatAg. I would buy none. Get a j-frame or get a subcompact 9mm. The 380 has lost a lot of its purpose in the last decade as Kahr and others have introduced their Subcompact 9mm.


That being said, I suppose If i was going to own one,would probably get a PPK.

quote:

---

Kahr P380. Better than both the guns you listed in the OP.

---

I agree with this

I really like the LCP.
I won't get into the .380 effectiveness debate but those other subcompacts (xds, shield, kahr) are either really hard to find, not in the same price range as pocket .380s, or both.

I have an Interarms Walter PPK/s. Aside from the occasional slide bite, I like it. Shoots anything I load into it. At one point I was going to sell it but I'm glad I changed my mind.

Shoot em all and get whichever feels the best. Throwing a rock is better than an empty fist and anything you carry is better than leaving it at home because it isn't comfortable.

Colt government .380

Beretta 84 or 85F Cheetah is generally considered the "King" of .380's. Comes in double stack (13 rds) or single stack (8 rds). Pricey.

quote:

---

I would buy none. Get a j-frame or get a subcompact 9mm. The 380 has lost a lot of its purpose in the last decade as Kahr and others have introduced their Subcompact 9mm.

---

My EDC is a Glock 26 and I'm about to sell my Sig P290 (which this new gun I'm researching will replace). The G26 is my ideal carry gun until Glock comes out with a single stack 9mm.

That said, the reason I posted this thread is because I'm looking for a *tiny* gun to either serve as a backup on days when I'm "dressed" or as a toss-it-in-my-pocket primary on hot days when I'm in shorts and a t-shirt or going out for a jog.

In my opinion, there is a huge difference in size and weight between the guns mentioned in the OP and the sub-compact 9mm's mentioned, at least for my purposes. For instance, the P290 I'm about to sell weighs almost twice as much as the Ruger LCP. Both are small guns, but the Ruger is truly tiny, and the S&W Bodyguard is only slightly larger than the Ruger.

Agreed with the folks that think the .380 isn't the best personal defense load. Also agreed with those who think the .380 is better than throwing rocks.

Appreciate the thoughts - there are several guns mentioned here that I am unfamiliar with and will research!



[This message has been edited by Skubalon (edited 3/8/2013 11:31a).]

+1 for the Bersa 380, although I'd specify the conceal carry version, slightly lower profile than the regualar Thunder 380. Its a bigger gun than the LCP but that's one reason I liked it, I thought the LCP size pistol felt too small. Solid pistol that seems to be in our price range but may be a bit bigger than you want. Worth checking ou though.

quote:

---

I really don't care for the FEG PA63.

---

Mind if I ask why, and predict your answer? It is about the snappiest gun I've ever fired, that I'll acknowledge. I don't usually notice it, so obviously it doesn't bother me much. My wife HATES it.

That's a valid reason, but it's a preference thing. If it was unreliable, that's something that needs to be known. That'd be the difference between "don't like" and "wouldn't carry" as a recommendation.

Actually know an LEO who carries asmall frame .22 as his ccw when off duty. Said that caliber is all he needs. I figure if a .22 is good enough for him then a 380 is good enough for me.

TX AG88... The reason I don't care for it is I'm not consistant with it. The snappiness doesn't bother me. It is about the same as the P64.

I have no issues with consistancy with the P64, CZ82, Bodyguard or Bersa. My Stoeger Cougar is also consistant. Just not so much with the PA 63. It just personal preference.

ANY gun is better than NO gun.

If your choice is .380 or nothing than carry .380...I would recommend LCP out of all the .380's as it has a much smoother frame and less likely to catch on clothing as you quickly draw it than the Kahr or S&W. Most SD situations will be very close range so how well it can be quickly drawn matters more IMO than how well you shoot it at 15 yds or how good the sights are. Also, you will carry the gun on you concealed 1000x more often that you will have it in your hand, so IMO how well the gun fits on you is more important than how it fits in your hand because if you like wearing it...you will.

^^ with all that being said I would also recommend a 9mm sub compact or S&W frame in .38 +p over a .380. 380 used to be much smaller, but now 9mm is basically the same size in subcompact and much more effective for self defense. The LC9 isnt that much larger than the LCP, so why not carry it. I would highly recommend the S&W 442 (dont waste your money on the bodygaurd that has a side mounted laser that is difficult to activate and wouldnt likely use in a quick draw situation). The j-frame 442 will never FTF, FTE, or get lint in the hammer while its sitting in your pocket.

.380 LCP w/ crimson trace works great for me. I always have it on me, fits great in my back pocket. Sometimes getting the confidence to carry in any situation, needs a gun where you know no one can spot it. Phone, check. Wallet, check. Gun, check. When you get used to the idea and over the paranoia, then upgrade to something bigger if you want.

Had a bodyguard, sold it and bought a p238 which i love. Just bought a keltec p32 for jogging - amazingly light.

Had a bodyguard, sold it. the only .380s I currently own are a sig 238 which easily replaced the bodyguard and a Colt government model. As others have stated, I prefer the 9mm in a subcompact now over the .380. I have a sig239 and a kahr k9 in that category and in a few days will also have an sig 938. However, caliber only matters if you have comfort and trust in it. To each their own.

I don't know much about them, but for the sake of a well rounded debate I'd like to throw the P3AT into the mix.

I am on the list for a Sig P238 SAS for the wife. After reviewing the Hornady Critical Defense ballistic results, I cannot justify the 9mm recoil in that sized gun. It also pretty much settles the ".380 is way too small for defensive carry, you should get a 9mm, brah" which seems to have perpetuated the internets since the invention of the mall ninja.