I have always been a revolver man but I am interested in obtaining a compact semi-automatic for CCW. My choice is between a .380 and a 9mm.

I have a Walther .380, vintage 1973, shot very little but it hurts my hand. What are your thoughts on caliber and make and model?

Many Thanks,

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Doc Garrett
Dead Man's Doctor

Check out the 3913 9mm. Small compact and easy to CCW.

If you are serious about a CCW pistol in 9mm, check out the Kahr PM9. They are not cheap nor easy to find, but they really do shoot sweet. I run full house loads through mine and compared to my S&W Airweight, shooting the PM9 is a joy.

My thoughts on it can be see in the PM9 review on my site.

I would suggest you look at a Smith 669.

Kahr CW9 is worth a look.
The SIG 232 is about as good as it gets in a .380, but the blowback design makes for snappy recoil on .380s, plus ammo is hard to get now.

I CCW a Kel-Tec PF9. It is smaller and lighter than most .380's, yet carries 7 rounds of 9mm. Costing less than $300, it has useable sights, a decent trigger, and excellent reliability. It has a bit of a bite at the rear end, but a lot more bite coming out the barrel. Recoil isn't that bad. I sometimes shoot several racks of plates with it in a range visit and my shooting hand is none the worse for wear. The design is almost identical to the highly popular P3AT, but about 15-20% larger, I believe it weighs 13 oz. unloaded.

Any of the above if you're carrying it IWB, KelTec P3AT or Ruger LCP if you're going to carry it in your pocket.

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Don't need no stinkin' sigline

If a .380 is larger than a P3AT, or LCP, you're wasting your time. Might as well carry a nine if it's bigger than those two.

+1. .380 costs more than 9mm, is harder to find and isn't as powerful. Of your choices I'd get a small 9mm.

I've been carrying a KelTek P3AT for a couple of years now. I have to agree that the P3AT is about as big as you want for a pocket gun. Granted the 9's pack more punch but I find that they are harder to conceal that the little pea shooters. Considering their intended use, I find the 380's a good compromise. Maybe one of these days I'll find a way to comfortably carry my compact 1911. Until then the KelTek will do.

I would get a 9mm. I just don't really trust a .380 to do anything IMO. You can get a Kel-tec P11 which is pretty cool but its a little hard on the hands after shooting a few dozen rounds. You can getting a hand gun that is a little bit bigger than the P11 which would be the M&P9c or the Glock 26.

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Don't look, reload and shoot!

This is probably not going to be any help but I like them both. (o; My truck gun, as in always in arms reach, is the Bersa thunder .380 CC model. Shoots and conceals well and I keep it stoked with Winchester 95 grain Silver tip hollow points. The magazine holds 8, I keep one in the pipe and 7 in the mag. A back up mag of 7 lays next to the gun in the console. It won't blow your eardrums into the next county if I do have to shoot from the drivers seat and is easily accessed from the center console. With a pocket holster it disappears into my Levi's or shorts. I also have a decent IWB for it. Don't even think about an LCP until you check out a Bersa.

In 9MM you will be hard pressed to beat an MP9C. It also conceals and shoots very well. It has a ten round mag with two additional tens for back up. Nine MM is easier to find and often cheaper so I shoot more rounds through the MP9C but practice with both at least once a month.
Either one will get the job done so I figured why not have one of each. (o;

Picked up a kel tec pf9 a couple of weeks ago for $230, its small lightwieght and deadly accurate at 10 yds, recoil is stiff, I wouldn't want to shoot it for any length of time, but you can't beat it for the price.

I won't demean the .380 (which, like all other cartridges has benefited from advancements in powders and projectiles), but for my purposes, I've never understood the rationale for carrying one when current 9X19 offerings are so handy. My small gun is a Kahr P9. If I need to pocket carry, my 642 will get the nod. The Kahr shoots reliably and accurately, has very nice, bold (Mepro) sights and is stoked with +p ammo.

PC

I regularly carry a Glock 19. Works just fine for me. I just don't trust .380 enough to want to carry it if there's anything more powerful available.

If you don't like the Walther .380 because it hurts your hand, you're not going to like the KelTec P3AT. I put a Handall Jr. grip on mine to stop the checkering from shredding the skin on my thumb.

I like the Walther PPS. My only problem with it is finding a holster I like for it.

Glock 19 or 23. Finest concealed carry handgun available today for the money, imo.

Since you are looking for opinions in those calibers, I'll list my personal CC options:

9mm...............3913 (OWB)

380................****ger LCP (pocket)

Note: The LCP is snappy. Not a gun you'd shoot a box of ammo at the range, without saying, "damn that hurt".

The 3913 is nice, but they can be hard to locate.

But I must admit, I'm leaning towards my revolver for CC. My 640-1 in an OWB. It gives me the option of 38 or 357 rounds.

Good Luck

This thread was an interesting read and I'm glad I came back to look through it.

Interestingly.....many of the 9mm recommendations in this thread come with a "don't want to shoot too many rounds through it cuz it hurts" or something along those lines. Hmmm.....why have a firearm that results in range practice that is painful at the worst or no fun at the least?

As I said in my previous post, the Kahr PM9 doesn't come with that problem. I can easily shoot 2 or 3 boxes of ammo through it during a range session and I'm no worse for wear than if I had used my XD9 service. That is what I appreciate the most about the PM9 (aside from it being small and less than a pound). Other than that, is the only very small gun I've shot that I consider fun to shoot. Mine rides in a High Noon horsehide OWB holster. Makes for a nice combination.

Most times I carry an M&P 340 (.357 mag, J-frame) IWB with a Kel-Tec as a back up in weak side pocket. Sometimes I carry a Springfield EMP 9mm (1911 style) instead of the J-frame. Either way the Kel-Tec is the back up in weak side front pocket.

A lot of people love the little Kahrs (particularly the PM9) but I just don't trust them. I had one, lots of issues through the break-in period and then still had some issues afterwards. Friends of mine have had issues with these and other small autos too. You really cannot do better than a J-Frame in .38 Special for these purposes.

And I agree--would not want to shoot anything with a .380 other than maybe a squirrel. It's better than no gun at all but I feel like there are much better caliber choices out there, and better choices than a small auto in general.

Glock 19 = my primary IWB carry and one of the best ccws you can get.

As for the PPS, the ones I have shot have had ****** triggers, sort of like an inferior glock trigger. Not a fan.

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Aaron Terry

Might want to try the new Walther PK380:







Really nice little pistol,surprising but it has no mag safety,a bit hard to take down (but if you're into guns it's not a problem) and has that rail if you want to hang a light or laser off it.

Makes sense. The 9mm is a great round with modern ammo, while the .380 is a ballistic engineer's nightmare.

Both are wimpy in my book.

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John

Was carrying a Kel-Tec PTA3 for awile and got to like it, then bought a Kel-Tec PF-9. The PF-9 is reliable as long as you stay away from the plus P ammo (in mine) and suprisingly accurate. Been in my right front pocket ever since. The trouble with the Kel-tec's is that they look and feel like a piece of cheap ****, but they work and work well.

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Stay safe people!

I own a Ruger LCP in 9 mm short (.380) it is a dream to carry.

It's not for target shooting, but if you take the time to learn to shoot it - it is a great personal defense gun.



I carry it in a DeSantis Nemesis Holster in my front pocket all the time.

The best concealed carry gun is the one that you have with you all the time and is reliable.

Good luck on your search.

The .380's suffer in the short barrel. I prefer the FMJ for penetration and reliable functioning and there are some loads out there that step it up, but there is only so much that can be done with it.

Date: 122208
Gun: Kel-Tec P3AT
Load: .380 - Federal American Eagle 95 gr. FMJ
Average velocity: 795 fps
Comments: 133 ft.lbs. energy

IIRC, Erich can get 540 fpe. using Winchester 127 gr. +P+ in his Sigma. If that's wimpy, I'd like to know what isn't.

These sum it up pretty well for me.

My P3AT was bought for a specific purpose: to be deeply concealable, virtually invisible in-pocket, and always with me. That's what such micro-pistols are intended for. A weapon any bigger won't meet these needs and you might as well move to a larger frame and caliber, carrying IWB or such. My P3AT is always with me and usually, when I'm out, so is my M&P40c.

A "weapon system" is more important than the individual weapon IMHO. A weapon that is always with you may not be the best defensive choice. The best defensive choice may not always be with you. Have multiple weapons that fit each individual category and you're set. Hopefully.

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Fast is fine;accurate is final

Ok. I'll add my 2 cents. The .380 gets a lot of bashing. I don't agree with most of it. Yes, ammo is harder to find and costs more, but as far as not being powerful enough, I don't agree. Shot placement trumps caliber in my book. Sure, the 9mm is more powerful, but if you put a shot from a .380 in a vital area, bg will be just as dead as if shot from a 9mm. When I'm not carrying my Mod 60, I carry a BersaThunder Plus, loaded with 15 rounds of Corbon DPX. And I have as much confidence in it as I do my .38. So between the .380 and 9mm, get the one that fits your hand and you are most comfortable with and can shoot best. The Bersa fits my hand like a glove, and it's a lot of gun for a modest price. In the end, get what you are most comfortable with.

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Misty

I carry a FS M&P9 in a Comptac Mtac IWB holster but I like bigger guns myself, now I just helped my mom get a Bersa Thunder .380 and I really like that gun as well and you could easily conceal that one in a pocket and when I took her to the range for a few lessons I was amazed how good that gun shot.http://www.gunblast.com/Bersa_Thunder380.htm

++1 gunlovingirl

I've said before and will say it again. Before you buy a .380 check out the Bersa Thunder. You won't believe how well it points and shoots. Just a hair bigger than an LCP but a lot more gun for not much money. (o;

...another vote for the Kahr PM9.
Mine has been very reliable and accurate with over 1,000 rounds through it. Anytime that I can't carry my Dan Wesson CBOB .45, the Kahr is with me.
Keech

I had the opportunity to compare a PPK side by side with my 3913 this weekend. My 3913 was only very slightly longer, a smidgen thicker in the grip, and felt lighter when compared fully loaded.

It was also more reliable than the PPK in this weekends shooting. As usual the 3913 performed flawlessly, while the PPK choked several times.

I'll take a 9mm over a 380 any day. And I'll choose a 3913 over everything else thats out there. Regards 18DAI.

When I look around at the size of some people, I have less and less faith in the .380 round. While shot placement is indeed important, I'd rather have a .45 cracking through the sternum into the heart than a .380 lost in a load of blubber.

LOL! Who can argue with that? You've brought up a point I hadn't considered Barb. This might deserve a lounge post....what's the best round for 400 lbs of blubber?
Then again, I bet even I could outrun him!

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Misty

.44 magnum 240 gr. XTP. Barb had me laughing too.

While it's true the .380 will do the job with the right placement, why not carry the 9mm Luger and not need to fret? Look at the Kel Tec P11. I have two of them, nice little weapon. Less kickback then the P9, standared with 10 rounds you can buy the flush to the frame 12 round mag. +1 in the chamber which gives you some addition fire power without the mag hanging down below the frame. Small enough to carry easy - lite weight, without print in most style pants or jackets, but big enough that it doesn't rip your hand when shooting. Only down side is that it has a long pull on the trigger. You need to practice with it to get used to the long pull. I carry mine at 4 oclock position OWB fabric Mike's side kick - no one even knows I'm carrying anything - worth looking at IMHO. Paid $215 for my blued model and $225 for parkerized model, both NIB. Lot of BANG for the buck.

You don't think a .380 ACP could take out these dudes?

YouTube - Weird Al Yankovic-Fat

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Buy American!

We'll have to move them to the "best handgun rounds for bear" thread.

I love the 3953 (not made presently) easy to conceal, in a waist carry w/wo holster. However I bought a Walther PPS and find for a police round it is hard to beat. Very accurate at 15 yards. Holsters are available. Many of the custom holster makers make a holster IWB for them, Tucker is one of the best. The Kahr 40 in SS is a very shootable weapon, just a little heavy. The king of waist band holster guns to me is the grip heavy H&K P7 M8 or P7 psp. Very slim and about as accurate as you will get in 9mm. Very pricey especially the M8,the PSP is much less expensive and somewhat available. All in all I still think the 3913-14-53 are hard to beat..Especially considering the prices. Just my opinion.

I personally find the 380 a bit inadequate for CC but if you are looking for a GREAT 9mm or .40 then look no farther than the compact S&W SW99 amazing guns!

If you have always been a revolver man, why not just stick with a small 9mm revolver? My 940 will shoot 9mm with or without moonclips and .380 ACP with moonclips. I would expect similar performance from a Ruger. They will be far more reliable than any sub-compact auto and almost as fast to reload with moonclips.

If you are more comfortable with a revolver, why would you consider an auto? It's nice if you want to round out a collection, but for the street you gotta go with what you know.

Dave Sinko

I'm a little bit surprised at how few responses have been in favor of the S&W M&P 9c.

I don't like to caryy anything larger than a P3AT/LCP in my pocket, but for anything in or on a belt, the little M&P is a winner. Adjustable backstraps for a custom fit.

Gunloving girl's post was probably the best advice yet, however ... get what you like; what fits your hand, then practice with it.

Good luck with your quest!

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Don't need no stinkin' sigline

I carry a Bersa Thunder .380 loaded with Corbon Pwrball ammo and sometimes a Ruger SR9c 9mm loaded with Hornady Critical defense ammo 115 gr.... both will stop a bad guy.

If I wanted a pocket pistol I would by a Beretta Tomcat.

Carry what you feel comfortable with and make good shot placement. If you feel comfortable shooting a gun you will have confidence in it.

My pocket carry is a P3AT but once I go to a holster I switch to a M37 or recently a Kahr CW40. Carried a KelTec P11 for a while but decided there is not much size differance between a compact 9 and a compact 40.

I carry one too, but mine came with 12rd mags. Are you in a restricted state?

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M&P .40, M&P 9c & Shield 45

i have a very good condition LC9 that i would gladly trade for a similar condition PF9.

had i known the PF9 came without a thumbsfety, internal lock, and magazine disconnect for $100.00 less than the LC9 i'd have bought it instead.

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I'm only allowed 30 characters

You might also think about a S&W469. Full size power (9mm) in a compact size (3.5" barrel).

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Jorge