Ok, I drank the koolaid and bought a mouse gun.

I've been poo pooing mouse guns for the last few years because I really don't like them. Never thought I would own another.

But things change. We get older.

Been carrying a Glock 19 year round and it's starting to take it's toll after injuring my back at work. So I will carry this during warm weather and go back to the Glock this winter.



That's right. That's finger nail polish. Some guys here that are smarter than me recommended a coat of white followed by a coat of red or orange. So I did it. Works good.

Put 30 rounds through it today. Works good. Gritty trigger and long. But at 5-7 yards with older eyes and shaky hands, I can hit effectively with it.

So I guess I'm happy. Maybe.

Shut up Phil!

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

Me too!

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

Ruthie and I have pocket carried LCP's for years. We've never looked back.

Congrats.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

I bought a Ruger LCP .380 two weeks ago. I already have a Taurus TCP
.380 and it has been very reliable through 250 rds of assorted FMJ
ammo. I saw a chance to buy a Ruger for a bargain price so I took it.
As of Sat 4-16 I have 150 rds of FMJ through it with 3 malfunctions,
all with Russian steel case ammo. I have carried the Taurus some and
it's easy to forget I even have it in my pocket. Instead of carrying a
spare magazine you could just carry one of these new mouseguns in
each front pocket.

Welcome to the "dark-side." I got my M&P (no laser) .380 in Feb. 2015 and after 800 + rounds of flawless FMJ & HP my J frame is retired after over 40 yrs.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Congratulations to our newest Mouseketeer! Welcome.

I think the LCP is a great choice. Convenient to carry, reliable and shoots well for such a small gun. With Palmetto selling them for $199 I was tempted to buy another. Enjoy carrying a wallet sized gun.

Not worried, size does matter. *40 s&w*

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This is a mouse gun.

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I also bought the LCP two months ago since the price was too good to pass up. I carry it in a Remora pocket holster when I walk my dog in my neighborhood. Since I bought it my Beretta 21A went into the safe. It's very accurate and with Speer Gold Dot 90 Grain HP's it has functioned flawlessly. I'm still carrying the Shield 9 for my EDC but the difference in weight is making me lean a little to start carrying the LCP.

Welcome! I have the LCP custom, no malfunctions so far. Great to carry...

I just got a Bodyguard .380 without the laser. Night and day difference between it and the Ruger lc9-s I carry. Only fired 50 rounds through it so far (Remington 90 grain ball ammo) but no malfunctions. Not a gun I would spend hours shooting but it sure fills a niche.

From my reading (magazines and such), the term "Mouse Gun" is usually used to describe guns of .32, .25, .22 calibers - not .380acp or above. It's based on the caliber...not the physical size of the gun.

Not that it's a big deal, but I do like accurate information.
Have I been reading "bad info"? Or are we high-jacking the term and using it inappropriately?

Kanewpaddle....We knew you'd eventually get there!

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Stay protected my friends.

I agree that it doesn't much matter, but don't agree with the rest.

The first criteria to be considered a mouse gun is physical size. My Ruger Mark III 5in .22 is not considered a mouse gun even though it is chambered in a caliber that would serve a mouse gun.

A quick Google search of "mouse gun" reveals that .380 was included in every article I looked at on the subject, from Wiki to NRA articles.

I've carried a .22LR (a Beretta 21) a bit a few years ago didn't bother me,a gun is a gun and if it shoots straight is all that matters.

Well you do deploy a small caliber weapon differently in my mind,the .22 and .25 I would call "contact weapons" about the same as a knife,the .32 is a little better but still I wouldn't shoot past,say,ten yards with it.

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Life's a grave,dig it!

I bought a Taurus TCP back in 2014. At the time all other guns in its class were $300+ and I was able to pick this one up for $200 at a gun show. I had some issues with it at first but with a little work it has been 100% reliable since. It is in my pocket (inside a pocket holster) anytime I have pants on. I still carry either the Shield or a 40c whenever I leave the house but the little guns is always there.

I will say these new pocket guns are very accurate for what they are and IMO they make you a much better shooter of the larger guns too.

A matter of perspective I guess. I have owned several of the old
classic all steel .380s for many years and with the history of the .380
and it's use by military and police units I have never considered .380s
to be mouse guns. I have always thought mouse guns were .25 autos
or .22 autos of the same size. The new lightweight small .380s have
given many new users a different idea of what a ".380 auto" is or
should be. They may be the same general size and weight as many
classic .25 autos but are in a different class power wise. Call them the
mouse that roared.

That is my belief as well. Now that some .380's are a size that you could only find a .25 in, they are considered "mouse guns" as well.
It will be interesting to see if 9mm becomes considered a mouse gun as well when some manufacturer produce one smaller than the Kimber Solo.

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Stay protected my friends.

Mouseguns.....PATOOEY!! I'm 72 & will NEVER stoop to the level of carrying a 380 as a primary!!I'll stick with my J'S, Kimber Pro Carry & perhaps a 9mm shield!
First "Old Cop"was slipped the kool-aid....now Protected one....has fallen,SNIFF.....guess I'll be the only one left!!Ahhh well...
Jim

The first rule of a gun fight is, have a gun!

A determined man with a tiny gun is still a very deadly weapon!

A mouse gun in the hand beats a sharp stick or harsh word,...... shot placement rules the day.

I carry my LCP when I don't think I can carry something larger and max concealment is needed.
It shoots great and 6-7 .380 Hornady CD's ain't exactly being un-armed.
I carry as big as I can when I can....a mouse gun is ALWAYS better than nothin' IMHO

I, too, have joined the Mickey Mousegun Club. A Remington RM380. I wish I had one 30 years ago. It would have inspired more confidence than my High Standard Derringer.

A BDA, PPK/s or Bersa in .380 isn't a mouse gun, but the RM380 or LCP is...JMHO.



Here is my mouse gun and a true BUG - call it a gnat gat.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

Ruger LCP Custom Here.

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Living a dream - S&WCA #2364

Yeah, I have an LCP with the stainless slide and an M&P bodyguard 380. I carry them a lot. I also carry an M&P shield from the performance center and a Ruger LC9s from time to time. Just having a gun wins every time.

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Endeavor To Persevere

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Keep on Chooglin'

I picked up a Ruger LCP Custom three months ago for $250. My kids all ran off with my older LCP's. It's all I carry now; and, with Summer coming, I am pleased. Over the years I've had enough of the "too-big" guns when it comes to carry. In many cases I have to carry concealed. I hate ankle holsters. This one just drops into my pocket and it's light and gone from sight.

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Dr. B

Actually the first rule of gunfighting is "Don't have a gunfight," but Rule Two is to have a gun.

I've carried an all-steel J-frame daily for a good many years. I like and trust it. But recent worsening of my back problems and sciatica had me on the verge of buying an LCP for dress occasions and days when the pain was really bad. Some days even the 26 or so ounces of the 640 with Pachmayrs makes a difference.

I had almost enough money put aside for the little Ruger, but a family emergency took it all. I'm starting over. I like the trigger of the LCP, and the size and weight. I've always said I didn't want to go below a good .38 Special load, and I'd still prefer not to; but with the right ammo .380 ACP is not to be sneezed at. "Sharp stick" and all that...

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Oh well, what the hell.

Gee, no love for the Kahr .380s?
I picked up one a few months ago and liked it so much, I sold off my TCP 380. I use it mostly as an "around the property" gun, since I'm usually in just shorts around here.

There are pros and cons to every aspect of this discussion. By definition, for as many years as I can remember, mouse guns always included .380s and below in terms of caliber. The size of the gun was not the issue. The fact that the .380 round has been redeveloped into something far more potent than it was decades ago militates against including it in the mouse gun category, I suppose, but let's keep it there, anyway.

Rule one (assuming you did not avoid the gunfight) - any gun is better than no gun.

That will never change and we have a member on this Forum with a FABULOUS story of how a .22 Magnum derringer saved his life so I never argue with rule one.

And I carry a similar gun in the pocket of my robe when I'm dressed in sleep clothes.

Rule 2 - shot placement is key.

Interestingly, with mouseguns, since you wouldn't ordinarily use them for long distance gunfights, shot placement is somewhat simplified. They are designed for up close personal self defense and up close your shot placement potential is markedly increased. So far so good.

After that you're opening up the debate to sufficiency of caliber, etc. So I'll let someone else do rules 3 and 4. I carried a .25 ACP Beretta 950 BS for more than 15 years, more like 20, I think, and I was satisfied with it. Once I had an LTC and wasn't worried about normal detection of the handgun I moved up to J-frames and carried a M642 for another decade or more. I decided I could carry a Model 10 snubbie in what has become an increasingly dangerous world so that's my EDC now.

But sometimes I have to be somewhere that will make belt carry of a snub M10 impractical. I switch back to a 642 .38 Special or the Beretta .25 ACP on the rare occasions when that happens.

But, as mouseguns go, there is another option. I carry a briefcase of sorts most days. A Walther PPK/S .22 backs up my EDC guns, secretly hidden in the back of that shoulderbag. Mousey? Maybe. A very deadly mouse......

Guys,
They make 9mm autos just a little bigger than 380's.I used to carry a H&K K3 ..380,all kidding aside,carrying a gun is the smart thing to do.I just don't care for the 380.I was buying ammo,38 & 45 cal.380 ammo was more expensive than 9mm. Have to admit....I do carry at times...I guess you would call it a mouse gun...a S&W 351 PD 22 mag,
Jim

There is a lot of Kahr love here. Around two months ago I purchased a Kahr CT380. Carry it in a Remora IWB holster with sweat shield. It is so thin and light I forget that it is there. Loaded with 8 rounds of Precision One .380+P ammo, it is my walking the dog gun and riding the motorcycle gun. I don't like to pocket carry as I find it very slow and awkward to draw. But that's just me.

I have a couple of the new compact 9mms, a Glock 43 and a
Taurus 709 Slim and do carry them sometimes but there is a
big difference between them and a 9.4 oz LCP or a 10.2 oz
TCP .380 and both shoot the same bore size ammo. For CC
carry ammo expense is irrelevant and if you can believe the
gel test results plain old .380 FMJ ammo will easily penetrate
an upper torso. I'll take .380 FMJ over any .22 load from a
snubby.

I've had a Keltec P-32 for over 15 years. Most of the time it's a back up, or a back up to my J frame back up. In hot weather, or for deep concealment, it becomes my primary. I carry 60 grain Silvertips in it. Over all these years it has run flawlessly, and is more accurate than you would expect it to be. After all these years I wouldn't part with that little mouse gun for any sum.

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Wheel guns are real guns.

Congratulations on your LCP. I've been thinking about giving a custom a shot. I have put a couple of boxes through a "standard" LCP. They work.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

You know, I don't know you snubbyfan, but I like you. I enjoy your sense of humor. Keep on keepin on sir,
Peace,
gordon

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better have that checked

I do carry a little Colt 1908 vest pocket .25 now and then. I shoot it quite often when I can find ammo that I can afford. It is quite capable of nice groups at 7 to 10 yards and I would not want to be shot with a 50 grain FMJ that penetrates a pine 2X4 like that one does.
Peace,
gordon

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better have that checked

Just got a Sig P238 .. sweet little gun for a BUG or main carry if my 40C is too big for the way I'm dressed ..

BG380 here but I looked at the LCP at the same time, shot them both and liked them both. BG380 won because of controls like my Shield - external safety, slide lock and partly because I like S&W guns.

My wife's been carrying an LCP for a long time.

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S&W Accumulator

Actually....why not just carry the LCP year round? Your back would thank you.

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Stay protected my friends.

Congrats on you new LCP! They fit great in the Nemesis and about the size of a large wallet. I need to go shoot the Hornady CDs I've been carrying in my BG380. They're looking a little nasty...need a fresh set.

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I'm Proud To Be An American!

Nice pistol! Was my EDC when I was taking public transportation for work. it fit real nice in my front pocket of my dress pants. Especially discreet in the summer time.

Given today's bullet design, I'm willing to carry either small .380s or 9mm IF I can operate them reliably. The LCP/BG 380 are just a little too small for my mitts, but am very happy with my Sig 938. The PPK (9mm Kurz) gets carry time too.

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50 Years of DSOTM

Mighty Mouse gun member here too.

I have a Bauer .25 ACP in stainless but it needed Colt company.
This cute little year 1919 Vest pocket pistol followed me home via the USPS mail and my FFL fellow yesterday.
In reality its was a low bid in a Rock Island Auction that I put down in Feb or Mar (don't recall) and the Auction was held April 29th.
It's really in superb condition for 97 years old. There is one blemish of the left side of the slide beneath the stamped patent number.
Sorry for the cell phone pics, lazy this morning. (bauer is at the bottom)

Here are some lightbox photos of it stripped down if you're interested-->
Smug Mug-->
Some very light frosting in the barrel.
Magazine might be a late model variation as no two- tone appears.
Very pleased nonetheless.
https://sportsdad60.smugmug.com/Colt-1908-Model-N/

Yes, there is love on here for P380's.

Have you tried a Recluse OS pocket holster? I like mine with a P380.

If you start with "This could be trouble" and stage your hand in your front pocket, from there draw is probably similar or slightly faster time to draw compared to a main carry weapon from OWB CCW. And no one knows you are prepping to draw. No painted on jeans though!

Take a look.

I've carried a bug of some sort for many years now. Started with 22Lr's in mini autos and a single shot derringer. Currently, (last six years) I've been carrying an LCP. I had never felt under gunned with the smaller caliber guns. The biggest advantage to the 22s was that they were easy to shoot and keep on target repeatedly and they were always small enough that I always had them with me. By comparison the LCP is quite snappy, although I can keep all the shots on an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper at 7 yards even my Jennings 22 was able to put 2 full mags inside a 5 inch circle at the same distance. This is the main reason why I have made the statement, to other shooters horror, that if the LCP came out in 22Lr first I would have never bought it in 380ACP.
Enter my newly acquired S&W 2214... Did you hear that??? Angels singing, Ya... LOL ... It fits into my LCP's factory holsters, and is about the same size and weight... ok, a tad heavier but with much better sights and a SA trigger. The first time out at the range after our getting acquainted all the rounds were landing right in close to a four inch circle at 10 yards...!!! I'm about 90% sure this gun will be taking over the majority of my carry time.
I've had to use a 22 revolver (Kit gun) for defense against feral dogs while hiking in the woods doing some pre-hunting season scouting. I am aware of The 22s limitations but I am aware of its capabilities as well, first hand. In any self defense situation shooting until the threat has stopped is a must. With a small caliber bug this mindset is essential, along with the ability/practice to do so. In time, with practice My 2214 will take over this role.

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John