Not looking to start a caliber war. Just curious if anyone else feels that the new bullet designs and increased capacity make the .380 sufficient for primary carry.

I'm thinking that my new CCW will be a Ruger LCP Max with Lehigh Defense Extreme Penetrator or Extreme Defense. Will purchase one with a 12 rd mag or buy a 12 rounder after the fact.

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otis

Been carrying Sig P238 .380 alternating with its slightly bigger brother P938 9 mm about 10-11 years now. After ~2,000 rds, no problems using good factory hollow point ammo in 7 rd mags with pinky extension, use Buffalo bore flat point in winter for penetration.
I feel modern ammo in 380 is more than adequate in return for a very concealable, shootable package.
I just want to protect myself, not engage in combat, and with such a light, flat package, it's no problem carrying everywhere, all the time without a second thought about too lumpy, too heavy, etc. No excuses, I will and do carry that gun.

Pocket carrying a 380 is the easiest way to carry, don’t leave home without it!

With the ammo design they have today, I wouldn't feel under gunned.
I carry my LCPll sometimes when the need arises.
Denny

I think you picked a great gun/ammo combo if you're going to carry 380. I'm looking for a similar round in 380 since I think deep penetration is more important than expansion in this smaller caliber.

I had an LCP2. I like my Kahr K9 and felt that it carried comfortably enough that I didn't need a pocket pistol; so, like a dope, I sold it. After carrying the K9 on vacation for an extended time, I appreciate having a pocket pistol. My lineup now includes a small, medium (K9), and a large (Browning Hi Power). The "small" is currently a new S&W Bodyguard .380. The daughter will get the wife's Ruger LCP, my wife will take the Bodyguard, and I will soon purchase the LCP Max. Once I have practiced with the Max and gotten familiar with it, I may divest myself of the K9 and make the LCP Max my primary CCW.

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otis

I am starting to again. Started pocket carrying in 2009 with an LCP, switched to an LCR in 2012ish. But with my new LCP Max I can increase my capacity by 160% and still pocket carry. I load my 380s with Fiocchi Extrema 90gr XTP.

The times I go out without a cover garment (coat, jacket, vest, outer shirt) I CCW a Glock Model 42 .380 loaded with FMJ ammo.

My back & hip problems limit me to the smallest, lightest EDC possible so the LCP is my most carried gun, especially during the warm weather. I won’t go lower than .380 but that’s a personal choice based on my 30 years of street experience. Caliber wars are a waste of time. Carry what you shoot best, practice regularly and ignore the keyboard commandos.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Oh hell yeah. No need to make excuses for the fine .380 ACP.

I carry the Colt a lot. The homely one in the middle is my wife's. When I'm really lazy the Ruger goes in a pocket.



And then there are the Italians. The bottom one is a .22, but the others are a Model 85 and a Model 84. All great guns.



They all get loaded with whatever .380 ball ammo I have on hand.

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Rule of law, not a man.

For almost eight years I have carried the same setup.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

Ball ammo is all my two .380's have ever been fed.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

I have a Sig P238 HD that I'm considering putting on my CCW license next time I renew.

Now days I'm carrying a 340PD loaded with 38+P most of the time.

I figure the P238 in 380 auto would be just as good -- and has couple three extra rounds (7+1) instead of 5.

But the main reason is I can shoot the P238 better than any handgun I have ever tried and it's reliable.

Mostly, for potential carry ammo, I've been using Hornady XTP rounds.

The XTPs expand moderately and penetrate well.

If I ever carry two guns, the 340PD and the P238 would be a good combo. But I've never felt the need to do that yet.

Yes; a G42 with FMJ's in Magguts 7-rd mags is my EDC. I also have a S&W Shield 380EZ and a Browning 1910 as possible replacements. I have tried the SIG P230 and Walther PPK, but despite their good looks and panache I've found their recoil to be a bit too snappy. I may try the new LCP Max in a year or so, giving Ruger a chance to work out any bugs (which they usually have to do). -S2

I have no problem with a good .380 but prefer more. Sometimes it’s the best thing you can carry at the time.

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“Look life in its iron face”

Very good post, Old cop.

I don't have one presently but I wouldn't have any problems with a Sig 230 or 232. Used to have an HK4 380 but somehow it got away.

I seem to be collecting P-239's for some reason now. Probably because 9x19 is the cheapest fodder around.

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That's just somebody talkin.

My carry combo depending on the season or my mood. 380/9mm

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S&W BG380, S&W 915 9mm

I have no problems with my Walther CC my Interarms PPK/s or the KIA in .380 ACP.
But I am a revolver guy and my M638, M640-1 in the warm weather is what I feel I can shoot better with.
That being said, I CC a Kimber Pro carry II 45 ACP 1911 or my M696 with a jacket.....

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

I did, right up until 2019, but I only really switched due to wild animals in my residential area, otherwise I'd probably still be carrying .380 ACP as a primary. Nowadays, .40 S&W is my primary carry.

That being said, my LCP still goes with me everywhere, even when I'm carrying a more powerful pistol, it serves as a BUG.

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Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

The most important thing is to HAVE A GUN IF YOU NEED IT.

Caliber is the least important consideration after reliability, comfort, and carryability when talking about guns for dealing with human predators from a private citizen perspective.

Lots of people are killed, assaulted, and raped every day because they did not have a gun.
Very, very few suffer the above fates because of shooting an attacker with the “ wrong “ caliber.

Bears and mountain lions are a different matter.

Bumper sticker material.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

1- Both locked breech designs, which are much easier on our older wrists, LOL. I am frequently carrying the EZ myself. Do you find the Glock any more snappy, owing to being shorter on both ends?

2- Yes, blowback, and single-stack. Besides, I've owned a couple of each over time, and neither were reliable even with FMJ.

3- Like a new significant-other in your life, yes....give it a year.

I've been carrying a BG380 for six year and am very confident in her.I also have a Sig 238

[QUOTE=VictorLouis;141213836]1- Both locked breech designs, which are much easier on our older wrists, LOL. I am frequently carrying the EZ myself. Do you find the Glock any more snappy, owing to being shorter on both ends?

The G42 is MUCH softer shooting then either the EZ or B1910. Also, for me at least, it's more accurate. I found that it really, really likes hotter ammo (....mo hotta, mo betta). The Magguts pinky extension and Talon wrap helps a lot with the grip.

The Browning isn't really a locked breech design (machined slots between the barrel and frame, rather than being rigidly connected), but it is much easier on the wrist and hand than the SIG or PPK. I think that's due to a better ergonomic design and perhaps the tolerance between its barrel and frame slots taking care of some of the initial "snap". The PPK is a beautiful shooting gun in either 32ACP or 22LR, but not 380. My thoughts, anyway. -S2

Try Winchester white box 95 grain (?) flat point FMJ.

My Sig P238 has very mild recoil.

Not a problem at all.

But it is the HD all stainless steel model and is therefore a few oz heavier than the Aluminum frame P238s.

I have a stainless Walther PPK .380 that is carried more than any other pistol I own. Although a little heavier than a polymer frame .380, that extra weight absorbs the recoil better, at least for me. I carry a flat base magazine in the gun and a finger rest magazine as a reload. I'm very comfortable with it.

To the OPs question: Yes, but it’s seasonal. Right now, in sunny, hot and humid FL my Bersa .380 and Sig P232 are my prime ECDs. The wife always carries her Ruger LC. No problem with reliability or effectiveness with the right load.

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"Your other right........."

Although I'm mostly a revolver guy, I used to like the Walther PPK/S and PPK. Then I got old and discovered that blowbacks hurt and make me flinch. I'm back to my snub revolvers like the one in my avatar with standard velocity 38s. and 9mms with moon clips.

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SWCA 3417 HF 642 NRA-TC

Grip size, overall weight, barrel length and action are significant factors to weigh against concealability and convenience.

Low threat environments also influence the above choices. As does the cartridge. There are now many perfectly adequate .380 rounds for self defense. Choosing the right gun would be my first priority.

I've got a Kel Tec P3AT, a Glock 42, a Colt Pony Pocketlite, and a Colt 1903 that I've been known to carry from time to time. Nothing wrong with a .380 ACP with the right ammo, which would be anything that goes bang when firing pin hits primer . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

The problem isn’t so much the caliber. It’s the gun. Guns such as the Ruger or Kel Tec can be hard to handle for less experienced shooters. 380 in such a small gun is like putting a V8 in a go cart.

Problems such as accuracy and function are common. If you can handle the little guns, go for it.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

During the summer especially, when it's too darn hot to wear a vest or jacket, the LCP is the one that usually gets the nod.

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Pack light and cinch tight.

Everything is a compromise but I have made my choices. While I PREFER to carry either .40 or 5.7 X 28mm, my .380 is my go-to. Since my particular threat level is very low, I am confident in my choice...recognizing there are NEVER any guarantees.

Personally I'd only use a .380 if it were the largest caliber I owned. While technology has helped the .380 hang on a bit longer, today the +P rated 9mm's are not much larger or heavier so I see no reason to use a .380 for SD.

Don't get me wrong a well placed shot at close range will do the trick, but at the time of need under much stress and a possible battle - you can't always count on a perfect shot.

For me the minimum for SD is either a 9mm or 38 Spl. +P.

Carry a Bersa Thunder .380 CC, which is a factory melted version of their stalwart fixed barrel blowback pistola.
Imho an often overlooked jewel.

At a well known shooting school ive attended a couple of times, the instructors, all ex military professionals now repping military small arms to foreign govts, carried Glock G42s.

Imho what is needed is a reliable pistol that one has complete confidence in. The rest will take care of itself.

Hikock45 had a review of the Bersa Thunder CC....he was genuinely impressed and stated he'd never heard of problems with the CC. i, too, feel it is one that flies under the radar, especially for those of us who like DA,SA. i'm carrying one in my pocket in an Alabama holster as i write. in the cooler months my .380's get a rest and an H&K P2000sk is carried OWB in a Wright holster.

To add to the Bersa thoughts; before I adopted the LCP I toted this with me at the shop. A true "bang for the buck" sleeper.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

Thank you Speedo, you've inspired me to seek one out!

My primary carry is a Sig P365, 9mm, loaded with Federal HST. My smaller, lighter, secondary carry is a Ruger LCPII, 380, loaded with Fiocchi 90 grain XTPs. Here's a good review of 380 ammunition, although a bit dated now:

Ammo Quest .380 Final Wrapup: finding the BEST ammo for a .380ACP pistol - YouTube

How much 380 ammo can you buy locally?

I dropped it because 9 was cheaper. And now you can't hardly buy either one.

Carry M&P model Bodyguard 380 with PrecisionOne 90gr XTP/HP for carry ammo.
Shoot Sellier & Bellot 92gr fmj for practice ammo.
I wanted double strike capability in case it didn’t go bang on the first try.
Had that happen only one time with my practice ammo. Went off with second trigger pull. Carry AIWB.
Vedder holster with Talon rubber grip (2nd picture). Works for me.

Whatever pistol you decide to on, get the Talon grips. Makes the
grip slightly thicker but gives you better purchase when drawing
and helps mitigate recoil impulse.

Target is 50/50 carry and practice ammo.

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I carried a Sig P 232 for years as a primary. #1 daughter still does and has no desire to change.

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SWCA #3356, SWHF#611

Another vote for the SIG P238. It is by far the smoothest shooting auto I have owned and allows multiple, effortless shots to be put on target. I really don't know how they did it in an envelope this small.

Combine that with dependability and adult-size sights that can actually be used and you have a serious self-defense tool. Magguts magazine springs allow one more round - icing on this beautifully engineered cake.

Always have my LCP in my pocket. Picked up the 10th Anniversary model with stainless slide for under $200 new back before the craziness. Best money ever spent. Now I live in a small town and usually feel good with only the 380, but if I'm going into the big city or the woods I might grab my S&W 360 or a 357 Sig. I always get a chuckle from people who try and deem the 380 as underpowered, they are usually 9mm fanboys who just got done telling people anything more powerful than 9mm is absolutely unnecessary. And yes 9mm guns have been made fairly small, but if you are trying to say they are anywhere close to as small and light as an LCP or similar 380 you are only trying to sell yourself on something...

My wife does and I will for formal occasions. RM380 in both cases.



It's the big one in the picture. The other is my BUG. Set their hair on fire and run like crazy.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

S&W Bodyguard, factory .380 FMJ ammo has worked well so far.Its not what you throw, its how you throw it.

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SWCA#2288
SWHF#407

Me too, Ruger LCP .380

I've got a Sig P230 I really like however we don't have Conceal Carry here in Australia.

My friend, at my Pistol club, uses a modified .380 acp Makarov in competitions. See attached.

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