My wife wants a .380 semi-auto for purse carry. She's decided her 642 is too bulky, and she wants a "quality" pistol. This question is not about caliber etc. since she knows what she wants. The question concerns quality and reliability and is between the Colt Mustang, Sig P238, or Kahr P380, and she knows the difference between SA and DAO. Looking for "knowledgeable" advice on which of the three to look at seriously Thanks in advance for your comments

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John

Not the Sig or Kahr, but the Glock has a excellent reliability rating.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I tried the Ruger & Glock and had almost given up until I picked up a no laser S&W .380. I've put over 600 rounds of every kind of FMJ & HP you can think of and have not experienced a single problem. It's accurate and has real sights for training.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

I prefer a Ruger over the S&W, Remington, and several other pistols in that price range. The Ruger is lighter, and has the best trigger pull I have found. I have a new BG .380, which I am trading in for the Ruger base model.

You need to get your wife to a quality gun shop and if they have a range and rentals all the better to try some out or borrow from friends . Let your wife decide what SHE likes . Maybe she picks two right off , small and mid size .

I'm going to guess you or your wife have not racked the little P380 kahr ?? That is not a pistol for most ladys and some men when it comes to racking the slide do to a heavy recoil assembly . The CT380 maybe be ok as its a bit larger but till she try's iwho knows . No guessing what your wife will like , maybe a glock 42 , bersa 380 line has 4 pistols and tcp380 for a fine micro and on and on up to the sig p250sc 380 but make it her pick .

SA action pistol I leave to the buyer . I have zero interest in one for carry . I want no extra controls to deal with under a high stress moment .

There a heck of a lot of small to mid sized pistols for carry on and off the body so get your wife to handle them and decide that this is not something you should pick for her . Maybe a instructor can be found to help her find a perfect handgun . I can say this as I have a wife and 2 daughters that carry .

Theres not right or wrong but don't make it your choice unless you want another handgun . Be sure that purse is made for conceal carry not the normal full of everything purse , then a mid sized pistol can be carry smartly .

I have a Kahr CW380 which I carry sometimes. It's OK. I like it better than the LCP and BG I used to own. Slightly lighter and smoother trigger for sure. Nothing too special though in my opinion.

Now the Sig P238 is a different story. My wife wanted (and then of course got) one after trying my 9mm P938. By far the most comfortable in hand and softest shooting pocket .380 I've fired. Accuracy and ease to shoot is phenomenal. Great trigger.

It's very easy to rack the slide which my wife likes. She pretty much can't work the slide on my Kahr. If you cock the hammer on the Sig before working the slide, it's even easier... smooth like butter. You can also cock the hammer, engage the safety, and still work the slide which she also likes.

The 6 round flush magazine is nice for a slightly smaller size, but the extended 7 round magazine makes for a very comfortable grip. My wife has both but mainly uses the 6.

Just my opinion on the Sig. The best option would be for her to try them.... AT LEAST handle them both. The slide stiffness on the Kahr and other small .380s was an issue for my wife, as was their long heavyish triggers.

Here's her rainbow titanium P238 next to my Kahr:

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- The Federalist #46 -

I'm a big fan of the Colt Mustang. Nice SA trigger, very accurate and the locked breech design makes recoil feel much lighter. If she's good with cocked and locked carry, let her give it a try.

I agree with you on the colt. I bought a new one a few months ago and have been very happy with it. It has been very reliable with over 400 rds through it. The only drawback is the sights, the Sig does have better sights. If your wife likes a 1911 style, I would go with the 238 or mustang.

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IMG_3334.jpg Mustang Pocketlite.jpg (116.1 KB, 36 views)

I've owned several of the small .380s. Kahr is the one I carry.

The action is the most critical aspect to choose, IMO. If she is OK carrying a "cocked and locked" firearm, then the Sig (or Colt) would be an excellent choice. If she is uncomfortable with one in the chamber, I'd look elsewhere. These pistols are designed primarily for "up close" defense. The ability to bring them into action with one hand is essential. Time, distance and both hands are too many variables to choose a less than optimal gun.

I chose Kahr. I'd go with the CW380 over the P380 (and I did). The price difference doesn't make it worth it. I really like my Kahr. Accurate and reliable. The slide is stiff, which may be a problem for her. Just last week I picked up an LCP. The price has come down to absurd levels. I immediately installed a Wolff 12 lb spring to help reduce recoil. I have just begun the break-in. If it proves reliable, I will have a pair of nice deep concealment autos.

BTW, neither will ever replace my 642. It is rare when I cannot carry my J-frame. The Kahr just gives me more options. My .02

As a new shooter, my husband got me to try the Sig P238 as my first semi, because I couldn't rack the slide on anything else. After 14 months of use, I am happy with it. A couple of limp wrist failures in the beginning, but better technique solved it. It came with Hoque rubber grips which help the snappiness. Also came with a factory laser, which I don't use.
After carrying for a bit longer than a year, I now believe that safety's don't belong on CC guns. I am considering a DA/SA with de-cocker as a setup I'm more confident in. I handled a CZ 2075 RAMI BD at a LGS and its talking to me.
I also carry a 9mm Shield and snubby 686P.

Kel Tech. it's very reliable. light and very easy to carry.

Cocked and locked in a purse just makes my head hurt!

Single action in a purse in any other condition than 1 makes my head hurt, too.

Double action - after that, whichever is her favorite.

My wifes favorite is a SA Loaded 1911...but will not conceal carry it for the size and weight.....so when the Browning 1911-380 showed up at the LGS....she was all over it. Slips into her purse, does not print, and having all the functions the same...it has become her 2nd most favorite. The gun is light, has been 100% reliable, and fits her hand like it was made for her.

Hold on to the 642. Eventually she is going to want it back.

Bill

Wife and I just returned from our club range where we spent the day. We want to thank you all for your advice and opinions. So her decision is.....( drum roll please!)----the S&W Body Guard So much for my recommendations ( Colt, Sig, or Kahr). She was able to shoot the Glock, a Sig, and a Ruger; then gave the M&P Body Guard a whirl-- she is in love again She couldn't put it down. And I'm able to shell out a couple hundred less than the Sig or Kahr

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John

I've been through them all and keep going back to the Ruger LCP. I bought my third one last week. . .an LCP Custom. My son, who's in the military, got my first one as soon as I bought it. My daughter, who's a traveling hemophiliac nurse, got my second one. After carrying about everything that's out there, I'm back with the Ruger. I carry a lot, and, in the Summer especially, it's the only one that's really concealed in my pocket.

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Dr. B

Any gun flopping around loose in a purse makes my head hurt.

My wife doesn't carry in her purse often, but when she does, she has it covered.

She uses a Maxpedition bag as her purse. It is a very well built, sturdy bag. She keeps the back most compartment empty (when slung across her it's right against her hip).... That's where her gun gets holstered securely in the purse.





It's actually a pretty great setup... as far as purse carry is concerned. My wife can walk around with her hand right there ready to draw.... and she's gotten very good with her quick draw.

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- The Federalist #46 -

Kinda like that messenger-like bag......

I'm not a big fan of any SA firearm floating around in a pocket or purse. To have the gun at the ready, it means carrying it cocked and locked. To me your just one good bounce and snag away from tripping that 5 # trigger and ruining somebodies day. IMHO, the BG380 is a much better choice for that type of carry. Manual safety and a long deliberate 10# pull are less likely to make for an unpleasant surprise.
FWIW, I've had the sig 238 and 938. Both were excellent quality. I've also owned the colt. IT was also OK but I thought the Sig had a better safety. Just not up to the pocket carry I prefer.

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Dave

Ruger LCP. I liked my daughter in laws Ruger LCP, my wife loved it. I carry one in my pocket most of the time.

Fully loaded with self defense loads that I have tested to ensure they function and cycle in a new one. I have 3 different types of SD ammo all work well as does the cheaper FMJ practice ammo.