.380

[RMC1]

I must have too many Sigs.

Is that even possible?

 

[labworm]

I must have too many Sigs.

Is that even possible?

Sometimes being one digit off on a firearm will do it, like mixing up 239 with 238.

 

[JDBoardman]

The only .380 I own is a Llama 'Especial' made, according to the date code, in 1953. It is a scaled-down 1911 with a locked breech JMB design just like its big brother. Were I to buy a new .380, I'd probably go for the new Browning .380 because it also is a scaled-down 1911. While I may ignite a flame war, blowback action .380's are simply too harsh in recoil for a subcompact pocket pistol. Besides, Mr. Browning got it right in 1911, and I haven't been convinced any design is better.

 

[Ron AZ]

If you want a pocket gun, the Kahr P380. But … you will hear unreliability stories with them due to the sharp feed ramp angle.

I have 2 of them, 1 used and 1 I bought new. Even after the Kahr recommended "break in" period, both of them ended up back at the factory. The used one got the parts updated to the new style. The new one got the feed ramp polished.

After that and running through several brands of ammo to find the smoothest functioning, both guns are humming along very smoothly … no failures with the 6 rd. magazines. With the 7 rd. extended mags, you can still get a failure to feed if you torque the mag extension, or at the end of a long shooting session when the gun is dirty. I usually only carry the 6 rd. mags.

I like the P380 because of the nicer trigger pull and it is a true pocket gun. The trigger pull on the Ruger was no friend to me. And the SIG weight/size seemed to not be pocket friendly FOR ME.

If you don't want it for pocket carry, then I would consider something slightly larger … but then I would also look at 9 mm instead of .380.

 

[policerevolvercollector]

For practical purposes: Glock 42

For fun: Colt Pocket Hammerless

 

[pawncop]

Walther PPK or a Browning 1910 or an original Remington 54.

Yeah that should do it.

 

[spearcrow]

I chose the Ruger LCP...twice. It's very small, plenty accurate for it's purpose, and in nearly 750 rounds of brown bear ammo...i've yet to have any ftf or jams of any kind. It's also very affordable. Hard to go wrong with one.

 

[JaPes]

If you want a pocket gun, the Kahr P380. But … you will hear unreliability stories with them due to the sharp feed ramp angle.

Yup. I heard the same stories.

I have 2 of them, 1 used and 1 I bought new. Even after the Kahr recommended "break in" period, both of them ended up back at the factory. The used one got the parts updated to the new style. The new one got the feed ramp polished.

I own the less expensive CW380. Less milling on the slide, pinned front sight, standard land & groove barrel, MIM slide stop lever v.s. millled brings down the cost. From what I can tell the CW380 and P380 share the same frame.

Even though it is the less expensive version, the trigger feels the same between the two. My barrel's feed ramp came factory polished. That was a surprise.

After that and running through several brands of ammo to find the smoothest functioning, both guns are humming along very smoothly … no failures with the 6 rd. magazines.

I haven't run through several brands. I've run 95gr RN, RNFP, and JHP. The manual states a 250 round break in. While watching TV (no mag in the gun), I manually cycled the slide and pulled the trigger 1000 times. Live fire break in was 250 rounds.

I caused my CW380's only failure to feed. With the slide locked open, I inserted a mag and grabbed the slide and let it go as I would do on a bigger pistol. The manual states to release the slide using the slide stop lever. As long as I do that, I have no issues.

With the 7 rd. extended mags, you can still get a failure to feed if you torque the mag extension, or at the end of a long shooting session when the gun is dirty. I usually only carry the 6 rd. mags.

Thanks for that insight. I have three 6 round mags and was debating buying a 7 round mag. I'll skip the 7 round mag.

I like the P380 because of the nicer trigger pull and it is a true pocket gun. The trigger pull on the Ruger was no friend to me. And the SIG weight/size seemed to not be pocket friendly FOR ME.

+1

If you don't want it for pocket carry, then I would consider something slightly larger … but then I would also look at 9 mm instead of .380.

Exactly.

 

[dingomann]

I carry a Bersa Thunder when I pack this caliber. Similar to a PPK/S but half the group size, at least in my case. I have had quite a few of the others mentioned here and they are all good. But I carry a Bersa.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

My criteria for selecting a .380 was size and weight for pocket carry from morning till bedtime. And because it was it was going to be a small gun, I didn't want small safety controls to fumble with. By eliminating all the heavier .380s and those with external safeties, it narrowed the search considerably.

Next step was to read reviews and what owners had to say, emphasis on reliability. The general theme that I found was that folks seemed to have less gripes about the Ruger LCP, particularly loaded with Hornady CD. I bought one.

Ruger did a great job of making a pocket gun. It's among the lightest and thinest in it's class. All the edges are rounded, there's nothing to snag including the low profile sights, and no safeties to fumble with.

I carry the LCP in a DeSantis Nemisis and found it to be the perfect combination for all-day pocket carry.

About the size of my wallet.

[/URL]

7yds

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[billlenk]

If you can find one a Beretta 85FS . You get what you pay for .

 

[USAF385]

I've tried a few....

Bersa, P3AT, LCP, BG380, PPK, DB380, Kahr P380, Sig P238.....

I currently don't own one at all, but my wife has a Sig. She wanted one after shooting my P938, and I have to say, if I were to buy another, it would be the Sig p238.

Not the tiniest (or largest) but by far the smoothest, most accurate / easy to control .380 I've fired. The short, crisp trigger makes it feel like you need to stop at a rest stop when dealing with all the travel distance in say an LCP or BG.

It's also not only the most comfortable .380 I've held, but personally one of the most comfortable handguns in general I've held in a long time.

My wife's rainbow titanium 238 with my 938.

 

[Donn]

Colt Government 380.

I'd like to see a picture of that one. Please post.

 

[Abflyboy]

Glock 42 for me

 

[Geronimo Jim]

LOVE my Kahr 380..........also my Kahr 9mm .......also my Kahr 45

 

[JaPes]

Just my opinion, but anyone who chooses to carry a pocket .380 does so knowing that it's a compromise for ease of concealment. Honestly, all .380 pocket pistols are horrible little guns that are challenging to shoot well and beat up the shooter. Anyone who is recoil sensitive shouldn't buy one. Choosing a pocket .380 is a matter of choosing the one that is the least horrible to you.

 

[Model 52]

I find my Stainless, Colt Govt 380, just the opposite of what you describe. It shoots beautiful and the actual/perceived recoil is a dream to shoot.
I could start a new shooter with this weapon and have no worries about them handling it safely and probably enjoying it.

With that said, I would prefer my 40, 45, 9mm or 10 mm. But the 380 does fill the bill where small is need.

Model 52

Just my opinion, but anyone who chooses to carry a pocket .380 does so knowing that it's a compromise for ease of concealment. Honestly, all .380 pocket pistols are horrible little guns that are challenging to shoot well and beat up the shooter. Anyone who is recoil sensitive shouldn't buy one. Choosing a pocket .380 is a matter of choosing the one that is the least horrible to you.

 

[Ματθιας]

I'd like to see a picture of that one. Please post.

I sold mine in the late 90's to a buddy who kept bugging and bugging me to sell but here's a pict one that I found online that gives an idea of it's size.

It's easy to shoot and recoil isn't bad at all. My only compliant is/was the safety is small. It's flat and disappears in a pocket. Just like a mini 1911 w/out the grip safety.

 

[Geronimo Jim]

You would be surprised at how well the Kahr 380 shoots.

 

[Hootowl]

380

Interarms Walther PPK/S stainless. Love it.