380 Quandry

[dben002]

Really, sorta, kinda, thinking about, looking at, a summertime 380 carry. Bodyguard, LCP-II, or Diamondback.

Anyone know or have any experience with these three choices ??

Current carry is Shield-45...but know little about 380's other than what I read........

Comments good bad or indifferent would be appreciated.......

 

[cowboy4evr]

I don't have one of your above choices . I do have and sometimes carry the Sig P238 . It's all metal , carries well , comfortable to shoot , is quite accurate ( for it's size ) , has a nice feel to it , not so small to grip . It's kind of a mini 1911, external hammer SAO . I have a friend that's a 35yr + LEO , he has shot it and has recommended it to several , and he's a real Glock fan . They are more pricey than your selections above . I suggest you look and handle one before you decide .

 

[Vbgjr]

LCP II?

I have 2 of the LCP Gen 1 they make great backups, but the LCP II might be better suited due to the similarities in the trigger design to the Shield .

 

[dben002]

I have 2 of the LCP Gen 1 the make great backups, but the LCP II might be better suited due to the similarities in the trigger design to the Shield .

"might be better suited due to the similarities in the trigger design to the Shield" ???? By this reasoning why would not the Bodyguard be closer in trigger than the LCP ?? Just curious as I know little about either.

 

[gonerydin]

I have no complaints about my BG380.


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[dben002]

I have no complaints about my BG380.


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How long have you owned it ? any light primer stikes? How do you find the trigger ? Thanks

 

[RILEY31]

I carry a BG380 a lot and shot it a lot with no problems. I have owned several of the LCP's and one Diamondback and to me the BG380 is by far the best of the bunch.I had a lot of problems with light strikes out of the little striker fired guns.

 

[gonerydin]

How long have to owned it ? any light primer stikes? How do you find the trigger ? Thanks

I've had it 3 years. I had 1000 rounds of remanufactured ammo that both the BG380 and Glock 42 had trouble with about 1 in 10 hard primers. All other ammo has been fine. The trigger is a long pull, double action trigger. It's consistent. I like it. My GF doesn't like it.

 

[SmithNWesson]

The BG380 was my first handgun actually. I have had it for a year. I did not mind the trigger, it is a bit heavy but i still loved shooting it at the range. I did not fully realize how small it was until i bought my shield 9. Looking back, it was awesome carrying in basketball shorts and not having to worry about concealing. It would be nice if it had better front sights but not a big deal since it is intended for close range and i got the laser version (must have in my opinion)

I did not have any light strikes. I did have a few failure to feeds but for some reason it only happened when i used Aguila Ammo (90gr i believe).

 

[coachray]

I have a BG 380 that I sometimes carry in my front pocket with a sticky holster. I find that I carry it a little more often in the summer due to different dress and activities. I have over 600 rounds through it with no failures of any kind. As was stated above the first trigger pull is long, but that's ok as I don't have a manual safety. It serves the purpose perfectly.

 

[Shield9mm]

BDG380 is an awesome little pistol, easy to conceal, great for pocket carry. I decided for it because of the seize, and really don't care about Ruger pistols. It is a long trigger pull, but nothing you can't get used to it. No light primers or any other issue, at the range I just turn on the laser and don't even use the sights, great pistol. Try to rent the ones you are incline, and decide for yourself.

 

[patrickd]

I'd choose a G42

 

[KSDeputy]

I have a few Walther's in .380, plus a Ruger Custom LCP. I like the .380 cartridge, it is a 9mm short, but not that short. If I go up from the .380, I go to the .45acp. That is what I carry off of the farm. Nothing wrong with the .380 in my book. I had a bad experience with the BG, I would stick with a Ruger.

 

[hostler]

I have had an LCP (gen 1) for many years. I've thought about "up-grading" it but whenever I do I just remember the most important thing for a little gun like the LCP is that it work ALL of the time, and my LCP does that. Who cares about trigger pull, it's not a range gun. You need a gun that is 100% reliable, arguably the LCP line has been one of the most reliable pocket 380s on the market.

 

[Truckin]

Hello dben002 - I have two Ruger LCP (first gen) and I have zero complaints on the gun. Wife (LCP color is purple) and I have 400 rounds thru each one. We have more holster for the LCP than any other arm due to it's flexibility. It weighs nothing and is easy to shoot. My wife carrys her's about 50% of the time. She has a purple LC9 that she likes. I carry mine less than I use to because of the round. I hit a deer and had to put it down 1st shot was right on top of skull and the 380 did not break thru the bone. I then lean further over and put a round in the heart to dispatch the deer. It was loaded with Critical Defense rounds. I don't fault the round I just discovered it's limitations. I still carry it about 20% of the time but prefer a J-Frame 38 now. Been thinking about the 45 Shield ...............

 

[Old cop]

I had the BG .380 and it was great up until the two year mark, then light strikes started. Owned the Glock 42 and it was a jam-o-matic. The Ruger LCP (Gen 1) has been reliable for me, and it's the smallest and lightest of the bunch. I bought it @ Gander Mountain for $199 just before the LCPII came out.

 

[instymp]

If I din't love my gen 2 so much I would get a BG380

 

[garddogg56]

dben,I carry a BG 380 and my wife has a genII lcp both fine guns ,I tried all the forementioned pistol in this thread and there is none other I would trust in my pocket other than the loooong trigger in the BG,even my wifes genII which she carries in her purse..I have over 1300 rounds thru my BG with NO failures. Plus the BG has other features like SS slide,second strike capability and the mags are less expensive.PS I also have a Sig 238 best shooter in a .380 I own but I won't use her for pocket carry

 

[D Brown]

The only .380 I would consider carrying is the Kimber Micro .380. I have the Micro Raptor .380 and I have been very impressed with the accuracy and overall quality. The ambidextrous safety is also a must for me. This would not be the gun for you if you're not comfortable carrying cocked and locked.

 

[fauxpa46]

My only .380 is the LCP Custom. It is small, light, and it works - all the time, didn't bust the budget, and it has sights! I carry it both IWB and OWB depending on what I'm wearing. Oh, and it shoots well, so........

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[Bonephish]

I love my LCP Custom.

 

[vortex360]

I have the BG 380 and it always operates perfectly. It has fired hundreds of rounds and cycles Fiocchi hollow points just like ball rounds. I carry it everywhere and sometimes as a backup to my 1911.

 

[Horn]

I see no one suggesting one of the best 380 pistols out there. And, I have
a Sig Sauer P232. I suggest checking at your gun store the Bersa Thunder
380. Fine workmanship and high quality for less than $300.
Bersa actually produces a number of different pistols and all are impressive.
All of the others mentioned are fine too.
I have mine as a desk gun__attached via a magnet under the right hand
drawer. Loaded with Lehigh Defense ammo (the bullet looks like a Phillips
screw driver!
Good luck in you quest for a nice 380.
Stay safe
Poli Viejo

 

[fauxpa46]

Absolutely agree with you, Horn. If I did not own my LCP Custom, the Bersa is what I'd have. The quality belies the price point. It also is one of the better-looking firearms, IMO. I own the Bersa Thunder 22 and enjoy plinking with that one, also. Good call.

 

[vulcan73]

I suggest checking at your gun store the Bersa Thunder
380. Fine workmanship and high quality for less than $300.

Agreed, but the Bersa is just about as big as the OP's Shield 45 so where's the advantage?

Here in the northwest, summer temps are usually in the 70's and occasionally into the 80's so wearing a light weight vest to cover a hip holster is doable. When the temps do get too warm for a vest, a pull over shirt outside the belt neatly covers my Sig P238, Bersa 85 or my Shield 9. I do, however, wear a dark colored shirt which helps to obscure the gun's profile.

Owned the Glock 42 and it was a jam-o-matic.

My daughter has a '42 and yes indeed, it can be very fussy just like my P238 but I found the right combination powder/bullets so they are both totally reliable shooters.

BTW: I got the P238 before the Sig P938 (9mm) was available. If I could have chosen between the two guns, I would have opted for the P938. Not much bigger than the P238 but with more stopping power, 9mm versus 9mm 'short'.

 

[Ranger98]

Currently carry a LCP 2.The new trigger seems to be an improvement over the older LCP and the BG380.

 

[g8rb8]

If Bonephish comes back to this thread, or if someone else has the below trigger guard/holster (whatever you'd call it), please identify it and give a review of how well you like it. Does the guard reproducibly stay in the pocket when the pistol is drawn from the pocket? A quick internet search did not help me identify it.

 

[Bonephish]

If Bonephish comes back to this thread, or if someone else has the below trigger guard/holster (whatever you'd call it), please identify it and give a review of how well you like it. Does the guard reproducibly stay in the pocket when the pistol is drawn from the pocket? A quick internet search did not help me identify it.

The holster is by Boraii. Yes the holster stays in your pocket when you draw. BORAII - Home

I also have one for my Sig P938.

 

[Arik]

I don't own any but I've shot the Beretta 84 and the Ruger LCP. Surprisingly, despite being a heavier gun, the Beretta has a lot more felt recoil.

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[dben002]

I see no one suggesting one of the best 380 pistols out there. And, I have
a Sig Sauer P232. I suggest checking at your gun store the Bersa Thunder
380. Fine workmanship and high quality for less than $300.
Bersa actually produces a number of different pistols and all are impressive.
All of the others mentioned are fine too.
I have mine as a desk gun__attached via a magnet under the right hand
drawer. Loaded with Lehigh Defense ammo (the bullet looks like a Phillips
screw driver!
Good luck in you quest for a nice 380.
Stay safe
Poli Viejo

Yes I see a wide range of suggestions here...did look at the Bersa...I think it's actually larger than my Shield 45..or the same size..Actually looking at hot summer time carry (pocket)..so was thinking smaller than the Bersa.....

My biggest problem now is watching all the reviews...seems the Bodyguard which I seem to favor could have some problems with light primer strikes as there are numerous vid's with this problem with this weapon....Have seen no vid's with problems with the LCP-II so all this just adds to my confusion as I like the looks of the Bodyguard better. Guess I need range time with both but probably can't get range time with the LCP-II as you can hardly find one to purchase anywhere........To bad the Bodyguard has so many problem vid's......or I would have purchased one already....
so I will remain ??????????????????????????????? confused for a time.