Giving Up - .380 Is A Bust For Me

[Fla_Sun]

My old AMT Backup .380 has always gone bang when the 14# trigger was pulled. That is until it has shot between 75 to 100 rounds after which it starts to malfunction.
It has been replaced several times over the years but I still carry it when I need a tiny concealable backup.

 

[Protected One]

I have carried the J-Frame, mostly a light weight, for self-defense now for almost fifty years. I had a short period where I carried the Kahr Psomethingerother, but I came back to the J.

My latest love is the Ruger LCR, I have one, my wife has one and I have a second one, a three inch with the adjustable sights I take with me when going off for more than a few days (carries as well as a two inch under my T-shirt).

But my right hand is getting wimpy. It hurts like the devil after shooting (hurts pretty much after anything or nothing at all).

My VA Ortho guy says it's arthritis and a bad tendon. He is gonna re-route the tendon thru my thumb and clean out the arthritis. Will be in a cast 6 weeks and he's gonna do it in the early fall (if I don't chicken out).

So it really hurts to shoot my J-Frames. It hurts less to shoot my Glock 43, but it still smarts.

My buddy had a near new Glock 42 with the Trijicon HD sites (I put them on all my autos) and sold it to me with three mags for $400.

I admit to being skeptical of the accuracy and power. I bought a LOT of Hornady Critical Defense and started going to the range.

Accuracy was great, especially shooting fast (for an old guy) at relatively short distances. Gun fit my hand well and it was really easy to keep it on target. It always went "Bang!" and never failed to function like it should.

But the best thing, for me at least, was the real absence of felt recoil. It felt like I was shooting a .22 or close to it. No pain at all, even when shooting a couple hundred rounds (which I could no longer even think of doing with the J-Frames).

I bought a Clip-Draw for it and carefully insert it onto my jeans/shorts waist band just right of my belly button, let the T-shirt fall and it simply disappears.

I have read of a number of guys who use the trigger guard holsters (Mic-style) AND the Clip Draw, but I just can't figure a way to do that and get the gun out and ready to use in a reasonable time though I have tried several times to make the two work together.

Anyway, the Glock 42 is a hand saver (maybe better described as a pain saver) for me.

Bob

My wife has a glock 42, and I agree that it's the lowest felt recoil of any .380 I have shot, especially when loaded with Federal HST Micro or Hornady Critical Defense. My .380 is a S&W Bodyguard w/Crimson Trace Laser.

 

[adwjc]

T-shirt).

I have read of a number of guys who use the trigger guard holsters (Mic-style) AND the Clip Draw, but I just can't figure a way to do that and get the gun out and ready to use in a reasonable time though I have tried several times to make the two work together.

Bob

Bob,

Those trigger guard holsters are intended to be used "passively" by that that they mean you anchor the lanyard to your belt or belt loop, tuck your pistol where you carry it, and just yank that pistol out - the lanyard "unholsters" it for you.

 

[Imissedagain]

LCP 2nd version of the original and the mag has popped a few times over the years.
S&Walther PPKs ..... tack driver with almost any ammo.... my favorite.
Primary Tropical carry.
XTP/JRN @ 115gr bullets or Penn 100gr .355" leads.

 

[Old cop]

Mag Pop Out

LCP 2nd version of the original and the mag has popped a few times over the years.
S&Walther PPKs ..... tack driver with almost any ammo.... my favorite.
Primary Tropical carry.
XTP/JRN @ 115gr bullets or Penn 100gr .355" leads.

My LCP is the same model and has the same mag problem. I'm wondering if the LCP2 solved this issue.

 

[Old cop]

I went to the range today to get more time behind my J frames. I threw the LCP in my bag to burn up the remainder of my .380 ammo and it ran perfectly, as usual. It would be the perfect deep carry IF the mag would stay put in my pocket.

 

[Ziggy2525]

I went to the range today to get more time behind my J frames. I threw the LCP in my bag to burn up the remainder of my .380 ammo and it ran perfectly, as usual. It would be the perfect deep carry IF the mag would stay put in my pocket.

I might have missed it earlier. Which pocket holster? Maybe a different holster would protect the release button better.

 

[Old cop]

Pocket Holster

I might have missed it earlier. Which pocket holster? Maybe a different holster would protect the release button better.

In answer to your Q I've tried many different holsters to no avail. Some cover the mag button and some don't. When this happened I was using the Ruger pocket holster that came in the box w/the gun.

 

[Ziggy2525]

In answer to your Q I've tried many different holsters to no avail. Some cover the mag button and some don't. When this happened I was using the Ruger pocket holster that came in the box w/the gun.

Two thoughts (but only if you otherwise like the lcp).

First would be to call Ruger and see what they say. I've always gotten excelent support from them. It could just be the mag release or the release spring needs to be replaced.

Second thought would be I've seen a couple kydex pocket holsters for lcp's that cover the mag release. That should protect it from being pressed.

 

[Old cop]

Thanks Ziggy2525, I sent Ruger an email. As to the Kydex holster I have a Talon stiff leather holster that's pretty much the same (covers the button) and the problem persists.

 

[Spawndn72]

I have my LCP II in a galco pocket holster and have never had a problem. I also have the houge slip on grips that makes the magazine release not protrude as much.

 

[dwpmusic]

I carry an LCP .380 a lot and have never had a problem with it. Not so my LC9 9mm. I had an incident (2) of the mag dropping out. Ruger repaired it quickly and politely. No problem since.

 

[Old cop]

I sent Ruger an email. They sent me a customer number w/instructions to call them, which I did. The gun is now on its way back to the company so we'll see what happens. Sad b/c I really like this gun. It's accurate, has been reliable w/everything I put down range (300+ rounds) and carries like a dream.

 

[dwpmusic]

I sent Ruger an email. They sent me a customer number w/instructions to call them, which I did. The gun is now on its way back to the company so we'll see what happens. Sad b/c I really like this gun. It's accurate, has been reliable w/everything I put down range (300+ rounds) and carries like a dream.

I think you'll be satisfied. Hope so.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

I bought a KelTec P32 years ago for deep cover. It was pretty accurate for a teenie-tiny gun and remarkably reliable. I was very happy with it...until I shot it over my Chrony.

My lieutenant wanted it, so I agreed to a straight trade for a revolver he had. He wasn't a revolver guy, so I got a nickeled S&W Model 37 for a P32. Hey! We were both happy!

Turned out I couldn't see the teeny shiny sights on the Model 37, so I swapped it away after I bought this, which has become a constant companion.

Yeah, I know it has the hole, but I like it. [emoji41]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dwpmusic]

I bought my wife one of these, laser and all. Even had a trigger job done on it because of her arthritis. She still can hardly pull the trigger. No way she can rack the slide on an auto. So that's that. It's a nice revolver, though, even with the hole.

 

[Czechvar]

Ideal Conceal has a .380 iPhone Gun...not sure it's enough to change your mind about 380's...

Double Barreled .380 Caliber | Ideal Conceal

[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eWCdLaIlJ94[/ame]

 

[Capn]

I own a pair of Kahr .380s - a P380 with the fancy black finish and a CW380. Highly recommend both, and carry both at the same time. They disappear in front and rear pockets.

The CW has been reliable since the very first mag, while the P required some patience at first, and a 150-200 round break-in. They are small narrow guns with tight tolerances, and require proper cleaning and lubrication. But once you realize what they need to run right, and you maintain them, they are very tough to beat. I have since retired the 640 to nightstand duty.

 

[Imissedagain]

The 380 is a great round, more so if handloaded as necessary, for carry in the Tropics especially if boats and fishing are involved.
Now that I picked up a new P238HD, cocked, locked and close to a 1911 trigger.... it will be in the rotation with the S&Wather PPKs and the LCP is for wet weather chores/kayak fishing.

Besides the mag button possibly a bit too proud I wonder if the shape of the mechanism is part of the problem with the LCP?


380LR..... long range
25/50/100 yards
Then put a rifle bullet thru each hole.
New game in town.

Trap shooters like to have one shooter break a clay and the second shooter then breaks the biggest piece..... unless is was smoked.... from as far back as the range allows...... an extra full choke still didn't help me much.

 

[OMCHamlin]

I have an LCP Custom and a S&W 340 M&P. Also a Kahr CW380 and a Taurus View (the final version with a solid "no view" sideplate.) All are good carry guns, and reliable. I feel best when I have that 340 full of CorBon 110s and a Speedstrip in my pockets. The 340 is a pocket gun for me, although I do have IWB and OWB holsters for it.