Help deciding between 2 .380's

[Worshipbass12]

Hey everyone!!! I currently carry a jframe 642-2 usually owb abd it conceals just fine with just a t-shirt. But when i'm on stage i tend to jump around a lot and don't want it showing or God forbid falling out. So i'm looking for a pocket gun. I know some people say a jframe will fit in a pocket but not any of mine i have narrowed my search to s&w bodyguard .380, ruger lcp, and keltec p3at. Any real world experience with these and advice is truly appreciated.

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[JJEH]

I have handled the P3AT and find it a nice pocket gun. To finally make up my mind I would wait for the M&P Bodyguard w/o the laser. Then go from there...

 

[Maximumbob54]

Don't pass up the Taurus TCP. Made down in Miami, FL by Taurus USA. I've had mine for a year now and it's been great. Like all the micro .380's the recoil seems more fierce than you would expect but unlike my LCP my hand didn't feel like I just hit it with a hammer and nearly missed the target. The slide locks back after the last shot, the trigger is shocking how good it feels, but the sights like the rest of the micro .380s make it more of a get off me gun than anything I would fire at a serious distance. That's not to say it's not accurate but it will make you work for it. But that trigger makes it possible.

 

[Treeman]

I have shot the Ruger, shot, owned and carried the Keltec and now carry the Taurus TCP. I consider the differences between the Keltec and Ruger to be Eeny and Meeny...except my friend who carried the Ruger had trouble with dropping the Mag in his pocket -a problem I did not have with the Keltec.and he didn't have when he switched to the KT. I Switched to the TCP because it shoots better-Keltec shot to the sights but the Tcp has just enough better sights and and just enough more grip to allow for better rapid fire groups. I have handled the BodyGuard and was favourably impressed but never got to shoot one.

 

[Protected One]

Bodyguard 380 is the 'Class of the .380's". The highly sought after new laser-less version is sure to be very popular, but I am happy with my laser equiped version.
For the type of carry YOU have in mind you might want to have the safety on (while on stage) - just a thought.
The bodyguard is less punishing to the hand than the LCP & Tarus, and I'm not a fan of Keltec products (I avoid the "economy bin" for something I'm trusting to protect my life), making it more pleasant to practice with - which you wil certainly want to do.

Happy carrying!

 

[venomballistics]

as a guitarist ... I think you focus is a hair off.
You should probably be looking at holster retention over a new gun to retain.
Without this your just revisiting the problem on a smaller scale.
I manage just fine with a 1911 gov model

 

[Worshipbass12]

^ well a small .380 in a pocket holster should be better on stage than a jframe on my hip

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[Protected One]

^ well a small .380 in a pocket holster should be better on stage than a jframe on my hip

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Agreed! Though my days on stage as a lead guitarist are long over the memories are still there, and I couldn't imagine being comfortable playing with a J on my hip.

 

[venomballistics]

^ well a small .380 in a pocket holster should be better on stage than a jframe on my hip

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till one of us guitarists tries out a new stomp box and the stage gets rushed.
Should be and is are two different things. Personally I like my rig. It don't shift, pop out and say howdy or drop on the floor no matter what I do. most importantly, its not in the way at all when I play.
In short, I made a full sized pistol work where others wish they made a postage stamp sized piece ... it's possible.

 

[HankG]

How much money do you have to spend? If you have $600.00, get a Sig 238 or a Colt pocket light. They both work well with very little "fluff and buff". If you have $300.00-$350.00. Get a Keltec, Ruger, Taurus, or S&W .380 bodyguard. They're all about the same quality. Be prepared to strip them down and polish them up, including the feed ramps. Then try out various loads to find what works. Stay away from Diamondback, the most comfortable to shoot......when you can get it to shoot. They can be a real mess and you can't buy spare parts.

 

[Worshipbass12]

$400 max and btw we bassist have pedals too

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[Erich]

I have friends with P3ATs that have been reliable, and friends whose Kel-Tec P3ATs were not. I, myself, was not able to reliably fire my friend's due to the odd shape of my hands.

I've not had that problem with the LCP, and that's what I have. It's been completely reliable for me, and I don't know of an acquaintance having any issues with a one from after the beta-test period (SN prefix 372- and after).

I've not had that problem with the S&W Bodyguard, either, and the one that I've shot worked fine (though its laser went south - something I understand is not unheard-of). I've at least one friend who had problems with a Bodyguard.

Based on my experience, given the constraints under which you're operating, I'd point you toward the LCP. Best of luck with whatever you choose, though.

 

[venomballistics]

$400 max and btw we bassist have pedals too

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BWAHAHAHA!!!!!!!! and off to the races we go

seriously .. all of us would do well to make the best possible use of what we have in the here and now.
I used to carry an N frame in 44 magnum ... crazy .. yeah but it was what I had at the time.
Eventually that 629 artillery piece and I figured out how to get along as much as we could. I learned a LOT from monster revolver about how to conceal weapons.
when it came time to switch sidearms, I didn't need to make concessions down to a pocket pistol.
Let that 642 teach you some more about the art.
if you really can't get a passing grade from the class of 642, the money youve saved in the mean time might make that $400 figure a little more flexible

 

[b_san]

Here you go - $499 on sale - Sig Sauer P238 Sports 12 .380 ACP 238-380-SPORTS12

I have a BG380, an LCP and the P238 (and just picked up a G42). The P238 is a great balance between size and comfort in my opinion and it shoots very well but the LCP is a tad easier to pocket especially if you are doing something active. If I had to own just one it would probably be the P238 though just because it is the best quality/most comfortable firearm out of the 3 choices (though Im sure Im going to like the G42 as well). If you're really sticking to a $400 ceiling then buy the LCP it's a very nice pocket gun and it's not as annoying to shoot as internet forums make it out to be. The best online price atm for an LCP is $269 +$9.99 shipping from Hinterland Outfitters or $279 shipped from Sportsmans Outdoor Superstore.

 

[tops]

If I were looking at pistols I would get one that would fire without the mag. If one drops the mag. a single shot is better than no shots. I would also get one that had second strike capability. If a gun has second strike capability that means the trigger is cocking and firing the gun so it is really a DA trigger. Larry

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I looked at em all and chose the LCP.

The BG380 is bigger, heavier, larger sights and equipped with a safety. All things I'm not looking for in a pocket gun.

The Kel-Tec fit my criteria but read significantly more reliability issues.

My LCP has operated flawlessly with Hornady CD.

 

[dotdsd334]

Personally I would NOT touch another Taurus TCP. Had 1 for 2 weeks..... Couldn't get a full magazibe to run flawlessly threw it. Polished the feed ramp, corrected a few other things..... Just wouldn't run right. It ruined any respect I had left for Taurus. Just my experience.... I know others have had all good to say.

I bought a Sig P238 after the Taurus..... Now that is impressive....and it still lives at my house today.

I also should note..... I tried 3 types of ammo and even tried hornady Critical Defense through the TCP.... The ammo wasn't the issue....

Good luck on your decision.

 

[jimmyj]

Considered a "Belly Band" holster ?

 

[blujax01]

I love threads like this. You put three distinct choices on the table - and have received about a dozen off-topic responses already. And so it goes...

I would not carry a laser equipped pistol in your situation. All them "Elvis Gyrations" are just going to knock it off kilter. BG380 - out.

The Ruger LCP is clearly the class of the bunch but it does have a distinctively gun-shaped outline. If'n yer wearin' painted-on jeans fuggedaboudit.

The KelTec P3AT is a fine belly gun at an affordable price. Not any fun at the range and you may as well say it has no sights at all. But I would trust it at close (<10 feet) range.

 

[FreakingStang]

The LCP was copied after the KEL-tec. Range shooting on them isn't much fun at all. Think 357 mag recoil in that small Jframe. I had an lcp for awhile. It was small and concealed nicely. I ended up selling that and my LC9 for a colt mustang pocketlite. That thing shoots awesome and is in my pocket everyday. the sig 238 is a copy of the original colt and you can find them for 459ish on sale and they have night sights. Much better gun for not a lot of money more.