I'm considering the new model .380, sans laser, for very deep concealment. For those who have this model what has been your experience both good and bad? I've read it's prone to light strikes in some instances (ammo specific?). The Gander Mountain in my area has them at a good price. The other gun I'm considering is the Taurus .380, but admit that I like the feel of the Smith better.
Opinions Needed-New Model S&W .380
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N4KVE
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Have you considered the Ruger LCP? GARY
Horn
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It Should Be a Fine Shooter
Many suggest FMJ for SD using a 380. I have a Sig P232 loaded with Buffalo Bore 380 +P 100gr Hard Cast Flat Nose ammo. You might consider this. That said, the manufacturer rights a "glowing" description of impact of this round. I'd like to see a half dozen independent reviews about it. It seems it'd penetrate as well as a
FMJ bullet would and maybe do more "dissuading". A well placed shot at reasonably close range should do well.
Enjoy the "shooter". I'm an old retired cop too.
I do CC a Shield 9.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
-- George Orwell
Many suggest FMJ for SD using a 380. I have a Sig P232 loaded with Buffalo Bore 380 +P 100gr Hard Cast Flat Nose ammo. You might consider this. That said, the manufacturer rights a "glowing" description of impact of this round. I'd like to see a half dozen independent reviews about it. It seems it'd penetrate as well as a
FMJ bullet would and maybe do more "dissuading". A well placed shot at reasonably close range should do well.
Enjoy the "shooter". I'm an old retired cop too.
I do CC a Shield 9.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
-- George Orwell
Thanks to all who responded and in answer to one question, I did try the LCP. It had to go back to Ruger several times before it would run right, and I had the same experience w/the Glock 42. The models left are Kahr, S&W and Taurus. Kahr is too expensive and their less expensive model seems to be hit and miss, like the Taurus, according to the research I've done.
The primary use would be in dress slacks and at the gym during what's left of the "workout" I do.
The primary use would be in dress slacks and at the gym during what's left of the "workout" I do.
DocSunShine
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ca survivor
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a good friend of mine had one, as in had
Indynick
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Just got my second BG, with the CT Laser. Put 50 rounds thru, with no failures of any kind, just like my first one. Going to do another 50 this week.
lmacrichter
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I have put 150 rds through mine with 14 FTFire on the first strike, 6 failures of the slide to lock on the last shot and 4 times the slide closed when a mag was inserted. S&W said to clean it and try again which I will do this week. Right now I wouldn't bet my life on it's reliability.
DocSunShine
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What ammo did you use?
Ibmikey
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Love mine, over 200 rounds of FMJ through it by several shooters without incident. Very easily concealed in a ready to fire mode.
CaptRon956
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I put over 400 rounds thru my new M&P 380 and it functioned perfectly with the Monarch FMJ & American Eagle FMJ ammo Its practally identical to my M&P shield 9mm except just a pint sized version. And thats why I bought it... And the slide stays open after the last shot on mine...
lmacrichter
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I was shooting WWB and DRT. I will be shooting Aquila and Perfecta this week(all I could find).
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I owned the original BG with the laser. It functioned reliably except for the occasional slide not locking open after firing the last round. The BG with pinky extension fit my hand great and I upgraded to the XS Big Dot front sight. Nice setup that I trusted.
All that said, I ended up trading into the Taurus TCP 380. I really like the Taurus because of the trigger. So, I traded away the BG. My Taurus has gone bang 100% reliably. I love it. The only problem I've had with Taurus is getting the first round to load when it was brand new. You have to rack the slide very hard or use the slide release until the pistol breaks in, which takes about 150 rounds. Stay away from older models as they apparently had problems.
You can't go wrong with either firearm. Both conceal easy. I prefer the trigger pull on the Taurus and the sights on the BG.
All that said, I ended up trading into the Taurus TCP 380. I really like the Taurus because of the trigger. So, I traded away the BG. My Taurus has gone bang 100% reliably. I love it. The only problem I've had with Taurus is getting the first round to load when it was brand new. You have to rack the slide very hard or use the slide release until the pistol breaks in, which takes about 150 rounds. Stay away from older models as they apparently had problems.
You can't go wrong with either firearm. Both conceal easy. I prefer the trigger pull on the Taurus and the sights on the BG.
ocinsomniac
Member
For those who are experiencing the slide failing to stay open after the last round is fired -
Having owned two BG's, (previously the original with the integrated laser and now the MP version) I noticed how "magazine sensitive" these little 380's are. I was also having a problem with the slide staying open until I read that the mags should be cleaned up periodically, with special attention given to the to the red plastic follower which gets fouled up with carbon deposits after repeated firing. This is a very simple procedure to take apart the mags, and clean them up with a gentle solvent, Q-tips and a cloth. Been doing this for awhile and no longer get the "closed slide on the last round symptom". That is, until the followers get gunked up a few hundred rounds later, then just clean them up again.
It's easy to test if you're successful cleaning up your BG mags -
Insert an empty mag into your BG, and rack the slide all the way back, then release. If the slide stays open, you're good to go, if not your follower needs more scrubbing.
I also number my five mags so I know which is which. Been doing this procedure for awhile now, and it has worked well for me.
PS - For those who have newer BG's that haven't been completely loosened up during the break-in period, and the mags will not insert without depressing the mag release button - don't worry, bear with it. Your BG mags will eventually slip in with ease once it's broken in with some extended use.
Having owned two BG's, (previously the original with the integrated laser and now the MP version) I noticed how "magazine sensitive" these little 380's are. I was also having a problem with the slide staying open until I read that the mags should be cleaned up periodically, with special attention given to the to the red plastic follower which gets fouled up with carbon deposits after repeated firing. This is a very simple procedure to take apart the mags, and clean them up with a gentle solvent, Q-tips and a cloth. Been doing this for awhile and no longer get the "closed slide on the last round symptom". That is, until the followers get gunked up a few hundred rounds later, then just clean them up again.
It's easy to test if you're successful cleaning up your BG mags -
Insert an empty mag into your BG, and rack the slide all the way back, then release. If the slide stays open, you're good to go, if not your follower needs more scrubbing.
I also number my five mags so I know which is which. Been doing this procedure for awhile now, and it has worked well for me.
PS - For those who have newer BG's that haven't been completely loosened up during the break-in period, and the mags will not insert without depressing the mag release button - don't worry, bear with it. Your BG mags will eventually slip in with ease once it's broken in with some extended use.
