Recommendations on a .380?

[smoothshooter]

Sell the remaining ammo and purchase a small 9mm instead. Many of the guns that were previously .380 only size are now almost the same size in a 9mm which is easier to obtain practice ammo for and as a defense weapon is much more effective. Many of guns have better triggers and better sights as well.

I don't know where you are going to find better sights on a small gun than an LCP Max has.
The S & W Bodyguard has good sights too, but the chances that you will get one that is plagued with light-strike issues after a couple of hundred rounds of live ammo or dry firing are pretty high.
A really lightweight and small 9mm is not going to be any fun to shoot for most people.
The .380 will allow better repeat shot placement than something that really torques in your hand.

 

[smoothshooter]

I have 2 .380's a Original LCP that I pocket carried for quite a while & still have it snappy recoil & tiny sights but reliable replaced it 3 or so years back with a Glock 42 it's sights are far superior (Installed Glock Night Sights) feels better in the hand & much more accurate/shootable while still easy to pocket carry in a pocket holster.

You must have really big pockets.

 

[hittman77]

Curious as to what you mean by "reliable". Are we talking accuracy or mechanical function?

Fail to feed, fail to eject, light primer strikes and the dreaded "finger bite".

I know ..... thousands of folks are happy with them. For me, every single one I've owned was a dud. I'm a slow learner and have owned 4. Sometimes I guess it's the luck of the draw.

However, my PP and PPK work perfectly every time.

 

[Bald1]

U can pick up a Ruger LCP for as little as $269 if u look. It's easy to conceal if u choose to carry it and even comes with a DeSantis pocket holster. I can hit silhouettes at 50 yds with surprising consistency with it. At 20 yds and in it's more accurate than it needs to be.

 

[xfarfuldog]

I usually stay away from cheaper brands. But I was given a FIE 380 once. It was a mini 1911 style and all steel. Great and reliable shooter. Someone else had to have it when I was buying his Blackwater 226. My only 380 now is my late wifes Colt Pony.

 

[Old cop]

I've had an old, post 2013, LCP for years & hundreds of FMJ & HP ammo down range w/o a single malfunction. Great summer carry.

 

[RoyM52]

Sounds like the perfect opportunity to actually get good with any mouse gun that would interest you in any way. Forget the nay Sayers about just too difficult. get an extended mag for whatever you choose and do some learning and challenge yourself. {I like to plink with a Sig P238 sometimes} {after shooting some , switch to the regular, flush fit mag and plink away}

 

[Bald1]

Not trying to be a wise guy , but have the people posting about how difficult and painful it is to shoot a small 380 is, actually shot a small 380?
I've put 50 rds through a LCP and some pretty hot Norma MXD right after. It's really not a big deal. That's with the small magazine as well. I feel the extended mags defeat the purpose of a LCP. I probably shoot more than most ( about once a week) but I would not let tales of recoil stop me.

 

[TheHobbyist]

I recently learned that S&W has an EZ model in bronze. On a popular auction site, there are a few. Might be of interest?

 

[hyena]

My Bodyguard .380 has become my every day carry, and, since I added a Hogue Handall grip sleeve, one of my favorite guns to shoot. I just put a box of shells through it yesterday. 95% of my shooting the past year has been my three snub noses, and my BG. I like the challenge of target shooting and plinking with them. Two weeks ago I got out my Model 28 for the first time in a few years, and was shooting paper plates at 50 yards. I had forgotten how much easier it is to shoot a full size gun.

Still hoping for a Bodyguard Plus to compete with the LCP Max. LGS has a Max for $359, but I like my BG so much I haven't yet talked myself into switching. I'm comfortable with seven shots on tap, but if I could have 11 in the same size gun I'd be even more comfortable.

 

[Golddollar]

I recently learned that S&W has an EZ model in bronze. On a popular auction site, there are a few. Might be of interest?

That sounds like the one I have from the Performance Center.

 

[LVSteve]

Not trying to be a wise guy , but have the people posting about how difficult and painful it is to shoot a small 380 is, actually shot a small 380?
I've put 50 rds through a LCP and some pretty hot Norma MXD right after. It's really not a big deal. That's with the small magazine as well. I feel the extended mags defeat the purpose of a LCP. I probably shoot more than most ( about once a week) but I would not let tales of recoil stop me.

I would agree that the LCP isn't too bad to shoot, but that is because it uses a locked breech action. The straight blowback guns like the Bersa and the PPK can be unpleasant. The larger, locked breech 380s we own are no trouble at all.

 

[Buick]

While I (and my lovely bride) find the Bersa .380 to be a *****cat; I can readily understand folks who think otherwise. Personally for me the Mauser HsC, while I love it in .32, is downright bothersome in .380 cal.

 

[Buick]

One additional thing i like about the Bersa is the fixed barrel construct like the Walther PP and the Makarov. Very accurate.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

To each their own, but for me a small 9mm, 22lr or 340PD makes mor sense. Sell the ammo and buy a gun that you want? Best regards. Houston Rick