Which .380 to get for CCW.

[NYlakesider]

I hope I'm putting this in the right forum, if not Mods please move it to where appropriate.

My son came to me for some advice about getting a smaller pistol for CCW. He already has a .40 Glock so it obvious he did not take my advice on that purchase. He is mostly a rifle shooter and most likely will not be buying another handgun for quite a while after he gets a .380. (NY state resident)

He wants to get a .380 as of its size and ammo improvements over the last few years. Not a problem I have 2 .380s myself (Walthers) but he wants to get either an S&W Bodyguard or the Ruger LCP380.

As I realize this is a S&W forum most replies will be for the S&W (natch) but can you people give me a some valid points on what should he do. Pros and Cons on both guns would be nice. I would get the Smith, but need some good info on both guns!

 

[chevythunder]

take a look through this forum,ive seen a few posts on the bodyguard 380. It seems alot of people have complaints on it.

 

[Erich]

I have been completely happy with my Ruger "Raven" - the LCP works very well for me and throws Buffalo Bore 95-gr "+P" .380s accurately at just shy of 1100 fps.

 

[kenjen]

i have the kel-tec, it looks just like the ruger. i had it about 3yrs. and shot around 250-300 rounds through it without any problems. hides in your pocket real well, it is also a little less costly then the ruger.

 

[Nwmarc]

I have the Sig P238 and really like it a lot. It's a bit heavy compared to the Ruger or the Smith but the trigger is very good.
They are also quit a bit more expensive over the other two.

 

[johnd3]

I currently have the Ruger LCP w/laser and loaded with Corbon. In general I have found it to be an easy to conceal carry pistol with good accuracy at the range necessary for a carry pistol. However, my primary objection to it (and other .380's) is that they are not DA/SA which I feel to be necessary in a good carry pistol. The Ruger and the Bodyguard are DAO, while the Sig is SAO.

I am giving some thought to going up just a bit in size to the Bersa Thunder to get the DA/SA action.

 

[billyray26]

I have the bodyguard and love it. I have over 1000 rds through mine and faultless. Love that it has the safety just in case little ones do accidentally stumble upon it. Last chamber bolt stays open. Laser if needed. Owned Lcp ruger, Diamond back 380 & keltec but I like my Bodyguard so much more.

 

[wlc]

The Kahr P380 is easier and more pleasant to shoot than most 380s. It's more expensive also.

 

[NYlakesider]

Thanks to all that have answered. He has definitely decided it will be the Smith or the Ruger. I personally think he cannot go wrong with either gun, but I lean more towards the S&W.(possibly that is because I have 4 times as many Smiths as I have Ruger products!)

I did do a back search here and found a 128 count thread on the BG. It seems a few problems were reported on that piece. like anything new it sometimes takes a while to get the bugs out!

 

[Jes77]

I have the BG380... Has about 500-600 rounds thru it... Maybe 4-5 instances where the casing didn't eject, but it was brand new to me, so not sure if I could have been doing something..
I'm very happy with it

 

[inspcalahan]

Since he already has a Glock, I'd highly recommend taking a look at the Diamondback .380. It's essentially a Glock. Looks the same, field strips the same, shoots the same, etc. I really like mine - don't carry it much due to it being .380, but if I'm looking for something small and flat, it fits the bill perfectly. No safety levers, nothing to snag on clothing and a trigger that's way way better than anything Glock has come up with.....also very affordable.

 

[Roy W.]

Taurus 380

Don't overlook the Taurus 738 TCP. The trigger pull is lighter and smoother than the Ruger LCP. The slide also locks back on the last shot, and if the magazine is inadvertantly dropped with a round in the chamber, the gun will still fire. Not so with the Ruger LCP.

 

[dsink]

Since he already has a Glock, I'd highly recommend taking a look at the Diamondback .380. It's essentially a Glock. Looks the same, field strips the same, shoots the same, etc. I really like mine - don't carry it much due to it being .380, but if I'm looking for something small and flat, it fits the bill perfectly. No safety levers, nothing to snag on clothing and a trigger that's way way better than anything Glock has come up with.....also very affordable.

You took the words out of my mouth. I have a Diamondback 380 that I carry and shoot regulary. After about a 50rd break in period I have had no problems. It can be accurately shoot to 25yds as well which I cant say about the Kel-tec I had due to the lack of sights.

 

[Lost Lake]

Buds just had the BG380 available for first responders for $320.... I see they are backordered as of now... Pretty decent price for a new one though.
S&W BodyGuard 380ACP w/Laser for Sale at Buds Gun Shop $320.00

I have one I keep in my truck and throw in a pocket holster from time to time. Easy to conceal for sure. Very accurate gun.

I do feel safer with a 9c, little more oompf and lots more rounds. But harder to hide than the tiny BG.

 

[ken158]

Sig 230, 232 or 238

 

[gator1]

I'm not a fan of polymer guns. I carry the Micro Desert Eagle in .380. A little heavier than the others, but it is solid and doesn't "bite" like the Ruger or the KelTec.

Also doesn't "print" in a front pocket carry because of the trigger guard


Magnum Research Micro Desert Eagle, Nickel - Style # ME380, MRI Shop / Firearms

 

[Engieman]

Kahr P380. Outstanding gun. Had a number of other .380's prior to this one....could not trust them, sold 'em off. My Kahr goes everywhere with me. Surprisingly very pleasant to shoot, in fact, I regularly take it to the range for a spin of 50 rounds to stay 'tuned up.' Try that with some of the other small .380's...you'll be flinching AND crying

 

[Dave from Pa]

A Ruger LCP is all the gun you need.Reliable,simple to maintain and reasonable cost.

 

[kbm6893]

Buds just had the BG380 available for first responders for $320.... I see they are backordered as of now... Pretty decent price for a new one though.
S&W BodyGuard 380ACP w/Laser for Sale at Buds Gun Shop $320.00

I have one I keep in my truck and throw in a pocket holster from time to time. Easy to conceal for sure. Very accurate gun.

I do feel safer with a 9c, little more oompf and lots more rounds. But harder to hide than the tiny BG.

Do retired cops get that price?

 

[JJEH]

As I realize this is a S&W forum most replies will be for the S&W (natch) but can you people give me a some valid points on what should he do. Pros and Cons on both guns would be nice. I would get the Smith, but need some good info on both guns!

I don't know if it helps, but we have a Ruger LC9 and we like the size and the weight. We just cannot stand the ridiculous long trigger pull. Therefore I think the LCR would sure be a nice gun.

Get in the shop and put both your hands on. Maybe you can rent and test fire them.

 

[patbelly]

Do retired cops get that price?

Yes. Go to Budspolicesupply.com and on their home page you will find out who qualifies.

 

[Hiflyer141]

I just needed another CCW!

Don't overlook the Taurus 738 TCP. The trigger pull is lighter and smoother than the Ruger LCP. The slide also locks back on the last shot, and if the magazine is inadvertantly dropped with a round in the chamber, the gun will still fire. Not so with the Ruger LCP.

I just purchased a Bodyguard 380. Next is go to the range!! I also have a Taurus TCP which has its problems but not mine looked on the web and did a ramp polish and a fluff and buff and no problems!! So I bought one for my daughter.

Taurus TCP for my Daughters 21st Birthday! - Page 3

I will advise on my testing of the Bodyguard going to the range in the morning. I believe I will be very satisfied!!
Regards,
Norman

 

[Lost Lake]

Do retired cops get that price?

Qualifications for first responders is quite long!

Police, security, firemen, private detectives, current or former military, there's a lot of ways to qualify. In fact if I wasn't prior military I'd join my local volunteer fire department just to get the discounts....

 

[mbliss57]

The Sigp238 is the best 380 I have fired. I did not like the Ruger LCP. My wife also owns a Bersa Thunder 380. It's never FTL or FTF for her in over 2000 rounds. She is very accurate with it and it's inexpensive at under $300.
Mike

 

[jstanfield103]

I have the S&W BG380, I have never had an once of trouble with it. I Love the gun. Very well made but what do you expect with it it is a S&W

 

[Chefjon]

Honestly, I wouldn't go with a .380 at all these days as a primary carry weapon. I've been seeing independent ammo tests that have penetration consistently coming in @ 7-11" using IWBA protocols. That's with the new "Modern Ammo Design". I think that phrase was developed just to sell guns,if you ask me.

I'm assuming the desire here is for pocket-carry. I'm looking into that as well and I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with a snubbie. The 442/642 doesn't fit my hand (I have paws) so it's probably going to be an LCR in .38+p. My reasons are:

• In a sub-20ft encounter, I don't think 2 extra shots make up for a lack of penetration. The BG will be on an adrenaline dump, just like you.
• There are fewer things to go 'wrong' with a revolver under these circumstances. Gross motor skills may be all you have.
  • Speed-strips are more concealble than mags and are very effective if you train with them.
  • Most importantly (for me), 90 grains of JHP just can't compare to 158 in a similar form factor.

With any pocket-pistol, the name of the game is TRAINING. It takes a very different set of skills to employ correctly, regardless of gun type. I recommend watching the pocket-pistol series on Ruger's YouTube channel and seeking out a pro as well.

Tactical Pocket Pistol Tips -- Introduction - YouTube

A .380 is better than nothing, but I don't trust it myself. YMMV. Good luck to you and your son. Stay safe.

 

[Erich]

No problem with adequate penetration from .380 ball, tho. As I've discussed here before, I've seen cases in which .380 JHPs failed to adequately penetrate to effect the desired result . . .

 

[cluznar]

Have a Bersa Thunder .380 I carry IWB loaded with Corbon Pwrballs, Buffalo Bore FN +P, or Hornady Critical Defense. I have complete trust it will take care of m.

 

[Badkarma 1]

Rather partial to either the SIG P230 or 232 myself. Deadly accurate, and very reliable.
But vastly prefer the Makarov in 9x18! Dale

 

[JudgeColt]

In my opinion, the only reason to carry a .380ACP is because a small gun is all that can be carried. Once the move is made to big .380 pistols like the SIG P230 and Bersa Thunder, one would be better served by carrying a small 9x19 of equal or smaller size. My choice in a gun bigger than my Kahr P380 is a 9x19 Kel-Tec P11. It is the size and weight of an Airweight J-frame (but thinner), and offers twice as many shots, plus one.