Seems like The Duke is forgetting that old and factual adage- when seconds count, LE is minutes away. I usually carry pistols in these calibers, .380, 9mm, and .45. The data from the Luck Gunner ammo tests helped me arrive at the same conclusionCritical Defense for the 380. But I think the problem is not a disingenuous review, but the facts that an 84F is much, much more bulky gripwise, and heavy to lug around and conceal. So what are the best 380 ACP pistols and where can you buy yours? HP/JHP ammo is the definitive defensive ammo type, but if you're not allowed to carry it then you need to rely on a larger caliber to do the same job. Copyright 2023 Pew Pew Media, Inc. All rights reserved. I have the sig p238,Springfield armory 911,glock 42 and ruger lcp, I like my short trigger pulls but my lcp does have a decent enough trigger and recoils not bad! Not yet, and hopefully never will, but it WILL be the one that rides with me. In low light they are just as bright as any nightsights I've seen and the added hi-viz feature for daylight conditions is just awsome. I am missing 3 tendons in each shoulder and need a shoulder replacement in my left. Takes about 150 rounds through the gun to train your mind for the trigger pull and, in general, to get familiar with it. I added a grip glove that really added extra grip for my large hands and, of course, helps tame the recoil issues with the small framed 380's. The Beretta Pico is a nice gun, very very thin. i bought a Bersa thunder plus with a 15 round mag for 350.00 bucks and it has never had a failure to feed or any other issues. The object of concealed carry has only ONE OBJECTIVE.to stop the threat. It was absolutely horrible! According to our peers, here are the six worst pocketguns, from less awful to worstest. Sig Sauer P365 380 Optics Ready 2. It's basically a flat-nose and doesn't expand, so doesn't need to hit expansion threshold, and as a result works consistently. Lastly, the size of the grip itself can also help you handle the recoil better. Their main appeal is their often sub-$100 price tags. I also carry the Sig 938, which is almost as good to shoot as the little one. Love the sig p238 tried the lcp gave to my brother. What decent pistol can you put in your pocket and forget it's there? This is one of the reasons why I almost always recommend people learn how to shoot on a bigger handgun, with low to moderate recoil. Another even more serious mistake is that you, mentioning the benefits of the good Bersa pistol, about the Walther PPK, you textually say: "It improves it a bit with some modern features, such as an open sliding cover and a decocker / security." I agree the Bersa Thunder series is great ! Ive put probably 3000 rounds thru it of every kind of ammo I could find. I had to go with the .380 for health reasons. 6 I get the mag in, release the slide and it doesn't go fully into battery. Worldwide, and throughout the Cold War, and to this day, it is on the list of backup pistols endorsed and authorized to be used by some US Police Departments. These tiny pistols, especially the really lightweight ones, tend to pull the front sight off target more than others because of the associated recoil. The RM-380 is the easiest to rack of those I own and the Kahr CW-380 the hardest. On their website they recommend the +P version for the Glock 42. An accurate piece and conceals pretty well for a double stack. As a curious fact and proof of the historical importance of the iconic Walther PP Series, I will say that the exceptional, world-renowned Frank Sinatra, carried a beautiful, beautifully engraved Walther PP pistol that was auctioned off at a fortune. It is considerably lighter and smoother than the original LCP and other comparable .380 pistols, and it also features the Glock-style bladed safety that must first be depressed in order for the trigger to be pulled. I went to Government schools too :-) but there is more than I can ignore. I LOVED it for its size and wanted it to come in #1! The only other rental gun Ive shot (ironically, another Ruger: the LC9S at a different range) had no misfires, so Im not completely down on Ruger. I've had one for 6 years; love it. Oh, and the first time he put a full mag in the weapon three rounds came popping out for him just like it did for me!!! Or do other pocket guns eject toward the rear? It's what I carry now. Mine performed flawlessly with critical defense ammo, but flat out refused the less expensive ammo. So I went on an ammo quest with all 3 of my 380 firearms to find the best Self defense round watched every video on youtube from Paul Harrell, Shooting The Bull (who did ammo quest and voted Precision One the BEST 380 SD round) , TN Outdoors, Hickock45 and everyone else.you name it.and now hundreds of rounds personally downrange. It sports a long, heavy trigger pull with double-strike capability. Weve built dozens of ARs and well cover all the best AR-15 upgrades such as handguards, triggers, BCGs, gas blocks, and more. I carry the 42/43 since both are he same platform and only caliber difference so with either on I don't need to "think" which gun do I have today, Great review! To the point of I wish these two models didnt even exist. I have owned many firearms since, but this is my all time favorite little handgun. During decades with firepower sitting in my nightstand, I never ended up frightened enough to hide 2lb of steel on my person at all times. Its much easier for me to shoot my Ruger than it is my S & W! I think you may have been thinking of the original LCP.. And far closer in performance to the 22/25's than 38+P. The second thought is all-inclusive and says carry whatever you can handle comfortably enough to prevent someone else from taking your life. It's probably as small as any on this list, at only 4.7" X 3.6", Ive owned and fired every caliber from my little Colt target 22 to my 50 cal Desert Eagle. Its design has not been changed and it is manufactured the same as almost a century ago, because it is exceptionally good and very well made. It has a slide stop (not too useful as a slide release but it holds the slide back when you're empty), and second-strike capability which I've had to use. Last but not least, and while this is entirely personal preference, many regard .380 autos as having poor ergonomics due to the fact that their extraordinarily small size means you cant get a full grip on them. The short lived Sig P250 in .380 is my favorite. Items 1-24 of 285. If they weren't they wouldn't be the most copied designs, just like Glock. Have a P238 that is great. I have no problem running ball and hollowpoint ammo in it. Very happy with my purchase . For this reason, I recommend only 1911 style p238 firearm, hammer uncocked but a round in the chamber. Or you may have to adjust your stance? Trigger is perfect for CCW.. However, in the .380 you are missing the very best of them. It was a tough choice initially between the Sig 938 and the Kahr CM9, but the Kahr had a great trigger, no safety to worry about and the 1st shot speed and confidence this DAO provides. However, Im having trouble finding a pistol for conceal carry. Significantly less felt recoil than the others, smaller, and lighter. I use old Supervel. Use Winchester FMJ for practice and Speer Gold Dot HP for carry. Deep carry a kimber ultra raptor II for primary weapon. Once broken in, all four of these guns have been happy with a variety of ammo. I have fired a wide variety of 9mm rounds out of it. This only naturally makes it more difficult to fire properly like we just talked about. Good trigger, too. It was to replace my LCP. THAT should NOT be! This matters with hands that are not as strong, or that might be arthritic. And when you want the BEST .380 possible, carry a Walther PPK/S. ,, always sat home,, too big this goes everywhere with me,, can fit in pocket. Picked up a Sig 238 and never looked back - just drop it into a pocket Last 10 years carried a Glock 36 . Lasers are a joke on a .380 and I don't like sights that may snag for deep concealment.. Every order can be limited to less that 25 pounds in Black Powder and not more than 66 pounds from Smokeless Powder, Primers, or Fuses. Add Pearce grip extenders and a Pachmayer grip for a perfect .380 great trigger (practice makes perfect) gooot sights and shoots like a dream for me. concealed carry is about .concealment..It will vary dependent on many factors..like the weather and where you plan to carry..You don't carry a cannon in to a movie theater or other crowded event because every missed shot has the potential to kill innocent bystanders.. It's called a You'll now receive newsletters of our best articles on techniques, The higher-grade 911 (the original model) has superb (night) sights. .. No love for Springfield 911? I have an LCP II and love it. I haven't had a chance to get the firestorm yet but am looking forward to getting one soon. Hard to believe you put the Kahr on a top 5 list. Never a jam. Examples of popular small pocket .380 autos include the original Ruger LCP, Taurus TCP, Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .380, and the Kel-Tec P3-AT to name a few. We'll send you the latest guides and training tips geared I also just purchased the Rock Island Baby Rock, another great 380. While larger .380 pistols such as the Walther PPK/S, Walther PK380, Bersa Thunder 380, and Glock 42 dont have this problem, the truly small pocket pistols such as the LCP and TCP most certainly do. Type your email address and well send I have several Sigs, S&Ws, Rugers, and a Glock 20, so I would have thought your list would serve. This will ensure that there is only one shipping charge and one HazMat charge per purchase (unless you also purchase items that ship separately through MidwayUSA and our suppliers). Hornady Critical Defense and Sig V-Crown is what I carry - there is a ton of info and recommendations in our Best 9mm Ammo article! When a gun is light in weight, it doesnt help dampen recoil as much as a heavier gun does. While it's not pocket size, some features I like are the safeties it has, (so when not in use it can be locked without having to put a trigger lock on it and cannot fire without the mag), it has a fixed barrel, it is a 15+1, and while the initial trigger pull is long all others are short and the recoil is nice for control. Get proficient on YOUR time. Lets find out by comparing it to the original LCP. Anyway I decided to purchase the revot in spite of that absurd and stupid law. Comparing my 9mm to the 380 isn't hard. With the added magazine flair, my hand (including pinky finger) fits great. Nothing beats the 9mm caliber when it comes to self-defense. Best of all they are around $200 easy maybe a bit less to the new versions $350 (to find it for 300 you will have to really look around online). Do they consider the .38 Sp "puny"? I frequently found that the holster had bumped the safety off, This was not an extreme problem as the .380 Government Model had the series 80 firing pin block; but it was something that shouldn't have been happening. (I preferred to use it on woodchucks, however, out to 100 yards, with a good Leupold scope and a .22 Hornet barrel.) I would suggest in this instance photos of the various Guns. It is also ergonomically correct and comfortable with the mag with the pinky extension. I have had several .380 pistols, and currently have a Sig P238 that I really like. Nonetheless, it still suffers from many of the issues that we just talked about in the previous section: the trigger pull is awful, they are difficult to shoot, it can be difficult to get a good grip on the pistol for some shooters, and the slide wont even lock back on the last round fired. Surprisingly enough the XTP bullet actually expanded with a .25 caliber bullet in several tests! In many important aspects, the 911 is quite similar to the Sig P238 but I believe the former is superior in every way. Did they succeed? Never an issue. Barrel length is 3.675 inches, so you get accuracy and better performance from ammunition. For example the Sig is not accurate for me. I NEVER leave home w/o my Ruger on me! While the LCP II is still a small pocket pistol, Ruger made a number of improvements to it. Never carry in a pocket (or elsewhere for that matter) without a proper holster Get Our Top Shooting Drills and Zeroing Targets ($47 value - but FREE for a limited time). And most humans I now aren't and can't be willing to live on a bag of rice, some band-aids, and water along with 10-20lbs of ammo and gun???? Great gun. (Makes the "Judge" seem crude by comparison!). Those are all brand name and very fine and reliable guns I am sure but I have a Taurus TCP 738 pocket rocket and I love it. Great article--wishing I had spotted it before purchasing my Kahr P380 which pricewise is above everything on this list. I use Alien Gear IWB, and put the extra mag in my back pocket. . CC) tend to expand inconsistently on "real" targets, that is solid targets covered in cloth, etc.. Ruger has proven that you dont need to have an arduous and gritty trigger pull on a .380 auto and its likely that more manufacturers will now follow their lead. I an however new the these little pocket pistols though. You forgot or ignored the Bersa Thunder 380. Solid stainless to reduce felt recoil and improve longevity, but only 19 oz. My PPK/S is accurate enough to shoot snakes from a "safe" distance. The 380 is in between the 22/25 pocket pistols and the 38spc/9mm sub compacts. Yes, some pistoleros can do it; but the vast majority of 40 S&W caliber pistol shooters cannot; and, for anyone who might like to test this opinion THIS is a readily observable fact! Were you perhaps thinking of the first gen LCP? I've never regretted my choice.it is awesome. I think the human interface of the grip and trigger is different with each individual shooter. its the same size as the Sig 365 9MM pistol..It is not really a pocket pistol..No micro 9 really can be carried comfortably in a pocketNo micro 9 can. I like how the CTC laser activates just from gripping the gun and not having to worry about finding a button to activate laser. When it comes to a 380/9mm Kurtz however, without question, my old Stainless Sig P232 was and remains my favorite. Best ergonomics, even for those with larger hands. This writer is SPOT ON w/the issue of firing & nothing happening w/the Bodyguard! I'm a 65 yr old novice and it only required 30 seconds to select LCP 2. Take the advice. I came to this article specifically to learn about the LCPIIs reliability after my experience with one at the range this afternoon. I fired over 500 rounds through my Sig using dozens of different ammo and it NEVER gave me an issue. But for now, youll have to settle for a high grip. . And it's accurate or maybe I am ;-) The stopping power, recoil management, and availability make it a more popular pistol caliber than the .380 ACP, and rightfully so. I think I've seen it test at 5-5.5 lbs. It's small size is great in my front pocket and performs great with my colleagues pressure drills. Consistent, smooth trigger pull from start to finish, very controllable, and accurate for short distance work, and it doesn't look bad. The author is not clueless. Just for the 380 Kimber micro haven't shot it yet, hope it is not the ones that have the FTE problem. I have a Glock 42 and Im a realtor. I currently own 4 .380 pistols. I have carried and shot many many rounds through both my LCP 2 and my sig P238. I bought a ruger LCP I love it the long trigger pull makes it a excellent pocket pistol. A recent shooting in my county was a one shot stop with a .380 to the chest at close range. I even carry it sometime in my pocket as back up to my Glock 17 which I should say it way sweeet (the 17). It looks like something that belongs in a pawn shop case. I added a Crimson Trace green laser to the Glock 42 and it works great. So embarrassing she emptied the box of low cost ammo and then shot the ammo that my gun rejected. I currently own a S&W Shield, but need something much much smaller to wear on my ankle without moving down to a .22. From Reader Robert C: Other pluses include a lifetime warranty and a free year in the NRA. Opens up a little bit more at 10 yards. The Walther PPK and PPK/S may be dated but so is the 1911 but they are still proven designs. The big thing to consider using these 380's is the ammo. I have owned a Ruger LCP but it was just a little too small for me but thats just a matter of personal choice. I mostly like the Bersa Thunder .380, but, reliability can be a concern. Replacement parts were free from Bersa and I did the labor myself, pretty easy to work on. Ruger did a very nice job here. Got three of them, one of which is an initial commemorative model (still in box, never fired). Have fired hundreds of rounds with both. Mostly carried in a Desantis SuperFly pocket carry. prints like a wallet. The 'P' series has a Lothar Walther match barrel - the thing is ridiculously accurate! Some survivors who survived being shot from .380 remembered going into paralysis before blackout . We already have an account registered for email address G6 Research Radically Invasive Projectile (RIP) Ammo 380ACP. Its also got a polymer frame, which keeps it lightweight. Easy to shoot, very reliable and inexpensive (~$285). Semper Fi, Ruger LCP II 3. You have to get it from Palmetto State Armory. I carry it a lot because of how I dress. Keep on keepin on with it! I have had no problems with it and it is the lightest of them all. And want more of our favorite guns & gear? .just kidding 32,490 views Aug 21, 2021 1.1K Dislike Share nutnfancy 852K subscribers Another ranting review.oh man we do not like this gun! One of the best things about the Bersa is that even if you have large hands, this is a very nice gun to grip and hold. Looking for what is possibly the easiest gun to rackever? I was disappointed when we went to the 9mm but I understood why we did so. Fmj, cci, winchester, and remington, sent back to Ruger, replaced slide, back to range, same issues, took to local gunsmith for evaluation, awaiting results, Ruger missed the mark on this one, not acceptable performance, from a name like Ruger, not acceptable for personal defense, do not recommend for purchase, own a P-89, will feed anything, own an American .243, extremely accurate, again, Ruger missed the mark with the LCP. I bought the Sig P238. The few failures I have had maybe are my fault. I had been carrying a S&W M&P Shield 9 mm, with the Magguts conversion for 9 + 1 rounds, as my EDC until I picked up the LCP II. used by Walther in the famous design and iconic Walther PP Series pistol.
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