worst 380 pistols worst 380 pistols

Type your new password and hit button below to confirm it. I'd suggest hitting local gun shops and getting a deal on some of the more"creatively designed" (ahem) versions out there. Great in pocket holster or ankle holster. There was a recall on it, but the trigger still sucked, a "3 stage", the first pull, then some weird twilight zone, and then the pull to release. Other things being equal, a 9mm or .380 is easier to shoot than a .40 or .45. The sights on the LCP II are built into the top of the slide like its predecessor. So what department/agency do you work for? The Ruger LCP has a long, heavy trigger pull, but the LCP II does not. Otherwise, I REALLY like the bodyguard and would feel 95% to 99% comfortable with it. Trigger pull was stiff at first but now is just a deliberate pull. I still have my AMT, but my EDC is the Kahr CM9. This little gun is so easy to hide in my front pants pocket, or jacket. That being said, I will say that I'm a fan of the concept that if you can't hit your target then no firearm will be for you. It has never been a problem. Huh? It ultimately has to do with the ejector. I'm surprised that you didn't even mention the Browning Black Label 1911-380! Other than the LCP Max, no other 380 here has the magazine capacity (ten rounds) of the Sig. I have a Keltec .380. I have owned a Ruger LCP but it was just a little too small for me but thats just a matter of personal choice. If you plan to use it, train with it often. I own a S&W 380 M&P Shield EZ, and I'm very pleased with it overall. Like the Sig, the 911 is all metal and the fit and finish are excellent. But if you are carrying it. BEWARE. Thank you for your reviews. Really surprised the Browning 1911 .380 didn't make the Top 5. And all models are made from stainless steel and gun grade aluminum. Hell that was a buck and a quarter at least! Small, easy to carry and just plain sexy, I have to say it's my favorite so far. Just my 2 cents me. Simple. Not going to cycle (read) all these awesome responses to this well written article except to say that if a woman like my wife showed me the barrel of her 380 and hit me with a couple-three rounds -- I would be one hurting unhappy camper. I mostly like the Bersa Thunder .380, but, reliability can be a concern. Top 5 380 ACP Pistols No. The accuracy is very nice (I am going to paint my sights). While it carries a little heavier, it's easier to find and pull and I know it's always going to chamber and fire. It should come as no surprise to me since I own other ruger's and they have all been Flawless operators. Have I had problems with Taurus guns? 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. We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe. Mr. Lee, I disagree. The barrel length is just 2.75 inches and its capacity is also six in the magazine, one in the chamber. The ballistics testing of some of the newer Plus P ammo from Buffalo Bore and Underwood put the 380 round pretty close to regular 9mm ammo. Hey Glenn, thanks for writing in! "While the LCP was a popular pistol, the LCP II is a refined and much improved version." Both tend to come out of my pocket stuck to the weapon. I own the newer PPK/S and the quality and craftmanship is second to none. I evaluated all of these and bought the Springfield 911. I'm carrying a Kel-tec p3at in a Velcro ankle holster at work. These write ups for .380 always list guns like the P238, colt mustang, etc.without explaining the issues with carrying SA only pistol (especially in a pocket). Stopping power can often be the difference between giving the police a witness account and being a murder victim. 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. So much for credibility of the write up. Utterly smooth in every way. This Is the Deadly .380 Pocket Rocket That Everyone Should Fear It has been successfully tested in World War II. The Best .380 Pistols For Concealed Carry Glock 42 Ruger LCP II .380 1 Glock 42 While we see that the Glock 42 becomes the largest pistol on our list for concealed carry, we cannot help ourselves not to include it. @ most; whereas, my Bodyguard definitely is a heavier (approx. Check out his new firearms site. With a pistol carrier/user like me a 45 ACP caliber handgun will always be king! Can't go wrong with this one. The Sig was great w/ the Glock being my runner up. This time he is either getting his $ back, or a replacement. The name BERSA is the result of the union of the letters of the names of the founding partners, Benso Bonadimani, Ercole Montini and Savino Caselli. 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! While a CZ PCR is my main carry, the PPK/s get the nod when the summer arrives. It wouldnt cycle and FTE. And for that, it is king and an absolute item to bring if possible. Maybe some loctite, but maybe the manufacturer should already have that resolved. Jams all Underwood Xtreme Penetrator or Defender. Sig 238 was amazing if you can afford it. I've owned a number of 380 carry guns, the Beretta 84FS and the 85FS My favorite was the Beretta 85FS. That's why your comment on the necessity of range time with your carry ammo is dead on the money. Everything about it is perfect for me. Even after 500+ rounds or so it took just about every manufacturer and bullet type to find one with 100% reliability to fully feed, fire and lock the slide 100% of the time (my winner is the Winchester 95 grain in FMJ and JHP). An accurate piece and conceals pretty well for a double stack. Thank you for your article. My pistols are various makes and models from around the world and they have all (some with mild fit and finish work) become reliable for daily carry. As I carry 9x19, I was trying to find out, what round has the smallest chance of overpen. They run like sewing machines. The slide is stainless steel while the frame is an aluminum alloy. Nowthe LCP Max brings with it 10+1 rounds of .380 ACP. Greg. 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. It's also a useless piece of crap. See ya at the range. Based on meat tests and gel tests of .410 out of a pistol, it is barely effective at anything except the shortest range. It's the bullet that hits the bad guy, not the gun. I do not own one, friends do. I like the DA/SA design, 8+1 capacity, lifetime warrantee, and $299/$309 price point. I guess I'm just as a 1911 fan . To give you an idea, Im 55 and 108lbs. Fits my wife's hands as well as mine. It MIGHT be OK in a totally CLEANED gun first 6 or 7 shots but that's about it reliability goes out the window after the first mag. When discussing felt recoil, its not just the size of the cartridge. Kahr CW380 10. Comfortable for pocket quick to aim and easy to hit your target. Para defensa bala semiwatcutter con penetrador. My brother, on the other hand, has sent his Kahr back to the factory for the 4th time! No, no, none of the handguns you recommend are a good 380 ACP choice, get yourself a Glock 25, that is like a Glock 19 but chambered in 380 ACP, that gun has almost no recoil and it is concealable but wait a minute, now I remember, you are in the USA so a Glock 25 is a no, no for you. The lightweight gun comes in at 12.17 ounces, and it can be easily carried in nearly any manner you choose. I cant win. Just my 2 cents. Google it. Pocket carry cocked and locked. Another BIG vote for the Rem 380. Recently, I also purchased the Bersa Thunder plus 380 (15+1 capacity) and it too hasnt failed to feed, eject or fire with Ball or JHP ammo! There is nothing magical about the the .410 slug, either. Mine has misfired multiple times since I bought it. You have to get it from Palmetto State Armory. Patrick O. is superior in these pocket .380 pistols because they tend to penetrate further. Accurate and nice to hold, great controls. I've not needed to use deadly force in my 1st 60yr, and I hope to make the peashooter suffice during my second. I also still believe it is the better looking of the two (my girlfriend disgrees but). I ran into a good deal on .45 ACP JHP ammo, but it would not feed in either of my 1911's. My go to "practice " round AND go to "defensive" round is the 95 grain Hornady Critical Defense. Jimenez, Lorcin, Raven, Jennings, and a few I'm most certainly missing are all part of this certain category of firearms best described as junk. There are pistols that can be relied upon to save your life in a surprise CQB pistol gunfight, and there are other pistols, like 380's, that do little more than make a handgun carrier feel safe. Therefore, if you want the slide to lock back, you need to use the magazines that were made specifically for the LCP II. Thanks again, your post was very informative. Theres not a pistol I shot more accurately then this Bersa. If you're at the mall, theater, gas station, busy parking lot, etc., when attacked I doubt that I will be worried about what's behind my assailant. Shoots great with a CrimsonTrace laser. The weapon I carry must be conceable, in an ankle holster. I own a Taurus TCP 738 which I upgraded with Galloway trigger and springs and NiteSighter sight dots. IMHO the trigger is much smoother and easier to use with a lighter pull than the original LCP or the S&W Bodyguard .380 I was comparing. Well done and VERY informative! So I trade off a couple of rounds and a little fire power in order to have the gun with me more often rather than back home in the safe. Being S&W & a Ruger fan, I was so disappointed in the Bodygaurd & the LCP. I'm sure it is because the rental wasn't maintained well. She knows a good gun. I got rid of a bodyguard. The Glock is easiest to recommend to a new shooter. Haven't tried the new Ruger. I've had the Kahr CW380's big brother the CT380 for about a year. I got a Bodyguard a couple years ago. Underwood's use of the Arx +p is significant, and not listed. Got rid of it and got a Sig P238 and a Glock 42. I highly recommend the LCP as an everyday carry. Excellent 380 and shouldve been included in this list. Check out Editors Picks. Other things I didn't like. I took a chance and bought a Remington RM380 and I'm not disappointed. I still have a bunch of old stock and they feed and shoot well. Haven't had a chance to try that out but thanks for the rec. Many years. I go to the range often and am a big fan of the Walther PPQ and Creed models. Is it just me? You are crazy. All the expensive, name brands. The 380 EZ solves this problem, by putting the .380 round in the same size of pistol as the standard M&P Shield, one of the best and most popular carry guns on the market. The range officer called for a cold range and inspected her Glock in disbelief. Copyright 2023 Center for the National Interest All Rights Reserved. The later is for personal defense I had a Ruger LCP and after the third round, the pistol began bouncing around in my hand, not good. There are a lot of disparaging comments about the TCP on the internet, but I love mine. Yes, the LCP II is still a .380 pocket pistol and as a result is still snappy. Ruger Security-380 Concealed-carry and capacity don't always go hand-in-hand, but with the new Ruger Security-380, consumers get a capacity-rich platform that's easy-to-shoot and. The 938 is very close in size and does have a more punch. Copyright 2023 Pew Pew Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Really??? The .380 ACP semi-automatic pistol is one of the most popular categories of concealed carry weapons in the United States and has been for years. The latter country, in the 1980s, made a contract for the purchase of Walther pistols, PP model, in 22 lr caliber. Mine holds 13 rounds, how many has yours got??? Check out our full review of its 9mm brotherthe CW9. Bullet Type : Shotshell Primers Were you perhaps thinking of the first gen LCP? No sharp edges to bother me in my pocket. First time I shot it the slide cut my thumb. Things go bad fast and I want to go home at the end of my shift. (As a 31-year Army combat vet I appreciate decent sights; yes, even on a pistol that is generally considered a "short range" solution.) I currently own 4 .380 pistols. Mine was complete garbage and would come out of battery requiring disassembly! My first experience with what was certainly a 30 lb. I had to go with the .380 for health reasons. The biggest improvement, by far, is the trigger pull. My original idea was to buy the S&W Bodyguard but after looking at both decided to go with the Ruger. I watched a u tube vidoe and made a slight adjustment to the magazine and it runs like a champ now where as before it would failure to feed almost every other shot but the little tweek I made fixed the problem and I haven't had a failure of any kind since. Technically, it's against policy for us to carry on the boo boo bus and if I ever have to use it, I will lose my job. You can check out ammo quest on YouTube for thorough ballistics testing and these are top for the .380. gear. trigger pull. Can put 5 shots into a trash can lid point and shoot at 25 yards. The Remora works great! Concealable Semi-Automatic Handguns: The Top 15 - The Shooter's Log I think the Pico would, on the other hand, please me the way my older S&W revolvers do, when I just handle them -they seem to ask for, and certainly get, appreciation as something more than a tool. Both are easy to carry and both shoot well. For this reason, I recommend only 1911 style p238 firearm, hammer uncocked but a round in the chamber. The data from the Luck Gunner ammo tests helped me arrive at the same conclusionCritical Defense for the 380. DA trigger safer, easier (no external safety), albeit heavier. The trigger pull on the LCP II most closely resembles the trigger on larger striker fired polymer pistols such as the Glock. Consistent, smooth trigger pull from start to finish, very controllable, and accurate for short distance work, and it doesn't look bad. Not yet, and hopefully never will, but it WILL be the one that rides with me. All in all, I love it. When I wanted to downsize somewhat for summer carry I went with the P380. I currently own a S&W Shield, but need something much much smaller to wear on my ankle without moving down to a .22. Check out our full review of the Bodyguard .380 ACP. . Thank's David! Have fired hundreds of rounds with both. Why? Many people place a little too much emphasis on caliber and many are not proficient with their "Big Guns". Yea yea, .380 is underpowered, etc, but if you need something you can handle and/or throw in your pocket, .380 beats a .22 or .32 and anything else is to large to pocket. besides, if you hit the target, the .380 WILL do the trick. The Bodyguard triggers have gotten better, but I absolutely agree. You hit all the points I had questions about. Have both the Sig 238 and 938. I gotta say I agree with your sentiments about the slug. 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. Never skipped a beat. over again. The Lehigh Defense Extreme Penetrator. , If I were to replace my Bodyguard the Ruger LCP would be my choice. This gun is amazing and feeds/extracts EVERY ammo I give it. Josh is a gun writer with several years of experience, who has devoted his life to teaching people about firearms, while continuing to learn himself. Takes about 150 rounds through the gun to train your mind for the trigger pull and, in general, to get familiar with it. I personally carry my Beretta PX4 Compact in .40 S&W concealed during the 96 degree days of summer all the time. With a puny caliber like the 380 Auto (9mm kurz), shot group placement is everything Everything! He said the safety was hard to disengage. 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. Buy your blasters, blaster parts . So, when it comes time that you have to rely on your 380, think long and hard about what's in your hand, and what ammo you are feeding it. I wouldn't discount the veracity of a small, low-recoiling cartridge for two reasons: One, there are people who are better suited to very low-recoiling firearms, not necessarily children or the elderly, and a .410 is probably the most prolific low-recoil shotshell south of the 20, and Two, they can still kill you or me or many a beast on this earth. The Taurus TCP 738 is a highly underrated pistol. Happy with both options!!! It takes a lot more than just having a gun in order to survive an armed surprise ambush. I strongly suggest checking out Kimber. They are very helpful and want you to be happy with your pistol. After performing an in-depth review on one, I found that certain types of ammo didnt cycle properly, to include steel cased, some hollow points, and really high-end self-defense ammo (Lehigh Defense). Weve built dozens of ARs and well cover all the best AR-15 upgrades such as handguards, triggers, BCGs, gas blocks, and more. 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. Success ! towards your level. It's hard to find something online, as almost everyone is talking about JP/JHP rounds. While I'd agree that we've never had a better selection of ammunition for the .380 ACP, and that it is a viable alternative to a .38 Special snub gun, the .38 Special really deserves to compared to the 9 mm Parabellum. Wouldn't trust a striker gun in my pocket, even with a pocket holster. 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! Great tool. The Sig comes with a 6-round magazine, but Sig also makes a 7-rounder for the P238, so you could carry 7 + 1 if willing to carry it cocked and locked. For more info on other calibers, check out our Bullet Guide. IF you think of BUG, think of a true BUG out situation? Rh CZ P07 & CZ P10c chambered in .380. I also added a Magguts conversion to add one more round to the magazine, so now I have 7 + 1 available if I ever need it. I would suggest if you plan to carry any mini handgun try to get a mini version of the full size pistol you use in order to avoid learning another system. Man you really missed one of the best out there. Is a .380 Good Enough for Concealed Carry? - Option Gray When firing repeatedly at the range, the recoil, which I find manageable overall, causes the edge to push into my finger, After a couple of dozen rounds that gets uncomfortable. Learn all the important stuff about handgunswith none of the attitude. Ruger markets the trigger as having a six pound pull. and let me say Where the hell do you expect to conceal your .40 S&W on a 96 degree August day in Florida.! Ive been a lawman for over 40 years and Ive carried many handguns both in uniform and plain clothes. Use Winchester FMJ for practice and Speer Gold Dot HP for carry. I have an AMT Backup in .380 (I also have one in .45 acp). Unhappy surprise I haven't found an extended safety, and I can't put the stock lever to "safe" without shifting my grip or using my off hand. Truth be told I would have paid him $100 to take it and another $50 to never mention that I had shown up with one on my possession. I get that it's so expensive, but I tell you, it WILL the best investment you'll will ever make!!! I also purchased Uncle Mike's. Bersa Thunder 5. I don't know why it keeps appearing in these 380 pocket lists, must be advertising? I recently bought my wife a 380 Thunder and its the only gun Ive found the equals my 383DA. That is why I also picked up the Baby Rock (a baby 45); solid steel frame made the same exact way Rock Island makes their 45's. Owned a S&W Bodyguard 380 for a couple years . Here's the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nycYxb-zNwc&index=48&t=0s&list=WL And in a .380, what's working for me might not work in someone else's pistol. why is the .25 cal never up,i have a 1994 950bs that I shoot without using the sights [which are useless]at about 10 yards and have no problem hitting the target. Have carried a Bersa Thunder for several years now when the weather is too warm for my main carry. It should be telling that the "Judge" (or it's equivalent) has made NO inroads with law enforcement, security, or the military. I own a .380 and I'm confident it will neutralize an attacker upon the first of 1 or 2 shots. There are some things that can help you greatly when it comes time to stop an attacker. The first one says that if your bullet size of choice doesnt start with a 4 its insufficient for self-defense. Peepew tends ro regurgitate older reviews and most likely the Sig wasn't available when the review was conducted. Self defense means close shooting. I'm hoping one pound will make my actual carry more likely in these crazy days. Another great gun is the CPX3 .380 pistol made by SCCY on the east coast of Florida. LCP is the CHEAPEST and SMALLEST springs, etc on a 380 ever). It also feels good and is stupid accurate. Cons mucho $'s, and it's next to impossible to rack the slide without cocking the hammer first. I know there is bad talk about Remington pistols, but this one I have rocks. In turn, out of guns of equal weight the .380 produces nearly half the recoil energy. You left of far and away the best .380 on the market the Springfield 911, best of the bunch as far as recoil and a beautiful gun optically, sights are top of the line right out of the box. Will say that I really liked the Sig because of the night sights,cause goblins come out at night, My p3at , is great. I love mine. Solid, all metal gun. It really likes to digest Remington 88 gr HTP and Remington 102 gr Golden Saber. Cheers, The Taurus TCP is the top of the heap for reliability and value ..by far the most relaiable out there and great trigger also. If you can land multiple shots on an aggressor, in any caliber, theyre more likely to give up or succumb to wounds. I have two Walther PPK/s , and find them to be excellent! Love mine. Im surprised in your updated article Mr. Gillem, you did not mention the Sig Sauer P365-380 (introduced Feb 2022) with the ability to mount a red dot optic like the Sig Sauer ROMEOZero Elite. As long as its kept clean, the firearm is flawless. The P238, as Sig would say, is 1911 inspired.. I practice with it often and agree that it is picky on ammo and that the cheap FMJ ammo cycles the best. I couldn't get even I magazine to fire without 2 or 3 issues. i moved up to a p938 since it isnt much larger. It's easy to appreciate how this applies to the way handguns are designed. The Beretta Pico is a nice gun, very very thin. To start, it seemed heavy so carrying it in my pocket felt pretty funky. The thing is so ergonomically-designed, you don't even know it's in your pocket (holster) most of the time. Go to a gun store and check out the pocket pistols. The 238 is very easy to conceal. When it comes to a 380/9mm Kurtz however, without question, my old Stainless Sig P232 was and remains my favorite. And help you choose the best .380 ACP pistol for self-defense and concealed carry. Then there are the teeny tiny sights. Ruger LCP Max 380 ACP Pistol 4. 16 years and fired thousands of rounds through it. Happy with my choice. Also, the penetration is very low. It is a little heavier but the recoil is super manageable. you hope never to have, the 42 will be there for you. I sent back my SR556VT that I bought new. I agree with you that the sights on the 911 are great for a pocket size pistol and I have no issue with them but I do like the sights on my P238 more. Box of 1000: 10 Sleeves of 100 I use Alien Gear IWB, and put the extra mag in my back pocket. If you can afford a Sig you will not regret it. Check Price. That can be both GOOD and BAD, but Beware of that trigger. All in all Sig for me is the better choice. Hi Charles, are the pictures not showing up on your end? Had a Keltec P3AT And will say I had no problems with it, that being said I have heard others not so lucky sold mine to a friend that had to have it when I bought my P238, once I polished the feed ramp on the Sig it worked flawlessly was pissed that I had to polish the feed ramp on a $575 dollar pistol when a $199.00 pistol ran like a champ. I carried a Walther PPK/S as my CC Weapon for 25+ years. I do find more noticeable recoil when using this ammo. This only naturally makes it more difficult to fire properly like we just talked about. (Available in 9mm, .380 ACP or .45 ACP. And with such a tiny increment in size & weight, the Max capacity gives it the nod over the II. Also, the P238 slide is easier to rack/manipulate than many other mouse-guns. I could go on and on. The stopping power, recoil management, and availability make it a more popular pistol caliber than the .380 ACP, and rightfully so. Reliability I have had zero problems feeding anything. I even carry it sometime in my pocket as back up to my Glock 17 which I should say it way sweeet (the 17).