A Pocketable .380 that will hold up at range

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Jabr0ney

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So i currently have a smith 442 j frame and love it more than anything, but the florida heat is starting to make it a hassle. I know a lot of people carry 1911s in this heat, but IWB simply doesnt work for me due to sweat/rubbing.

That being said im looking for a pocket carry. J Frame is too bulky for me and most of my short pockets. That leaves me looking for a pocketable .380, but i need it to be able to handle constant range time. By constant i mean 25-50 rounds every 1-2 weeks. Been looking at the KT P3AT, but unsure of it holding up with constant practice. The Micro Desert Eagle has caught my eye, but seems a bit pricey. Trying to stay around the $300 range. Any and all suggestions appreciated!
 
I had a P3AT that went well over 3000, (I quit counting after 3000) rounds before it gave out with only occasional replacement of recoil springs. Kel Tec sent me a brand new P3AT after one of the rails broke.

My Sig P238 looks like it's going to hold up well and I also have a Micro Desert Eagle that is built like a tank, but very punishing to shoot.
 
how is the MDEs recoil compared to a j frame? Also the LCP lasts a while through range use?
 
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Kahr P380, I carry it daily in my pocket, and shoots great every time with low recoil compared with my LCP. LM
 
I recently had the chance to use two SIG P238s in Florida, they were purchased at the same time by a husband and his wife. Performed flawlessly for me and my sister and there have been no reported issues with those specific pistols.
The P238 is a very nice pistol.
 
As was mentioned before...LCP.
I like mine so much I actually bought another new one last week to place back in storage in case something happens to my current one.
 
I vote Bodyguard (let the flaming begin), headshots at 10yds on an IDPA target are no problem after you get accustomed to the trigger pull. At 10yds I'm better with my BG than I am with my XD though 25yds is a different story.
 
$300? No. I don't know much about guns like the P3AT.

If you can come up with the extra cash for a Sig P238 though, you won't be disappointed. Probably the sweetest shooting pocket .380 in its class, puts the LCP/P3AT and Bodyguard to shame.
 
Jabr0ney said:
how is the MDEs recoil compared to a j frame? Also the LCP lasts a while through range use?
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The MDE hurts my hand more than a J frame but follow up shots with the MDE are fast. I never shoot more than three magazines with MDE because of the pain it causes.

The MDE has been flawless and shoots every kind of ammo I put into it, but it isn't a range gun.

Of all the true pocket 380 pistols I have shot, none come even close to the P238 at the range.

The P238 is by far the softest shooting and the fastest follow up of any of the pistols in this class.

The fact that the P238 is a single action may turn some people off. It's an individual thing.
 
I know a lot of people carry 1911s in this heat, but IWB simply doesnt work for me due to sweat/rubbing.
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Is untucking your shirt an option? I went to OWB long ago and never looked back.
 
Sig P238, the only .380 that I have owned out of 4 that was actually enjoyable to shoot @ the range.
 
The $300 requirement sort of limits your options. If you can go higher I would suggest the Kahr P380, it's a soft shooter and well put together. As far as the MDE is concerned, I have to say that kokapelli is correct in his assessment although I think he's being a little kind. I had one briefly and it was BRUTAL, range practice being reduced to how much discomfort you could stand. It was well built, strong, and small but did I mention BRUTAL to shoot. Good luck in your search.
 
As much as i would love the kahr p380 or a sig p238, they just arent in my price range at the moment.

Is the Sig p238 comfortable in the pocket? Compared to say a j frame?

Is the S&W Bodyguard .380 any good?
 
Jabr0ney said:
As much as i would love the kahr p380 or a sig p238, they just arent in my price range at the moment.

Is the Sig p238 comfortable in the pocket? Compared to say a j frame?

Is the S&W Bodyguard .380 any good?
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The P238 is thinner than a J Frame, so maybe a little more comfortable in that respect and don't forget it holds 7 rounds.
 
Jabr0ney said:
As much as i would love the kahr p380 or a sig p238, they just arent in my price range at the moment.

Is the Sig p238 comfortable in the pocket? Compared to say a j frame?

Is the S&W Bodyguard .380 any good?
Click to expand...
Got a P238 and a J-frame, no problem pocket carrying either of them. The 238 is the easier of the pair to carry/conceal in a pocket. It's thinner and slightly shorter.
 
Taurus TCP 738. Less recoil and more accurate than the p3at or lcp (to me). $199 new
 
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