Pocket .380 vs Snub .38

[Armored farmer]

I go back and forth on the subject.
Flatter profile, higher capacity, better sights, longer sight radius, quicker reloads, easier field stripping, lower cost, smoother edges, longer barrel.....all point to an auto.
Power goes to the revolver.

Some will boast that a revolver is more reliable, but I disagree. In fact, I think I have had more critical failures with a revolver.

In the end, you will carry what you like best. If that is a revolver, regardless of everything else, buy the revolver and be happy. I like them too.

 

[vintovka]

In the end only the ability to have a weapon available and to use it effectively counts. This especially, in the heat of the moment where state of mind, fear, mechanical safety's, physical limitations all come together in a split second.

 

[SDGlock23]

Nice, enjoy the Max! The thing is, the larger .380’s, from Glock 42 on up, shoot better but start to lose the benefits of micro pistols. I got a .380 specifically for those benefits.

Speaking of larger, I’d like to try shooting the .380 Sig 365.

I understand what you're saying. Shot the LCP Max, only shot one box of 95gr Federal FMJ through it but it shot well, hitting POA @7ds, about golf ball sized groups but its capable of better I'm sure. Could have shot longer distance as the sight setup is really pretty good for such a small gun, it has very usable sights (unlike earlier LCP's) but I was just getting a feel for it. Function was flawless and recoil wasn't bad, more than a G42 but it also has twice the capacity and is notably smaller (also have the factory 12rd mag), definitely not uncontrollable to shoot though. Cool little gun, glad I bought it.

 

[Autodidactic]

I understand what you're saying. Shot the LCP Max, only shot one box of 95gr Federal FMJ through it but it shot well, hitting POA @7ds, about golf ball sized groups but its capable of better I'm sure. Could have shot longer distance as the sight setup is really pretty good for such a small gun, it has very usable sights (unlike earlier LCP's) but I was just getting a feel for it. Function was flawless and recoil wasn't bad, more than a G42 but it also has twice the capacity and is notably smaller (also have the factory 12rd mag), definitely not uncontrollable to shoot though. Cool little gun, glad I bought it.

Glad it's working out. I wouldn't mind one myself, with the upgraded capacity, sights, and trigger.

As you can tell, I'm a big fan of the micro pistols for carrying. However, I also have a snubbie I like. I just find that in warm weather or less clothing it's harder to carry some of the bigger guns, yes even snubbies. Wearing limited clothing, gym shorts, maybe a light tshirt, etc, makes it harder to pack even a snubbie well. Concealed that is. Just about anything can be packed open carry.

 

[chicharrones]

I go back and forth on the subject.
Flatter profile, higher capacity, better sights, longer sight radius, quicker reloads, easier field stripping, lower cost, smoother edges, longer barrel.....all point to an auto.
Power goes to the revolver.

Some will boast that a revolver is more reliable, but I disagree. In fact, I think I have had more critical failures with a revolver.

In the end, you will carry what you like best. If that is a revolver, regardless of everything else, buy the revolver and be happy. I like them too.

Same here. Mostly due to autoloaders popping mags off the mag catch, in my personal experience.

While I've had revolvers bind up, so far that has only occured to me after many rounds down the pipe after the start of a shooting session. I've yet to have a revolver issue when the revolver is clean, inspected, and sitting in a holster after a previously successful shooting session.

So out of those two situations regarding pocket guns, I currently distrust the possible loose mag autoloader more than a revolver that I expect to at least finish off a cylinder full of ammo.

Doesn't mean that I don't make do with either type of gun, though.

 

[Armored farmer]

As

Doesn't mean that I don't make do with either type of gun, though.

Agreed
I carried my Hellcat to church and got home and swapped for my Sp101.

 

[tactikel]

LCP hands down. Get quality SD ammo. You have a smaller, lighter, accurate gun with 2 more rounds.
Experiment on carry options, and you will find it disappears in most casual wear.

 

[shooter1]

As total concealment is a priority, get a belt clip for your pistol. It makes the Ruger or Kel Tec practically invisible even with a tucked shirt. Belt clip over the waist band and behind the belt.

 

[Buckeye63]

I have both .. I lean towards revolver (642)
And I own the LCP Max & TCP

 

[KyJim]

I have the first gen Ruger LCP and a couple of snubby revolvers. The LCP conceals better for me when carrying in a pocket holster, but the trigger is crappy and it, along with my lack of practice with it, limits my accuracy to point blank range. New, lighter springs in my SW 637 makes it more shootable, but switching to lighter springs mandates checking function with a variety of ammo.

 

[shooter1]

Good call, I'll take a less than ideal trigger any day over a very high provability of light strikes.

 

[aaaaa]

I have the first gen Ruger LCP and a couple of snubby revolvers. The LCP conceals better for me when carrying in a pocket holster, but the trigger is crappy and it, along with my lack of practice with it, limits my accuracy to point blank range. New, lighter springs in my SW 637 makes it more shootable, but switching to lighter springs mandates checking function with a variety of ammo.

Probably most times you need to use the revolver will be at point blank range.

 

[Buckeye63]

I know we are discussing the 380 & 38Spl
But ..I have a 44spl that fits the mold
This is one of my BUGs and jacket/ coat pocket guns

 

[aaaaa]

^ Boomer! A fitting name. How is the recoil on that? I would be inclined to get the Hogue Tamer grip. What is is loaded with, empty cases?

 

[Buckeye63]

^ Boomer! A fitting name. How is the recoil on that? I would be inclined to get the Hogue Tamer grip. What is is loaded with, empty cases?

Those are custom hard polymer grip panels, I want smallest grips possible.. pocket carry
Loaded with 200gr Gold dots
It kicks a bit

 

[vintovka]

^ Boomer! A fitting name. How is the recoil on that? I would be inclined to get the Hogue Tamer grip. What is is loaded with, empty cases?

look close- not empty but fearfully full.

 

[aaaaa]

look close- not empty but fearfully full.

Hollow points with broad tips or wadcutters?

 

[aaaaa]

Those are custom hard polymer grip panels, I want smallest grips possible.. pocket carry
Loaded with 200gr Gold dots
It kicks a bit

Yeah, I should of left the stock grip on my 642 as now it sticks out of my pocket slightly. May have to go back to them. Not like I am going to be shooting the 642 at the range much.

 

[Buckeye63]

Hollow points with broad tips or wadcutters?

200gr Gold Dots …

 

[Autodidactic]

Yeah, I should of left the stock grip on my 642 as now it sticks out of my pocket slightly. May have to go back to them. Not like I am going to be shooting the 642 at the range much.

I had the Tamers you mentioned on my 642 for a while just to get used to shooting a snubby. I shot about 4-500 rounds through it over time, got better shooting it, and recently put back on the original grips just for carry ease.

 

[aaaaa]

I had the Tamers you mentioned on my 642 for a while just to get used to shooting a snubby. I shot about 4-500 rounds through it over time, got better shooting it, and recently put back on the original grips just for carry ease.

Yep, I put the Tamer on before I ever even shot it because I was jerking the gun pulling the trigger in dry fire. The Tamer moved my hand back enough so the trigger fit better, but tonight I put the old grip back on and I seem fine with the trigger now. I have about 475 rounds through the gun at this time and will not likely put much more through it since it is an aluminum frame. I have other revolvers for the range. Definitely fits in my pocket much better with the original grip.

 

[aaaaa]

Yep, I put the Tamer on before I ever even shot it because I was jerking the gun pulling the trigger in dry fire. The Tamer moved my hand back enough so the trigger fit better, but tonight I put the old grip back on and I seem fine with the trigger now. I have about 475 rounds through the gun at this time and will not likely put much more through it since it is an aluminum frame. I have other revolvers for the range. Definitely fits in my pocket much better with the original grip.

I find that it is much harder to draw from pocket with a decent grip using the smaller and shorter stock grip. The tamer was much easier, but stuck to the edge of the pocket, so was not exactly concealable. I wonder if there is some other aftermarket grip that would make drawing easier while keeping things short (maybe fatter). Or maybe I need a different pocket holster that rides the gun just slightly higher in the pocket.

 

[Mikhail Weiss]

Well, of those choices, I’d go with the Ruger LCP, plus at least one spare magazine. In my hands, it seems the ultra-concealable of the two, it holds more rounds, and it is more quickly reloaded. And yes, I would carry a spare magazine.

Having done that work in the past, under similar circumstances, my choice was different. Having made that choice, I measured distances inside the store and out between where I might be working to where I might potentially encounter a customer/villain and discovered those distances to be from three to thirty-five feet. I practiced drawing from concealment and shooting effectively at those ranges, and I also devised other plans to skedaddle via one of three potential exits (one of them usually locked to the outside).

I assume that you are a reasonable person and will likewise make reasonable preparations.

Whatever your choice, may you always have it and never need it.

 

[Rockrivr1]

Have both and have carried both. I thought the 642 patterned more in my pocket so I wasn't thrilled with carrying it. Settled some time ago with a Keltec P3AT. It's a close range point and shoot gun that disappears in my pocket so for me it's the better summer carry gun.

 

[Autodidactic]

Honestly, while I like my 642, snubbies take much more practice to both get proficient and stay proficient. Yes, even pocket autos while requiring practice too, are easier to get up to speed.