Pocket Carry 380's

My MDE is snappy, but I expected it to be. Any pistol that size is going to be.

Not meant hours of range work. Ya know?

I put some skate board tape on the front and rear of the grip just for some added "hold on to it ability" as I have the sweaty palms in the summer.

The MDE had 1 FTE. It was the very first shot fired! My heart sunk. But that was the only issue in 2-boxes now.

It is stainless & nickle. No rust problem here, which is good considering I live in a virtual swamp (and don't forget those sweaty hands!).

At 7-yards it was more than accurate enough.

All in all I like it. It is my go everywhere pocket pistol for summer carry, which around here is about 8 months per year.

I have the Kahr P380 and the NAA 380 Guardian. The P380 is most definitely a pocket gun. I carry it in my front pocket in an Uncle Mike's pocket holster. My P380 has shown itself very reliable after +/- 300 rounds.
The 380 Guardian had many failures so I sent it back to NAA. NAA changed some springs and smoothed an polished the ramp and chamber. I just got it back so I have yet to test it. I like the look and feel of the little NAA. However; it is a bit heavier than the Kahr.

KelTec and Colt Mustangs

Carry guns, I like expensive guns, but carry a KelTec. If a cop takes it it's no biggy. Mine's reliable, small and light.
The best way to have a gunfight is to know about it ahead of time, then fail to show up.
If you have to show up bring a rifle. If you can't bring a rifle bring something powerful and accurate, weight doesn't matter because you know when and where it's coming down, right? So you break out a sweat walking to it.

If you were positive you'd never need it then carrying a gun is stupid.

The point is that for most of us the choice is all a compromise based on something that hasn't happened yet and may never happen. My position is to avoid gunfights at all costs, but in my low threat environment my plastic .380 is adequate, I hope my guesses are correct.

Added, there is some concern that the Seecamp is so small it might get lost in evidence after the shoot! A cheaper small gun strangely has more chance to get returned to you no mater how small it is. Weird.

It may be marginally wider on paper than the p3at, but it is substantially wider when put it in the pocket.

Yes, on top of each other they take up the same area, but not in width. The R9 is wider by a noticeable amount.

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I currently own 3 Kel-Tec P3AT's, and 2 Rohrbaugh's, I can't tell one difference when actively carrying in my back pocket, and they use the same Nemesis holster. The weight and width are negligible, and are NOT substantial when in the pocket! (assuming your not doing Yoga in spandex pants). On the other hand I can tell a difference btw my R9 and Seecamp in my pocket.

Mike

NAA Guardian is often overlooked, but it is heavy and might not be for everyone's pocket carry. I would agree that Seecamp 380 is probably the best choice - I should probably get inline.

Taurus TCP i saw for 279

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Saw one for that at Academy yesterday, stainless slide. Nice gun. I've talked myself out of buying a .380, though, because I rarely carry the one I have now. It's a reliable gun, old Grendel P12. It's 12 ounces, same length and height as the LCP, but 1" thick due to its double stack magazine. I don't care much for the trigger on it, stiff at first, then lets off, kinda weird, and you really have to let out on it for the sear to reset. I had to trim off some of the side of the front of the trigger guard to have room for my finger.

Anyway, it holds 12 rounds and has my preferred heal clip magazine catch that sitting on will NOT cause the mag to be released in the pocket. The mag release is a really ergonomic design, too, best I've run across. I would rather carry this gun due to these features, frankly, than the TCP or LCP or P3AT even if it's a little thicker. It fits in a pocket just fine. BUT, my P11 9x19 fits in a pocket just fine, too, ain't THAT much bigger and packs more punch. The subcompact 9s have surplanted the .380s far as I'm concerned and I don't even have a PF9 let alone a Rohrbaugh which is as small as these .380s, but costs as much as 3 of 'em put together.

If I were to get one, I think it'd be the TCP in stainless. I just prefer stainless. And, the price is great! LCPs are going for 320 here. I saw one of the new plated slide LCPs for 399! I don't think so. I'll carry blue before I do that. Can't see it in a pocket anyway, ya know. So what it's got some wear.

Seven shots of CZech quality!




I'd like to eventually pick up a blued one.

I have both the Kel-Tec P3AT and a Micro Eagle. The ME is heavier than the P3AT but much more accurate. I usually carry the Micro Eagle because it's a better weapon and conceals as well as the Kel-Tec. In winter I carry a Taurus PT111 Mil Pro or S&W 59.

IJ70-17A

Not the smallest .380, but I can hoof it in my pocket and it goes BANG like a Makarov should.

Steve Pearson said:

My MDE is snappy, but I expected it to be. Any pistol that size is going to be.

Not meant hours of range work. Ya know?

I put some skate board tape on the front and rear of the grip just for some added "hold on to it ability" as I have the sweaty palms in the summer.

The MDE had 1 FTE. It was the very first shot fired! My heart sunk. But that was the only issue in 2-boxes now.

It is stainless & nickle. No rust problem here, which is good considering I live in a virtual swamp (and don't forget those sweaty hands!).

At 7-yards it was more than accurate enough.

All in all I like it. It is my go everywhere pocket pistol for summer carry, which around here is about 8 months per year.

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The MDE is not stainless. It has a nickel coated slide and an alloy frame.

Mine is also 100% and after painting the front sight is very accurate at defensive distances.

My two favorite pocket carry items:

A) S&W M&P 340 Revolver (13.3 ounce J Frame) 5 rounds of 38 spl plus P or .357 magnum.
I know it is OT but it makes a great pocket carry, and is a more robust round than the .380s.



If I need something smaller the Seecamp LWS .380. It will hide most anywhere.



I also have a Kahr PM 9 which is on the edge of pocket carry at 16 ounces empty.

Same here more roundage, pocketable in 9mm. As mentioned, an easier round to source.

The MDE is not stainless. It has a nickel coated slide and an alloy frame.

Mine is also 100% and after painting the front sight is very accurate at defensive distances.

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The MDE is very accurate way past "defense distance".

52 yards. Standing, two hands. Two shots just under the target because I wasn't correcting enough for the gun shooting a little low.

In the new pocket 380 class I think there are 2 distinct categories. In the first one belongs the Sig, Kahr, Seecamp and in the second belongs the LCP, P3AT, Diamondback, NAA. Just my opinion here though.

In the new pocket 380 class I think there are 2 distinct categories. In the first one belongs the Sig, Kahr, Seecamp and in the second belongs the LCP, P3AT, Diamondback, NAA. Just my opinion here though.

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What about the Micro DE and the Taurus TCP?? It looks like your classes are pretty much split on price so would the Micro be in the first class & the TCP in the second??

Anyone run into the new S&W Body Guard .380 yet? IIRC it is priced in the $400 range.

Kony,
I haven't ever shot a MDE but maybe it should be in that class also. The Taurus belongs in the same class as Jimenez Arms, Hi Points and Bryco stuff. Again, in my experienced opinion.

03Shadowbob said:

In the new pocket 380 class I think there are 2 distinct categories. In the first one belongs the Sig, Kahr, Seecamp and in the second belongs the LCP, P3AT, Diamondback, NAA. Just my opinion here though.

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What defines the two categories?

DAdams said:

Anyone run into the new S&W Body Guard .380 yet? IIRC it is priced in the $400 range.

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Unless you were at the Shot Show or were privileged to evaluate any of the prototypes, you will not personally see any until at least May when they are due to reach distribution. Several online retailers have begun listing them as back-ordered near the price you suggest. Bud's allows you to be put on a notification list.

As has oft been said, the best pistol is the one you LIKE to shoot, and will indeed practice with.

I recently encountered a problem with that damn date on my driver's license, hence am somewhat in flux regarding pocket pistols. When I was 50ish I enjoyed silhouette shoots with my .44 mag. Times have changed.

Loved my S&W 342 .38 +P aluminum frame, 13 oz. However my aged hand decided recently it hurt like the devil to shoot. OK for a defensive situation but not at all OK for practice, practice, practice.

So I am trying maybe three different things at once (that SIG P238 sounds interesting, but me I got a P232. Some day I hope to actually get some .380ACP ammunition & see if I can in fact handle it). The P232 is just barely a pocket pistol, fits in my Uncle Mike No. 4 pocket holster. Weighs about 24 oz so hand should tolerate the recoil. One can carry it w a round in chamber, no safety switch to hopefully remember under stress.

Meanwhile, I have on back-order from Midway some 148gr Wadcutter modest velocity target ammo, which may or may not reduce the pain w S&W 342. Also have some new grips on order for said S&W. And, finally, I just got the S&W Model 640, an honest-to-garsh steel gun weighing about 24 oz. Not so easy to carry, gotta be less painful to shoot. It says .357 mag, I will be content w 38 spl. Tomorrow night shall try it out.

I offer for your consideration that, of the printed reviews available, Gun Tests accepts no ads. They include reliability in their evaluations, and do not always speak favorably of a given pistol. Ruger, S&W and SIG usually come out very well, as does I believe Glock.

If you search for the cheapest available, consider what price you are placing on your own life. None of these guns are cheap, especially once you consume a few hundred rounds in practice.

Which I hope to do once I settle my current condition (birth date related). Kinda doubt that it will improve, but at least it gives me an excuse to buy another gun. Or so.

Can you believe it, I traded a Colt Mustang pocketlite in stainless about 8 years ago. I can't believe I did that!!! I bought it for $400.

S&W is releasing two new pocket pistols in their "Bodyguard Line" in may. Semi auto is DAO with thumb safety (unusual). Revolver is standard .38 type. Both have built in lasers. See below.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...&storeId=10001&catalogId=11101&content=754501