.380 Auto Reccomendations

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Why choose a .380 over a 9mm?

P3At ____________ Pf9
Weight 8.3oz ______ 12.7oz
Length 5.2" _______ 5.85"
Height 3.5" _______ 4.3"
Width 0.77" _______ 0.88"
Cap. 6+1 ________ 7+1
Cal. .380acp ______ 9mm
 
As someone who bought two new LCP's at a local gun show, and ended up with both not keeping the mag in the grip (defective release mechanism), I would caution you to carefully inspect the one you intend to buy carefully. The dealer who sold both to me refused to exchange them, and I had to get the problem corrected through Ruger - I didn't notice the mag latch issue at the show.

Ruger's customer service was excellent, though. I had both guns back within 10 days - shipping paid by Ruger both ways - and the included two new mags (with finger extensions) and two $25 coupons for Ruger stuff. I posted the entire event in this thread.

I picked the LCP over the KT p3at based on its cleaner fit and finish (among other things). I did suffer from buyer's remorse until today when I got them back from AZ.
 
First choice; if cost is not an issue you can get a 9mm and don't have to drop to .380 if you get a Rohrbaugh.

Second choice; in .380 if you really want a gun you can carry comfortably in a pocket, my personal preferences in order are:
1. Kel-Tec P-3AT (Best overall value)
2. Ruger LCP (Very good overall value)
3. Seecamp .380 (Expensive)
4. NAA Guardian .380 (A bit heavy in weight and trigger pull)

Third choice; a bit larger, but maybe still pocketable you can go to a more a powerful 9mm. My personal preferences in order are:
1. Kel-Tec PF9 (Best overall value)
2. Kahr PM9 (Expensive)
3. Kel-Tec P-11 (A bit thick because it's a double-stack)

Fourth choice; Bersas, Sigs, and Wathers for a .380 are quite large and heavy for pocket carry. The 9mm's mentioned above are smaller and lighter.

Bobo
 
I bought a Bersa Thunder .380 It's a nice little gun, very inexpensive and accurate.

I am looking for a smaller gun yet for the same reason. I'm looking at the Beretta Tomcat in .32ACP
 
Add my vote for the Bersa Thunder; I'm carrying one now.
I once owned a nice Walther PPK/S, and was very pleased with it. Only downside was the lack of a slidelock. I had to let it go many years ago during some hard times.
The LCP looks nice, but I don't have the scratch (besides, I don't need another .380 auto.)
 
Keltec

awesome customer service and super warranty and the lightest and smallest 380 I could find. The 9 mm is also a great shooter and pretty small. GET A KELTEC YOU WILL THANK ME!
 
Why choose a .380 over a 9mm?

P3At ____________ Pf9
Weight 8.3oz ______ 12.7oz
Length 5.2" _______ 5.85"
Height 3.5" _______ 4.3"
Width 0.77" _______ 0.88"
Cap. 6+1 ________ 7+1
Cal. .380acp ______ 9mm
__________________
ChuteTheMallGawdSortaMount

Because a 20%+ increase in overall height and a 10%+ increase in overall length makes a huge difference. A P3AT and other similar sized guns can plausibly be made to print like a wallet. PF9s and so on are too big for that.
 
I recently purchased a Bersa Thunder .380 and it's not bad considering you can get one for under $300.00.

So far I've only shot it at the range 1 time but it is accurate and I didn't experience any jams.

For some it might be a little heavy but it's not as heavy as my 9mm. Besides, I'll trade a little weight over say the LCP and the P3AT to get a grip that I can actually get more than one finger on.

Did I mention that the price is right? One model is priced at $239.00.
 
If your model 60 is a snubnose you can put it in your pocket. Tons of people carry j-frames in their pockets, including me.

+1. I had a Kel Tec P32 that gave me problems several years ago. I traded it for a 637 J frame that I carry in a Desantis Nemesis holster. It works great for me.
 
380 for CCW

I just sold my BT two tone that I'd had for several years for $175. Not because there was anything wrong with it, but because I'm getting 380 poor. Personally I think the BT is probably the best little 380 for the money on the market today. However, it's too large and heavy for me to want to pocket carry, but you might want to get a Kramer MSP Paddle holster. That would be a great match for ccw with :)any of the smaller 380's like the BT, Sig, Walther, etc.
JimK
 
Not to Pooh-pooh the whole question... but you specifically said you are looking for something because you want to tuck your shirt in...

I always tuck my shirt in, and I carry a full size 1911 (or a commander, or my officers... but that's not relevant)

they make IWB holsters, and then they make TUCKABLE IWB holsters. Crossbreed, CompTac and others make great ones.

(corssbreed's web site has a great little animation of how this all works)

I can think of several different manufacturers that have tuckables for the XD 40 in stock and waiting to send out.

rhoggman,
Are you SURE you're not just in the market for a better holster???
 
But... to answer the question...

If you really do want to buy a .380 ;
Bersa 380CC is the way to go IMHO... small as the Sig232 or Walther PPK, and 1/2 the price. My brother bought one and is almost done talking me into getting one too (just for plinking ... and his alternative motive is that then I would be reloading .380 rounds. I would probably not carry a .380, but if I ever were to do it, it would be with a bersa).
 
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