.380 carry piece

[Holo]

What do you guys use? I'm looking for a pocket sized .380 preferably polymer but if its steel thats ok too.

My current focus is on the Ruger LCP or the Kel-Tec P3AT. Are there any others that are reliable enough for EDC that are worth taking a look at?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Mad Magyar]

Ruger LCP

This is one is way over-rated and IMHO has set back the fad of minituarized firearms for comfort and carry...I prefer steel; hence a PPK that has withstood the test of time...Not familiar with the Keltec model you mentioned.

 

[joe_security]

Kahr P380

 

[Sgt_R]

Kahr P380

That is my preference as well.

R

 

[NHSHTR]

Also look at the Bersa Thunder 380. Small and accurate.

 

[bikemutt]

The Ruger LCP and Karh 380 are quite different cost-wise. My gut instinct tells me the Kahr is probably the better piece. But the LCP is good enough for what I needed, and could afford.

 

[ukon]

S&W Bodyguard 380

 

[franco45]

I really like the Kahr P380. But I have a Ruger LCP in my pocket as we speak. It is light and reliable. I could afford the Ruger. I will have the Kahr when finances allow. I have 2 Bersas that are very reliable and fun to shoot but they are not pocket pistols. (even though I have pocket carried my 380 CC)

 

[Pops 1]

Ruger LCP, never leave home with out it.

 

[Holo]

I'm leaning towards the LCP. Buddy of mine carries one in his back pocket in a Desantis nemisis and it rides really nice.

I shot the LCP at the range and it did have a bit of a bite on my trigger finger but this isn't a range toy so that would be acceptable. The accuracy was surprisingly good for a pistol of that size.
The bodyguard is another nice choice but from some reports i've read on it the general consensus is to wait until S&W irons out some of the kinks first.

Also the Kahr is a bit out of my price range.

Any first hand experience with either the p3at or the LCP would be appreciated. (ie. range reports, field stripping and cleaning, what JHP feeds well...)

 

[azranger]

A beretta 13 round model 84.

 

[benzy2]

My LCP has fired everything without an issue. It has feed everything from factory FMJ, factory HPs, handloaded FMJ, and handloaded HPs all without ever a hiccup. Accuracy has been decent at SD distances. Field stripping is ok. The take down pin takes either a blade/flat head or the rim of an empty case to be removed. After that it is pretty straight forward. I really don't have a negative to say about it. I'm not sure it is better than some of the others out there either, but I don't regret buying it one bit.

 

[click clack]

Sig P238?

 

[MICHAEL T]

Bersa better belt than pocket I have carried mine in my winter coat pocket but not pants.

 

[cfullgraf]

What do you guys use? I'm looking for a pocket sized .380 preferably polymer but if its steel thats ok too.

My current focus is on the Ruger LCP or the Kel-Tec P3AT. Are there any others that are reliable enough for EDC that are worth taking a look at?

Thanks in advance.

I have a Colt 1908, Beretta M84, Colt Mustang, Kel Tec P3AT, Sig P238, and Walther PPK. I guess i am not 380 ACP poor!

In my opinion...

The Colt 1908 is to big and too valuable to carry everyday, my grandfather carried it in France during WWI.

The Beretta M84 is to big for pocket carry but marvelously reliable. Mine has had in excess of 3000 rounds through it and I have retired it for future needs.

I love the Colt Mustang. Reliable and I can shoot it well at obscene ranges for a pocket 380. Carried it for a couple decades. It has deserved a well earned retirement especially since its value has been going up. I plan to get a new Colt Mustang Pocketlite when the new ones hit the market. I hope it is as good as the Mustang.

The Kel Tec P3AT is a great pocket pistol but I don't feel I can be effective with it beyond 5 to 8 yards. DA trigger is the issue.

The Sig P238 was purchased to take the place of the Mustang. Mine is a late 2009 model, has been ok but has had enough reliability issues to give me concern. It has seemed to work better with the new flat recoil spring. I recently began struggling with the cocked and lock carry for the way I prefer to carry.

I just bought the Walther PPK. It is bigger than I expected but definitely thinner than the Beretta M84. I like shooting it single action although the double action trigger sucks. Time will tell on this.

I am still struggling on a good carry 380. The P3AT is the easiest to conceal but has limitations. I am hoping the PPK will fit my needs but time will tell.

It is a difficult choice. Good luck.

 

[X-Rap]

I have taken to the KelTec quite well, prior to that I carried a NAA and felt it was very solid but because of that it was also very heavy. My dad has the Ruger with CT laser and likes it. The nice thing about the little polymers is that you can always have it with you, I even have a kydex that hangs around my neck.

 

[RinkRat]

The Sig P238 is a little bit bigger then the Kahr P380 and the P380 is very close in size to the Ruger LCP. The P238 and the P380 are out of my allowance range which is closely regulated but my Queen So I have the LCP and have no regrets Not that my druthers wouldn’t be that I’d like to get a P238 but her majesty would behead my fanny if I showed up in her kingdom with it ,,, No actually she’d use it on me first, then cut off my head, and then shoot my beheaded head too just to get her point across

 

[reuben mishler]

I've heard bad things about Rugers LCP. Friends of mine have said that while gripping the handle during firing, sometimes the magazine release is pressed by accident, thus causing a jam.

My opinion would be to go with the Bersa 380, which is carried by the Israeli army as a side arm, or go with a SIG 232 which is just like a PPK.

Good luck with your choice

 

[kokapelli]

My opinion would be to go with the Bersa 380, which is carried by the Israeli army as a side arm, or go with a SIG 232 which is just like a PPK.

Where did you get that information from? The Israeli army's sidearm is the Jericho 941 9mm pistol.

 

[Smoovbiscuit]

The trigger pull on the ruger LCP kills me! I'd go bersa thunder or karh if youve got the cash

 

[haslethandgunner]

I also have an lcp and it is very reliable. Shot lots of different fmj and jhp with no problems.

 

[OpelBlitz]

My brother, mom and dad each carry an LCP. When I fired it, I did not like it at all. I much preferred my brother's old S&W Airweight revolver that he replaced.

 

[aussiedog20]

I just got the LCP yesterday and love it. I've carried everything, but for "ME" the LCP is simple to carry, and does what I ask it to.

 

[Holo]

Traded in my S&W .22 and bought the LCP today. I tried a few of the new ones they had and snagged the one with the best trigger. I am for sure going to put some paint on the front sight because it is a b**** to see even in good lighting. Its a little painful to shoot but I saw in another thread that someone put some rubber grip tape on it which would help with the snappy kick it has.

All in all i have no buyer's remorse which is a good thing. Downside is that it only comes with 1 mag and the kel-tec comes with 2. Thank God there is a gun show about once a month here in my area.

Anyone know what JHPs it likes? I'm leaning towards golden sabers just because thats what i keep in my XD. Obviously some reliability testing will be needed but I'll wait until after the end of month/first of month bills to do that.

 

[SammyJankis]

walter ppk, sig p230 or p232. the 230's are sweet and the prices are deflated a bit cuzzz of the 232.