Comparison of 380's Which one to buy.

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tiger1873

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I didn't know what 380 to buy so being that I couldn't decided I ended up buying more then one.:D I am still wondering about the Kahr 380 so if you own one chime in.

Lot's of info out there on them. I thought I could give some insight since I shot some of them enough to give a good review. I brought a Diamondback 380 nd a taurus tcp and a friend brought a ruger lcp so we tried all them out.

One thing I found out is all micro 380''s I tested seem to simular issues that you need to be aware of.

The first thing I noticed is on these small guns it easy to think you racked them when in fact you did not. After a couple hundred rounds they all seem to get better since they loosen up a bit. But it's easy to not fully chamber a round.

Second you need to make sure the mag is loaded properly. If the bullet isn't in the mag FULLY PUSHED BACK it will either jam or fail to feed. You should not load up mag and not have one in the chamber since it may fail to feed if the bullet moves around. I now load one less in the extra mag and carry it with one in the chamber. With loaded and the chamber it seems to hold the mag tight and you should be fine.


Personally I like the Diamondback 380 the best. It has good sights and can shoot 100 rounds without really getting that tired. The trigger is actually not bad once you get used to it. It is also the most accurate of the bunch. I now use this gun as a daily carry.

The Tarus TCP comes in a very close second. The trigger is really good and it seems to be very accurate. The lock back also is very nice. It also seems to be the 380 that is least picky about ammo. After shooting a 100 rounds though you hand gets a little tired and the sights really don't compare to the diamondback. so with the sights and comfort of shooting I would give the Diamondback the edge.

My buddy has a Ruger LCP and over all it is a great gun. The trigger though is awful and it really is not as comfortable to shoot. There was 4 us shooting at the range and we thought the LCP had a awful trigger compared to the other guns we were shooting. But it does get the job done and is reliable. My buddy is looking at buying a Taurus or Diamondback he is leaning towards the Taurus because they have been around longer and he likes the trigger better.

I avoided the kel-tec because the fit and finish just isn't up to the other 380's out there. If I was considering a ruger I would probaly buy the Kel-Tex since it's cheaper and I not buy a gun I like to shoot.

The Kahr 380 is something that I am interested in. The fact I could buy 2 guns for the price of one was why I didn't buy one right now. I am suspecting that the kahr 380 is probably the best 380 out there. I view the diamondback as a cheaper alternative and a good one but the Karh does not look too shabby.
 
mouseguns.com http://www.mouseguns.com/
great resource, as for which one, well welcome to the great questions in life

The issue is, which one feels good, which one can you shoot well, which one can you wear comfortably, so basically it's preference, and as you're the one to use it and depend on it, in the end, it is your choice.

Look at it as an opportunity to spend countless hours on the web, at gun shops, and borrowing guns to shoot at the range, PLEASE PLEASE SHOOT THE GUN BEFORE YOU BUY

Little guns are known to kick, esp. when you can't hold them so well.
 
I also recommend the Bersa .380. While I haven't shot one, I've done lots of research, and held a number of guns. While I ultimately wound up going for a Polish P-64 in 9x18 Makarov, the Bersa definitely felt better and was the best .380 I held.
 
another vote for the Bersa. some years back at the range an off-duty cop was trying out his new purchase off-duty carry the Bersa. he offered to let me run a mag when I expressed interest. IMO its more ergo than the
Walther which I had one of and sold, it was bashing the right thumb knuckle of my XL hands. the Thunder was good shooter too. I'll keep my Makarov 9X18 however but would like a Bersa if my Mak was gone.
 
I got the Ruger LCP about 3 weeks ago; and its the handiest easy pocket carrying gun I ever had. I have took this gun virtualy everywhere with no problems. For what this guns for it is perfect. A simple gun for the pocket when you need it, just squeeze the trigger. It has fairly accurate even with the long trigger pull but I would rather have that than the safety to knock off in a pinch. It seem to be the best fit for the pocket than all the ones I tried. I like this little gun.
 
Tiger1873: That review is right on the money and is one of the most concise and accurate pictures of those particular guns I've seen.

I have not shot the Diamondback but I'm sure I will. there are only a few modern 380's I don't own. One is the Diamondback, the other is the Kahr though I've shot the Kahr and it's very nice.

Recently I purchased a SIG P238 and have found it to be the best 380 i've ever shot. Some people have had problems with them, and I believe the first batches had magazine problems, but mine is an accurate, reliable, and fun to shoot pistol. It is basically recoilless vs other 380's.

Good luck with your diamondback and tcp. My TCP is about the second best 380 I have now. It's a great little pistol and shoots wonderfully. Enjoy them both.
 
Without reading....Seecamp .380.

In a big .380 Beretta, midsize I have and would agree with the BERSA, BT or the more compact version. Neither will pocket carry well though.

Dead horse thread if I ever saw one.
 
Why limit yourselt to just one?

Why limit yourself to just one in any caliber? why noy get an assortment? Personnaly I have several 380's. Of different sizes and shapes. To begin I have a Colt Gov't 380 a great gun too bad colt got out of the pocket gun business.... I have a Taurus PT-58HC kind of big for a 380 but really nice to shoot and 19+ rounds is a good thing! Then there is my beloved Ruger LCP with CT laser, I'll only say this.. where ever I go elsie goes! :) There's my Bersa thunder 380+ a great gun! Don't be afraid of bersa's they're a great buy and totally reliable... and finally (My) Walther PK-380 currently under the control of my better half :rolleyes: but I do get to clean it now and then :banghead: She loves her Walther! :what:
I did have a SIG 230 but it have to move out to make room for my S&W 625 MG :)
 
The Bersa gets my nod, too, though it is not as easily concealed (it is more easily shot, though.) It's not quite a copy of the PPK, but looks and feels it, and is about 60 percent of the price.
That being said, the Bersa is as big as some guns chambered in the more-readily-available 9mm Parabellum round (which is also cheaper.) I just acquired a KT-PF9, and it is lighter than the Bersa, and fits better in a pocket. (I have not gotten to shoot it, yet.)
As a general defense gun with negligible recoil, for both self and home defense, the Bersa can do quite well.
 
I have the Kel-Tec P3AT, the Ruger LCP, & the SIG P238 and can tell you from my shooting experance with each. First all 3 functioned without fail but have only shot maybe 200 rds through each give or take. The Kel-Tec was the most painful on my trigger finger, as there's lots of snap when fired with Cor-Bon ammo, but was expected because it is the lightest of the three. The LCP was a bit easier on my finger,as I feel it's because the trigger guard is slightly larger & smoother of finish. The P238 was just a pleasure to shoot, as I can't believe I'm shooting the same loads in these little pistols, and the sights are very usable, compared to almost non-existance for the LCP or KT. I don't have the Kahr P380 but if it is anything like my Kahr PM9, it would be a good choice also. LM
 
Get the LCP. (assuming that you are pocket carrying)

I have both the LCP and the new Sig P238. While the P238 definitely shoots better than the LCP (and has nicer sights too), I have come to the realization that the LCP is the way to go between the two. I actually went back and forth on this issue.....but here's my current reasoning...

For pocket carry, the LCP is smaller than the P238 and is therefore easier to carry. For that purpose the LCP wins over the Sig P238. While the P238 shoots better and more accurately, at "belly to belly" distances that a pocket gun would be used, the LCP is good enough. So for pocket carry its the LCP. Plus the LCP is DA. The P238 is SA, which some do not like for pocket carry.


If I wanted something a little bigger for pocket carry, the j-frame .357 is actually still easier to carry than the P238 due to its rounder shape, thus breaking the obvious "gun print". So for bigger pocket carry, its the j-frame.

For IWB or OWB, I usually settle for a bigger gun the P238.

So.....what am I trying to say... while the P238 is a great gun to shoot and well made, it doesn't make my number one list in either pocket or waistband carry.

Right at this moment, for me, the Sig P238 belongs in my "very nice but less useful" category.
 
I have a Bersa Thunder 380. Great gun I love shooting it. If you don't have one go out and buy it you will not regret it at all. The trigger is very nice and it shoot's great.

The biggest drawback to the bersa for me is isn't a pocket carry. I do compare though all 380's to this one. The Diamond back is is almost as nice to shoot as the bersa. So that is saying a lot. The taurus also is not bad.

My buddy has p238 I haven't shot that one but he doesn't feel it's safe to carry with one in the chamber in his pocket. I tend to agree with his assessment as well. Nice gun but probably should carry IWB. Thats the main reason he either wants to buy a diamondback or a taurus tcp.
 
I too have had a "Jones" for a small .380 for a few months and had been looking seriously at the LCP. However, S&W is about to start shipping an M&P .380 Bodyguard which really has me intrigued. See link: http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...&storeId=10001&catalogId=11101&content=754501

I am quite impressed with the M&P brand. My issue weapon is an M&P 40fs and my favorite personal auto is my M&P 40c so I've had a good bit of experience with the line and have totally turned away from Glocks (just my opinion) in favor of the M&Ps. So if I were you I'd wait a few more weeks and give the S&W .380 a look. Good luck and I hope you enjoy whatever you choose. ;)
 
The decision is an easy one: Buy the best one for you. Go to a range that rents guns. Invite friends along who own guns that are of interst to you. Bring lots and lots of ammo along. Then test-fire everything that you can until you narrow it down to two or three firearms that feel better than the rest. Concentrate on those two or three until, at long last, you find the one firearm that best fits your hand and eye. And there you go. You'll have had a heck of a fine day at the range, you'll have had a heck of a lot of fun at the same time, and you'll have found the perfect handgun for you.

All of that having been said, be sure to take a look at both the Walther PP and the Walther PPK/S. You can't do any better, IMO, though you can do a heck of a lot worse.
 
bersa shoots good if you want a pocket 380 the keltec is good ruger lcp or the new sig has little recoil and good size but i like my keltec
 
CZ-83 The best damn .380 there is (IMO)

For a .380 The CZ-83 is the most reliable in my opinion but it is a little heavy and the size of a Glock 19 . It is all steel and completely reliable . It had ambi-thumb safety's and ambi-mag releases and can be cocked-and-locked.
I love mine!
 
The LCP and the P3AT are pretty much the same gun. The sharper checkering on the P3AT will abrade your palms more though when practicing. Both are great pocket guns, in the right holster. Neither is really "fun" to shoot. The Bersa is bigger, which makes it more fun to shoot, but less of a suitable pocket-gun when you're wearing lightweight pants, especially summer-weight business slacks.

Les
 
First would be the Sig P238 hands down, it is more accurate, has real sights and a great SAO trigger, the downside is it is a mini 1911 and meant to be carried cocked and locked although it can be carried with the hammer down, you would just have to remember that it would need to be cocked in a self defense situation. Although the Sig is more expensive than the others it is also a much higher quality. We sell a lot of 380's, and more LCP's than any other brand, people seem to like them due to the reliability and low price points. I like the Diamondback because it has real sights, less snappy and has a much better trigger than the LCP. IMO the LCP is made to carry and not shoot to much as it is just a bit too small to be fun. I have not shot the Kahr P380 yet so cannot honestly comment on that one.
 
i own a LCP and a Bersa Thunder.

the LCP fits in my pocket as easily as a cell phone, and has been 100% from day one. never an issue. i'm not particularly accurate with it, but then again, are you really going to get into a shootout with a mouse gun? no. you'll probably use it from 5 yards or less.

the Bersa is a joy to shoot. i wish .380 was the price of .22, because i'd plink with this gun all day. accurate as hell, nice trigger, very low recoil, comfortable grip. i can't say enough nice things about it... except... yeah, it's pretty darn big for a .380. there are smaller 9mm's out there. i don't know why someone would choose this gun for CC, unless they're on a very limited budget. (and even then, might as well spend your $200 on a CZ-82 and get 12 rounds of a more powerful cartridge in a gun the same size).
 
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