Currently, what is the most reliable pocket .380?
- Thread starter Orion8472
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Skylerbone
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Walther. Kahr.
.338Sako
Member
never had a problem with my Bersa 380 or my Bersa 380 plus (hi-cap).
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Orion8472
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Walthers are too heavy for pocket carry. Not sure I like the Kahr 380. I looked at the Bersa CC, but it is too large for pocket carry.
I like the Taurus, but have heard plenty of those saying "they are not the best Taurus pistol they make". If I could find one that was reliable, I would be happy with it.
Any other comments welcome and appreciated.
I like the Taurus, but have heard plenty of those saying "they are not the best Taurus pistol they make". If I could find one that was reliable, I would be happy with it.
Any other comments welcome and appreciated.
I have owned the following:
P3AT: lots of failures early on but worked great after a few hundred rounds.
LCP: 100% Reliable
LCP (wife's) 100% reliable
TCP 100% reliable, more comfortable grip than other poly 380's
MDE 100% reliable (most accurate for me)
I carry one everyday.
P3AT: lots of failures early on but worked great after a few hundred rounds.
LCP: 100% Reliable
LCP (wife's) 100% reliable
TCP 100% reliable, more comfortable grip than other poly 380's
MDE 100% reliable (most accurate for me)
I carry one everyday.
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Gun Geezer
Member
My MDE failed to eject on it's very first shot fired. 400+ shots later and that is the only failure it has ever had.
My Bodyguard 380 is 100% with maybe 250 rounds fired.
My Bodyguard 380 is 100% with maybe 250 rounds fired.
glenns
Member
I just sent my P3AT back to KelTec to see if they can do something about the FTEs. I've read that they are good after service but I would not buy one again.
jpwilly
Member
I have 2 LCP's and haven't had a failure with either one yet.
NinjaFeint
Member
I have a Kahr 380... Has been 100% reliable
My dad has an LCP, had a few hiccups early but since about the 150th round has been 100%
My dad has an LCP, had a few hiccups early but since about the 150th round has been 100%
Dr_B
member
I've owned a Bersa, a P238, and an LCP. The LCP is the only one that was 100% reliable.
mgmorden
Member
Out of the ones you list, I've only owned the LCP, but I have no complaints about it. I've only got about 300 rounds through mine but its never given me any trouble. Its one of my two carry guns (the other being a Makarov, also in .380), but the LCP is carried by far the most frequently just due to the much smaller size.
jk2008
Member
I've run hundreds of rounds through my Kel-Tec P3AT without a problem, so I'd recommend it.
HadEmAll
Member
Based on the performance of my 3 POCKET .380s, and ranked by dependability as experienced by me:
The Ruger LCP and S&W Bodyguard are just about tied. They've each never bobbled on any of the 90 and 95 grain JHPs I've run through them, about 300 rounds each. They've each had one failure to feed with WWB flat nosed FMJ, but that was inside the first 50 rounds for both. Since I had another LCP before this one that I gave to my son, that never had any problems, I'd have to give the slightest edge to the LCP. But I replaced the recoil spring in each LCP with a Wolff 11 lb spring. The BG380 is stock.
My Kahr P380 is now reliable with hot JHPs, but it took 1000 rounds and 3 trips back to Kahr, resulting in a new frame, to get there. I'm not the only one that had problems with my P380. Plenty of other tales on the Kahr forum.
But when it's working, it has the best sights, trigger, and accuracy of the three.
So interestingly enough, their reliability out of the box and cost were in inverse order.
The Ruger LCP and S&W Bodyguard are just about tied. They've each never bobbled on any of the 90 and 95 grain JHPs I've run through them, about 300 rounds each. They've each had one failure to feed with WWB flat nosed FMJ, but that was inside the first 50 rounds for both. Since I had another LCP before this one that I gave to my son, that never had any problems, I'd have to give the slightest edge to the LCP. But I replaced the recoil spring in each LCP with a Wolff 11 lb spring. The BG380 is stock.
My Kahr P380 is now reliable with hot JHPs, but it took 1000 rounds and 3 trips back to Kahr, resulting in a new frame, to get there. I'm not the only one that had problems with my P380. Plenty of other tales on the Kahr forum.
But when it's working, it has the best sights, trigger, and accuracy of the three.
So interestingly enough, their reliability out of the box and cost were in inverse order.
Shear_stress
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I own an LCP and a Kahr P380. The LCP has seen roughly 400 rounds, 100 WWB (FMJ and HP) and the rest Prvi Partisan. I had one FTE after I neglected to clean or oil the pistol for something like 6 months. Just ran another fifty flawless rounds through it yesterday. I can trust this gun.
The P380 has had a similar number of rounds through it, all ball ammo, and has never run right. It is currently back at the factory. I'll see how I feel about the P380 after I get it back, but so far I'm not thrilled with it.
The P380 has had a similar number of rounds through it, all ball ammo, and has never run right. It is currently back at the factory. I'll see how I feel about the P380 after I get it back, but so far I'm not thrilled with it.
almherdfan
Member
I've not had any problems with my KT P3AT. Same for the Bersa Thunder 380 CC. I had many problems with the Ruger LCP.
jackpinesavages
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Bersa 380cc. Ate everything.
shootingthebreeze
Member
I would vote for the Kahr P380; totally dependable, no misfires of any kind. Surprisingly and deadly accurate at 10 yards. Where I aim the Kahr is where the bullets will impact.
I have put my Kahr P380 through its paces and I trust it completely.
I have put my Kahr P380 through its paces and I trust it completely.
Steve H
Member
Colt Mustang 
My KelTec P3AT has been running pretty flawlessly, after about 200 rounds to break it in. It originally suffered some failures to eject with Remington 100gr ammo, but it runs fine with Winchester FMJ, and my own 95gr. handloads. I run a couple of magazines, at least, every week, and then clean it to prevent lint and dust it might pick up in my pocket holster from gumming anything up. A friend with the Ruger LCP copy had the same experience, and his runs reliably now, too.
Why get so defensive with your answer? It's awesome that you have had stellar results with your P3AT. Many have not, that doesn't mean they just are opinionated ********s, it just means they got one of the 30% that has to go back.
The truth is the P3at can be a fine weapon as can a TCP. There just seems to be a greater number of QC issues with these two than others on the market. Keltec and Taurus designers aren't stupid. They can design the gun to be 99.999% reliable but if the QC department is mismanaged or not empowered to "stop the line" the end result will be a great deal of dissatisfied customers. Every company has a tolerance factor for their failure rate. They determine the best balance between Defects-per-hundred/thousand/million and production costs. Keltec is obviously making money so their threshold id a bit more generous than companies such as Ruger, Colt or Glock. As a customer, you have to determine the same. Which product gives me the biggest bang for my buck. Am I prepared to fix it myself? Can I do basic mechanical tasks to improve reliability? If that answer is yes then I wouldn't hesitate to buy a TCP or P3AT knowing that if, by chance, I got one of the 30% that needs extra attention I am prepared to fix it, adjust it or send it back until it's reliable.
I've had mixed results with Keltec and truly view them as a Kit Gun almost like the Jim Walter Homes of the defensive pistol industry. They do 75% of the work and you finish it off yourself.
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