do you own and shoot a .380?

[Autodidactic]

I've only owned 2 .380's.. A Taurus TCP I bought new, took to range, fired 100 rds (sort of). At least once in every mag full it either jammed, dropped the mag out, or both. Wife and I both are experienced shooters and it did it to both of us. Got rid of that p.o.s. and said adios to Taurus forever.
Wife bought an M&P 380 EZ just cuz it was a good deal - have to say we both enjoy shooting that at the range. Accurate, reliable, and very limited recoil - especially after I hung a light/laser under the front.

I’d buy a Shield EZ in .380 but already have a 9mm Shield. The reason I want a .380 is to have a micro handgun for concealed carry. I’ve been tempted though by the .380 version as I’m sure it’s a great gun.

 

[outdoorman63]

Wife has a s&w 380 ez and enjoys it, seems to like any ammo. I have a lcp that I carry occasionally and it sometimes doesn't like hp's as much as ball

 

[Cary Turpin]

I bought a Beretta Pico in 380acp a few years ago and it's a great pocket gun. I wanted something in 380acp that was a little larger and went with the S&W EZ. I like the size and performance of this gun and is a definite keeper.

 

[usp9]

Two of the more interesting .380s I've owned that I don't think have been mentioned or at least pictured. Both are pretty hard to find... the Sphinx AT-380 and the Sig P232 Rainbow Titanium. Good looking, solid, reliable pistols. The Sphinx used a 10 or 11 round mag making it a very potent small handgun for it's day.

 

[CajunBass]

I picked up an EZ-380 a few days ago for my wife. After one range trip, we both liked it so much I went back and bought one in 9mm for myself.

So far it's worked fine with both FMJ and HP ammo, including some exotic light bullet stuff, called NOVX. Never heard of it, but it functioned fine in the EZ. We got it sort of by accident, and it's fairly expensive, so I doubt we'll try that again.

 

[webrx]

That 232 is sweet.

I have an LCP I carry frequently, 13# spring and stainless guide rod helps the snappiness. I also have a Kimber micro 9 cdp and couple P238s, and wife has a purple one (no picture of the purple one). The Kimber is not a lot bigger than the 238s. The LCP is my pocket gun/Church gun.

 

[Reloadron]

Years ago had a Colt 380 Government which was a great little .380 ACP, always regretted selling that gun. Still have a nice little Walther PPK early Interarms import which is my wife's gun. The stainless PPK is a real nice gun and an accurate little gun.

Ron

 

[GravelRider]

Apparently by the hundreds of replies to this thread, I'm a bit late to the game, but...

I own three .380 pistols, and I've carried each of them over the years (.380 Bersa, Ruger LCP, S&W Bodyguard). They're great little guns for their carry size (well, not as much so the Bersa)... But the triggers are all awful. I'm sure work could be done to improve them though.

But, given the modern day subcompact 9 mm pistols, I just don't see a compelling reason to carry a .380 99% of the time. My EDC is a Sig P365. It is bigger and heavier than the S&W or Ruger, but has nearly double the kinetic energy, double the capacity, and four times the trigger. The only time I really carry the Bodyguard is when I'm out for a run.. And realistically, I usually run unarmed around my neighborhood.

I know this isn't going to be popular, but I think the .380 is a thing of the past. I'd MUCH rather take a high capacity subcompact 9 mm for only a small increase in size/weight.

I don't think I'll ever get rid of my .380s, but they're relegated mostly to safe queens and occasional range duty nowadays...

 

[halfmoonclip]

Reload .380s, so it is possible to shoot a bunch of them. The G42 makes shooting the caliber a real pleasure, a Walther less so. The LCP even less.
Got a Smith EZ for my bride, and it is another soft shooter.
Moon

 

[Shivahasagun]

I know this isn't going to be popular, but I think the .380 is a thing of the past. I'd MUCH rather take a high capacity subcompact 9 mm for only a small increase in size/weight.

I don't think I'll ever get rid of my .380s, but they're relegated mostly to safe queens and occasional range duty nowadays...

Those 25 oz loaded 9mm pistols are way too big and heavy for my pockets and are draw fails. For me.

Smaller auto's and snubs like the Ruger LCR work for me though.

 

[GravelRider]

Those 25 oz loaded 9mm pistols are way too big and heavy for my pockets and are draw fails. For me.

Smaller auto's and snubs like the Ruger LCR work for me though.

It is definitely true that if you pocket carry, the .380s do work much better. I carry IWB at around 4 o'clock, and the difference for me isn't really all that noticeable between the P365 and my Bodyguard 380. There definitely is a difference, just not enough of one to make me pick the 380 over the sig.

But, that's the great thing about having choices in guns. We may not all agree on what makes the best carry gun, but we've got plenty of choices to keep everyone happy.

 

[glove]

Yes a Taurus PT-738 with SS slide.

 

[Shivahasagun]

It is definitely true that if you pocket carry, the .380s do work much better. I carry IWB at around 4 o'clock, and the difference for me isn't really all that noticeable between the P365 and my Bodyguard 380. There definitely is a difference, just not enough of one to make me pick the 380 over the sig.

But, that's the great thing about having choices in guns. We may not all agree on what makes the best carry gun, but we've got plenty of choices to keep everyone happy.

Definitely.

I pocket and belt carry.

 

[3Crows]

I often carry a .380 S&W Bodyguard, it is an ugly little thing. I have a custom trigger and some sort of grip pad and a pocket clip on it. I mostly carry it instead of my Ruger .357 LCR when summer time and my cloths are much less covering. However, I often am hearing that a gun is interesting or pretty or pleasing to the eye or such for purpose of choice for concealed carry and I am trying to understand how aesthetics have anything to do with concealed carry choice. Reliability, accuracy for intended purpose and conceal-ability is the ball game. I guess if two pistols were equally good in the important things then I suppose pick the pretty one. One thing I like about the S&W Bodyguard is that it has last shot hold back and it has a long draw trigger (not as long or as hard once custom) and it has a secure safety. If a bad guy were to get it away from me I doubt they would know how to work the safety. Nobody wants to get shot but a .380 is pretty minimal.

3C

 

[Ignition Override]

If a true "civilian", commercial Sig P225 (German) had not become available via a buddy, I then would have Kept the .380 Makarov (Izhevsk).
The cash from selling it allowed............

 

[wiscoaster]

My .380's:

View attachment 1050194

View attachment 1050195

View attachment 1050196

View attachment 1050197

 

[Autodidactic]

I wanted the LCP to work. I don't think many people realize that the new LCP's out of the new factory aren't as reliable. Mine was the worst jammomatic I ever have owned. It got worse as it broke in, not better.

I'd consider that when people recommend them. I trust the old ones were as trustworthy as people say.

I rarely carry my LCP but not because it's a bad option, but because it's left at our summer get away. I carry it there because I'm usually wearing shorts and it carries well in the pocket. Can't carry my normal EDC because I don't usually wear a belt with my shorts. I also have a Bersa Thunder but never carry it because for the size and weight I can carry a double stack compact 9mm.
I use a flat nose FMJ in both and have never had a problem.

I'm a long-term LCP fan. I have mine in my waistband right now.
I carry 99gr Federal HST in an extended 7rd magazine.
View attachment 1023231
I carry my .380 with confidence as my personal defense pistol.

 

[Shivahasagun]

I often carry a .380 S&W Bodyguard, it is an ugly little thing. I have a custom trigger and some sort of grip pad and a pocket clip on it. I mostly carry it instead of my Ruger .357 LCR when summer time and my cloths are much less covering. However, I often am hearing that a gun is interesting or pretty or pleasing to the eye or such for purpose of choice for concealed carry and I am trying to understand how aesthetics have anything to do with concealed carry choice. Reliability, accuracy for intended purpose and conceal-ability is the ball game. I guess if two pistols were equally good in the important things then I suppose pick the pretty one. One thing I like about the S&W Bodyguard is that it has last shot hold back and it has a long draw trigger (not as long or as hard once custom) and it has a secure safety. If a bad guy were to get it away from me I doubt they would know how to work the safety. Nobody wants to get shot but a .380 is pretty minimal.

3C

I think I've tried 90% of the common, current pocket .380's out there. The BG .380 is the best I've fired.
I also like the Kel-tec P32 and Beretta M21a .25 to round out my pick of pocket auto's.

 

[Shivahasagun]

I wanted the LCP to work. I don't think many people realize that the new LCP's out of the new factory aren't as reliable. Mine was the worst jammomatic I ever have owned. It got worse as it broke in, not better.

I'd consider that when people recommend them. I trust the old ones were as trustworthy as people say.

For many people, new gun, fire two mags, many missing a paper plate at 15 ft, with only one malfunction during the 1st magazine is "reliable". And they will put it in their pocket. They will count on it to work and tell anyone how great that pistol is whenever gun talk comes up.

I've seen it many times. I recall shooting with a guy I know. His Phillipene-made 1911 (factory "custom" type) couldn't get through a mag without jamming once or two or three times. After the fourth mag or so he gets a phone call. Talks to his buddy a couple, tells him about this new 1911 he got, and tells how it great it is, shoots great.

When I've sold guns, many, many people had no plans to either fire the gun or planned to fire less than a box through it, call it good, and not consider firing it again unless they have to. Or maybe next 4th of July.

Always blows my mind. Me? Two shooting sessions minimum, preferable 3. 250-500 rds depending on the gun before I'm trusting my life to it. Pistols and rifles here, not shotguns. 50-100 through a shotgun it's probably good.
But that's all just a start.

 

[Autodidactic]

I think I've tried 90% of the common, current pocket .380's out there. The BG .380 is the best I've fired.
I also like the Kel-tec P32 and Beretta M21a .25 to round out my pick of pocket auto's.

I have a Bodyguard on layaway as we speak.

 

[Autodidactic]

For many people, new gun, fire two mags, many missing a paper plate at 15 ft, with only one malfunction during the 1st magazine is "reliable". And they will put it in their pocket. They will count on it to work and tell anyone how great that pistol is whenever gun talk comes up.

I've seen it many times. I recall shooting with a guy I know. His Phillipene-made 1911 (factory "custom" type) couldn't get through a mag without jamming once or two or three times. After the fourth mag or so he gets a phone call. Talks to his buddy a couple, tells him about this new 1911 he got, and tells how it great it is, shoots great.

When I've sold guns, many, many people had no plans to either fire the gun or planned to fire less than a box through it, call it good, and not consider firing it again unless they have to. Or maybe next 4th of July.

Always blows my mind. Me? Two shooting sessions minimum, preferable 3. 250-500 rds depending on the gun before I'm trusting my life to it. Pistols and rifles here, not shotguns. 50-100 through a shotgun it's probably good.
But that's all just a start.

I think this is probably some of such reports. Most gun owners barely fire them right? Like a box of ammo or so. That’s probably one reason so many unreliable or non-durable guns sell and endure. Most gun owners don’t fire them enough for it to matter. I think less so on this forum. But also, I know that when I was just starting with handgun ownership I didn’t know what was quality or not. There are cheaply made guns that look nice enough to the uncritical eye.

 

[Shivahasagun]

I think this is probably some of such reports. Most gun owners barely fire them right? Like a box of ammo or so. That’s probably one reason so many unreliable or non-durable guns sell and endure. Most gun owners don’t fire them enough for it to matter. I think less so on this forum. But also, I know that when I was just starting with handgun ownership I didn’t know what was quality or not. There are cheaply made guns that look nice enough to the uncritical eye.

Yea, I agree!

Very common gun to be bought and carried by "non-enthusiasts", too. (pocket guns) Most aren't very fun to fire, are snappy, hard to shoot well, and if it isn't .22 or 9mm, they'll complain how much it costs to shoot.

So, maybe fire 5-20 rounds, depending whether they bought "a" box or 20 or 50 and off they go. Clean it? Nah...that isn't happening. Not with anything but a spray chemical and a shake or perhaps compressed air.

I'm drifting the thread, sorry.

But it IS amusing when you see some story of someone protecting themselves, successfully, with an old, low quality gun in poor condition and they say, "I'd never fired a gun before" (Lorcin .380 or some such) or "Grandpa died and I knew where he kept that gun but I'd never touched it before..." (Single shot 20 gauge and spent a couple desperate, fumbling minutes trying to self-teach how to get that birdshot shell from the box into the barrel to save a kid from a Pittbull)

 

[PCFlorida]

So for all you with the Beretta Cheetah model 84 and 85, what are you using for a holster? I'm looking for a OWB kydex which I really like for some other guns, but can't seem to find one yet. Thank you!

 

[Autodidactic]

Yea, I agree!

Very common gun to be bought and carried by "non-enthusiasts", too. (pocket guns) Most aren't very fun to fire, are snappy, hard to shoot well, and if it isn't .22 or 9mm, they'll complain how much it costs to shoot.

So, maybe fire 5-20 rounds, depending whether they bought "a" box or 20 or 50 and off they go. Clean it? Nah...that isn't happening. Not with anything but a spray chemical and a shake or perhaps compressed air.

I'm drifting the thread, sorry.

But it IS amusing when you see some story of someone protecting themselves, successfully, with an old, low quality gun in poor condition and they say, "I'd never fired a gun before" (Lorcin .380 or some such) or "Grandpa died and I knew where he kept that gun but I'd never touched it before..." (Single shot 20 gauge and spent a couple desperate, fumbling minutes trying to self-teach how to get that birdshot shell from the box into the barrel to save a kid from a Pittbull)

One of my female friends bought a Sig 365 a year ago. She has been twice to the range, once with me. She's probably put 75 rounds through it. She has not cleaned the thing once. I even bought her a pistol cleaning kit for Xmas. Now she has at least agreed to get a lesson on cleaning it from me at some point. Lol.

The one time we went she couldn't shoot it very well, due to lack of exp and practice. She was able to shoot a larger pistol a bit better. I offered to take her again with my free range passes (I have a membership), and like many they really don't put a priority on going to the range and becoming proficient. She's always like meh.

 

[Autodidactic]

For laughs:

ProMag S&W Bodyguard .380 ACP Drum Magazine 32 Rounds Polymer Black | Cheaper Than Dirt