Fun to shoot AND pocket carry

[Schwing]

I would take a look at the Bersa .380s out there. I really like my Bersa Thunder .380 CC. While I will admit that I still would much rather shoot my revolvers for fun and my full size semi-autos are more pleasant to shoot, that little .380 can be a lot of fun.

Just this last weekend I put a few dozen rounds through it just for fun. I do my own reloading too so I will often lighten them up a bit if I am shooting for fun.

It has a surprisingly smooth trigger pull, both SA and DA, and does have a slide safety. Some don't like that but it is my preference.

 

[toivo]

It's the same old story. You want ...

• .380
• smaller than P238
• fun to shoot

My opinion is that you can have two of these things but not all three. I have a Kel-Tec P32 that is fun to shoot, but any .380 that small that I've shot -- Pico, P3AT, LCP -- isn't so pleasant.

 

[ratt_finkel]

having a small pistol is only advantageous if you can hit with it.....just having the pistol doesnt do you any good....thats the point im trying to make..

if you take one of those micropistols to the range, and try to draw and fire 3 shots as fast as you can, you find they are INCREDIBLY hard to make good shots with.

where as if you sacrifice a bit of size, and get something like a subcompact, your accuracy potential goes WAY up.

I appreciate what you are saying and am in complete agreement. I normally carry an SR9c. Other times I carry the P238. I feel confident in my abilities to defend myself with any firearm. I have hit torso sized targets at 100 yards with a service pistol in competition. While not the same as your example, demonstrates at least above average proficiency.

It's the same old story. You want ...
.380
smaller than P238
fun to shoot
My opinion is that you can have two of these things but not all three. I have a Kel-Tec P32 that is fun to shoot, but any .380 that small that I've shot -- Pico, P3AT, LCP -- isn't so pleasant.

I mentioned that I am open to .32.

 

[alexcue]

A walther .380, PPK, Or a. PP, carried one for years, in fact when I had desk duty it was comfortable. In a IWB

agreed... the Walther PPK is a sweet gun, just have to watch your grip. Personally that's why I've carried the Bersa Firestorm. Same basic format, no worries about getting bit. I have no problem with the recoil on it. I really wouldn't call it a pocket pistol though. The only one that I've had that works is the LCP, but its no fun at the range as is. You can use different recoil springs and add the Hogue grip though.

 

[ddc]

When you say "fun to shoot" to me that implies you want to spend some significant range time with it.

I've got a PF9 and I certainly don't want to shoot it anymore than I have to.

I would vote for the 42 if it fits in your pockets. It doesn't work for pocket carry for me. Soft shooting but the stock trigger is stiff.

My pocket gun is a Rohrbaugh R9 but that is another gun that I don't find "fun" to shoot.

I am curious about the Remington 380 which is derived from the Rohrbaugh, perhaps in 380 I would find it more tolerable and "fun". lol

 

[MedWheeler]

A lot depends on how much "fun" is "fun" at the range. While my P32 has some "fun" factor as I already mentioned, it is not my most-fun "pocketable" defense-oriented pistol.

If I were headed out, could only take one gun and (it had to be for pocket-carry), and knew I'd probably be stopping by somewhere to do some plinking of 200 rounds, I'd grab my Taurus PT-22. If those rounds were being supplied at no additional cost to me over that of .22LR, I'd grab my identical PT-25 instead. Both truly are "fun" guns to plink with, and ten rounds in the 25 can certainly come in handy in most, if not all, defensive situations I'd be likely to come across.

I'm not suggesting these small calibers by any means for the OP, as he has already indicated a desire to stay above .30 caliber. I'm simply saying that I'm certainly hard-pressed to find a gun in a caliber above .25 that drops into a pocket easily (at least, the pockets on what I wear) and I'd enjoy blasting away several boxes of ammo with at a backyard range.

 

[toivo]

I mentioned that I am open to .32.

Sorry -- I missed that. Then by all means check out a P32. Not only less felt recoil than the .380, but holds one more round, and the slide locks open after the last shot, which the .380 doesn't do.

I have two P32s -- a Gen 1 and a Gen 2 -- and both have been absolutely reliable. I put a Northwood aluminum trigger in the Gen 2, and it makes it even easier to shoot. For some reason, the Gen 2 pinched my finger with the stock trigger, which the Gen 1 never did.

 

[Gun Master]

My P32 is actually pretty fun to shoot. I would not expect it to be so if it were in .380.

And if you through in the optional 10 round mag, that makes it nicer.
Longer grip and better control, but not my fav.

 

[Ibmikey]

Agree with M-Cameron, if you carry a pistol that is painful to shoot and therefore do not-----chances of surviving a confrontation are greatly reduced. I carry one of a variety of pistols most of the time and each is a firearm that I have fired many hundreds of rounds through and find it enjoyable to do. Become proficient with your carry and shoot it often ( kind of rules out many Rugers, Kel Tech and the like that are flat painful). Guess there will be some responses but remember this is just my opinion.

 

[VolFan9183]

Another vote for the Pico

I'm going to throw in another vote for the Pico. I've put 100 rounds thru it several times, but never 200, but never thought it was painful by the end. I think it handles .380 recoil very well, especially with the extended mag. It is very thin which makes it easy to pocket...I'm only 5'7" so my pockets aren't huge and I pocket carry this thing all the time. It also has real sights. The controls will take a little getting used to, but once you do I think you'll like it.

 

[Overkill870]

I like the LCP with the hogue grip. It really takes the sharpness out of the recoil and makes it much more fun.

 

[Gun Master]

This may be redefining "pocket carry", but I like to shoot the CZ-82.

 

[Tallball]

Your hand size has a lot to do with it. I have very large hands and have yet to shoot anything which I consider to be both "easily pocketable" and fun to shoot 200 rounds out of.

One of my good friends is 5'6" and has small hands even for his size. He can comfortably shoot little pistols which are uncomfortable for me.

But I disagree about the accuracy thing. I can whip out a micro 380 and empty the magazine onto a paper plate at 7 yards no problem. Just because it is not fun for me to shoot doesn't mean that I can't get acceptable accuracy out of it. I don't buy something like that to shoot at 25 yards. I buy and carry it in case someone tries to mug me. It is for up close and personal.

 

[thewillweeks]

I tend towards larger hands, I carry and shoot a 17 most of the time, but I find the LCP to be perfect for what you're talking. Pocket carry when needed, I usually carry IWB as a BUG though.

I don't mind pumping quite a few through the LCP. Never stopped because my hands hurt, just stop when I get bored with it or run out of ammo. I find that the LCP points in a similar fashion to my 17 (in a relative way) so that when I draw and come on target if I get the right grip drawing the sights are exactly lined up.

I can hold a reasonable 12" with a good two hand grip out to about 25yds, that's about it. One hand I'm only good on a 12" to about 12" with it.

 

[Gary A]

Another variation on the LCP which greatly improves its handling (short of turning it into a range pistol, I'm afraid) and keeps it smaller and lighter than a 238 is the use of Ruger's extended 7 round factory magazine. Makes a world of difference with minimal negative affect on concealment.

 

[kokapelli]

The P3AT, LCP and TCP are all almost the same pistol and all were meant to be highly concealable self Defence guns and not range guns, but in my humble opinion of the three the TCP is the most comfortable th shoot.

 

[Reloadron]

The two .380 ACP pistols I have really liked over the years are the Colt Government Series 80 Government (not the Mustang) and the early Interarms imported Walther PPK before S&W got involved. I found both od those guns to be extremely accurate for a little short barrel .380 ACP.

Ron

 

[Ironicaintit]

I cant imagine wanting a 380 that's even smaller than the P238.
I am super impressed with mine!

I'm above average in height, but not "big" and my favorite pocket carry (when I did that) was my post-war Mauser HSc. It's a little bigger and heavier than the 238, and certainly has a snappier recoil....but it has a great trigger and points wonderfully.

Also, when considering the potency of the 380, I keep in mind that those teeny tiny barrels do give up some velocity. With the same ammo, my p238 gives up almost 150fps to the Mauser.
I've never clocked anything smaller than the 238, but I can't help but think the micro guns give up even more, in terms of effective velocity.

 

[Gary A]

Ironicaintit, you make excellent points. I would however note that most of the really small .380s have barrels just about equal in length to the P238 so they really give up little if anything ballistically. Which based on the points you made is really fortunate.

 

[Mosbyranger]

I'm a little surprised that no one has mentioned the excellent little Beretta 3032. Easy to carry, easy to shoot, easy to load. Somewhat hard to find, (at least in these parts) but well worth a look.
MR

 

[rskent]

ratt
Are you set on pocket carry? I carry a p238 in a belt holster under a T shirt a lot. It is definitely concealed.

 

[chicharrones]

I mentioned that I am open to .32.

I have two pocket .32 ACP pistols.

One is a North American Arms Guardian. It is not fun to shoot. The blowback action makes felt recoil feel like a larger calibered gun. The small grip is hard to keep hold of. It is easy to "limp wrist" and jam it due to that small grip and blowback action.

The other is a discontinued Taurus TCP732. It is the .32ACP version of a TCP738. The 732 is actually fun and easy to shoot. If a KelTec P32 fits your hand reasonably, I'd give that a try.

 

[Gary A]

rskent said:

I carry a p238 in a belt holster under a T shirt a lot. It is definitely concealed.

To which I add: +1

 

[weblance]

I know the OP is trying to stay with a 380, but I want to throw the Kahr CM9/PM9 into this discussion. It truly is small enough to pocket carry, and I prefer a 9mm for cost of ammo, availability, and performance. Is it fun to shoot 200 rounds through it at the range? I think so, and using a bicycle glove really helps keep your hand from getting beat up.

 

[ratt_finkel]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I went to Academy this weekend. Got to fondle the Taurus Curve, Remington RM380, Body Gaurd and Beretta pico.

The curve was utter crap. I have shot many Tauri over the years and always found them quality pieces. The curve looks like it was put together by a 5 year old. It's THICK and feels like crap. There are no sights. Just some lines on the back of the slide. I'm not sure why anyone would chose this gun for any reason.

The Pico had the best sights by far. They were adjustable and akin to traditional service pistol sights. And man is this thing thin! Easily slimmer than all the rest. I wasn't a huge fan of the mag release. Fit and finish was superb. And it felt nice in the hand.

The remington was all metal. Which was a pleasant surprise. It was the heaviest of the bunch, but well within normal weight for this class. Decent sights. And should be good for accurate hits on a man size target out to 25+ yards.

The bodygaurd fit my hand well. 2nd best sights to the pico. They were all black IIRC. I liked the manual of arms.

Hoping to get out this weekend and find some ranges that have these for rent.

P.S. I appreciate all the "optional considerations". But I'd like to keep the discussion on point to pistols that meet the criteria I laid out.

At this point, I'm most excited about the Pico and the Remington. But experience tells me, all bets are off until that hammer falls. I'll reserve final judgement till then.