Handgun for CCW

[NMGonzo]

5 shot snubnose.

I always answer the same way.

Now, if you find one in .44 special ...

 

[David E]

Don't let them BS you. The .380 is pretty powerful cartridge.

No, it's not. It's not standard issue for uniformed cops anywhere in the USA for a reason.

I would stay away from tiny pocket guns in larger calibers as those are unshootable.

No, they're not. It's a matter of technique, load selection and practice. (however, this does not mean they'll be pleasant to shoot).

For a first handgun, a pocket gun of any type is a poor choice.

 

[SC_Slowhand]

Change is a good thing.



I have 4 Main Carry Weapons. Depending upon which side of town I’m in I may be found with the S&W 4043 in the glove box. Either the Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan in .44 MAG , a Ruger SP 101 .357 Cal, or a SIG P-239 in 9mm as a main gun.

Weather and how I’m dressed are also taken into consideration. The Ruger LCP .380 goes along as a BUG or sometimes flies solo.

 

[VBVAGUY]

No, it's not. It's not standard issue for uniformed cops anywhere in the USA for a reason.

You are correct in that actually in the PRESENT time no, I do not know of any LEA's using .380acp as their primary, however some do use and approve it as a BUG caliber. Also from my research, you have to remember that back in the early 1900's that the police did use .380acp as one of their primary weapons. As someone else mentioned it has killed a good number of BG's around the world. Just like that mexican man that was ambushed at his house with BG's with AK47's and yet he killed all of them with his lowly 380acp. I hope this helps. God Bless

 

[David E]

You are correct... I do not know of any LEA's using .380acp as their primary, however some do use and approve it as a BUG caliber.

A role where it excels.

Also from my research, you have to remember that back in the early 1900's that the police did use .380acp as one of their primary weapons.

They used percussion pistols once, too. They changed their arms/caliber selection for reasons....

As someone else mentioned it has killed a good number of BG's around the world.

You can say the same for .22 rimfire, .25acp, .32acp and gangrene.

Just like that mexican man that was ambushed at his house with BG's with AK47's and yet he killed all of them with his lowly 380acp.

Cool heads can prevail against unlikely odds, for sure.

But I bet it wasn't a sightless pocket gun.

I also bet he wasn't thinking to himself, "I'm sure glad I have this .380 instead of a high capacity 9mm/.40/.45 stoked with JHP's!"

.

 

[jimbo555]

It's a great time now with a new single stack 9mm coming out almost every week to choose a handgun thats powerful,accurate and concealable.Or there are many revolvers to choose that will serve you well.

 

[mljdeckard]

I call the .380 borderline. There are some loads for it that make it overlap into 9mm territory, which to me is, better than bad. I mostly steer people away from it since you can get sub-compacts in everything from 9mm-10mm, and everything in between, so the size advantage has been pushed to the wayside.

An exception would be someone like my mom, who (due to a poorly healed injury in her left wrist,) has a very difficult time racking slides on most autos, and the DA triggers on revolvers. I am referring her to a Walther PK-380, because it has a VERY light slide rack. But generally speaking, smaller guns are more difficult to aim because they are shorter, and have more recoil because they are lighter. We shouldn't steer rookies towards smaller guns because they are less intimidating in their appearance.

 

[woad_yurt]

How about a good, ol' Makarov? It's easy to shoot, reliable as anything else on the planet, accurate, and very carry-able. 9X18 ammo is pretty cheap, too.

 

[shootingthebreeze]

There are two I carry the Taurus .40 Millenium and the Kahr .380.
I love the Kahr- though the Taurus is easily carried the Kahr is much easier. As far as accuracy, the Kahr was run through its paces last summer and its accuracy was amazing at 10 yards. Where it is aimed is where the bullets will impact.
The Taurus has also been extensively broken in and is totally reliable and accurate as well.

 

[Ben86]

Looking for help in deciding best caliber for a CCW. Thinking about 380 but during a recent phone question, a gentleman suggested a 9mm. Thanks in advance for your ideas.

Considering how small 9mms are these days .380 is obsolete IMO (think Kahr PM9/CM9 or Diamondback db380). Why carry a tiny gun anyway. I CC an M&P9 IWB just fine.