If carrying a .380: Which One?

[zaitcev]

I carry a Glock 42 and had been for at least 8 years. It's proven itself. However, I think you have better options in 2023 than G42. I'd take a good look at P365-380 if I were starting today. It's thinner than B85, BTW.

The Umarex-made pretend-Walther fooled many people. Not fooling me! Fortunately, its single stack magazine did more to disqualify it than its abysmal quality managed.

The Beretta 85 is nice, but it's not significantly thinner than the 84. The whole top end is the same. So you're giving up the capacity for basically no advantage. BTW, Beretta released an updated version of the 80 series, called 80X. If you want that kind of gun, look at the 80X first.

The 380EZ is okay, but it's rather mediocre gun today. Large, low capacity. Its biggest selling point is the ease of racking the slide, so it's popular among the 80-year-olds. But otherwise I see no point.

 

[cfullgraf]

I like a Walther PPK but it is a bit heavy and being recoil operated, the recoil is a bit snappy. Mine is an S&W and it like FMJ ammunition but is a but finicky with hollow points. I understand the current iteration made stateside by Walther is more tollereant of hollow points.

I have a Beretta 84 and and 85. As already said, there really is not much difference in size and they are large for a 380 pistol. Nice shooters though and my 84 will digest about any bullet fed to it, even 38 caliber 110 grain jacketed hollow points.

I have carried a mid-80's Colt Mustang and more frequently a Kimber Micro. Both are pretty much the same gun but I doubt if many parts are really interchangeable. With the delayed locked breech like a 1911, they are pleasant to shoot for a small gun. I could easily hit a gong at 50 yards with my Mustang.

I know, not exactly what the OP was asking but, except for the Beretta, the Shield and Walther do not fit my comfort zone. I'm not exactly comfort with safe-tee-less striker fired pistols or some fact simile.

 

[defjon]

Let's say you want to carry a .380. Which one would you choose:
S&W .380 EZ
Walther CCP M2
Beretta 85F/Cheetah

The EZ is SA only with both manual and grip safety.
The CCP is striker-fired and has "innovative" gas-delayed blowback system to lessen recoil. (It is the same size as the EZ.)
The Beretta is traditional DA/SA, single-stack with a decocker/safety, is all metal and larger than the other two.

I carry an lcp custom.
I'd go with the beretta cheetah

 

[cfullgraf]

So, we're not looking at the micro compacts, the KT P3AT and its copies, clones and ripoffs.

Beretta. Because, "class!".

I like my KelTec P3AT but short or being a belly gun, it is somewhat useless. It is too small and not enough pistol for longer ranges control for adequate hits on target. and, yes, I have one and would not get rid of it.

 

[tercel89]

Try a Glock 28 when they are released to the public next month for sale in the USA. The 28 and 25 have been working reliably since the 90's.

 

[Ks5shooter]

Sig 230 or Glock 42

 

[Ks5shooter]

G28 is interesting

 

[Pistolay]

Try a Glock 28 when they are released to the public next month for sale in the USA. The 28 and 25 have been working reliably since the 90's.

Wow, I hadn't heard this. I wonder what it's going to be like, considering that it's a blowback design.

 

[Zeabed]

I've had a Beretta 85FS for about 15 years and I'm used to it. It carries fine in the front pocket of my cargo pants/shorts, which is what I wear all the time. It fits my hand comfortably and it works for me as a shooter. For me that's what matters.

 

[ms6852]

None, I would carry the Springfield 911. Weighs less than all you mentioned and the recoil is not snappy not even with full 100gr. loads. Also the magazines used on the Springfield 911 can be used with the Micro Kimber and the Sig, and even better than that, price wise, they are priced 50% cheaper too.

 

[If1HitU]

I carry two G 42 380 & S&W M&P BG 380

 

[If1HitU]

I carry two G 42 380 & S&W M&P BG 380

 

[hemiram]

If I was carrying a .380, it would almost for sure be my Beretta 85. I have had it a long time, it works, it's a very good shooter, and it's got some minor wear on it, so I wouldn't care all that much if it got some more "patina" on it. But usually, my carry is a Taurus PT111 G2, or my Astra A75. Only real difference is weight. Both seem to be about perfect in reliabilty, but I do prefer the Astra's great trigger over the Taurus.

 

[tercel89]

Glock 28 . Holsters and accesseries are everywhere.

 

[jar]

I have one of the new ROCK ISLAND , BABY ROCK, works like a 1911, sort of, looks very similar to a 1911 and seems to work ok. Light, small, can conceal easy

My Baby Rock all dressed up:

 

[hutch51]

Not one of the choices, but -
Bersa Thunder was not good. Too light, the recoil was like a hammer blow. Made my hand hurt after a box of ammo.
Sig Sauer P238. Nice shooter, smooth recoil, more accurate than I am. Get the extended magazine so you have a place to put your pinky.
My sample size of two.

 

[Fyrstyk]

In the summer time I carry my AMT Back-up as it is quite small and easily fits in my pants pocket. Once the weather gets cooler, I switch to my Star Fire-star .40 S&W.

 

[Monac]

An American Arms Escort 380: https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/american-arms-escort-380.334553/

It's obsolete by today's standards, because it's all steel, but that allows it to be a blowback with an outstandlingly simple takedown. That thing behind the trigger that looks like a sub-trigger is the takedown latch; the actual trigger is made of folded sheet steel to clear it. You press in the latch, and the slide just comes off forward. It's heavy compared to a plastic pistol, but it's pleasant to shoot and mine has been reliable and as accurate as I can get with a DAO pistol. Worst feature: the original grips were made of a plastic that disintegrated over the course of time. I found replacements made of better stuff on Ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/133520278566?hash=item1f166dc426:g:FysAAOSwtzVfYVyg&amdata=enc:AQAHAAAA0BC92dms6Y1U98/AlSCMjH70erU3Z5ILmQk8d1erIHzRtbmh7WCmLrSemeqqawnzv6hbF5L5z27MuRogHnI+Z5kqgmQCtrdX+A5jod4SuSSKzz0dql36NS6EPs0ZyRPhosvFdq4cJZLG4fdqDtGMgbicIedz9L2vjfnAlv9ihB1vWoGMuTwlmOev1lMdVLASJyp8Sr3/keH75ztTUyyRcbDwyVJn80gVIYcp7NXJf08H8utkjq80NJeqFPnFx+o/QCHTlKDC0mWOfPKBCD5kHbc=|tkp:Bk9SR-qy-LfqYQ

 

[Monac]

sorry, double post.

 

[Buckeye63]

My only 380ACP

 

[unclenunzie]

Wow, I hadn't heard this. I wonder what it's going to be like, considering that it's a blowback design.

The 28 is a 26 that was neutered from 9mm for the south american market where countries prohibit civilian use of military calibers. It is blowback operated. To me it makes little sense for the American market unless a person must have a double stack 380 that is also Glock. For me a pocket 380 in Glock form is the 42. If I'm going to a belt size pistol it will be a service caliber.

 

[Buckeye63]

The 28 is a 26 that was neutered from 9mm for the south american market where countries prohibit civilian use of military calibers. It is blowback operated. To me it makes little sense for the American market unless a person must have a double stack 380 that is also Glock. For me a pocket 380 in Glock form is the 42. If I'm going to a belt size pistol it will be a service caliber.

I agree … But their is a market.. , growing market.. for a pistol like the Ruger Security 380 .. lite rack , low recoil … fast follow up shots and with practice.. accurate follow up shots .. from a a extremely flat shooting pistol…
As I get older .. and due to my neurological problems ..( cervical fusion) a light racking , fast shooting pistol sounds good … especially since its not a 22LR ….
Right now .. Im good with racking a slide .. but I’ve noticed.. that I notice .. racking a slide .. which before.. never a thought about it ..

 

[foxmoor]

I like both my Kahr CT380 and Sig P365-380, though clearly they’re very different. The former is lower capacity (7+1 with MagGuts) but thin and light, while the latter is higher capacity, a bit heavier and not as fussy on ammo. They each are good shooters and I use each in certain situations. I’ve had numerous broken arm/wrist bones over the years and the .380 cartilage is a bit easier for meet to shoot well and fast.

 

[S.Crockett]

Let's say you want to carry a .380. Which one would you choose:
S&W .380 EZ
Walther CCP M2
Beretta 85F/Cheetah
The EZ is SA only with both manual and grip safety.
The CCP is striker-fired and has "innovative" gas-delayed blowback system to lessen recoil. (It is the same size as the EZ.)
The Beretta is traditional DA/SA, single-stack with a decocker/safety, is all metal and larger than the other two.

What's wrong with a Glock model 28?

 

[Brubz]

No love for the Ruger LCP2?