If carrying a .380: Which One?
- Thread starter Redcoat3340
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orionengnr
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If I choose to carry a .380 it is because I want the absolute smallest gun... hence an LCP.
And that does not happen often.
And that does not happen often.
lincen
Member
I’ve had and carried several LCP’s and the P3AT’s. To me the now discontinued Beretta Pico is perfect for pocket carry. It is thin, tolerable recoil, and has been 100% reliable. The also now discontinued Remington RM380 has been carried at times. My favorite 380’s at the range are a Colt Government 380 and a Star model S.
Steel Hayes
Member
Not on the list, but just brought home yesterday a Taurus Spectrum.
I had a Curve which I absolutely hated, but the Spectrum is a pleasant surprise for a .380.
I had a Curve which I absolutely hated, but the Spectrum is a pleasant surprise for a .380.
At a glance of the prior thread posts, I didn't see anybody mention Beretta is coming out with a new .380, the 80X Cheetah. I do like the idea of a now-vintage Beretta, but realize the OP's choice is discontinued and I wouldn't know how hard it might be for potential parts & service, leading me to consider waiting for the forthcoming replacement to become available.
https://www.beretta.com/en-us/80-series/
I'm usually a Glock-type-of-guy, but the Glock 42's reviews don't seem to instill the confidence in Glock's usual reliability with me. It's a good thing I'm not a .380 user.
The .380 ammo also seems expensive for what it is, ref.:
https://www.ammoman.com/380-auto
(we're talking .40S&W prices here).
I also don't know anything about Washington state's current handgun laws and don't know what the OP will have to go through in getting a new gun.
Personally, I'm good with several 9mm handguns from which to choose.
https://www.beretta.com/en-us/80-series/
I'm usually a Glock-type-of-guy, but the Glock 42's reviews don't seem to instill the confidence in Glock's usual reliability with me. It's a good thing I'm not a .380 user.
The .380 ammo also seems expensive for what it is, ref.:
https://www.ammoman.com/380-auto
(we're talking .40S&W prices here).
I also don't know anything about Washington state's current handgun laws and don't know what the OP will have to go through in getting a new gun.
Personally, I'm good with several 9mm handguns from which to choose.
Yeah but how old is it? The reports I'm getting on the newer ones are it takes four strong men to rack it and a team of water buffalo to pull the trigger.
jar
Contributing Member
Maybe some folk might claim that it takes four strong men to rack it and a team of water buffalo to pull the trigger but I have not found that to be the case. Mine is a newer model purchased this year and except on bad days I have absolutely no problem racking the slide even with the hammer down and trigger pull averages 4 pounds 10 ounces.
OLDE RETIRED COASTIE
Member
I purchased a new baby rock, and have no problem racking the slide, or pulling the trigger. I am 72 years old, and no problem. I really like this little gun, has a little more recoil than I was led to believe but that is all
I found a used one for $300 which I just ordered, all the good priced new ones are sold out. Looks like the previous owner had cerakoted the slide in a "pink" camo pattern, I can fix that. Thinking about chroming it.
KahrDriving
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entropy
Member
This thread started before I got my TCP 738, but since KahrDriving necromanced it, that's the .380 I carry.
In the past I have carried a CZ 24, and an M1908. A bit larger than most recent pocket .380s, but pockets were bigger back when they were made.
I was looking at a Kahr 380 and a DB9 sitting next to each other at a gun shop yesterday, and noticed except for a slightly longer barrel on the DB9, they are the same size. I might have to research pocket holsters for the DB9.
In the past I have carried a CZ 24, and an M1908. A bit larger than most recent pocket .380s, but pockets were bigger back when they were made.
I was looking at a Kahr 380 and a DB9 sitting next to each other at a gun shop yesterday, and noticed except for a slightly longer barrel on the DB9, they are the same size. I might have to research pocket holsters for the DB9.
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
Love my Pico, though the trigger takes some getting used to. FYI, a Pico in a Sticky holster fits perfectly in the cargo pocket of a pair of Dickies work pants.
zaitcev
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I'd pick the 380EZ. It's light, reliable, and quality made gun. It's a hallmark of modern manufacturing making inexpensive guns. The pseudo-Walther is a dumpster fire, even in Gen2. The 85F is okay I suppose, but it's rather thick for a single stack. It's basically an antique at this point, running it takes a certain level of interest in the subject (when to replace springs etc.).
orionengnr
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I kind of miss my CW380. Might have to find another, if I ever decide to carry a .380 on a regular basis.
Until then, my LCP will work for those few and far between times when I can't carry a (real) gun.
And I just have to address this BS:
A (sic) individual can't be a (sic) Army
A (sic) individual can't be a Navy.
A (sic) individual can't be a (sic) Air Force
A (sic) individual can't be a Coast Guard
A (sic) individual can be a MARINE!
Following the above logic, the correct statement is:
An individual can't be a Marine Corps!
But...some individuals should definitely go back to elementary school and learn basic sentence structure...
Carry on.
Until then, my LCP will work for those few and far between times when I can't carry a (real) gun.
And I just have to address this BS:
A (sic) individual can't be a (sic) Army
A (sic) individual can't be a Navy.
A (sic) individual can't be a (sic) Air Force
A (sic) individual can't be a Coast Guard
A (sic) individual can be a MARINE!
Following the above logic, the correct statement is:
An individual can't be a Marine Corps!
But...some individuals should definitely go back to elementary school and learn basic sentence structure...
Carry on.
entropy
Member
You left the "k" out of sic.
Bcwitt
Member
I had a Bersa firestar. Not a bad gun once you remove the mag safety.
gbw
Member
380 for carry makes sense to me only in pistols that are true pocket size and weight. It has adequate in power. As
a civilian I value small size/weight and reliability over everything else. The listed choices are too big for .380 carry guns.
Original LCP Custom (LCP w/good sights & improved trigger.) Among smallest / lightest 380s available. Sadly no longer made, I had long search to find good ones.
a civilian I value small size/weight and reliability over everything else. The listed choices are too big for .380 carry guns.
Original LCP Custom (LCP w/good sights & improved trigger.) Among smallest / lightest 380s available. Sadly no longer made, I had long search to find good ones.
If I were going someplace where I thought there was a chance I would need a pistol to defend myself and had to be a .380, it would be an Sig Sauer P238. If I felt I needed more capacity without mag changes, definitely a Cheetah 84.
Beretta Pico. The magazine doesn't pop out unexpectedly, the hammer can't snag, and the trigger can't be pulled by mistake while holstered in a pocket.
Yeah, pocket carry stinks. So does not having a pistol on you.
I do want to try an LCP max. Doesn't seem like a direct replacement for the Pico but I'm curious.
Yeah, pocket carry stinks. So does not having a pistol on you.
I do want to try an LCP max. Doesn't seem like a direct replacement for the Pico but I'm curious.
I would add the Girsan MCT. Looks like a Beretta 92, sized like a 85F or 80X with a popup chamber for those who have trouble with working the slide. Holds 13 rounds (only 1 mag in the set though). Heavy enough to assist with recoil and that makes it highly desirable in my book.
I have an LCP Max and the thing is snappy plus not a full hand grip. It's mostly my backup/close in gun. I prefer the Kimber Micro, or the Browning 1911-380. And I am fast becoming a fan of the Gersan MCT14. Heavy enough to offset the recoil, popup chamber if you can't always do the slide shuffle. Safety and D/S action.
hutch51
Member
Sig P238. Bought for wife, carry it occasionally. Shoots nice.
Bought the extended mag - needed a place for my pinky.
Had a Bersa thunder. Recoil was snappy, painful after about twenty rounds or so. It was a little too light. Sold it.
Bought the extended mag - needed a place for my pinky.
Had a Bersa thunder. Recoil was snappy, painful after about twenty rounds or so. It was a little too light. Sold it.
I can't think of many guns with a smaller grip than the Pico! I'm sure your suggestions are all much more comfortable to shoot, just not so easy to drop in a pocket. Single action is not my preference but I could be tempted with da/sa options.
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