Let's Talk .380

[gc70]

I only practice to a distance of 10 yrds, with most being 7yds. These are not target guns. I do not shoot them like a target. It is all fast action, fast draw and point and shoot with goal to hit mass center in 3 seconds or under. They are a tool, and this tool is for close action shooting at short distances. I see no reason to shoot a small 380 out to 25 yds. Get another tool.
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Remember any pocket gun requires due diligent,frequent practice. For the most part they are hard to shoot and require on going training. And I do not mean going to the range and target shooting the gun once a month.Lol Get that target shooting crap out of your mind now.
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Pick the right tool for what you Believe will be the attack you may get. Personally while I love shooting 380 then are not the best round out there. I also carry on most occasions a small 9mm. If you go up to big 380's IMO, might as well go 9mm.

The .380 is an excellent caliber for the smallest pocket pistols. Larger .380 pistols are also excellent general purpose guns for people with physical infirmities that present challenges for guns with heavier recoil or have slides that are hard to rack.

 

[bannockburn]

I'm a big fan of the locked breech (thank you gc70), single action only trigger .380, like the Colt Mustang and SIG P238.

Hornady Critical Defense and Speer Gold Dot ammo works great for CCW; typically I use Winchester and Remington FMJ ammo for range time.

For an IWB holster I like the DeSantis SOF-TUK model.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

I'm a big fan of the delayed blowback, single action only trigger .380, like the Colt Mustang and SIG P238.
model.

View attachment 785730

View attachment 785731

Nice! Even though I am a dedicated Pico fan, I love the 238. I know I will get one eventually. Any of the style 1911's. Thanks for posting.

 

[CDW4ME]

When work attire limited me to a 380 it was (past tense) a LCP / P3AT in pocket holster with Gold Dot or Hydra-Shok.

 

[entropy]

I have very little experience carrying a .380, it was many years ago. CZ24 and an M1908 Colt. I loaded ball with 2 Glasers on the bottom of the mag.

 

[Hasaf]

I went out to the range with several of my .380 pistols (and an AR; but, hey, who's counting?). I was testing various reloads.

I will say that I am getting more confident with my Glock 42. I have been using the Mantis System to work on my form and I am no longer shooting left with the Glock.

At this point I am about as accurate with the Glock as with the Kimber Micro.The Walther is still shooting low; however, the Walther picks up about 10% in velocity over the Glock using 3gr of titegroup. Oddly enough, the gain is not nearly as much, about a 5% gain when using 3.2gr (a max published charge).

 

[Hangingrock]

I do find this subject of interest even thou I do not have a semiautomatic handgun in 380 nor have I ever fired a round of 380 ammunition. Life has its compromises and that's what the 380 seems to be in regards to handgun size and ammunition power factor. What's perplexing is, I never seem to find/stumble across 380 empties at the ranges I frequent. It would seem that, that should not be, as popular as 380 seems to be as indicated by the responses to this subject.

 

[entropy]

What's perplexing is, I never seem to find/stumble across 380 empties at the ranges I frequent. It would seem that, that should not be, as popular as 380 seems to be as indicated by the responses to this subject.

That's because .380 ammo is expensive; if someone leaves their brass, it is snatched up by another .380 shooter that reloads it. It's not like 9mm, where many shooters don't bother reloading it because factory ammo is cheap.

I find enough to annoy me when sorting range brass.

 

[dickydalton]

The one that is always in my pocket is an LCP that I bought 7 years ago. I put a Galloway spring and Stainless guide rod kit in it along with a Sweet Pea trigger. I also added a Hogue wrap to the grip and some Mag-Guts magazine kits to allow 7 rounds in the mags. It always fires and never jams. If a bad guy is within 25 yards of me I will not miss and if he/she is farther away I shouldn't be shooting at them anyway.

 

[gc70]

I'm a big fan of the delayed blowback, single action only trigger .380, like the Colt Mustang and SIG P238.

While they both have single action triggers, I believe the Colt Mustang and SIG P238 are locked breech designs.

 

[BaltimoreBoy]

Another couple of votes for:
LCP
Hornady Critical Defense

Those and a pocket holster converted me from an occasional carry person to an inveterate carry person.

 

[bannockburn]

gc70

I believe the Colt Mustang and SIG P238 are locked breech designs.

You are correct; I was thinking one thing and wrote the other. Fixed it.

 

[Jimster]

LCP2 and Kimber Micro in Sticky Holsters. I use fmj.

 

[Tallball]

I have a P3AT, Sig P230, Russian Commercial Makarov, Beretta 84, CZ83, Colt Government Model, FEG SMC... and possibly one or two others I can't remember off the top of my head.

The only one I happen to carry is the P3AT, when it's inconvenient/impractical to carry anything else. I can empty the magazine onto a small paper plate at seven yards easily, and that's good enough for a tiny pocket gun in my book.

I carry it in a pocket holster in a large shirt pocket, or occasionally in a pants pocket. I don't like to carry in a front pocket, though, unless it's the only option. I don't carry in a back pocket unless I know for sure I won't be sitting down. If I'm going to carry in a cargo pocket I usually turn to my LCR, and if I'm going to carry OWB it might as well be the G43.

I'm old-fashioned. I shoot ball through my 380's, and that's what I carry in one. I always hunted dinosaurs with FMJ.

The P3AT and LCP types are not fun for me to shoot. I have huge hands that take a bit of a beating when I shoot them. But I shoot them well enough for emergency up-close SD, so that's okay with me. I don't bother shooting tiny pocket guns past twenty feet or so.

The service pistols in 380 are obviously much easier to shoot well. I can shoot them okay at 15 yards. I shoot the Makarov the best, and can shoot it at 15 yards almost as well as a full-sized 9mm service pistol. The Colt Government Model is the most fun to shoot. It's steel and fires from a locked breech. I can shoot it very well at closer ranges, but it's sights are too small (and maybe the sight plane is too short) for me to shoot it well at longer distances.


This is my trusty Makarov. I bought it brand-new in the late 1980's. It was my cc pistol when I was young.

Makarov380

• Tallball
• Jan 23, 2018

Here is the Colt Government Model. It's the gentlest 380 I've ever shot. It's basically a larger Mustang or P238.

Colt Government 380

• Tallball
• Jan 23, 2018

Here's the Sig P230. It's a nice-looking pistol and points very easily for me.

Sig P230

• Tallball
• Jan 23, 2018

Everyone should have a Beretta 84!

Beretta Model 84

• Tallball
• Jan 23, 2018

 

[Hokkmike]

I went out to the range with several of my .380 pistols (and an AR; but, hey, who's counting?). I was testing various reloads.

I will say that I am getting more confident with my Glock 42. I have been using the Mantis System to work on my form and I am no longer shooting left with the Glock.

At this point I am about as accurate with the Glock as with the Kimber Micro.The Walther is still shooting low; however, the Walther picks up about 10% in velocity over the Glock using 3gr of titegroup. Oddly enough, the gain is not nearly as much, about a 5% gain when using 3.2gr (a max published charge).

It is amazing to me the number of people I have heard comment that they shoot their GLOCKS to the left. My G-42 groups really well but definitely just to the left of the bull's eye.

 

[Hasaf]

It is amazing to me the number of people I have heard comment that they shoot their GLOCKS to the left. My G-42 groups really well but definitely just to the left of the bull's eye.

What I read, and it helps, is to use what is viewed as a dated method, yet it is interesting to me that it is a method that was popular when the Glock was introduced. Left hand index finger tight against the front of the trigger guard at first knuckle with the first knuckle of the right hand centered over the trigger.

 

[bnolsen]

I have a keltec p3at. Seems fire ft scott munitions reliably, not much else though. I really despise shooting it, last time I tore off some skin on my trigger finger. My wife's bersa thunder 380 is actually a good little shooter.

 

[Hokkmike]

Again, thanks all for your contributions.

 

[MikeInOr]

Nicest shooting .380 I have ever handled is a Colt Gov 380. It is like a Mustang with a longer barrel and longer grip/magazine. It looks and functions like a 2/3 sized 1911. Points, handels and shoots beautifully!

I think a Sig 238 is in the same class as the Colt Gov 380 but I have never handled the Sig.

I carry a LCP with ball ammo in the summer when my Kahr is too big.

 

[Terminatorret]

What round? Only FMJ's in my .380's. Interarms Walther PPK/S, CZ83 and DB380 (it cycles beautifully, thank you very much).
Only FMJ's in my 9x18's. Bulgarian Makarov, CZ82 and Polish P64.
Why FMJ's? Penetration and dependable cycling.
Max effective range? When I'm a target of crime, I'll shoot no matter the range.
Favorite mode of carry (for me)? #1 Shoulder holster. #2 OWB cross-draw left appendix. #3 OWB (strong side) 3 o'clock.
Best/Worst to shoot? The best to shoot are 100% reliable, accurate and have 12+ inches of penetration even through winter clothing. The worst are those that are deemed "too valuable" to carry.

 

[joe_security]

I am a huge .380 fan, using a G42 for concealed carry use. My example runs well with the Hornady XTP 90 grain that everyone seems to use these days. I'm getting older and don't want much in the way of blast and recoil so its a natural for me. Factor in 3 surgeries and you can see why I'm a .380 fan. Another thing is the carrying of a spare ammo. Single stack .380 mags are small, light and easy to drop into a pocket. I added Trijicon bright and tough night sights, fired enough Hornadys to verify reliability and it was a done deal for me. As an aside, if you choose the G42, be sure and use the latest mags with "03" stamped under the 5 digit number under the witness holes. A big thumbs up for the.380 !

 

[plumberroy]

I do shoot 25 yards with my Glock 42 For any gun in the size of the 42 I expect to hit a pop can if I do my part at 50 ft

 

[RPZ]

Very heavy clothing, ie; winter time might be a factor, but my opinion is that velocity as opposed to type of bullet is more of a factor here since hollowpoints will not generally open up on clothing. A round nose fmj might have a fractional advantage here.

The .380 is already significantly lower in velocity than say a 9mm. I weigh this as significant even when heavy clothing is not an issue. Therefore I am inclined to prefer fmj - ball ammo - in a .380 for it's penetrative ability.

I would practice at ranges from 3 feet to 50 yards. While most lethal exchanges take place at about 3 yards, being proficient at much longer ranges is a good idea in my opinion.

Carry is dependent on your circumstances. Generally speaking I prefer a simple thumbreak holster at 3 O'clock open, 4:30 O'clock concealed.

A locked breach pistol is normally easier to control than a blowback. Many want the smallest - me I prefer the larger. I do not like tiny grips and ultra short barrels. Take a look at the Beretta 84 and 85.

 

[Stumper]

I have carried .380s for many years. First a Keltec P3AT which served well and currently a Taurus TCP which has better sights and shoots a tad more accurately for me. Bigger 380s can be fun and accurate to shoot but I carry a 380 for the compact pocketable platforms that are available. Front right pants pocket in a Desantis Nemesis holster works for work or casual wear. My carry ammo is a Hornady critical defense in the chamber and staggered cast truncated cone 100 grain handloads and Hdy critical defense in the magazine. I know the arguments against handloads and mixed magazines but simply do not care. I know it works in my gun. I know that insufficient penetration is a potential issue with expanding bullets in 380, and I know that if I'm justified in shooting someone it shouldn't matter what I used.

Oh and I have used my pocket .380 on exactly one ocassion other than on paper and steel....to finish a wounded feral hog. Ball worked.

 

[Low_Speed_Notper8or]

Does a 9x18mm makarov count?

Personally in mine I just shoot and carry russian ball. And I carry it in a leather convertible IWB/OWB holster that is FSB issue from Russia(Sich Profi)