Please help me select a compact .380

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PocketRocket

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I need a very compact .380 pistol that I can carry in my pocket when I’m doing my lawn duty at the house. The purpose is mostly for protection against some pack-dogs that roam our semi-rural neighborhood. The gun is going to be in my pocket so a polymer framed gun would probably be a good bet in a sweat dampened environment.

Any suggestions?
 
Lot of choices nowadays. I have the Ruger LCP and like it a lot. It has always been 100% reliable, more accurate than it has any right to be and very, very easy to conceal and carry. Give it a look.

Taurus and S&W make similar handguns and perhaps others. No experience with them.
 
I was reluctant to like the Ruger LCP - as I used to be with all polymer framed revolvers - but after I got a chance to shoot my dad's LCP, I was very impressed. I thought that light little thing would fly right outta my hand, but it was real fun to shoot! The long double action pull wasn't SO LONG that you missed your mark 10 feet to the left (as was the case with my NAA Guardian). It's a nice piece. I've heard decent things about the Kel-tecs, but I've heard some not-so-good things too. I don't thing I've heard any bad press on the Ruger.
 
Sig P238. Doesn't get much better than that.

Sold my Taurus 738 to move to the Sig. Slightly heavier amd 2x the price, but for more controll and better trigger, I'll give up a couple ounces any day. Being able to hit exactly where I want and not "somewhere on target" is worth the extra $200.

Q
 
I would vote LCP also. Only thing i would add is get the hoag wrap around grip and maybe a finger extension for the mag. I have one and even though it isnt to uncomfortable to shoot factory fresh it is much easier with the grip on it now.
 
The Ruger and the Kel-Tec are virtually identical, and are the most-popular. Either is a good choice; the general concensus is that the Ruger is a little better finished. The Taurus TCP seems to be a good performer as of late, too.
These can be snappy little guns to shoot, but it shouldn't be hard to acclimate to one for most people.
For a pocket-gun, I went with the Kel-Tec, but in .32ACP (for faster follow-up shots and the additional round in capacity.) If the P3-AT is anything like this one in performance, you won't be disappointed in it.
 
smith_and_wesson_bodyguard_380_b-350x350.jpg

Love the BG380 "real" sights, laser when you want it. Trigger is long but after a couple mags its no big deal. Pocket carries easy. I too sold a taurus but went this route.
 
I have or have had several great 380s. My wife's bodyguard has proven to be 100% reliable and shockingly accurate. The laser is a non-issue for me. It works as designed, but doesn't detract either.
 
The taurus tcp is a very easy pistol to shoot well with the best trigger pull of the bunch at under 5lbs. Weight is up to 2 ox more than the kt and ruger and that does help with control. They have models that are SS and blck finished SS for full time sweaty hot wether that sell for around the 260 dollar range and a basic model for around 190. The last series have a "C" in the serial number and is the model you want. Once you get to the weight or size of some of the larger 380's there are 9MM in the same class to look at.
 
My pick would be a Taurus 738 FS. It is a polygun that weighs 10 oz. with the best DAO trigger that I have seen so far. I have had the LCP and Bodyguard and the Taurus trigger pull is about half of the weight of the others. You can find one for around $200.
 
I bought an LCP on the recommendation of a friend when I was in the market for a .380. I went with it, and it's fine for what it is. No failures with FMJ ammunition, which is what I carry in it. Haven't tried hollow points, as I don't intend to carry with them. Some failures with Buffalo Bore lead rounds, which I found afterwards Ruger does not recommend using in the pistol.

The sights are hardly usable, but the laser's nice to have. I bought it with the intention that it be a BUG/belly gun/gun to carry when I can't carry a gun, etc. and it fits that purpose very well.
 
I went with a KelTec P3-AT when I was looking for a pocket auto that was small, lightweight, and quick t put into action.
 
I would steer you into a hammerless snubnose revolver. Alloy frames help with the rust issue. Lower cost ammo. Get a good pocket holster and wipe it down daily.
 
I carry a P3AT most of the time in my pocket now. The PF9 works with cargo pants but is a good bit heavier. Ruger LCP is comparable to the KT though a bit pricier as you might expect. My P3AT has never had a FTF of any kind with several hundred rounds of many different types of ammo run through it. I am not very good with it outside 15 yards but that is not what it is intended for. At 7-10 yards it is excellent.
 
I need a very compact .380 pistol that I can carry in my pocket when I’m doing my lawn duty at the house.
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If light and compact are your primary criteira in chosing a .380 pocket pistol, I don't think you could really go wrong with the Ruger LCP. Personally, my choice for .380 pocket pistols is the Kahr P380, you give up a little as far as weight and size go, but you still end up with a pocketable pistol that is easier to control and has better sights. Your choice.
 
I have an LCP right now on the inner side of my Ariat Western boot in an ankle hsolter. THe LCP is one of the lightest and most accurate little gun I have ever fired! It's a Ruger and costs less than $300!
 
I carry a S&W Body Guard 380 every day! With jeans in a pocket holster it looks like a large cell phone. In shorts it's unnoticeable. It's fairly accurate once you get used to the long trigger pull has a safety, laser pointer, and comes with a mag extension or flat plate. The sights on the Sig are better but the S&W costs half as much as the Sig and maybe 20 bucks more than the LCP. When practicing with it I normally use the Remington ammo or whatever can be found for relatively cheap. It shoots most ammo without any problems. I did buy some Tulammo once that it would not shoot. Before I leave the range I load it up with Gold Dot hp.
 
I carry a Ruger LCP in a Cleveland IWB holster and a spare mag in my watch pocket The gun loaded weighs 14.2 oz. I really dislike the long hard trigger pull so I go to the range frequently to practice with it.
 
I have owned or shot most of the pocket pistols and IMO none of them hold a candle next to the P238.

If the cost of the P238 is a little high for you my second choice would be the TCP.
 
PocketRocket I need a very compact .380 pistol....
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Some of the posters above ignored this part of your request.

The Sig238 is NOT by any stretch of the imagination a "very compact .380".

It is not in the same size and weight class as other cheaper, smaller and lighter polymer .380's, and much closer in size to the Ruger LC9, Kahr PM9/CM9, and other polymer pistols that are 9mm. If you are going to carry that weight and size why not carry a 9mm?
It's also single action with an exposed hammer. While that makes for an awesome trigger pull, John Browning knew best....."hammerless" pocket pistols are less likley to snag when drawn from the pocket.

The Seecamp is a great little gun, but pretty pricey.

The best value IMHO is the Ruger LCP.....its a refinement of the KelTec P3at and thats why it cost a few more $$$ than the KelTec. It also doesn't need the "fluff and buff" that is so common among KT P3at owners.

The Kahr P380 is the best micro .380 I've owned. It has excellent usable sights, unlike the LCP or P3at....at the expense of being slightly larger, heavier and more expensive. I loved the one I had, but sold it when I was made an offer I couldn't refuse.

I cannot recommend the Taurus TCP.....watch this before buying one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEPqBwUIr6k
Hopefully taurus has fixed this problem.
 
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