Pocket 380 that's fun to shoot?

[tostada]

EDIT: I'm sorry, I originally said I had a LCP, but I meant I have an LCR. I have the Ruger 5-shot .38 revolver. So I'm looking for something a little easier to carry than that.

I have a Glock 26 which I really like, but it's really too big to carry comfortably.

So I got a Ruger LCR, and I really really like it. It's the only thing I've actually carried. I have a Remora holster, and it works pretty well in girl jeans. I wear it sort of at 4-o'clock. But I still need to be wearing a slightly loose top or a cardigan because of how wide the revolver is. And it's just not light enough that I'm going to carry it every day.

It would be nice to have something a little thinner/lighter, but it seems like every 380 I see is either heavier than my LCP or else it's so bad to shoot that I would never want to practice with it.

And I want to enjoy shooting! I think shooting my LCR is fun - at least the first 50 rounds. And I don't want to have to force myself to shoot something I hate, either. I'm not going to do that.

What are my options? Are there any options lighter than the LCR? The LCR is 13.5 oz empty and 16.0 oz loaded, I think.

For example:
Glock 42 = 17.3 oz loaded = heavier
Sig P238 = 15.2 oz empty = heavier
Ruger LC380 = 17.2 oz empty = much heavier
Bersa Thunder 380 CC = 18.2 oz loaded = heavier
Micro Desert Eagle = 14 oz empty = heavier

I think the Ruger LCP is really ugly, and I don't like the super-upright-looking grip. I think Glock grips are more comfortable.

I think the Taurus PT 738 TCP 380 is a pretty good-looking gun, and the trigger is supposedly better than the LCP. It also doesn't have a safety, so I like it since I'm used to Glocks.

The Taurus TCP is 12.1 oz loaded and 0.87" wide.

It sounds like exactly what I'd want, but then I was looking for info on it, and I found a thread here where a lot of guys were saying it was really rough to shoot. I mean, really snappy. And the only 380s they seemed to mention that weren't annoying to shoot were things like the P238 which are heavier than my revolver.

I'm just looking for a general opinion. Should I try the Taurus TCP? I'm a tough girl! But I also don't want something that's super-harsh compared to my Glock 26 and Ruger LCR.

Maybe my only real option is the Kel-Tec P32? I don't know how happy I am about that, because Kel-Tecs seem kinda cheap with a questionable finish. I hear a lot of people saying they had to send them back. I want something I can be confident in, and regardless of what the facts are, I don't know if I'd feel as comforted by having a Kel-Tec with me as I would another brand.

I know that sounds silly, too, but come on. The chances of me needing to use it are really low. I'd like something that puts me in a happy confident place, though! Should I find a therapist to try to change my feelings about Kel-Tec?

I would almost be OK with the NAA Sidewinder for times I don't want to carry my LCR, except it's single action and that's probably a deal-breaker for me.

I'm not really looking to put something in my pocket, because I don't think anything would fit in my pockets. My phone won't fit in my pocket very well. But I'd like something that fits in my waistband better than the LCR.



- Raquel

 

[JB357MAG]

I have a Taurus TCP 738 and its a bit snappy but
I dont have a prob shooting it.

I am a big fat guy so maby that helps.

Its a great gun, very very easy to carry.

Jimmy

 

[Zerodefect]

Don't forget the Kahr P380. It like hot ammo, and may require it's magazine bottom plates folded a little tighter. (Pliers will do fine)

But the Glock 42 is the best choice of what you listed. The others are too small.

Also look at the Ruger LCR and S&W J Frames.

 

[WestKentucky]

Just bought a g42 for the wife today...well she bought it for herself...anyways it seems a good gun to enjoy. If it's recoil your not liking (can't believe this myself as I type it) look at the Hi Point. It's big, ugly, heavy, and ugly again for good measure, but it's also accurate and big enough to hang onto without it putting a whooping on you.

 

[weblance]

I'll comment. I tried many different pocket pistols and revolvers. I hated the LCP. It was difficult to control, and wasnt reliable. The LCR was too heavy. The LC9 was easier to control, but too heavy. All the small, lightweight revolvers are too heavy for my comfort, in pants pockets. I do carry a S&W 638 in a jacket pocket in winter.

I settled on a Kel-Tec P32. The P32 has been great. Its reliable, shoots well, is accurate, and controllable. I wouldnt want to be in an extended gunfight with it, but for deep concealment, and getting you out of a bad situation, I think it serves well.

 

[dickydalton]

Well, I like my LCP. I did add a Sweet Pea trigger, Galloway springs and guide rod, 7 round magazine upgrades and a Hogue gripper sleeve. It has never jammed, hits where aimed and is very controllable, along with easily concealed and light. To each their own.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

A pocket .380 that's fun to shoot? Look up "contradiction" in the dictionary.

Some are serviceable; some are reliable; most can be made to do the job (of concealed carry), but almost NONE of them are fun to shoot. As someone else suggested, look at a Kel-Tec P32 ... that arguably comes closest to something small that can be ALMOST fun to shoot.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

The P238 is a very soft shooter and easy to carry in a pocket. It's marginally heavier than the others but not so heavy as to make carry difficult and that weight helps with recoil. I have been known to borrow my wife's on occasion.

 

[lauderdale]

The berretta .380 PICO would be a fine fit for you. As you explained (That be my guess?) I never tough I would go back to a .380 after letting a berretta 380 slip out of my hands years ago as I thought that it was to small of a CCW for were I was living. In the last several years I added 3 to my collection G42 BERSA,(for testing reloads) and the gravey pocket P. w/frount adjustable rear adjustable sights and I can bang a gong no problem@ 15yds.! Good luck and check one out.

 

[Captcurt]

One of the Benefits of being a Dealer. Testing!

Been thru several carry guns. In the 380 cal I have had a Taurus 738, Bodyguard, LCP, Sig P238, LC380 and a G42. The little guns that conceal good were the least fun to shoot. At least for me. The LCP, Taurus and Smith were pretty sharp in the recoil department. One that I really liked to shoot was the LC380. It was easy to control and thin enough to conceal even though it was the largest. I carry the Glock now but I will have another Sig. I sold mine when everything went crazy at the last Obama scare. The Kahr will be on my try list in the future too.

 

[SDGlock23]

Check out the Kahr CT380 and the smaller CW380. The CW380 is a lot nicer to shoot than the LCP despite being similar sized, it's sprung heavier. The CT is a touch larger and should be even easier to shoot, but still pocketable. I was just out today shooting my CW380 and it was fun, recoil wasn't bad at all and could've shot all day.

 

[orionengnr]

I have had two P3ATs (both POSs) and two LCPs (both utterly reliable, but not fun to shoot).

I will be trying one of the new-gen LCPs with better sights and better trigger.

In the mean time, I'm pretty happy with my Kahr CW380. It is not quite as absolutely reliable with any ammo as the LCPs were, but it is far more pleasant to shoot, has much better trigger and sights, and (with the right ammo) is perfectly reliable.

All that said, I don't carry a .380. My Kahr PM9 is just slightly larger than the CW380 (and much smaller/lighter/thinner than a G26), is boringly reliable with any ammo (including +p+), and has served me perfectly since 2006 or so.

 

[russianbear]

I bought one of S&Ws Walther PPK/s in .380,it's shot great and has not had any problems. S&W had problems with the early ones firing when the de-cocking lever was tripped,but they recalled them and fixed the problem. I really like caring it when I am dressed down in the summer,just stick it in a pant pocket in a small cloth type holster. Caring an extra Mag. is like having a pack of chewing gum in a pocket. I also have this Comp-Tac OWB holster I use when wearing a suit.

 

[fedlaw]

My P238 is a riot.

 

[Snowdog]

My P238 HD ("heavy duty") model that has a stainless frame rather than alloy. It's great fun to shoot with very little recoil, but heavy. I'm keeping it as it's an awesome pistol, but I'm now in the market for something lighter. I'm currently researching the Diamondback DB9 (a super light and slim polymer 9mm) but have been so far staved off by the occasional bad (read horrible) review.
Good luck with your search.

 

[WRGADog]

Glock 42 is softest shooting 380 I have found. I own a number of small pistols that are relatively easy to conceal PM9, Nano, Solo, and PPS. However, I find my self carrying my G42 most frequently. I carry in a Remora holster and can easily switch from IWB to pocket carry when necessary. I owned a Kahr P380, but i couldn't get the gun to feed reliably so I traded for another pistol.

 

[Tallball]

My P3AT has been completely reliable, but it's no fun to shoot.

My Beretta 84 is fun to shoot, but it won't fit in my pocket.

 

[Elvis1]

Don't trust the loaded weight numbers, I have a kahr P380, a SIG 238, Glock 42, the kahr is the lightest, followed by the Glock, the SIG is the heaviest. I have not noticed much difference carrying the Glock or kahr even though the Glock is bigger. The SIG just feels heavy and bulky on the belt. I'm 5'7" 150 so not a big guy and wear fitting clothing. In the summer I prefer my kahr, in the dead of winters coldest (sub zero) days I trust only my S&W 360pd which with 70's magna grips weighs 10-3/4 oz unloaded. I'm out of town but if you want me to send photos when I get back I can put them on scales for you loaded up for real world weights.
Elvis

PM me to remind me to take pics if you would like them

 

[bannockburn]

Fun to shoot in a pocket size .380 to me would be a Colt Mustang and a SIG P238.

 

[Pyro]

Only 380 I own is a Cobra CA380.
It kicks good but it is not uncomfortable to shoot.

 

[Fiv3r]

I actually enjoy shooting my s&w bodyguard quite a bit.

 

[GBExpat]

Pocket 380 that's fun to shoot?

As a general rule, the heavier pistols will be more comfortable/fun to shoot ... and less comfortable/fun to carry.

 

[MAKster]

In addition to the Glock 42, you should check out the Ruger LC380. They both have a larger grip and locked breech design which lowers recoil. The traditional blow back 380s have a lot of recoil.

 

[Doug S]

Pocket 380 that's fun to shoot?

To answer your questions, and respond to your original post...The way I see it, you have two choices. You can either continue to narrow the criteria down so much as to make it nearly an impossible task, or you can go and buy a Glock 42 (or a couple of others mentioned above), which is pocket-able, and which is also a pleasure to shoot. Your choice

 

[ulflyer]

Another +1 for Kahr CW380 or CT380 (grip slightly longer). I have shot my CW a lot with
Win white box ammo, and other varieties including HP, with no issues. I'm fairly recoil sensitive and the CW is not nearly as bad, to me, as my LCR with standard 38spl. Forget 38+P....now that stuff hurts!

PS: the triggers on Kahrs are similar to the LCR in that they have a long buttery smooth pull. I found it a familiar transition, unlike the G42 which I bought, loved to shoot, but could never get used to trigger.