Replaced my 380acp with a 9mm.

[WisBorn]

I started my journey with the 380acp in March 2017. I purchased a Ruger LCPII after handling several different models of 380s and watching hours of YouTube videos. I already tried/owned several different 9mm single stack micro compact. I also carried a j frame 38 special on a regular basis.
I thought that the 380 filled a void for a really small carry companion. And it did!
I personally believe that the 380acp is a good minimum cartridge. Not ideal as it is a compromise to fit in little guns.

What changed? In March of this year I bought a Kimber R7 Mako 9mm. It is a micro compact design that holds 11 or 13 rounds. It has an ambidextrous slide release and ambidextrous magazine release. It is certainly much larger than the LCPII, but it is much friendlier to lefties.
Since then I have bought 3 more semiautomatics. A Glock 20 gen5, XDM compact 10mm, and a Glock 19 gen 5. All of these pistols have ambidextrous slide releases and ambidextrous magazine releases or reversible magazine releases. Making them southpaw friendly! I also have an early generation XDM compact 45acp that has ambidextrous magazine release.

So my reason for trading off my LCPII? The simple fact is that I have gotten so used to the right side release buttons (for left handed use) that the LCPII was a handicap.
I still have j frame revolvers for my small carry handguns, but no little 380. I win with more capacity with the 9mm and a better cartridge choice for defense.

So I traded my LCPII on a new Fat Baby Glock 26 Gen5. Ambidextrous slide release and reversible magazine release.

 

[AUhiker]

I think you made a wise decision! Congrats

 

[CDW4ME]

I personally believe that the 380acp is a good minimum cartridge. Not ideal as it is a compromise to fit in little guns.

I win with more capacity with the 9mm and a better cartridge choice for defense.

I think my efforts are futile, then I see this thread.

 

[trackskippy]

I think once you spend a little quality time with it, and really get to know it, youre going to be amazed at just how versatile they really are. Great little guns that dont act or shoot like a little gun.

 

[ms6852]

You Sir! Have become a junkie hooked on guns, CONGRATULATIONS!

 

[Charlie98]

Well... 9mm is better than .380ACP... you got that.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I think the .380 still has a place for situations where you need really deep concealment. I have to carry something teeny-tiny at work due to the serf smock they make us proles wear- or nothing at all.

When Im walking around as a Fremen, however, its a 9.

 

[Gun-Reck]

So I traded my LCPII on a new Fat Baby Glock 26 Gen5. Ambidextrous slide release and reversible magazine release.

The 9mm is a better choice for a micro, as well as a sub-compact.

The .380 ACP needs a 3.5" barrel to be a good self-defense round.

Capacity is far less important than shot placement, expansion, and penetration.

 

[Bedfordtec]

Gentlemen, when on Active Duty in Hawaii, I saw the Guns and Ammo Magazine with the new Glock 26. My gun dealer got me one within 2 weeks … no ****. This was 1995. I could not carry it in Hawaii but loved shooting it. When transferred to VA it became my EDC. About 5 years ago I started carrying a bunch of different pieces to include a Glock 17. The 26 spent a lot of safe time. Anyway, I returned to the G26. My old G26 is a first edition (Gen 1) and being a lefty got a brand new G26 Gen 5 last weekend. It’s great with 12 round mags it shot the black out of a 25 yard pistol target. It’s the best for CCW. A little big perhaps but the 12 rounds is worth their weight in gold. This pistol is super. Jim

 

[herrwalther]

I did the same several years back. I had 5 or 6 380 guns at one point between the Mrs and myself that were used for carry. Then I started comparing the little 380s against the pocket wonder 9mm single stacks that were the big sellers at the time. I found that the size increase from from 380 to 9mm was worth it to get a better cartridge. Sold all the 380 guns, ammo, and reloading stuff off. Haven't looked back.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Been down that road; a G26 was my first Glock, took it to an Ayoob class, and Mas had to give me a dollar for matching his score. They shoot better than such a small gun should. Enjoy your gun, WisBorn.
But it is a bulky little bugger, and a 365 is a better choice for me. I still have a G42 and LCP as fall backs.
Moon

 

[Charlie98]

It's hard to justify the .380 when compared to the newer 9mm's... I made that assumption some years ago when I parked the Colt's .380 Government for a Kahr CW9... not even the smaller CM9...

Size was roughly the same, and loaded, the Kahr, with it's 9mm power, weighed LESS than the stainless Colt...

You can make the case for a .380, for sure, if deep concealment is a requirement, however. I'm not a fan of pistols carried in a pocket, but I've not seen a 9mm that is truly a pocket pistol without looking like you are carrying... well, a pistol in your pocket.

 

[tws3b2]

I was thinking about putting my 9mm down and picking up a 380. But, decided to go with the jframe with pocket holster. Works for me.

 

[Armored farmer]

I completely agree with your choices. I carry my Hellcat with confidence. 13+1 or 15+1 of 9mm is way better than 7 or 8 .380.
I am however just slightly disappointed that you traded it off entirely!. The LCP platform is a niche gun as a back-up, deep concealment, lightweight and compact pocket gun. Purse gun. Travel gun. Fishing vest gun.....admittedly a rely on my LCP too much.....because it's easy.
My LCP is going with me today to our little Mayberry-ish home town for a 10am funeral.
I almost certainly won't need it....but I will have it anyway.

 

[shanep0017]

I can't say that I blame you, I sold my Glock 42 to fund a 9mm with more rounds on board. I bought the 42 for pocket carry and while I could pull it off it looked like a brick in my pocket. Started carrying it IWB and I figured if I'm going to carry on my belt it should be at least a 9mm, preferably with a few more rounds.
I still have and do carry a pocket 380 but only when I can't carry something bigger. A pocket 380 does have a lot of utility and it can go places bigger guns can't.
I've been considering a light weight snub nose recently just waiting to find the right deal. If I can make the snub work and it doesn't draw attention in a pocket I'll probably get out of the 380 altogether. I have my doubts cause I thought the 42 would work and it didn't. I want a snubby in my collection either way but it'll depend on pocket carry wether I keep the 380 around or not.

 

[WisBorn]

I was thinking about putting my 9mm down and picking up a 380. But, decided to go with the jframe with pocket holster. Works for me.

I have 3 j frames 442, 642, & 637. Love them.
Yes the nine is better in capacity and a little better in accuracy, but the centennial hammer works better in a jeans pocket...

 

[WisBorn]

I completely agree with your choices. I carry my Hellcat with confidence. 13+1 or 15+1 of 9mm is way better than 7 or 8 .380.
I am however just slightly disappointed that you traded it off entirely!. The LCP platform is a niche gun as a back-up, deep concealment, lightweight and compact pocket gun. Purse gun. Travel gun. Fishing vest gun.....admittedly a rely on my LCP too much.....because it's easy.View attachment 1178695
My LCP is going with me today to our little Mayberry-ish home town for a 10am funeral.
I almost certainly won't need it....but I will have it anyway.

I fully agree that the LCP/LCPII fits a niche spot. That is the reason I had it for 6 years.
My reason for trading it was because of the controls being really for right-handed shooters.
I had carried the LCPII only a couple of times the past 6 months. It actually felt cumbersome to operate.

Now if I end up missing it more than I think I will? I will probably get a LCP Max because the magazine release is reversible. I have hit the left side button on the LCPII turning it into a single shot

 

[WisBorn]

@Armored farmer sorry to hear about the funeral. Hopefully their passing was a blessing.

 

[huntsman]

My edc is LCP max, I live rural and the max is just more comfortable around the house.

When I head to town its a Shield plus or G19, I’m a lefty so I get where you’re coming from and if the max didn’t come with a reversible mag catch I wouldn’t have bought it

 

[KKJ13]

I picked up a LCP Max in 380 to compliment my Hellcat when I want. Really like them both but end up with the Hellcat most of the time.

 

[plainsdrifter]

Use the .380 as a backup, ankle holster

 

[TarDevil]

When I switched my EDC from my Ruger LC9s to S&W Shield Plus, the LC9s was retained in inventory for those "pocket carry only" situations. I won't be without such a option.

 

[kje54]

I own .22lr, .380, 9x18, 9mm, 7.62x25, 40 S&W and .45. I don't feel the need to convince myself of liking one over the other...........

 

[JDeere]

Nice move and a nice choice. In todays world 9mm micros are available if one chooses to pocket carry and are easy to shoot. I personally have no reason to pocket carry but my wife used to like the micro for purse...

 

[halfmoonclip]

I've a range of small autos, an original LCP, a G42, and a P365. All can be pocketed in my jeans, but the lighter weight of the G42 is appreciated.
Have a 340SC as a hiking gun. All share a common feature; the only control is a deliberate bang switch.
The P365 goes on duty when the world seems especially hinky; think summer 2020.
Moon