Small inexpensive 380's, which Inexpensive model

[george burns]

Which would you prefer if you were picking up a $200 dollar price range 380 as a backup or pocket gun? The two that run around $200.00 dollars that stand out in this range are the Kel-tec P3at, or the Ruger LCP. Both can be had for around 200 bucks. Both are essentially the same, at around 9-11 ozs with mag. Which is a better gun for that range.
I saw the P-3at for $219 and wondered if it was indeed reliable to carry as a backup weapon or to throw in the car.
At that price you can have a few of them scattered around . Which sells better?
At 8.5 ozs it's tempting to get one at that price to stick in your sock. Normally the Ruger is a few bucks more that this, at around $259 with laser, but what good a laser does on a belly gun is debatable. Although lately the Ruger has been listed on GB for almost $200.00 flat, which is tempting. I wouldn't carry just that gun alone, but if my compact went down, or I needed to arm someone else, it could be a last resort if it worked reliably.

 

[snooperman]

I have the LCP and my wife carries the Taurus TCP. Both are very reliable and fit the pocket well.

 

[Monac]

Those guns are down to $200?! Wow, not where I live (SE Wisconsin). I thought you were talking about something made of zinc, like a Jimenez or a Cobray.

 

[Fiv3r]

I have an LcP which has been flawless with everything except tula steel case.

I did add an upgraded recoil spring and a hybrid handall grip.

I prefer my Bodyguard sans the laser to it in terms of fit and finish though.

 

[TarDevil]

My choice would be the Taurus TCP, one gun they seem to have nailed.

Shoots surprisingly soft for a micro .380.

 

[Skribs]

If I had a choice between ruger, taurus, and kel tec at the same price, that would be my order of preference.

 

[Panzerschwein]

The Ruger is basically a better version of the P3AT.

I've heard the Tauri is a good gun, but have no real expertise.

 

[MICHAEL T]

My KelTec is several years old has saw alot of S&B ball and Corbon JHP and DPX down the pipe . With out 1st bit of trouble and no so called fluff& buff needed.

Myself I wouldn't walk across street for a free Taurus. I had 2 that were plain junk. Ruger is fine But My KelTec is still #1 in my book.

 

[CNobbe]

I really like my cw380 over the LCP I had.

 

[loose noose]

I've got the Taurus TCP, and have shot at least 1000 rounds thru it without any problems. I've shot a lot of my reloads as well as S&B, Fioche HP's, and recently carry Hornady Critical Defense loads in it, when I carry it in the dead heat of summer. I've found it seems to prefer the Hornady Critical Defense loads, as far as accuracy goes. Seems to be holding up very well, as when I carry it I carry it in a "Black Hawk" pocket holster. Granted the recoil is a bit much for my wife, however it doesn't bother me. Would like to know where you plan on buying one for around $200.00 though.

 

[strambo]

I'd want to shoot them first, and pick the one I liked shooting best.

 

[LiveLife]

IMO Taurus TCP has the smoothest trigger that is lighter to help produce greater accuracy. It also has slide lock which many other 380s don't have.

 

[Tallball]

I have several good Rugers and several good Taurii. But I chose the P3AT a few years back and have been extremely pleased with it: zero malfunctions and more accurate than I expected.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

I've never seen an LCP for $200, even used. But if I found one at that price I'd be all over it like a fat kid on cake.

 

[MedWheeler]

A friend of mine has the Taurus, and I'll hopefully get a chance to try it soon. It looks and feels good in the hand, and I do read quite a bit of positive on it.

However, I'm not in the market, as I already have a pocket-gun (P32) for those deeper-conceal needs. If I were, though, and found the TCP for two-ish bills new, that's probably where I'd go.

 

[bannockburn]

I would probably go with the Ruger over the KelTec if both were near the same price point. Have had several Taurus autos over the years and no problems with any of them; possibly worth a look if the LCP/P3AT design doesn't really do it for you.

 

[ritepath]

The new LCP is awesome...I'm really thinking about upgrading.

 

[HexHead]

The new LCP is awesome...I'm really thinking about upgrading.

Well, the new one isn't going to be $200. Of the three mentioned, I'd go with the Taurus. Slide locks back and best trigger of the bunch.

That said, get a Glock 42.

 

[Kiln]

The TCP is the best in it's class/price range. A common problem is the slide stop actuating when the bullet tries to pass by it into the chamber. It will go away after some breaking in or a file and 20 seconds can fix it.

They're a good bargain and in my opinion the quality is better than Kel Tec's micro guns and is much less expensive than Ruger's similar offerings. Also, the trigger is by far the best DAO trigger I've ever felt bar none. It is excellent.

 

[nw_aggie]

I'd agree with the TCP comments. I've had one for about 6 years or better now, and for the class of gun that it is, it's pretty decent. They do have more recoil than you'd expect out of a 380, but it is manageable.

 

[skoro]

I saw the P-3at for $219 and wondered if it was indeed reliable to carry as a backup weapon or to throw in the car.

I've had a P3at for seven years now. Gave it a basic fluff n' buff before I ever fired it. It's been 100% reliable. I carry it on rare occasions when my 38 snub is just too much, which isn't often.

 

[JWH321]

I know its a bit over the $200 mark, but I bought an M&P Bodyguard 380 for $279. They are on sale for that price again this weekend at the local gun shop.

I had an LCP, and I find the BG to be a better feeling gun and I can hit center with it pretty consistently at 7 to 10 yards. Its sights are an abomination though. I've run mostly Hydra-Shok through it and some of my handloaded stuff for target shooting.

Nothing this size has a wonderful trigger. The BG has a very long and very heavy trigger as one of its safety features. You are not bloody likely to ever pull its trigger by accident. The Kahr CW380 has a very nice trigger but it comes at a premium of $329 - $349 or so.

 

[MachIVshooter]

That said, get a Glock 42.

Yeah, it's not like they're twice the size and twice the price of the P3AT........

 

[justin22885]

what about bersa thunders?

 

[montanaoffroader]

I'm on my second Taurus TCP and both have been flawless. No malfunctions of any kind and much easier to shoot than my PF9 was. The only reason I had to pick up a second one is because my 19 year old daughter made off with the first one.

My brother owned a Kel-Tec P3AT for a while, and it worked fairly well. The only issue with it was a tendency for the mag to drop inside his pocket. As far as shooting goes it seemed to be reliable with only a couple of malfunctions during the break in period. Once broken in it ran perfectly.

I cannot comment on the LCP, as I haven't had chance to try one yet.

The first TCP was $209 through Davidson's GOG, and the second one was $169 on clearance at North 40 (formerly Big R).