Which .380 pocket pistol under $600 is best and why?

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I am partial to my LCP, as I have nearly 500 rounds through it with no malfunctions. I have misfired it a couple of times due to it having a longer reset than I am used to, but that is my learned behavior and not a flaw of the weapon.

I also have shot my father's TCP and would prefer it to my Ruger. More comfortable grip, better (lighter) trigger with better reset, real slide lock and release, larger trigger guard (I can shoot it in gloves, which I cannot do with my Ruger), and moderately better sights (IMHO). I would argue it is a bit more "refined" than the LCP - like they took some of the pocket .380 pain points and tried to address them all with this pistol. It is also about 10% cheaper than the Ruger.

Those are my choices and are both half of your budget limit. I am sure others are great (Kahr, Sig, et al) but I guess I prefer utility and price over refinement in a well-used carry pistol. That is not to say the others are not excellent weapons, just my 2 cents. I think you will find the LCP perfectly usable and be quite happy with it. Again, I like mine.
 
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FWIW:

IF the P238 were d/a I'd have two... :D:D (one for me, one for the bride)..

But it's not..

In my OLD FART opinion no single action anything is best for cc...

And that's just my opinion, no offense to anyone.

I subscribe to the KISS theory and anything that requires more than the pulling of the trigger in a concealed carry firearm is going away from home, imo.

Best Wishes,

Jesse
 
FWIW:

IF the P238 were d/a I'd have two... :D:D (one for me, one for the bride)..

But it's not..

In my OLD FART opinion no single action anything is best for cc...

And that's just my opinion, no offense to anyone.

I subscribe to the KISS theory and anything that requires more than the pulling of the trigger in a concealed carry firearm is going away from home, imo.

Best Wishes,

Jesse
I could get into another debate and defend his P238, because I carry a 3" 1911 for my main CCW. No double action gun has two sets of safeties.

But I am tired of "debating"...... for right now! :D
 
Capp35,

Hey, no problem..

Every opinion is subjective, and what's right for you, in your opinion, and what's right for me, in my opinion, in this cc business, is a personal choice which doesn't make me right or you wrong.. (or visa-versa)..

All I can go by is what makes me feel "warm and fuzzy", and the LCP and the LC9 do that..

Right now.

Next week, or next year something else might come along to change my mind, and that's ok too..

I've personally never been "comfortable" with the "cocked n' locked" 1911 platform, nor the "ever light" Glock trigger setup...

So, I don't have any examples of either in my little stash.

But that doesn't mean they aren't good choices for someone else.. :)

Best Wishes,

Jesse
 
The only two I can comment on are the lcp and tcp. In my opinion the tcp was the better of the two. Both did what they were suposed to, but the tcp had a better trigger, and felt better in the hand.
 
PX15,
To be honest, I was a little uncomfortable at first, till It was explained (and viewed) to me all the safty features on a 1911. And then it still took a little while. You may come around one day! LOL

Everyone else,
As far as the TCP, I looked at it and it seemed really nice, but the LCP had a better rep for shooting well right out of the box.
If you can pull the trigger in all conditions and it goes boom, it is a great gun. No mater which one it is.
 
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1.) Single Action fine for Non-pocket carry.


2.) Double Action best for pocket carry.



I have no problem with a SA pistol like a 1911 or striker fired like the Springfield XD for regulator holster carry whether open or concealed.


When it comes to pocket carry I want something with a considerably harder/heavier trigger pull so if I pull it out of my pocket and it catches on something it won't go off into my leg.

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Another vote for the LCP. Mine has been flawless and led me to purchase its big brother, the LC9. They are very similar. Excellent quality, easy to take down and clean, flawless in operation. Experience with the long LCP trigger pull will prepare you for the long LC9 trigger pull. And for just a few bucks over your $600 limit you can have them both.:)
 
Kahr and Micro Eagle are wonderful pistols. Works of perfection. The Walther PP* is super nice, but I HAVE had a stovepipe with it. Rare, but it bothered me.
 
I subscribe to the KISS theory and anything that requires more than the pulling of the trigger in a concealed carry firearm is going away from home, imo.

When it comes to pocket carry I want something with a considerably harder/heavier trigger pull

These are my thoughts as well. I own a 1911, but do not carry it as I am not confident I could operate it under stress effectively. I know it could be resolved with training, but I prefer to train with the simplicity of my two fighting pistols: an XD on my belt and a LCP in my pocket.

It is no defect of the SAO weapon, but rather my preference. But that's what it's about, right? Finding what works best for us?
 
These are my thoughts as well. I own a 1911, but do not carry it as I am not confident I could operate it under stress effectively. I know it could be resolved with training, but I prefer to train with the simplicity of my two fighting pistols: an XD on my belt and a LCP in my pocket.

It is no defect of the SAO weapon, but rather my preference. But that's what it's about, right? Finding what works best for us?




Completely agree with you.



I've always said it, the 1911 is a professionals weapon, it takes a tremendous amount of training to use that pistol and either you have it and are confident taking it into battle or you don't. That's why I think a lot of cops would not do well with the 1911. There are plenty of cops who would do well with it too, but I can guarantee that a lot wouldn't, since many can barely operate there own weapons proficiently.

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Which .380 pocket pistol. . .

I've always liked single-action, so that limits my choices. I'll have to try the SIG P238 some time, since I have a Llama .380. I wouldn't use either as a pocket pistol since a holster works better to keep them upright and the grip in the right place. The Llama was under $200 a few years ago, now if I could just get the magazine to stay seated for more than four shots. . . .
 
P238

If I was doing IWB only, I might have spent the extra cash on one.
IMO it was a little large for pocket carry compared to other .380s.
 
The best IMHO, is the Browning BDA. Comes with two 13rd mags, and shoots a fine enough group to be very effective, for its intended use. (Besides I own one.) sbs
 
slowbutsure The best IMHO, is the Browning BDA. Comes with two 13rd mags, and shoots a fine enough group to be very effective, for its intended use. (Besides I own one.) sbs
Really?
The Browning BDA is the best .380 POCKET pistol?

I own a couple of BDA's and it's probably the last .380 I would consider for POCKET carry.






:banghead:
 
Sorry, about that I missed the "pocket" part I guess. And no I don't think it would be the best. (Even if you could get it in your pocket.)

But, I do like my .380. sbs
 
LCP. Mine has never, ever had a malfunction of any kind. Not a pleasure to shoot, but it is not intended as a range pistol. Very lightweight and concealable for around 300 bucks.
(Just my two drachmas)
 
My recommendation is to ditch the pocket 380. Please man, don't get it. You'll regret it.

1. Cost of 380 ammo, it's rediculous
2. Vs. a 9mm, you're not going to notice much of a size or weight difference
3. 9mm platform gives you increased velocity and energy

Keltec pf9 is a great gun. You'll save some cash getting it, and have money for some accessories.

I don't get this advice at all.
1. the ammo is more expensive, yes but you aren't going to shoot a ton of ammo through a pocket pistol and if you reload the cost is the same.
2. The LCP/P3AT is a world smaller than almost any 9mm. You are going to notice the size and weight difference. I can NOT pocket carry a PF9 the way I can a LCP.
3. Agreed on point three.

Now here is where I totally disagree about the PF9 and similar sized weapons. By the time you get to a weapon this size you are getting dangerously close to the size of a Glock 26/XD subcompact/M&P Compact which are, to me, vastly superior defensive weapons. I used to carry a KelTec p-11 but I bought a M&P 9C to replace it. The size difference isn't noticeable but the shootability, reliability, and accuracy outclass the Keltec by a long shot. There are times I find I need a smaller gun and during those times the PF9 wouldn't be small enough to make a difference where the LCP does. It is MUCH smaller. It is accurate, reliable, and much more capable than you would think for its size. I haven't felt any desire to get another pocket gun when the LCP works as well as it does. If you can only have one gun, a compromise gun like the PF9, LC9, etc...makes sense. If you are looking for a pistol to fill a pocket pistol role, then its the LCP.
 
If you're looking for a high quality pocket pistol, here's a unique idea...buy clothes with bigger pockets and go for a larger sized gun.
 
I love my new Bersa .380 pistol. Accurate even at longer distances. Easy to use, shoot and manipulate. Small enough to be compact and easy to conceal. Yep, Bersa .380 and you're good to go.
 
JMOfartO:


We're talking a 380cal. POCKET PISTOL, right?

Here's my 2c worth.. (probably not much)


1. I have my LCP with Innovative Arms external sights and the CT Laser.. It can make the trip with me 90% of the time. (OK, I fess' up. I'm making up these percentages).

2. I have a Seecamp LWS380 with NO external sights or laser.. It can make the trip with me 100% of the time..
The Ruger LCP is a pleasure to shoot as compared to the recoil, trigger slap and drama associated with shooting the fine, diminutive Seecamp.

So, I take the LCP as my first choice for a cc weapon (in 380cal.) BUT...

For that 10% of the time when even the small LCP is too large, nothing is comparable to the tiny, tiny Seecamp LWS380.. :D

The LWS380 is so tiny that often I just slip it in a shirt pocket, and STILL have the LCP in my back pocket..

IF my pockets allow for more pistol than the Ruger LCP or Seecamp LWS380 THEN I stick my Ruger LC9 in one of 'em..

All excellent choices, but the choice on any particular trip is determined by what CAN actually be carried concealed..

No offense.

Jesse

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Bigger Pockets?

I'm not sure if Dogguy was kidding or not...probably not.

I stumbled across his idea, and have embraced it. This past year I realized I could carry my M&P 9c or my Beretta Cheetah quite easily in the large pockets of my cargo jeans shorts. So I started doing that around the house, and sometimes when going out casually in the summer. I now have purchased a few extra pairs of this type of shorts, and it's all I wear, except when I'm golfing.

I don't always drop my 9c in the cargo shorts...sometimes I still carry my Sig P238 in the pocket, and the 9c IWB. But it's actually more comfortable to carry the 9c in the pocket and the P238 IWB.

But in business dress slacks, my EDC is the P238 in my pocket.
 
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