What's the best .380

What's the best .380?

One that fits your budget and feels good in your hand and is reliable. Bersa Thunder, Colt Mustang, Sig 238 & 232, Walther PPK, Ruger LCP/LC380, S&W Bodyguard etc are all good choices imo.
 
GibsonCRG said:
I was very impressed with the Bodyguard .380 at my LGS this week, but they only had the model with the integrated laser (from the factory, I gather). The "activate" button wasn't like Crimson Trace where it was integrated into the grip where it would activate without a specific action - it appears you have to turn them on with a specific press of your index finger while gripping the weapon. I was a little concerned about having that level of fine motor control in a "real" situation, but other than that, it felt GREAT in my hand (I normally carry and shoot an XDM (compact) so I was surprised that such a small gun felt good. I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet - I need to find a local range that rents them, but it's worth a try for what looks like a great pocket gun in .380.
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I have a BG and I love it. I absolutely hate lasers, however. But here's how I look at the laser on that particular gun. When I bought it, there was no other option. The ergonomics and everything else about the gun to me was better than comparable models. The price was the same or less than a lot of other models that didn't have a laser. So I figured if I use it or not, who really cares? Like buying a car with 4WD...if it's the same price as all the other cars, then who cares if you ever need to use it or not. It's there if you want it or need it (although I don't ever see myself NEEDING a laser).
 
GibsonCRG said:
I was very impressed with the Bodyguard .380 at my LGS this week, but they only had the model with the integrated laser (from the factory, I gather). The "activate" button wasn't like Crimson Trace where it was integrated into the grip where it would activate without a specific action - it appears you have to turn them on with a specific press of your index finger while gripping the weapon. I was a little concerned about having that level of fine motor control in a "real" situation, but other than that, it felt GREAT in my hand (I normally carry and shoot an XDM (compact) so I was surprised that such a small gun felt good. I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet - I need to find a local range that rents them, but it's worth a try for what looks like a great pocket gun in .380.
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A new BG was shown at Shot Show this year without the laser, but not sure when it's going to be available.

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Drzzit said:
A new BG was shown at Shot Show this year without the laser, but not sure when it's going to be available.
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That's interesting. Honestly, as much as I like my BG .380, the long, stiff trigger makes the laser next to useless.
 
I like the Keltec 3AT it's very light and easy to carry and it has never once jammed or misfired on me. Kicks like a mule though, you will want to get grip extenders for your mags to control the recoil. Sights are not that great until I painted them with neon glow paint. I only carry the 380 for my backup or buddy gun, don't skimp on ammo with this caliber make sure you get a high quality defensive round and save the cheap stuff for target practice.
 
I carry the old school, big boy of .380's, the Beretta 84F, and I love it. It fits my big hands, has 13-round magazines, d/a on the first round, accurate, strong, reliable, beautiful, Italian-made, perfect for me. Seriously, shoot as many as you can and go with the one that you like and feel comfortable with. The gun shops with indoor ranges around my area have rental guns for on-premise use, and they most likely would let someone put a few rounds through a used gun as well, if they were a potential buyer. Good luck!
 
I picked up the TCP because:
1.) I read a blog post that quoted a range officer who said that their TCP had gone thru over 10,000 rounds without any malfunctions that required a trip to the dealer. May be blind faith but I took that as a sign of quality.

2.) it has a nice, long trigger pull.

3.) the slide locks back on empty.

4.) with Pearce grip extension I can get 2 full fingers on the grip.

5.) the sights have a better profile than the LCP

I got mine on Tuesday and put 150 rounds of Federal Munitions reman through it and I only had 2 FTF. I could have shot another 150 rounds...my hand felt fine.

Once I decided to hold the thing and not flinch, I got 2" groups at 20' and palm-sized groups at 40'.




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Congrats for buying the TCP.

tjdavis1111 said:
4.) with Pearce grip extension I can get 2 full fingers on the grip.
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Get the +1 extension from Galloway Precision instead: Galloway Precision :: Taurus® Performance :: TCP Performance Parts :: +1 Magazine Extension for Taurus TCP

tjdavis1111 said:
5.) the sights have a better profile than the LCP
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Get the Nitesiters Luminescent Handgun Night Sights (adhesive dots) to make it a 3-dot sight: Nitesiters Handgun Night Sights
 
I recently purchased my first handgun. Wanted something that I could use for both home defense and concealed. I purchased a Sig P238 primarily because my wife could rack the slide easier than on some of the more reasonably priced and/or larger caliber guns we checked out. That was important to me in the event she had to use it for home defense. The P238 fits nicely in the front pocket of most of my pants w/o printing. Though I don't have a lot of experience shooting, I like the way it shoots - not a lot of recoil.
 
I purchased a smith and wesson bodyguard after looking at a lot of the different 380s. I was between the bodyguard and the LCP as I've shot both but when my wife wasn't able to rack the LCPs slide that was the deciding factor.
 
I like the Walther PPK. Extremely accurate and small. Can carry IWB or in my pocket. Mag carries 6 with one in the chamber and the single stack makes it easy to carry a second mag. I like the safety and decocker and the trigger pull is smooth.


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I own a BG, a LCP, and a G42. I like the way the G42 shoots best, but tend to carry the BG because it fits in my back pocket. I did install a Galloway Precision Short Trigger Bar kit on the BG, and that was a nice improvement over the long standard trigger pull. The LCP shoots well also, but I mainly purchased it to teach my daughter, and she will eventually carry it. Besides, it's purple!
 
I carry the Ruger lcp and a Bersa 380. Because of the low sights on the LCP, I added a crimson trace laser. I practice with the LCP enough to be ready with it, but don't really enjoy shooting it. I shoot the Bersa often and like it quite a bit. It is easy to shoot well and functions every time.
 
I own 4 different 380's; Sig P238, Kahr P380, Taurus TCP 738, and Bersa Thunder. I also owned but sold a Ruger LCP because I did not like the trigger and it did not lock back after the last round. The Bersa is the easiest to shoot but a bit harder to conceal due to the size. The Sig is very good quality and easy to shoot since it is heavier being all metal. It is single action only so is often carried cocked and locked. This is my wife's choice to carry. I alternate between the Kahr and the Taurus. Both have been 100% reliable. The Taurus is half the price of the Kahr and a good choice if you are on a budget. Kahr has recently released the CW380 which is a simpler version of the P380having a standard grooved barrel rather than a match grade polygonal rifled barrel and less engraving. That should be available at a street price of around $350. Go to the range and try them all if you can and see which is best for you.
 
On Youtube ShootingTheBull410 has a good comparo on .380 rounds from a micro pistol. I carry a Taurus 738 as my EDC as it is easy to conceal wearing almost anything and with the correct ammo will stop what I need it to.
 
Daws724 said:
A Ruger LCP is a good one, i like it because it is very small and easy to conceal, smaller than your hand. The sights could be a lot better though and It is not an everyday shooter, it is quite skinny and will start hurting your hand 30+ shots. If you like Glock a 42 is a good .380. Kel Tek also makes a very good concealable 380, a little bigger than an LCP. Smith and Wesson bodyguard is another good one. Those would be my choices in a 380 if I were to buy another one, I would suggest checking those ones out and go with what would suit you, they are all good guns. Ruger also makes an LC9 which is a little bigger than the 380 and is 9mm.
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There isn't anything wrong with the sights. The problem is that they are close together. With a little pistol, it's inherent and can't be helped. Try laser grips if you want better accuracy.
 
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