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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Best Pocket .380

Posted: 12/10/2013 2:51:46 PM EDT

What is the best .380 ACP pistol for pocket carry?

Posted: 12/10/2013 2:53:15 PM EDT

[#1]

Quoted:
What is the best .380 ACP pistol for pocket carry?

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Thread is relevant to my interests.

Posted: 12/10/2013 2:58:10 PM EDT

[#2]

Love my Kel-Tec

Posted: 12/10/2013 3:00:03 PM EDT

[#3]

Sig p238 works for me

Posted: 12/10/2013 3:03:08 PM EDT

[#4]

I scored a colt govt .380 - has a bushing just like its bigger brother 1911

I love this mini 1911- very accurate , small but not to small

Posted: 12/10/2013 3:07:17 PM EDT

[#5]

I've qualified and carried a P38T as a back up for several years now.
In all fairness I sent it back to Keltec for a fluff and buff.
It has never failed and I run Fed Hydra Shoks in it.
Dave N

Posted: 12/10/2013 3:13:10 PM EDT

[#6]

Walther PPK, not the 's' one the PPK one, great little gun, they would let me qualify with 3 handguns anymore, so only carry my Glock

Posted: 12/10/2013 3:25:08 PM EDT

[#7]

I've had a PPK/S, Colt Pocketlight, P3AT, currently a Ruger LCP

size comparison to a SW442

Posted: 12/10/2013 3:26:49 PM EDT

[#8]

I like my SS PPK/S even though it has it's detractors.

Posted: 12/10/2013 3:32:51 PM EDT

[#9]

I love my Colt Mustang...really want a Government .380 to go with it though.

Posted: 12/10/2013 3:40:40 PM EDT

[#10]

I only have experience with the p3at and lcp. They both run great but the lcp is on another level with fit and finish and trigger pull.

Posted: 12/10/2013 3:55:03 PM EDT

[#11]

Kahr PK380, truly pocket size w/an excellent trigger, the wife's has been 100% and I even carry it occasionally when I simply can't carry anything larger.
Tomac

Posted: 12/10/2013 4:14:36 PM EDT

[#12]

Taurus TCP. I shoot it nearly as well as the wife's P238.

Posted: 12/10/2013 4:14:53 PM EDT

[#13]

I'm still hoping Glock is coming out with a really small .380.
Dave N

Posted: 12/10/2013 4:18:47 PM EDT

[#14]

Seecamp

Posted: 12/10/2013 4:57:30 PM EDT

[#15]

love my little keltec p3at

Posted: 12/10/2013 5:29:00 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
I scored a colt govt .380 - has a bushing just like its bigger brother 1911

I love this mini 1911- very accurate , small but not to small

View Quote

+1
I have the Colt Government Model .380 and the Mustang. Both excellent choices if you sre a fan of 1911s or Colt.

Posted: 12/10/2013 5:52:50 PM EDT

[#17]

They are all probably the same more or less. I use an lcp and am plenty happy.

Posted: 12/10/2013 6:01:27 PM EDT

[#18]

I have two Keltecs.
Zero malfunctions.
Corbon DPX

Posted: 12/10/2013 6:50:03 PM EDT

[#19]

I wouldn't carry one. I gave them up years ago !

I would take a 5 shot 38spl over any pocket size 380.

If you want a Pistol for a BUG then I would look at a G26. or a reliable sub compact 9mm

Posted: 12/10/2013 6:54:29 PM EDT

[#20]

My Ruger LCP has been great in that role. I have a Keltec P32 that works great but the P3AT I had did not. My Colt Mustang is nice but I won't carry a cocked and locked single action in my pocket. The Kahr seems nice but I haven't shot it, just handled. Both Taurus TCPs I've shot (owned by friends) sucked bad, couldn't make it through a single mag without an issue. I want to like the S&W Bodyguard but I dislike built in lasers (when they eventually fail you are stuck) and don't care for the safety.

If I were buying a pocket .380 right now I would look closely at the Ruger and the Kahr. Glock is supposed to be coming out with a small .380 shortly (probably at SHOT) but no details and a questionable timeframe leave that a big question mark.

Posted: 12/10/2013 7:03:57 PM EDT

[#21]

Quote History

Quoted:
I wouldn't carry one. I gave them up years ago !

I would take a 5 shot 38spl over any pocket size 380.

If you want a Pistol for a BUG then I would look at a G26. or a reliable sub compact 9mm

View Quote

CSB. Snubies have good ballistics but are much larger than the guns we are debating. Not sure why you brought up BUGs.

Posted: 12/10/2013 7:07:07 PM EDT

[#22]

I've owned a bunch of "pocket guns." SW 60, SW442, Sig P230, Walther PP (all too big). Beretta 950 & 21A, NAA revolver, SW380 and others. Ruger LCP is the best one I've ever owned. But I'll be looking at the Glock 42 if its small enough.

Posted: 12/10/2013 7:09:19 PM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:
I wouldn't carry one. I gave them up years ago !

I would take a 5 shot 38spl over any pocket size 380.

View Quote

I own a couple j-frames. They bounce around too much in my gym shorts and swim trunks. more a funtion of weight than size really.

Posted: 12/10/2013 7:18:17 PM EDT

[#24]

Best is subjective and subject to trade-offs.

Best trigger = Colt Mustang
Easiest to carry= P-3AT

Posted: 12/10/2013 8:13:03 PM EDT

[#25]

What about a Kahr P380?

looks to be a sweet gun - little bigger than the LCP or Kel Techs

Red

Posted: 12/11/2013 3:49:30 AM EDT

[#26]

I've got a Kahr P380. It's easier to shoot than any other 380 in its size range. Least recoil and best long stroke trigger. Surprisingly easy to shoot well for its size. You need to shoot a couple hundred rounds to break it in, it's built tight. Pricey, but I bit the bullet because in my opinion it's the best small 380 out there.

Posted: 12/11/2013 3:53:17 AM EDT

[#27]

NJSP tested the Kahrs, they were found overall to be not reliable. I would go with a guy that puts his life on the line every day

Posted: 12/11/2013 4:13:40 AM EDT

[#28]

Quote History

Quoted:
NJSP tested the Kahrs, they were found overall to be not reliable. I would go with a guy that puts his life on the line every day

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Do you have a link or any more info on their tests? My experience with Kahrs has been mixed but ultimately favorable, I'm interested in their findings.

Posted: 12/11/2013 4:35:31 AM EDT

[#29]

I have a mustang I love it

Fwiw I have a g26 too sizewize the mustang is much smaller

Posted: 12/11/2013 5:05:20 AM EDT

[#30]

It's very revealing that not one person has said the S&W Bodyguard.

Posted: 12/11/2013 6:47:16 AM EDT

[#31]

Quote History

Quoted:

Do you have a link or any more info on their tests? My experience with Kahrs has been mixed but ultimately favorable, I'm interested in their findings.

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
NJSP tested the Kahrs, they were found overall to be not reliable. I would go with a guy that puts his life on the line every day

Do you have a link or any more info on their tests? My experience with Kahrs has been mixed but ultimately favorable, I'm interested in their findings.

They don't publish their findings, just took the gun from servicee and replaced it, Friend was in Command Staff so has knowledge of it. Came up talking about off duty weapons... he can't carry a rocket launcer under his coat like I can

Posted: 12/11/2013 7:42:12 AM EDT

[#32]

Quote History

Quoted:
It's very revealing that not one person has said the S&W Bodyguard.

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Yes it is. Too much bad feedback I guess.

MIM stuff, loose screws, frikin' laser beams. I really like mine though. I've tried to make it fail but it just hasn't happened yet.

Posted: 12/11/2013 7:47:51 AM EDT

[#33]

Quote History

Quoted:

Sig p238 works for me

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Posted: 12/11/2013 1:04:32 PM EDT

[#34]

I have had two LCP's. One when they were relatively new that I traded off, and one I bought in the last year. The new ones with no dash in the serial number are head and shoulders better/easier to shoot as the trigger is shorter, smoother, and does not stack, much like a Kahr, but shorter. The sights are also bigger. Like macro nubbins.

Ruger admits to the change, yet did not market it. Guess they did not want to have millions of folks with older ones complaining. It's worth your time to go to a LGS and fire the no-dash ones.

Posted: 12/11/2013 3:11:01 PM EDT

[#35]

I like the Ruger LCP. Fits great in the front pocket of my pants. Never had any issues shooting it.

Posted: 12/11/2013 4:00:14 PM EDT

[#36]

Quote History

Quoted:
NJSP tested the Kahrs, they were found overall to be not reliable. I would go with a guy that puts his life on the line every day

View Quote

So how did the other .380s that were mentioned do in the NJSP tests?

Edited: to find out which "Kahrs" were tested or is it the brand (entirely), or did they just test the entire Kahr line of pistols? Can you clarify?

Posted: 12/11/2013 4:14:55 PM EDT

[#37]

From what I understand, the first run of Kahr .380 had some reliability issues but Kahr got it straightened out.

Dave N

Posted: 12/12/2013 3:52:32 AM EDT

[#38]

Quote History

Quoted:

So how did the other .380s that were mentioned do in the NJSP tests?

Edited: to find out which "Kahrs" were tested or is it the brand (entirely), or did they just test the entire Kahr line of pistols? Can you clarify?

View Quote View All Quotes

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
NJSP tested the Kahrs, they were found overall to be not reliable. I would go with a guy that puts his life on the line every day

So how did the other .380s that were mentioned do in the NJSP tests?

Edited: to find out which "Kahrs" were tested or is it the brand (entirely), or did they just test the entire Kahr line of pistols? Can you clarify?

They used the compact 9mms.... it was a reliability issue

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Best Pocket .380

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