You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
.380 alternatives to the LCP
- Thread starter Herluf
- Start date
Thanks for the further advice folks. Looks like I am still leaning toward LCP, though I will give it a go at the range first.
As to why not the 84, it's just not a reasonably concealable firearm for me in the warmer months (though I might carry it during the winter) and we don't have open carry around here.
As to why not the 84, it's just not a reasonably concealable firearm for me in the warmer months (though I might carry it during the winter) and we don't have open carry around here.
Whirlwind06
New member
If you go with the LCP, give the Hogue grip adapter a good look too.....
I think that is true with all of these micro .380s, the grip sleeve reduces the felt recoil to some degree and gives me a better grip surface.
I like Ruger and the Ruger LCP would be my choice but folks I know and respect would bring up the following items when they compare the LCP to the S&W Bodyguard .380:
1. The Bodyguard has a safety lever.
2. The Bodyguard stays open after the last round is fired.
3. The Bodyguard has 'second strike' capability, that is pull the trigger again and again and the hammer will hit again and again. The LCP will give you one strike and then you have to rack the slide.
I still like the LCP but there is no doubt in my mind the S&W would be a good choice too.
One person I know with the LCP with the LaserMax option claims it's too easy to turn the laser on and once turned on the laser STAYS on until you turn it off and he has run the battery down a couple times by mistake. The Crimson Trace laser option works differently, I don't know if it would be 'better' or not. I don't particularly care for the laser option at all.
1. The Bodyguard has a safety lever.
2. The Bodyguard stays open after the last round is fired.
3. The Bodyguard has 'second strike' capability, that is pull the trigger again and again and the hammer will hit again and again. The LCP will give you one strike and then you have to rack the slide.
I still like the LCP but there is no doubt in my mind the S&W would be a good choice too.
One person I know with the LCP with the LaserMax option claims it's too easy to turn the laser on and once turned on the laser STAYS on until you turn it off and he has run the battery down a couple times by mistake. The Crimson Trace laser option works differently, I don't know if it would be 'better' or not. I don't particularly care for the laser option at all.
Cheapshooter
New member
1. Unnecessary, even hazardous in a self defense situation with an already entirely safe DAO.1. The Bodyguard has a safety lever.
2. The Bodyguard stays open after the last round is fired.
3. The Bodyguard has 'second strike' capability, that is pull the trigger again and again and the hammer will hit again and again. The LCP will give you one strike and then you have to rack the slide.
+LCP
2. Not really of any advantage in a SD pocket pistol that in all likelihood never will see a situation requiring a mag change. But then could be just an unnecessary mechanical part that might malfunction
+LCP
3. One for the BG.
4. Bodyguard integrated laser. An unnecessary addition needlessly increasing the price, size, and weight.
+LCP
Limnophile
New member
Not really of any advantage in a SD pocket pistol that in all likelihood never will see a situation requiring a mag change. But then could be just an unnecessary mechanical part that might malfunction
On average it is true that a mag change during a gunfight will be unnecessary; but, there is about a 20% chance that a mag change with a low-cap handgun will be needed. Winners don't train to win the average situation; it is wiser and more successful to train to win 95% or more of the expected situations.
If a slide lock malfunctions it will likely revert to functioning like the LCP -- the slide won't lock back after firing the last round. If this unlikely malfunction does not occur, the hold-open function affords substantial advantages in notifying the shooter his mag is empty and allowing for quicker reload.
Not really of any advantage in a SD pocket pistol that in all likelihood never will see a situation requiring a mag change. But then could be just an unnecessary mechanical part that might malfunction
I have both kinds and it's really nice to know when the magazine is empty, otherwise it's like a revolver. Remember when Clint said "Do you feel lucky punk? Did I shoot five or did I shoot six? I don't rightly remember." Also, handy to know when you practice.
I'd have to vote for the Sig p238 .. just got a Scorpion, which is a bit beyond your price range. But the basic gun is close, and the extras are amazing. Night sights, two mags, paddle holster (which I don't like, but you might). Had it to the range today, amazing accuracy at 7 yds (200+ rounds, all in the center two rings of a 12-inch Shoot'n'see target, zero failures of any kind), very light recoil and a real thumb safety. I tried a few others -- LCP, Glock 42, and handled the Kimber. The night sights helped clinch the deal, but the overall feel and obvious quality sold me. My pocket holster arrives tomorrow (a Nemesis) and it becomes my summer EDC.
As for your concerns, the Sig is very narrow across the slide and appears it will be far easier to pocket than my PM9. It weighs a bit more (around a pound loaded) but that is a great help with recoil, which means you're back on the target faster. The beavertail, of course, is near the middle of the backstrap and will not interfere in any way with the draw, IMHO.
Have to disagree with Mr. DeShivs ... I pocket carry the PM9 often and the Sig is smaller and far easier to conceal. I'm 5-10, 160 ...
As for your concerns, the Sig is very narrow across the slide and appears it will be far easier to pocket than my PM9. It weighs a bit more (around a pound loaded) but that is a great help with recoil, which means you're back on the target faster. The beavertail, of course, is near the middle of the backstrap and will not interfere in any way with the draw, IMHO.
Have to disagree with Mr. DeShivs ... I pocket carry the PM9 often and the Sig is smaller and far easier to conceal. I'm 5-10, 160 ...
Last edited:
Whirlwind06
New member
I handled a Beretta Pico tonight, it was pretty sweet. Has a bit more heft which should soak uo the recoil a bit. Heavy trigger but most of these pocket blasters do, pull was smooth no grit or stack that coukd feel.
Bill DeShivs
New member
Because you can stuff a gun in your pocket, doesn't mean it's a "pocket gun."
Pocket guns today are thin and lightweight. 12 ounces seems to be the maximum. Of course, this is just my opinion.
Pocket guns today are thin and lightweight. 12 ounces seems to be the maximum. Of course, this is just my opinion.
ninjarealist
New member
I agree with Bill DeShivs
Just because a gun can fit in a pocket doesn't mean it's a pocket gun. I can fit my USP Compact in my cargo pants pocket without imprinting. But guess what? It still feels like I have a USP in my pocket.
A true pocket gun is something that you can forget is there (don't actually forget). That's why I made the comment about being able to IWB my LCP in my underwear. It's not that it really makes sense to carry that way but a real pocket gun CAN be carried that way.
If I tried to IWB my USP in underwear the result would be a naked person and a gun on the floor.
Just because a gun can fit in a pocket doesn't mean it's a pocket gun. I can fit my USP Compact in my cargo pants pocket without imprinting. But guess what? It still feels like I have a USP in my pocket.
A true pocket gun is something that you can forget is there (don't actually forget). That's why I made the comment about being able to IWB my LCP in my underwear. It's not that it really makes sense to carry that way but a real pocket gun CAN be carried that way.
If I tried to IWB my USP in underwear the result would be a naked person and a gun on the floor.
They must have improved it tremendously since I handled one.I handled a Beretta Pico tonight, it was pretty sweet.
Here was my take after handling one a year ago.
The slide was the second most difficult pistol slide to rack I've encountered. Only the DB9 from Diamondback was stiffer. The slide is small, the serrations are understated and the spring is very stiff.
The magazine release was the stiffest I've ever tried. It pushes down like the H&K USP release but you practically have to use both fingers and push down on both sides to get it to release.
The mag is hard to seat--really hard to seat. It's best to slam it in place if you want to make sure it latches in.
The trigger is very heavy. My wife couldn't pull it all the way through to break. I was able to manage it and found that although the pull weight is heavy, otherwise it's a decent trigger. Not gritty, no significant stacking and no significant overtravel. But it is a lot heavier than it needs to be. It is a true DA trigger.
The slide release is very streamlined. To the point that it's just about useless. I was unable to get enough purchase to release the slide using the slide release. I had to drop the slide by racking it--which is a pretty decent chore in and of itself.
The sights are good, the gun is small and light and very smooth.
I really don't understand what Beretta was thinking...
What you already have is solid and plenty small for EDC plus it is large enough to be accurate and it probably has tritium sites on it already.... my dads does. It is so much better ti have an accurate midsize that you hat hit where you are aiming then something smaller and miss. That 84 is plenty accurate on man sized targets at 50 feet and for some users beyond that.
Dressing properly is easy to do.
Dressing properly is easy to do.
Whirlwind06
New member
I'm thinking getting a pocket .380 so I want to put my hands on as many as I can.
I handled a SIG loved it but on the high end plus kind of leery of a cocked and locked "pocket gun" If someone had a DA/SA one I would be all for it. I know the Tomcat is that design just haven't actually found one around me.
I had a Keltec .32 and .380 in the past nothing wrong with them but I'm enjoying looking at all of the new designs out there. Plus the KT are ugly hunks of plastic with lots of sharp edges, IMO KT and Kahr owned this market for years and KT has sat on their laurels and now all of the big boys are diving into this market.
I agree the the mag release was strange, I didn't really find a good way to release the mag during the few minutes that I handled it in show room.
The mag seemed to seat okay, but with empty mag its hard to tell how it would work loaded.
The slide was stiff but not impossible. I tend to release the slide my pulling back on the slide so I didn't try the release.
The trigger is in the 10 pound range, it would be a lot better if it was in the 6 to 8 pound range. On the Kel-Tecs that I have owned I get a finger slap when the hammer releases. Almost like I smacked it on a table. I didn't feel that with the Pico trigger.
Liked the sights, like that they are coming out with a .32 barrel. Like that it's a bit heavier.
I handled a SIG loved it but on the high end plus kind of leery of a cocked and locked "pocket gun" If someone had a DA/SA one I would be all for it. I know the Tomcat is that design just haven't actually found one around me.
I had a Keltec .32 and .380 in the past nothing wrong with them but I'm enjoying looking at all of the new designs out there. Plus the KT are ugly hunks of plastic with lots of sharp edges, IMO KT and Kahr owned this market for years and KT has sat on their laurels and now all of the big boys are diving into this market.
The magazine release was the stiffest I've ever tried. It pushes down like the H&K USP release but you practically have to use both fingers and push down on both sides to get it to release.
I agree the the mag release was strange, I didn't really find a good way to release the mag during the few minutes that I handled it in show room.
The mag seemed to seat okay, but with empty mag its hard to tell how it would work loaded.
The slide was stiff but not impossible. I tend to release the slide my pulling back on the slide so I didn't try the release.
The trigger is in the 10 pound range, it would be a lot better if it was in the 6 to 8 pound range. On the Kel-Tecs that I have owned I get a finger slap when the hammer releases. Almost like I smacked it on a table. I didn't feel that with the Pico trigger.
Liked the sights, like that they are coming out with a .32 barrel. Like that it's a bit heavier.
Re: Manual Safety:
That may be your preference, but that doesn't make it true. Some people like manual safeties, and are perfectly capable with their firearms.
David
Unnecessary, even hazardous in a self defense situation with an already entirely safe DAO.
That may be your preference, but that doesn't make it true. Some people like manual safeties, and are perfectly capable with their firearms.
David
Pico said
I have found that the newer 7 round magazines from Ruger make a world of difference in how easy the LCP is to grip and also improve the handling tremendously. And, they detract only very minimally from concealability and/or pocket access.See if your hand can get a grip on that LCP first. My wife could so I got her one but the LC-9 was as small as I could hold. Its a good gun if you can get a decent grip on it.