Best .380

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kyguy1

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Needing to get a .380 for pocket/car carry. Which one is the best in terms of reliability & ease of use? Considering a Bersa Thunder. Thanks.
 
Beretta Pico is the thinnest. I think it's easier to shoot than the LCP. Takes down easily, it's got good sights and has the features wanted in a pocket gun. Mine has been perfect using any brand of ammo, (about eight different brands so far), and takes a laser or light if you choose. Surprisingly soft shooter. I really like it.

If you want a larger gun then the Beretta 84, Sig P230/232 are excellent quality. There are a host of .380s to choose from. Too many to list. I've given up on Bersa after trying four of them. Not top tier quality but cheap.
 
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Kyguy - I have a Bersa Thunder 22. Not the 380 but it's the same size. It is remarkably comfortable in my medium large hands and feels just like every BT 380 I've held. I don't have the 380 yet, but it's likely my next acquisition.

Don't think it's a pocket gun but it sure doesn't take up as much room in the car/truck as my S&W 909.
 
I am pleased with my Sig P238, an extremely reliable, high quality pocket pistol. Further I can shoot it very accurately given its short 2.75" barrel. The night sights are a plus.
 
It might go in my pocket. And in console of my car. Just for self protection that I can carry and be concealable if need be or if I needed one on the go. Or even for my apartment in addition to my larger heavier revolver. Price is also a major consideration, looking for something under 350 or 300. A friend told me the Beretta 84 and the Bersa Thunder are the ak's of 380. I saw a nice little NAA .32 also, that was really well made. I liked how it had a pop up barrel too no racking. But I'd rather have a .380 than a .32
Also isn't it true that for a 380 FMJ ammo is the way to go for supreme effectiveness? Or so I have heard.
 
Owned 3 LCP's and on the fourth. Found the Pico (gen2) and fell in love with it, lol, bought a second one because I liked it so much. Very Mild shooter, Between the two I now have over 2000 rds. with no hiccups. A few weeks back bought a Kahr CW380 also a mild shooter. 325 rds now with that pistol and no failures.
 
Kyguy- You have been misinformed and you are confused.
The Beretta 84 and the Bersa are not comparable-other than for size. The Beretta is an extremely well made gun. The Bersa is an "OK" gun.
The NAA .32 does not have a tip-up barrel, though it's a well made, heavy little gun.
The Beretta Tomcat has a tip-up barrel.
Get yourself a Keltec p32 or P3AT.
 
Most of the comments you will see when you start a thread like this are nothing more than someone else's personal preference. The Bersa Thunder isn't a true pocket pistol. Neither is the Beretta 84. The Ruger LCP, Taurus TCP, Beretta Pico, Keltec P3at and S&W Bodyguard are 380 pocket pistols. My personal preference in this category is the Remington RM380. I own two of them.
 
The Beretta 84 is way out of my price range anyway. I'm just looking for the AK of 380s, one that's reliable, tough, basic, and easy to use/clean and again reliable. Keep hearing great things about the Bersa Thunder, but might check out the Kel Tec too Iraqveteran8888 gave it a good review for a small pistol. Interesting about the Remington, will have to check that one out too.
 
Please look at the Remington RM380. I've had one for several months. About 300 rounds through it. All metal. Stainless slide and barrel, alloy frame.

I have a lot of .380's. This is one of the best I've ever owned. I paid $299 at a gun show and now, I think Remington is offering a rebate.
 
Which one is the best in terms of reliability & ease of use?
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I have a Pico and a LCP Gen II.

I prefer the Pico by a wide margin in the areas of reliability, felt recoil, and sights. It required no break-in period at all. A few hundred rounds fired and zero malfunctions. That was with four or five types of factory ammo, and some LRN reloads. It's not a dream come true, but I feel 100% confident it'll fire the entire mag at any time.

I prefer the LCP for grip, trigger pull, and ease of racking the slide. Its break-in period left me feeling a little spooked, I just don't trust it to get through a mag. Maybe it would, maybe it wouldn't, but I don't want to find out when I need it to work.
 
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