Best .380

You will find that most people recommend whatever gun they chose for themselves. We want to think we chose the best one and also, we don't really know about most of the other ones available. The recommendations are mostly a popularity contest.
 
osbornk said:
You will find that most people recommend whatever gun they chose for themselves. We want to think we chose the best one and also, we don't really know about most of the other ones available. The recommendations are mostly a popularity contest.
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You are absolutely right! That is why it is important to not just recommend a particular pistol, but to explain why you recommend it. What are the attractive features, benefits, your experience with the gun, etc. A recommendation without a detailed explanation is not very helpful.
 
I agree. I also do not understand how someone can recommend or bash a gun they have no experience with. That is not helpful and usually just passes on rumors or fanboy reviews.
 
Funny that the Kahr CW380 has not made it here. I find it as small as the smallest, but able to be shot fast like a full size pistol
 
"Good grief Carl, what are you doing with so many .380s......of the same make and model?"


To answer your question, I like shooting 380's. There were a challege when I first owned one 10 years ago. Now feel very confident in fast, accurate shooting and drawing.
I do not own 4 LCP's, I only on one now, I went through 3 LCP's. Cracks in grip, split rails and other problems. They have a very snappy recoil, a High Five slap. Now designed to hold up well. First one went down around the 2200 rd. mark.
When I found the Pico, I fell in love with it. Just superior craftsmanship, and such pleasant shooter. I bought the Kahr on a whim, but hey, it is a really nice gun as well. Not a tank quality like the Pico, but still really built well and a mild shooter to boot.
The Pico is a all Stainless Steel frame, I mean solid like a tank, the Kahr has Steel inserts. A must in my opinion for a pocket gun. Never could understand why Ruger did not do this.
 
With your budget, an LCP would be a good pocket gun. My pocket pistol is a P238, and I really like it, but you aren't going to get one at the price point you said. If you want a .380 for your car and apartment, and not for pocket carry, you would be able to find a used Beretta 84 for your price. CDI has them pretty often and is a good company.
 
To carry in your pocket, without having to comletely empty your pockets of a lot of money....LCP. (NOT LCP II) Small, light, DAO with concealed hammer, and no safety to forget, miss, or slip your finger off of in a stressful situation.
 
I've got 4 pocket .380s

1. Smith Bodyguard
2. Remington.380
3. Bersa Thunder CC
4. Walther PPK

All 4 guns are reliable with with the Hornady ammo I use. Bersa has the lightest recoil, but RM380 and Bodyguard are easier to pocket carry. I like the Walther because of its looks and history. I've owned a couple LCPs and they were both reliable but recoiled a bit more than I liked. Good luck on your search.
 
Sgt127 said:
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.
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Friday I ordered an RM380 from Bud's - $218 plus $3 insurance delivered before the $50 rebate. $25 FFL transfer. $171 after $50 rebate.

Couldn't pass that up, even though I have 2 LCPs, a Kahr CT380, a Colt Government .380, and an old Remington Model 51 .380.
 
I own a number of 380's. The Beretta 84, Russian Makarov, Sig 230, CZ83, and Colt Government Model are medium-sized pistols. All of them but the Colt were service pistols. As a group they are much easier to shoot than pocket pistols. (The OP could get a surplus Beretta or CZ in his price range.)

The Kel-Tec P3AT is a light tiny pocket pistol with a polymer frame. The Ruger LCP is a copy of it. They are not fun to shoot (for me, anyway), but are very easy to carry. They are also inexpensive. I have had a P3AT for about five years now and have had zero problems with it.
 
Pocket vs. any .380

I've gone through a number of pistols looking for the best pocket pistol for me. My main criteria have always been: small, light, DAO hammer fired (don't like DAO striker fired - yes it's probably just fine but I still don't like them - that's what makes horse racing- wouldn't be horse racing if everyone bet on the same horse), .32 or better. My current pocket carries are KelTec P32 in summer (just disappears in a pants pocket as long as they are not skinny jeans; and my butt is not skinny enough for those) and a Beretta Pico in winter when I want a bit more power and am coat pocket carrying more than pants pocket carrying.

Evolution:
Pants pocket: NAA Guardian .32, Seecamp .32, Beretta Tomcat (until frame broke during practice), KelTec P32

Jacket pocket: Bersa Thunder .380 (heavy and clumsy), Sig P238 (didn't like single action and the idea of having to either carry cocked and locked in a coat pocket or cocking the hammer during draw), Colt Pony Pocketlite (a bit heavy and heavy trigger pull but smooth and reliable as all get out, had custom sights put on it), Beretta Pico (first generation, took about 100 rounds to break in, great sights and great weight and size for even light jacket pocket).
 
Theres lots of great options out there. You really need to go to a gun shop and hold and maybe even rent a few that you are considering to see what you like.
Personally, Im partial to the Walther PPK and Bersa Thunder.
Theyve proven to be rock-solid reliable and you can get a Bersa for less than $300 new.
I really want a PPK but they arent available right now and Im seriously considering picking up a Bersa in the near future.
 
tallball said:
The Kel-Tec P3AT is a light tiny pocket pistol with a polymer frame. The Ruger LCP is a copy of it. They are not fun to shoot (for me, anyway), but are very easy to carry. They are also inexpensive. I have had a P3AT for about five years now and have had zero problems with it.
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I don't like shooting the LCP either - too snappy & beats up the web skin between my thumb & forefinger after 30 or 40 rounds.
The Kahr CT380 is a softer shooting gun with better ergonomics & longer grip frame that is easier to hang on to.
 
oldfart1944 makes a compelling argument for the Bodyguard which is one I have never tried or even seriously looked at. My vote is for the Sig P238 especially in HD trim. I may have to look more closely at the Bodyguard
 
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