Carry .380

I've also bought a couple of Beretta 84's from CDI Sales on Gunbroker. If you're patient and carefully view their pics, you can pick up a nearly new 84 Series for $300-350. With the B & BB versions, the safety allows for cocked-and-locked carry, should you want that. I prefer to carry hammer down with round chambered and rely on the long, stiff double action pull to act as my safety. If you choose an F or FS version, the safety lever really acts as a decocker.

If you choose the 84, you get 13+1 capacity in .380. The wider grip also spreads the recoil impulse over more of your hand, making it much easier to shoot a lot of rounds.

I actually bought one with wood grips, thinned the grips to half their normal thickness, then stippled them to reduce the grip thickness. It is now just slightly wider than the Beretta 85, which is the single stack (8+1) version of this pistol. It is what I carry daily. Light, compact and very accurate.

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That's my 84 with thinned grips on left vs. a stock 85 on right.
 
For something bigger than an LCP, the Beretta 84 is a great choice. I love mine. There is one that I slightly prefer, though, the CZ83 in 380. They are similar double-stack "compact"ish sized 380's. They are both available at CDI Sales on Gunbroker well within your price range. You couldn't go wrong with either.
 
I picked up a Kahr cw380 when PSA had them for $250. Great gun, easy to shoot fast and fits in my pants pocket with an extra mag. I guess I'm trying to say there is no comparison between the Kahr and everything else I've tried. In an lip sized gun, 32 is fine, but it is just too small in 380...
 
less than $350 will really limit you. The LCP might be as good as you'll get for that price. A Beretta 84FS is a great 380 but for about twice what you want to pay! A Bersa Thunder 380 probably is the best bet for your price range unless you go used. But it's considerably bigger than an LCP. Sig P238 is a nice pistol but again you'll have to cough up more than $350 for one.
 
The Beretta pico is a great pocket carry .380 slim with real sights. Beretta recently updated the springs better trigger and easier to rack the slide.
 
Retired my snappy-shootin' LCP in favor of the easier to handle Kahr CT380. The grip is a little longer, but it is a 7+1.

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Anybody have a preference for a carry .380 less than $350?
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If $350 is your maximum, then a Bersa, Beretta 84 or Browning BDA 380 is a pretty much it. I have the older pre-Thunder Bersa 85, all steel frame with a 'Thunder 380 Plus' 15 round magazine modified to fit. I also have a Beretta 84 and BDA 380 both acquired through CDISales. These guns were both in excellent condition, truly bargains by any measure. If a Bersa 85 ever appears on GB, it doesn't last long. You have to be prepared pounce on it.

I have, however, stopped carrying my 380's in favor of a M&P Shield 9 (9mm, 9+1), Taurus PT145 MIL Pro (45ACP, 10+1) and PT140 Mil Pro (40 S&W, 10+1). I opted to sacrifice capacity for more stopping power in a slightly smaller size package as my 380's.
 
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I have a Bersa Thunder plus and love the thing . It was the last gun my dad bought before he died , I would have most likely never have just bought one .It is very accurate , reliable but magazines are expensive .
 
Why not the LCP? It's an easy get up and go piece no muss, no fuss! ;)
I carried a Walther PPK/S for awhile, I like the LCP better! :cool:
 
$350 is not much but sometimes you can find a 1921 or 1905 Savage for that price. The safeties are not that great but I would not hesitate to carry one with one in the pipe and a short piece of matchstick under the cocker.
 
I have a Manhurin PPKS in .380. Quite sure I paid $305 for it.....back in the 80s. Not sure what a used one runs nowadays. I carry it frequently.

Accuracy, size, weight, reliability, all good. Very long and hard DA trigger pull, though.
 
When somebody named Pico asked about a carry .380 , well, I did wonder about a drive-by trolling. :D

Because one darn good answer is the Pico! As already pointed out.

My pocket gun is the S&W Bodyguard380. The trigger is long enough and heavy enough that I never use the thumb safety. In fact, S&W now seems to be making this gun without the thumb safety. And since I bought the version without the laser built into it, this gun was not all that expensive. Barely over $300 a couple of years back, IIRC

It has never bobbled or fussed when I've been shooting it and it has reasonable actual sights on it. I can recommend this gun.

Bart Noir
 
cocojo said:
Picked up a remington rm380, awesome little gun very reliable pistol. You have to like dao only because its long. No problems at all for me.
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Just my initial impressions, but the RM380 by Remington just about perfect if you're looking for something in between. It's not much bigger than the LCP, but is much easier to actually shoot for extended periods. I was a reluctant Remington buyer, but for a decent price and solid reviews, I am quite surprised it's actually an excellent pocket pistol. As mentioned, it does have a long DAO trigger pull, so if that's not something you can adjust to, you won't be a fan.

ROCK6
 
EAA Witness Pavona .380

I have both the Witness Pavona .380 and the 9mm and I love them both. They cost me about $320 NIB from my dealer. They come with 1 mag, lock, cleaning kit, and case. I recommend getting a second mag. They cost about $21, or its what my dealer git mine for. Lightweight, accurate, 13-rnd mag, DA/SA, I highly recommend! Don't think you can go wrong!!! Good luck.
 
The answer may depend on why you do not enjoy shooting the LCP. My Taurus TCP was picked up for around $200, and has been 100% reliable. The TCP and LCP are similar in size and ammo capacity, and both are equally "snappy". If your problem with the LCP is predominantly based on size, then you would probably not care for the TCP either. If your main complaint with the LCP is the trigger, then the TCP may be worth a try. The Kel-Tec 3-AT seems to have some followers, and fits your budget, but I have no personal experience with any Kel-Tec products.
 
If you can find an older Bersa 95, you'll be well-served by this pistol.
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I totally agree, the Bersa is a very under rated gun, made in Argentina that is much better than some of the more popular pistols made here in the USA.

You will be happy with the way it shoots.

Stay safe.
Jim


CZ 75 P-01 (9mm), Bersa Thunder 45 Compact Pro (45 ACP), Bersa 95 (380 ACP)
 
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