New gun time, need advice

B

bikerbill

New member
Time for a new gun and this time it's going to be a .380.

While I have never liked Glocks, I handled one of their new .380s this morning at Academy and liked the feel a lot. I also got to handle one of Smith's .380 Bodyguards. Money is not a huge issue, but I'm not spending $700. The Glock was $430, the Smith $340. If you have experience with either or both -- or want to throw another selection into the pot -- please give me your opinions. Keep suggestions under $500, pls.

It will replace the NAA Pug I carry on dog walks, but will not be my EDC.

Thanks ...
 
Bill....what about a Bersa .380? Less than or right around $300 at Buds.

I don't own one but I have shot one. All steel, though. Probably a little heavier than the Glock. I thought it was pretty sweet the one time I got to handle it.

And I still chuckle when I remember my buddy's wife asking him "honey, where are my Bersa bullets?"
 
First, whichever feels the best in your hands, buy.

If the same, flip a coin...three times.
If you cheat, you'll know which one you want the worst ;)

But I know the feeling, I'm leaning towards a Shield in 9mm at the moment...:D
 
+1 on the Bersa Thunder 380

I like the Bersa, but I like metal... Handled a Bulgarian Makarov in a pawn a couple of days ago... Very nice, so nice that I might be buying it.
 
All good choices and throw the Ruger LCP into the mix too...2013 or later...with the larger sights than the first ones.
 
Just shot the Glock (42?) the other day and really liked it, about, no, the only Glock I've ever liked. Sweet little pistol, head shots easy.
 
I like the feel of the Bersa, but it's too heavy. Moving to a .380 to lighten the load for summer pocket carry, hence the Glock or S&W ... I also was looking at the Taurus .380, but wary. The only Taurus semi I've owned is the tip barrel in .25ACP and had no problems with it, but still ....
 
A friend of mine carries the Walther PK380. I thought it felt really good in the hands and it ran well. I've seen them at Academy for $400. I've just got issues with Walther so I haven't grabbed one, but I have to admit it was a nice gun.
 
I highly recommend the new version of the Ruger LCP. Trigger pull is vastly improved and mine is very reliable. No experience with the others.
 
If I were getting a 380 it would be a classic Walther PPK or the new Glock 42. I have shot my friends Glock 42 a bunch and I really like it.

I plan to buy one for my wife eventually.
 
We've got the G42, Sig p238 and S&W Bodyguard. I like and would recommend them all. The Sig goes out with me daily biking or jogging in a sticky holster.
 
Can't believe no one has mentioned it, but the Kahr CW380 is a very good small handgun. I own a Colt Mustang Pocketlite (which I could also recommend), but will also get the little Kahr at some point as well. When I want to go .380, it needs to be really small, and I am going to assume that is why you would want one. So I don't understand buying a 380 the same size as you can get 9's in. For instance, the G42 is about the same size as a Kahr CM/PM9. If you are looking for a REALLY small and pocketable 380 that you can carry with one down the hole, a Kahr CW380 is a great choice.
 
My wife settled on the Sig P238, but it isn't in your price range. (It wasn't in my price range, either, until my wife said it was.) Of the .380s I have shot, it is the nicest shooter and in my hands was the most accurate. This was before the G42 came out, though, and lots of people are very positive about it.
 
I would buy the Glock 42.
The LCP is smaller and reliable but is not fun shooting it and your hand will be hurting within 20/30 rounds.

Versa is a good choice too and if you want to go cheaper a used cz 83 can probably be had for @200/250 range.
 
My pocket carry right now is a Glock 42. I think it is the best .380 pocket pistol on the market, and easily the best I've owned.

It is very comfortable to shoot, and very accurate, and has been 100 % reliable through about 400 rounds. It carries easily in my front pocket. My only concern at present is that the mag has popped out a couple of times, possibly due to my using a holster that, while it fits the Glock, was really intended for a Kahr CM9 I used to have.

I also have an LCP, and kept it because it is smaller and reliable, but as mentioned it is not fun to practice with, although the mag baseplate extensions and the Pachmayr grip glove help with comfort and control.

I have had mostly bad experiences with the other pocket .380s out there.

My Bodyguard .380 was junk, with a terrible trigger, and even though Smith's service is really fast, and free, they couldn't get it to run in the one chance I gave them. Didn't feel like continuing to work with them because the trigger was so bad.

In my experience, all Kel-tec pocket pistols are junk with the possible exception of the little .32. Their quality control just isn't there. I bet Ruger took a huge chunk of Kel-tec's business when it came out with the LCP and LC9.

My SIG P 238s were pretty, and really easy to shoot accurately, but they are pricey and I found them a bit too finicky. I also became concerned that I might forget to flip the safety off under pressure.

My Kahr P380 was horrible, couldn't get it to run reliably after a trip back to the factory and about 1200 rounds. My PM9 and CM9 were better, but still too sensitive and finicky to be relied on as defensive pistols.

I know they have their fans, but I personally will likely never buy another Kel-tec or Kahr pistol. Or Taurus for that matter.

I vote for the Glock.
 
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