Pocket .380 advice
- Thread starter Roland Thunder
- Start date
Kreyzhorse
New member
+1.
Don't get hung up on stopping power; it doesn't exist. Do get hung up on shot placement and practice.
One note, I don't find the LCP an easy gun to shoot. I've got big hands and it's a small gun so don't assume that all things are equal and a smaller gun is just a smaller gun. There is usually a trade off when you go to a smaller or larger gun.
wild cat mccane
New member
Owned both the LCP and CW380.
The CW380 is only few mm shorter. However, it is significantly fatter. It is also shaped like a brick. The LCP slide is contoured to conceal. Huge difference.
The CW380 is only few mm shorter. However, it is significantly fatter. It is also shaped like a brick. The LCP slide is contoured to conceal. Huge difference.
The LCP seems to be the most popular. The Glock 43 is bigger by enough of a margin that some folks don't consider it a pocket pistol. I passed on it. My pocket pistol is a Sig P238. My wife bought one after comparing it to the LCP, and I liked hers so much I started a successful lobbying campaign that resulted in the arrival of a second one via sled, reindeer, and chubby red-coated guy. The little Sig is noticeably heavier than the LCP, but I find it to be much more comfortable to shoot, and the accuracy is excellent for a pocket pistol. Plus the standard sights are very nice. Not many in that class are fun at the range, but I can shoot the little Sigs all day. My EDC is a Glock 26, but for occasions when I want something smaller, the P238 is a really nice pistol to have around.
A pause for the COZ
New member
LCP proven and practical. Dont sell the CM-9 though. You will wish you didn't.
LCP is fine I carry mine very often. But there will be times you will just feel you should be carrying more and miss it.
Its all psychological of course. But it is what it is.
LCP is fine I carry mine very often. But there will be times you will just feel you should be carrying more and miss it.
Its all psychological of course. But it is what it is.
Well here's a vote for the Kahr p380, it's a pleasure to shoot, trigger is smooth, it's in my opinion a cut above the rest of the .380s. Unfortunately I've owned and lost money on many of those mentioned. As you said , you already have a PM9 so you are used to the Kahr trigger.
sirgilligan
New member
Walther PPK/S in .380. Mine is a S&W version and it has not had any failures, even shooting the flat nosed WWB. Yes, it is heavier than an LCP, but an LCP has a trigger that I don't like and it stings my finger when I shoot it. Since it is in my pocket and I have a belt on to hold up those important trousers I don't mind the weight at all.
p.s. I am seriously looking at getting that new single stack Glock 9mm.
p.s. I am seriously looking at getting that new single stack Glock 9mm.
Martin Redcoat
Inactive
I carry both the Glock 42 and Sig 238; for me, the Sig just wins on 'pointability' and feel. Good luck with your decision.
Sig P 238 in a Remora pocket or IWB
I have the P238 and it is with me all the time because it fits in all my pocket carry clothes and IWB. Us a Remora 2ART with extended inside shield to cover thumb safety, because I carry condition 1.
The best part is I can practice all day and not get hand fatigue. It is one to be tried if you are considering a small carry pistol. All steel pistol. 1911 style
I have had the KelTecs and others and the recoil on extended practice outings limited the number of rounds I would shoot. Same for my S&W 642, love the gun but it is a hand killer. Maybe I'm just to old and sensitive.
I have the P238 and it is with me all the time because it fits in all my pocket carry clothes and IWB. Us a Remora 2ART with extended inside shield to cover thumb safety, because I carry condition 1.
The best part is I can practice all day and not get hand fatigue. It is one to be tried if you are considering a small carry pistol. All steel pistol. 1911 style
I have had the KelTecs and others and the recoil on extended practice outings limited the number of rounds I would shoot. Same for my S&W 642, love the gun but it is a hand killer. Maybe I'm just to old and sensitive.
spacecoast
New member
I own both the LCP and the Kahr P380. The Kahr is a vastly easier gun to shoot well and fits in the same back pocket holster as the Ruger, even thought it shoots like a bigger gun. I much prefer the Kahr and keep the Ruger in the car to throw in a front pocket if I'm going in to the store.
Yes, absolutely. Unless you're talking about the Colt Hammerless .380
Yes, absolutely. Unless you're talking about the Colt Hammerless .380
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I have owned both the LCP and S&W Bodyguard 380. Here are my opinions, paraphrased from one of my posts at the S&W forum where I am fairly active:
BG 380 Advantages over Ruger LCP:
Manual safety (if you want one)
Double-strike capability
+P sort of approved by S&W
Better looking
Better sights (but not resulting in better accuracy)
Ruger LCP Advantages over BG 380:
Reliability. Sometimes you get a good BG, sometimes a bad one. The LCP has near-legendary reliability.
Lighter (by only a few ounces, but noticeable. Equal to the weight of a loaded vs. empty mag.)
A little smaller, but hardly noticeable
If you don't need any of the BG's pluses listed, I suggest the LCP because of its better reliability. BGs often need a couple trips back to S&W for tweaking.
I carry mine in my pocket only when I am not going to be wearing a shirt with long enough tails to reliably cover it in my IWB. Pocket carry is just a little clumsy to me.
David
BG 380 Advantages over Ruger LCP:
Manual safety (if you want one)
Double-strike capability
+P sort of approved by S&W
Better looking
Better sights (but not resulting in better accuracy)
Ruger LCP Advantages over BG 380:
Reliability. Sometimes you get a good BG, sometimes a bad one. The LCP has near-legendary reliability.
Lighter (by only a few ounces, but noticeable. Equal to the weight of a loaded vs. empty mag.)
A little smaller, but hardly noticeable
If you don't need any of the BG's pluses listed, I suggest the LCP because of its better reliability. BGs often need a couple trips back to S&W for tweaking.
I carry mine in my pocket only when I am not going to be wearing a shirt with long enough tails to reliably cover it in my IWB. Pocket carry is just a little clumsy to me.
David
i concur. IMHO, there's no "middle ground" between the .32 ACP/.32 NAA and the 9mm Parabellum. Today's "pocket nines" are relatively inexpensive. The only .380 that could possibly "get my vote" is the Browning Black Label .380... with a 4.25" barrel! This is the only way you can get enough velocity from the cartridge to make it a true penetrator.
...and that's just the way it is.
...and that's just the way it is.
I've got a BG380, G42 and a yet-unfired Kahr CW380. The BG has been 100% reliable from the get-go. The G42 is now - but it had to go back to Glock where they replaced (per the long list they sent back) everything but the frame, slide and barrel. Kahr is new to me so I haven't had a chance to get it to the range.
Regarding the penetrator comment, I don't think I would want to go on the record about the ability to penetrate a person. I have my handguns around so that I can stop any threat to me or my family. If that stopping includes the need to penetrate - then, so be it. But, the primary reason is to stop the threat - and hopefully that means the bad guy runs out the door unharmed. Just my $.02 ...
Regarding the penetrator comment, I don't think I would want to go on the record about the ability to penetrate a person. I have my handguns around so that I can stop any threat to me or my family. If that stopping includes the need to penetrate - then, so be it. But, the primary reason is to stop the threat - and hopefully that means the bad guy runs out the door unharmed. Just my $.02 ...
I sold my LCP's as they just beat my hand up every time I shot them.
Since I generally carry larger Kahr pistols I picked up a CW380 and a CT380
and really like them both! The CW has been flawless and the CT I had a few
FTE at the 50 round round mark but still not to the 200 round break in period yet. I carry all my Kahr's in DeSantis holsters.
Since I generally carry larger Kahr pistols I picked up a CW380 and a CT380
and really like them both! The CW has been flawless and the CT I had a few
FTE at the 50 round round mark but still not to the 200 round break in period yet. I carry all my Kahr's in DeSantis holsters.
I just watched a test of Hornady's 90gr XTP from a Sig P238. It went 14" in denim clothed gelatin. All .380 Ball Ammo goes over 16", many over 20".
Where is this lack of Short barrel penetration you speak of? It seems like the .380 is slowly overcoming it's hollowpoint-challenged status, and was ALWAYS punching deep enough with ball ammo...even from sub-3" barrels.
Also, I cannot help but notice most humans are only a foot thick or less, with a heart that lies 4"-6" under the surface. Also, the CCW holder has things to consider that the FBI does not, and vice versa. CCW holders mostly get in "Shootings" not "Shootouts". If you find yourself in the latter with a pocket .380, you really should be looking to disengage and flee.
Where is this lack of Short barrel penetration you speak of? It seems like the .380 is slowly overcoming it's hollowpoint-challenged status, and was ALWAYS punching deep enough with ball ammo...even from sub-3" barrels.
Also, I cannot help but notice most humans are only a foot thick or less, with a heart that lies 4"-6" under the surface. Also, the CCW holder has things to consider that the FBI does not, and vice versa. CCW holders mostly get in "Shootings" not "Shootouts". If you find yourself in the latter with a pocket .380, you really should be looking to disengage and flee.