Pros and Cons Micro compact 380's

Pros and Cons Micro compact 380's
I'm not a big fan of the 380 (I wouldn't want to get shot with one) but, I do like the fact that I can carry the micro compact 380's in a shirt pocket if I wanted to. I'm thinking of getting one to carry during summer months. What are the pros and cons with these little guns?
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Pro: awful darn small.

Con: low capacity, punishing to shoot, and difficult to shoot well.

Get one if you want a gun that's super small, that you can hide when you can't hide anything else.
 
I carry my LCP everywhere, and every day. Even though I also have one of the smaller 9MM pistols, a Kahr CM9. It to me is still noticably larger for pocket carry than my Elsie Pea.
Reliability has been on a par with every other handgun I my carry rotation. In other words, 100%. Accuracy exceeds expectation, and minimal needs for self defense. Mine is the earlier modle that many complain about to trigger pull, and sights on. Neither has been a problem of any kind.
My LCP fits tye rol of grab n go edc, or bug pocket gun perfectly. Anything any larger is just more comfortable, cncealable, and easily drawn with a IWB Hybrid holster.
Cons, those tiny little cases are difficult to find after a range session, and a pain to reload!:D
 
.32 & .380 will kill you dead all day long.

The benefit of those calibers are light recoil and size...
Shot placement, as always, is key...but lacking great placement,
a magfull of 'em at close range will still jack someone up ;)

For those of us in Southern Climes, especially Beach areas,
.32 & .380 are lighter, easier to conceal when wearing practically nothing,
and deadly effective on other folks who are wearing casual beach/summer attire...

In Winter, we can happily hide a Hogleg in our coats ;)
 
First time I've heard carrying a .380 in a shirt pocket.
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It's doable. My sole Hawaiian shirt's breast pocket measures 5x5 inches. The Seecamp LWS measures 4.25x3.25x0.91 inches.

With regard to the unquestioned con of a pocket .380 being unpleasant to shoot, that can be ameliorated by choosing a more appropriate caliber for such a small pistol. Take the Seecamp LWS again, because you can get one in .380, .32, and, until a few years ago, .25. The free recoil energy for these calibers is, respectively, 5.3, 2.0, and 0.7 ft·lb.
 
These are small guns so carrying one in a shirt pocket wouldn't be hard. I'm a K9 officer so my shirt pockets are large anyway. I think if you got a good holster it would be fine.
 
The Sig P 238 or Kimber Micro are both light and very manageable in recoil, the G 42 is slightly bigger in size and very noticibly lower in recoil than other mini sized .380's.
 
In my opinion, micro guns, like .380 pocket pistols on down, are expert's guns. Meaning, you have to train a lot to be decent with any speed or distance involved. All the .380 pocket pistols I've fired are snappy, have difficult triggers, and usually poor sights (though not always). The most challenging gun that I've ever fired that was fully-functional was a .25 ACP FN Baby Browning. Firing quickly, I almost completely missed a piece of typing paper at 7 yards (a few shots hit). Firing deliberately and consciously, I could hit the typing paper with a full magazine, but it took effort for me.

I'd like to own one someday, if for just the challenge of shooting it, and with enough practice, I'd probably carry one occasionally. Also, a disadvantage in my opinion, .380, .32, and .25 are less available and more expensive than .45 ACP, 9mm, and .40 S&W. An XDS in .45 ACP is more controllable and easier to shoot than a .380 or .25 in their smallest lightest forms. Even a G43 or Kahr P9 is an easier gun to shoot. Heck, a PM9 is almost easier to shoot.

I didn't have issue with a Walther PPK, but they are as heavy as an XDS or heavier than a G43, Kahr's PM9 or P9. Walther's are awesome, but they have safeties, and so far, I own no centerfire handgun with a safety, so I probably should keep it that way. If I was a safety-guy, I'd probably strongly consider a PPK.
 
Pro: small size allows carry when the alternative is no gun at all.

Con: sub caliber makes it a last choice for defense, small size makes it difficult to operate for small, weak, or inept hands, small size and generally inadequate sights for all but short defense distances makes accuracy difficult. Defensive ammunition is generally more expensive than say 9mm, and practice FMJ is also more expensive...cost differences may make practice expensive.

That said, I carry a .380 S&W Bodyguard when clothing or activities preclude a larger more effective gun. In my case and that of my wife and DIL's, that's usually a S&W M36, M60, or M637 in .38 Spl +P or .357. I do have a Sig P290 in 9mm that rides well in an OWB holster that is a part of the rotation based on clothing rqmts.

Rod
 
I had a 738 tcp that I sold when I decided to go IWB carry and a 9mm.

Did not take me two days until I missed my TCP. Of course we should holster up every time we leave the house, but do we???

Some times you just need to make a quick run for milk.
Having a pocket pistol to fill that job is important.

I purchased a Ruger LCP to fill that void.

Not ever going to sell my pocket pistol again. EVER...
 
I won't knock a pocket pistol but I have found that I don't actually have a real need for one, other than BUG. A compact 9 in a cheap one clip IWB is just as easy as a pocket holster for milk runs. Even easier, as I don't have to move my keys and change to the other pocket. I have been using my SAR B6PC and it's absolute simplicity for heading out the door. It's so comfortable and easy that I sometimes use it instead of my preferred 10mm shoulder carry.
 
Check out Lehigh Defense 380aco ammo; you'll be surprised at its performance.
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My favorite .380, the P3AT Keltec, unfortunately, will not cycle these. They hang on the feed ramp on the way to the chamber. But, the chambered round is a Lehigh XP. They ones in the mag are Critical Defense.

As to not derail the thread....my "light" summer carry, pocket gun is a P3AT. It just works...like my Glocks.

My daughter's SW Bodyguard cycles the Lehigh's perfectly and that what she carries in it.

I really like the Bodyguard, but my daughter liked it more. ;)
 
The .380 is the smallest caliber I would consider as a self defense caliber, and it's anemic in my view. The P3AT that I have is very unpleasant to shoot and feels like a firecracker exploding in your hand every time you pull the trigger. After a few magazines it feels like someone took a hammer to your hand and fingers. A gun to carry only if you need a deep concealment piece or BUG.

I'm much prefer a step up in size and caliber. Unless you're in swim trunks, a person can almost always carry a subcompact 9x18 or 9x19 in the common varieties.
 
My favorite .380, the P3AT Keltec, unfortunately, will not cycle these. They hang on the feed ramp on the way to the chamber. But, the chambered round is a Lehigh XP. They ones in the mag are Critical Defense.
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Have you done the "fluff and buff" on your P3AT?
 
The .380 is the smallest caliber I would consider as a self defense caliber, and it's anemic in my view.
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I wouldn't even consider the .380 as a PRIMARY SD round unless it was a stout load from a larger format pistol. But, as a gun you happen to be carrying, I would consider anything down to .22 long as a round worth taking with you if nothing else was handy.
 
Leadcounsel, Perhaps you should shoot other small 380 pistols, my Star DK's are locked breech as are my Sig P238, Kimber Micro and G42 resulting in a much easier pistol to shoot and for longer periods. The Glock is especially foregiving in the recoil department. Of course acceptance of the cartridge should be made if a change were desired.
 
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