What .380 should I get?

[les snyder]

over the years, I 've tried several .32 and .380 pistols... brief recap

Seecamp .32... early gun, magazine looked like it was made in Afghanistan and kicked to the US... inside of pistol carved out with a Dremel tool
PPK...heavy and too much recoil for a 9x17
Colt Pocketlite... didn't like the way the hammer was dropped to the sear when taken off safe...very accurate... carried it empty chamber... somewhat counter productive
KelTec .32... very dependable and accurate... should have stopped when I was ahead
KelTec .380... problem with the trigger to axis bar pin slipping and not going bang
LCP... current carry... fixed the potential for the same problem as the KelTec....don't know how you can get a much lighter locked breech autoloader

[Rob10ring]

My LCP has been great, with exception of poor sights. But the little gun fits its intended purpose well. Has gone bang every time.

Dad's similar Taurus had all sorts of hang-ups out of the box. He sent it back to Taurus and it has been a star ever since.

Just walked in the door with a Kahr CM9. Feels good and is barely bigger than the LCP, but 9mm. I hope it shoots!

[Awtha]

.380 being my favorite i'll chime in (if'n you don't mind).
for comfortable shooting & accuracy: the Bersa Firestorm.
<back in February 2008 "Gun Tests" had an article on 380s: "FireStorm Beats Walther PPK, Hi-Point CF" (www.gun-tests.com kinda like consumer reports for guns)> & for "feel" there is a difference between the thunder & the firestorm. the only down side i have on it is the safety is a real stinker to disengage.

If you can find a Browning (really a Beretta) BDA - it's not a "carrier" (IMO) but what a hoot to shoot!

Kel-Tec P-3AT is my daily back pocket pistol - fits perfectly in the Sig P238 Leather Pocket Holster & allows quick access.
Adding the pinky extension on the mag for comfort. Being in the heat of florida this thing can be worn in shorts & no problems. the downside is i HATE cleaning it.

Ruger LCP w\ Crimson Lasergrip (the brides) same as the keltec except it has a slide lock & it cost more.

Sig P238 this was one that when it came out i just had to have it (its a shrunk 1911, how cute!) but it will get traded. it shoots fine but it just doesnt make me giggle like all the others when it goes bang.

& lastly the Astra Constable - for me one of the most accurate i have shooted (!) why it even punches holes in paper at 75ft !

one of my friends has the ppk & every time we've been @ the range it has had jamming problems.

[McGyver]

I have three .380s.  The first I bought was a Bersa Thunder.  It is reliable but doesn't have a rear sight.  This might not be important to you.

Mine came with a white dot drift rear sight, you must've got an older one.

[Big Frank]

Ater taking another look at my bankbook I won't be buying anything soon. Eventually I'll probably get an LCP. Do you need a holster to pocket carry? I heard that you do.

[Sponsor]

[Hazcat]

Ater taking another look at my bankbook I won't be buying anything soon. Eventually I'll probably get an LCP. Do you need a holster to pocket carry? I heard that you do.

YES!  Get a holster.  I have an Uncle Mikes (~$20) and I really like it.

[tombogan03884]

A pocket holster and NOTHING else in that pocket.
The holster guarantees the pistol will always be in the same position when you put your hand in the pocket.
Nothing else in that pocket guarantees there will not be a stray dime behind the trigger when your life depends on it going bang.

[les snyder]

for those of you that did not read my comment about the slipped axis pin....UNLOAD your P32, P3AT and LCP...the pin that connects the plastic trigger to the axis pivot ( that works the draw bar) can slip down... out of contact with the top side of the axis pivot, and if it does, the trigger may contact the frame before the sear releases the hammer...the pin is visible on the back of the trigger....push it up if loose... I placed a drop of two part epoxy to lock the pin in place on both my pistols

[santahog]

Bersa underrated bargain price.

The Bersa, or a Sig 232 if you don't mind the weight..

[Hazcat]

for those of you that did not read my comment about the slipped axis pin....UNLOAD your P32, P3AT and LCP...the pin that connects the plastic trigger to the axis pivot ( that works the draw bar) can slip down... out of contact with the top side of the axis pivot, and if it does, the trigger may contact the frame before the sear releases the hammer...the pin is visible on the back of the trigger....push it up if loose... I placed a drop of two part epoxy to lock the pin in place on both my pistols

Took a good look at my P3AT and couldn't see the pin.