what is the best 380 ?

T

Tndeer

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I like the looks of the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380 and Walther PK380 and what about Kel tek. I want something for the the pocket.
 
What is the best .380?.....I still contend that such a thing does not exist. I have had both the PK 380 and a Sig. Both functioned good but terminal performance was crap (that darned dog nearly eat me alive, even after three solid chest hits). A small frame .38 Spl. was my solution. It is hard to beat the older J frame for this purpose.
John
 
How are you planning on carrying it? If weight or size is an issue then the Keltec P3AT is hard to beat. I carry mine daily. I shoot it OK, and it doesn't have feeding problems, so all in all been pretty happy. I'd get the KelTec over the Ruger LCP due to cost, and them having the same design.

The Kahr/S&W look nice but weight&size is more of a factor there. I carry mine in an ankle carry and its ~11oz fully loaded IIRC.

Originally Posted By: pcammoWhat is the best .380?.....I still contend that such a thing does not exist. I have had both the PK 380 and a Sig. Both functioned good but terminal performance was crap (that darned dog nearly eat me alive, even after three solid chest hits). A small frame .38 Spl. was my solution. It is hard to beat the older J frame for this purpose.
John

What ammo were you using? Did you make a post of that incident at one point? Got a link?

I use Buffalo Bore HP ammo...its a pretty hot 380 Speed Gold Dot load
 
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This was over ten years ago. It was my understanding that the Buffalo Bore stuff no longer uses the Gold Dot. Anyway I was using this stuff because it was/is about the hottest thing you can put in a .380 and it feeds better than the wide hollow point designs. Gel testing with this stuff is pretty impressive when compared to other .380......but still inferior to normal pressure .38 Spl., much less anything +P.

ES .380
 
I carry a LCP w/ the Crimson Trace grips, loaded with Hornady Critical Defense ammo. I can't say whether it's the "best" .380 or not but I've had no issues with it thus far. In dress clothes or light summer apparel it is easily concealed. If I can carry something bigger I will, but their are times when that's not an option.
 
Originally Posted By: bobcatspotfeverGet you a PT22 for your pocket. 380,25 and such your better off with a knife.

Aside from the reality of the Tueller Drill I wouldn't want to test your theory. I can't quite wrap my head around how a 1240fps 35gr bullet could be better than a 90gr bullet at 1000fps.
 
I just coonfingered a couple of LCR`s the other day at the Local Shop, if he would of had one in .357 Magnum I`m pretty sure it would have went home with me.
 
Between the Sig P230, the Kel-Tec P3AT, and the LCP, I liked the LCP the best. That is the only one's I have tried. I am leery of the terminal performance of the .380 still. Masaad Ayoob wrote of slaughter house tests where the .380 would not penetrate the skull of a young pig at point blank range.

I suspect that a pigs skull is a lot tougher than a leather jacket over a rib cage, so it may be okay, just have my concerns.

I am looking for a little bitty gun to carry riding my bike and when I am wearing shorts and a tee shirt. My .45 is a bit large, and I bought a Kel-Tec P11 9mm thinking it was the answer. It is still to big and heavy. Will probably get an LCP eventually anyways.
 
To my way of thinking a 380 is a pistolthat you just want to slip in your pocket. The Kel Tec and Ruger Lcp fill that bill, the Sig and Kimber do not.

My Ruger LCP is extremely accurate and reliable. I load a 95g HP at 1000+ with pistol powder...it is stout to say the least.

For a small carry gun, the Khar CW9 easily fits on your waist and you never know it is there.
 
Have had a few kel-tecs, a kahr and most recently a couple ruger lcp's. The LCP's are proving to be dandy little pocket pistols. Amazingly accurate considering what they are, and they have been very reliable. Trigger is kinda different, long, but can be ran just fine and plenty fast after some practice. Highly recommend the mag/grip extensions.
 
If i may, Taurus TCP is carried with me daily in either a DeSantis pocket or a custom made leather pocket holster. Powerball ammo. I would not want to face it. i have 350 rounds through it without a hiccup. just more guns to the selection. made in USA in Florida also. lifetime warranty.
 
More years ago than I'll admit to, I had a Walther PPK in .380 just because it was Sean Connery's "James Bond" gun.

It was a reliably functioning pistol and fairly accurate at short range, but it was obvious it didn't hit very hard. I'd rate it very good for the caliber, but over all not particularly effective (because of the chambering), to answer the question.

If you are set on a .380 (and can find one), an old PPK is a pretty good pistol.

I sold it pretty quickly, and took a number of side trips into other chamberings (38 special, 9mm, .40, 10mm, .375mag, 44 mag, etc) in both wheel and semi autos.

Though I have had (and still own) several other handguns, in recent years I have gone back to my origins and have several 1911s in .45acp.

If you've never been in a fire fight, statistics say you should get a weapon with a lot of firepower (a 17 shot 9mm is the choice of the military and most PDs). If you've been shot at and had to shoot back (and know how to shoot), a 7 + 1 .45 is hard to beat.

I'll caveat that by saying that if you learned to shoot with a wheel gun or an ugly (non 1911) semi (joke), that's probably what you should stick with. In a gunfight muscle memory trumps all.

Just one man's opinion from personal experience.
 
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