This is one of the reasons why I almost always recommend people learn how to shoot on a bigger handgun, with low to moderate recoil. They are not only built like tanks, but will shoot Plus P ammo milder than most guns shoot standard ammo. While it carries a little heavier, it's easier to find and pull and I know it's always going to chamber and fire. As I remind you, that the PP Series Pistols, all have the sliding cover open, then fire the last ammunition, as it was and is the custom in all modern military weapons. Small, all rounded edges, 7+1 and shoot anything from cheap ammo to non standar +p. It takes a lot more than just having a gun in order to survive an armed surprise ambush. An accurate piece and conceals pretty well for a double stack. After running a number of clips through it .your hand will begin to hurt from holding such a small grip on a gun with a good amount of recoil., Never had a jamb with any type of ammo, overall a great reliable little gun. The Ruger is light, easy to carry concealed and is very accurate. Jimenez, Lorcin, Raven, Jennings, and a few I'm most certainly missing are all part of this certain category of firearms best described as junk. Theyll buy ammo for target practice and ammo for self-defense. If you take it apart the wrong way or forget to move the ejector upon reassembly, you could damage the gun. The 'P' series has a Lothar Walther match barrel - the thing is ridiculously accurate! Really??? Particularly the compact model is a really nice-shooting pistol that is light enough and small enough for concealed carry. I bought a ruger LCP I love it the long trigger pull makes it a excellent pocket pistol. Opens up a little bit more at 10 yards. The only .380 cartridge I'd ever use, is Precision One. She finds it a dream to rack and feel . Think of center mass as the torso of your attacker. Amazing. I've ran 100 rounds through the Sig P238 and not one issue , it is awesome , pricey but awesome . My edc is the Kahr. Another great gun is the CPX3 .380 pistol made by SCCY on the east coast of Florida. The lcp 2 resolved the trigger issue of the lcp 1. I found that carrying it on your waist with the extended mag was slightly annoying as it is very long. The problem is that my LCP II ejects the spent shells into my forehead. However, as much as I love Springfield and wish I could give them the nod I just can't credit the sights as being better than those on my Sig. PS?..and the worst pistol I ever had in my hand was the 380 Bodyguard. Maybe you forgot. Both tend to come out of my pocket stuck to the weapon. In turn, out of guns of equal weight the .380 produces nearly half the recoil energy. Has anyone found something that works reliably. hand and it works well for me. Cor-bon dpx works well in both and a good defensive round . It's cheaper than any of the guns in your list. Looking to replace it with something more reliable. Though it is probably one of the most expensive 380's on the market, I don't think that should matter when it comes to defending yourself and loved ones. It's light. So what department/agency do you work for? The .380 cartridge is as nasty as any other small one! It was an upgrade from a Beretta Jet Fire 25. This gun is amazing and feeds/extracts EVERY ammo I give it. In actuality the Seecamp 380 is smaller. Final thought? I have owned several in different calibers and have carried them on-duty and have the utmost confidence in them. Both guns are extremely accurate. For some of us the best 380, is actually going with a mini 9. Truly perfection! No problem with the safety or trigger on M&P .380 Bodyguard. The Kimber, Metro Arms American Classic, CZ-75B, CANIK 55, CANIK TP9v2, --- all of my .380s. Theres not a pistol I shot more accurately then this Bersa. These handguns are reliable and easy to manipulate. Here are the SCCY advantages: Just bought a Sig P238 to replace a S&W Bodyguard that absolutely sucks. The new LCP II is single action only unlike the other 2, "ole reliable" would shoot barbed wire if would cycle. They gave me an Smith and Wesson 380 EZ instead, functioned flawlessly and I shot it well. I have the sig p238,Springfield armory 911,glock 42 and ruger lcp, I like my short trigger pulls but my lcp does have a decent enough trigger and recoils not bad! I guess I'm just as a 1911 fan . I traded it 2 weeks after buying it and the guy gave me $100 in trade! I personally carry my Beretta PX4 Compact in .40 S&W concealed during the 96 degree days of summer all the time. Check Price. We did a full review of the grip safety model, but you can also find it with a thumb safety, too! Personally, I like the Bersa Thunder .380 plus. One "embarrassing" point is, my wife Does use a 9mm. Pass on the II and get the original. Got a good deal on mine. LCP2 was pretty nice, especially with an LGS price of $280. (Available in 9mm, .380 ACP or .45 ACP. Also the Decocker and the fact that I can lock the frame as a pistol with the key when my grandchildren are around are a plus. I still like my new 911 and have no complaints with it so far. It, and my .38 special, are my everyday carries, over a 9mm and a .357, sometimes, depending where I'm going, I'll carry both. Both cartridges are most similar when the .38 Special ballistics are compared when coming from a snubnosed revolver with a 2" (or slightly shorter) barrel. Recently helped my niece choose one for herself and budget was part of the equation and she ended up with a Springfield Armory model 911 in .380 and she absolutely loves it - and says it is easy for her to use, load and maintain. Citation needed. Got rid of it and got a Sig P238 and a Glock 42. But it is still comparing the .38 Special, with one hand tied behind it's back, to a .380 ACP which is allowed all the advantages. I've carried a Bersa Thunder for years. We both shoot and carry with a +1 magazine for better control and comfort. It sports a long, heavy trigger pull with double-strike capability. Once I found ammo that worked, it ran like a champ. They get the job done, but several shots may need to be fired to get your point across. put hyper-velocity rounds through your .22 semi-auto rifle and enjoy 80% .22 mag performance for the first what, 50 yards, mostly in the first 25??? It is made in Brooklyn, New York, USA. Josh is a gun writer with several years of experience, who has devoted his life to teaching people about firearms, while continuing to learn himself. And when you want the BEST .380 possible, carry a Walther PPK/S. And for the record, I don't work for Kimber. The author must have been thinking the original LCP, as my II has a great trigger as well. I've had mine for 30+ years and carried it in an ankle holster. I've had a Kahr PM9 for years, thrown everything I could at it, and it has never failed to feed, fire, or lock the slide. I have not shot one, but think the new Smith & Wesson Shield EZ is going to eventually grow into a popular CCW firearm. The most important thing in a defensive situation is shot placement. Granted, .380 pocket autos are not guns that you take to the range for fun. Won't lie though, "long and heavy" sure is accurate on the trigger pull. So, when it comes time that you have to rely on your 380, think long and hard about what's in your hand, and what ammo you are feeding it. It really likes to digest Remington 88 gr HTP and Remington 102 gr Golden Saber. Bersa Thunder 11. My thoughts exactly when I read the authors comparisons between the the 380 and the 38 special. Get new friends. Great in pocket holster or ankle holster. The picture captioned "Handgun Caliber Smallest to Largest", that you used twice, isn't even close. It is a little heavier but the recoil is super manageable. Copyright 2023 Center for the National Interest All Rights Reserved. The pinky extension on the magazine, though, is critical for control. It's a good balance of weight and reliability. Thank you for your article. 1966-1989, Surprised you left out the Walther PK. I watched a u tube vidoe and made a slight adjustment to the magazine and it runs like a champ now where as before it would failure to feed almost every other shot but the little tweek I made fixed the problem and I haven't had a failure of any kind since. Carry sig in ankle holster . Can a .380 pistol save your life? (both very lightweight and extremely easy to conceal). I had the same thoughts when I bought the Ruger LC380 but I found the long trigger pull made me less accurate so I went to the Glock 42. Made in America!! Helped GF decide on a pistol for her own self-defense and ended up with the Sig Sauer P238 and I liked it so well that I got one for myself to replace the KelTec. The big thing to consider using these 380's is the ammo. So maybe that's why it is not added to this concealed carry list. Some survivors who survived being shot from .380 remembered going into paralysis before blackout . If this gun discharges it's because your purposefully, and with several pounds of force, pulled the trigger!!! It eats anything you feed it. I went with the Glock 42 and enjoy shooting it, additionally I am a Glock armorer which factored into the decision. I can say that they are similar, and this is the only gun on this list that is of all-metal construction. The 84 is a great pistol but I wouldn't carry it in my front pocket. Was this a consideration? Just shot 4 of the 5 on the .380 list. I gotta say I agree with your sentiments about the slug. Love the Glock. The Taurus TCP 738 is a highly underrated pistol. I prefer my 357 Mag but I'm seriously considering a 380 due to their size and less recoil. 6 I get the guys who work at the range to clear the gun, took a FULL five minutes, he fires two rounds and I tell him to take the gun back, I won't fire it again. As a new shooter (didnt shoot until age 45, didnt shoot again for another 5 years, bought my first gun two years later last March) I find your website very helpful. I own 2 of your top 5; the Sig P238 and the S&W 380 EZ, plus, my 85 year old father owns the Ruger LCP and my friend the Bersa Thunder and both love them !! While the grip may be a little square for some shooters, the petite size and easy slide makes this gun a great CCW option for smaller humans. Snappy but controllable and also pretty accurate for the size. I prefer lcp 2. Even with a Streamlight TLR-6 on it, I can easily carry it in my shorts or jacket. I'm returning to shooting after a near 40yr layoff, and find the Kimber handles nicely. I have the Springfield 911 and that gun is amazing compact good grouping lightweight are amazing. Wow, what a horrible experience. Its a polymer-framed gun with a capacity of six in the mag, one in the chamber. you hope never to have, the 42 will be there for you. The Glock 42 is a pocket pistol-sized firearm intended for concealed carry.

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