Recommend a .380acp

You're welcome! Hope it solves your problem. Let us know!

I don't remember the brand, but I went to Walmart and picked up a can of aerosol gun cleaner, pulled the slide off my pistol, and simply hosed everything down. That removed anything that might have gummed it up a bit. Then I lubed it likenormal and went back to the range.

Word to the wise...use nitrol gloves when cleaning your guns...those solvents take every bit of the natural oils out of your hands and that can't be good over the long term! (Yeah...this means I didn't think to do that then!)

Thanks again....RetiredUSNChief


Next time I stop in W*M or a gun shop I'll see what they have in way of the aerosol cleaners. Years ago I used Gun Scrubber which worked good but got awful expensive using. I'll have to make sure it's Polymer safe.Way back I didn't worry about Polymer.

You make a good point about wearing gloves. I'm like most don't do things I should and eventually it catches up to me. I see warnings on motor oil containers how long term exposed to motor oil can cause cancer or something. There's no telling what these solvents are doing to our hands especially with the lead and burnt powders. Even more so if you have open cuts on your hands.

AZ Desertrat

I have both: a Colt Mustang and a SIG P238. The Mustang has the better trigger and the slide and frame seem to feel more rounded (sort of like melted), than the P238. On the plus side for the SIG are much nicer sights (easier to see along with being night sights), and a more positive engagement with the thumb safety. Both are great .380s and are fun to shoot and easy to carry concealed.

I have owned several .380s and then bought a Glock 42. I am amazed. It is absolutely the easiest shooting handgun I have ever owned. It is extremely accurate and works every time. I have owned probably 100 handguns, collect pre lock Smiths, and never liked the look of Glocks. I like to carry in a pocket holster, with either 90 gr XTP HP @ 1020 or 100 gr flat points @ 960. I am older now and I really enjoy hitting what I shoot at every time. I also have bought a Glock 43 in 9mm(slightly larger), which is my upper limit on size to pocket carry.

Kahr CW380. Real sights, good trigger, ~$300. Softer shooter than other poly guns the same size.

Mine is the best, no mine is the best! Ha! Ha! I love these threads.

Best so far is the glock 42

I went through several carry guns and the GLOCK 42 has worked the best for me. It has the very simple operating procedures of the GLOCK line of pistols. It is very compact. I pocket carry mine.
I have found the recoil is mild for the light weight and still accuracy is good.

Previously, I had found that either I did not like the gun/caliber combination like the COLT Government Model Lightweight which shot well, was accurate, but was a single action needing a safety or found a .380ACP I really liked to shoot, but was just a little too big for pocket carrying, like the SIG 232.

The GLOCK replaced my WALTHER PPK was my everyday gun, being just as reliable, easier to shoot, lighter and rustproof.

Jim

My Bersa Thunder 380 and 380CC were jam-o-matics so I sold both. Now I have a Ruger LC9s which is about the same size and weight as the Bersas, but 100% reliable.

Thinking about a Kahr CT380 for summer shorts carry. I don't like the Ruger LCP since it is too thick, too snappy and the slide will not hold back on the last round.

My wife currently carries a Kel Tec P32. If I wanted to upgrade her to a 380, I'd get a Glock 42.

We all have our preferences as is noted is the above posts, I would suggest spending a little more money since this is a personal defense weapon. My experience with a Bersa and P3AT remove them from further consideration, I found the new G 42 to be an excellent carry pistol as well as my Mustang, Sig P238, P938, and Kimber Micro. I am very comfortable with a single action pistol carried cocked and locked in a holster ( for these little guys I use a IWB Kydex holster) or with the Glock in a holster or pocket. Another drop in the pocket pistol is the RM 380, but shoot it and become accustomed to the goofy trigger.

If venturing into the 9mm micro's many off them will be uncomfortable enough to shoot that one will not practice, this go's for the 380 also. The G 43 for me is unacceptable because of what I perceive as poor shooting characteristics, just the opposite of the G 42 which is a dream to fire. I like the Sig P 938 which shoots as easy as it's 380 counterpart, there are numerous others in this field so one would need to shoot any that appeal to him.

Hands down Kahr CW380. Best 380 out there for the money.

I like my LCP, can't beat it for pocket carry and I never leave home without it!
Works for me and it didn't drain the gun funds!

I have a DB380. Like carrying it because it is easy to carry and incredibly small. I've never had trouble with mine with 95gr ball or JHP. I know some people hate them but I like it and the DB9. The .380 is not hard to shoot at all, the DB 9mm has the stoutest recoil of any gun I own. DB9 is not a range gun, the .380 much more tolerable.

"My only other .380 that I really like is the Colt Government .380, which isn't available anymore but think 1911 scaled down."


Amen. They are terrific. Mine is a jewel. Probably too big for pocket carry, but they sure are nice to shoot.

I would also recommend the G 42. I have a G 19 and G 43. And I can shoot the G 42 about as well as my Glock 9mm's. The G 42 is a little snug in jeans but certainly doable for pocket carry.

I was a PPK fan for over 35 years. Still have it but carry a S&W BG 380 for the past few years.

I have the LCP, a Bulgarian Mak and recently a Bersa Thunder in .380. I like them all for different reasons.

Always kind of liked the Sig 232 too, although that ship has probably sailed for me.



This thread makes me want to try out a G42.

You might try looking at videos by Hickok45. He has tested a bunch of the little 380 pocket pistols. I got a S&W Bodyguard and agree with about everything he says about it. I am O.K. with the trigger but do not like it and my wife loves it.

I started with an LCP, but traded after about a year. It was just not fun to shoot and I wasn't particularly accurate with it, even at close range. I then waited for a while before picking up a Sig P238 which I absolutely love to shoot and carry. THe only problem with the 238 is that mine will only RELIABLY feed FMJ ammo. Still, I carry it when the time is right.

But the real stud of the .380 world for me is the G42. I've just upgraded it with the guide rod laser from lasermax. I love the gun and the laser, and it reliably feeds and shoots everything. I am carrying Winchester PDX ammo which I've chrono'd at 950 fps, just as the box advertises.

It did not accurately shoot Buffalo Bore hardcast 100 grain ammo, but still handled the stuff OK. The Buffalo Bore was all over the place (mostly low and left), whereas all my other ammo I've put through consistently hits center mass at 7 yards.

+1 on the DB380. It's the only polymer gun I still own. Mine is very accurate, 100% reliable (I shoot only FMJ), fits my grip wonderfully and has great sights. In .380, I also have an Interarms PPK/S and CZ-83. I really like them, too, but they don't always "fit" the situation. I can always find a place to carry the DB380.

I like to carry the magnum research micro desert eagle.

In post 64, the OP says this thread has run it course. I don't think he's checking back. He has likely already made his decision.

Last year I would have suggested the Taurus TCP. I owned one that was really good but it was stolen and the replacement has not been as reliable. The newest one has an inferior trigger, poorly fitting mag plates, and the extractor sheared off in under 150 rounds. Taurus customer service was very helpful and provided all the new parts at no cost (I did the work myself to save the hassle of shipping) but it still doesn't seem to feed HP as well as the first one. I should point out that even though the trigger of the new TCP isn't quite as nice as the old one it is still better than all of the Ruger LCP options, and I do not like single action only platforms in this role, even though the Sig P938 appears to be a great gun. Unfortunately I feel stuck with FMJ when pressing this gun into service right now.

RetiredUSNChief said:

You're welcome! Hope it solves your problem. Let us know!

I don't remember the brand, but I went to Walmart and picked up a can of aerosol gun cleaner, pulled the slide off my pistol, and simply hosed everything down. That removed anything that might have gummed it up a bit. Then I lubed it likenormal and went back to the range.

Word to the wise...use nitrol gloves when cleaning your guns...those solvents take every bit of the natural oils out of your hands and that can't be good over the long term! (Yeah...this means I didn't think to do that then!)

Click to expand...

RetiredUSNChief

I just wanted to tell you I haven't forgotten to get back with you or about this thread. I'm having a hard time walking. I'm permanently disabled then had an accident getting on my zero turn mower. As soon as I'm able to get to the range and shoot this LCP I will and let you know.

I've pretty much decided to get a Custom LCP. I've been on a waiting list with a dealer that had Ruger days for 2 months now. They must be between a production run.

With the compact size of a 9 mm why bother with a 380. Look at a kahr CM9, cost the same as most compact 380's and dependable,and slides in your pocket and you get slot more punch.