Good DAO .380acp

[kokapelli]

I would consider the G42 closer to a single action than to DAO because it has no second strike capability.

The Bersa CC which is almost the same size as the G42 is also a really nice shooting pistol with DA/SA and has 8+1 capacity.

 

[Gary A]

Another recommendation to check out the Sig P290rs in .380.

 

[A Pause for the Coz]

Just picked this one up yesterday. Fleet Had them on sale other wise I would have gotten the Smith & Wesson. But I could not find a 100 bucks difference for a pocket gun.

 

[1John1:9]

USP9,
I have never seen that pistol before. Looks good.

 

[JWH321]

I have a non-laser Bodyguard. I bought it on a whim thinking I'd hate it and would give it to my daughter. I like it. She isn't getting it. I've had it about three weeks. It's had 100 rounds of American Eagle, 100 rounds of Fiocchi (both Rn/fmj). 12 rounds of federal Hydra shok, and 200 rounds of handloads through it (handloads were 100 grn RN copper plated in Starline brass over Titegroup.

It has never missed a beat. I'm more accurate with it than with my 938 SIG. It disappears into the front pocket of LL Bean cargo shorts. It's nose fits into the little change pocket perfectly. You can forget it. I carried it for three hours at my mother-in-law's house and I'm still around.

But it does have an external safety (but it's pretty flat, very tight, and can be easily ignored. I polished all of its internals. It measures just over 9 lbs of pull on a Lyman gauge. Trigger pull is long but very smooth. I like it. But if you can afford it, buy the Sphinx. If not buy a BG.

One more thought, the little BG is LOUD!!!

 

[JWH321]

Well, you can forget the Sphinx AT .380. It's no longer imported and may be out of production. Darn. Used ones are going for around $600 if you can find one. Nice stuff. Pricey though.

 

[Crayfish]

Just bought a Sig P290rs in 9mm but they (as others have said) come in 380. It came with nice lockable case, 1 flush mag and 1 extended mag, a laser, an OWB holster and tritium night sights for $399. Sig had the best sights I found for a small gun since they are not tiny dots like the Ruger. For me it might be a tad large for pocket carry but, may work for some. Very accurate for a 2.9" barrel and nice trigger if you like DAO.

 

[.455_Hunter]

NAA Guardian .380- True DAO, all steel, very reliable.

 

[Zendude]

What is the advantage of a hammer fired semi auto if it is DAO only?

 

[rhinoh]

I just picked up a TCP 738 last week, went to the range over the weekend comparing it to my P3AT and LCP.
Couldn't really tell a huge difference between the 3.
Haven't been carrying .380 in awhile but picked up the TCP when PSA had them on sale for $169 last week. Pretty hard to find any new gun for that kind of price

Also have a Sig P238- that is the best shooting .380 I have but I cannot adapt to cocked and locked in my pocket......

Note to anyone considering a TCP- magazines have been very hard to come by for quite awhile. I did manage to order one this morning direct from Taurus, so they have them if anyone is looking. $22 + $8.50 shipping- I also ordered a few small parts like the $1 take down pin JIC I manage to lose it.

 

[Armor Snail]

The TCP is comfy to shoot. No problem putting 100-150 rounds down range per session.

It really likes the euro stuff too.

Fiochhi, S&B, Geco.

It shoots wwb and rem too.

Doesn't like steel. Get FTEs in mine.

 

[Gary A]

Just a comment re the Sig P290rs in .380. I'm not sure of all the differences between it and the 9mm version but it appears to have a lightened slide and has a milder recoild spring and is reported to be quite easy to rack the slide. Sig lists its weight as a full 5 ounces less than the 9mm version at just over 15 ounces. I have the 290rs in 9mm and would not mind picking up a .380 version but would like to see one first and not buy a pig in a poke.

 

[1John1:9]

What is the advantage of a hammer fired semi auto if it is DAO only?

For a small pocket gun, I want a heavier trigger and it seems like all the striker fired guns have 5 to 6 # triggers. I want one around 7.5 to 10#. And I like the tactile feel of the hammer. I've heard some Walther PPS triggers are around 7 to 8 lbs. I have almost bought one of those several times.

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Dude, you need to handle a Pico. Not for everyone but some of the stuff you are sayin' make me think you really need to check it out. Smaller but it is hammer fired, real sights, built like a Swiss watch and a little tank. Heavy DAO trigger pull and soft shooter.

Not perfect and it is in fact rather extreme but it is the epitome of a hammer fired heavy DAO trigger pistol that is very well built and accurate.

VooDoo

 

[Crayfish]

Hey Zendude. The advantage to me of a hammer on a DAO gun is reholstering. I am an old snub 38 carrier and I always re holster with my thumb on the hammer so if the trigger ever catches on anything I would know before it went bang. So the bobbed hammer on the Sig has the same safety feature on a gun with no other safeties (of course the revolver style trigger helps as well with negligent discharges). Just my preference is all but, it feels safer than a Glock type gun. I see no advantage in having a lighter trigger on a dedicated conceal carry weapon.

 

[VA27]

Magnum Research Micro Desert Eagle. Striker fired, otherwise meets your specs. Hold that in one hand and a P3AT in the other, and I'll guess which one gets laid down first.

Mine has a hammer, so it meets all the specs. Discontinued since Kahr bought MR. Still, you can find em around on the auction sites.

 

[Gary A]

+1 to Crayfish's post above.

 

[Zendude]

Hey Zendude. The advantage to me of a hammer on a DAO gun is reholstering. I am an old snub 38 carrier and I always re holster with my thumb on the hammer so if the trigger ever catches on anything I would know before it went bang. So the bobbed hammer on the Sig has the same safety feature on a gun with no other safeties (of course the revolver style trigger helps as well with negligent discharges). Just my preference is all but, it feels safer than a Glock type gun. I see no advantage in having a lighter trigger on a dedicated conceal carry weapon.

Good point. I agree about the feel of a hammer. I always like knowing what position the hammer is in by both visual and feel. I just like having the option to shoot in SA mode if I really need to be accurate on a shot.