so i have been looking at 380 autos for my CCW i have a s&w j frame that i carry right now that is something like 14 oz which is a little heaver than a 9 oz 380 auto but i find a lot of reviews saying that there are a lot of problems with these little guys but for some reason people are carrying them why??? is it really that hard to carry a revolver that weighs a bit more but is really reliable.
why 380 over a revolver (in 38)
- Thread starter unknown88
- Start date
- Status
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Small autos are much more suitable to pocket carry. They are lighter, smaller and flatter. If I'm gonna have to use a holster, I'll carry a bigger gun than a J-frame.
thunder173
Member
In my case,...it depends a lot on the manner of dress, and convenience. I often carry a S&W J frame, 5 shot .38,..and my wife's CC is a Taurus 905 J frame in 9mm....at the moment,..I happen to have the Keltec P3AT clipped to my belt IWB,..and I usually pocket carry it. I am equally as confident in it as I am with the S&W J frame......
So,....5 rounds of .38 Specials or .357's that I am confident will take care of business,..or 7 or 8 .380's that I am equally confident in?
Some smaller statured folks are not comfortable even with a J Frame revolver,..and like the idea of the smaller framed .380's for carry,...until they actually shoot one. They can be a bit snappy,..and accuracy may suffer at distance,..but then,..who's gonna use one at any distance???
Use what works for you,...but practice with what ever you decide to carry.
So,....5 rounds of .38 Specials or .357's that I am confident will take care of business,..or 7 or 8 .380's that I am equally confident in?
Some smaller statured folks are not comfortable even with a J Frame revolver,..and like the idea of the smaller framed .380's for carry,...until they actually shoot one. They can be a bit snappy,..and accuracy may suffer at distance,..but then,..who's gonna use one at any distance???
Use what works for you,...but practice with what ever you decide to carry.
Owen Sparks
member
- Joined
- May 27, 2007
- Messages
- 4,523
Another reason is that .380's are a huge fad right now and most people are heard animals.
DAP90
Member
Owen Sparks said:
Most people don't hang out on firearms forums and likely have no idea what everyone else is carrying. Pocket 380's are chosen because they are convenient to carry; not because people are herd animals.
beeenbag
Member
I choose a 380 for pocket carry over a 38 j frame because of the thickness of the cylinder on a j frame. Also I can carry 7 rounds of 380 in a smaller and lighter package than 5 rounds in a bulkier package.
Also I shoot a semi auto better than a revolver. Even in SA I can't shoot a revolver well. I think it is because I am used to the grip I use on semi autos.
Also I shoot a semi auto better than a revolver. Even in SA I can't shoot a revolver well. I think it is because I am used to the grip I use on semi autos.
mgmorden
Member
Very simple reason: the tiny .380's are MUCH thinner than a revolver, making them suitable for pocket carry. I would say they're easier to reload, but I don't carry an extra mag. I will say that I have at least 300 rounds through my LCP and it hasn't given me a single hiccup.
In my eyes, any difference in "reliability" is so insignificant as to be a purely academic discussion. Considering I have 2 additional rounds and a significantly easier to conceal gun, I'd reverse the question: why would I carry a revolver over a pocket .380?
In my eyes, any difference in "reliability" is so insignificant as to be a purely academic discussion. Considering I have 2 additional rounds and a significantly easier to conceal gun, I'd reverse the question: why would I carry a revolver over a pocket .380?
PX15
Member
JMOfartO
I have two Colt Cobras, one Detective Special, and model 49, and 638 J-frame.
The 638 (Airweight Bodyguard) has the smooth target trigger and a set of Crimson Trace Lasergrips.. It's about as sweet a shooting little revolver as I've ever run across.
I carry a Ruger LCP w/IA sights, and CT Laser in a rear pocket holster..
Jesse
I have two Colt Cobras, one Detective Special, and model 49, and 638 J-frame.
The 638 (Airweight Bodyguard) has the smooth target trigger and a set of Crimson Trace Lasergrips.. It's about as sweet a shooting little revolver as I've ever run across.
I carry a Ruger LCP w/IA sights, and CT Laser in a rear pocket holster..
Jesse
I had to send my Diamondback in for warranty work(they replaced it with a new pistol) and was lucky that I had an older J frame model 37 Airweight.
I promptly went out and bought an Uncle Mike's pocket holster and a Black Hawk IWB holster which is not so good.
In pocket mode while wearing work slacks I had an issue of the wood grip trying to constantly peak out of my pocket due to the fact that these pistols are a good 1.25 inches longer than my DB 380.
Being I live in Texas this sort of thing is strictly verboten as concealed means concealed.
I fixed this by taking an old navy blue T shirt and cutting a small square from it and stuffing it over the butt handle to mask it.
Then while wearing jeans the over all thickness caused by the cylinder was not only noticeable but uncomfortable as well.
Like I said I was glad I had it but was very happy when my new .380 arrived.
Pocket carrying that little pistol is about as effortless and concealably as a pistol can be.
I promptly went out and bought an Uncle Mike's pocket holster and a Black Hawk IWB holster which is not so good.
In pocket mode while wearing work slacks I had an issue of the wood grip trying to constantly peak out of my pocket due to the fact that these pistols are a good 1.25 inches longer than my DB 380.
Being I live in Texas this sort of thing is strictly verboten as concealed means concealed.
I fixed this by taking an old navy blue T shirt and cutting a small square from it and stuffing it over the butt handle to mask it.
Then while wearing jeans the over all thickness caused by the cylinder was not only noticeable but uncomfortable as well.
Like I said I was glad I had it but was very happy when my new .380 arrived.
Pocket carrying that little pistol is about as effortless and concealably as a pistol can be.
OregonJohnny
Member
The difference in size, weight, and "packability" between an Airweight j-frame and a .380 like the Ruger LCP is HUGE! I have both of these firearms, and I like them equally for what they are.
I'm 6', 175 pounds, with a thin build, and I wear fitted clothing.
For me, the LCP is a jeans or shorts pocket gun, the S&W 642 revolver is a jacket or coat pocket gun. I slip the LCP (in a Galco pocket holster) into my front pocket every day, whether I'm wearing dress pants to work, jeans on the weekends, or even out for a walk with cargo shorts. I forget it's there. I used to try this with the 642 and it's bulk just made it virtually impossible for me.
The arguments between 95-grain .380 or 135-grain .38 Special+P, 5 shots versus 7, semi-auto versus revolver, FMJ versus hollowpoint, etc. all go out the window for me, because the LCP simply gets carried. All day, every day, with rare exception. The j-frame does not, unless I can slip it into a heavy coat pocket that closes securely. That's only 6 months of the year.
As they say, "The LCP in your pocket beats the j-frame revolver you left at home because it wouldn't fit in your new fashionable boot-cut jeans pocket..." Or something like that...
I'm 6', 175 pounds, with a thin build, and I wear fitted clothing.
For me, the LCP is a jeans or shorts pocket gun, the S&W 642 revolver is a jacket or coat pocket gun. I slip the LCP (in a Galco pocket holster) into my front pocket every day, whether I'm wearing dress pants to work, jeans on the weekends, or even out for a walk with cargo shorts. I forget it's there. I used to try this with the 642 and it's bulk just made it virtually impossible for me.
The arguments between 95-grain .380 or 135-grain .38 Special+P, 5 shots versus 7, semi-auto versus revolver, FMJ versus hollowpoint, etc. all go out the window for me, because the LCP simply gets carried. All day, every day, with rare exception. The j-frame does not, unless I can slip it into a heavy coat pocket that closes securely. That's only 6 months of the year.
As they say, "The LCP in your pocket beats the j-frame revolver you left at home because it wouldn't fit in your new fashionable boot-cut jeans pocket..." Or something like that...
Last edited:
Three reasons:
1. Smaller
2. Lighter
3. More concealable
I own both a S&W 38spl j-frame and a KelTec P3AT. I prefer the revolver, but there are times that I can't carry it and keep it well concealed. That's where the 380 comes in handy.
1. Smaller
2. Lighter
3. More concealable
I own both a S&W 38spl j-frame and a KelTec P3AT. I prefer the revolver, but there are times that I can't carry it and keep it well concealed. That's where the 380 comes in handy.
makarovnik
Member
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2006
- Messages
- 1,678
Smaller, more comfortable, higher capacity, quicker reload and I just shoot semi-autos better than revolvers.
Concealable fire power is why I bought an LCP, not because I was following the heard. Most of my friends who own pocket pistols have .32s, and I am just not comfortable with that much compromise in a carry pistol.
The .380 is (on paper) on par with a .38 snub nose as far as power, and it is much flatter. The two extra rounds and easier to conceal, faster reloads dont hurt the decision either.
I was looking for a small go everywhere pistol, and the .380 pocket guns fill that bill. There are a few instances that the revolvers would not conceal quite as well.
I would much rather have my LCP in a pocket than a revolver in the safe at home.
The .380 is (on paper) on par with a .38 snub nose as far as power, and it is much flatter. The two extra rounds and easier to conceal, faster reloads dont hurt the decision either.
I was looking for a small go everywhere pistol, and the .380 pocket guns fill that bill. There are a few instances that the revolvers would not conceal quite as well.
I would much rather have my LCP in a pocket than a revolver in the safe at home.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I think that's a fair and accurate assessment.
PcolaDawg
Member
I have both types of guns. If I could, I'd carry the 642 in my pocket every day. But, most of the time, it simply doesn't fit so I carry a bodyguard 380. Both great guns, fwiw.
forgetitohio
Member
I went with the Ruger LCR over a mod. 37 airweight J. LCR is lighter and smaller than the J also I can shoot +Ps in the LCR
I also have a Kel Tek .380. I'd rather carry the LCR .38 over the .380 any day.
It depends on what I'm wearing and where I'm at. Some times both.
I also have a Kel Tek .380. I'd rather carry the LCR .38 over the .380 any day.
It depends on what I'm wearing and where I'm at. Some times both.
jad0110
Member
Personal preferences, that's all. Granted, pocket .380s will be easier to conceal than small snubs.
I flat can't hit anything with small autos, so the choice for me is an easy one. Those tiny .380s have got NOTHING to hold onto. The few times that I've shot one, I always think the dang gun is going to fly out of my hand and smack my cranium. I suspect most folks that pick pocket .380s over pocket revolvers have smaller hands, on average. For the record, I'm 6'7".
YMMV
I flat can't hit anything with small autos, so the choice for me is an easy one. Those tiny .380s have got NOTHING to hold onto. The few times that I've shot one, I always think the dang gun is going to fly out of my hand and smack my cranium. I suspect most folks that pick pocket .380s over pocket revolvers have smaller hands, on average. For the record, I'm 6'7".
YMMV
harmon rabb
Member
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2009
- Messages
- 2,699
Uh, let's see. A j-frame holds 5 rounds, a pocket 380 like a LCP will hold 7 rounds. A pocket 380 is MUCH smaller, slimmer, and way more pocketable than a j-frame. My LCP has never, ever malfunctioned, despite my best efforts to make it do so. My Sig 238 apparently doesn't like wide mouthed hollow points, but works fine with corbon powerball rounds.
harmon rabb
Member
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2009
- Messages
- 2,699
have you tried a sig 238? 10x more shootable than a j-frame, or the other pocket 380's for that matter.
I pocket carry a S&W 442 almost everyday and I have owned a small .380 that I pocketed. I really liked how thin and light the .380 was but the only concern that I had was where I found it in my hand when i practiced drawing quickly. I always grabbed it too high, where i was afraid it would interfere with the slide. I wont preach about 'high-stress situations' but I like not having to worry about this with the 442. I will admit the revolver has its drawbacks and if the .380 works for you thats great.
Frozen North
Member
I have heard no reviews of reliability problems with the little dudes like the LCP and P-3at. My LCP was as reliable as my Glock as in NO PROBLEMS EVER.
A micro 380 can be easily concealed in any manner of dress, including non baggy shorts and no shirt. Any adult human regardless of their size can successfully conceal a P-3at or clone in comfort. To top it off, they are dirt cheap!
That is why people choose to carry them!
A micro 380 can be easily concealed in any manner of dress, including non baggy shorts and no shirt. Any adult human regardless of their size can successfully conceal a P-3at or clone in comfort. To top it off, they are dirt cheap!
That is why people choose to carry them!
jackpinesavages
member
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2009
- Messages
- 809
8+1 in my Bersa and it's more flat to my body for concealment.
mgregg85
Member
I love my P238 also, even more so since I lightened the trigger pull to around 5 pounds. I recently went out and shot it, I did my first shot at about 15 yards and it went right into the bullseye, the rest of the magazine clustered around it(i'm not that good of a shot to be able to put them all into the bullseye).
- Status
