Posted on 05/21/2018 4:52:17 AM PDT by w1n1
The .380 pistols known as pocket pistols, mouse guns or “get off me” guns can be a good choice for self-defense.
Prices vary from $200 to $700, some current full size handgun model may be a better choice to go.
If you’re looking for good concealment carry, then the 380 is a good choice.
The next thing that comes up are limited ammo and no umph behind their blast. (stopping power)
Let’s go over some pros and con.
Down Side
The .380s are usually light in weight, this makes it harder to dampen the recoil thus affecting the accuracy of the shot.
Another thing that can affect the recoil is the design.
Having a high grip helps in handling recoil better than low grip.
The grip size also helps in better control of the gun. The bigger the better.
Last its obvious that the caliber is not the power compared to a .45 or a .40.
Upside
So the positive is that its a highly concealed gun, but you still need to be aware of deep concealment. This would make it harder to access in a stressful situation.
Another upside is the caliber, I know what I said earlier.
But a closer examination against a .38, a .380 velocity is faster. Yes, it doesn’t hit as hard as the .38 due to the different grain weight. (158 grain vs 95 grain)
This is why its important to employ multiple shots in a self-defense scenario aiming your shots to the vital points (center mass) of the body.
Quick Word on Ammo
Another equation to add to your equalizer is the ammo.
Go with a decent hollow point ammunition. If you’re experienced with hollow points, then you know that all hollow points are not the same in terms of expansion when it hits the target.
The only real answer is for you to get some and test it out then choose which ones to go with. Read the rest of the best .380 pocket pistols here.
"Somebody set us up the bomb".
Beretta 70
I have a CZ-83. Think of it as a Makarov on steroids.
Not a pocket gun, but 13 rounds when you need it.
I went with a pocket 9mm instead. Kimber Solo. Nice rounded edges so it doesn’t catch when you draw and 6+1.
If I wanted a pocket .380, I’d pick a Ruger LCP.
The newer Ruger LCP 2 is excellent. Feather light with a new improved trigger. Yes like all ultralight pistols they can be a bit whippy with recoil. So practice is necessary.
Recently got the Ruger LC9s Pro. Very nice trigger but it’s a snotty little gun. This replaces a very polite shooting .380 Colt Mustang (all steel). But the mustang is too heavy for an old guy with health issues to pack for any length of time. (Don’t ask. Old just sucks)
It all comes down to PRACTICE!
Many talk about pocket pistols and then recommend pistols that are really unfriendly to pocket carry. First we need define pocket (cargo or jean), there’s a big difference. For a 380 jean pocket pistol in 380 it’s hard to beat the little cheap KelTec. For cargo pockets the list is long and includes small revolvers and semi auto’s in calibers stouter than 380.
Is that guy in the pic seriously shooting that little pistol with two hands?
“this makes it harder to dampen the recoil thus affecting the accuracy of the shot.”
Stopped reading after that ignorant statement.
With a pistol, it usually isn’t about power - it is about placement.
Except for the .25 ACP - that thing is nearly useless. Even if you shot him in the heart, tour enemy might kill you before he finally figures out he is dead...
S&W bodyguard. Recoil not as bad as others. Very accurate. Very small .380
My wife had some surgery, and for a while couldn’t manipulate the slide on her Glock 42, so she carried my J-Frame and I pocket carried her G42.
She has now taken it back and I MISS IT! It was so much easier to pocket carry than the J-Frame. My normal carry is a Glock 26 inside the waistband, but the G42 in a DeSantis pocket holster was so much easier to grab and go.
When the wife isn’t looking, I’m going to snag one of those $200 Ruger LCPs. Since the LCP2 has come out, prices on the LCP have really come down. And the LCP is even smaller than the G42.
I picked up a little Jiminez (AZ company) 380 for a pocket pistol, under $200. Then took it to my gunsmith for an action job. Cleaned it up very nicely, shoots as well as a $500-700 pistol. The mechanisms are essentially the same in all of them.
Easily concealable, light-weight. if I need it, it’s there, and, yes, I have had it out ‘clearing’ vacant homes in my business.
P238 is a good gun
My wife and I have matching Bersa in .380. We also have 9 MM, .40 S&W (a little too lively for her) and my old favorite, Colt 1911 in .45 ACP....because shooting twice is just silly!
A .380 in your hand is so much better than a .45 in your truck!
Bought from a sheriff’s deputy at a local gun show.
He had put less than a box of ammo through it when his boss mandated the deputies could not carry anything smaller than a .38.
Came with a spare mag, carry case and little plastic holster.
Bodyguard all the way. My wife has it and loves it.
Do you have the single or double stack ? My wife really liked the bersa thunder single stack and never had one problem with it. I’ve had people tell me lately that the bersa isn’t as reliable as it use to be, have your experienced any problems ?
“It’s hard to beat the little cheap KelTec”
My nephew has a Kel-Tec and he’s had a lot of problems with it, he has sent it back to the factory twice, maybe three times, tried different types and brands of ammo and still The Kel-Tec remains a persistent piece of garbage. I’ve been to the range with him on many occasions and the Kel-Tec always, without fail, jammed, or worse, failed to fire, even after being to the factory on separate occasions.
I would not recommend, nor trust a Kel-Tec based personally witnessing its failures.
The brother of a friend I grew up with carried a little .25 ACP with him when he went out on the town. I laughed at him and told him “That’s not going to kill the guy you shoot you know.” I still remember his reply to that - “Nope, but it gives you a hell of an advantage in the fist fight that follows.”
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