Comments on: Best .380 pistol and pocket holster to carry it in?

By: Richard M

Richard M — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 04:52:30 +0000

A difficult question to answer because they all feel different in your hand. Choose a piece respected for quality that inspires confidence. Also, remember that any new semi-auto requires a break in period. 200 rounds is the acceptable level. Buy a used one and start from zero. DO NOT assume it has been fired enough for a thorough break in. If your previous training was mainly revolver, consider double action only. Remember we’re talking self defense/combat here, not target shooting. Accurate with proper training, less chance of an accident. I’m no expert but spent 30 years in law enforcement carrying every day and know what worked for me. DAO was the way to go and still is for me. Finally, be aware that most shoot outs occur at very close range. Accuracy is always important, but reliability and training are just as essential. My choices? Sig P230 DAO, AND the KelTec for those days when you need to carry something and you really don’t want to bear the the load of something heavier.

By: Archer

Archer — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 09:57:04 +0000

I would recommend the Kel-Tec P-380. It’s very small and light-weight. You can carry it all day long and it’ll never bother you. If you can find one, a Colt Mustang .380 is one of my favorite guns. It’s very accurate and it’s hard to beat a 1911 design. Used, the Colt runs about $500. You can pick up the Kel-Tec on the Impact Arms website for $237. Hope this helps!

By: pathfinder

pathfinder — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 22:34:00 +0000

The Walthers PPK/S is one of the best. The Sigs are also good,but these pistol also come with a high price tag. Range is fro $ 450- $550. I personally whould choose a small 5 shot revolver in .38 special caliber, over the .380 round.

By: david m

david m — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:16:45 +0000

Sig P230 (used) or newer P232. Both have alloy frames and are light. Walther PPK is a good gun, but it is heavy for its size and caliber chambering.

By: Charles B

Charles B — Fri, 30 May 2008 22:03:09 +0000

The ‘best’ in my opinion is the Walther PPK and the SIG.

Now having said that, I would look at the Kahr 9mm, the mini-Glocks in 9mm, the S&W J frames (model 60 and such) and the Ruger SP101. I carry a SP101 regularly in my fron pocket and a .357 or .38 special is much better than the .380 in stopping a fight in my opinion.

By: Garrett B

Garrett B — Fri, 30 May 2008 02:43:43 +0000

I use a walther PPK, but the SIG P230 is great too. You might consider a .38 Special snubnose revolver too. I love the Smith & Wesson “Bodyguard” that has more range and accuracy than any .380…but it has less firepower. I am not a fan of compact versions of combat pistols. They are less reliable and powerful. Some gun mags have agreed on this. No “double-action only’ pistols for me. They are too difficult to shoot accurately. I hit man silouhettes in the kill zone at 50 yards with my Bodyguard. The PPK is limited to 30 yards or less for that.

By: nikomat77

nikomat77 — Wed, 28 May 2008 06:06:28 +0000

Well actually you can get several 9mms and at least one .40 s&w that’s smaller and easier to conceal than most .380′s.
Take a look at the kahr pm9 & pm40. The full size kahrs are pretty small too (less than a 1″ wide and under 5″ tall w/mag), I carry a kahr cw9 equipped with a clipdraw, actually surprised that clipdraw thing works but it does. just be aware of the 200 round break in period and whatever do don’t ride the slide, they’re built tight (like a sig) so if you restrict the slide slamming closed at all it can cause a jam, thats the only problem I had (but just within the first 100 rounds) and a light tap on the back of slide and it was back in business, carried chambered it’s not an issue. And the thing that sold me on the kahrs is they are specifically designed and rated for +P rounds.

By: Old Fuzz

Old Fuzz — Tue, 27 May 2008 13:08:58 +0000

Well, I won’t go into all of the better caliber choices.

One of the most under rated .380 guns is the Bersa. I have one of these little guns. Double action to single action trigger. A manual safety that is also a hammer drop. A somewhat heavy but very smooth trigger. Seven round, single stack mag. with one in the chamber. My Bersa will hold a four inch group at 25 yards, using 90 gr, hardball. This is a all steel gun so it is on the hefty side.

Taurus makes a .380 in their Millennium series. A plastic framed gun. So it is lighter and I think a bit slimmer.

The Wather PPK is, of course, the top of the line. The Bersa is based on it. However, the price is quite high.

Hope that helps.

By: aceproceed

aceproceed — Tue, 27 May 2008 03:43:07 +0000

Why do you say that, the size of the round doesn’t instantly dictate the size of the pistol.

I can think of a endless list of larger calibre pistols that are smaller than average .380′s. Get any of the subcompact Glocks.

The Kel-Tec .380′s are very popular and cheap these days. Get a snubnose .38, chief’s special type deal, very small. PPK’s are nice but very expensive for that sort of pistol.