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Thoughts on these pocket 380s...

Posted on 6/16/13 at 11:20 am
Posted by StrawberriousJackson
Member since Nov 2012
141 posts
Posted on 6/16/13 at 11:20 am
The Sig p238 exposed hammer concerns me a bit.

Looking for a pocket 380 that is light and less that $500 (I've seen the LCP and Bodyguards WITH laser for under $400). Can someone rank the following:

S&W Bodguard 380 (12.3oz)
Ruger LCP (9.4oz)
Diamondback 380

Also, any other in that price range I should consider over these? I know the triggers are long, but that is the case with most double action 380s right?
Posted by El Josey Wales
Greater Geismar
Member since Nov 2007
22710 posts
Posted on 6/16/13 at 11:22 am to
My FIL has the Diamondback 380 and loves it.

I had the LCP and didn't have much bad to say about it besides lack of decent sights. I didn't keep it though.
Posted by LSUwag
Florida man
Member since Jan 2007
17319 posts
Posted on 6/16/13 at 11:24 am to
Not to burst your bubble but, the Kahr 380 is very popular as backup gun with many federal officers. It is very well made and reliable as hell. I would add it to your list.
Posted by glock22josh
Baton Rouge
Member since Nov 2011
517 posts
Posted on 6/16/13 at 11:25 am to
I have a Ruger LCP but only use in gym shorts usually. I prefer the LC9 for bigger round. If you are using it for shorts like I mentioned then I like the LCP for that role.
Posted by PvilleP
Prairieville
Member since Apr 2011
1950 posts
Posted on 6/16/13 at 11:30 am to
Bodyguard laser button is hard to reach. LCP w Crimson Trace laser activates when you hold the grip.
I prefer pocket 9mm - Nano, CM9,etc aren't much bigger and have better triggers.
Posted by StrawberriousJackson
Member since Nov 2012
141 posts
Posted on 6/16/13 at 11:38 am to
quote:

Not to burst your bubble but, the Kahr 380 is very popular as backup gun with many federal officers. It is very well made and reliable as hell. I would add it to your list.
I do know that. Cheapest I've seen them is $550+ though
Posted by taurusjwf
Member since Oct 2008
904 posts
Posted on 6/16/13 at 11:43 am to
I like the bodyguard's feel better than lcp
Posted by ZacAttack
The Land Mass
Member since Oct 2012
6416 posts
Posted on 6/16/13 at 11:44 am to
I can't speak on the others but I have a Ruger LCP. It's not fun to shoot by any means, but it goes bang when you pull the trigger. It and pocket holster are about the size of an iPhone. The sights kind of suck, but most likely any life threatening situation I won't be shooting at somebody 20 yards away, it'll be more like a couple of feet, so the sights aren't that big of a deal and its cheap, paid $300 for mine.
Posted by bapple
Capital City
Member since Oct 2010
11875 posts
Posted on 6/16/13 at 11:54 am to
quote:

I do know that. Cheapest I've seen them is $550+ though


Kahr released the CW380 at SHOT show in January. It is the budget version of the P380 and is priced almost identically to the LCP, while being a much better gun than the LCP.

The LCP goes bang when you need it to, but it doesn't have the feel and features that the Kahr 380 does. The Kahr has real sights (2-dot, bar-dot), a great double-action trigger, and a low bore axis for reduced recoil. It is the BEST polymer 380 on the market... Period.

And let me clear this up: the P380 is the match-grade version, whereas the CW380 is priced more reasonably. They are dimensionally and functionally identical.
Posted by KBeezy
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2004
13529 posts
Posted on 6/16/13 at 12:24 pm to
Bodyguard is a whole lot better feel and more comfortable shoot than the LCP

The CT laser on the LCP is better, but who the hell needs a gimmicky laser anyway?

The XDS 9mm are coming on to shelves now, maybe try to put your hands on that
Posted by TigerTatorTots
The Safeshore
Member since Jul 2009
80760 posts
Posted on 6/16/13 at 2:42 pm to
quote:

Kahr released the CW380 at SHOT show in January. It is the budget version of the P380 and is priced almost identically to the LCP, while being a much better gun than the LCP.
I wish they were in stock
Posted by PvilleP
Prairieville
Member since Apr 2011
1950 posts
Posted on 6/16/13 at 2:43 pm to
quote:

XDS 9mm are coming on to shelves now, maybe try to put your hands on that


Precison in BR had two XDS 9's on the shelf last night.
Posted by StrawberriousJackson
Member since Nov 2012
141 posts
Posted on 6/16/13 at 2:56 pm to
This is a little off topic that my original question, but I was wondering why Academy sells a Sig P238 for $500 when every other place is $650+? Whats the difference?
Posted by TigerTatorTots
The Safeshore
Member since Jul 2009
80760 posts
Posted on 6/16/13 at 8:10 pm to
quote:

This is a little off topic that my original question, but I was wondering why Academy sells a Sig P238 for $500 when every other place is $650+? Whats the difference?
From what I understand, the only difference is an ambi safety
Posted by jsb29
Dothan, AL
Member since Apr 2011
613 posts
Posted on 6/16/13 at 9:48 pm to
I like the laser button on the Bodyguard better than the one on the LCP that I looked at. The one on the ruger was a stem that felt flimsy, and I could see it breaking after multiple uses. I love the feel of the bodyguard. Don't buy a .380 just for the laser though. I don't use mine for shooting. The only time I use it is when I'm at home, practicing point-shooting. It helps me see how well I'm lining up. There were a lot of things that I didn't like about the LCP and it seems like the bodyguard was an exact opposite in each of those characteristics. If it comes down to the LCP and Bodyguard, definitely spend the extra $30 and buy the S&W.
Posted by Da #1 Stunna
985
Member since Oct 2012
1083 posts
Posted on 6/17/13 at 12:37 am to
I was looking at the same .380 gun group. I ended up purchasing the S&W Bodyguard. It simply fit better in my hand. I just wasn't a big fan of the LCP after looking into it, and too many people and YouTube videos spoke of jams, malfunctions and stovepiping issues with the Diamondback. You just can't go wrong with a S&W. I didn't care for the laser, since I probably won't use it. I liked the sites.
Posted by KBeezy
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2004
13529 posts
Posted on 6/17/13 at 12:16 pm to
quote:

You just can't go wrong with a S&W.



S&W semi is not a S&W revolver

You can certainly go wrong with a S&W semi, but I think the Bodyguard is pretty good
Posted by TigerOnThe Hill
Springhill, LA
Member since Sep 2008
6810 posts
Posted on 6/17/13 at 12:22 pm to
quote:

The Sig p238 exposed hammer concerns me a bit.

You may catch some grief from some w/ that comment, but I agree w/ you. I want my pocket gun to have minimal opportunity to snag on anything. An external hammer (that should be carried cocked and locked) and external safety levers increase the chance for a pocket gun to snag during the draw.

quote:

Can someone rank the following:

S&W Bodguard 380 (12.3oz)
Ruger LCP (9.4oz)
Diamondback 380

From that list, I'd rank them: #1 LCP, #2 S&W and VERY distant #3 Diamondback. I'm still concerned about the reliability of the DB.
quote:

Also, any other in that price range I should consider over these?

I'd rank either Kahr ahead of the LCP. I'd rank the Kahr CW380 #1 once it actually becomes available; it's less expensive, but should be just as functional, as Kahr's more expensive version.

quote:

I know the triggers are long, but that is the case with most double action 380s right?

Yes, this type of pocket gun will normally be a DAO w/ a long trigger pull to compensate for it not having an exernal safety lever. Yes, this type of gun is NOT fun to shoot. They're loud and very snappy. OTOH, what does one expect when one pulls the trigger on a gun that's so light? As one of my friends says, "It is what it is."

I don't have any guns w/ laser sights nor do I have any significant experience w/ laser sights so I can't comment on that.
Posted by Ace Midnight
Between sanity and madness
Member since Dec 2006
89480 posts
Posted on 6/17/13 at 12:23 pm to
quote:

You can certainly go wrong with a S&W semi, but I think the Bodyguard is pretty good


I agree with this - the 4 digit S&W semis were great guns. The bodyguard isn't bad.

For a pure shooter, I still favor a Walther PPK in this caliber, but in 2013, that is about a huge and heavy .380 there could be.

(I'd still look at a full-power, sub-compact 9mm, with all of the the options they have today, over all of the micro .380s - but maybe I'm the only one - back off the soapbox).
This post was edited on 6/17/13 at 12:38 pm
Posted by dawg23
Baton Rouge, La
Member since Jul 2011
5065 posts
Posted on 6/17/13 at 12:28 pm to
quote:

(I'd still look a full-size, sub-compact 9mm, with all of the the options they have today, over all of the micro .380s - but maybe I'm the only one - back off the soapbox).


You are the only one displaying good judgment.
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