Recomendation

JK Knives

JK Knives

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If like to hear your thoughts on a fairly inexpensive .380 for my daughter Becky. Reliability is the number one priority. I would prefer choices you may have experience with. She will try to rent whatever is suggested before purchasing.
 
I should add I have little experience with a .380. Connie had a Beretta years ago and I had a Walther PPKS about 30 years ago.
 
I only have experience with 9mm. Knowing if it's going to be a carry gun or house gun might help, also if she would carry IWB, OWB, or purse.
 
buddy of mine has a ruger lcp -- likes it a lot.
I shot it and it wasn't bad.
 
the best imo is the kahr p380, it is however not cheap. they do make a version called the cw380 that is a great cheaper option around 300 and some change. only real difference is the barrel and sight upgrade options. it's double action only but has an amazingly smooth pull that is very nice. I carried one everyday till I decided to go with the pm9 for pocket carry. had like 1k rounds through mine.

that being said PSA (palmetto state armory) runs specials on the rucer lcp gen 2 with the much better sights than the original for like $199. they are very solid reliable pocket pistols also. I carried one for about a year before I got the Kahr. it was reliable but I hated the sights on it which have since been upgraded. I think the deal above is a heck of a bang for your buck pistol.

Look into buffalo bore 380 ammo for personal defense. stuff is mean lol
 
I have seen the CW380 for $309, glad you have good things to say about it.
 
I've had a Glock 42 since they were introduced and am very very happy with it. Just another Glock (reliable, accurate, tough as nails, etc...) but smaller in .380 and a soft shooter, almost a toy. Like it more than the G43 in 9mm I bought when they came out.

Kahr .380 is probably great as well, I'm a Kahr fan as well. Much tighter gun and steel, but smaller than the Glock 42.

I'd recommend shooting a bunch of .380's at a local range that rents. Also to stay away from single action versions with 1911 type safeties unless committing to additional practice and training that they require.

Noah
 
She does not like my Glocks, so they are out. I'm thinking something DA / SA. Preferably under $350.
 
We have an LCP and although It had a few feeding issues when we first got it, Ruger took care of it including the shipping. Kay has small hands so recoil is a little rough on her. It is small though and very easy to conceal. I saw one local a few weeks ago new for $199 which I think is hard to beat. I saw this price mentioned on another forum as well so it looks like the have come down quite a bit.
 
If I were to get the Ruger, I would get the custom, the trigger action is MUCH improved over the standard.

The Bersa Thunder CC is a great option, as mentioned in the other thread.

I bought a Kahr CW380 - it was a good little shooter, much better trigger than the standard Ruger or the S&W Bodyguard in my opinion.

I did sell that piece to Kirill, since he liked it so much after shooting the Kahr. I would have kept it, nice gun and relatively accurate, a little small for my hands.

The S&W Bodyguard is one many people like, but like the standard Ruger LCP, the DAO trigger just bugs me, but again, I prefer a single action trigger and carry 1911s most of the time.

The winner for the small pocket pistol in my opinion is still the Colt Mustang XSP or the Sig P238, but neither of those is in the price range specified. I have not yet laid hands on a Kimber Micro, but certainly that is coming.

Was Becky the LEO? If so she might prefer the traditional double action of the Bersa over the DAO offerings.

best

mqqn
 
mqqn said:
If I were to get the Ruger, I would get the custom, the trigger action is MUCH improved over the standard.

The Bersa Thunder CC is a great option, as mentioned in the other thread.

I bought a Kahr CW380 - it was a good little shooter, much better trigger than the standard Ruger or the S&W Bodyguard in my opinion.

I did sell that piece to Kirill, since he liked it so much after shooting the Kahr. I would have kept it, nice gun and relatively accurate, a little small for my hands.

The S&W Bodyguard is one many people like, but like the standard Ruger LCP, the DAO trigger just bugs me, but again, I prefer a single action trigger and carry 1911s most of the time.

The winner for the small pocket pistol in my opinion is still the Colt Mustang XSP or the Sig P238, but neither of those is in the price range specified. I have not yet laid hands on a Kimber Micro, but certainly that is coming.

Was Becky the LEO? If so she might prefer the traditional double action of the Bersa over the DAO offerings.

best

mqqn
Click to expand...

Alison is the LEO, she carries a Glock 22 and Glock 27. Becky is Hayley and Hanna's mom. She is small, only 4' 10", with little hands. I agree on the Ruger custom over the standard one, I've rented both of them. The small Kahr is interesting, Kimber and Colt are too expensive.
 
I debated this same choice a lot. If you are dead set on a .380 then i recommend ruger lcp. I ended up with a hk vps 9mm. Cheaper ammo and i find it easier to shoot than a compact especially if she has limited hand gun time like myself.
 
I'm going to jump on board the Ruger LCP bandwagon. My only regret is not spending a few bucks more for the custom. That said, I like the trigger fine on the regular model. I added Traction Grip overlays to the handle and that was a great improvement. Dang thing disappears in a pocket.
 
one of our regional sporting goods chains has the lcp custom on sale right now for $199 -- very tempting at that price, although I've also heard really good things about the Sig 320 subcompact 9. (which I haven't handled and it costs significantly more)
 
IMHO the best .380 ever made is the Beretta Cheetah or Browning BDA but both are expensive and bit larger for carry that you may as well step up to a 9MM going to those ... the LCP is great for size but for reliability and shootability the Bersa Thunder is hard to beat in a .380 and can be had at a fair price. It is almost a replica of the Sig 230 for half the price.
 
That is a great price for the custom.

best

mqqn
 
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