LCP or ???

[Tinelement]

Just looking for thoughts, maybe someone else has the same question.

I have a LCP .380 which I bought for a small conceal sidearm. Some of you may remember it on the trading post. Long story short, sold to a friend, lost his job, gave him his money back. I like the size of it for summer carry but really don't care for the firearm. No sights and don't like the trigger pull, and I am really not that good with it. I've tried to like it, trust me. It normally sits and I find myself carrying my Glocks or my Dan Wesson 1911's, which get hard to carry in shorts and T's. So I find myself without a sidearm at times. Any sugguestions? Looking at at DB9, SIG .380, Kahr PM9, ??? Any suggestions or input?

[4gunfun]

I have a LCP and it is hard to get good groups with it. (very hard) I just sold my Bersa thunder 380 which I could get great groups with. Way nicer shooting. Dang should of kept that one [Stooge]

[Gcompact30]

I put a crimson trace laser on it and its dam accurate and excellent groups. Get the laser on trigger guard [Beer][Beer]

[sroz]

Handled the 380 version of the DB, the LCP & the P238. I have found the 238 to be far superior to the other 2 (at least for me & my aging eyes). Easy to shoot & hit what your aiming at. Just saw a DB9 today but have not handled it. The new Sig P290 just doesn't feel right to me, but lots of folks love them. Fired the LC9 today and found it to be very controllable. Just a little snappy is all. Fired 100 rounds without a hiccup.

[Byte Stryke]

short of the magazine issues adapting the mustang to the P238, I REALLY like Sigs little .380

if it weren't for the fact its red and really "pretty", I would swipe the wifes Sig.

[Tinelement]

Is the sig290 the new compact 9mm? I was at Jensen in Loveland today and we were talking about it but they have not yet received any. Would really like something with the option of night sites.

[WBAR]

I liked carrying the LCP I used to have, but hated shooting it. It stung my hand and walloped my trigger finger; so I got rid of it. Now I carry my Kahr CW40- a little bulky, but not bad. WB

[AirbornePathogen]

I used to have a Kahr CW9, and loved it. I had a Galco USA holster for it, and it would vanish when I wore it with a T-shirt and shorts. For reference, I'm not a very big guy either (5'4", 180 lbs).

[Clint45]

Of all the polymer micro 380s, the LCP is probably the most reliable with the highest consumer satisfaction. It is very good for what it is. Basically, think of the LCP as an autoloading derringer. Effective range for this piece is within 15 feet. It should get a consistent 2" grouping at that range, even with the sights and trigger as it is. If the LCP had an external hammer or a second strike capability I would've kept mine. I agree that the Bersa is a more enjoyable pistol to shoot.

[rocktot]

If your in the market for a Sig .380, I have an unused one, 232, (Just snapped capped it a bit.) going up for sale soon. All black, metal DA/SA. The only other DA/SA would be the CZ 9mm, but I think they are poly. Sig is all metal. The laser sure would help, I was looking at the 9mm rugers, but they had problems with safety when dropped or something. And DA only, I am liking Sigs DA/SA.

I use a laserlight thing to practice with, but its not the same as an add on laser,

[frozenmud]

I'm not a fan of the LCP either, I can't deal with the trigger. What I have been carrying is a Diamond Back .380 in a uncle mikes pocket holster. If you want to shoot it let me know and we can meet up for a .380 shoot.


What I think is an even better t-shirt and short carry option is the CCC shaggy AIWB holster. I have been using one for a couple weeks now to carry a G19 and I have been very happy with the set-up. Philip

[strm_trpr]

I carry my LCP all the time in the summer. It is nice to be able to through it in the pocket and it disapears. I have been practicing pocket draw and shoot as well as general shooting with it. I will not win any target shooting comps with it but it will get the job done in CQ.

[rondog]

Anybody know of a Taurus dealer that might have the new .380 mini-revolver? I'd kinda like to see one. http://www.taurususa.com/2011newcatalog/?catalog_page=6
Certainly don't need one, just want to check it out.

[milwaukeeshaker]

Kel-tec p32. I know it's not the .380 (can't remember that model number). They are the maker that Ruger copied in the first place. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

[68Charger]

P3AT would be the Kel-Tec in .380... a P-32 is in .32 ACP...

a PF9 (9mm) is almost as small, and packs more punch than .380, and has a better trigger than the P3AT- if the LCP trigger bothers you, the Kel-Tecs probably will, too

most pocket DAO pistols will have a long heavy trigger pull- for liability reasons

[sneakerd]

Just how small does it have to be for you? My Sig 230 is super accurate and super reliable. I consider it a modern Walther PP, but better. I'd say have a good look at a 230 or a 232- then maybe rocktot can sell you his! They are GREAT 380s and need nothing but to be shot. The more you shoot it, the smoother the action gets.

[milwaukeeshaker]

PF-9 is a great pistol, kind of a handful when firing, but not uncontrollable. Is very reliable, and concealable. Never have had a failure to feed, or any other problem, with several hundreds of rounds out the pipe.

[sneakerd]

The PF9 looks to be about the same size as a Sig 238. Hmmmm.

[68Charger]

Here's a great PDF that will give you lots of ideas in "pocket pistols"

http://www.mouseguns.com/PocketAutoComparison.pdf

Look for SA/SAO type actions if you don't like the long heavy trigger pull... I thought I would hate it, because I prefer rifles to have a very light or 2-stage trigger... but for a self-defense type pistol, once I got the technique down, my Kel-Tecs don't bother me, and I can be quite accurate with them...

Don't try to "stage" a trigger on a DAO, you'll wind up shaking, and don't jerk the trigger... just a smooth, even pull while keeping the sights lined up... in many self-defense situations, you'll be point-shooting anyway. There may be no time to line up sights and get a perfect sight picture... if you try to, you'll get shot first.

Whatever pistol you choose, most important is to shoot it... until you're comfortable with it, then shoot it some more. For example, Kel-Tecs are finished rough, they will take some rounds to break in, and perform better after a "fluff-n-buff", polishing certain areas... see a gunsmith, or choose a higher-end pistol if you don't like this (I enjoy working on my guns)

[sneakerd]

Great post 68Charger.[Beer]

[tonantius]

I carry an LCP all the time. It is much easier to shoot with Pearce Grips on the magazines. I also have the Crimson Trace Laser on it. That helps a lot.

I agree it is not a lot of fun to shoot, but I shoot it and it works at close range. It is easy to hide.

I also prefer the Bersa .380. Wonderful gun to shoot. Very accurate.

In the winter time I carry a Bersa Thunder .40 Ultra Compact. Not as much fun as the .380 to shoot, but still is very nice.

If I could hide it I would carry my XD.

I also like the LCP as a backup gun. Your CCW does not limit how many guns that you can carry.

Ed Head at Gunsight recommends carrying two of them. It is faster to pull out another gun than reload. He demonstartes pulling out two at once from the pockets and shooting them simultaneously. He says no foe will stand in front of that.

[Fly Fisher]

I have and love the p238. Great for sliding in the pocket and heading out . Very reliable , I read about all the problems so I ran 400 rds thru mine to get peace of mind. 1 FTF and it was ammo related.
I held the Sig 290 and it felt awful. I shot the lcp and smith and wesson bodyguard. Between those to I would go S&W bodyguard 380.

If money is not an issue P238, if it is the

S&W or the LC9

Then again I am usually in cargo shorts or jeans so the M&P compact or Glock 23 is what I carry most if the time. When fly fishing the big stuff comes out.

Taurus tracker 44 mag.

[hawk1]

I'm a fan of the Glock 27, however, I've been checking out the Walther PPS. That looks like a bad little gun!

Check it out
http://www.walther-pps.com/

[kidicarus13]

I've really enjoyed my Kahr P380. It's been reliable and accurate. I've also fired the LCP and it just has a cheap feel in my opinion.

[jplove71]

I have my eye on the Ruger LC9 (http://www.ruger.com/products/lc9/models.html) with the finger grip extension on the magazine. :D

[rondog]

I was looking at some P238's at PB Gun Room today, they look quite interesting. Nice looking little popguns.

[Scanker19]

I like the LCP cause I can carry in any type of clothes especially gym shorts. I don't like the .380s that weight as much as my G26, other wise I'd carry that and have 4, more powerful rounds.

[leatherneck448]

if it were me I would definitely go with an LCP or a kel tec P32 on this one. I dont really enjoy the P3AT that keltec makes, just because of the recoil. Both the LCP and the P32 are easily concealable in something like a pocket holster, and can easily pass as a wallet. Both are pretty darn accurate from the examples that I've fired. That said, I havent fired other ultra sub compact in the same class (diamondbacks, bersas, sig's etc.) so I kinda have a biased opinion. But by all means if youre looking for an LCP go for it. AND, of course, if you can deal with a little bit bigger of a gun, the LC9 is a great option for a concealable carry gun as well.