Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns What is the most reliable and accurate .380 pistol?

I've got a stash of .380 ammo, but currently have nothing to chamber them in. I have had Sigs P-230, PPKs, Kel-Tec P-3AT, and the Browning BDAs which were my favorites. Can't decide if I want to sell the ammo or find another pistol.

What's your opinion of the most reliable 380 Auto?

Sig without question is the "Caddilac". However, it is pricey and a bit bulkier than some of the others. Reliability is certainly suspect with a few of the .380's

Which Sig model? 238?

I owned a Sig 238 for a year or so. It was a nice pistol. It would feed and shoot anything you put through it. I got rid of it, because I wanted to upgrade to a 9mm (back when .380 ammo was $18/box and 9mm was $9.50). It wouldn't break my heart to own another P238--they are a nice pistol.

Yep 238

We have a Ruger LCP with CT lazergrips and a KelTec P3AT in the house. Next gun show the Ruger is going on the table and the KelTec is remaining in our possesion. Don't know or care about accuracy in these, the KelTec eats and spits out everything, even when I purposely treat it badly with dirt, sub freezing temps with no lube etc. and its trigger is much lighter than the Rugers.

If you don't get a new 380, I might try to trade you out of the 380 ammo.

I had a Ruger LCP for about a year and found it to be very reliable. However, I decided it was too difficult to shoot accurately at any range longer than up close and personal. Of course, that is what the .380 is designed for, but I decided I wanted a little more power with a little more accuracy. That said, I never had an operational problem with the LCP in probably 400 to 500 rounds fired.

Can't argue with Sig, but I'd also add Beretta to that list, both the newer versions as well as the older 70s series.

Just a little big to be pocket guns though, but they conceal & carry nicely with a variety of holster types.

MM

The 238 is the only handgun i have, semi or revolver, that has never, ever, not once hiccuped. It's tiny but I find it easy to shoot, carry it almost 7/7 days/week, and for that reason without shame take it to some classes and shoot the piss out of it, though steel usually needs a double tap.

Funny, you said you've had a Browning BDA and you're asking what the most accurate and reliable .308 is; yet you've had the most accurate and reliable. When I read the headline on this thread, the first gun that came to mind was the Beretta 84, which is just the BDA with the safety on the frame (where it belongs IMO). The BDA is outstanding.

I guess it all just depends on what you want to do with the thing. If you want to shoot, then the Beretta 84/BDA is the way to go. For concealed carry, then match the gun to your carry style.

I have owned a Sig P230 for many, many years. Maybe a dozen years or more.
I can feed and shoot any 380 ammo without a problem. SA or DA that Sig always goes bang.
Great pistol.

Funny how things go some times. During lunch a friend here at work just loaned me his DVD copy of Skyfall / James Bond.
On the cover Daniel Craig is holding a PPK. Always wanted one of those in .380

take a look at the Kahr P380. If you have to carry the SIG cocked and locked its just not the best option for concealment. The Kahr is very accurate as well.

KG: I agree. I did not trade away three BDAs over the years because there was anything wrong with them. Each time, there was just something I wanted more. I would not mind having another Browning or the Beretta either, but I did want to benefit from the experience of others before I lay down the cash.

I have heard good things about Kahr as well. I will have to check them out.

I love my Kahr P-380. I was very concerned about buying such a small pistol. I remembered owning small 25 auto pistols that shot so bad you wondered if a bullet was actually coming out. I owned one 25 that you couldn't hit a can from 3 feet with.

I can shoot 6 shot groups from 10 yards with the P-380 that I can cover with the mouth of a coffee cup and they are all to point of aim.10 yards doesn't sound like much but I figure it's the distance this pistol was designed for.

I have both the Sig P232 and the Browning (Beretta) BDA. They both shoot equally accurate in my hands, probably due to the fact that they both have pretty much the same sight radius.
I just shot a friends Sig P238 last week and, while it was a great little gun, the shorter sight radius made it more difficult to shoot accurately for me.

Another yep on the P238.

I can't believe everyone saying and recommending all the pocket guns which from what I have seen actually do have reliability problems. the LCP's kahrs all of them frankly suck in the reliability department. if you want a great shooting 380 I would think a glock that isn't sold here or the good ole PPK

Most Reliable ?
1. Sig P-230 Hands Down!
2.Beretta or Browning .380. Take your Pick.
3.KelTec P-380. I've had one since they first came out. Never jammed once,Never!
4.New Sig P-238. I've seen my buddies jam twice in about 350 rounds.

Worst .380 ?

Walther PPK .380 I tried three of them. Worst Jamm-amatic I've Ever Owned. You couldn't give me one! I'd just as soon carry a Baby Browning .25