Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Best 380acp compact under $500 - Fall 2019 .

Only up to page two on this thread but wanted to comment here.

With my LCP (original version) if I use a traditional two hand grip it shoots way to the right in a "grabitpointitshootit" scenario, but if I just use one hand it points right where I'm looking or so darn close that it's still going to make a succession of good center of mass hits. If I have time and aim with a two handed hold it is remarkably accurate on targets and definitely center of bad guy accurate out to 25-30 yards.


That's my number one criteria for any self defense weapon - does it point where I'm looking? Training is good, very good, and lots of firearms can be used well with practice, but you can never really practice for that first time to be dinosaur brain scared and shooting to save your life so I want something that helps in every way possible to get the very first round on target (plus all succeeding rounds). Mechanical reliability and bullet performance are certainly important but the main thing I'm shooting for is to get that first bullet to hit where it hurts the most and do that as quickly as possible.

Whichever .380 you buy, if you pocket carry with or without a holster be sure to clean it on a regular basis even if it hasn't been fired. Monthly is definitely not too often.

It's amazing how much lint and dust and general crap can accumulate in and on a pistol so carried. "Ask me how I know..."

Fondle a Bersa Thunder. I bought one on a whim and it just plain works. A natural pointer kinda like the Luger. I have run about 350 rounds through mine and it has not failed to fire or eject once. You might like it.

Too big and heavy for summer carry, but they're great guns, IMO.

I love my LCP and just ordered an LCP II. A 380 is a belly gun, and the Rugers always function, no matter what crappy ammo I feed them.

that chart is worth drinking some coffee and looking at. that's quite the correlation.

i'm not a licensed carrier, not now. but did just procure the basic ruger 380 to ride in the truck door.

the issue is whether to tote it in and out of the truck everyday. i don't, i leave it against better advice.

but the neighbor is close, has guns and outside lights, and his yardfull of pitbulls don't allow anthing unannounced.

Well, duh!

A private citizen engaging in self-defense has only one goal--to survive. That must always be the first criteria in any decision concerning defensive weaponry. Given that, small guns, especially a small revolver, make the most sense most of the time. Just as the buying public has made clear.

Tomcat .32ACP pocket holster . . .









Comes with a steel spring clip, if you want to wear it IWB on the right or on your belt, on the left.