Taurus Spectrum Semi Auto Pistol 380 Acp 28 Reviews
Tin can a .380 ACP pistol save your life?
These "pocket rockets" have the ability to conceal well simply also are plagued by limited ammo and doubts of stopping power.
Nosotros'll go over what's fact and what'southward fiction.
And help you lot choose the best .380 ACP pistol for self-defense and curtained bear.
Summary of Our Top Picks
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Editor's Option
Ruger LCP Max
Super concealable with 10 rounds of .380 ACP although snappy.
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Tabular array of Contents
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All-time .380 Pistols
1. Ruger LCP Max
The electric current third generation of Ruger's swell LCP serial…the LCP Max is what our editor Eric carries while in athletic gear.
The first LCP was ok and the LCP Two became more refined. But both only had a max chapters of 6+1 rounds.
Now…the LCP Max brings with it 10+1 rounds of .380 ACP.
All the while being super meaty and lightweight (10.half dozen oz unloaded). For comparison a Sig P365 is 17.eight oz unloaded.
Still, by being super compact and lightweight the gun is quite snappy and just non fun at the range.
But if existence ultra-concealable is the goal…y'all can't get wrong with the LCP Max.
Testing so far yields great reliability with brass and self-defense ammo…but information technology HATES steel cased stuff.
Full review right hither.
354
at Kygunco
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices authentic at time of writing
What's your accept on the LCP Max? Give it a rating below.
2. Kahr CW 380
Continuing out as one of the smallest on this listing, Kahr isn't a make y'all hear a lot only this is definitely an option you should consider.
It weighs simply over 10 ounces with a butt length of 2.5 inches. The trigger on information technology is smooth with a clean intermission, and the sights are likewise really good.
I tin can say that the ones I've fired were picky about the type of ammo they shoot.
After performing an in-depth review on 1, I establish that certain types of ammo didn't cycle properly, to include steel cased, some hollow points, and actually high-end self-defense ammo (Lehigh Defense).
But YMMV…
I tin can say that cheaply made ball ammo seemed to bike fine in this 6 in the magazine, one in the bedroom pocket pistol and so do a lot of others.
One time I found ammo that worked, it ran similar a champ. Check out our total review of its 9mm blood brother…the CW9.
Smallest
350
at Brownells
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Smallest
Kahr CW380
$350 at Brownells
Prices accurate at time of writing
3. Sig Sauer P238
Pocket-size, tucks out of the way…and Sig makes great firearms.
Information technology also but happens to be the all-time looking gun on this shortlist.
Aesthetics always take a backseat to functionality, simply y'all can't argue with a proficient looking gun.
The P238, as Sig would say, "is 1911 inspired."
I can say that they are similar, and this is the just gun on this listing that is of all-metal construction. This is not bad because it gives yous some extra recoil-fighting weight.
The slide is stainless steel while the frame is an aluminum alloy. And the two metals combine to make this small handgun tip the scales at xv.2 ounces, with a barrel length of two.vii inches long.
If you're looking for an piece of cake to take autonomously gun, opt for one of the others on this list.
While it certainly isn't difficult to take down and reassemble, there are easier ones out there. If you take it apart the wrong way or forget to movement the ejector upon reassembly, y'all could damage the gun.
The Looker
679
at Palmetto Country Armory
Prices authentic at time of writing
Prices authentic at time of writing
The Looker
Sig Sauer P238
$679 at Palmetto State Armory
Prices accurate at time of writing
4. Glock 42
Glock makes great handguns.
While I don't personally own i, I've fired my fair share and can say that they are reliable and authentic.
The G42 is one of their latest additions (not to mention smallest) and performs how we've all come up to look them to at the range.
The G42 has a barrel of 3.25 inches, one of the longer ones on this shortlist, and weighs in at 13.76 ounces.
It's a polymer-framed gun with a capacity of half-dozen in the magazine, one in the chamber.
Ole Reliable
399
at Brownells
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Ole Reliable
Glock G42
$399 at Brownells
Prices accurate at time of writing
v. Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .380
The Bodyguard .380 is a pocket-size, polymer-framed handgun weighing in at 12.eight ounces with integrated Cerise Trace laser.
The barrel length is just ii.75 inches and its capacity is also six in the magazine, ane in the bedroom.
It sports a long, heavy trigger pull with double-strike capability.
What this means, is that if you clasp the trigger and all that happens is a "click," pulling it again will allow the cartridge'south primer to be struck a second time, hopefully firing information technology this time.
Information technology should be stated here that, while I've not had many malfunctions shooting one, this is my least familiar gun on the list and plenty of others have had picky armament issues from this pocket .380.
Finally, while the Bodyguards do come with a safety, they are difficult to disengage.
In a firefight, should yous always observe yourself in i, you may not get it off in time. If you plan to use information technology, train with it frequently.
Laser Capable
475
at Brownells
Prices authentic at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Check out our full review of the Bodyguard .380 ACP.
6. Bersa Thunder/Firestorm .380
If you've e'er seen James Bail's classic Walther PPK and wanted it, you might want to consider the Bersa Thunder or Firestorm instead!
While the PPK is a dainty gun, information technology is a flake dated. The Bersa .380 takes the archetype, proven design of the PPK and pluses it upward a bit with some mod features like a slide hold open and a decocker/rubber.
One of the best things about the Bersa is that fifty-fifty if you have big hands, this is a very nice gun to grip and concord.
Just enough meat on it to feel right and give you lot something to hold on to, simply still in a sub-meaty footprint for CCW.
East to Grip
299
at Kygunco
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
Read all virtually it in our Complete Review of the Bersa Firestorm .380!
7. Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ 380 ACP
Looking for what is mayhap the easiest gun to rack…e'er? Then yous're going to want to take a closer look at the Shield EZ 380!
While the grip may exist a little square for some shooters, the petite size and piece of cake slide makes this gun a nifty CCW option for smaller humans. It's too got a polymer frame, which keeps information technology lightweight.
We did a full review of the grip rubber model, but yous can as well find information technology with a thumb safety, likewise!
Easiest to Rack
499
at Palmetto State Arsenal
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at fourth dimension of writing
Pop .380 Myths
It'due south a common belief that pistols chambered in .380 ACP are keen for newer shooters because the 9mm-short (as it'south sometimes chosen) is so minor that guns shooting information technology are super depression in recoil.
Sadly, while we wish that were true…it isn't.
When discussing felt recoil, it'south non merely the size of the cartridge.
You can encounter the .380 is one of the smallest rounds in pop pistol calibers.
While size does have a direct correlation to the amount of felt recoil, it'south not all that should be considered. For more info on other calibers, check out our Bullet Guide.
The size and design of the gun must also exist taken into account. Every bit well as shooting mechanics.
Frequently, the guns chambered in .380 ACP are tiny plenty to fit into your front pocket. Because they are so modest, they don't weigh a lot.
When a gun is light in weight, it doesn't help dampen recoil as much as a heavier gun does.
This is i of the reasons why I almost e'er recommend people acquire how to shoot on a bigger handgun, with depression to moderate recoil.
A good case is this SW22 Victory that fires the tiny .22LR round.
Or, this Ruger MK ii.
Another thing that affects recoil is the design of the handgun itself.
The higher you can go your hand on a grip, the amend the recoil management.
That's because your hand acts as a pin point to the recoil that comes back from the barrel. In an ideal world, you'll exist correct behind the gun. Simply for now, you'll accept to settle for a high grip.
Lastly, the size of the grip itself can also help you handle the recoil improve.
Having more than gun to concur on to helps yous become ameliorate control of the gun. It should become without saying that pocket pistols take pocket-sized grips that give you a dainty expect.
The only real way to know for certain how a gun is going to handle is to shoot it before y'all buy it. It's always a good idea to shoot a gun to go a sense of how much recoil is present when the trigger is squeezed.
Going to a range and renting every bit many .380s equally you can is a great fashion to try them out and see which one is the all-time for you.
Enough of the recoil…what tin the .380 really do?
Capabilities of the .380
There are basically two methods of idea when information technology comes to self-defense force cartridges.
The first ane says that if your bullet size of choice doesn't get-go with a "four" it'due south insufficient for self-defense. Recollect .forty S&W and .45 ACP.
The 2d idea is spread-out and says "carry whatever yous tin handle comfortably enough to prevent someone else from taking your life. And, be confident plenty to accurately use information technology."
Another way of looking at information technology is…the gun you lot've got on your hip is better than the i y'all've got in your sock drawer.
Then Where Does the .380 Stand?
It'south good plenty to get the task done with several shots, but obviously not the best choice out in that location.
Drawbacks
Every cartridge has different things holding it back when compared to others.
Plus, there is almost e'er a more powerful self-defense circular out there. When yous get up to the most powerful ones, the guns are so large and cumbersome that it doesn't brand sense to bear them.
The .380 ACP is, technically speaking, underpowered when compared with another mainline self-defense cartridges.
Where does information technology autumn?
Somewhere under a 9mm, and about equal to a .38 Special (depending upon the gun, barrel, ammo type, etc.).
Even though it'due south a much smaller cartridge, the .380 is about equally strong as a .38 Special.
Depending upon who yous enquire, information technology beats the .38 in terms of velocity only doesn't striking quite as difficult as the revolver cartridge does (considering a .380 bullet weighs 95 grains and a .38 Special bullet weighs up to 158 grains).
No matter what you lot choose, the gun on your hip is meliorate than the one you've left at home or in the car – even if it does only hold seven rounds like most .380 pistols.
Positives
We started with the drawbacks… at present let'south hit some of the positives.
.380 guns tend to conceal meliorate than many others out there on the marketplace.
Therefore, the tradeoff may be worth it.
Then again, those guns which are securely concealed tend to exist harder to access in a stressful situation.
This is why information technology'due south so important for people to choose the right gun/caliber combination. And the right kind of holster too. Check out our Guide to Holsters for Any Method Y'all Carry.
Shot Placement
If you lot have aim at an attacker with your .380 pistol but miss four out of five shots, you lot may just end upwardly angering the person coming at you.
These tiny pistols, particularly the really lightweight ones, tend to pull the front sight off target more than others because of the associated recoil.
In order for you lot to be effective at self-defense, you need to cull a gun that enables you to rapid-fire your shots, and actually hit your intended target.
At the very least yous should be able to place all of your rounds at center mass. Think of center mass every bit the torso of your assailant.
If you cannot shoot center mass, you need a different gun/caliber combo or to practise a heck of a lot more.
The virtually important thing in a defensive situation is shot placement. If you can state multiple shots on an aggressor, in any caliber, they're more than probable to surrender or succumb to wounds.
A Discussion About Ammo
There are some things that can help y'all greatly when it comes time to stop an attacker.
The most important thing here is… proper ammo choice.
In order for y'all to effectively stop a threat, y'all need decent hollow signal ammunition (if your area allows you to use it). Please besides note that not all ammo is made the aforementioned, and some expand better than others.
In that location are some who believe target ammo (or, FMJ, otherwise known as full metallic jacket, ball, etc.) is superior in these pocket .380 pistols because they tend to penetrate further. All that'southward important is that you've got quality ammo that has been tested in your firearm.
Check out our All-time Places to Purchase Ammo Online or jump direct to .380 ACP cocky-defense rounds.
Please Practice
Y'all'll often hear people say that they buy two dissimilar types of ammo, only practicing with one of them. They'll buy ammo for target do and ammo for self-defence.
I strongly suggest that you do with both for two reasons:
- You demand to know that your ammo of choice works in your gun of choice. A friend of mine carried a gun for months with ammo that didn't bicycle. Not skilful.
- You lot need to know how your self-defense ammo handles in your firearm and so it doesn't take you by surprise.
Conclusion
Pocket .380s are bully firearms if it's what you carry for cocky-defense.
While there are other, more than powerful rounds out there, this is likely the smallest ane you lot'd always desire to trust your life to.
They go the job done, merely several shots may need to be fired to get your betoken across.
Do you accept a .380 or programme on getting one? Let u.s. know which one yous chose and how yous like information technology! And want more of our favorite guns & gear? Check out Editor's Picks.
Source: https://www.pewpewtactical.com/best-380-pistols/
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