[guesser]

Went to the indoor range yesterday. Rented a S&W M&P Bodyguard 380. Basic model, no laser but it did have the thumb safety. Keeping in mind the fact that I don't like plastic guns, not fond of semi-autos, and haven't fired a 380 since I traded my Walther PPKS away over 20 years ago; The little gun did it's job, brutally!! 1 box of factory hardball. It was on spot at clothes closet ranges, at 20 yards it was mostly on the paper. Function was flawless, magazine was easy to load. This gun was DAO. It did not cock ready to fire after the first round but had to be trigger cocked each time. It can be staged but it would take me the rest of my life to remember to do that. Would I buy one??? No, never-ever!! Unless it was the last gun on earth. It is small, and brutal. I don't have big hands and there wasn't enough gun to get a grip on. But it worked, every time and was accurate at 15'. There, I'm done, won't ever have to do that again!!!! Yay Me!!!

 

[Texheim]

This is one of the most bizarre range reports / posts I've ever read. Congratulations.

 

[Czechbikr]

You have to congratulate yourself for not spending hundreds to find out that information. While I don't feel especially undergunned, except for capacity, when I carry my TCP...I much rather carry 9mm in the form of my G2 or CZ Compact.

 

[Rossi]

I think my LCP is even smaller than the BodyGuard, so it's also not fun to shoot. But like the S&W you tested, it is surprisingly accurate for it's size. They also make very good defensive ammo for .380's nowadays, so it's my main EDC. Carrying a pocket size .380 is just a lot less of a production than any of my other carry guns. The G2 is the exception to that when I have a larger coat pocket I can carry in.

 

[Yissnakk]

I generally have a TCP on me almost all the time, and when not, then my Beretta (it will be my SCCY once they send me the new slide/firing pin or whatever). When I'm only carrying the TCP, I usually have two full mags on me as well.

 

[coopercdrkey]

Stated before, and I'll say it again- BIG .380 fan here! I owned an early TCP, which I wish I hadn't sold, (but it was to fund a Henry H001, so there's that...), and a fan of the Rugers, (I love my LCP II), not so much of a Beretta Pico lover, (wanna buy one?), but an advocate of the movement to make everyone who does not own a Bersa T380 aware of their deficiency.

Having said all that, my Kimber micro 9 is in a pocket holster at the moment- tough to beat...

 

[guesser]

I got a hint in some responses that maybe I was thought to dislike the 380 cartridge. Nothing could be farther from the truth. It is a fine cartridge but I, speaking from experience here, surely want it in a gun big enough for me to control without hurting myself. I had a PPKS 20+ years ago, I loaded and fired many hundred, probably thousands of rounds thru it. I liked it!!
Next time I go I'm going to try the Sig 938? in 380. I'm just looking for something to hang on to, and the little, flawless S&W ain't it. It works well but it doesn't fit me. My S&W Chiefs Special, my Detective Special and my Cobras all fit me.

 

[Yissnakk]

I got a hint in some responses that maybe I was thought to dislike the 380 cartridge. Nothing could be farther from the truth. It is a fine cartridge but I, speaking from experience here, surely want it in a gun big enough for me to control without hurting myself. I had a PPKS 20+ years ago, I loaded and fired many hundred, probably thousands of rounds thru it. I liked it!!
Next time I go I'm going to try the Sig 938? in 380. I'm just looking for something to hang on to, and the little, flawless S&W ain't it. It works well but it doesn't fit me. My S&W Chiefs Special, my Detective Special and my Cobras all fit me.

Pretty much all of the micro-pistols are a little difficult to get a good grip on if you have anything larger than medium meat hooks, and they really aren't the most enjoyable experience, recoil-wise for any sort of extended fire/range time (that's just my opinion - some people like having their hands beaten with a tenderizing hammer!). I personally think that the .380 cartridge has it's place (and that place is a BUG!) but for me personally, it's not generally my first line of defense unless it's really hot outside and I'm headed to the store in a speedo (for me a speedo is knee length cargo shorts and t-shirt...to each his own)

 

[olfarhors]

I got a hint in some responses that maybe I was thought to dislike the 380 cartridge. Nothing could be farther from the truth. It is a fine cartridge but I, speaking from experience here, surely want it in a gun big enough for me to control without hurting myself. I had a PPKS 20+ years ago, I loaded and fired many hundred, probably thousands of rounds thru it. I liked it!!
Next time I go I'm going to try the Sig 938? in 380. I'm just looking for something to hang on to, and the little, flawless S&W ain't it. It works well but it doesn't fit me. My S&W Chiefs Special, my Detective Special and my Cobras all fit me.

umm --ahh, that would be a Sig Sauer 238, the 938 is the 9 MM weapon.
I have had one for several years and several thousand rounds, actually just took it out for a range work out today.
a little rusty with it as I haven't shot it in a while, still kept all 100 rounds in the 9-10 ring at 7 yards standing.
still running like a little sewing machine.

 

[glenwolde]

I highly recommend one of these... https://www.gunbroker.com/item/738331121

15 round double stack. SA striker fired. Locked breech. If you need mags PM me.

 

[olfarhors]

I highly recommend one of these... https://www.gunbroker.com/item/738331121

15 round double stack. SA striker fired. Locked breech. If you need mags PM me.

MY son has one that he is fond of !
of course from what I understand magazines at near impossible to obtain and of course this I a good bit larger than a pocket pistol as well.

 

[Bellows1]

I have a Keltec p3at, a fun gun to shoot, but not a fun gun to shoot a lot. I might shoot 2 mags out of it in a setting, but I'd never do 2 boxes.
For what they are intended, they are nice deep concealment guns. I also have a Taurus 82? (I forget the model) .380 and a Bersa something, both much more enjoyable to shoot.

 

[glenwolde]

MY son has one that he is fond of !
of course from what I understand magazines at near impossible to obtain and of course this I a good bit larger than a pocket pistol as well.

Yeah, it ain't no pocket pistol. It's about the size of a S&W Shield with a bit fatter grip. Magazines seem to come and go. I have some extras because of a forgotten back-order. I'll hang on to them, but somebody like guesser could talk me out of a couple.

 

[Yissnakk]

Yeah, it ain't no pocket pistol. It's about the size of a S&W Shield with a bit fatter grip. Magazines seem to come and go. I have some extras because of a forgotten back-order. I'll hang on to them, but somebody like guesser could talk me out of a couple.

Keep the faith! SCCY has their CPX3 lined up for March (at least, that's what they told me on the phone last week) and it is also a double stack, but only a little larger than the Spectrum (which is only slightly more beefy than the TCP)

 

[CWB]

I got a hint in some responses that maybe I was thought to dislike the 380 cartridge. Nothing could be farther from the truth. It is a fine cartridge but I, speaking from experience here, surely want it in a gun big enough for me to control without hurting myself. I had a PPKS 20+ years ago, I loaded and fired many hundred, probably thousands of rounds thru it. I liked it!!
Next time I go I'm going to try the Sig 938? in 380. I'm just looking for something to hang on to, and the little, flawless S&W ain't it. It works well but it doesn't fit me. My S&W Chiefs Special, my Detective Special and my Cobras all fit me.

Maybe you should look at the PT58. I like mine. Not a sub compact but easy enough to conceal and give you 12+1 capacity. I have since put white grips on them.

 

[chefduane]

Ruger LCPII is my EDC. G2 sometimes, but the Ruger is my go to. Just works for me.

 

[mark38090]

I carry my ruger lcp a bunch. I mainly wear shorts and the lcp is super easy to conceal. I haven't noticed the recoil everyone talks about with the lcp, maybe cause I have small hands, but I can run 2 boxes through mine without any thought.

 

[cnj]

I highly recommend one of these... https://www.gunbroker.com/item/738331121

15 round double stack. SA striker fired. Locked breech. If you need mags PM me.

Now THAT is an interesting little piece! I'll bet it is a soft shooter! When did they discontinue this little gem???

 

[MoMan]

+1 for the SIG P238, and don't overlook the Bersa Thunder 380. Bith are very comfortable handguns to shoot, and have operated flawlessly for me. I would not hesitate to recommend either of these 2. I pocket carry my P238 quite often in a DeSantis pocket holster. It is a bit heavier than some of the "ultra light" 380's, but it is worth the extra weight to me.

 

[glenwolde]

Now THAT is an interesting little piece! I'll bet it is a soft shooter! When did they discontinue this little gem???

A couple of years ago, 2014? I think. It wasn't around long. It fires from a locked breech so yeah, it is a blast to shoot. I also have a Chiappa MC-14 which is a Turkish-made Beretta clone. That one is a blow-back though. It's disappeared too.

http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/millennium-pro-pistols/72907-seriously.html
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/other-handguns/187698-range-review-chiappa-mc14-380-girsan.html