School me on .380's

[black2002ls]

My girlfriend has decided she wants a handgun for Christmas. After shooting a variety of calibers in different configurations, we have decided that a .380 is best for her. She plans to get her CHL next year. It will primarily be carried in her purse, and I doubt it will ever be carried on her person. What should I look into and what should I stay away from? I think things like the ruger LCP are going to be too small for her. I have a friend selling a pk380 for $375. Oh, and pink is out of the question!

[orphan Shelby]

No Lorsen .380. Unless you don't like her

[cad424]

If you're considering a pk380 you may as we'll consider some compact and subcompacts in other calibers in my opinion.

The lcp is convenient. If you think that's too small and are set on a .380 there's always the LC380. I'm a big fan of the dog p238 but they are pricey.

Have you considered at .38 snubbie?

[Probie]

Depending how big her purse is she might be able to get a bigger gun, lcp's work great for concealing but they are more difficult to shoot than bigger framed guns. Another thing that you need to think about is the situation in which she will need her gun is going to be very fast. Will she have a pocket she can find every time she puts her hand in her purse? Or will she be digging around trying to find it?


Just some food for thought.

[black2002ls]

we haven't looked at any revolvers. she is definitely more comfortable with more available rounds!

The p238 is definitely out of the price range right now. I would like to stay under $400.

[black2002ls]

Here is some background.

The progression of guns she fired was first my XDSC .40. It is the only handgun in the house and I wanted her to know what to expect if she ever needed to pull the trigger. She wasn't fond of the cannon going off in her hand.

Next she shot a beretta 92fs. 9mm in a larger frame. She was ok with that, however, the gun itself was just too big for her to conceal.

The next time we went out, we took a bersa 380 and a glock 9mm compact. I was hoping she would be ok with the glock as I was hoping for a reason to pick up a XDs 9mm. The Glock was pretty unruly in the smaller frame. The Bersa was just right however. I am not sure which model the Bersa was, it was a 7 shot gun.

[Moose242]

The Beretta Cheetah is like a downsized 92 that shoots .380acp. Remember that small guns are not comfortable to shoot, and felt recoil is reduced with larger guns.

My favorite .380s are Mauser HSCs, FN1910s, and Colt Mustangs. Whatever you go with, don't get the Bersa just because it is cheap. If you are going to trust your girl's life to a gun, cost should come second to reliability.

[svauto-erotic855]

Pick up a used CZ83; it is about the best .380 out there. The LCP is cool because you can take them on a plane but they are not really a great gun to shoot.

[2165 Turbo Rail]

How can you take a LCP on a plane?

I have an LCP and Stacy has the Taurus TCP both .380. Suck for shooting but easy to conceal

[black2002ls]

This may end up being an instance where we get her a conceal gun and pick up something better for her to shoot at the range...

[2165 Turbo Rail]

If you want to borrow either one of ours you can

[black2002ls]

The Beretta Cheetah is like a downsized 92 that shoots .380acp. Remember that small guns are not comfortable to shoot, and felt recoil is reduced with larger guns.

My favorite .380s are Mauser HSCs, FN1910s, and Colt Mustangs.Whatever you go with, don't get the Bersa just because it is cheap. If you are going to trust your girl's life to a gun, cost should come second to reliability.

One of the reasons I came asking for opinions! I want to make sure I know what options I have in the price range I am looking at that offer a reliable solution!

[black2002ls]

If you want to borrow either one of ours you can

Thank you, I will take you up on that if we need to!

[Probie]

The Smith and Wesson M&P series guns deal with recoil phenomenally. I would look at the Shield in 9mm as well as the M&P9c.

[ELVIS]

One of the reasons I came asking for opinions! I want to make sure I know what options I have in the price range I am looking at that offer a reliable solution!

ive owned a bersa .380 for most of dochtor's lifespan. it has NEVER had a malfunction. and the lcp is a handful, small gun big kick for a lady i would imagine.

god bless.