Educate Me on the .380

[mikegideon]

1 hour ago, Jeb48 said:

I usually carry my LCPII because it is invisible in my DeSantis holster in my back pocket. I use Precision One XTP - 13”+ Penetration according to tests. 

 

I would like to have an LCPII. I have a Glock 43 and 19, so I'm fixed for 9mm. I love the LCP for its size. But the trigger sucks.

[A.J. Holst]

I have high confidence with my Kimber Micro.

Disappears in my pocket for deep concealment.

Flawless operation in our compact pistol class, I can keep it running, and fun to shoot.

I also use Precision One.

[Jeb48]

20 hours ago, mikegideon said:

I would like to have an LCPII. I have a Glock 43 and 19, so I'm fixed for 9mm. I love the LCP for its size. But the trigger sucks.

LCPII has a significantly better trigger than LCP if you haven't tried it. The main reason I bought it since I already had the original. The grip is just enough thicker it isn't as painful to shoot as the original. I added a hogue grip to the original to tame it down a bit. I painted the black front sight with a florescent paint pen on both of them.

[deerslayer]

On 1/22/2020 at 3:08 PM, Cruel Hand Luke said:

On the other hand I have seen binder clips used to hang targets get hit with .380 and suffer a dent....the same clips hit with 9mm had holes all the way through them.

This.  I’ve witnessed the exact same thing a couple times.  If I can’t depend on it to punch a hole in a thin piece of stamped pot metal that I can snap in two with my fingers...

[Erik88]

On 1/22/2020 at 10:46 PM, Jeb48 said:

I usually carry my LCPII because it is invisible in my DeSantis holster in my back pocket. I use Precision One XTP - 13”+ Penetration according to tests. 

 

Thanks for linking this as I had forgotten about it. 6 years ago I used his test of the Gold Dot in .380 to pick that for my wife's p238. I'm comfortable with that round consistently hitting 10-12" with decent expansion. 

I disagree with the notion that one must carry ball ammo in .380ACP but if that makes someone more comfortable I understand.

I just think modern .380 ammo has improved enough to meet my needs. 

 

 

Edited January 24, 2020 by Erik88

[peejman]

12 hours ago, Jeb48 said:

I added a hogue grip to the original to tame it down a bit.

Yes, hogue grips help a lot. I have one on both .380's. 

[1gewehr]

First rule of gunfights:  Have a gun.

Second rule of gunfights:  Only the hits count.

Third rule of gunfights:  Physics cannot be ignored.  Bigger faster bullets will usually stop fights sooner than slower smaller ones.  Given similar shot placement.

Having said that, while I usually carry a .45, there are times when I have to make do with a much smaller weapon.  My little Keltec P3AT with SuperVel .380 is better than trying to poke them in the eye.

It's all about compromise; ideally I would carry my .44 Automag.  But in the summer it's impossible to conceal when wearing shorts and a t-shirt.  For that matter, it's pretty hard to conceal the rest of the year, too!

[Mamba]

22 hours ago, Jeb48 said:

LCPII has a significantly better trigger than LCP if you haven't tried it. The main reason I bought it since I already had the original. The grip is just enough thicker it isn't as painful to shoot as the original. I added a hogue grip to the original to tame it down a bit. I painted the black front sight with a florescent paint pen on both of them.

Beat me to it; yes the LCPII is a big improvement; did much the same add-ons as you.