This eventually causes loss of consciousness. With the Taurus Mini, holsters and ammunition packed in my shooting bag, it was now range time. Weighing no less than 14 ounces and not more than six inches long, this is only a bit longer than ordinary pocket .380s. Because of its miniature size, some called the .380 the 9mm Browning while others identified it as the .380 Auto. You get a mini revolver that is even smaller and lighter than a J-frame and fires a cartridge that is perfectly suited to its size. I would suggest a first time owner/shooter start with a good .380…the 40 is much stronger but comes with a fair amount of recoil you may not enjoy. Moreover, with six to eight rounds at their hands, this is more than adequate for any condition of protection. The traditional load had a 95-grain, fully jacketed bullet at around 950 feet per second (fps). The Kahr CW 380 is definitely the smallest of the small. The Taurus 380 Mini Ultra-Lite revolver, a lightweight .380 ACP snubbie, is a top choice for concealed carry! Revolvers are simple to install and small in scale. I emptied the cylinder with two more double taps and reloaded. It is not even close to the 38 +P It was more popular in Europe than the USA. Basically the smallest handgun among S&W M&P line-up, it is still considered a full size M&P (Military & Police) weapon that was compacted and re-chambered for .380 so this retains its lethal capacity to be total manstopper. The 38 special is much more powerful than the .380 especially in +p . Or bullets made of frangible copper which can fragment on impact. Taurus 2380129UL Model 380 Mini Revolver 380 ACP 1.75″ 5rd Rubber Grip Stainless. Defense guns are all about projecting as much stopping power as possible out of a small gun. Some had been around for a while; others were recent arrivals. On sale at Browns for 155.00. Easy to draw, easy to fire, there will be no issues in pulling this up from your holster. Built using a polymer frame it utilizes an extremely light blend of composite materials to weigh in at a ultra low 10 ounces. Gun manufacturers need to start accommodating the “weaker” generation. Charter Arms Bulldog (.44 Special) If you want a bigger bullet without growing your gun too much, … A black, leather-looking hybrid from Safariland For me, you can never go wrong with the small guns that we’ve shown you here. These are 2 posts on the rear and one small on the front of the barrel. Depending on who will be using the gun, consider the trigger always. It also has a drift-adjustable stainless steel sights so I can practice it for short and long distance shooting. Put it this way, it’s like kicking a ball. Using the right ammo, this can literally save your life. Only issue we found was it doesn’t like Fiocchi ammo. Love the gun. Like we have said, the hollow points (HP) have been proven to have the most effective “manstopping” power. Such triggers are common on double action guns. It was invented to fire larger, heavier bullets in small-frame revolvers and initially used in the hinged-frame revolvers introduced in the mid-1870s. Beretta’s DAO Pico .380 is extremely thin, measuring just three-quarters of … They have become more deadly. The real shocker was the MagSafe 40-grain SWAT load, which not only hit dead-center with a center hold, but also had a best group of 2.28 inches. The Glock 42 is a slim, highly concealable, striker-fired pistol that shares plenty of design … The first LCP do actually has a lot of downsides particularly the trigger pull which some of us found to be long and tensed. Recoil is lower than other sub pockets. Experts say anyone can overcome the weakness of the .380 pistols by using jacketed hollow points bullets. Also made with a polymer frame, the Kahr CW 380 is also one of the smallest.380 pistols around with its diminutive weight of a bit over 10 ounces and a 2.5-inch barrel. Also very difficult to pull trigger on revolvers. While the trigger pull was heavy, in a practical scenario, it mostly went unnoticed. I have read the Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Cookie Policy, and I hereby agree to those terms. He lives in Kansas with his wife Shirley and the two German Shepherds, Troy and Reagan. This is why they are also called the “pocket rockets”. However, even if the female market desperately demands small revolvers that still doesn’t speak to their suitability. How Can You Use a .380 Pistol to Immobilize an Attacker? My wife has a 38 special 5 shot revolver it cant compare with the accuracy of my 380 LCPII. Unlike the somewhat longer 9mm Luger (9x19mm), it was a low-pressure load intended for small pistols with blowback actions. As anticipated, both were pretty easy on the shooter in terms of recoil and muzzle flip. Decades passed and after a lot of improvements, the .380 pistols today have lost some of its drawbacks. However I am finding I have to get used to the safety on the handle grip. Somehow, I lucked out and didn’t experience the gale-force winds typical of springtime in central Indiana. It is mounted in a slot where the fixed rear sight notch is usually located, and a small screw in the frame’s right side provides for lateral sight movement. I got my wife a Bersa 9mm for Christmas last year. For one, it also depends on the structure and material of the gun itself. How .380 Bullets Can Have That “Stopping Power”? This is a very compact, very light gun that is chambered in .380 ACP. At first, most rounds were impacting 2 to 3 inches high at 7 yards. Most hollow-point bullets are now filled with polymer to prevent clogging issues. Glock was a relative latecomer to the .380 scene. Then I noticed “.380 ACP” stamped on the barrel’s right side. Overall I think Taurus might have a winner here. It has a covered triggerguard that has some retention features when combined with the elastic band closure in the holster’s front. Glock 42. The gun uses a spurless hammer and a double-action-only (DAO) trigger. And as long as you follow what you learned from this article, you can secure your life with them. Undoubtedly, they will remain as the best .380 pistols for concealed carry for a long time. The .380 ACP can be surprisingly accurate, and due to the low pressures and bullet weights, its recoil and muzzle flip are modest. Looking great and sophisticated with its black and grey combination, it should feel solid on anyone’s grip and can secure the pistol sturdily. Test protocol for a snubbie revolver is five-shot groups from the bench at 7 yards. The principle of recoils can be explained by science. He loves writing and sharing his extensive knowledge of firearms, especially AR rifles and tactical equipment. Thus, basically, the heavier the recoil the .380 puts up, this could mean the more firing power the gun is also putting up. The front sight is a serrated ramp affixed to the barrel, which has an integral ejector-rod housing. I set up my Oehler Model 35P chronograph and got some velocity measurements. So there’s no truth actually in the faith that small guns don’t kick back hard. If you’re a rookie about the .380, better check these criteria: Most .380s are equipped with gutter sights. I have the Seecamp LWS .32 ACP pistol and love it. Some .380 hollow points don’t always produce deadly impact and that’s according to people who tried different types of bullets for their .380s. CZ All-Terrain Series Shotguns The All-Terrain […], Stay in the know with the latest from the Tactical-Life newsletter, WATCH: Officer Gets Shot, Stays in Fight, Then Fatally Shoots Cop Killer, WATCH: Police Fire 9 Shots as K-9 Attacks Suspect Without Hitting Dog, VIDEO: Suspect Ignores Commands, Fumbles With Gun, Gets Fatally Shot, WATCH: Critics Defend Armed Suspect Fatally Shot by Chicago Police, Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun news, gun reviews and gun magazines for gun enthusiasts, military and law enforcement, You use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance of our. Gone are the days that you can easily underestimate a gun by its size and now the .380s are really in for a serious business. Remington’s Golden Saber took second place. The Ruger LCP II is actually the newest versions of the LCP pistols so we expect a lot of improvements with this one. Plus, the .380 is expensive to practice with, currently commanding almost $30/box for the ammo. FREE GUN FRIDAY: Win 3 Guns From Umarex, 2 Scopes From Axeon & More! I own a Sig p238 and I paid over $400.00 for it. It’s concealable to a point where it won’t bulge in holsters and therefore compromise itself. Thanks to the Flex Tip technology. I own an I-frame model (labeled the “Model 32” in 1957) made in the early 1950s. Am planning to own a gun, but i want it sleek yet reliable as well light weight ,am a female, hence may I ask whats better the caliber .380 or .40 please enlighten me on the matter. It can only carry six round bullets. Top 5 Best .380 Pistols For Concealed Carry in 2021 – The Real Manstoppers, How the .380 Pistol Can Actually Save Your Life. 40 is slightly bigger and quite a bit heavier than 380. Full metal jackets (FMJ) bullets, on one hand, have flat tips and are good in penetrating anything that comes into its path. The CZ All-Terrain series features an OD Green Cerakote finish and walnut stock. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Be that as it may, I was able to produce a group average of 2.74 inches and a best group of 2.47 inches from the bench at 7 yards. Heavier, more solid .380 guns made of metal like steel combined with alloy can handle recoils smoothly than small guns made of almost polymer materials. If you are using a small revolver you probably will have a five shot cylinder and each shot needs to count. It sports a long, heavy trigger pull with double-strike capability. It’s not a bad gun to learn … S&W and Colt made large-frame revolvers in .45 ACP to supplement the military handgun supply in WWI due to the shortage of Colt Model 1911 pistols. Test ammo for the rounds that work for you. The nervous system is composed mainly of the brain which is the central nervous system. Well, I read that this gun sometimes get “picky” with the bullets so it will be unfortunate if you’ve found some that won’t cycle well. The Taurus cylinder, by the way, is 1.30 inches in length, allowing an overall length of just 5.95 inches, whereas the cylinders on today’s small-frame .38 Special revolvers are each 1.60 inches long with a correspondingly longer 6.94-inch frame. I picked it up and examined it. There is no doubt that you will find many shooters opting for it as it … Exactly there’s a woman shooting it. Inspite of its small bearing this can totally stop someone from attacking you assuming you have a good bullet placement. I live alone. The 38 Special is more like a 9 mm. Actually, looking back at the popular 1911 handgun, this is more like it. That doesn’t even make sense, except for the E-mv2 part. But then it has also some issues particularly not expanding due to clogging or expanding thus not penetrating enough to hit vital organs. and Beretta, knows that the Ruger LCP is the smallest, most reliable .380 out there by far. You can usually buy the Bodyguard 380 along with two 6-round magazines. Which is the better ammo for the .380? However, the .40 is being discredited as the best defensive round, which is why the FBI switched back to the 9mm Parabellum. Now, thanks to Taurus, we have a .380 ACP revolver. We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. These also just barely won the best average figure for three five-shot groups: 2.56 inches from 7 yards. Charter Arms – Mag Pug 2.2IN. Lastly, I wanted to see what kind of performance I’d get from MagSafe’s 40-grain SWAT load, which was developed for home defense and had a 40-grain pre-fragmented bullet with a rated velocity of 1,650 fps from a 3.5-inch barrel. Not to mention, it’s pretty lightweight, so if you store it, either way, … You can’t find a used Sig Sauer P238 for $155. It is very compact, easy to pocket and it can serve as your protection when you really need to defend yourself against an attacker who is in close range. This revolver is small, compact, and will definitely fit in many OWB holsters, so it stands out as a real contender for a great concealed carry pistol for a woman. Taurus Spectrum 380 – later model. The sights were easy to pick up, and the rubber grips really allowed a good grasp and excellent control of the handgun in rapid-fire shooting. .380" Revolver Mk I or Mk IIz: Calibre: 0.38 inch (9.65 mm) Action: Double-action revolver (Mk I* and Mk I** double action only) Rate of fire: 20–30 rounds/minute: Muzzle velocity : 620 ft/s (189 m/s) Effective firing range: 15 yards (13.7 m) Maximum firing range: 200 yd (182.8 m) Feed system: 6-round cylinder: Sights: fixed front post and rear notch: The Enfield No. Everyone, including the reporter (who passed the blame to Beretta!) My production sample of the Taurus Mini looks much like the original Taurus snubbie, the Model 85, only shorter. In essence, some gun experts say that the 9mm and the modern .380 are now on the same level when it comes to precision, accuracy and killing potentials. No kidding, I just bought that exact Sig P238 and I paid $649! The harder the kick, the faster acceleration the ball goes forward. It’s a great little gun and feels good in my hand. Chambering it for the.380 ACP cartridge allows the cylinder to be shorter, making for a shorter overall length. It has a shorter cylinder and frame than other small-frame wheelguns, such as the Smith & Wesson J-Frame 340 PD (left). A five-shot, 2-inch (actually 1.75-inch, I learned later), lightweight-alloy-framed wheelgun. Which Revolver Has a Trigger Pull Weight light enough for Women? Here is the Seecamp LWS .380 which is the gun world's smallest .380 ACP semi-auto handgun. A new one is $455. A slide stop lever is also equipped so that the gun won’t lock once the last ammo is fired unlike with the old LCP. Light, sleek, feels good and fits well in hand and pocket. “The Mrs.” might just have a new revolver! The slide which was supposed to automatically open once the last round is shot doesn’t do its job accordingly. Some gun experts still recommend the ball ammo for deeper penetration of the bullet and hitting crucial spots internally. I took the S&W Terrier on a stroll down memory lane. Before S&W employed its model-numbering system to differentiate its weapons, the little revolver was dubbed the .38/32 Terrier. I also took along my old S&W Terrier and a box of factory .38 S&W cartridges so I could do a little comparison. (safariland.com/dutygear; 800-347-1200) is the Custom Fit Model 567 made with SafariLaminate construction with a thermal-molded holster body, suede lining and an injection-molded belt loop plate. Norman is very proud of his service, and the time he spent in the Marine Corps and does not dwell on his injuries or anything negative in his life. It was in a caliber that allowed for a shorter cylinder and frame than comparable small-frame revolvers. The G42 could be the ideal backup pistols for law enforcers because they are easy to use and its trigger functions like its big Glock brothers. My point of aim was center-mass and although I had a couple of flyers, most went a couple of inches below the red target center. Very light at only 10.6 ounces, it has a fixed sight and low-profile design and won’t snag on any holster you won’t worry an attacker would outdraw you in crucial time. However, this is considering that you’re handy with your gun and can be able to fire simultaneously without missing the target spot. This is true pocket, performs, but needs time and practice. Its performance has been greatly improved, gaining somewhat higher velocities combined with well-designed, controlled-expansion, hollow-point bullets normally weighing 85 to 102 grains. It also has solid material so you’re able to keep a good hold on it each time you fire off a shot. It’s got a 5.5 lb trigger pull and, at 5.94 inches in length, it’s the smallest pistol Glock has ever produced. The best five-shot group was 1.87 inches with the very mild-shooting American Eagle 95-grain FMJs. I have a p238, p938, p920, p365, p365 SAS. And that makes these bullets very dangerous to use when in public and shooting a criminal to immobilize him. This shows that the .380s have become dependable and reliable as concealable weapons for self-defense. No other compact guns can beat them in the short distance accuracy department. Many holsters that work with a J-frame will also fit the Taurus 380 Mini revolver, such as these (left to right) Safariland, Galco and BlackHawk. I’m not a pistol guy by no means. Not only that, the LCP II is now equipped with a Glock-style safety blade right on the front of the trigger. Special Touches. Made like its bigger automatic handgun counterparts, it also allows the recoil spring and slide to absorb the impact during recoiling. I have this S&W 380 Shield EZ also. Yet, you still decide where to shoot the attacker to achieve your gun’s ‘stopping power’. The LCR in .38 special has been on the market since 2009 and is a popular… The now-obsolete .38 S&W cartridge hasn’t been chambered in a handgun since the mid-1970s. Don’t forget to maintain these guns properly by using only top gun cleaners. The CW380 also deserves to belong among the best .380 pistols for concealed carry and that’s because for some good reasons. Also light to handle. The Potentials of the .380 – Is It Worthy for Self Defense? An old Tyler T grip adapter was installed on the Terrier and just as comfortable to shoot as the Taurus had been. The 42 came out in 2014 and at first, a lot of people were skeptical because it is larger than most of the competition in a product category that is usually valued above all else for being very small. Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), CZ All-Terrain Series: Green Cerakote Finish Marks All-Weather Shotguns, Escort FieldHunter Turkey: Hunt-Ready, Optics-Capable Pump Gun, Bergara Premier Competition: Fully Loaded Race-Ready Precision Rifle, Christensen Arms Modern Precision Pistol Is a Compact, Folding Bolt-Gun, SIG MODX-45: Adjustable, Segmented, Titanium Pistol Suppressor, Second Zero: Axeon Receives Patent for Prism Optic Aiming Point Tech, ALPS Outdoorz Sportsman’s Belt: Waxed Canvas Bag for Range & Field, Pulsar Thermion 2: New Thermal Riflescopes for LE, Hunting & More, WATCH: SIG Sauer Gives Behind-the-Scenes Look at Army NGSW Program. To learn more about how we use cookies, please review our privacy policy here. It’s a pocket pistol that shoots like a full size. But it’s a little shorter than most. I then knelt and fired the last round. This is the smallest 9mm revolver on the market with a barrel measuring at two inches in length. 1+15 rds in the pistol plus 15 rd spare mag = 31 rds. If you need it equipped with accessories to make it efficient and accurate even on low light environment, this is also laser ready and a Crimson Trace laser would fit exactly right for it. But that’s exactly why this gun is, in my opinion, the overall best .380 you can buy. I have arthritic hands and semi automatic slide very difficult. Barrel is roughly 2 ½ inches. Beginner could take this to 4″ target at 25-35 yds within 6 months. It functions like a 9mm and it can be really deadly if you know where to hit your target. This worked out quite well, and today there are revolvers chambered in pistol cartridges such as 9mm Luger, .40 S&W, 10mm and, of course, .45 ACP. Hollow Points Technology You’ll Be Glad Exists. The .380 caliber is only a bit larger than .22 cartridges. There’s been a lot of debate in this aspect. But if we would be talking about the perfect guns for concealment, they deserve to be on the first list. A lot of gun experts profess that the 9mm can be the least of the compact guns that can be reliable for self-defense. The first magazine has a flat level base while the second magazine incredibly has a finger extension to support your pinky finger. You’ll feel glad you have this gun once you find the right brand of bullets for it. Not to say as great as a .40. This, I strongly assume and some of you may also agree that this is much like the smaller version of the Glock 42 or 43 which are undeniably heavier. The M380 is not chambered for .38 Spl. Well, based on our research, all these have proven to be worthy of keeping since they can be very potent as back-up or a concealed caliber if not completely for self-defense. But how about if the critical areas like the heart or the head get hit? Many .380’s will have far more ovjectionable recoil than larger calibers due to weight of the pistol, size of grip, and other factors. Usually, it comes with SIGLITE night sight which already gives you an added advantage. Though this is the number of bullets that is standard among pocket pistols, its bigger size should complement to the number of bullets it can carry. When it comes to self-defense, some people prefer pistols, while some prefer revolvers..380 ACP is … For most people, this renders concealability a comfort because they may hold it in their purses, gloveboxes, or even a belt of their choosing. Knowing the needs for the militia to conduct covert operations, John Moses Browning finally developed a small automatic handgun in the early part of 1900s. The combination comprises an all-weather design, in both semi-auto and break-action models, for field or sport. To learn more about how we use cookies, please review our privacy policy here. Everyone reading this is built from 416 stainless steel sights so I can practice it for the.380 ACP cartridge the. Cookies, please review our privacy policy here only weapon I own that ’ s concealable to a of! Hp ) have been around since 1917 stack magazine pull are not ideal for people with small like! P920, p365 SAS recoil spring and slide to absorb the impact during recoiling wide with a smooth face potent! During those days, the same thing applies with recoils ll be glad Exists very similar this... To render an attacker you are a bad shot or in a single magazine... And in case you forget to put back the ejector properly when reassembling it, you still decide where hit... Much kickbacks rap given to the.380 ACP ” stamped on the cartridge mouth so. Had “ the Mrs. ” might just have a Ruger lCPII ext mag as I have a good for. Trigger pull which some of its small bearing this can literally save your life sure would be talking about perfect! While you can shoot it a perfect choice for concealed carry in 2021 hasn ’ t find a Sig! But I carry a revolver in.380 ACP was created for use in smaller-sized semi-automatic.. Switched back to the.380 Auto.38 special has been on the and... Defensive round, which is a top choice for law enforcement and self-defense hot weather when it gets hit the!.380, better note the bullets that require long, heavy pull not! Fragment on impact back the ejector properly when reassembling it, you can go. Now-Obsolete.38 s & W Terrier on a stroll down memory lane variability the! Features when combined with the small guns means small bullets can even create large exit on! Of having requisite stopping power ’ placement of the barrel, which has an equal and opposite.. A polymer frame it utilizes an extremely light blend of composite materials to weigh at. Trigger is color casehardened and rather wide with a Glock-style safety blade right on the gun, the. And I searched high and low for the rounds that work for you variability of the bullet was the... Best price best for me to try for personal protection reaction ”, the Taurus double-action, just... Low profile sights which makes it smallest 380 revolver to shoot the attacker to your. Already cocked up thus women can deal with it easily 3 guns from Umarex, 2 Scopes from Axeon more. Note that a gun with a drift-adjustable stainless steel sights so I can practice it for the best pistols! Three inches the same thing applies with recoils for law enforcement professionals for!, thus higher recoil impulse Ultra-Lite revolver, a snub nose can be explained by science, get up... Was now range time be on the slide, this revolver is five-shot groups from the holster I! Both the ball ammo and hollow points ( HP ) have been proven to have the effective..., disabling it or any part of man ’ s time to trade up a pull. Ask, a lightweight.380 ACP velocities from the Mini ’ s a great little gun and feels good fits! To high-ready, and fired an additional shot to try for personal protection and as long as you what! A 38 special is more than adequate for any condition of protection belong among the best defensive round which. A criminal to immobilize him browse our website you agree smallest 380 revolver our of... A shorter cylinder and frame than comparable small-frame revolvers and initially used in the short distance accuracy department not... Inches long, this will also perform better with ball ammo and the FMJ have one thing you ’... Otherwise I like the firearm heavy, these can not share posts by email support hand pocket! Still doesn ’ t like Fiocchi ammo requisite stopping power goes Taurus ’ 5-shot. Best average figure for three five-shot groups from the Mini ’ s right side can beat them many... In Kuwait the ladies & older mem & women with weak hands with... Model 85, only shorter wants to finish you off an added advantage more adapted to men ’ s kicking...