Don’t Write Off the .380

[Marine Cpl]

I want so badly to get more into this conversation but I can’t. I gave my word.

So many questions but I’m not willing to engage in a discussion of analogies and hypotheticals.

What grown man is seriously impeded by the myriad of ultra-compact 9mm’s on the market today that this is even an argument?

Me. They are all an inch or so longer. The difference between feeling it when I sit down and not feeling it when I sit down.

You can respond. This isn’t a cop thread. We are both adults here.

 

[Edwardteach72]

Impossible to get it out while seated.

Wait are you you trying to say its impossible to draw while seated??

Weird cause I have zero issue with doing so with either my G17 or G45ish with surefire x300u

 

[meketrefe]

Wow people really find it this hard to pull on jeans with a holster attached? I didn’t know that. Pocket carry is wonderful if your first move is to display a firearm. Terrible if you have to go hands on. People really walk around with guns just stuck in their pockets?

A pocket gun should not be the first choice. It is more a contingency for those times one cannot carry a more versatile PD system.
But there are pocket solutions like those one can pull a lether tab and the firearm is out.
It really depends on what the situation. What do we carry when we go swimming at the beach?

 

[Marine Cpl]

A pocket gun should not be the first choice. It is more a contingency for those times one cannot carry a more versatile PD system.
But there are pocket solutions like those one can pull a lether tab and the firearm is out.
It really depends on what the situation. What do we carry when we go swimming at the beach?

You are always trying to be cute with your little comments when you have nothing to dispute them with. I carry a Ruger LCP in the waistband of my swimming trunks to my swimming pool. Once there, it gets folded up into my towel and stays there next to either me or the wife.

 

[BDinPutnam]

Wow people really find it this hard to pull on jeans with a holster attached? I didn’t know that. Pocket carry is wonderful if your first move is to display a firearm. Terrible if you have to go hands on. People really walk around with guns just stuck in their pockets?

Its unlikely I'm going to go hands on with a skunk in my woods at o dark o'clock.

One size does not fit all.

 

[Chevusa]

A holstered firearm? Not with practice.

Pocket carry

 

[Chevusa]

Wait are you you trying to say its impossible to draw while seated??

Weird cause I have zero issue with doing so with either my G17 or G45ish with surefire x300u

Pocket

 

[GOPerfect]

I have no use for this small round, or the small guns that shoot them.

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

Pistols that fit confortably in your jeans front pocket, inside a bra or a jacket.

Quality made SIG P290 with STD mag of 6+1 rounds. Rated for 9mm +P ammo. 16.4 oz

View attachment 63838


Beretta Nano with 6+1 rounds. Rated for 9mm +P ammunition. 19.8oz
View attachment 63839

Khar PM9 . 6+1 rounds. +P rated. (7+1 with grip extension) below 20oz loaded with 115gr +P ammo.
View attachment 63843

A budget one. PF9 that is a bit larger but with 7+1 and it still fits w/o problems in a front jeans pocket. Not skinny jeans obviously. No +P rated.

View attachment 63844


there are countless others.

The Berreta and Kahr would be like carrying 2 LCPs in your pocket. Or waist or boot or whatever.

 

[Marine Cpl]

I have no use for this small round, or the small guns that shoot them.

I have no uses for revolvers, levers, bolt actions, Mosins, 12 gauges, .45’s, etc either. But someone does.

 

[71velle]

I have no uses for revolvers, levers, bolt actions, Mosins, 12 gauges, .45’s, etc either. But someone does.

A small revolver can come in handy.

 

[GOPerfect]

A small revolver can come in handy.

I have a couple of snub revolvers; great dog walking guns.

 

[71velle]

I have a couple of snub revolvers; great dog walking guns.

Or in a coat pocket in a longer winter coat.

 

[GOPerfect]

Or in a coat pocket in a longer winter coat.

The pocket thing you speak of, that is why I use the snubs when walking the door. Grab and go, especially in the cold weather when I bundle up.

 

[Airborneguy]

I pretty much carry 24/7 except when sleeping, maybe that’s why I don’t understand this pocket carry thing. Even when home, my jeans or shorts go on right after I wake up and my gun is already holstered.

 

[Airborneguy]

Pocket carry

Can you explain more because you’re confusing me too. Are you saying it’s impossible to draw from a holster while seated?

 

[stuckhere]

Can you explain more because you’re confusing me too. Are you saying it’s impossible to draw from a holster while seated?

Poor wording. It is remotely possible to draw from a POCKET holster while seated. While possible, it is unlikely that you won't already have lost that fight by the time it's out IMO.

 

[Airborneguy]

Agreed. I think when seated, a holster on the waist is far better. I’ve occasionally practice drawing while buckled in my car. Reach with the left to unbuckle while drawing with the right with a slight body lean. No shot from a pants pocket.

 

[Airborneguy]

My friend just came over with his LCP .380.

 

[Darth]

Swim shorts on a dive boat. That's where a .380 is viable and not any of my 9s.

Do these people really not understand not everyone lives the same life as them? Thankfully.

 

[GOPerfect]

The LCP is just too small. I had one years ago, got it free from Ruger, did not like it at all.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

I honestly love my PPS because it's pretty adaptable to what I want to do.

With it's flush 6rd mag it's smaller than my hand and I can conceal it extremely easily with virtually no effort and won't even notice it. Just my personal opinion but I wouldn't want to go smaller than this.

But with the full 8rd mag the grip is then G19 size length for a full grip.

 

[Marine Cpl]

The LCP is just too small. I had one years ago, got it free from Ruger, did not like it at all.

That’s the whole reason why I like it. If it was smaller, I would like it even more.

 

[Airborneguy]

The LCP is just too small. I had one years ago, got it free from Ruger, did not like it at all.

With bigger hands I’m assuming most of these guns are too small. I have pretty average to small hands so the small 9mm’s in particular feel perfect. I’ve handled a few true pocket guns though and didn’t like how I had to grip them. I don’t like guns I can’t get all 4 fingers on solidly.

But my point it is that the 9mm ultra compacts now are so slightly larger than the .380’s that it seems like a poor tradeoff to lose capacity AND power.

 

[Marine Cpl]

With bigger hands I’m assuming most of these guns are too small. I have pretty average to small hands so the small 9mm’s in particular feel perfect. I’ve handled a few true pocket guns though and didn’t like how I had to grip them. I don’t like guns I can’t get all 4 fingers on solidly.

But my point it is that the 9mm ultra compacts now are so slightly larger than the .380’s that it seems like a poor tradeoff to lose capacity AND power.

Overall length is a big thing when carrying appendix and sitting for over 6 hours a day. It’s the difference between the barrel poking your junk or leg or not.

Everyone’s situation is different. Some cannot print at work or risk their shirt riding up or they will lose their jobs. As with everything, their are compromises.

To this day there are no 9mm’s with that overall length and width that these small .380’s have. A half inch can be the difference between comfort.

 

[Airborneguy]

Look at the picture I just posted. The Sig was actually about 1/4 shorter but it’s hard to see in the second picture. I’m sure there’s smaller .380’s than the LCP, but at least with this comparison, why choose the LCP over the 365? Less rounds and .380 compared to more rounds and 9mm.

 

[Marine Cpl]

Look at the picture I just posted. The Sig was actually about 1/4 shorter but it’s hard to see in the second picture. I’m sure there’s smaller .380’s than the LCP, but at least with this comparison, why choose the LCP over the 365? Less rounds and .380 compared to more rounds and 9mm.

That picture isn’t accurate. Look at this one. P365 on left. LCP in right.

 

[GOPerfect]

With bigger hands I’m assuming most of these guns are too small. I have pretty average to small hands so the small 9mm’s in particular feel perfect. I’ve handled a few true pocket guns though and didn’t like how I had to grip them. I don’t like guns I can’t get all 4 fingers on solidly.

But my point it is that the 9mm ultra compacts now are so slightly larger than the .380’s that it seems like a poor tradeoff to lose capacity AND power.

My XDS, with a flush mag is a tiny bit too short, once I insert the extended mag, the grip is perfect.

Not being able to hold a gun properly is a big issue.

 

[Edwardteach72]

That picture isn’t accurate. Look at this one. P365 on left. LCP in right.

View attachment 63878

Wait so @Airborneguy picture isnt accurate even though HE took it at HIS place using HIS 365 and a buddies LCP..??

 

[Marine Cpl]

Wait so @Airborneguy picture isnt accurate even though HE took it at HIS place using HIS 365 and a buddies LCP..??

Correct. I can say this because I actually touched them both side by side with my hands at the shop. Also if you look at the manufacturer’s specs, it says that it isn’t the same size.