Turtle Man
Active Member
- Mar 17, 2013
- 145
I'm trying to decide between the Kel Tec P3AT and the Ruger LCP. Any opinions? I already own a P11 and have nothing but good things to say about it.
.380 Opinions
- Thread starter Turtle Man
- Start date
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hairba111
XGMG2
Take a look at SIG's P238. I've got one and it's a neat little banger, like a miniature 1911. It's actually a copy of Colt's Mustang. Most of the parts interchange.
ProShooter
Ultimate Member
.380 is a "bare minimum" caliber for self-defense. A 9mm would be better. The LCP is a "bad breath" distance gun with a terrible trigger. If you have your heart set on a .380, check out a Bersa.
hairba111
XGMG2
The 380 can be comparable to the 9mm if you get Buffalo Bore 380+P in hardcast 100 grain.
Anyway you look at it, I personally wouldn't stand in front of one, a twenty-two can kill too.
Anyway you look at it, I personally wouldn't stand in front of one, a twenty-two can kill too.
...
Ultimate Member
get a 9mm.
.380 is useless unless you want a historic one or something.
Get a S&W shield in 9mm, trust me.
Beretta nano is ok, but I think that the S&W shield is the best pocket gun out there, that or KAHR.
I did buy an LCP and have a lot of small handguns. The subcompacts (XDs, glock 26) are just a little too big. single stacks just feel better and S&W is the best in this dept.
RoadDawg
Nos nostraque Deo
- Dec 6, 2010
- 94,358
To answer your question... In comparison the two both are nearly identical twins and the difference in features are few. The LCP has a lock back and the P3AT does not. Personally, I prefer the LCP over the P3AT in the looks department. And the Ruger company is top notch in customer support.
In the end either will do the job of up close and personal defense. Hornady Critical Defense ammo is a good round for these pocket pieces. And there are others that are much hotter that are also good for the job.
Go with what ever your taste and wallet tells you. Either will be a good "eye, ear, nose and throat" piece.
You're not going to win any long shot competitions with either but that isn't what they are made for anyway. These are great for concealment and come as quite a surprise to anyone who did not expect it to be there when you needed it.
This is my niche. Just based on what you said I'd go with LCP, although p3at is ok now too; these are nearly identical guns.
What's your intended purpose for it, how often do you plan to train and how adverse to recoil are you? Much mouse gun experience?
I generally recommend a slightly larger single stack 9mm in this category, like Kahr, Nano, m&p shield, there's a bunch now.
Tiny guns are easy to carry, hard to shoot.
Biggfoot44
Ultimate Member
- Aug 2, 2009
- 33,108
If you already have a P11 , you DON'T need a .380.
- Nov 2, 2009
- 5,001
Love my Bersa. yes, I have a S & W M&P 9mm, so I don't "need" a .380, but I didn't "need" the M&P either!
BUFF7MM
☠Buff➐㎣☠
I've got a Sig P238 SAS and it's a great little shooter and easily concealable, I'd rather carry my Springfield micro compact 45ACP for stopping power, but the little 380 is better than carrying a rock.
Mr H
Banana'd
browning guy
SCRUFFY NERF HERDER
pablo
Backpfeifengesicht
This. P238 is a great piece. Mine came with a decent holster. Slap the Hogue grips on it w/finger grooves.
I have the Ruger LCP with the Lasermax Laser and even with my shaky hands, I can hit a bulls-eye at 75 ft at On Target.
With that said, it is not a fun gun to shoot. The trigger is way too long for plinking or fun target shooting and the gun is way too light to shoot more than a 100 rounds or so without beating up your hand.
The Lasermax Laser is the best I've seen on a small gun. Your index finger slides across it (ambidextrous) to put it on as you pull it from your holster. The gun itself fits easily in your pocket (with a holster to hide print through) and weighs about the same as a good sized wallet.
Hornady and Buffalo Bore make good ammo for .380 ACP and that's what I have loaded. A couple 90Gr Hornady Critical Defense loads with the rest as Buffalo Bore 100Gr +P FN hardcast.
Just remember, a .380 in your pocket is always better than a .45 a block away in your car.
With that said, it is not a fun gun to shoot. The trigger is way too long for plinking or fun target shooting and the gun is way too light to shoot more than a 100 rounds or so without beating up your hand.
The Lasermax Laser is the best I've seen on a small gun. Your index finger slides across it (ambidextrous) to put it on as you pull it from your holster. The gun itself fits easily in your pocket (with a holster to hide print through) and weighs about the same as a good sized wallet.
Hornady and Buffalo Bore make good ammo for .380 ACP and that's what I have loaded. A couple 90Gr Hornady Critical Defense loads with the rest as Buffalo Bore 100Gr +P FN hardcast.
Just remember, a .380 in your pocket is always better than a .45 a block away in your car.
Half-cocked
Senior Meatbag
- Mar 14, 2006
- 23,937
SmokingGun
Ultimate Member
Have you considered a Ruger LC380?
Mooseman
R.I.P.- Hooligan #4
I have an LCP. It is a great pistol for what it was made for.
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