BEST 9mm/ .380 compact pistols.
 

I noticed that in the last few years a lot of VERY small .380 /9mm pistols came out on the market.



I am thinking about buying one for DEEP concealment and/or off duty pocket pistol.

What are some of the best ones to look at? (price in not a consideration )

I personally own and carry a Springfield XD-S 9mm. The accuracy is excellent and the conceal-ability of the gun is good. The recoil is very minimal for follow-up shots and it can pass on pocket carry with the appropriate clothing.

I carry the XD-S off duty either with the factory supplied holster or the De-Santis Pocket Holster. I have the G-Code HSP Holster on order for appendix carry. The XD-S is an overall good gun for off-duty carry in 9mm for the capacity and overall conceal-ability.

I like the Ruger LCP and it looks to be perfect for pocket carry.

I have the XDS 45, it's the exact same size, etc as the XDS 9, however the 9 is 2 oz. heavier. I was looking for strictly off duty carry and concealability when I purchased and really like what I bought, the 9 wasn't available when I purchased.
That being said, I also looked hard at the S&W Shield, which is similar in size, but less pricey.
IMO, do yourself a favor and look at terminal ballistics on .380 vs other calibers. That way you make an informed decision...
I am not sure how to post a PDF file for those to see...if anyone can help me out, I will post a new study on ammo, by Gary Roberts, dated 3/01/2013 that I am sure many have already seen

Been looking high and low for a good sub-compact pistol in 9mm. Thought maybe the Beretta Nano, Ruger LCP 9 or Sig 232 would be the ticket, NO on all of those.

I have a Springfield XDs on order and like the poster above, it's gonna fit the bill perfect. I love my full sized XDm in 9mm so the whole platform works for me. Took a long time to find a pistol that fits my hand. Add in the Springfield just looks good as well.

Bodyguard 380 vs LCP 380
 

Bodyguard 380 vs LCP 380:

Both are very similar in size and DAO.
LCP has no slide lock, mag disconnect, and fixed sights on the slide (if you even consider them sights). Slightly more snag resistant w/o the sights.

BG380 has slide lock back after last round, no mag disconnect, and adjustable/replaceable sights. Has a built-in laser which is pretty useless for they type of gun. Has manual safety unless you end up getting the LAPD version.

BG380 is the winner, IMO, because the slide locks open on empty and no mag disconnect.

Thank You everyone for Your input.

What would be You pick for mini 9mm with reliability as a number ONE consideration?

I have a Kahr pm9 and Shield. Both are great and the pm9 is not that much bigger than my LCP but the pm9 is a full 9mm

I've been in your shoes for awhile, and for what it is worth I'm going to pick up a Nano. I have several friends who carry/use them and they still trust them a year or more later since they first bought them.

+1 on the Kahr

I've had the BG380 and LCP. Great little guns but I wanted something with a little more punch. I ended up getting the Kahr PM9. One of the smallest and lightest 9mm you can buy. I carry it with +P+ Black Talon 9mm. The SS match barrel can handle the BT round. The BT round has the same among of recoil as a .40 cal out of a G27.

I like my BG 380. Good gun

I love my Glock 26 as my back up gun. Once I got used to it fits really well in in my left boot with a ankle hostler. Took a while to get used to it there. I carry a large capacity magazine for the Glock in my pocket, in case I ever need it.

Also because of the location in my ankle hostler it has been sometimes easier to draw well sitting in a patrol car then my duty weapon is, so I have pulled it a lot over the years

I passed on a Glock 26 as a CCW pistol. I sold it and very happy with my ordered Springfield XDs.

I'm a retired LEO. I currently carry a .380 a S&W Bodyguard .380. I've fired about 100 rds through it and its been reliable. Not a single malfunction. Lt Wt and easy for pocket carry.
To be honest the S&W .380 is pretty decent for the price. I like the laser. I hope the laser would be a deterrent if I had to point it at a suspect (time permitting of course).

My other choice was a Sig P238, but my son (also LEO) took it back. Dang kid.....

My pocket 9mm is the Sig P938. Reliable as well.

I have tried the various "J" frame revolvers and they are just too bulky for me.

I wear shorts most of the time and find pocket carry is the easiest for me. I carry 95 grain ball ammo in the .380. I just don't think the .380 has the umph to warrant a JHP. I carry 147 JHP in the 9mm.

I recommend the Smith and Wesson BodyGuard .380. Very narrow and easy to carry. Safety, Slide Lock and Laser, sleek and light. You won't regret it.

Kelt-tec p-11. 10+1, compact and easy to carry. It is my off duty go everywhere gun. I am not a big guy and easily carry this while wearing shorts.

S&W M&P Shield would be a good choice, also.

Khar Cm9.

I'd take a look at the H&K P2000 SK.

S&W 908 or 3913. Single stack 8 rounds. Metal frame and slide. Shoots great and eats anything I put in it.

I would choose a Glock,, hard to beat the price, reliability and accuracy. I carry the 19 off duty, but you can go smaller with the 26.

Like oddjob I'd recommend the Sig P938. It's the gun I carry when I don't feel like carrying a gun. It's so nice having something I can carry in gym shorts

I bought a kahr arms p380 and have had many issues with it. I just sent it back to kahr. It seems these guns are hit or miss out of the box, but kahr fixes the issue. I wish I had checked out the pm9 instead.

I like the KelTec PF9 - Once you get used to the loooooooong trigger its a great light sidearm.....

Sig P232 with stainless slide and alloy frame - it's the gun I carry when I don't feel like carrying. I like the size of the PPK, but it's too heavy for my taste. My Ultra Raptor is also very nice to carry and packs 8 rds of 45!

The new Beretta Pico looks very promising. I'd like to get my hands on one to compare side-by-side with the BG380
http://www.berettausa.com/pico/

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Tagged

I'm on a Kahr kick right now.
CM or CW. If I had less household overhead I'd be looking at the PM.
I have always carried a revolver, so this is new. One friend has had carried an LCP since they came out, and he's just replaced it with a CM40. I put almost 100 rounds through that and it's a nice, but snappy little pistol. I went CW9 because my hands are big.

I have the BG380 w/o safety. I like it. It conceales well and once you get the laser dialed in, its pretty darn good for up to about 20 yards.

My choices ...

In .380 the Sig P238

In 9mm the M&P Shield