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[peligroperez]

I was thinking of purchasing a RUGER LCP, first it’s in my budget and it really easy to carry, but I hear bad things about the .380ACP.
Do I really need a high caliper gun or something small that I can surprise someone with? Or do I need something bulky that’s powerful? I just think that if you are face with a life or death situation where someone is pointing a gun at you then it’s better to cooperate than to pull out you gun. Now if you have a small gun concealed and the person threatening you is distracted then you might have a chance to pull it out and shoot first. Where if you are carrying a big gun the person might notice the gun and go off on you.
This would be my first gun, I just want some opinions on the 380ACP. Is it powerful or crap?

[fedmanshooter]

If this is one of the only options because of budget then my opinion is having something is better than having nothing. Not putting down the LCP, I have one and I carry it as a backup quite a bit and I like it but I carry the XDM 3.8 in 9 and 45 as my primary. As I said I have the LCP and and not unhappy with it but I prefer the larger because it is easier to shoot, keep on target, and is not hard to wear as I have it in a cbst. Just my opinion but if it were me I would save a little more and get the larger, especially as my first/main carry. You can also pick up a nice used carry piece for around what the LCP cost. Hope this helps. Good luck.

[sbrader]

Here we go with the caliber wars again! I carry a 9mm because it's the handgun I shoot most accurately and can get off second (and third) shots accurately and quickly. Is it less powerful than a .40 or .45? Of course, but I don't shoot either of those as well as I shoot my XD9sc. I want to carry the firearm that I am most comfortable with and that I practice the most with.

[lharrell79]

You can conceal a bigger gun just as easy as you can conceal an LCP. If you conceal the weapon properly, then no BG will be able to tell you're carrying.

As for the caliber, I agree with the others. If this is your 1st gun, get something that is more of a functional gun. If you want to stay cheap, look at the Ruger P95 9mm.

Ruger P95 9mm Pistol 15 Rd 3.9 Barrel Black Polymer

It's a very good starting platform, and only costs about 20 bucks more than an LCP. Plus 9mm is cheaper than 380. 9mm is ballistically superior to 380. P95 holds twice the ammo. You'd have a good home defense weapon. The list goes on.

Get whatever makes you happy, but in my opinion, the LCP would make a terrible first handgun.

[Cuda66]

.380 is pretty much the absolute minimum you want to consider for carry, and pretty much requires using an FMJ round in order to get proper penetration.

The LCP has the drawback of being a very small pistol, and not much fun to practice with. Not much fun to practice with means that most people won't practice with it enough to be capable with it should they need it.

When it comes to drawing, a lot of people like to pocket carry these little pistols...and I have yet to see anyone draw out of a pocket faster than I can draw out of an IWB holster, all things being equal.

Personally, I'd look for something slightly larger in a more capable caliber; say, a Kel-Tec PF-9 or a Ruger LC9 should both be in your price range.

Or, if you want to say small...get yourself a good .38 snub. It still has a few of the drawbacks of the small pistols--not a ton of fun to shoot (but better, imho, than a little .380...). S&W 442/642's can be found used for the mid-300 range, or look for an older Model 36... slightly heavier being all steel, but the older guns have MUCH nicer triggers.

But, I would agree with the above--with a little effort, a good holster and a good belt, you can conceal a larger, more capable handgun with ease--say, a Glock 26 or a Officer's Model -style 1911...

[peligroperez]

I will look into the LC9, What you guys think about the LC9.

[Cuda66]

I've shot a couple.

It's OK. Accurate, the trigger leaves quite a bit to be desired, lightweight but controllable, decent sights. The ones I've shot never had any issues.

Personally, for the size and capacity, I'd rather carry a single-stack, compact 1911 in .45.

[XD5.25Shooter]

38 Special or 380 ACP

[LCFD#22]

The LC9 - shot one magazine out of one once. Was thinking about buying one. After that one mag I'm buying a S&W Shield. I think Cuda was understating the trigger. That's the one thing I didn't like & I disliked it enough to drop it from consideration.

[Keltyke]

No one wants to get shot with anything, and modern .380 ACP is nothing to sneeze at. Not always, but many times, the mere presentation of a gun by a determined citizen will frighten the BG off. ANYTHING that interrupts the scenario he's thought out in his mind will often abort his (insert crime of your choice here).

The "best" gun is the one YOU like, not anyone else. It will be a compromise of:

1. Fit - It should fit in your hand like you were born with it there.
2. Reliability - It should go BANG about 99.8% of the time you pull the trigger.
3. Accuracy - In YOUR hand. It's how well YOU shoot it.
4. Concealability - It should be comfortable enough to wear and easy enough to conceal so you won't leave it laying on the dresser at home.
5. Cost - You don't want to scrimp on your "life protector" weapon, but you probably don't need a $1,000 Kimber, either.
6. Enjoyment - The caliber and gun should be fun to shoot. If it isn't, you won't practice with it like you should.