I'll give the nod to the P3AT since I have one. Ugly as hell, but it works. Plus didn't the Ruger just have a recall? I carry it pocket, IWB, and by the belt clip depending how I am dressed. Note: this is not my primary CCW gun, but only on me when clothing dictates the smaller gun or ultra-concealed is required.

Well HG, I had to vote for the shovel. In my opinion you and your ability to lift heavy things can do as much if not more damage with a shovel.

I am also a fairly big fella and find IWB preferable to pocket carry. I don't carry a large gun but the M&P40 is more than adequate for SD work and I find it comfortable enough to carry from morning till night.

Good luck and stay safe.

P3AT. Mine works great, and unlike an LCP, it won't shoot me if I drop it.

I'm new to handgun ownership and I have not tried very many guns. At this point I am happy with my choices of an XDM .40 and a Sig P232 .380.
You may want to consider the P232 or the older P230.

Big Kel_Tec fan here... Just posted a thread on how to carry your Kel_Tec P-3AT

Been carrying my Kel-Tec P3AT for 3 months now. Don't know it is there.

Do recommend frequent cleaning, especially if your pocket holster is open ended. I wear jeans and seem to have a lot of lint in the pockets and therefor in the muzzle.

Something wrong with a Bersa .380 CC?

Originally Posted by Mike Barham

and unlike an LCP, it won't shoot me if I drop it.

Man... that's cold.


PhilR.

It's interesting that you have found the two .380's to be close in price. Where I'm at, there is about an $80-$90 difference (average $259 vs. $349).

If price is essentially equal, then I would go with the Ruger once they have ironed out the bugs. I don't hold their recall against them, and in fact I'm glad to see them taking responsibility for their mistake. The LCP just plain looks nicer than the KT, which alone is good enough for me.

OTOH, there is a substantial price difference here, and for that reason I would get the P3AT. Mine was purchased last year, so I didn't have the choice, but I would not ever consider selling the KT in order to "upgrade" to an LCP. My KT has been 100% reliable and surprisingly accurate, and it serves as my summer rural carry (I carry a 9mm when I go to the larger cities).

PhilR.

Thanks 4 the fasr esponses.
Here in Ohio the Ruger is priced at 329 and the Keltec 289, but the Rugers on sale for 299 right now.
Yea at 350lbs, My weight and holsters are a big PITA. LOL HG

Originally Posted by hemmigremmie

Yea at 350lbs, My weight and holsters are a big PITA. LOL HG

Have you tried OWB holsters? What holster do you use? Belt?

-Jeff-

I have one but I'm not a big fan of them. I bought a Bersa Thunder a while back but like every 380 I've had so far I grew to dislike the little thing. I'd like to see a 380 made that was a little bigger than the pocket gun size ones I've seen so far. I'd rather have a 380 than say a 25 acp but if I could have a 9mm or bigger I'd sure go that way. I seem to becoming a big 40 fan. the last new guns I've got were both 40's


As to what one is best out of the ones listed..I can't say. I've not owned any of those. Many people I know that actually carry one seem to like the P3AT best. From what I've read about the P3AT it sounds like a better built pistol than the LCP..At least on paper.

Since I've had bad luck with Keltecs, I guess I'd have to get the Ruger.

Hemmigremmie, I, too am "waistline challenged" (325 lbs) I found that a small gun, in a cheap cloth holster fits in, and is pretty stable in the watch pocket of my jeans. Either the FEG, or the Beretta 84 just have the grip sticking out. My Pocket "T" shirt covers it up. .....And they are easier to draw than when IWB.

Originally Posted by hemmigremmie

Yea at 350lbs, My weight and holsters are a big PITA. LOL HG

Just some food for thought here. It sounds to me like you just haven't found the right holster yet. A good holster, and belt, will make the world of difference. Also remember that if you carry IWB, you need to wear pants a couple inches bigger in the waist than you normally would to accommodate for the gun. I good holster, belt, and some new pants may be a cheaper investment than buying a new gun and will allow you to still carry your .45, which IMHO, is preferable to a .380.

Originally Posted by IndyRob

Something wrong with a Bersa .380 CC?

As 380s go they seem alright to me

I voted "beat with a shovel" because I don't know anything about the Ruger's performance. I have a KT P3-AT, and I hated it for a long time. It was jamomatic for over 400 rounds! Now, it is 100% reliable with powerful self-defense rounds, but it still occasionally gags on normal (read: cheap) hardball range ammo. Of course, neither of these guns are the kind you shoot much, so once you're satisfied it's reliable with your ammo, I recommended against messing with a good thing.

Personally, if you've got the bucks, I'd suggest bypassing an ultra-small .380 and look at either a Walther PPS or a Kahr PM9. They're just a bit bigger and heavier, but they'll shoot +P 9mm loads. Gives you a LOT more bang for protecting your # 1 asset.

Originally Posted by hemmigremmie

Thanks 4 the fasr esponses.
Here in Ohio the Ruger is priced at 329 and the Keltec 289, but the Rugers on sale for 299 right now.
Yea at 350lbs, My weight and holsters are a big PITA. LOL HG

With a winter coat on you should be able to carry a 500 Smith

Originally Posted by oak1971

With a winter coat on you should be able to carry a 500 Smith

The thought of a winter coat makes me swat. LOL

If I can get a good holster then Id love keeping the 45 to carry, but Im afraid to go broke trying holsters. Thought about stitching my jeans pocket so the gun will just fit in them were the handle just sticks out??? Think that might work?? HG

Originally Posted by drummin man 627

Hemmigremmie, I, too am "waistline challenged" (325 lbs) I found that a small gun, in a cheap cloth holster fits in, and is pretty stable in the watch pocket of my jeans. Either the FEG, or the Beretta 84 just have the grip sticking out. My Pocket "T" shirt covers it up. .....And they are easier to draw than when IWB.

Thats what Im lookin at gettin. What kind of holster is it? Hg

Originally Posted by hemmigremmie

The thought of a winter coat makes me swat. LOL

If I can get a good holster then Id love keeping the 45 to carry, but Im afraid to go broke trying holsters. Thought about stitching my jeans pocket so the gun will just fit in them were the handle just sticks out??? Think that might work?? HG

off topic but do you own a Gremlin with a Hemi in it?

Originally Posted by hemmigremmie

If I can get a good holster then Id love keeping the 45 to carry, but Im afraid to go broke trying holsters.

If you can afford a P3AT or LCP, then you wouldn't go broke trying a few holsters. Besides that, when they're hardly used, most have a decent resale value (atleast most that would be worth trying).

Also, you didn't really answer any of the questions that were asked of you.

-Jeff-

Check out a Beretta 84FS or Walther PPK/S - both are great .380's.

Having said that, there are many subcompact 9mm's available now which are very diminuative.

And the 9mm is a much better caliber.

Good luck.

Will

My 70 year old mom just bought a LCP. We picked it up tuesday, went to the range to make sure it funtioned well and found out friday they were recalled. Ruger does not have the fix yet so it was wait and see till they send her the notice in the mail. She bought it for her annual trip to Florida and was worried she would be without. Thanks to my local shop Jalensky's, they took it back for full credit, pulled the rest off the shelf And sold her a like new Sig 232 two tone with night sights for 100 bucks more. That is one sweet little machine. Great trigger, smooth action and the slide glides like it is on ball bearings. If you still want a poly, go with the Kel tech.