I don't know what your budget is but I'll give you a short list of QUALITY handguns that I would rely my life on.

1. SIG 232. A little expensive compared to others but it is quality.
2. CZ 83. Another quality gun. Thicker grip due to higher capacity mag.
3. Beretta 84/85. Great guns! The 84 is thinner(8 rnds), 85 has a thicker grip(13 rnds).
4. Browning BDA. Another very good choice. Vertually a Beretta 85 made for Browning.
5. A Makarov. It comes in .380 or 9mm Mak. It too is a quality weapon. Just another one to consider.

I'm sure others will have more to select from but this is my list of ones I have owned and would consider quality handguns for CCW in the .380 range.

Edited to add: Mauser Hsc and Walther P-series. There are FEG's and Bersa's but I would stick with the better quality guns to defend your life!

If you can find one anything from the Colt 380 family would be great..The Pony or a Mustang are my choice to carry..Both are small and thin but fire from a locked breech just like their big brothers,the Govt model and Gold Cup..
This feature makes recoil more managable and a lighter recoil spring for easier racking..The only problem is that they are getting rather pricey if you can find one..

Yes, the Colts are nice, but are no longer made, and are procey.

The problem w/ the 380 round - unless U buy a small one like a Keltec (which is great for a pocket gun), many of the 380s are the same size or larger than the compact 9mms. And, most 380s are blow back design - meaning the have just as much recoil (or more) than a 9mm.

The Keltec is NOT a plinker - a fun 380 to go shoot at the range. But it does make a good CCW weapon - what are your plans for the gun.

Also, have U looked at the price of 380 ammo? 9mm is much cheaper.

I will be getting the Kel-Tec P3-AT for my carry. I've researched this a lot and have decided that that is the best gun for me for deep concealment.

I think you would be better off throwing a snowball. I would only use a 380 as a back up not a primary. OK I'm ready for it Scooter.

Originally Posted by pap1105

i am looking for advise for .380 as a concealed carry weapon. i want it thin and reliable.

Try a Kel-Tec 3AT as it is the perfect pocket gun. I have one with me where ever I go. It's made to be used up close and personal. A 100 rounds at the range would be painful. All other .380s are large and heavy compared to the 3AT. Good luck.

I think as far as thin and reliable, nothing would beat the Sig 232. It's actually a pocket gun, depending on your pockets. It's lighter than the Walther PPK, and Sig-reliable. The blued version is much lighter than the stainless. I have shot a Kel-Tec, and it handles the round very nicely, as well as being a better pocket gun than the Sig.

Ignore those who are dissing the 380. I promise they wouldn't want to take a bullet from one. But try not to shoot at any elephants with it.

My carry 9mm kurz chambered gun is the Walther PPK/S.

I also have the Kel-Tec product, but do not like the lack of a slide lock. I'm not keen on having to use it and finding myself hearing that ominous "click" when I probably need it most!! The .380acp is a low power round, at best, and I will probably need more than one shot to stop an attack!! This fact necessitates the use of spare magazines in a multiple attacker situation, which has become more of the norm, nowadays. Thus, my P3AT is constrained to be my computer desk drawer gun, being slipped into my pocket when I go outside to smoke. For carry, I use the Walther.

Actually, more often than not, I try to carry something in at least 9mm Parabellum, such as my Kahr MK9. The MK9 is every bit as compact as most .380s and chambers a better cartridge!!

You can see from the enclosed pictures that the MK9 is quite small, but is designed to fire full house 9mm +P+ rounds. Justin Moon designed the gun to handle the pressures of 115gr +P+ 9mm ammo loaded to 1300fps!!



Here is the PPK/S for comparison.



The two pistols have identical ammunition capacities (with the optional 7 round Kahr mag) and are similarly sized. The difference is in the more powerful round!!

Originally Posted by Spenser

I think as far as thin and reliable, nothing would beat the Sig 232. It's actually a pocket gun, depending on your pockets. It's lighter than the Walther PPK, and Sig-reliable. The blued version is much lighter than the stainless. I have shot a Kel-Tec, and it handles the round very nicely, as well as being a better pocket gun than the Sig.

Ignore those who are dissing the 380. I promise they wouldn't want to take a bullet from one. But try not to shoot at any elephants with it.

The Sig is a very nice 380. And, I don't knock the 380 round. I had a Colt Pony in the 1990s that was 380. But, U can find 9mms that are the size of that Sig.

PPKs. Walther PPKs.

Why not just go for a 9mm? The guns are usually around the same size and you will have more options to pick from. 9 costs less than .380 and IMO it is a nicer round to shoot. The .380 seems to have a little snap to it.

Yes, unless U have a specific model of 380 you just like, get a compact 9.

I already had several 9mms at the time, but prev, I cam close to buying a Beretta Cheetah and a Sig 232 - just because I liked the guns themselves. If you have no preference, check out the Glock 26, Karh, XD compact, Walther P99 compact, S&W M&P compact, etc.

So which compact 9mm come in single stack? I'm looking more at thickness than over all size for IWB.

Single stack - I think only the Kahr does. Maybe the Chief's Special from S&W as well.

I've read a lot of complaints receintly about the polymer Kahrs on many different websites. If you are gonna go with a Kahr, I'd get the all metal one.

Originally Posted by milquetoast

PPKs. Walther PPKs.

Originally Posted by tnoisaw

So which compact 9mm come in single stack? I'm looking more at thickness than over all size for IWB.

I'm pretty sure the 3913 and 908 series are single-stack:
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...AL&isFirearm=Y

There's also the CS9(Chief's Special 9mm):
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...-1&isFirearm=Y

My 39-2 is a single-stack. It's no compact but it's slim.

Originally Posted by Revolver

I'm pretty sure the 3913 and 908 series are single-stack:
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...AL&isFirearm=Y

There's also the CS9(Chief's Special 9mm):
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...-1&isFirearm=Y

My 39-2 is a single-stack. It's no compact but it's slim.

I had the S&W Model CS9 Pistol years ago and remember it as being one of the best shooting guns. The only problem was the capacity.

In 380 Kel Tec ,PPK/S and Colt Mustang Bersa also.
Now in 9mm my 3913 S&W is almost exact size my Bersa. Its a single stack 9mm rounds 8+1 approx 4oz more weight. I pocket carry but better IWB.
I like 380 and the KT can't be beat for pocket. Mine over 500 trouble free rounds But not for 100 round or more range shooting. It a close up SD pistol and a shoot some at range gun. As for more than 1 attacker I don't think many will stick around when their buddy takes a couple . No one really want shot not even so call BG's

I personally would go with a Mak.


Got Mak?

My ears are burnin', is someone talking about me in here??

Here is a picture of one of the best. It's a Colt Government .380. They are the best shooting .380 there is IMHO. They don't make them anymore but they do show up at gun shows every now and then. This is my wifes gun and she is dead on with this one.

Colt Government Mark IV .380

Originally Posted by spacedoggy

I think you would be better off throwing a snowball. I would only use a 380 as a back up not a primary. OK I'm ready for it Scooter.

Sorry but the snowball idea didn’t work. I made a holster for it but had to stay outside because it kept melting when I came inside. Darn! Back to the drawing board.

Originally Posted by scooter

My ears are burnin', is someone talking about me in here??

Ya I was putting your .380 down and I was ready for you to put me in my place.

Originally Posted by spacedoggy

Ya I was putting your .380 down and I was ready for you to put me in my place.

Best response I could make is see the post just before your last one
ANY caliber is better than your fists (or a snowball).Hmmmmmmm bringin' snowballs to a gunfight?????)