.380 Semi Autos

[E150GT]

I own two .380's. One is a P238 and one is a TCP.
They both cannot go 100 rounds without a jam or failure to fire. I have cleaned and cleaned and lubed and lubed but it does not make a difference. I still carry them hoping that in the event that I ever need it my cor bon rounds will not jam or fail to fire.

[SpringerFan]

385 rounds in my LCP, 5 different types of ammo, intentional limp-wristing and zero malfunctions.

[RPB]

I've had lots of .380s, but will list what I currently have access to:

Absolutely no trouble EVER:
Taurus PT-58 S (based on PT-92/99 and almost any Beretta based on same design)

Also Trouble free, but slide-bites:
Walther PPK/S by Interarms instead of S&W

Works well after break-in and selecting proper ammo:
Diamondback DB380

Not much trouble, but hard to clean
L.W. Seecamp
AMT/OMT Backup S/A (discontinued, and some were full of problems, others worked like a dream)
AMT/OMT Backup D/A

Jamamatics:
Anything that says DAVIS

[Excaliber]

I own two .380's. One is a P238 and one is a TCP.
They both cannot go 100 rounds without a jam or failure to fire. I have cleaned and cleaned and lubed and lubed but it does not make a difference. I still carry them hoping that in the event that I ever need it my cor bon rounds will not jam or fail to fire.

Let's examine this thought process for a moment:

Would you drive your car with a known intermittent brake failure in the hope that it wouldn't occur during an emergency stop?

Would you consider an automated external defibrillator with an intermittent battery connection OK for deployment during a life threatening emergency?

Hope isn't much of a plan.

If carrying a marginally powered .380 that only works some of the time still makes sense to you, you might want to consider carrying a BUB - a backup brick. That way you'll always have something that works.

I say that only to make the situation stark enough to portray the real picture.

A far better option would be to sell both of those paperweights and buy a gun that goes bang every time.

[WildBill]

Sphinx AT-380 is the best .380ACP that I have ever fired.
Pros: Perfectly reliable, excellent machining and finish, stainless steel slide and frame, handles any ammo, high capacity 10(+1), good trigger, accurate, slide lock, low recoil, easy to take down and clean
Cons: Hard to find, heavy 25oz., no factory holsters available

[E150GT]

I own two .380's. One is a P238 and one is a TCP.
They both cannot go 100 rounds without a jam or failure to fire. I have cleaned and cleaned and lubed and lubed but it does not make a difference. I still carry them hoping that in the event that I ever need it my cor bon rounds will not jam or fail to fire.

Let's examine this thought process for a moment:

Would you drive your car with a known intermittent brake failure in the hope that it wouldn't occur during an emergency stop?

Would you consider an automated external defibrillator with an intermittent battery connection OK for deployment during a life threatening emergency?

Hope isn't much of a plan.

If carrying a marginally powered .380 that only works some of the time still makes sense to you, you might want to consider carrying a BUB - a backup brick. That way you'll always have something that works.

I say that only to make the situation stark enough to portray the real picture.

A far better option would be to sell both of those paperweights and buy a gun that goes bang every time.

Yeah I see what you're saying. Its just hard to part with em cause I know I cant get what I paid for them. ($800 total) and they I like small pocket pistols. I have been eyeing a LCR or a Bersa thunder but the LCR is expensive and the Bersa is large. I carry the glock on the weekends cause I cant carry at work, so the pocket pistols stay my week duty weapons as they are easy to slip in the back pocket.

[Excaliber]

I own two .380's. One is a P238 and one is a TCP.
They both cannot go 100 rounds without a jam or failure to fire. I have cleaned and cleaned and lubed and lubed but it does not make a difference. I still carry them hoping that in the event that I ever need it my cor bon rounds will not jam or fail to fire.

Let's examine this thought process for a moment:

Would you drive your car with a known intermittent brake failure in the hope that it wouldn't occur during an emergency stop?

Would you consider an automated external defibrillator with an intermittent battery connection OK for deployment during a life threatening emergency?

Hope isn't much of a plan.

If carrying a marginally powered .380 that only works some of the time still makes sense to you, you might want to consider carrying a BUB - a backup brick. That way you'll always have something that works.

I say that only to make the situation stark enough to portray the real picture.

A far better option would be to sell both of those paperweights and buy a gun that goes bang every time.

Yeah I see what you're saying. Its just hard to part with em cause I know I cant get what I paid for them. ($800 total) and they I like small pocket pistols. I have been eyeing a LCR or a Bersa thunder but the LCR is expensive and the Bersa is large. I carry the glock on the weekends cause I cant carry at work, so the pocket pistols stay my week duty weapons as they are easy to slip in the back pocket.

I feel your pain on the trade in values. However, getting one good gun that works all the time out of two that don't is still not a bad deal if you keep in mind the nature of the reason you carry it at all.

You might also want to take a look at a pocket 9mm like the Kahr PM9. With the right pocket holster, it disappears in a deep, slightly loose front pocket like those found in Cabelas hiking shorts or pleated or cargo style pants. It can also be easily hidden in a tuckable holster like the Crossbreed MiniTuck. You'll be astonished and pleased at how well these small, thin, lightweight guns can be made to virtually disappear with just a little attention to holster, positioning and clothing choices.

[sapper740]

My Bersa Thunderer digests all brands of ammo well except for Blazer ammo. This may be in part to a couple of things; I've less than 300 rounds through it and the slide/receiver contact is still slightly "gritty" from machining imperfections, even with sufficient Gunslick. That, and the lesser perceived recoil from what I consider the light loading of some Blazer ammo may not be forcing the slide all the way to the rear.

Derek.

[Matt78665]

Same story........Ruger LCP with 200 plus rounds and no jams

[Fire1141]

Agree. The lcp is a dependable gun. Wife and I both have 1 and never a problem. IMO, terrible to take to the range, the trigger eats up my finger. But have and will carry when I'm not able to carry one of my other two favorites.

[ironsights]

Kahr P380 hands down, they still take some time on your part to break in though, thier picky so you gotta work em out, but the sig is just crud. get a smith airwieght if its not the Kahr. only problem with my Kahr is failing to feed gold dot, jut does not like them witch is bad cause im a fan, my Glockloves em!

[gigag04]

Kahr P380 hands down, they still take some time on your part to break in though, thier picky so you gotta work em out, but the sig is just crud. get a smith airwieght if its not the Kahr. only problem with my Kahr is failing to feed gold dot, jut does not like them witch is bad cause im a fan, my Glockloves em!

Might send yours in. Mines never had a malfunction in over 1k rounds, even with gold dots down through monarch.

I'm thinking about a torture test of sorts with pics and a review.

[ironsights]

I did send it back but i have not had a chance to put any gold dots through it yet! hopefully soon!

[NcongruNt]

I've never experienced a failure of any type with my Ruger LCP.

I used to be able to say that. Then I bought some Herter's from Cabelas, and it had all sorts of feeding problems.

Aside from junk ammo, I've never had problems. I've not found my LCP to be picky on ammo otherwise. That's what I get for buying the only available range stuff when the shortage was on. I stay away from Herter's for any caliber now.