Choosing the right 380 pistol for concealed carry and home defense could be daunting with the many options, models, and features available in 2023.
Each 380 pistol offers unique features, benefits, and advantages, making it challenging to figure out which one is a perfect fit.
There are many factors to consider, from size to capacity to budget and more.
To help make this process easier, below are the 7 Best 380 Pistols For 2023.
Each of these 380 pistols has been carefully selected based on their performance, quality, and value to ensure you get the most bang for your buck.
Whether you are considering buying your first handgun or are a concealed carry aficionado, you will find what you are looking for.
Read on to find the 7 Best 380 Pistols For 2023.
#1. Glock 42 .380 ACP Pistol
- Barrel Length: 3.25”
- Overall Length: 5.94”
- Weight: 13.76 oz
- Capacity: 6
The Glock 42 .380 ACP Pistol is a reliable handgun, providing consistent performance that law enforcement trusts in a subcompact frame.
With its 5.94” overall length, 13.76 oz design, and slimline engineering, it is Glock’s smallest handgun they have ever created, providing you with the performance Glock is known for that can easily fit in your pocket or purse.
It has a reliable 6-round capacity single-stack design that provides enough ammunition for home defense or concealed carry.
The Glock 42 has an excellent balance of size and function with its ultra-compact design that is still large enough to have excellent control of your weapon.
It also has aggressive texturing on the grip to provide enhanced control.
Another benefit of owning a Glock is its aftermarket compatibility, which allows you to easily customize your weapon to enhance performance with a custom fit and features.
Its slick, minimalist design also provides a smooth, no-snag draw for rapid engagements.
Shooters who want a .380 ACP pistol that is reliable, accurate, and compact should look no further than the Glock 42 .380 ACP Pistol.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#2. Ruger LCP Max Micro Compact .380 ACP Pistol
- Barrel Length: 2.8”
- Overall Length: 5.17”
- Weight: 10.6 oz
- Capacity: 10
Ruger’s LCP Max Micro Compact .380 ACP Pistol is perfect for home defense and concealed carry with its high capacity and micro-compact design.
One of the best things about the LCP is that it has a 10-round capacity, which allows you to lay more rounds down range between reloads.
You could also purchase a 12-round magazine for this model for even more ammo on hand.
It also has a comfortable textured grip long enough to give full grip control to most shooters, enhancing your accuracy, comfort, and control.
Its 5.17” overall length makes it a simple choice for a pocket or purse self-defense pistol, while its soft and smooth edges provide you with a comfortable all-day concealed carry.
Ruger constructed the slide with raised cocking ears and functional serrations for easy weapon manipulation.
They also made it to last with an alloy steel slide, a high-performance glass-filled nylon grip, and an alloy steel 2.8” barrel with a black oxide finish.
The pistol also features a tritium front sight and a u-notch rear sight for improved target acquisition in any light condition.
If you are looking for a compact .380 ACP pistol with a high capacity, the Ruger LCP Max Micro Compact .380 ACP Pistol is the ideal choice.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#3. Walther PPK .380 ACP Pistol
- Barrel Length: 3.3”
- Overall Length: 6.1”
- Weight: 22.1 oz
- Capacity: 6
With the Walther PPK .380 ACP Pistol, you will have an excellent shooting experience with a timeless style and design.
Walther is known for their reliability and performance, and with the PPK, you will get both with a heavy-duty stainless frame and slide.
It has a single and double action trigger that decocks when the thumb safety is engaged.
The double-action trigger pull is a bit stiff at 13.3 pounds, but the single action has a smooth 6.1-pound pull for improved accuracy.
With such a compact weapon, you may not expect consistent shot groups, but the PPK is a soft shooting stainless steel pistol with a 3.3” fixed barrel for improved performance.
Walther gave it a super smooth design with a thin 1” width, making it perfect for concealed carry and personal defense.
If you want a .380 ACP pistol that you can rely on, the Walther PPK .380 ACP Pistol is an excellent choice.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#4. Walther CCP M2 .380 ACP 3.54” 8RD Pistol
- Barrel Length: 3.54”
- Overall Length: 6.41”
- Weight: 19.4 oz
- Capacity: 8
The Walther CCP M2 .380 ACP 3.54” 8RD Pistol provides a smooth shooting experience with its recoil mitigation technology and modern features.
The CCP is the first polymer pistol that features Softcoil gas technology, which reduces the felt recoil while allowing users to easily manipulate the slide, regardless of the user’s strength.
With modern features such as a polymer grip and frame with a black Cerakote finish on the frame and slide for enhanced durability.
The slide also features easy to grip serrations for better manipulation.
Walther gave it a balance of concealability and capacity to have an excellent concealed carry weapon with an 8-round capacity.
The weapon even has an accessory rail to attach your favorite flashlight or laser for a custom loadout.
Walther also constructed it with a reversible magazine release, making this pistol perfect for left or right-handed shooters.
It also features a toolless breakdown design, making it easy to maintain and clean.
If you want a polymer framed .380 ACP pistol, the Walther CCP M2 .380 ACP 3.54” 8RD Pistol is a simple choice.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#5. Ruger LCP II .380 ACP Pistol With Viridian Laser
- Barrel Length: 2.75”
- Overall Length: 5.17”
- Weight: 10.6 oz
- Capacity: 6
The Ruger LCP II .380 ACP Pistol With Viridian Laser is an excellent option for shooters who want a compact firearm pre-equipped with a high-quality Viridian Laser.
This model comes equipped with a Viridian E-Series Red (635-650 nm) Laser, which makes acquiring your target in any lighting condition a cinch.
Its bright 635-650 nm laser will provide a quick point of aim straight from the holster to the target.
Ruger constructed it with a durable glass-filled nylon grip frame, alloy steel barrel, and a hardened steel slide, and it has a textured grip that is comfortable to hold.
For shooters who need a larger grip surface, this model also includes a finger grip extension floorplate for enhanced grip and control.
Its super lightweight design and compact 5.17” overall length make this an ideal choice for concealed carry and personal defense.
One of the best features of the Ruger LCP II is its Secure Action fire control that provides smooth operation and a short crisp single-action trigger pull.
If you are looking for a compact .380 ACP pistol with a laser already included, the Ruger LCP II .380 ACP Pistol With Viridian Laser is an excellent choice.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#6. Hi-Point 380 ACP 8+1 Round Semi Auto Handgun
- Barrel Length: 3.5”
- Overall Length: 6.75”
- Weight: 29 oz
- Capacity: 8
The Hi-Point 380 ACP 8+1 Round Semi Auto Handgun is ideal for shooters who want a .380 ACP pistol on a budget.
The most attractive part of this pistol is its price point, making it perfect for any budget.
Even at such a low price point, it has some impressive features that gun enthusiasts would love.
One of the first things you will notice is its impressive 8-round capacity, rated for +P ammunition.
It has a high-impact polymer frame and grips to last in the harshest of environments, and it comes with a lifetime warranty.
You have to make some trade-offs with a budget .380 ACP pistol.
For example, it is a double action only firearm, larger than most .380 ACP pistols, and weighs more than the other pistols on this list.
If you are looking for a high-quality .380 ACP pistol on a budget, the Hi-Point 380 ACP 8+1 Round Semi Auto Handgun is a simple choice.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#7. CW 380 ACP 2” Barrel CW380
- Barrel Length: 2.58”
- Overall Length: 4.96”
- Weight: 10.2 oz
- Capacity: 6
If you are looking for an ultra-compact .380 ACP pistol, the CW 380 ACP 2” Barrel CW380 by Kahr is an excellent option.
The Kahr CW380 has an impressive 4.96” overall length, making it perfect for your pocket, purse, or nightstand.
It also only weighs 10.2 ounces without a magazine, which makes it perfect for an all-day concealed carry.
It includes a highly durable polymer frame that features 4140 steel inserts for added rigidity and durability.
The CW380 also includes a 2.58” barrel with conventional rifling, a matte stainless-steel slide, and a textured grip for enhanced performance.
With a 6-round capacity, it makes an excellent backup weapon for law enforcement or a concealed carry self-defense weapon.
It also has an adjustable rear sight to get tighter shot groups.
If you want high performance in an ultra-compact package, the CW 380 ACP 2” Barrel CW380 by Kahr is a straightforward choice.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
What Features to Look for In A 380 Pistol
If you are in the market for a new pistol, you may want to consider a .380 ACP pistol.
This popular firearm offers several benefits, making it an appealing choice for most gun owners.
It is important to highlight both the advantages and disadvantages of owning a .380 ACP pistol.
Advantages
Availability
The .380 ACP round is a relatively popular and widely available cartridge, so you will not have trouble finding ammunition for your new pistol.
Size
Additionally, most .380 ACP pistols are compact and easy to carry, making them an excellent choice for concealed carry purposes.
Affordability
Another benefit of the .380 ACP pistol is that it is often more affordable than other firearms.
This makes it an excellent choice for someone’s first firearm or those looking for a reliable and effective pistol without breaking the bank.
Effective
And despite its relatively small size and lower price point, the .380 ACP pistol is still a highly accurate and effective weapon, with enough stopping power to take down a threat if necessary.
Disadvantages
While this pistol is compact and easy to handle, it does come with some notable disadvantages that potential buyers should be aware of.
Power
The primary downside of the .380 ACP round is generally considered to be underpowered compared to other popular pistol calibers.
This means that it may not be as effective in stopping a threat as other more powerful rounds.
This means it will have less penetration, leave a smaller hole, and cause less overall damage.
Additionally, the smaller size of a .380 ACP pistol may make it more challenging to shoot accurately at longer distances.
Capacity
Another disadvantage of a .380 ACP pistol is that it typically has a smaller capacity than other pistols.
This means that you may need to reload more frequently, which could be problematic if you need to reload in the middle of an engagement.
Final Thoughts
Like any firearm, the .380 ACP pistol is not for everyone.
It is essential to carefully consider your needs and preferences before deciding which type of firearm to purchase.
However, if you are looking for a versatile, reliable, and affordable pistol that can be used for a variety of purposes, the .380 ACP pistol is definitely worth considering.
With its many options, compact size, and affordable price point, it is no wonder why so many gun owners choose to buy a .380 ACP pistol for their collection.
References
.380 vs. 38 Special – What’s the Difference & Which is Better?
.380 vs. 9mm: Which is Better?
See Also
Best 300 Blackout (BLK) Pistols
Born and raised in Woodbridge, NJ, he graduated from the New Jersey Institute Of Technology with an MBA in eCommerce.His hobbies include beach volleyball, target shooting, and lifting.
Rob is also a Commercially rated pilot and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), with over 1,500 hours of flight time.
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