7 Best .380 Pistols in 2024 with Review & Buying guide

There are many great .380 pistols on the market today, which can make it very difficult to really choose the best .380 pistol to meet your needs.

Don’t worry, we’re here to help.

We’ve tested and reviewed every single .380 ACP handgun you can commonly find on the market today in an effort to identify the best options available. We’ve fired thousands of rounds and spent hours at the range to sort the wheat from the chaff on this one. 

Our overall pick is the Ruger LCP MAX due to its excellent ergonomics and capacity, but we’ve got 8 options here that all excel in one way or another, so there’s something for everyone.

1. Ruger LCP Max

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First up, we have our top pick and one of my favorite handguns of recent years, the Ruger LCP Max. This awesome pistol builds on the success of the much-beloved LCP and LCP II models that have gone before and gives us a host of improvements in a slightly larger form factor.

It weighs in at a scant 10.6 ounces, so you’ll hardly feel it on your belt or in your pocket, and the short overall length and narrow width make it incredibly easy to conceal. 

The slide has some well-designed serrations and cocking ears at the rear to make manipulating the gun feel very positive and repeatable, and I experienced none of the “is my hand going to slip off of this slide?” feelings that I so often get with tiny guns like this.

The LCP Max also has Ruger’s new trigger which is one of the best I’ve tested at this price range, possibly the best. I shoot this gun better than any of the others on the list, an experience mirrored by everyone I’ve loaned it to at the range. A large part of that is the trigger.

Rounding things out, the LCP Max has an excellent front sight that has a tritium insert surrounded by a bright white ring. It’s no red dot, but it’s one of the best sights you’ll find on a pistol like this. 

Overall, I’ve been nothing but impressed with the LCP Max. It has an excellent trigger, excellent sights, and a number of little features to make carrying and shooting a small handgun like this a much more pleasant experience. 

Key Specs: 

• Overall Length: 5.17”
• Barrel Length: 2.80”
• Width: .81”
• Weight: 10.6 oz
• Capacity: 10+1

Takeaway

The Ruger LCP Max has redefined what a .380 pistol can be, with an amazing 10+1 flush fit magazine (12+1 mags also available), and one of the best striker-fired triggers on the market, Ruger has created something truly special here.

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2. Ruger LCP II

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It would be a crime to talk about .380 pistols and not bring up the pistol to really popularize the round, the Ruger LCP, or in this case the updated and improved LCP II.

Released over a decade ago, the original LCP kicked off a huge craze in pocket pistols that continues to this day and has really cemented the .380 ACP as one of the major personal protection rounds in the United States.

The updated LCP II builds on the original LCP format and continues the line’s excellent track record for reliability. I carried one of these for a very long time, and continue to turn to it when I want something that I can slip into a jacket pocket or conceal under light clothing.

Related Article: 8 Best .45 ACP Handguns

For concealability, it’s hard to beat the LCP II, even if you go with one of the versions that have the integrated Viridian laser. This awesome little gun practically disappears under even the lightest summer attire, and won’t weigh down your pockets either.

The slide is also very easy to rack thanks to the lightweight recoil spring, and the slide serrations make things even easier, even with damp or greasy hands. 

You only get a 6+1 magazine, with some extended mags available, but that’s still more than you’d get with a revolver, and really isn’t bad at all for something this utterly tiny. Of course, if you want more, you can get the 8+1 extended mags and have a few extra rounds on tap.

Finally, I love the fact that you can get a built-in laser on this, which is actually perfect for such a small gun with a short sight radius. For close-in shooting, the laser really helps with rapid-fire shots, and the button is right where your finger will rest on the trigger guard.

Key Specs: 

• Overall Length: 5.17”
• Barrel Length: 2.75”
• Width: .75”
• Weight: 11.6 oz. (with laser)
• Capacity: 6+1

Takeaway
It shouldn’t be a surprise that Ruger has another hit on their hands with the updated LCP II given how well the first one performed. If you’re looking for a truly tiny .380, especially as a pocket or backup gun, then this is a great choice. 

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3. Glock 42

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The Glock 42 got a lot of (undeserved) hate when it came out simply because a large number of Glock fans thought that the G42 was going to be a tiny, single-stack, 9mm. 

When instead, Glock announced a tiny, single-stack .380, folks were less than impressed.

Since then, the G42 has earned its seat at the table and gained a solid following among pocket pistol enthusiasts. It is a Glock at the end of the day, so what you see is what you get. It has the same Glock trigger, sights, and everything else that you’ve come to know and love, or hate.

Love it or hate it though, what you can’t do is argue with the legendary reliability of the platform. Made with around 40 parts, it’s awfully hard to break anything on a Glock, and they’re dead simple to takedown and maintain as well. 

You also have more modularity than with any other pistol on this list, more than any other pistol period really. You can replace literally every part on this thing down to the springs with third-party parts if you want. 

But you don’t need to. The gun runs and runs and has absolutely no faults, blemishes, or negatives about it. It may not be your cup of tea if you aren’t a fan of Glock’s work, but it’s hard to beat the performance and reliability, especially when you need it most.

Key Specs: 

• Overall Length: 5.94”
• Barrel Length: 3.25”
• Width: .98”
• Weight: 13.76 oz.
• Capacity: 6+1

Takeaway

If you’re a Glock fan and you want a small .380, this is a great option for you. Glocks aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but if you’re a fan, or you just want something that is absolutely going to go bang every time you need it to, then this is a solid choice. 

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4. Bersa Thunder

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The Bersa Thunder is a cult favorite amongst pocket gun enthusiasts, and for a host of excellent reasons. The base design is essentially an update of the classic Walther PPK, which you probably know as the favorite gun of a certain British spy, but with some modern updates.

Now, generally speaking, you should always be suspicious of “clones” of classic designs that purport to be better than the original, but in this case, Bersa has actually done just that. They’ve been quietly making great stuff for years, and the Thunder is their flagship offering. 

It has a 7 round mag and a full four-finger grip making it easy to shoot, without being too bulky to conceal easily. You can also get it in about a million different finish and grip combinations, so you can get something that you really like the look of, or just go with whichever one is on sale.

Related Article: 12 Best 9mm Pistol

I love pistols like this that both look good and offer some variation, so if you’re like me and want your carry gun to both look good and shoot well, this is a solid choice in my opinion. 

The only real negative is that the Thunder seems to be, in my experience, particularly prone to failures to eject and feed when you limpwrist it. This can make it a rough choice for new shooters, or shooters with particularly weak grip strength. 

Experienced shooters and folks with normal grip strength will be fine, it’s just something to be aware of. In the normal course of shooting, I haven’t had any problems, but I noticed a new shooter at the range had some issues. 

Then again, no pistol is going to function well if you don’t firmly control the recoil. Even the legendarily reliable Glock above will choke up on you if you don’t grip it tightly so the recoil spring can do its job properly. 

Key Specs: 

• Overall Length: 6.6”
• Barrel Length: 3.5”
• Width: 1.18”
• Weight: 23 oz
• Capacity: 7+1

Takeaway

The Bersa Thunder is a phenomenal option for those who don’t want to spend a lot, and for those looking for a sharp-looking pistol that has plenty of customization options out there. 

The gun is more than reliable enough for defensive use, and I know of range guns still ticking with 40k rounds down the barrel without a mechanical failure.

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5. M&P Shield EZ .380

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Next up, we have one of the most popular options around for those with less than perfect grip strength, the M&P Shield EZ .380. 

The original Shield was already one of the most popular .380 guns on the market, and the EZ version is only an improvement in my opinion. It has a great 8+1 capacity, as well as some 10+1 extended mags available, which is a great start. 

It also adds a beavertail grip safety like you’d find on a 1911, as well as a lightened recoil spring that makes racking the slide much easier. That Smith & Wesson have pulled this off without impacting the gun’s reliability in any way is simply amazing. 

The gun also features magazines that are easier to load and even a takedown method that has been simplified and made more straightforward for those with less than stellar fine motor control or grip strength.

It also features a loaded chamber indicator and comes in versions with and without a manual thumb safety depending on your preferences. 

All in all, this is a great option for anyone looking for a high-quality, reliable carry gun, but it’s especially great for folks with arthritis or any other problems with hand strength or dexterity.

Key Specs: 

• Overall Length: 6.7”
• Barrel Length: 3.675”
• Width: 1.05”
• Weight: 18.5 oz.
• Capacity: 8+1

Takeaway

If you are concerned about your grip strength, particularly racking the slide, this is the best gun on the market for you if you’re looking for personal protection, hands down. My 66-year-old mother-in-law has two different types of arthritis and has had four separate hand surgeries, and she loves hers.

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6. S&W Bodyguard .380

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Next, we have another of the “classic” .380 pocket pistols, the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .380. This is another option that comes with a laser most of the time, making it great for those with astigmatism, which can make using traditional pistol irons difficult.

Like with the LCP, the laser is activated with a button sitting right where you’ll index your trigger finger alongside the trigger guard. I personally love the idea of a laser on a small defensive gun like this, as it makes aiming much easier when you don’t have the short sight radius to deal with.

Beyond that, the trigger is pretty good, the sights are excellent and you can get night sights if you want them, and you can get models with and without a thumb safety, based on your preferences.

Related Article: 12 Best 22LR Pistols: Honest Assessment

There are also mods that will turn the thumb safety into a simple thumb shelf to improve your grip while doing away with the manual safety aspect, which some people don’t like.

Finally, this is a hammer-fired double-action-only gun, so you do have the capability of a second strike in case of a light first strike or a hard primer. 

How likely is a hard primer on quality defensive ammo? I’ve never actually seen it happen. But then again, it is possible, so having this option is no bad thing. 

Key Specs: 

• Overall Length: 5.3”
• Barrel Length: 2.75”
• Width: 1.18”
• Weight: 12 oz.
• Capacity: 6+1

Takeaway

The S&W Bodyguard is a classic .380 pistol that, along with the LCP, helped to define the genre of pocket pistols and helped catapult the .380 ACP into the place it holds now as one of the most popular defensive rounds. 

Its venerable legacy is upheld by new models and its long history of success means there are plenty of models to choose from. 

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7. SIG P238

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Have you seen all of these recommendations and thought “but where’s the 1911”? Well don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. 

I love a good 1911-style gun, and if you do too, the SIG has got us covered with the SIG P238. It’s a little hefty compared to some of the other models on this list at just under a pound, but for classic 1911 styling, it’s not too bad.

It has an immaculate trigger, especially in single-action, and the polymer grip panels help keep the weight down a bit without sacrificing too much of the classic 1911 feel. You can swap these out for wood, G10, micarta, or whatever else you might want though. 

It also has high-contrast 3-dot sights on the standard models, but you can also get upgraded variants with night sights. Either way, the sights are drift adjustable for windage and are a good width to be useful at the range and in a combat situation. 

To sum it up, if you like 1911s, but don’t like the idea of carrying concealed, then the SIG P238 is a phenomenal choice. It’s a little different from the norm, but it functions really well, has all of that vintage 1911 style, and shoots incredibly softly. 

And hey, it only has one less round in the mag than a standard full-size 1911 in .45.

Key Specs: 

• Overall Length: 5.5”
• Barrel Length: 2.7”
• Width: 1.18”
• Weight: 15.2 oz.
• Capacity: 6+1

Takeaway

If you like a 1911 (and who doesn’t?) and you want something in .380 that you can conceivably put into a pocket, or conceal under just a light t-shirt, then the SIG P238 is a great option. Classic 1911 style, modern performance for a match made in heaven.

Why Use a .380 Pistol?

The big draw, no pun intended, of a .380 pistol is almost always going to be the size. The minimal weight and compact form factor make them easy to carry concealed and to do so comfortably. 

There’s some undeniable appeal to having a pocket gun or at least a small carry gun that can disappear on your waist and remain virtually unnoticed until you need it. 

I don’t know about you, but the number one reason I find myself leaving a gun at home or locked in a car safe is that I don’t want to deal with the weight and bulk, especially when it’s hot out and I’m wearing light clothing.

A .380 handgun can solve that problem. 

At just a touch smaller than a 9mm, .380 ACP chamberings lead to some of the smallest overall handguns on the market, making them a phenomenal option for anyone who wants to stay armed but without having to carry anything too heavy or bulky. 

This smaller size means you’re more likely to actually carry your gun, and not leave it at home or in the glove box because it’s too inconvenient to carry. 

This is especially important if you’re often wearing gym shorts, leggings, and other lightweight clothes, particularly in hotter locales. I love my Glock 19, but I also live in the South, and I can tell you that carrying that double-stack 9mm gets awfully uncomfortable in the summertime.

The humble .380 ACP is also one of the smallest rounds that can reliably pass FBI penetration tests for defensive ammo, which makes it popular with anyone who wants something they can count on in a defensive situation. 

Does it penetrate as well as a 9mm? Not quite, but there are still plenty of defensive rounds, particularly +P offerings, that meet or exceed the FBI’s requirements for penetration and hollow point expansion. 

I don’t know about you, but if it’s good enough for the FBI, it’s good enough for me. 

As far as other uses, .380 ACP isn’t really a well-loved target round, you can’t (and shouldn’t) hunt anything with it except in the most dire of survival situations, and it’s never going to be cheap enough to be a great choice for plinking at the range. 

What the .380 and pistols chambered for it are for, at the end of the day, is self-defense, particularly concealed carry. And in that capacity, it definitely excels. 

Types Of .380 Pistols

When it comes to .380 pistols, there’s actually not a huge amount of variety on the market, especially in terms of form factor.

Most every .380 pistol is going to be a compact, sub-compact, or micro-compact gun designed for concealed carry. This makes sense because .380 ACP isn’t a hunting or competition round, right? It’s a tiny defensive round designed to keep you safe. 

There are some things besides what variation of “tiny” that you choose to go with to think about though.

Subcompact vs Micro-Compact

The first thing you have to think about is whether you want to go with a subcompact or one of the newer micro-compacts. 

The difference is pretty subjective, but in general, anything billed as a subcompact is going to have a smaller frame that might not allow for a full four-fingered grip without a magazine extension. In other words, your pinky is gonna be hanging off.

This can make shooting difficult if you have less than ideal hand strength, but most of the time it isn’t really a huge deal once you get used to it. The other thing you’ll have to contend with is a slightly lower magazine capacity.

With a micro-compact, you get a longer grip that offers a full-hand grip for extra stability, especially when shooting one-handed, as well as 3-5 extra rounds in the magazine. 

In the end, you have to decide between a smaller gun that conceals a little better, but has fewer rounds in the magazine, and a slightly harder to conceal gun that is a little easier to shoot and has a higher capacity. 

Single-Stack vs Double-Stack Magazines

Finally, you have to decide if you want to go with something that has a single-stack magazine or a double-stack magazine. This refers to how the rounds are positioned in the mag and is going to impact the thickness of your grip, plus overall capacity. 

Double-stack .380s will have a capacity of around 10 or so, and a single-stack mag will have a capacity of 5-6. A double-stack gun will also generally be about 25-35% wider than its single-stack counterparts. 

What you have to do is decide if the extra weight and bulk are worth the extra capacity. For my money, I tend to gravitate towards the higher capacity, but it depends strongly on your personal preferences and how you’re going to be carrying your pistol.

What Should You Look for in a .380 Pistol?

When you’re choosing a .380 pistol for yourself, there are a number of things you need to keep in mind, especially if you’re looking for a carry gun (which is basically the only reason you’d want a .380 anyway).

Here’s what you need to think about:

Reliability

First and foremost, you need to look for something that is reliable. Since basically all .380 ACP handguns are designed first and foremost for self-defense, reliability is key. The last thing you want is to have your firearm jam when you need it most. 

This criteria alone eliminates a lot of the super cheap options out there, especially the ones from manufacturers outside the US that just make copies of other popular handguns. Quality is about effort, not geography, however, so you’ll still find many great imported options out there.

Just be wary of guns from manufacturers you’ve never heard of, especially those that just make copies of existing designs. 

Beyond that, I’d recommend buying your chosen gun from someone with a good warranty and customer support. Then, take your new gun to the range and put at least a hundred rounds through it to see how it does. 

This won’t show any long-term problems, but it will make any immediate issues apparent so that you can either fix them yourself or get some help from the manufacturer to make things right. 

Ergonomics & Shootability

The ergonomics and shootability of a .380 pistol matter quite a lot because a small handgun is always going to be harder to shoot than something larger than you can get a more robust grip on. 

The short sight radius of these pistols also means that clear, combat-style sights are a must, and you should focus on something with a prominent front sight. Particularly, we recommend going with something that has a fiber optic or tritium front sight. 

Having this prominent front sight makes it easier to shoot in low light, but it also makes very close-range point shooting much easier, especially in hectic situations where your sight alignment is less than perfect. 

The other thing that is going to have a major impact on the shootability of your chosen gun is the trigger. A poor trigger, especially in a small handgun, is going to deeply hurt your accuracy. 

We put a lot of value in a quality trigger, and we recommend you do as well. It’s already challenging enough to shoot a tiny .380 handgun, so you really don’t need a heavy, mushy trigger making things even harder.

Especially in a defensive situation where an accurate shot can literally be the difference between life and death. 

Another thing to keep in mind is the control surfaces. Having good slide serrations on a pistol like this can greatly improve manipulation, especially under pressure. Racking the slide on these tiny guns can be a bit finicky at the best of times, so good slide serrations are a godsend.

Finally, there’s the grip. The difference between a full four-fingered grip, and having your pinky hanging off the butt of the gun isn’t that big of a deal for most people, but some people find it very awkward and uncomfortable.

Fortunately, there’s a new class of “micro-compact” guns out there that give you a full hand grip, so you have some options if you don’t like the three-fingered grip offered by some of the truly diminutive options out there like the LCP.

Capacity

Capacity is often overlooked when it comes to the tiny pocket pistols that are usually chambered in .380. Most people just accept that they aren’t going to get a lot of rounds in the mag of such a small gun. 

Don’t fall into this trap, however. There are actually some .380 pistols that fall into the typical sub and micro-compact form factor. For example, the Ruger LCP MAX has a 10+1 capacity that puts it far ahead of many of its competitors that typically only have a 6+1 capacity.

Capacity is especially important in a .380 pistol because it inherently has less “stopping power” than most other common handgun rounds. This could mean you need more rounds to stop a threat.

Of course, shot placement is always going to be the most important factor when it comes to stopping a threat, but having more rounds in the mag means you have more opportunities to end the confrontation. 

Capacity is also a vital thing to consider in a world where defensive situations involving more than one attacker are certainly possible, even if they aren’t the norm. 

Aftermarket Customization and Accessories

The final thing to consider is what aftermarket customization options and accessories are available. 

At the end of the day, your carry gun is a very personal thing, and in my opinion, is something you should personalize if you can. Adding night sights or an upgraded trigger is a great way to improve on what you got from the factory. 

The other thing to keep in mind is that holsters are a very personal choice, and can easily be the difference between carrying a gun comfortably and being absolutely miserable and frustrated with the whole experience. 

Having a gun that has lots of support for accessories and customization means you’ll always be able to tweak things to be more to your liking, and makes it more likely that you’ll end up happy with your experience. 

Final Verdict

There are a lot of great .380 pistols out there, but only a few really deserve to be a part of the conversation when it comes to the best around. This list should help you guide your buying adventures and help you choose the best one for you.

And if you’re struggling to choose, or you’re buying one for someone as a gift, you can always go with our overall top pick, the Ruger LCP Max. It is accurate, reliable, easy to load and rack the slide on, and affordable to boot. The 10+1 capacity is also astoundingly good.

No matter which .380 you decide to go with, as long as you stick with the options on this list, you’ll do just fine. Each one of these pistols has been thoroughly tested and I would be happy to carry any of them.