While I am all set with deep cover carry guns myself, a good friend will be visiting next month and will need a carry gun for the time he is in town. A true pocket carry size is needed, and he is an old school single action guy ( his primary carry guns at home are a sig 938 and high powers)I can offer him my Glock 42, but he hates glocks and can’t shoot them well. I would like to obtain a single action 380 for pocket carry for him when he visits. The field is pretty crowded now with Colt Sig Sauer kimber and recently Springfield also. What would you choose of these?
They all seem to be the same price give or take a little. My baseline so far:
Colt has been making them for a long time
The Sig Sauer seems to have a good reputation and following
Kimber seems to have more QC issues
I think the Springfield is too new, don’t want to be a beta tester
What do you all have to say?

How about a SIG 238 or perhaps one of Rock Island's .380 1911s?

There seem to be a few good deals on used Beretta 84s out there, and they do have the 1911-style thumb safety. I think J&G in Prescott has a batch.

I would go with the 238 or 938. I have shot both, and own the 938, and they are fantastic guns.

The Kimbers look very nice, but around here, they are priced at a premium to the SIGs, particularly in .380.

The Sig P238 HD has my vote.

Wouldn't it be cheaper for him to check a bag with his P938 in it??? $25 each way...

But if you're just looking for a reason to buy another gun, go for it.

My pocket gun is a Colt Mustang XSP. Absolutely love it. I just got a pocket holster from Alabama Holsters and it is a nice little package. Before that I was using a Desantis Nemesis.

My only complaint was the sights so I sent it to Novak and had them put on a front night sight and a plain black lo mount rear.

I have a Colt Mustang and it has been a great gun. The 238 has a few extras I wish Colt would have added.

I pondered/handled them all, and bought the Kimber Micro CDP.

I have and carry an older Colt Government .380

quote:

Originally posted by ArtieS:
I would go with the 238 or 938. I have shot both, and own the 938, and they are fantastic guns....

This. I own both. Pocket carry either. I am not afraid to carry the .380 ACP XTP or the 9mm HST.

I am certainly not the outhouse lawyer here, but – I think it would help keep both of you out of trouble if he were to check a bag and bring his pistol with him. I think GCA 68 authorizes temporary loans of hunting firearms with the specification that they be used for “sporting purposes”.

Since he is familiar with the 938, I think the simple solution is to provide a 238.

Maybe too big for pocket carry, but Brownings mini 1911 .380 fills the bill.

My summer carry is a Colt Mustang XSP which shoots great.

SIG P238. The HD is the most comfortable to shoot (agree with .38supersig on that), but for carry I'd go with any of the alloy-framed ones. Lighter with recoil that is completely manageable for all but the most recoil shy.

quote:

Originally posted by RHINOWSO:
Wouldn't it be cheaper for him to check a bag with his P938 in it??? $25 each way...

But if you're just looking for a reason to buy another gun, go for it.

He comes from a very anti gun state where checking a gun at the airport often results in massive travel delays and hassles. Just easier for him to grab a gun when he arrives. Having a spare pocket gun wouldn’t be disappointing to me either so win win

Makes sense!

The only one I'm personally familiar with is the 238. My wife has one & it's been totally reliable, though we've only shot about 7-900 rounds through it. I don't reload 380 & I think it's kinda pricey.

quote:

captain127

You are a great friend -