[Rangemaster]

Now lord knows I don't need anymore guns, but I've been toying with the idea of getting myself a smallish hideout gun for carry when my 1911's just aren't feasible, or not suitable for the day.

The main two options I'm tossing around are the Ruger LCR in .38 SPL+P and the Sig P238 in .380. Although I'm really leaning towards the Sig (its really not fair for the Ruger really, anything that even in passing resembles a 1911 gets at least +1 cool points from me)

Does anyone have any experience with these weapons, particulary the SIG?

Are there any more options along those lines? Barring a J-frame and similar revolvers, and P-3AT sized guns (there is a scar on my right hand that tells me to stay away from 3ATs)

I'm just looking to bounce some ideas around.

 

[OILMAN69]

i was thinkin of getting the Ruger LCP....

 

[jwhite75]

Handled one in the LGS the other day...they feel and operate very nice. The bui;d quality and fi and finish are very nice. However, I would relegate it to something other than pocket carry. I wouldnt want a cocked and locked in my pocket.

 

[kingdaddyoh]

:theyareontome:I always pipe in on BUG threads touting the LCP! Quality fit and finish. Handy little buggers and accurate too.

Compared to a S&W 642 (sporting grip from Esmeralda)

 

[Guns and more]

I have the Sig. I got the "Rosewood edition" Which has the rosewood grips, nitron finish, and night sights.
I've just had it a week or so, and have not shot it at the range.
Here's my impressions: It's a great looking gun. Fit and finish are first class.
The slide is easy to rack (easiest of any gun I own) and the trigger breaks cleanly (with snap caps). The night sights are bright.
I thought you couldn't beat the Kahr PM-9 for carry, and if you hold them side by side, the Sig is maybe 1/2" shorter and the same amount lower. But in your hand it feels MUCH smaller. It's very thin. Easy to drop in a pocket.
My pinky curls under the grip, but my middle fingers are firmly on.
Now it's S/A only, and the safety feels VERY positive, but I don't know if I would carry it "cocked and locked" yet. I think I'll start with a full magazine and an empty chamber. I think it's easier to rack the slide than thumb the hammer.
I got a Bullard tuckable IWB holster and although the workmanship is great, I can't draw from that holster. It wants to turn upside down and twist on my pants. This is because A: I'm a big guy and my pants and belt are tight on the holster. and B: The holster does a great job of covering the trigger so as you grab the grip, you are pulling towards the bottom and off center thus rotating the holster. Since it a tuckable, the pivot point is at the bottom of the holster and around she goes.
I've ordered an OWB (also from Bullard, good quality for the money) called the "bodyguard" and will wear a sweatshirt or sweater over it.
Right now the Sig is my favorite.
Finding reasonably priced .380 ammo is a pain. I stashed 4 boxes of Cor-Bon HP, but I don't want to burn all them at the range.
Last week I bought some JHP's (PMC Bronze @ $30 for 50) so I'll get to the range and report back.

There was some issue with the magazines. I've heard people complain that they only hold 5 or jam when you try to keep one in the chamber too. One magazine comes with the gun. I bought two more from Top Gun Supply and they look identical to mine. We'll see how they work. It has to do with the shape of the follower. I'm told Colt Mustang magazines will also fit and are trouble free, but they've been more expensive than new Sig ones. (or off brand) I believe Colt had Metalform make theirs. I'll watch Gunbroker for some, but I'm not paying $40 for a Colt magazine sight unseen. (they are tiny magazines).

Hope this helps.

 

[elviswawa]

I have a LCP and love it. It goes everywhere with me. I have saw two of the Sigs and liked them both. Right after i bought the LCP my local dealer offered me a real deal on the Sig. It was still over a $100 more than the LCP and for the extra money and the purpose i use it for, I didn't take the plung.

 

[tapout1003]

Buy the Sig. I have the "blackwood". I would say most of the quality control issues have been worked out. The magazine issue has been solved for me. I bought some cheep colt +1 mags which also have a finger rest. That gave me an extra round and solved the mag issues. My biggest problem with the gun was my pinky and now that has been solved.

Ammo had been an issue but I see some online shops now have stock in many variations of 380.

See the follow up post in my thread for holster and mag pics.

 

[joshe]

I rented a LCR last week to check it out for my self. the trigger is really nice and it's not a bad fit for a guy with fairly big hands. I was getting some nice tight groupings around the size of a quarter at 5 meters at 10 I was having a harder time with my groupings. over all I liked it a lot. anyway... have fun shopping.

 

[Rangemaster]

Ah, now the "I can't quite afford it yet but wait let me look around my room for stuff to sell" dance.

 

[gglass]

I don't see a revolver in your signature line. You really should get the Ruger LCR. a good army buddy of mine once told me, "Nothing tells a bad guy that you're serious, like staring down bullets in a cylinder". I especially like the highly reflective silver depressions in Gold Dots.

Not to worry... Nobody was in front of the camera during this photo.:gah:

 

[Rangemaster]

I don't see a revolver in your signature line. You really should get the Ruger LCR.

I see your point, but my love of JMBs masterpiece (even in this distant cousinish iteration) outweighs my need for a revolver, and seeing as there is no real price difference I think I'll go for the 238.

That was an awesome picture though.

 

[SCfromNY]

Everytime I considered a quality .380 like Sig, Desert Eagle, or Kahr I noted that the weight was the same as a Kahr PM9 and only slightly smaller.

While I will gladly acknowledge that there are good .380 defensive rounds such as Critical Defense, I will lean to the availability and selection of 9mm. Without quality ammo you have a really nice paperweight.

 

[searcher 45]

Everytime I considered a quality .380 like Sig, Desert Eagle, or Kahr I noted that the weight was the same as a Kahr PM9 and only slightly smaller.

While I will gladly acknowledge that there are good .380 defensive rounds such as Critical Defense, I will lean to the availability and selection of 9mm. Without quality ammo you have a really nice paperweight.

If it is all you have and no Critical Defense ammo available it will still go bang and 3 or 4 380 JHP looking for clear air inside BG can do more than hold down paper.

 

[Guns and more]

Everytime I considered a quality .380 like Sig, Desert Eagle, or Kahr I noted that the weight was the same as a Kahr PM9 and only slightly smaller.

I have the Sig and a Kahr PM-9. When I got the Sig I held them up to each other and said, "Wow there's not that much difference, about 1/2" both ways." BUT, when you drop it in your pocket if feels like a huge difference. I thought the Kahr was a little too big to pocket carry, I think the Sig is perfect.
I considered an LCP, but when the Sig 238 "Rosewood" came out it was done for me. It was exactly what I wanted. (I didn't care for the grips on the standard version, and I like night sights on all my guns if possible.)

 

[claybreaker0]

Kahr P380, the safety system is great. Just like my PM9 but smaller.....locked and loaded at all times with no worries.

 

[REVMAN]

sercher45.....I'm with you; I'll take a .380 with any kind of ammo over a "paper weight." Sure I would rather (and do) have the Critical Defense ammo loaded but any ammo can do harm.