14 Best 380 ACP Pistols – 2024

Last updated February 6th 2024

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The Winners at a Glance

The Sig Sauer P365 380 is the best 380 pistol on sale in 2023, but there are options if you’re looking for something a little different.

Image	Product	Detail	Price
	Sig Sauer P365	Overall Winner	Best Price
	S&W Shield EZ	A Close Second	Best Price
	Ruger LCP Max	Best low budget pistol	Best Price
	Glock 42	Best for CCW	Best Price
	Kimber Micro 380	Best designer guns	Best Price

You know the .380ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) is still a great option for everyday carry.

Yes 9mm pistols have taken over, to an extent, but there’s still a lot to love about the smaller .380ACP pistol. They are almost always small, which is great for a back-up gun, or even your EDC.

Smaller bullets generally mean surprisingly high capacity. Lower power also means less recoil. That’s good for new shooters or people that just want an easy to shoot pistol.

A good 380 semi-auto pistol is cheap, easy to conceal, packs lots of ammo and relies on tried and trusted technology. It makes sense, right?

The best 380 pistols were standard issue for the police and military, so inevitably became the default home defense round. That means there are millions of these mechanisms out there in the world and most have been refined over the years.

So what are the best 380 ACP pistols, and where can you buy yours? We think the best 380 is the Sig P365 Nitron 380 ACP, but we have options for you.

1. Sig Sauer P365 380ACP

• Price: $499.99
• Barrel Length: 3.1 inch
• Total: 5.8 inch
• Weight: 0.98lb
• Capacity: 10+1 rounds

Overall Winner

The optics ready Sig P356 Nitron has redefined the pistols for concealed carry genre and the only reason to keep it off the top spot would be to stop it winning everything. And that would be stupid.

So there we have it, the obvious answer quite often is the right one. We think that’s the case here with the P365 380ACP semi-auto pistol.

This Sig P365 380 version is optics ready. So you can fit your own RomeoZERO mini reflex and they are becoming increasingly popular these days. Even law enforcement is starting to love them for a better back-up gun.

A Packaging Marvel

Everything else you need to know about the best selling 365 polymer frame pistol has already been said many times in thousands of gun reviews. It’s arguably the best micro-compact 9mm pistol in the world. And now you can argue that it is the best micro compact 380 pistol, too.

Obviously the company could have forced more bullets in there. But well, local gun laws and all it kind of makes sense to stay with 10. The best gun is also easy to conceal this way and it becomes a deep carry compact pistol, with a holster.

You can always buy an extended magazine and a flat trigger and all kinds of upgrades if that’s your bag and you’re allowed to. Even a Crimson Trace laser.

If you have a 9mm P365, you’ll notice reduced recoil through the black polymer grip compared to the notoriously snappy P365 Nitron 9mm Luger. The 380 version really is a great gun, the stopping power isn’t far off and there are gun deals to be found. Get the best 380 pistol today.

2. Smith & Wesson 380 M&P Shield EZ Pistol

• Price: $406.99
• Barrel Length: 3.68 inch
• Total: 6.64 inch
• Weight: 1.15lb
• Capacity: 9 rounds

A Close Second

The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 380 ACP is arguably more complete than the Sig, but it is also bulkier and a 380 handgun tends to be a concealed carry.

But if you have larger hands and struggle with the diminutive proportions of the Sig, or you’re just more comfortable with a slightly less sub-compact handgun, the Smith & Wesson might be the best gun for you. A lot of gun reviews like these semi auto pistols with the distinctive grip safety.

You get a 1911 style grip safety on the black polymer grip of the Smith and Wesson, together with a manual safety on the frame and that is a big deal in this class too. Some people like switch to turn their gun off, and you’re not wrong for that.

An accessory rail for lights and lasers is also slung underneath and that’s kind of awesome., even if you never use it.

The S&W Performance Center can offer you a range of upgrades like new sights, night sights and more in a high price, high spec version of the mainstream handgun.

Smith & Wesson M&P 380 Shield has a Big Family

The S&W M&P 380 Shield subcompact pistol is another star in a range of calibers, including 9mm and a 45 ACP Auto caliber pistol.

Now the S&W M&P Shield is an icon in the 9mm carry gun class and other calibers, and so it’s a proper grown-up pistol in this company. If you like it, that’s a good thing.

The smaller Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard is another gun to consider if you’re looking for deep concealment. With 6 rounds in the single stack mag and a 2.75 inch barrel, that’s a great backup gun and a different vibe to the shield.

So if you want a smaller gun, then the S&W Bodyguard 380 ACP is a real option and we do recommend them. The Performance Center has fiber optic sights and all kinds of add-ons for these guns, too.

• See the full line at PSA.

3. Ruger LCP Max 380

• Price: $369.99
• Barrel: 3.1 inch barrel
• Total: 5.94 inch
• Weight: 0.7lb
• Capacity: 10+1 rounds

The Beaten Ex Champion

The Ruger LCP Max 380 personal protection pistol is slim, lightweight and compact. Also, it’s cheap.

That helped this little plastic fantastic dominate the sector for more than 10 years. Now the competition has caught up and this is yesterday’s champion, but it’s still a great little gun.

Its design is tailored to its role as a deep carry and defensive pistol. The Ruger LCP II 380 ACP is not great for range shooting, but it’s one of the world’s best selling handguns and has been for a long time.

The single-action trigger on the Ruger LCP 380 ACP comes with a Glock-style safety and an internal drop safety to prevent accidental discharges on are important on one of the best 380 pocket pistols.

Rugged construction on the matte black finish Ruger LCP 380 ACP pistol includes a hardened stainless steel slide. The LCP Max has blued stainless steel barrel, and a one-piece, high-performance, glass-filled nylon grip frame round that double stack magazine.  

It is easy to shoot, and there is a Ruger LCP Lite Rack version that’s even easier to shoot and it’s very easy to rack the slide. That is one of the best 380 pocket pistols out there and the whole line of Ruger LCP 380 ACP semi auto pistols are perennial stars and popular models for a reason.

The Ruger Security 380 caliber pistol is another option if you like the basic approach and want a more modern concealed carry pistol. But the LCP Max is a classic design, and some people still love it dearly in simple matte black, Flat Dark Earth and a lot of other colors.

You can stil get the original LCP for around $200 in some places.

4. Glock G42

• Price: $399.99
• Barrel: 3.25 inch barrel
• Total: 5.94 inch
• Weight: 0.86lb
• Capacity: 6 rounds

The Safe Bet

The striker fired Glock G42 is another obvious choice and it’s a reliable 380 pistol with a double action and a Glock Safe Action that includes a drop safety and that iconic trigger firing pin safety.

It would be so easy to give the Glock 42 380 ACP the win and rattle on about reliability, that it is a law enforcement favorite and that ‘Glock go bang every time’ kinda cliche. And it’s true.

But then the capacity is a real sticking point and that single stack 6 round magazine looks a little underequipped next to the big double stack magazine best 380 pistols here. The best guns have moved on.

The counterpoint is that it is a proven design, easy to carry, perfect for deep concealment and is a great pocket pistol. The lack of a manual safety does count against it there, certainly as a pocket carry, but a simple holster should take care of that when you conceal carry these popular models.

You can also get a world of aftermarket parts for the Glock G42 new models. They include fiber optic night sights, Red dot ready stainless steel slides for your entire range of Glock pistols, a Crimson Trace green laser on the black polymer grip, what you want really. If you just want the best Glocks, then go here.

5. Kimber Micro 380

• Price Range: $600.00–$1,100
• Barrel: 2.8 inch
• Total: 5.5 inch
• Weight: 0.84lb
• Capacity: 7+1 rounds

Costume Jewelry in an IWB

The KImber Micro 380 is a stylish and classy subcompact 1911 style handgun that stands apart from the crowd here.

Now you can spend a little over $600 for the basic gun, or more than $1000 for a Kimber Micro 380 custom. The choice is yours entirely, and either way you’ll get carry guns that also put a smile on your face.

There is no grip safety and purists get angry when you call it a 1911, but most of the hardware is there.

The link shows the whole range, so you can buy a gun online knowing you’ve seen all the new models and daily deals.

6. Walther CCP

• Price: $325.99
• Barrel: 3 inch
• Total: 5.5 inch
• Weight: 0.79lb
• Capacity: 7 rounds

Sweetest Trigger

The Walther is a delayed blowback semi-automatic pistol. That mechanism provides softer recoil, which will help you place your shots when it counts.

This 380 ACP semi-auto pistol is designed for everyday carry, and you can also buy versions in 9mm and big bore pocket carry guns with the same matte black finish grip & frame.

Walther has lost ground to the likes of Glock, SA and Sig in recent times. But the CCP is a good pistol for the range, your home or your IWB holster and it is super easy to shoot with a sweet trigger pull, a fixed barrel and tool.

We like the full size Walther handguns, as well as this pocket carry.

7. Rock Island Armory Baby Rock

• Price: $379.99
• Barrel: 3.75 inch
• Total: 6.6 inch
• Weight: 1.47lb
• Capacity: 7+1 rounds

Low Budget 1911

The RIA Baby Rock has a longer barrel than the smaller pocket pistol options here and it is an option for home defense if you need a low recoil handgun.’

It’s also a very solid concealed carry handgun, although as a shrunken 1911 this Rock Island Armory weighs more than the polymer frame pistols with a shorter barrel. That makes it easy to shoot, though, with reduced recoil and a sweet trigger pull. As always there are pros and cons.

A small beavertail grip safety and thumb safety on the best 380 pistols are also a big deal for some people who like to be absolute sure there will be no accidental discharges.

That makes these new models viable pocket pistols, without a holster, and that simply works best for some folks.

8. Walther PPK

• Price: $899.99
• Action: Double Action/Single Action
• Barrel: 3.3 inch
• Total: 6.1 inch
• Weight: 1.37lb
• Capacity: 6 rounds

The James Bond Effect

The Walther PPK is the small gun James Bond slipped into his immaculate suit, and that’s the main reason people buy them these days.

It is a nostalgia piece for spy fanatics, but the Walther PPK is also a pretty solid 380 ACP.

Kinda hard to believe it has been with us in some form or another since 1931, too, which makes this one of the longest serving pocket pistols out there.

It was literally designed for undercover police officers and the PPK stands for Polizeipistole Kriminal – Police Pistol Criminal.

The fixed barrel design is much loved and the PPK has a great reputation for reliability and durability. The basic mil spec sights front and rear are kind of fun, and they work.

The Bersa Thunder 380 ACP semi-auto pistol is a much cheaper version of this layout, but you already know if you’re the kind of person to pay more for a Walther PPK 380 ACP pistol or opt for the cheap gun deals.

There are pros and cons to both, and you can spend even more on this Walther PPK with a stainless finish. Or look at new models.

9. SCCY CPX

• Price: $249.99+
• Length: 3.1 inch
• Weight: 1lb
• Capacity: 10+1 rounds

The SCCY CPX is a budget friendly handgun that comes in a wild selection of colors and that might be the major selling points honestly.

They do the job for not much money and allow you to express some garish side to your personality. But also, the SCCY CPX range are reliable and decent handguns when you actually need them.

It’s not our favorite, but the SCCY CPX is cheap, does the job and a lot of you like them.

10. Kahr Arms CW380

• Price: $338.99
• Barrel: 2.58 inch
• Total: 4.96 inch
• Weight: 0.64lb
• Capacity: 6+1 rounds

The super compact and lightweight Kahr CW380 is not just a cheap alternative, it might be one of the smarter striker fired pistols here.

The footprint on the Kahr 380 is tiny and it’s very Glock-esque, which really is never going to be a bad thing right?

You get a single stack that is great as a back-up gun or for deep concealment. The Kahr CW380 could be the best pocket pistol, too.

11. Bersa Thunder 380 ACP

• Price: $258.99+
• Barrel: 3.5 inch
• Total: 6.61 inch
• Weight: 1.23lb
• Capacity: 10 rounds

The Bersa Thunder 380 semi-automatic handgun is a lightweight, compact, pistol with a serious magazine capacity and stainless finish.

This double action features a combat-style trigger guard and polymer grips, as well as an internal locking system for improved safety. It’s also super easy to rack the slide, according to one older reader in the comments section.

While the original concept for the Argentine Bersa Thunder started as a low budget Walther PPK clone with some Beretta 70 features, but it has evolved into a much more complete handgun.

The smooth profile, bobbed hammer and rounded trigger guard have made it one of the world’s favorite pistols for concealed carry in South America, where many gun laws restrict citizens to 380 Ammo. With a few changes over the years to get round import rules and simple evolution, the Bersa Thunder is still a hugely popular firearm in the United States.

Many feel the weight and recoil control of the light alloy frame Bersa Thunder gives the perfect balance for a CCW. It is reliable, easy to maintain and the Bersa Thunder ticks a lot of the main boxes for about half the price of the Walther, or less.

Inexpensive it may be, but the Bersa Thunder is reliable, accurate and powerful. Bersa Thunder pistols are among some of the best buys on the market and offers value for money.

And you can get special editions with night sights, a polished finish, what you like really. There are lots of gun deals out there.

12. Sig Sauer P238 Nitron

• Price: $650.00+
• Barrel: 2.7 inch
• Total: 5.5 inch
• Weight: 0.95lb
• Capacity: 6 rounds

The matte black Sig Sauer P238 semi-automatic handgun is modeled after the full size M1911. The P238 has an aluminum frame and a stainless steel slide.

Due to its compact size, the P238 can be easily concealed and is a good deep carry option. All of the current models have standard night sights. Since 2012, many variants of the Sig P238 gained an ambidextrous manual safety. 

The P238 is a pretty simple shrunken Government model 1911 handgun with a really good trigger. You can get a range of finishes, including the Sig P238 Legion, classic Sig P238 Rosewood, the Sig P238 SAS Walnut and more.

It’s a great concealed carry pistol with a sweet trigger pull. But new ones are increasingly rare and a used gun might be the best option.

• Guns.com – The full list of Sig P238 pistols.

13. Springfield Armory 911

• Price: $503.99
• Barrel: 3 inch
• Total: 5.5 inch
• Weight: 0.79lb
• Capacity: 7 rounds

The Springfield Armory 911 is a compact semi-automatic pistol. A smaller version of a single-action hammer-fired M1911 pistol, the 911 is an incredibly good pocket pistol and a great marketing campaign in its own right.

We still like the advert: “When the police are minutes away and the threat is seconds away… 9-1-1. When you have to be your own first responder. Designed for concealed carry, the 911 is our modern micro-sized take on the classic full-sized 1911.” 

And a very clever compact pistol it is too. It may have been overtaken by the best 9mm pistols like the Springfield Hellcat and the 1911 EMP as a pocket carry gun. But this is still a solid option that can mix it with the best 380 pistols in the world.

The company makes some great Government Model 1911 pistols too, so buy a gun online today.

14. Colt Mustang Lite Polymer

• Price: $529.99
• Barrel: 2.75 inch
• Total: 6.1 inch
• Weight: 1.37lb
• Capacity: 6 rounds

We all love a full size Colt 1911, but they’re a little on the big side for a carry handgun. The Colt Mustang XSP, though, is anything but.

It’s an ultra lightweight mini 1911, of sorts, and a great complement to the Colt pistols, revolvers and rifles that we all know and love. It is discontinued, but if you spot one then buy it.

This matte black finish Colt model is easy to carry and slips inside your waistband, or inside a pocket, and just works as a concealed carry gun. There is a proper manual safety, stainless slide, beavertail grip and an undercut trigger guard. Gun owners, what is not to love?

Incidentally we have a bit of a love affair post if you’re really into the bigger Colts, as well as the Colt Mustang.

• The best Colt 1911 pistols for sale.

Where to Buy 380 ACP Ammo Online

If you’re looking for real world self defense rounds,or plinking on range day, there is a type and price of 380 ammo that will suit you best.

Jacketed Hollow Points and Full Metal Jacket 380 ammo are both available to buy in bulk.

Palmetto State Armory is one of our favorite suppliers. Palmetto State armory sells cheap guns, but also does some of the bets bulk ammo deals.

You will find the likes of Hornady Critical Defense ammo, too, which we think is the best personal defense ammo.

So take a look at Palmetto State Armory before you go down the list.

Sportsman’s Guide will sell you a 500 round ammo can of Sellier & Bellot and they’re one of our favorites right now for all handgun ammo.

Some of the best 380 ACP ammo for self defense include Hornady Critical Defense and Sig Elite Performance for defense and FMJ for shooting sports, which can both be found on Sportsman’s Guide.

They got rifle ammo, shotgun ammo, rimfire ammo, and the classic full metal jacket 9mm defense cartridge handgun ammo for personal defense and home defense. Also, they have some of the best guns at great prices.

Lucky Gunner is another one with Critical Defense 380 ACP pistol ammo and a range of others, from full metal jacket through to next gen hollowpoints. 9mm ammo, too, of course.

There are pros and cons, mainly price vs terminal ballistics, but look out or things like free shipping as well. Hornady Critical Defense is a solid defensive round in the United States.

• Palmetto State Armory – Bulk ammo deals and daily discounts and gun deals. From defensive ammo to shooting sports specialist range gear and gun cases.
• Sportsman’s Guide – Massive bulk deals on 380 ammo, 9mm ammo for defense and shooting sports.
• Lucky Gunner – Awesome selection of 380 ammunition. Buy yours here and list the price low to high for bargains.

Other Guns You Want

You should have a full selection of guns in your gun safe, and that means shotguns, bolt action rifles and 308 Win Mag battle rifles. Lever action rifles, shotguns etc too.

You can go pump action with a Kel Tec KSG and we really love the Flat Dark Earth Kel Tec KSG at the moment, for some insane reason.

Check these links for some interesting choices when you’re done here.

• The best shotguns – Tactical shotguns you want and need.
• 308 Win Mag Battle Rifles – AR-10 rifles.
• Best Pump Action Shotguns – Kel Tec and more…

And How’s About a 22LR Pistol and 22 Long Rifle Ammo?

22 Long Rifle pistols are always an option if you just enjoy range shooting. There’s a massive range of 22 Long Rifle ammo options, from specialist target pistols through to small game hunting options.

There’s a big range of muzzle devices, including muzzle brakes and suppressors if you want to shoot without ear protection.

Whatever you want, there’s a 22 Long Rifle pistol, but don’t use them for self defense.

Gun Parts & Accessories

If you want an extended magazine, a Crimson Tracer laser, a new front sight or lots of other stuff, then our dealers have gun parts & accessories, guns, gear etc for your best guns.

Ammunition, accessories, gun safes, 9mm Luger pistols, holsters, sights, night sights, we have them all. And one day we’ll do gift cards. But right now, we don’t do gift cards….