Oh, I thought you had to cant the grip forward in order to clear a “obstruction”.

OK, here’s a question for all you “Mouse Gun” affectionadoes.

I have two friends that both carry the Ruger LCP 380 even if they are packing a larger caliber gun. One swears by carrying nothing but hollow points and He uses Hornady Critical Defense.

The other who shoots A LOT, 15-20 thousand rounds a year is just the opposite. He says the 380 isn’t really all that powerful (true), and needs all the penetrative power it can get. He shoots nothing but ball ammo through his. Oh and neither Carrie’s a spare Magazine, which I actually find odd. Ever since I started carrying a gun (first as a dispatcher and then a cop) I ALWAYS carried 2 reloads.

So, what do Y’all dogs think? I’m aiming this (no pun intended) at you mainly MB, cause as far as I know you’re the closest thing to a ballistics expert as we got. And what are Y’all’s thoughts on spare mags for it as well.

I carry my .380 when my .45 or 9MM would be too hard to conceal adequately. What I have read is that the .380 can penetrate with hardball or expand with hollow points but is too weak to do both. So in the summer, I use hollow points and in the winter, I use hardball. I would rather not carry the .380 at all if I can avoid it. Whatever I carry, I also carry a spare mag. Two mags with the .380.

Ray pretty much nailed it.

Even though I own a 380. I don't much care for them. Low bullet weight and slow speeds aren't your friend. 90 grains at about 950 or if you have a super long 380 maybe 1050. No +p 380 ammo. As opposed to a 9mm 124 +p at 1220 fps. Pretty much everything bad about a 9mm rolled into one cartridge. It's a recipe for both poor expansion and poor penetration

I will say as a rule of thumb. Always carry a spare mag. It is the only way to clear some malfunctions. It it's a secondary gun then it's not as much an issue. For me outside of work. I'd rather carry a spare mag than a spare gun.

Well, I DO have a Ruger LC9 with a Crimson Trace LG 416 laser guard RDS. I just did a side by side comparison and it is a lot bigger than my 380 LCP. Maybe I need to stick a bore sight laser in it and set it for about 5-7 yards, maybe, what do you think dogs? I did use it once to put down a road hit deer for a guy. But then I’m sure if I did carry it, I’d have to figure out how to carry it as I personally think it’s too big for pocket carry. Then again I might take the laser off and test it in my pocket. Maybe I’ll do that tomorrow.

With my back giving me problems again, carrying almost anything around my waist now (not quite as bad with appendix carry) will start aching pretty good after as little as an hour, sometimes 30 minutes depending on the guns size. And all this just a few months after I find a couple really good AIWB holster makers I like.

Gettin old AND needing 2 back surgeries just sucks. But if you give up, give in, you’ve already lost. And everybody says I have a thick block head. I reckon that means I’m heard headed and don’t like to give up on things. I mean just look, I’ve got Ray to admit he’s half redneck!

And, NEVER forget, ALPWKYS (See below)

Randy,

Would a modern fanny pack be better? Or a CCW chest rig?

I carry a CCW hip pack at times. Erbelstock has a Bando bag that is pretty good and they happen to be on sale right now. 2 sizes depending on what you want or need and they come with an extension if you want to use it as a bandolleer or need a larger waist belt.

I really think I’d have the same problem MB. It’s the way (I guess) the weight is pulling to one side or the other. I guess you could call it uneven weight distribution. In the front it is pulling more straight forward, if that makes any sense.

Can you carry the pistol in a sling bag that is centered on your chest?

I’m sure I could Ray. But a lot of places that’s a dead giveaway you’re packin. AND a lot of bad guys are savvy to that now. My BEST options are either AIWB, or a smaller gun in my pocket. I tried in pocket carry with my LC9 and it worked, but the pocket holster I have is for the smaller LCP and doesn’t work. My other pocket pistol holster does fit the LC9 but it won’t stay in the pocket, It comes out with the gun. That wouldn’t be all that bad a thing as it’s cloth but it does cover the trigger guard, NOT a good thing.

Maybe I can squeeze another thirty bucks out of the black market kidney broker and can get a correct holster for the LC9.

With your money, you could field a security team.