Best .380 ACP Pistols 2026: Top 8 Pocket Pistols Ranked (Ruger LCP Max, SIG P238, Glock 42) header image

Best .380 ACP Pistols 2026: Top 8 Pocket Pistols Ranked (Ruger LCP Max, SIG P238, Glock 42)

The .380 ACP occupies a specific niche that no other caliber fills: the lightest, smallest viable defensive handgun option. At 10.6 oz, a Ruger LCP Max weighs less than most smartphones and fits in a front jeans pocket where no 9mm can. Modern .380 defensive loads (Federal HST Micro, Hornady XTP) meet minimum FBI penetration standards in bare gel, making the caliber a legitimate defensive choice when carried with purpose-built ammunition. This guide ranks the best .380 ACP pistols for pocket carry, backup carry, and shooters who need the smallest possible defensive option.

By AB|Last reviewed February 2026

Quick Answer: Best .380 Pistols by Use Case

Best Overall: Ruger LCP Max ($449) - 10+1 at 10.6 oz. Modern .380 benchmark.

Best Premium: SIG P238 ($699) - 1911-pattern SA trigger, best accuracy in .380 class.

Best for Glock Ecosystem: Glock 42 ($499) - Slimmest Glock at 0.94 inches. Same manual of arms.

Best Full-Size .380: Browning 1911-380 ($799) - Easiest-shooting .380. 8+1 aluminum 1911.

Thinnest Profile: Kahr P380 ($649) - 0.75 inches wide. True deep concealment.

Best Budget 10+1: S&W Bodyguard 2.0 ($399) - 10+1 .380 at lowest price.

Best .380 ACP Pistols (2026 Rankings)

Ranked by concealability, reliability, capacity, and value across pocket carry, backup carry, and deep concealment use cases. Every pistol on this list is chambered in .380 ACP with proven track records in civilian concealed carry.

1

Ruger LCP Max

Best Overall - 10+1 capacity at 10.6 oz, the modern .380 benchmark

$449
380 ACP10+110.6 oz
Pros
  • +10+1 capacity highest in sub-11-oz class
  • +10.6 oz lighter than most smartphones
  • +Tritium front sight standard
  • +Decade-proven LCP reliability platform
  • +0.81" width fits front jeans pockets
  • +Deepest pocket holster aftermarket of any .380
Cons
  • −Snappy recoil at 10.6 oz
  • −Short 2.8" barrel limits velocity
  • −Trigger is long and heavy (striker-fired pocket gun)
  • −No optic-ready option
Barrel: 2.8"Weight: 10.6 ozCapacity: 10+1
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2

SIG Sauer P238

Best Premium - 1911-pattern SA trigger, best accuracy in .380 class

$699
380 ACP6+11911 SA
Pros
  • +Best trigger in .380 class (SA 1911-pattern)
  • +Aluminum frame reduces felt recoil significantly
  • +SIGLITE night sights standard
  • +Excellent fit and finish for the class
  • +Ambidextrous thumb safety
Cons
  • −6+1 capacity low versus modern competitors
  • −Manual safety requires training discipline
  • −$699 premium for a .380
  • −Heavier at 15.2 oz limits true pocket carry for some
Barrel: 2.7"Weight: 15.2 ozCapacity: 6+1
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3

Glock Glock 42

Best for Glock Ecosystem - 0.94" wide, identical Glock manual of arms

$499
380 ACP6+10.94" Wide
Pros
  • +Slimmest Glock at 0.94" wide
  • +Same manual of arms as all other Glocks
  • +Locked-breech action smoother than blowback .380s
  • +Longest barrel in class at 3.25" improves velocity
  • +Glock aftermarket for holsters and sights
Cons
  • −6+1 capacity half of LCP Max
  • −Borderline for front pocket carry in slim pants
  • −No optic-ready variant
  • −13.76 oz heavier than true pocket guns
  • −Only ships with two magazines
Barrel: 3.25"Weight: 13.76 ozCapacity: 6+1
Verified Retailer
Shop at Primary Arms
4

Browning 1911-380

Best Full-Size .380 - Easiest-shooting .380, 8+1, aluminum 1911 frame

$799
380 ACP8+11911 Pattern
Pros
  • +Easiest-recoiling .380 on the market
  • +8+1 capacity highest in 1911-pattern .380 class
  • +4.25" barrel maximizes .380 velocity
  • +Excellent SA trigger
  • +Aluminum frame absorbs recoil
  • +Ambidextrous safety
Cons
  • −18 oz and full 1911 size, too large for pocket carry
  • −$799 premium price for a .380
  • −Limited holster selection vs pocket .380s
  • −Manual safety required
  • −Overkill size for the caliber for most buyers
Barrel: 4.25"Weight: 18 ozCapacity: 8+1
Verified Retailer
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5

Kahr P380

Thinnest Profile - 0.75" wide, true deep concealment specialist

$649
380 ACP6+10.75" Wide
Pros
  • +Thinnest .380 at 0.75" wide
  • +10 oz lightest in class
  • +Smooth DAO trigger safer for pocket carry
  • +Stainless steel slide durable
  • +Fits pockets where nothing else will
Cons
  • −6+1 capacity
  • −$649 expensive for 6+1 .380
  • −DAO trigger requires practice for accuracy
  • −Very limited aftermarket and holster selection
  • −Short 2.53" barrel limits velocity
Barrel: 2.53"Weight: 10 ozCapacity: 6+1
Verified Retailer
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6

Kimber Micro 380

Best Premium 1911-Pattern - Aluminum frame SA with Kimber fit and finish

$649
380 ACP6+1Aluminum Frame
Pros
  • +Excellent SA trigger for a .380
  • +Aluminum frame reduces recoil versus polymer
  • +Premium fit and finish
  • +13.4 oz manageable for pocket or IWB
  • +Multiple finish and grip options
Cons
  • −6+1 capacity
  • −$649 premium for .380 capacity
  • −Manual safety discipline required
  • −Kimber QC reputation mixed in recent years
  • −Limited aftermarket versus Ruger or Glock
Barrel: 2.75"Weight: 13.4 ozCapacity: 6+1
Verified Retailer
Shop at Primary Arms
7

Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0

Best Budget 10+1 - 10+1 .380 at the lowest price in class

$399
380 ACP10+1Budget
Pros
  • +10+1 capacity matches LCP Max
  • +$399 lowest price for 10+1 .380
  • +Improved 2.0 trigger over original Bodyguard
  • +Loaded chamber indicator
  • +Wider slide serrations for easier manipulation
Cons
  • −14.2 oz heavier than LCP Max by 3.6 oz
  • −Thicker profile than LCP Max
  • −Less refined trigger than SIG P238 or Kimber
  • −Limited aftermarket compared to Ruger LCP line
Barrel: 2.75"Weight: 14.2 ozCapacity: 10+1
Verified Retailer
Shop at Primary Arms
8

Ruger LCP II

Best Value - Entry price pocket carry with proven Ruger reliability

$349
380 ACP6+1Value
Pros
  • +$349 lowest price in the guide
  • +10.6 oz true pocket weight
  • +Proven Ruger LCP reliability platform
  • +Improved trigger over original LCP
  • +Deep pocket holster aftermarket
Cons
  • −6+1 capacity when LCP Max offers 10+1 for $100 more
  • −Basic sights
  • −No rail for accessories
  • −No optic-ready option
  • −Superseded by LCP Max for most buyers
Barrel: 2.75"Weight: 10.6 ozCapacity: 6+1
Verified Retailer
Shop at Primary Arms

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Pocket vs 1911-Pattern vs Deep Concealment: Choosing Your .380

The .380 ACP market splits into three platform families. Each trades capacity, size, and trigger quality differently. The right choice depends on how you carry and what you prioritize.

Modern Pocket Carry (LCP Max, Bodyguard 2.0, Glock 42, LCP II)

  • +Highest capacity (10+1 on LCP Max and Bodyguard 2.0)
  • +Lightest weight options in class
  • +Cheapest options ($349-$499)
  • -Snappy recoil at sub-15 oz
  • -Short sight radius limits accuracy
  • -Triggers less refined than 1911-pattern

1911-Pattern Premium (SIG P238, Kimber Micro 380)

  • +Best triggers in .380 class (SA 1911-pattern)
  • +Aluminum frames reduce felt recoil significantly
  • +Excellent fit and finish
  • -6+1 capacity, half of modern pocket guns
  • -Manual safety requires training discipline
  • -Heavier than polymer options

Full-Size / Deep Concealment (Browning 1911-380, Kahr P380)

  • +Browning is the easiest-shooting .380 available (18 oz, 4.25" barrel)
  • +Kahr P380 is the thinnest at 0.75 inches wide
  • +Browning 8+1 highest capacity in 1911-pattern .380 class
  • -Browning too large for pocket carry; IWB holster only
  • -Kahr limited aftermarket and holster selection
  • -$649-$799 premium pricing

.380 vs 9mm, honestly: Modern .380 HST Micro loads are viable for defense, meeting the FBI 12-inch minimum in bare gel. But 9mm is objectively better: more muzzle energy, more reliable hollow point expansion through barriers, cheaper ammunition, and vastly more platform options. The .380 exists because it fits where 9mm physically cannot. A Ruger LCP Max at 10.6 oz and 0.81 inches fits in front jeans pockets. No 9mm micro-compact does. A .380 you carry beats the 9mm you left at home. See our caliber comparison guide for the complete ballistic data, and our best 9mm pistols guide if pocket size is not your constraint.

Who still chooses .380: Pocket carry in athletic wear or dress clothes where no 9mm fits. Backup gun on an ankle holster for LEO or armed professionals. Shooters with hand strength or recoil sensitivity issues who cannot manage 9mm reliably. Training new shooters on fundamental marksmanship before moving to 9mm. The .380 is a tool for specific problems, not a general recommendation.

How to Choose a .380 ACP Pistol

Pocket Fit

The .380 advantage is pocketability. The LCP Max, P380, and LCP II fit front jeans pockets in standard pocket holsters. The Glock 42 and P238 are borderline for front pockets depending on the cut of your pants. The Browning 1911-380 is too large for pocket carry and belongs in an IWB holster. If pocket carry is the reason you are buying a .380, measure your pocket and compare against the published dimensions before purchasing.

Capacity

.380 capacity ranges from 6+1 (LCP II, P238, Glock 42, Kahr P380, Kimber Micro) to 10+1 (LCP Max, Bodyguard 2.0) to 8+1 (Browning 1911-380). The LCP Max and Bodyguard 2.0 use staggered-stack magazines that nearly doubled classic .380 capacity without meaningfully increasing grip width. If capacity matters, the LCP Max or Bodyguard 2.0 are the only options worth considering.

Trigger Type

Three trigger actions. Striker-fired: LCP Max, LCP II, Glock 42, Bodyguard 2.0. Long, heavy pulls but simple manual of arms. SA 1911: P238, Kimber Micro, Browning 1911-380. Crisp, short pulls with manual safety. Best shooting experience. DAO: Kahr P380. Long smooth pull, safest for pocket carry with no external safety. SA triggers shoot best. DAO is safest for pocket carry.

Recoil Management

Lighter means snappier. The Browning 1911-380 at 18 oz with a 4.25" barrel feels closer to .22 LR than a defensive caliber. The LCP Max at 10.6 oz is noticeably snappy. Aluminum-framed guns (P238 at 15.2 oz, Kimber Micro at 13.4 oz) split the difference between pocket weight and shootability. If recoil sensitivity is a concern, the Browning or the aluminum 1911-pattern guns are the best choices.

Price Tiers

$349-$449: LCP II ($349), Bodyguard 2.0 ($399), LCP Max ($449). Best value tier with proven reliability. $499-$699: Glock 42 ($499), Kahr P380 ($649), Kimber Micro ($649), SIG P238 ($699). Mid and premium options with better triggers or thinner profiles. $799: Browning 1911-380. Premium full-size .380 for shooters who prioritize the shooting experience over pocket size.

Holster Availability

The LCP Max has the deepest pocket holster market of any .380. DeSantis, Alabama Holster, and dozens of Kydex makers produce dedicated pocket holsters. The Glock 42 and P238 also have strong aftermarket support. The Kahr P380 and Browning 1911-380 have limited holster selection. For a complete rundown on carry systems, see our concealed carry holster guide.

Quick Comparison: Best .380 ACP Pistols

RankModelPriceBarrelCapacityWeight
1Ruger LCP Max$4492.8"10+110.6 oz
2SIG Sauer P238$6992.7"6+115.2 oz
3Glock Glock 42$4993.25"6+113.76 oz
4Browning 1911-380$7994.25"8+118 oz
5Kahr P380$6492.53"6+110 oz
6Kimber Micro 380$6492.75"6+113.4 oz
7Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0$3992.75"10+114.2 oz
8Ruger LCP II$3492.75"6+110.6 oz

Pocket Holsters for .380 Pistols

Pocket holsters are the primary carry method for .380 pistols. A proper pocket holster breaks up the pistol outline, keeps the gun oriented correctly for a consistent draw, and covers the trigger guard. The LCP Max, LCP II, Kahr P380, and Bodyguard 2.0 fit standard pocket holsters in most pants. For a complete holster breakdown, see our concealed carry holster guide.

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.380 Self-Defense Ammunition

Purpose-built .380 defensive loads are critical. Standard hollow points designed for 9mm velocities will not expand reliably from short .380 barrels running 850-950 fps. Federal HST Micro .380, Hornady XTP .380, and Sig V-Crown .380 are engineered for the lower velocities that 2.5-3.25 inch barrels produce. Test your carry ammunition through at least 200 rounds in your specific pistol before trusting it for defense.

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Caliber Comparison

.380 vs 9mm vs .45 ACP - Ballistics, recoil, size, and self-defense performance compared across the three most common handgun calibers.

Concealed Carry Pistols

Best Concealed Carry Pistols 2026 - Full-size to subcompact pistols ranked for concealed carry across 9mm, .380, and .45 ACP.

Frequently Asked Questions

▶What is the best .380 pistol in 2026?
LCP Max best overall (10+1, 10.6 oz, $449). SIG P238 best premium. Glock 42 for Glock ecosystem buyers. For most people, the LCP Max is the answer: it doubled the capacity of classic pocket .380s without meaningfully increasing size or weight. The P238 wins if trigger quality is your top priority. The Glock 42 wins if you already own Glocks and want the same manual of arms in your pocket gun.
▶Is .380 ACP enough for self-defense?
Modern .380 defensive loads like Federal HST Micro and Hornady XTP meet the FBI minimum 12-inch penetration standard in bare gel. They do not perform as consistently through intermediate barriers (heavy clothing, auto glass) as 9mm loads. The .380 is viable for defense but not ideal. A .380 you carry every day is infinitely more effective than a 9mm sitting in a safe because it was too heavy for your outfit.
▶What is the best .380 for concealed carry?
The Ruger LCP Max is the best all-around pocket carry .380: 10+1 at 10.6 oz in a true pocket-sized frame. For IWB holster carry with the best trigger, the SIG P238. For the thinnest possible profile at 0.75 inches, the Kahr P380.
▶.380 ACP vs 9mm: which is better?
9mm is objectively better for defense: more muzzle energy, more reliable hollow point expansion, cheaper ammunition, and more platform options. The .380 exists for one reason: it fits where 9mm physically cannot. A Ruger LCP Max at 10.6 oz and 0.81 inches wide fits in front jeans pockets. No 9mm micro-compact does. See our caliber comparison guide for the complete data.
▶Is the Ruger LCP Max reliable?
Yes. The LCP platform has over a decade of production and field use. The Max uses the same proven action with a redesigned magazine well to accommodate the staggered-stack 10-round magazine. Standard break-in recommendation is 200 rounds with your carry ammunition to confirm function. Ruger's customer service handles any issues within their limited lifetime warranty.
▶What .380 ammo should I carry?
Federal HST Micro .380, Hornady XTP .380, or Sig V-Crown .380. These loads are purpose-built for short .380 barrels (2.5-3.25 inches) and achieve reliable expansion at the lower velocities pocket pistols produce. Avoid standard 9mm-optimized hollow points loaded in .380 cases; they lack the velocity for consistent expansion from pocket barrels.
▶Can you pocket carry a .380?
Yes, pocket carry is the primary use case for .380 pistols. The Ruger LCP Max, LCP II, Kahr P380, and S&W Bodyguard 2.0 fit standard pocket holsters in most pants. The Glock 42 and SIG P238 are borderline for front pockets depending on the cut. The Browning 1911-380 is too large for pocket carry but conceals in an IWB holster.

Explore the Full Handgun Catalog

Browse all .380 ACP, 9mm, and .45 ACP handgun platforms in our catalog with detailed specs, capability scores, and side-by-side comparison. Compare Ruger, SIG, Glock, Browning, Kahr, Kimber, and Smith & Wesson models.

Browse Handgun CatalogView All Guides

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AB
ABAuthor

Avid shooter with 9+ years of experience including competition shooting. Built 10+ AR-pattern rifles and several handgun platforms for home defense, competition, and suppressed night shooting.

9+ years shooting experienceCompetition shooterBuilt 10+ AR-pattern rifles

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