I've been looking into getting a carrying pistol in .380. I'd like to keep cost down as much as possible, less than $500. I'd also like the option of high capacity magazines primarily for practicing, plinking and carrying when convenient, but its not that big of a deal. Does anyone have experience/opinions on the North American Arms Guardian? Haven't really herd much of them but they look appealing (to me atleast). What else is out there that I should concider?
If you are looking to keep cost down get a 9mm because for some odd reason .380 is more expensive than 9mm. Mid frame glock? small frame glock? and .380 ammo is comparable to .45 in price just something to think about
sorry i have a thing for glocks but I would look at small to mid frame 9mm's if I was you. para ordanice and kahr are expensive , i say glock because they dropped in price because of more comp in the poly frame market , like the s+w m+P. and by no means am i saying .380 is a bad round just if you want to plink 9mm is much more cost effective even .40 is alittle cheaper and more readliy obtainable.
North American Arms Guardian????? Never heard of them. Have you looked at Kel-Tec? If you're looking for a good CCW gun, they're great. The first 100 rds or so is kinda rough, and they don't try to cover this fact up. Its clearly posted on their site. After that though, its smooth sailing. During the "break in" period, I had about 4 hiccups, since then, 500 rounds or so later and none except the occasional bad primer. (not the gun's fault). Worth a check. They have 'em in both 9mm and 380. Your choice, I chose the 9mm P11 model.
Handguns Magazine ran a cover story on .380 pocket pistols and compared the Kel Tec P 3AT, Ruger LCP, North American Arms Guardian and Cobra Patriot. The Keltec won 6 out of 6 range tests and got a perfect 100%. The author rated the LCP second and said it was very close to Kel Tec but found the Kel Tec had a lighter trigger pull. The Guardian got a good rating but he said it was very heavy for a pocket pistol and the Cobra was rated bottom choice. He worded it differently but basically said the Cobra Sucked.
After reading that article I bought a P3AT. I was between the Kel Tec and the Ruger and that article made my decision for me. I am very happy with my P3AT and would recommend it as a carry pocket pistol for those days when your wardrobe won't allow a bigger pistol however I wouldn't recommend it for plinking. A pistol that small gets tough on the hand after 100 or so rounds. The first time I took it to the range I wanted to see what it would do. I shot 350 rounds. The gun did great but my hand was cut up pretty bad and sore for a few weeks. I have to agree with Random White Guy. If your looking to get a multi purpose Range Plinker and Carry Gun and want to save money go with a 9MM. Ammo is dirt cheap and it will be a lot easier on the hand. If you want to do it on a budget try a Taurus Millennium. I have a 9MM Millennium and am very happy. Small, cheap and good. If you can go up in price go Springfield. I have a Springfield Subcompact XD in 9MM and in .40 that I love.
marketplace yet is not popular enough to have the mass production that lowers prices.
This is one main reason why the 9mm can be less costly to shoot.
Not trying to talk you out of a .380 but just to give you a heads up about the popularity of the round. You may not find it on the shelf in the smaller retail outlets such as a local gun dealer. It will likely be a special order item.
I can buy 380 for the same price as 9mm. The 380 is a great round. But I too would go with the P3AT.
Where are you buying .380's at the same price as 9MM? Is it on line? If so, can you post the website. I'd shoot mine a lot more if I could get the ammo as cheap.
Thanks for all the input. I think i'm going to give kel-tec another look. I really like the price on them
The main reason why I want 380 is because I already have a browning 1910 but just don't want to beat it up by carrying it. I also reload, so ammo price isn't that big of a deal to me.
Thanks for all the input. I think i'm going to give kel-tec another look. I really like the price on them
The main reason why I want 380 is because I already have a browning 1910 but just don't want to beat it up by carrying it. I also reload, so ammo price isn't that big of a deal to me.
I have been very happy with my P3AT. I trust it as my carry gun on light clothes days. Less than $300 out the door after tax, delivery, criminal check too. You can't go wrong. The only negative I see is where you said you want a plinking gun. After a couple hundred rounds on one range trip the small gun is hard on your hand.
Check out the Kahr CW series of guns. They can usually be had for less than 400.00. I have a CW 9 that I really like, small enough to be concealable buy still large enough to be comfortable to shoot a lot. While I like the idea behind some of these ultra-compacts, they are not fun to shoot (for me anyways).
if you are looking for a pocket self defense gun, then the kel-tec is a good option.
if you are gonna holster carry, there are better options out there in my opinion. The bersa is an outstanding pistol that is accurate and reliable.
From experience, the cz 83 is just about the best as far as anything remotely considered high capacity. Very accurate/reliable and would make a great carry gun and range gun.
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.380 acp for ccw and plinking 
