I use the site SlickGuns a lot to shop for deals and they ran into the same problem with upvotes and downvotes people vote something down just because they wouldnt personally buy it makes no difference if it is a good deal, good product, etc. The guy did a service to the gun community by creating this website and writing a cautionary article, and some assholes gotta focus on the self-promotion. just kidding 32,490 views Aug 21, 2021 1.1K Dislike Share nutnfancy 852K subscribers Another ranting reviewoh man we do not like Well, Taurus only makes one gun that really meets the pocket pistol criteria set forth in the article. When it comes to a worst list omitting anything made by Kel Tec is a mistake. Id have to disagree with the cpx2s place on the list even though the company had growing pains. . I own a SCCY CPX-2 personally and it has been a flawless gun. But for a handgun of last resort, I prefer an Airweight. These arent big enough vote pools anyway. Yep and they give AKs a bad name with how terrible theirs are. Go to the Beretta form Pico and the gun is loved by many. No sights (Stick it up their nose and pull the trigger). You can read about well known problems on reddit, Amazon, etc, for ranknings and customer ratings abuse. I live in Utah, so in the wintertime its a very high probability that Ill be wearing some type of glove. Thats when I could get them to respond to my emails, that is. You have not spoken to anyone that has something positive to say about the Pico? My PT 22 is surprisingly reliable. I owned a SCCY CPX-2 (notice the past tense). Remarkable build quality. But despite those advantages, .380 pocket pistols have also been plagued by a number of downsides. Otherwise, their opinion may mean nothing. There are many different 380 pistol options, but our favorites include the following: Ruger LCP II, Walther PK380, Kel-tec P3AT, Taurus Spectrum, and M&P Shield EZ. Springfield operator: 5.2 I put the new glock style slide release on mine and it is a little slimmer now. IMHO it packs a great punch for a pistol that slips away in my pocket. No problems with it at all. Yeah, apparently without the server capacity to handle the resulting load increase, too. It is my bicycle gun. I own some pretty toys and more expensive carry guns but for everyday carry i choose between my CPX 2 and S&W 442 and feel just as confident with either. The S&W MP EZ 380 read the reviews even on the Glock site they praise the SW MP 380 EZ I have a KAHR CM40 and a CW40 and for their intended purpose they are great. Just a BS review to gain clicks and views. The gun design has never worked well . Even the author of this article merely speculates, at times, as to why the readers voted as they did. To start with they sat on it for 2 whole years teasing a release and it just kept getting pushed back further and further. Super gun, works every time. No I dont own one I own two. In the case of the SCCY they are worth it. After we shot a bit we could ring that gong regularly. She shot both, along with a used Beretta .380, and chose the Sig despite the price being just about double at the time. I would even venture to say its a 50/50 gamble when buying a Kel Tec. I am surprised high point 380 & 9mm werent included in your list. Great sights, ability to change out to night sights and on and on. What good is a lifetime warranty if they dont fix it??? Hellcat 380. And surely have not shot one or very little. I will say they like Ruger and a few other vendors copied Kel-Tec once again as this thing look like a P11. It pains me to include the DB380 on this list because I bought one acouple years ago. He talks about having to yank the Mag. The LCP II also features forward and rear serrations on the slide, whereas the original LCP only featured serrations on the rear. ! Silver tip p+ for carry, or whatever local law enforcement carries. Their guns get copied because George Kelgren never copyrighted the designs. How anyone can actually report that a gun that has the build quality of the Pico is one of the worst is beyond me. Hey Dan, what gun have you designed or invested in? I have thousands of rounds through the Picos and trust me, they hold up like the tank they are. They have gotten great reviews and by the serial numbers and manufacture dates on the 2 guns, their sales have gone up 4x but the QC has suffered greatly. Its manageable. I have literally spoken to no one that has said anything positive about the Pico. We buy a pocket gun for last-ditch self defense, which literally makes it a do-or-die gun. The tiny gun is lightweight, inexpensive and comfortable to carry. I trust the Colt, Kahr, and Rugers, but I would like more power. Funny, I have the SCCY CPX-2 and I love it. Mine also runs well, and they feel really well made. For their size they are accurate but these are not range guns (especially the CM40). But thats just me Not everyone places as much weight on user ratings as I do. In light of that, the valuable service you claim hes doing may well be smoke and mirrors. Well, yes, Gigli did suck, but that wasnt known until later. I would think a pocket gun would be best kept in .380 or 9mm. 4) Beretta Pico(4.1 stars 0.3, 134 votes), Color me shockedto see the Pico down here with the bottom feeders because Beretta is a major manufacturer that produces lots of quality firearms. The mag will spring out when done correctly. S&W Bodyguard .380 7. The double 1911 also has ratings. He does not know how to use it. An odd shaped frame that in my opinion they actually went too small on trying to outdo everyone to be the king of small in 380s. It seems like the all metal euro pistols of yester-year beat the new models in spades. They fall apart with any kink of volume down range. I sell guns and have ZERO hesitation about selling someone a CPX-2 for everyday carry. From what I understand the early ones with the safety have issues compared to the later ones without a safety. No issues to complain about. I own expensive pistols and revolvers, as well as a SCCY CPX-2. Not sure why the Sccy is on this list, I own a cpx2 and its great! lol Damon really? Funny. Shoots fine, never a problem, kills my hand. Broke the ejector. . capacity. Current (and Growing) List of Exhibitors at the Texas Firearms Festival. I bought it because the idea of 10+1 rounds in 9mm was very appealing. Any kind of ammo. These arent Rambo guns, they are self defense guns. ******SPONSORED CONTENT/PRODUCT PLACEMENT******. The price is right, but the performance and ratings just arent. The gun works. Oh shit! Man this Truth about guns article really burns me up. Once in a great while, a firearm becomes so popular that it becomes a cultural icon. I give them a failing grade because neither gun reliably goes bang each time you pull the trigger on factory ammo. 3) SCCY Industries CPX-2(4.3 stars 0.4, 99 votes). The very concealable gun has a barrel length of only 2.5 inches. Thats a problem for a pocket gun. Worst complaint is the trigger, but a lot of dry fires with snap caps and you condition yourself to the long reset. I own two of them, shoot pockets guns each week and have been for years. But this article should be called Articles to avoid like the Plague. However it is not any where near the build quality of the Beretta Pico. That gun, the TCP, gets pretty good marks everywhere Ive seen it reviewed, so I wouldnt expect it to show up on a pocket guns to avoid list. The Recoil spring is a one spring like almost any other. It is a small barrel gun NOT a target gun. We saw your review and write up. My advice. The trigger is long and has some over travel but its very smooth. And for sure never shot one. That would be TTAG, and a handful of others. This is like the buzzfeed of gun articles. You do not have one clue about what you are talking about. The trigger guard on the LCP has also been enlarged in order to accommodate a gloved finger without risking pulling the trigger. More than ever, the PPK is a statement of sophistication. Nicer than the price would indicate. Its not a range gun, and should not be treated as such. The only thing about that bill is that allows those in a govt approved marksmenship program to buy them first. My Kahr is a nice but, but Finicky as heck. My Airweight has been dehorned and edges softened, carries so comfortably with a Hip Grip that I often forget about it. Wonder if SCCY will give you a deal on a trade in for that one ? The thing stinks. They know media though. This gun is budget-friendly and chambered substantially (9mm). . Even a novice can see the better build quality of the Pico. This is NOT a target gun. Granted, .380 pocket autos are not guns that you take to the range for fun. Its tight, even well after break-in. Trash. Im thinking about getting a second one to keep in my truck or with my bow hunting gear. Women need to be told about the woman in Birmingham who was being robbed and pulled out a gun. Copyright 2023 Center for the National Interest All Rights Reserved. I bought a used SCCY CPX-2. No issue with it. I dont care for the finger grooves, the chunky feel, or the bullets rattling in the magazine when they arent stacked just right. Ive put plenty of rounds through my p3at and its reliable. In fact, reading them, even with comments, is quite nearly a waste of time. Stainless STEEL barrel, CHASSIS, best sights made on a pocket gun, Magazines that look like Custume 1911, all stainless steel with even a Steel follower. If there is what looks like an empty hole its uncocked. I own a SCCY CPX-2. You really missed this one. Just like Fords. I wouldnt go smaller than a Glock 27 in .40 the recoil is too snappy. The design was intended to produce more accuracy while only sacrificing marginal power. It smacks you hand, mostly due to the 2 finger grip. Even your most expensive 1911s, Colts, S&W and Glocks will jam or miss fire from time to time. What utter nonsense! Unfortunately, each of these pistols and others in their class suffer from a number of serious flaws. Every one of these pistols are incredibly easy to conceal in your pocket. One of the finest pocket guns out there. Simple, easy and the Beretta Pico is in fact one of the most mild shooting Pocket Pistols out there. Id never heard of the site; wanted to check it out to see how much I want to buy the article at face value. Lol, I think he is a troll with other guns as well. As a long, and I do mean long time P3AT owner, you must be one of those anti Keltec trolls that hated them from the start. I tried to get Gunsgunsguns.net to pop up-no dice in 5 or 6 tries. One of the most MILD mannered pistols you can shoot in 380.They are Ultra reliable with all kinds of ammo. So Ill pass on the herd mentality when buying guns thanks.. Most often the issue is people dry firing, or using hollowpoints. That could happen with any gun someone didnt ,maintain and hadnt tested out at the range. Apparently their readership likes Sigs with large sample sizes. Yea James, if you look the SCCY gets like 4.3 stars the best out of this bunch and has the one of the higest vote stats and whats the comment from the author oh this gun stinks based on what? I own two of them, and they have turned out to be the highest quality most reliable firearms I own. It came back still not fixed. Presenting statistics like this isnt representative of the actual quality of the product, but the opinion of those who voted. WebMAC Website & PrimaryArms website link: http://www.militaryarms.orgJoin Patreon and support MAC! Except for a derringer but that is because the prior owner dry fired it which you are to never do. I still have the same problem. Note to self, Get to the range! (not missed, as in missed the target, but missed as in I pulled the trigger for the follow up shot and nothing happened because it had not reset). They never protected their early designs/. The warranty cant be beat. The Beretta Pico is probably one of Berettas biggest blunders. How is the pot metal Cobra #2? I met Leghorn at a Range Day last year and he knows little about handling a weapon. Maybe something like this? The muzzle blast can be quite impressive and women should definitely fire their guns at the range. The DAO trigger is long but is consistent and smooth. He didnt even require them to be positive. Baby glocks seem like an attractive option as at least they have a somewhat normal trigger w/ a normal length of pull. Really it sounds like some pretty crappy customer service. This is what I really hate about stories like the one posted. Surprised the Remington R51 didnt make this list. As far as the magazine release, its perfect for my needs. Total joke. The Ring of Fire guns are small, super I have pocket holsters for all but the S&W and had been carrying the XDS 45 regularly till yesterday. what a waste of time. Bottom line, a lifetime warranty isnt worth squat if they cant fix the problem and their only answer is to blame the customer. Now I feel like I have t fire the XDS 9MM again before I trust it, Really shook me up when I casually pressed the trigger and got a light clunk. And I have not shot one better then these in the same weight and AOL class. Yes, he and others are social media whizkids, but not firearm experts. No gun, none, should have a mag release that is that stiff and impossible to use fast and effectively, especially in a carry gun none the less. The small NAA revolvers make a good back up weapon, I own three of the little guns. BUT! Im curious as to how you derived your +/- error bars and why you are calling 25-50 votes statistically significant. Those are awfully small sample sizes compared to the number of guns of each make/model in production. The CPX-2 fails to fully eject one shell per magazine. the fact you just dont like it? This guy most definitely does not have one clue about the Pico. It went on to launch a revolution of micro .380 handguns. No warning shot, no shoot to wound. Kahr makes a lot of pocket guns, and several of them rate really well. I chose. All of these features together, the improved trigger, the enhanced serrations, the stippling on the grip, and the slightly wider grip size all combine to make the LCP II a better handgun to shoot than the original LCP. Yes, Im sure theyre out there, but the odds youll score one of those unicorns remain low. These flaws include, but are not limited to: .380 pocket pistols have a well-deserved reputation for having some of the worst trigger pulls of any semi-automatic pistols on the market. Nonetheless, it still suffers from many of the issues that we just talked about in the previous section: the trigger pull is awful, they are difficult to shoot, it can be difficult to get a good grip on the pistol for some shooters, and the slide wont even lock back on the last round fired. (Including the book he wrote about how to cheat Amazon buyers by faking reviews.). Kim Kardashian and POTUS are best two examples of known abuse. Have you ever even shot one? Their Reviewers have alot of feed issues due to lack of knowledge of proper grip. Man, all I can say is when you mentioned the Pico, you sure messed up on that one. I just went through your site and clicked a one star on every gun over $500 and a 10 star on every gun under $500 with my only basis being I dont currently have an expendable $500 in my pocket and I dont like them because they are out of my budget Just kidding, I didnt, but anyone out there could do it, which is why I think your system is incredibly flawed by not at least holding reviewers to having to list a reason. The SCCY model CPX-2 is a fine lightweight pistol that shoots a stopper round 9mm. Unlike several riflesOh wait I might get a 22mag but not for big money. A bunch. Try posting a survey asking for votes on Glocks, for instance, and you will get a very polarized response . The reason the trigger pull is lighter is because it is a SA trigger versus the DA trigger on the original LCP. I have put about 2000 rounds through them 100% reliable so far. http://www.waltherarms.com/wp-content/uploads/ppk-left.jpg. Very very inconsistent across the board for everything they make to not be considered really bad. Seriously, it works if you have a fresh pair of springs in it. Think he went through that with customer service Ill give ya the mag though. The ratings would be a lot more reliable if everyone had to write a review along with the rating. Or the Kahr in there? I would love to meet you and show you what your are NOT talking about. Each of these guns has a lightweight, compact design making them ideal for concealed carry. :p. People generally avoid spam masquerading as journalism. I do feel though that its a little too light for a 9mm caliber . Nice gun, but many of Kahr owners go to the Pico and never look back. None. Non shooters called me a liar that we could do it, but any bad guy within 30 yards is in great danger, even though it has been a long time. Its not that the gun is too small, its that the trigger is much too close to the tiny grip. The slide has the most ineffective grooves Ive ever felt. I think it would have to be the 2mm Kolibri. Its the worlds smallest handgun, and develops just 4 joules of muzzle energy. Its not a joke weapon You have to use the recommened ammo in the manual. Hi points work if you use FMJ and clean and oil the gun. [Edit: Jeremy S. had issues w/ the Pico as well], 5) Kahr Arms CM40(3.8 stars 0.7, 36 votes). Unfortunately, my DB380 experience has mirrored that ofmany of our peers. I carry in the front pocket and have trouble with the stupid buttons that accidentally release the mag. And with gloves on, even the skin tight shooting gloves, it was impossible to get the trigger to reset without removing my finger from the trigger guard completely, or using my support hand to manually push it forward far enough to reset. In contrast to this, the original LCP did not lock back on the final round. This gun looks a whole lot like the Ruger LCP and Kel-Tec P-3AT. Three weeks before it was even released. I was thinking the same thing as I read this article. Yea, guns like Diamondback, Jiminez, Lorcen, High Point and so forth have always had poor reputations, but guns like SCCY and the now Springfield Armory XD were initially poo pooed but turn out to be good guns NOPE! In this review, we will cover the disadvantages of the .380 pistol that the LCP II sought to remedy, what makes the LCP II an improvement over the original LCP, and the uses for and specifications of the LCP II. SCCY CPX-2 is a very good gun. I certainly wouldnt be happy. Thats a lot! Wrong about sccy. A 9mm shouldnt be slower than a .45. Not any more fun to shoot, but at least I dont need a damned pencil to take spent brass out of it. The SCCY is even rated for +P ammo, in modest doses, according to the company. Its definitely not perfect but it is far from the worst gun Ive owned. Any failure rates? There really is NO WAY to know if the rating is based on a real, objective assessment of the firearm. Its not. Everyones hand size and perception of recoil is different and therein lies the beauty of having choice. Also LCP. We both agreed, the TCP trigger was superior to the LCP. One for range and one for carry. The list is pretty laughable, though, because drawing conclusions from such a tiny sample of unvetted ratings is deeply, deeply flawed. Did anybody take the poor performing guns to a reputable gunsmith and have them tuned up? Actually, the KelTec P11 is the same size, came first and holds two more rounds. No problem with the SCCY at all. From what I have heard the folks at SCCY provide great customer service. I have 2 of them. None. The only guns to get near a 100 votes are the Beretta and the SCCY. CM40 is my summe4 carry. Personally, Id like to see something a little more scientific than a survey since we have no idea if the respondents even handled the firearm. Just being a bashing b**** , gets you nowhere. I love my CPX-1. You need to learn more about handguns before posting such nonsense. Far better than any of the others gun you talk about on this rag of a story. . On the plus side, the SCCY has a lighter trigger than the Kel-Tec P11 (which may explain the problem), but the P11 always goes bang. That said, I have never tried to pocket-carry one so Im not voting on it in terms of that specific criteria. TTAG has some of the worst reviewers in history. The serrations on the LCP are also wider in order to get a better grip in slippery conditions when racking the slide. Look at the back of the slide. But if ultimate concealment is the need, then just accept that it will need to be .380. Did it require a break in, a fluff & buff, a whole plethora of different ammo to get my approval? They were remarkably accurate and soft-shooting, too. The Mary Rosh controversy (where Lott used that pseudonym to answer critics and to post one favorable review of More Guns Less Crime) is discussed. Im about to order some more. People cant make crap up in their comments? I agree, the P3AT is my go to light carry gun. Nope. Learn to shoot pocket guns and find the truth yourself and stop listening to counter Clerks at big Box stores. How so? Ive been averaging one light hammer strike every magazine or two, that requires a second pull of the trigger to ignite, regardless of ammo brand. I went through 4 LCP. Can't argue with Sig, but I'd also add Beretta to that list, both the Super long heavy pull, which is understandable on a DA only no safety gun. There are two primary uses for the LCP II: concealed carry and/or as a back-up pistol. Why Beretta didnt copy the ergonomics on that is a mystery to me. But with 99 votes in, the math is clear: the CPX-2 stinks. Suprised about the Kahr, Beretta, and Diamondback. I have a brand new Cobra that has never fired a shot ! The movie Gigli had the worst, lowest rating ever on IMDB, voted on by tens of thousands of people. Actually if the SCCY is on here then the Mill Pro G2 should be also, and that gun is a trainwreck compared to the SCCY. Keltec P11 will take S&W 669 mags10,15,20 rounders..just like the Marlin Camp Rifle.. Slicked up and did a Golden Loki Fluff & Buff on my Kel-Tec P3AT after I bought it years ago. This only naturally makes it more difficult to fire properly like we just talked about. It shot pretty well overall, but the trigger sucked. And worst and I do mean worst of all is the Magazine release, which might be the most poorly placed, poorly designed and impossible mag release on any gun ive ever handled. In a fight you wont notice it. The trigger is about smooth and deliberate. A local guy shot a home invader with a SCCY. Oh, it fits my hand great too. Anonymous reviews should be taken VERY suspiciouslyof all product, not just guns. Im in the habit of buying less costly weapons and fully expect to tinker a bit with them to produce a smooth running hot brass pile maker. HICKCOCK45 SAID OF THE PICO I really like this trigger. You do that and you will find hipoints and cobras to work as they are intended. Overall, the trigger on the LCP II makes it infinitely easier to shoot than the original LCP. I dont see it. Glad I didnt see mine. They still fall back to the limp wrist and ammo excuses. It is not a pleasant gun to shoot, but a helluva lot worse on the receiving end. What really won me over was the quality and operation, even on the bargain CM. The Kahr is an excellent unit and I have years of experience with them over Tens of Thousands of rounds fired. Thousands of flawless rounds and handles Hot ammo better than most guns handle standard ammo. It jammed after the first shot, but he hit the intruder in the chest. Got the Hellcat thrown in when I bought another gun. Too many women wind up dropping the gun which the thug grabs and then uses on the woman. I have seen this kind of nonsense before but did not expect to see it here. I dont expect any pocket gun to be pleasant to shoot, but I ditched my Hellcat after experiencing multiple failures to eject two types of ammo. But do not tell me the Kahr is a better gun. Com-block mack chambered pistols, walthers, and the like just have better reliability w/ less break in. The original Ruger LCP has been perhaps the most well-known and popular .380 pocket pistol since it was first introduced in 2008. Of all the firearm purchases you may make in your lifetime, a pocket gun is probably the one you can least afford to screw up. The DB380 is a cheap subcompact 380 pocket pistol. But again, the people have spoken: the Pico sucks. 72 people have given the Arsenal Strike 1 a mediocre rating. Forget about dropping the mag with the shooting hand, cause it aint happening. Thats whats currently on my hip and I love it. I called the factory and was accused of limp wristing. So, pocket guns being inherently hard to shoot and prone to limp wristing will experience failures. Its very much a personal decision then, based on fit, function, and how well it shoots. The PPK established a defining influence on the design of concealed carry firearms. No thanks. The Mag release is a piece of cake. Thats what made my wife choose a Sig P238, which I carry occasionally. This list would have been more valid if it had included the KIMBER SOLO, This website is better than the comedy channel. I just hated the trigger. .40 maybe too big for a leetle sub-compact pistol. You did NOT mention that the Pico has RE-STRIKE CAPAPIBILITY. Ruger LCR Pistol Ruger LCR Ruger LCR .357 Mag. By the way John, I have the Kahr, yes nice gun.Shoots well. No problems what so ever. Given all that, wouldnt it be nice to know which pocket guns you can rule out right off the bat? 2) Cobra Firearms CA380 (4.3 stars 0.9, 36 votes). Designed to be smaller and more compact than the Nambu 14 for use by armored vehicle crewmen and pilots, the pistol had design The trigger is fantastic, and reassuring in handling and holstering (leather IWB) in ways that Glock is not. Examples of popular small pocket .380 autos include the original Ruger LCP, Taurus TCP, Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .380, and the Kel-Tec P3-AT to name a few. And than some. Small, accurate and reliable. M&P Shield EZ .380 6. Does this guy have any gun expertise? Using that, Ive compiled a spreadsheet of the resultsby filtering down 200+ subcompact handguns, first by caliber (nothing weaker than .380 ACP), and then by size (nothing bigger than 5.77 long x 4.4 tall).That left 44 semi-autos, which I sorted by each guns average user rating. Not cheap, but beautifully crafted. Obvious, one writers bias, trying to get internet rookies to bash guns most have never shot nor even understand. The one I had was utter shit. Since I dont know whether or not your going to use it for EDC, I will recommend one full size and one small one which i think are the 2 best IMO. SIG P238 Why Use a .380 Pistol? IT is NOT stiff at all. We indicate sponsored content as such. If you are going to run a wisdom of crowds review site I think you really ought to take a note from them, because we ALL know the crowd can also be incredibly stupid, especially when hiding behind the anonymity of a keyboard. You fire as soon as you pull and have aimed. http://www.waltherarms.com/wp-content/uploads/ppk-beauty1.jpg Ruger listened to the criticism, which resulted in the birth of the LCP II. He says it is a blunder. When I hear someone put down the Pico, I know they do not shoot often. I bought a SCCY CPX-2 a few months ago . Web.380 Automatic Colt Pistol (ACP) was one of the many calibers created by legendary firearms designer John Browning, dating back to 1908. Did you give them Cyrillic numbers to rate with? He rated it 2.5 stars out of 5 and wrote, I dont hate it. Still, thats pretty tepid, and our readers rate it well below average. I love mine(CPX 2,no safety) Best carry gun for your dollar bar none. Sig without question is the "Caddilac". Most of the post are from newbies that know very little about guns in the first place. After the 200 round break in if you have any, then yes you should be pissed. Go to some of the forums and you will seem many post and pictures from fans. You mean like the crowd of voters that put Obama in office twice. I limited this list to the bottom six guns to reduce room for disagreement and keep it simple. It has the stopping power necessary to approach a threat, while still maintaining the size required for comfortable everyday carry. The Pico is top shelf. Mine works, has worked, continues to work, and has never not gone bang. Its a joy to shoot. Voted by handgun magazine as a top pistol and great manufacturer. While the LCP II is still a small pocket pistol, Ruger made a number of improvements to it. A 380 is about as wide as a 9mm. However it is about 1/2 as powerful, 1/2 the weight and velocity. For a very long time 9mm was considered the rock Diamondback has been plagued by trouble. So they added in where if you downvote something you must list at least one reason why. Here are some basic facts for the Ruger LCP II: In conclusion, the Ruger LCP II simply represents the beginning of the evolution of the .380 pocket pistol. Basically I hate these guns because I hate these guns, and you should too because I do. This is the closest I have ever been to accusing TTAG of pandering to the highest advertising contributors (i. e. not a SINGLE Taurus gun on here? According to our peers, here are the six worst pocketguns, from less awful to worstest.