Best small .380 EDC gun on CA Roster?

[Wolkenflieger]

P238 is the only answer here. Honestly one of my favorite guns that I picked up on a whim and anyone I know who sold theirs is either looking for another, or have picked up a replacement.

I need to keep looking for one or just buy one in roster! I just found out that I can't install the M*Carbo trigger and spring kit for my LCP Max (not CA compliant, probably won't be approved by IA for EDC) so I'm once again looking at the P238 more closely.

I almost never read the Q&A on sites but I found this *after* I got the parts and was about to install them;

Question:
Is this trigger California Compliant? I haven't found any that have the California Compliant magazine disconnect.
March 31, 2025 7:55 PM

Answers
No it is not currently compliant but we are looking into making one.
Answered by
Justin Morris / May 1, 2025 10:00 AM

I'm surprised that M*CARBO doesn't make this more obvious on the product page. Hopefully they take returns.

 

[kodenko]

I need to keep looking for one or just buy one in roster! I just found out that I can't install the M*Carbo trigger and spring kit for my LCP Max so I'm once again looking at the P238 more closely.

If you’re in the OC area, Turners in Lake Forest has a couple right now.

 

[Wolkenflieger]

If you’re in the OC area, Turners in Lake Forest has a couple right now.

Thanks! I grew up in that area.

 

[jamesbarber1989]

Hi All,

Looking for recommendations for a CA Roster small .380 carry gun. I'm about to go for my first CCW license.

I have the CZ 75 D PCR with some CGW mods. Shoots well and it's not too big.

I also have the CZ 2075 RAMI in 9mm but I think it's too much bullet for that gun. I'll probably sell it.

I'm looking for something in .380 that shoots nicely and carries well. The SIG P238 is on my radar along with the Ruger LCP Max. What else should I be looking at? I haven't shot the Shield Plus yet but people seem to like it.

Thanks!

Only correct answer is the P238. Expensive but an top notch firearm

 

[Wolkenflieger]

Only correct answer is the P238. Expensive but an top notch firearm

Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[tomrkba]

Thanks everyone! As of now, I'm going to buy the LCP Max and I will look for the all-metal SIG P238. I can always sell a gun I don't want to keep, but owning both based on these glowing reviews will let me really spend some quality time with them, using the best .380 ammo I can find. I'm still curious about your favorite .380 ammo too. I've read somewhere that flat-nose may not always feed properly, and Ruger states that +P ammo shouldn't be used in the LCP Max, apparently.

Thanks again!

Get two. One is to practice with and the second keep low round count for carry. The new LCP's have much better sights than the original which translates into much better accuracy.

 

[tomrkba]

Where are you located? I have a Glock 42 I'd sell for a reasonable price.

I like the 42 also, but it doesn't fit in a pocket well.

 

[tomrkba]

Don't pass on a Sig P232. Beautiful little guns, shoot right where you aim them. Surprisingly, still on the roster. Can be shipped to Ca.
They are readily available on GB.

The SIG P230/232 is an excellent gun. The downsides are: 1) the trigger is very heavy and long, and 2) the decocker interferes with the trigger finger for left handed shooters.

I really wish I still had mine.

 

[Wolkenflieger]

One issue with the LCP Max California model is this, which I didn't see before I bought the trigger and spring kit;

Question:
"Is this trigger California Compliant? I haven't found any that have the California Compliant magazine disconnect."
March 31, 2025 7:55 PM

Answers
"No it is not currently compliant but we are looking into making one."
Answered by
Justin Morris / May 1, 2025 10:00 AM

I haven't opened the package from M*CARBO. Hopefully they let me return the trigger and trigger spring kit for store credit and partial refund. I can still order a stronger recoil spring (12 lb.) after installing the stainless steel guide rod and better-designed takedown pin.

 

[DB>)>]

You can install the MCarbo trigger with the MD - I had to do a little light filing/reshaping when I installed the same trigger in the LCP II/.22 - there was slight interference if I hit the trigger slightly "sideways". Honestly, aside from more takeup than I'd like, the factory trigger is pretty decent, and I find that the MCarbo one doesn't work as well IMO if I'm using a trigger guard mounted laser, I tend to get pinched a tiny bit.

Keep in mind that they probably had non-CA models of the LCP MAX to work with originally. Last time I went by their site, I thought I saw a notation on their site that they WERE working with the CA compliant versions, and I'm not seeing any disclaimer currently.

As for "modifications", that's going to depend on you local IA, that's where you'd need to check. The MCarbo is basically the same as the factory, unless you're replacing springs from what I can see, so I wouldn't think it would be an issue, but check with your IA. If the springs lighten the pull, that in theory could turn into "rabid DA bait" in a DGU, so I might pass on that "upgrade", out of an abundance of caution? MCarbo says a bit over a pound pull reduction, so it's still a healthy 5+ pull. Unless you're a real trigger connoseur, I'm not sure you'd notice much difference!

I'd say keep the MAX for "backup" and the 10+1 round capacity, AND get a P238, 6+1 flush mag, 7+1 extended, add one more round with a magguts kit for up to 8+1. Hogue grip, and I found the Kimber mags for their version of this gun (which is based off the old "Mustang") fit with only a small modification, and didn't disrupt my grip like the stock SIG mags do. BOTH of these little pocket guns perform well, and I shoot either accurately enough! The metal framed SIG of course is heavier than the Ruger, if that's an issue.

 

[Wolkenflieger]

You can install the MCarbo trigger with the MD - I had to do a little light filing/reshaping when I installed the same trigger in the LCP II/.22 - there was slight interference if I hit the trigger slightly "sideways". Honestly, aside from more takeup than I'd like, the factory trigger is pretty decent, and I find that the MCarbo one doesn't work as well IMO if I'm using a trigger guard mounted laser, I tend to get pinched a tiny bit.

Keep in mind that they probably had non-CA models of the LCP MAX to work with originally. Last time I went by their site, I thought I saw a notation on their site that they WERE working with the CA compliant versions, and I'm not seeing any disclaimer currently.

As for "modifications", that's going to depend on you local IA, that's where you'd need to check. The MCarbo is basically the same as the factory, unless you're replacing springs from what I can see, so I wouldn't think it would be an issue, but check with your IA. If the springs lighten the pull, that in theory could turn into "rabid DA bait" in a DGU, so I might pass on that "upgrade", out of an abundance of caution? MCarbo says a bit over a pound pull reduction, so it's still a healthy 5+ pull. Unless you're a real trigger connoseur, I'm not sure you'd notice much difference!

I'd say keep the MAX for "backup" and the 10+1 round capacity, AND get a P238, 6+1 flush mag, 7+1 extended, add one more round with a magguts kit for up to 8+1. Hogue grip, and I found the Kimber mags for their version of this gun (which is based off the old "Mustang") fit with only a small modification, and didn't disrupt my grip like the stock SIG mags do. BOTH of these little pocket guns perform well, and I shoot either accurately enough! The metal framed SIG of course is heavier than the Ruger, if that's an issue.

Thanks for the thorough and insightful post! I'll definitely check with my IA when the time comes, and I might just install the kit before adding the gun to CCW to see if they allow it. May be a non-issue. If they don't approve the gun I'll just remove the trigger upgrades and resubmit, but other guns I'll be submitting will clear.

The P238 sounds like a no-brainer. I'll definitely look into it along with the P365. I figure i can sell what I don't want to keep.

 

[Wolkenflieger]

Today I shot some small rental guns again.

SIG P365
This thing is quite snappy. Feels a lot like the P238. Not a fan.

SIG P238
Man, I thought I would like this gun more. Felt terrible, hated the grip, so snappy for a .380. I think its small size just makes it harder to shoot.

Ruger LCP Max (mine)
This gun felt the best, and mine felt better than the rental version. Mine has a the stainless steel guide rod and beefier takedown pin.

Conclusion
I've determined that I don't need to buy the SIG P238 or the P365. Neither of them felt better than the LCP Max. I do think the LCP Max would benefit from a thicker Hogue grip or similar. I also want to install the short stroke flat-face trigger and trigger spring kit and take my chances with the IA. I've also ordered the high-power recoil spring from M*CARBO that I forgot to order the first time.

I'm thinking I need to give the 2075 RAMI another shot with 124gr ammo vs. the snappier 115gr I tried the first time.

 

[kodenko]

Different strokes for different folks I guess. I wil say that I had the same issue with the P238 initially, but added Hogue grips and only use the 7 round mag with the pinky extension which changes the gun completely IMO. Glad you were able to narrow it down though!

 

[DB>)>]

Different strokes for different folks I guess. I wil say that I had the same issue with the P238 initially, but added Hogue grips and only use the 7 round mag with the pinky extension which changes the gun completely IMO. Glad you were able to narrow it down though!

I'd second both of those -

The standard plastic scales for grips should be replaced with the Hogue, huge difference, and will make the P238 feel much better, along with absorbing a bit of recoil impulse. As noted above, I found that the Kimber 7 round extended mags worked better for me than the Sig ones - the forward face of the Kimber ones is straight parallel with the rest of the grip, as opposed to the pseudo finger notch on SIG mags that for me curves forward and sticks out too much and disrupts my aim downward with a firm grip. The Kimber mags need a very slight trim of the plastic base to seat in the SIG magwell, but that's easy enough and they otherwise fit and feed fine!

 

[kodenko]

I'd second both of those -

The standard plastic scales for grips should be replaced with the Hogue, huge difference, and will make the P238 feel much better, along with absorbing a bit of recoil impulse. As noted above, I found that the Kimber 7 round extended mags worked better for me than the Sig ones - the forward face of the Kimber ones is straight parallel with the rest of the grip, as opposed to the pseudo finger notch on SIG mags that for me curves forward and sticks out too much and disrupts my aim downward with a firm grip. The Kimber mags need a very slight trim of the plastic base to seat in the SIG magwell, but that's easy enough and they otherwise fit and feed fine!

Huh learned something new today. Gonna have to pick a new mag up and try it.

 

[heyjerr]

You might still consider the Shield Plus. If it has the flat trigger, it is very nice.
I am surprised to hear you didn't like the 238....it was my EDC while I was in CA. Easy to pocket carry, too. (DeSantis Nemesis, but there may be better out there)
--I did change the grips out to Rosewood with the American Flag, which definitely felt better than the stock grips...along with the extended mag w/pinky rest. Stock 6+1 mag with a dangling pinky definitely made it harder to shoot.

 

[mikhailhammer]

I really recommend the LCP Max, I put the stainless steel guide rod, heavier recoil spring and heavier takedown pin in it, excellent upgrades for the price. It's my go to pocket gun, in a pocket kydex holster when I'm just going out real quick.

 

[Wolkenflieger]

Update!

I installed everything M*CARBO offers for the LCP Max but for the Extra Power Recoil Spring which I'm still waiting on. Wasn't too difficult with the install video from M*CARBO except the installer went a little fast in some spots, not showing what he was installing or its orientation.

Took it to the range for target shooting at 16 yards and....I couldn't even hit the paper. I know these carry guns don't do too well past 10 yards but I obviously need to start with 5-10 yards and go from there. I'm a pretty decent shot with other guns but not with the littles.

I read about some people getting LCP Max guns which weren't firing accurately, with Ruger either fixing them or offering replacements. I'll keep trying with much closer targets to get an accuracy baseline. I shoot the PCR very well, which shoots like a much bigger gun.

The pic shows my target groups at 16 yards with other guns. Not an ace but not too bad!

 

[five.five-six]

Khar P380

/thread

 

[Wolkenflieger]

Khar P380

/thread

Noted!

I would love to try this gun. I don't want to buy guns just to try them unless their reputation is very good, with raving GunTubers all over the web.