In the past two years, I reviewed the Ruger Security-9 full-size 9mm and the Ruger Security-9 Compact 9mm models. I appreciate the excellent performance and features of these fine Ruger guns, so I want to review, and field test their new short-barreled Security-380 compact pistol for concealed carry use. Several readers and students have asked me for a softer shooting pistol with less felt recoil. Some have hand injuries and want less felt recoil or an easier-to-rack slide due to a medical condition like arthritic hands. Would this new .380 Auto meet these needs, and would it work for concealed carry? How would it measure up to my ten criteria, especially its accuracy, reliability, less felt recoil, and concealability? This is my evaluation and field test, and I hope it helps.
Table of Contents
- The Review Plan
- Four Prominent First-Glance Features of the Ruger Security-380 Compact
- Ruger Security-380 Compact Review Goals and Disclosure
- Detailed Specifications and Features
- Col. Ben’s 10 Evaluation Criteria
- Eight .380 Auto Caliber Considerations for Self Defense
- Range Field Test Ammo for Ruger Security-380 Compact
- .380 Rounds, Your Purpose, and Ballistics
- Col. Ben’s Concealed Carry Drill
- Results: Range Field Test with Opinions and Evaluations for Each Criterion
- Recommended Holsters
- Conclusions
- Contacts
The Review Plan
First, I will give a brief introduction to just four of the features of this new model that stood out for me. Later, I will go in-depth on them here to help you. Then I will present the specifications and features of the new Security-380 Compact. Next, I will give the ten criteria I will use to evaluate it.
Some wonder if any .380 pistol is adequate for self-defense, so I next give you eight considerations to help you make your own decision. Keep in mind that accurate and quick hits on target are what really matter when the “rubber meets the road,” so to say. When your life is in balance, it is absolutely critical that defenders have the ability to deliver rapid hits where they want them on the target rather than feeling and dealing with profuse recoil. I believe that if your carry ammo can penetrate to 12 inches or more of ballistic gelatin, per the F.B.I standard, then a .380 auto can get the job done if you follow marksmanship fundamentals for accuracy.
Afterward, I present my Range Field Test results (using my included free Concealed Carry Drill), analysis, and how I specifically evaluated the gun against each of my criteria to recommend or not recommend it. As always, set your own criteria and priorities, do your own research, and check my data, information, etc., with yours, for your very personal selection process.
Next, I give you some suggested IWB, OWB, and pocket holsters for the new compact .380 pistol.
You can compare this new gun’s features and my analysis of my Top 21 Concealed Carry guns in my book “Concealed Carry & Handgun Essentials.” This pistol would definitely be added to my list.
Four Prominent First-Glance Features of the Ruger Security-380 Compact
1. Easy Racking with Secure-Action Internal Hammer-Fired Trigger
The Ruger Security-380 Compact has the same “Secure-Action” hammer-fired system that the full-size and compact Ruger’s Security-9 pistol and their successful LCP II use. The trigger is crisp, short, and soft, and the gun uses an internal, shrouded hammer rather than a striker-fired bar, which helps make slide racking easier. This pistol has the fine proven features of the Security-Six revolver and Security-9 pistol, representing basic performance, excellent reliability, value, and fine ergonomics.
2. Excellent Green Fiber-Optic Front Sight with an Adjustable, Black U-Shaped Rear Notch
The sights were easy to pick up and use on the Ruger Security-380 Compact. Since I am color blind, the green front sight worked great for me, and I could quickly see and use it. My non-color-blind wife also liked them and easily used the sights. I really like the all-black, serrated rear sight that is U-shaped and adjustable.
3. Not a True Single Action and Not a Traditional Double Action Trigger
Keep in mind that this gun is not a striker-fired gun, but rather has a “single-action-like” trigger with a pre-cocked, hammer-fired double-action-only system. This pre-cocked short and soft trigger reminds me of my single-action guns, which I like. Many will think it is a single-action trigger since it is softly fired while finishing the trigger press that cocks the hammer. But it is an internal hammer-fired double-action trigger that is pre-cocked, but it is so smooth and soft. For safety, the Security-380 has a trigger safety, manual thumb safety, and a recessed hammer catch that prevents the pistol from firing unless the trigger is pressed. It has a Browning-type, tilting-barrel lock-up. This solidly-built value pistol has features normally found on much more expensive pistols and does not feel “cheap.” The hammer, like the striker in striker-fired guns, is cocked part way back by the rearward motion of the slide. Pressing the trigger completes the hammer’s cocking cycle to fire the pistol. This results in a single-action-type trigger feel with a short and crisp reset point while being a double-action pistol.
4. Through-Hardened Steel Process
Both the slide and barrel are constructed of through-hardened steel, which means that the steel is hardened throughout all surfaces in the manufacturing process rather than just hardening the exterior surface and keeping the interior surface relatively soft. In the through-hardening process, there is a high level of carbon added to the iron mix. When the component parts are heat treated and through hardened, all the component parts are hardened and strengthened all the way through from the surface to the core. The goal is to extend the life of the treated parts. The chrome-moly steel slide, which is through hardened, is finished matte blue. Both the full-size and compact chassis are made of hard-coat anodized aluminum and include full-length rails. The serialized chassis for both guns rests in a slim-profiled but durable frame fabricated from glass-filled nylon. The not-too-aggressive texturized on-all-sides polymer grip is slim, strong, and very impact-resistant. For me, it provided a comfortable and sufficient grip purchase to help with control.
Ruger Security-380 Compact Review Goals and Disclosure
Thanks to Ruger for loaning me this Ruger Security-380 Compact pistol for testing and evaluation. Know that I am not on their payroll, have not been paid by them for this article, nor have I been influenced to say certain things about the gun. I want to be honest and straightforward with my opinions and ideas the way I see the pistol to sincerely help folks. Specifically for my review goals, I wanted to know how accurate it is out of the box, without modifications. How heavy was its trigger press? Is the trigger smooth and crisp? What about the reset distance for follow-up shots? Is it reliable? Is it as easy to rack as they promote it to be? Could I pick up the sights easily? Could I hold the pistol grip solidly and comfortably without it slipping when I shot it? What are some of its pros, cons, and special features? Are there any issues or concerns preventing me from carrying this .380 pistol? Is this a gun I would recommend for concealed carry and/or home defense?
Detailed Specifications and Features
Ruger Security-380 Compact Specifications
1 | 2 |
---|---|
Model Number | #3839; Lite Rack Compact |
Caliber | .380 Auto |
Barrel Length | 3.42" |
Barrel Type | Alloy Steel Material, Black Oxide Finish |
Sights | Steel; Drift Adjustable Rear Sight with Black U-Notch with Serrations to avoid glare; Dovetailed into Slide; Snag Free; Green Fiber Optic Front Sight |
Frame | Polymer; High Performance Glass-Filled Nylon; Serialized Chassis |
Slide | Black Oxide; Through-Hardened Steel; Slide Front and Rear Serrations; Lightning Cuts to Help Recoil |
Trigger | Secure Action System with Internal Hammer-Double Action (Pre-Cocked) ; Polymer; Has Safety Blade Trigger Stop |
Trigger Press | 4.5# (as measured over 10 trials with my Electronic Pull gauge) |
Magazines | 2 Mags: 10 and 15 Rounds; Double Stacked |
Height | 4.35" |
Width | 1.02" |
Width | 1.02" |
Length | 6.52" |
Weight | 19.7 oz, Unloaded & Empty Mag |
Safeties | Manual Thumb Safety: Small size; Left-Side Only- Hinged from Front so Move the Back of Safety Lever to Engage; Bladed Trigger Safety |
Grips | Textured; Stippling Not Too Rough; Glass-Fiber- Reinforced Nylon |
Other | Lifetime Warranty- from Date of Original New Purchase; No Ambidextrous Controls; Accessory Rail |
MSRP | $369 |
Ruger Security-380 Compact Features
- Very Easy Racking Slide with Rear Cocking Ears-Wings & Lighter Recoil Spring
- Low Bore Axis to Help Reduce Muzzle Flip
- Excellent Green Fiber-Optic Front Sight with an Adjustable, Black U-Shaped Rear Notch
- Very Nice Ergonomics with Thin, Nicely-Textured Grips
- Short, Light, Crisp Double-Action Trigger with Positive Reset; Pre-Cocked; Similar to Single Action
- Slight Bevel at the Front of the Slide for Easy Holstering
- Precision Machined, Anodized Aluminum Chassis with Full-Length Guide Rails
- Accessory Rail
- Front and Rear Nicely Scalloped Slide Cocking Serrations
- No Magazine Disconnect; Has Thumb Safety
- Easy Takedown with No Special Tools or Trigger Pull Required
Col. Ben’s 10 Evaluation Criteria
Here are just ten criteria and factors I use for evaluating any handgun. In addition to my criteria, there are other subjective features that may be appealing for some, like flared mag well, front and back fine-line checkering, smooth rounded corners, mag release location and type, action, caliber, appearance, number of mags included, type of sights/modifications, grip angle, bore axis, non-porting or porting, included extras like a holster and pouch, customer service, etc. So, I combined these into my last Miscellaneous criterion. I must admit that all gun-choice decisions involve tradeoffs, but I really want all of my criteria to be met. I assigned a total possible point score of ten points for each of my ten criteria for a total possible score of 100 points. You can certainly add your own additional criteria, preferences or subtract any of mine.
Recognize that there are several features, characteristics, pros and cons, and personal criteria to include and consider when you make your own tradeoffs for gun and ammo, according to your priorities, preferences, defined needs, and use. Decide if a .380 Auto pistol and various ammo are appropriate and optimal for your own self-defense and other shooting needs. .380 ACP is often considered “underpowered,” but carefully selecting your ammo can help to mitigate its deficiencies to some degree.
Eight .380 Auto Caliber Considerations for Self Defense
- A .380 Auto caliber pistol loaded with appropriate ammo (sufficient weight, velocity, energy, penetration, and expansion) is usually a formidable self-defense caliber.
- Most (not all) .380 loads show either good penetration with no/low expansion, or decent expansion with sub-par penetration. Ball rounds do not expand upon impact.
- The bullet ballistics, characteristics, and manufacturer are very important factors for the effectiveness of the .380 Auto round.
- The compact size of a .380 pistol, its light weight, and lower felt recoil make it a possible consideration for concealed carry, especially as a backup handgun.
- The reduced felt recoil of a .380 is easier to shoot and often more accurate for follow-up shots.
- A .380 Auto pistol loaded with premium ammo works well for a pocket gun to give you time to get away when assaulted, but may not necessarily end the fight.
- At least as important as bullet and ammo type is shot placement. Some say it is most important. So practice, practice, and practice some more.
- Point: A shooter’s shot placement and the ammo’s penetration are the two keys to stopping an attacker.
Range Field Test Ammo for Ruger Security-380 Compact
To determine how well the Ruger Security-380 compact pistol cycled and handled different loads, I used three high-quality .380 Auto rounds**, with different bullet weight/grains, different velocities (approximate), different muzzle energies (approximate), and different average penetrations (approximate):
11776 USA 380 Auto lead-free, Sporting, 70 grains ball ammo, with 1,150 fps velocity, 206 ft lbs of muzzle energy, and penetration of about 12 inches.
Liberty Civil Defense 380 Auto lead-free, 50 grains JHP ammo, with 1,500 fps velocity, 250 ft lbs of muzzle energy, and penetration of about 12 inches.
SinterFire Special Duty 380 Auto lead-free, frangible, 75 grains HP ammo, with 1,100 fps velocity, 201 ft lbs of muzzle energy, and penetration of about 12 inches.
** NOTES: (1) The ballistics performances of the ammo rounds vary considerably by length of handgun barrel, type of gun used, material penetrated (denim, concrete, water, gel, plywood, steel, etc.), testing protocol, and ammo characteristics (e.g., frangible, ball, hollow point, and energy.) (2) Most loads, on average, provide either acceptable expansion or acceptable penetration, but seldom both. (3) Preference depends on use and may be a balance of both expansion and penetration, but if cannnot have both, then favor penetration, depending on purpose, situation, etc.
I fired about 165 rounds of each type of JHP and ball ammo through the Ruger Security 380. So, about 495 rounds total shot through this .380 pistol. I can honestly say that the pistol cycled and handled all three of these loads very well, with no problems at all. The reliability of all of these rounds with this 380 pistol was exceptional.
.380 Rounds, Your Purpose, and Ballistics
I certainly recommend all three of these fine .380 cartridges for personal protection with this handgun, but this decision is a very personal one for each individual to make for themself. For my purposes, their velocities, energies, expansions, and penetrations were excellent for carry and self defense for the Liberty Civil Defense and for the SinterFire Special Duty rounds. The 1776 USA ball rounds in .380 Auto performed very well, are fairly priced, and are fine for training, target practicing, and general range use. And, after further appropriate field testing, perhaps for carry, given their robust muzzle energy.
In general, most .380 ACP self-defense rounds give you necessary expansion or penetration to at least 12 inches, but usually not both. By contrast, 9mm defensive loads generally give you both expansion and at least 12 inches of penetration, but with more felt recoil. Depending on your goal and use, the .380 ACP round may not be the right one for you. So, try this pistol and specific ammo so you can decide for yourself for your purpose! I would probably use this .380 pistol along with this excellent ammo for my personal protection and carry sometimes, but probably mostly as a backup gun. This is true because of my weakenening hand strength, how very easy it is to rack and handle this low-recoiling pistol, and its reliability. However, I favor a 9mm pistol for my primary carry gun.
Most .380 pistols and rounds are not primarily recommended for self defense, due to their weak penetration, lack of or minimal expansion, and lack of deep-cavity energy effects. But this superb gun with appropriate ammo is an exception. Of course, any jacketed hollow point round is optimal for concealed carry, since it is much less likely to pass through a target and thus avoid collateral damages and risk to bystanders hit by over-penetrating or ricocheted bullets. The 1776 USA all-American, lead-free, environmentally-friendly rounds are a fine choice for sport shooting and for practice and training. They have respectable velocity at least matching most 9mm pistols and strong energy for penetration. Liberty Civil Defense 380 auto hollow-point rounds have excellent velocity with 12 inches of penetration, strong deep cavity muzzle energy, and without a doubt work very well for self defense.
Below are my evaluations for each of my 10 criteria for the Security-380 Compact for my concealed carry purpose. I wanted to specifically test its reliability and accuracy in my timed drill and 5 circle targets. I put the gun through its paces during rapid-fire and checked it thoroughly for malfunctions, stoppages, and performance with JHP ammo and FMJ ball rounds from these fine ammo manufacturers. I want to thank Liberty Ammunition, SinterFire, and 1776 USA for providing several rounds of various high-quality ammo to test and evaluate the Ruger Security-380 -Compact.
Col. Ben’s Concealed Carry Drill
I used my standard Concealed Carry Drill to test and evaluate the Security-380 Compact after thoroughly cleaning it. You can use my Concealed Carry Drill to test and evaluate your handguns. I like the realistic 5-yard, 7-yard, and 10-yard distances best to match common distances for personal defense.
Download, Print, and Share My Concealed Carry Drill and Target
You can have my Concealed Carry Drill for Free for your practice. Permission to Download, Print, and share “Col. Ben’s Concealed Carry Drill” is granted when my website address and copyright are included and kept on it.
You can Download and Print “Col. Ben’s Concealed Carry Drill“ and targets by clicking on the link at my website’s Articles Page at www.FloridaHandgunsTraining.com
Range Routine with “Col. Ben’s Concealed Carry Drill” and Various Ammo
As usual, I started with my Concealed Carry Drill target at the 3-yard distance to warm up and get used to the trigger, operational mechanics, and recoil. No problems at all here. All my hits were in the bullseye area. Very accurate and reliable initially. The grip was very comfortable and textured just right for me. I really like the light, smooth, and soft trigger press. The performance was there, and no malfunctions or concerns at all.
I continued using my above standard Concealed Carry Drill at 5, 7, 10, 15, and 20 yards and performed two iterations at each distance. I easily and quickly landed all 15 rounds on the 5 circle targets from a draw on targets at 3, 5, 7, and 10 yards. At 15 yards and 20 yards, my ole codger eyes failed me some, but I still managed to qualify with 80% hits and times at 15 yards. But, the 2.5″ circle was a problem for me at the longer 20-yard distance. My hits would have stopped the bad guy/gal, however. At 20 yards for both trials, I only got 1 of 3 shots on the small 2.5″ target. I did not make the time limit of 20 seconds overall at 20 yards the first two trials, but I was short for time in the field and did not try a third time. (Maybe an excuse.) So, I must practice more and get a new set of eyes for my aging ones. I hope my drill helps you.
Results: Range Field Test with Opinions and Evaluations for Each Criterion
Accuracy and Reliability – Score: 9
The Ruger Security-380 Compact’s accuracy was excellent for a short-barreled, value-priced pistol. My wife and I did fine at close and medium distances of 5, 7, 10, and 15 yards, typical self-defense distances. Despite my less-than-average eyesight, colorblindness, and average marksmanship, this senior guy was able to shoot decent groups. No problem out to 15 yards, with the gun’s intrinsic factors helping. However, beyond 15 yards, I had to work for my accuracy. All of my groups for my drills of 15 shots each at the various distances were about 2.5 to 3 inches or so, with one mag change using the 10-rounder, switching to the 15-rounder. I used my Modified-Isosceles Stance, a two-handed grip, and shot various grains and types of ammo. I had no problems with any of the rounds loading and ejecting. No malfunctions or stoppages whatsoever. And I had no feeding, ejection, or extraction problems with any of the excellent rounds. The gun functioned fine with all ammo brands and weights and had fine reliability.
Trigger Press – Score: 10
I was impressed that the out-of-the-box trigger press averaged 4.50 pounds without modification for the Ruger Security-380 Compact, with ten readings with my electronic trigger pull gauge. This press was nice and soft and just right for me from this value-priced gun. A great smooth and soft press!
Trigger – Score: 9
This excellent double-action-only trigger had a consistent and very similar press each time. It felt very similar to a single-action press, given its pre-cocked hammer operation. This hammer-fired gun had a crisp, smooth, soft, and clean trigger. It was not gritty or mushy. The press had some but minimal takeup. It had a short reset for quick follow-up shots, and it was solid and very identifiable. If the pistol is dropped and receives a strong physical shock to disengage the partially-cocked hammer from the sear, the hammer catch prevents the hammer from contacting the firing pin unless the trigger is fully depressed. The fine trigger for this value handgun!
Barrel Length – Score: 9
The black oxide 3.42″ barrel was through-hardened, creating a tough exterior over existing metal. The barrel and slide are both nicely finished, have a nice quality, and the barrel was machined from alloy steel. The barrel of this value pistol has an integral feed ramp and uses the proven Browning tilt-barrel dynamic to unlock and then re-lock as it cycles. The barrel has traditional land-and-groove rifling with a witness hole located at the top of the barrel hood to confirm if a round is in the chamber.
Sights – Score: 10
The bright-green colored front fiber optic sight was excellent and very easy for me to pick up in the rear serrated black u-shaped notch. This sight system works great. Sadly, my old eyes like fiber optic green sights. I’m so glad this value-priced gun had them. Note the lightning cuts on the slide in the above picture. Not only do they look aesthetically pleasing, but they also reduce weight and reciprocate mass on the slide motion to help mitigate felt recoil. Great, easy-to-pick-up sights that are eye-catching and stand out nicely!
Proper Gun Weight – Score: 10
The Ruger Security-380 Compact weighed exactly 19.7 ounces empty with an inserted mag, as the specifications state. This is a very nice lightweight for concealed carry, along with the compact’s thin width of about 1.02 inches and its shorter height of 4.35 inches. It conceals nicely. The weight of the frame, barrel, and slide contributed to excellent and very manageable felt recoil and stability for me for this solidly-made budget compact.
Caliber – Score: 9
The Ruger Security-380 Compact in .380 Auto caliber was easy and fun to shoot, my wife and I both handled it well, and it was accurate for us. I like the lessened recoil, ease of slide racking, and reduced movement for improved accuracy with this .380 caliber.
Capacity – Score: 10
I like the included 10-round and 15-round quality mags included with this .380 pistol. And the two mags are steel. One mag is flush fit, and there is a pinky extension, which I prefer for a full three-fingered grip. The mags have helpful round indicator holes. Note that this pistol does not have a magazine disconnect safety, so the pistol will fire if the trigger is pressed when the mag is removed. Practice Safety First!
Ergonomics – Score: 10
The ergonomics of the Ruger Security-380 Compact gun are excellent. My wife and I, with our different hand sizes, were easily and comfortably able to reach all controls, like the thumb safety, slide lock lever, and magazine release. The slim and solid grip felt good in our hands. And my pinky finger did not dangle, with the pinky extension on the 10-round flush-fit mag. The low bore axis helped reduce felt recoil and prevent muzzle flip. I was especially impressed with its soft recoil, compared to the two other compact 9mm pistols I brought to the range to also shoot. The value is there, and this pistol has the quality craftsmanship you expect from Ruger. It is American-made. This gun and its narrow grips seemed as if it were customized for my medium-sized hands… and for my wife and her small hands. The slide, frame, barrel, and other parts are all tightly fit to enhance accuracy and reliability. The slide-to-frame fit is very solid, and it was easy for me to rack the slide. There are nicely-contoured cocking serrations on the front and rear of the slide, which are easy to grab for cocking the slide and chamber checks. The ears on the rear of the front slide really helped with easy racking. My wife and I both easily racked the slide quickly, using only two fingers. The grip is textured just fine, is not too aggressive, and should fit a variety of hands.
Miscellaneous – Score: 9
The Ruger Security-380 Compact’s frame is made of a specific class of polymer called Nylon. The glass-filled Nylon has strong glass fibers added to increase its tensile strength and stiffness over the usual polymers. It is also a very good protectant against solvents and the weather. The recoil assembly of this budget gun does have a plastic guide rod. The slide lock lever is small and somewhat hard to push up to hold the slide back. The manual safety is also small, and you must practice with it to learn how to quickly engage and dis-engage it. The secret is to use the back of the safety lever. I easily disassembled and re-assembled the Security-380 Compact before I shot it. Just catch the lip of the takedown pin with a brass shell casing, and you can easily and quickly pull it out. And you do not have to press the trigger. A cardboard case with a plastic organizer is provided rather than a polymer case to save you from paying extra money upon purchase. Included are two steel mags, a lock, a loader, an extra baseplate, and Instruction Manual. This pistol is an accurate and very reliable handgun that is value-priced just right.
Total Points = 95 out of 100 Possible.
Recommended Holsters
CrossBreed DropSlide OWB Holster
The above Crossbreed OWB DropSlide holster fits the gun solidly and perfectly. It is designed to keep your firearm tight against your body. And it’s Founder-colored leather and black kydex look very well together. Other color options are available for the leather and for the kydex. It has 1 3/4″ belt slots that work with 1 1/4″ and 1 1/2″ belts. The leather backer will accommodate different positions of the pocket to allow a lower-riding holster and a full grip on the gun when drawing. It has extended leather on the bottom side to keep most longer-barrel firearms from rubbing against your clothes and body. Crossbreed has a lifetime warranty and a “Try It Free Two-Week Guarantee.”
Clinger Hinge Holster: IWB and OWB Holster
The Clinger Hinge Holster can be used as an IWB holster and converted to an OWB Holster with optional low-cost clips. It has an elastic, polymer hinge tab that allows pulling the pistol’s grips closer to the body for a small footprint and excellent concealment. This flexible hoster can be adjusted to multiple ride heights, and cant angles for both IWB and OWB carry. Clinger Holsters have a lifetime warranty which includes a free repair or replacement. They also offer a Two-Weeks tryout period for new holsters, so you can send it back if dissatisfied.
Clinger: Comfort Cling Pocket and IWB Holster
Clinger’s Comfort Cling Pocket and IWB Holster use a soft gel-like cushion material for extra comfort. Its design uses friction to comfortably hold the holster inside the pocket and/or IWB. It easily swaps from left-hand to right-hand and has a full sweat shield to protect the gun. And it protects the trigger, helps maintain the correct gun orientation in the pocket, and stays put in the pocket upon draw for a moderate price.
Conclusions
This new Security-380 Compact pistol is designed as an economical concealed carry pistol. It is not meant to be a uniquely revolutionary semi-automatic pistol with highly-advanced design, but rather a consistent-performing, moderately low-priced, easy-racking, and comfortable pistol that meets the fundamental requirements for concealed carry. The compact size of this .380 is an advantage for carry without sacrificing performance if using the appropriate ammo as previously presented.
This Compact pistol with its 3.42″ barrel is ideally positioned to fit right between the 4″-barreled Security-9 and a subcompact pistol with a 3″ barrel. The barrel length is long enough to enhance handling and accuracy while being short enough to help its concealability. It has a steel barrel, slide, sights, and two magazines. It is worthy of your consideration for personal defense and carry, especially given its lightweight, narrow width, short barrel, and short height… and with appropriate defensive ammo.
This Compact is lighter and more concealable than its full-size counterpart. It has excellent sights, especially the green fiber optic front sight, which really helps the shooter get on target quickly. The rear all-black sights are drift adjustable. The barrel and slide are quality made of Through-Hardened alloy steel. This rugged, reliable, comfortable, and excellent budget-priced pistol with an MSRP of $369. can be bought for slightly less near $300. in the market now. And it meets the fundamental personal protection goal for most folks. It also meets the basic operational and comfort needs of a pistol for a new shooter.
I certainly recommend this pistol and its 3.42-inch barrel and features for your concealed carry consideration. In my opinion, this gun meets the basic requirements for an accurate and reliable personal defense pistol for concealed carry and home defense, with the caveat that appropriate ammo for your purpose is used that can penetrate at least 12 inches. I prefer it for backup carry, but you decide if it works for you. It is an excellent budget-priced, very concealable pistol with some very decent features for the price.
Be sure to consider the superb CrossBreed Leather-Kydex holsters and the fine Clinger IWB and Pocket and Hinge Holsters. I hope this review of the Ruger Security-380 Compact value-priced .380 has helped you gain some information for your decision. Consider that this is just my point of view with limited live-range fire and using about 495 rounds of fine premium Liberty Civil Defense, SinterFire Special Duty, and 1776 USA ball ammo. I recommend that you shoot any handgun yourself before you purchase it and have at least 500 rounds break-in range time through it for yourself. Decide on your criteria, how you will primarily use the gun, and what’s important to you ahead of your range live-fire time. Then critically evaluate the gun yourself per your criteria and purpose, with various ammo types and brands, and over an extended break-in period.
Continued Success and Be Safe!
Contacts
Ruger
1-603-865-2442
1-888-220-1173
[email protected]
Prescott, AZ 86301
CrossBreed Holsters
1-800-732-5011
Springfield, MO 65802
Liberty Ammunition
1-941-567-6178
Bradenton, FL 34203.
1776 USA
1-800-388-3845
Kersey, PA 15846
Clinger Holsters
1-479-262-2714
Van Buren, AR 72956
SinterFire Frangible & Non-Frangible Ammo
1-814-885-6672
Kersey, PA 15846
Photos by Author.
* This personal opinion article is meant for general information & educational purposes only and the author strongly recommends that you seek counsel from an attorney for legal advice and your own personal certified weapons trainer for proper guidance about shooting & using YOUR firearms, self-defense and concealed carry. It should not be relied upon as accurate for all shooters & the author assumes no responsibility for anyone’s use of the information and shall not be liable for any improper or incorrect use of the information or any damages or injuries incurred whatsoever.
© 2023 Col Benjamin Findley. All Rights Reserved. This article may not be reprinted or reproduced in whole or in part by mechanical means, photocopying, electronic reproduction, scanning, or any other means without prior written permission. For copyright information, contact Col Ben Findley at [email protected].
The Review
Security-380 Compact Pistol
This review provides an in-depth evaluation of the Ruger Security-380 Compact pistol, focusing on its suitability for concealed carry, particularly for users seeking less felt recoil and easier slide racking. The author praises the gun's features, including its easy-to-rack slide, comfortable grip, and fiber-optic sights, while field-testing it for accuracy, reliability, and concealability. After shooting 495 rounds, the pistol demonstrated strong performance with different ammo types, making it a reliable and budget-friendly option for concealed carry and self-defense.
Excellent thorough review. Thank you Col. Ben. I haven’t thought much about carrying a .380, but you’re right IF you carry it with the best ammo with 12 inches of penetration and high energy, like the Liberty Civil Defense with 1500 fps vel. and 250 ftlbs energy & others.
Love the green fiber optic front sight and all black u notch rear sight. A great bargain price for what you get.
This is great for my arthritis in hands, so very easy racking when I tried it. I can see the front sight easy and handle the less than 5 pound trigger pull. Wife likes the thin width and nice hand fit. Great deal!
Manual “safeties” suck
Stacy Nolan commented “safeties suck.” I believe there are pros and cons of external manual safeties (MS), like with everything. It depends on personal preference & person’s comfort level. A MS does not make a gun safe, just like the lack of one does not make a gun inherently dangerous! The shooter is the ultimate safety and his/her practicing the basic safety rules for any gun, like keeping your finger off the trigger until you have eyes and sights on target AND you are ready to shoot. Know yiur gun and its mechanics of operation and practice, practice, and practice more. Personal preference! Be SAFE!
Ben
Great review Col Ben. It seems you like this pistol a lot. You did well on the practice target. Ruger makes some fine guns.
Thank you BellBoy 40 for your comment: “Great review Col Ben. It seems you like this pistol a lot. You did well on the practice target. Ruger makes some fine guns.”