I've owned both. Gave the .380 to my Dad and kept the 9mm.
Both are fantastic, compact handguns but the .380 has two noticeable differences.
One good and one not so good.

The good is the smooth slide action. It may be the smoothest slide action Sig offers.

The not so good is that all Sig did to make the magazines (or clips) is to modify the 9mm magazine with a metal plate down the spine. I shoot a lot more than my father and worried about how well this modification would hold up to hundreds of rounds. I would have liked to have seen a magazine built specifically for the .380 but I suspect that Sig had a bunch of P290 parts lying around and said, "Hey... lets make a .380 version!" and they did.

There is a slight weight difference but not enough to gripe about and both have that long trigger pull that grows on you. As far as handling, I really didn't notice a difference in either model.

I don't think you can go wrong with either so it boils down to personal preference.

 

Thanks coppertop. Valuable info.

 

I have the 9 and love it. Never shot the 380 so I can't comment, but I've handled one. It's slightly lighter, and I agree that the slide would be much easier for someone who has trouble operating the slides on small autos. My biggest gripe with 380 in these parts is that it costs a fortune. For the money and the ballistics, I favor the 9.

 

With so little appreciable difference in size and weight go with the 9mm. Also, a plentiful round which translates into a very affordable round.

 

Also, a plentiful round which translates into a very affordable round.

Good point. I'm a little surprised that .380 ammo is still in short supply and when you find it, a very costly round.

 

9mm, afordable afordable.

 

If it's going to be a CC gun, I vote the 9.

 

For my end of it, resale plays a huge role since I get rid of my guns often and don't want to take a bath everyday when trying to sell it. I wouldn't want to pay $1000 for a gun that trades in at $250. Sure, you expect to lose some value. I even expect that my $1000 gun will be worth maybe $600 on trade in, guy puts it out for $900, holds on for a while, service it and maybe gets $800 or $850.

That is fair and the cost of doing business. I could sell it myself and get $750-800 but it would take longer and I'd have tire kickers all day long so my time and aggravation is worth something.

 

I'm assuming you think the 9mm would sell better, especially since right now the poll shows 33:2 in favor of the 9mm. Good thought.

 

As already stated, affordable ammo, holds resale value. That is because, as your poll shows, the desire for the 9mm cal far outstrips the .380 craving.

 

I reload so, ammo cost isn't as big of deal, but I hadn't thought of the resell angle until asking for y'all opinion.

For those who have shot both, is there a very noticeable difference in recoil?

 

Wow. Very little love for the .380

 

I can't imagine WHY anyone would want this pistol in 380ACP, but that's just me.