.380? Best bet for reliability, Bersa thunder..cheap too, and accurate. It doesn’t have good stopping power, either does .22 but better than nothing. Would recommend flat nose solid loads for penetration for .380, doesn’t accelerate enough for hollowpoints. A few Buffalo Bore +p in mag will help.
The new small frames.....I wouldn’t trust any small frame auto unless SIG/Sauer P290 and it’s pricey. Maybe the small Kahr that’s been around. Then there’s the possible issues of recoil and handling. My advice for reliability, tiny carry piece stick with snub nose revolver, not in aluminum or scandium too lightweight, but all depends on shooter, and the size of the grips one favors. Small carry gun, reliability/handling is better. I’ve had a Kel Tec PF9, carrys great as a back up, secondary piece, however unreliable with jamming, snappy recoil so picked up another snubby.
Horsehockey. I took a deer with a .380 firing JHP ammo.