[Marko Kloos]

In your opinion, which blowback .380 pistol is the best of the breed?

I realize that "best" is a very subjective term, so I am asking for your favorite model. Feel free to say why that particular gun is top of the heap in your opinion.

[Tamara]

A German PPK and a SIG P-230/232 are both fantastic, so are the Beretta 84/85 & Browning BDA, however they are in such different categories that it'd be hard to say which is "best" among them... :uhoh:

My favorite of the guns on the list? Probably the Berettas...

[gbelleh]

Tough question!
For some reason, I really enjoy this type of gun. I would have a very difficult time choosing a favorite.
I like the PPK for its fine quality and elegant shape, same with the Mauser HSc. The Browning BDA, Sigs and Berettas are nice too. Makarovs are rock solid, the CZ-83 is one of the best designs out there IMO. Don't have any experience with the NAA Guardian (or the new Kel-Tec P-3AT yet), but they serve a useful purpose with their very small size.

Having said all that, I voted Bersa because it represents one of the best values out there. A solid, reliable, accurate, relatively small and light .380 for a very reasonable price.

[9x19]

I voted for the Bersa, because it has better issue sights than the Makarov.

Putting a Novak rear and dove-tailed front on my Maks, makes them much easier to shoot fast and well, for me.

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

Lendringser- I voted for the SIG P230/P232;
although I really do like the Browning BDA as well!:D

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[coldshot03/04]

Russian Mak.

[mete]

I think the best of all the 380s is the remington M51. It is slimer and has less recoil than any other 380 thou technically it is a delayed blowback.

[martin]

For accuracy and trigger I will give a minute lead to the Berettas, followed ever so slightly by the Sigs. As for reliability they are equal.

[denfoote]

Was there ever any doubt in your fuzzy little mind??? :evil: :D :cool:

[mainmech48]

Okay, so it's a weirdie but it's still my favorite .380: Bernardelli M60. Purchased at a K-Mart over 30 years ago for $60.00 NIB. All steel, beautifully made, great ergos. About the same size as a Makarov, but slimmer.

Very accurate (2" at 20 yds). Utterly reliable, and would feed Super-Vel HPs without any polishing or throating necessary. This last bit may not seem like much now, but it was remarkable in a .380 at the time.

[Smoke]

Where's the choice for the COlt Pony/Mustang/Gov't.

I vote "Other"

[9x19]

Smoke,

I don't think the Colts qualify as a "blowback .380"... neither does my Llama IIIA, as it is locked breech, though I understand current models are not.

[CZF]

CZ83 w/Night Sights. Probably the only hi-cap .380 out there with mags still available. 13 shots of .380 is better than 8:)

The CZ83 is heavy, but it's size helps control recoil. The '83 is affordable,
reliable, and accurate.

A second choice would be the Beretta .380, but i'm sure the Bersa is
a great little gun, given all the info one sees on them here.

[duckfoot]

only shot the BDA

really nice

[dsk]

Find yourself an old Colt M1908 Pocket Hammerless. Once you do you'll think all other .380's are crap. I don't think there's another gun on earth that feels so good in the hand.

[David4516]

Makarov

IMHO, the Mak is the BEST compact sized semi-auto pistol out there. I say that mainly be cause the thing is so darned solid and reliable. I can't believe that Makarovs aren't more popular, particularly when you consider how in-expensive they are.

[Jeff Timm]

Beretta Jaguar. One in .380 the other in .22LR with the interchangeable barrels.

Geoff
Who fired a set. Wonderful single action compact and accurate firearms.

[PCRCCW]

Ive shot alot of these guns. Sig, Beretta,BDA,FEG, Bersa, Walther, Makarov etc.............Give me a CZ83 and Im happy.....ok, Im happy.
shoot well

[Captain Bligh]

Sig 232 here. Good fit and finish. Nice accuracy. Narrow for concealability.

RJ

[Jeff OTMG]

For 'best' I voted for the SIG P232, but I don't own one. I would have a .380 for a carry gun and although I think that the SIG is the best, it is too big. I can carry a Kahr or Colt Officers size 1911 in the same size package as the SIG, so I have a Walther PPK that use to be my ankle gun, replaced by a Kahr MK9, and the Colt Mustang Pocketlite which makes an excellent pocket carry pistol. The Pony would be the choice for those who prefer a DA.

[agony]

Never a big .380 fan.

I really enjoyed my experiences with a friend's SIG 232. Quite accurate, no slide bite, and pleasant to shoot. And darned purty.

2nd would be the CZ 83, though it's a tad too large for the intended round.

[makarov1]

PISTOLET MAKAROVA

[Mike Irwin]

I'm going to go with the Remington 51, as well, even though as noted it's not truly blowback.

[Byron]

I like the Browning BDA. I noticed Browning is not cataloging this anymore.

[Dr.Rob]

My FEG Pa-63 in 380 has never jammed. That's what makes it my favorite.

Sure its not as pretty as a Sig, or as famous as a Walther, but it works.

[Byron]

Does anyone recall the .380 Beretta that was produced in the late 70's/early 80's. It had a fixed barrel and single stack grip.
Thanks, Byron

[Pocket Pistol]

Had to vote NAA G380 since it is my main carry :)
I love my Sig 230 also but to big to carry much.
Would also love a PPK :)

[eldomatic]

Gotta go with the nickle-plated Browning BDA 380 based on the pure classic beauty and feel of the gun. No plastic on this baby, just metal and walnut. If Bogart had carried a semi-auto pistol in "Casablanca", the BDA 380 would be it.

Made by Beretta for FNH-Browning, the style is classic and the nickle finish is superb.
Typical of Beretta-made pistols, the BDA's parts fit together like a clock and the slide-to-frame fit is tight. The SA trigger is light and crisp with very little travel. Five inch groups at 25 yards are no problem. I'm sure a better shooter could drive even smaller groups. The relatively heavy all-metal construction and wide grip nicely absorb recoil.

The BDA 380 takes a double-stack mag holding 13 +1 rounds which results in a big grip. If you have longer hands, the feel of the large smooth walnut grips with rounded backstrap and foregrip is sublime. All the edges on this pistol that count, especially the beaver-tail, are nicely rounded and polished. I can comfortably hold and shoot the BDA all day.

The BDA's DA/SA action and slide-mounted safety/decocker is the same as a full-sized Beretta 92 series pistol thus making the BDA a good back-up gun to the full-sized Beretta. The BDA is a nice smaller carry piece for those times when carrying a full-sized Beretta is too much; because both pistols use the same manual of arms the transition is simple.

The BDA field strips easily into five pieces and is simple and quick to reassemble. Never has a failure with a variety of FMJ and JHP ammo.

Thirteen-round hi-cap mags are available in addition to the standard 10 rounders. The mag release which is behind the trigger guard is reversible without tools once the grips are removed. Mags drop free easily.
Pachmayr makes full wrap-around Signature rubber grips for the BDA 380 if you feel the need to get tactical, but I prefer the look and feel of the smooth walnut grips.

Although the Browning website claims the BDA 380 was discontinued in 1997, the Italian proof marks date my Browning-FNH Beretta-made BDA as 2002 manufacture. CDNN Investments and Gander Mountain seem to have a good supply of the BDA's.

[Dorrin79]

pretty hard to beat the Bersa.

Light, reliable, and very inexpensive.

the Sig is a better gun, but not for its price.

After the Bersa would be the Makarov - I prefer the Bersa's sights and light weight, but the Mak is battle-tested and has a slightly better caliber.