[HarryRod]

Well.....i did it. I came home with my first .380 tonight. I had been thinking about getting a cz83 for a while but when i swung by the shop on the way home i got to looking at something else. It seemed to fit my hand like a glove, i knew the controls well, and it seemed VERY well put together.
It is a Beretta 85fs.
I am already in love with this gun and havent even shot it yet.
I only have a couple of questions.

1. What is a good holster for this weapon as I would like to carry it on a regular basis?

2. What is a good cartridge for it? I picked up a box of American Eagle 95gr loads for some target practice tomorrow but I know I will want something else for carry. I will probably start reloading for it eventually but for now I am going to buy off the shelf.

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello, sir. You have a very fine .380 pistol. Larger than some and considered too large for caliber by some folks, l, too, prefer this size pistol in this caliber as you get enough barrel to obtain needed velocity and they're just plain fun to shoot.

As to ammunition for "serious" purposes, based on the Beretta .380's I've shot, you'll be able to take your pick as they seem to feed about anything. Nonetheless, test the ammo you choose for reliability.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid48/p996519322091d10eabb7212d6ac1138d/fcba8312.jpg
A round that I've found to feed well in most .380's has been Federal's 90-gr. JHP. The rounded bullet profile feeds quite slickly in a Walther PP, Bersa, and CZ-83 as well as an FEG. I would be very surprised if your Beretta had any problems with it.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid76/pccb9badfaf161c7e370a485e4a1ef625/fb40bc83.jpg
These JHP's were fired into water. Left to Right: Hornady 90-gr. XTP, Magtech Guardian Gold 85-gr. JHP, and Remington 102-gr. Golden Saber. These were fired from a CZ-83.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid48/pf737248bf363186834c0bb2f1de48a6d/fcba8310.jpg
Federal's 90-gr. Hydrashok is popular with some folks, not with others as it does not routinely passed the "4-layers of denim test" imposed by many using ballistic gelatin. It should feed fine in your pistol, but if you happen to choose this load, test it to be sure.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid50/pababd722ffc820ea67aaeed17ab6f99d/fcaf1441.jpg
This Corbon 90-gr. JHP +P was fired into water. It is usually one of the faster 90-gr. loads in this caliber. It is a +P load. The Beretta will handle it fine.

Here are some average velocities based on 10-shot strings of fire with the muzzle approx. 10' from the chronograph screen. Though fired from a CZ-83, the results should be in the same ballpark as with your Beretta:

.380 ACP (CZ-83 w/3.8" bbl):

Glaser 70gr Safety Slug(Silver):
Average Vel.=1299 ft/sec

Magtech Guardian Gold +P:
85-gr JHP
Average Vel. = 1075

Federal 90gr JHP:
Average Vel. = 1017

Federal 90 gr Hydrashok:
Average Vel. = 1036

Hornady 90 gr XTP:
Average Vel. = 933

Corbon 90gr JHP +P:
Average Vel. = 1083

Magtech 95-gr FMJ:
Average Vel. = 964

Remington UMC 95gr FMJ:
Average Vel. = 970

Remington 102-gr Golden Saber:
Average Vel. = 928

Best.

[berettaman]

Yea! What Stephen said.:D

[P95Carry]

As ever Steve ... you not only deliver a plateful of delicious meat - but tasty gravy too!! Great! :cool: :)

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello, and thank you very much. The purpose of these forums as I see it is to help each other, not flame, argue, and so forth. I appreciate the kind words and
am glad that the information was of use or interest.

Best.

[tbeb]

A good load for your Beretta is the one that is 100% reliable.

My friend is a retired LEO, and he often carried a Browning BDA .380 (very similar to Beretta 84) loaded with Federal Classic Hi-Shok 90 gr. JHP.

When I carried a .380 it was loaded with Winchester Silvertip 85 gr. JHP's. They were the first load I tried and they were 100% reliable so I didn't look any further. I also like the Federal Hi-Shok 90 gr. JHP and the Federal Hydra-Shok 90 gr. JHP and the Corbon 90 gr. JHP.

[PCRCCW]

Id second everything stated already.......The BDA/Beretta are both stellar guns. The 83 would have done you well also.........they are all in the same league...along with a couple of other top end guns.
Enjoy it................Shoot well

[clubsoda22]

In addition to that, winchester just added a .95gr .380 to their Ranger Talon line. Supposedly a very good performer (and at slightly over 1000fps from a 3.5" barrel, nice and toasty)