recoil of .380

[mole]

How does the recoil of a .380 compare to other calibers? I know that I will only get a relative answer, but that's what it's all about. I have never shot a .380. I have a .22, .32 magnum, .38 special, and 9mm. Which would the recoil of a .380 feel closest to? I assume that it will be stronger than the .22 and weaker than the 9. I know that gun weight, type of ammo, etc... will have different effects, but please just play along with me here.

I know no one who has a .380 and there is nowhere local that I can rent one. For what it would cost for me to go rent one I could throw in another $40 in and buy a hi point (not including tax and background check). Heck, I might even buy a hi point anyway. If I don't like it I can always clean it up and give it as a gift later or keep it as a beater.

Thanks,
mole

 

[1911 guy]

Action type

Because of the action type of most .380's (blowback) the recoil is very similar to a tilt barrel (what we consider to be a "normal" autoloader) 9mm. A little less, but not by much. My wife shoots a .380 SIG and it's almost the same as my CZ 75 knock-off.

 

[antsi]

At the risk of being labelled THR's resident wimp, I have to say that some .380 autopistols can be rather unpleasant to shoot. .380's may not generate as much energy as the bigger cartridges, but the guns chambered for it tend to be very small and light with a small grip surface, which can make them a bit harsh and jumpy to shoot. I'm not saying it is so bad that you couldn't shoot it effectively in self-defense, or even that you couldn't practice enough to be proficient with it. But if we're talking about a gun to take to the range and shoot several hundred rounds, or go out and plink all afternoon, I'd a lot rather shoot a 9mm or .45 because they tend to be bigger, heavier guns with more hand-filling grips and therefore more pleasant to shoot in quantity.

Edited to add: 1911guy may be on to something about the action type, too. The blowback .380's I've shot were the ones that gave me the impression of being surprisingly unpleasant for a supposedly "weaker" cartridge. But now 1911guy has reminded me of it, my dad has a .380 that's like a miniature 1911, with the typicaly Browning type action, and it is very sweet shooting for a little gun.

 

[106rr]

The answer is situational. In a CZ 83 it is a pussycat, in a PPK with a biting slide it is more than annoying. The grip, the weight, and the height of the bore axis all figure into recoil. The HK 380 squeeze cocker is very pleasant to shoot but so is the 9MM. One is a blowback and one is gas operated.

 

[1 old 0311]

My PPK/S has NO KICK. My .380 Guardian lets you know it has been fired. Not painfull just sharp.


Kevin

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Shoot a 380 in a locked breech colt gov 380 and you would swear you are shooting a 22 long rifle pistol. Virtually no recoil.

Shoot a 380 in a PPK/s (blowback design) and get racetracked by the slide across your shooting hand, you will swear you were shooting a 44 mag as you wipe the blood off your gun.

Action type is critical to recoil with this cartidge.

Gov 380 on the top, beretta 84f on the bottom. The 84F is a great 380. Not much recoil for a blowback, but with 13 rnds and great ergonomics it is fun to shoot!

 

[Shipwreck]

How accuaret do you find that Beretta. I have been tempted to get one. The rear site is a bit different on it, though?

 

[jacobtowne]

As others have stated, it is difficult to make a general statement. Recoil is a function of gun design, grip fit, and weight. A steel .380 will usually produce less felt recoil than a lighter version with an aluminum frame, like the SIG Sauer P232 that I've been carrying for several years.
The recoil of the .38 Special in a large steel revolver is mild - in one of the super light, 10-ounce, S&W J-frames made of unobtainium it can be painful.
JT

 

[mole]

Thanks for all the replies. So basically you guys are saying that a small blow back design will have rather uncomfortable felt recoil while a heavier steel frame will have a light recoil. I was actually thinking about getting it for my mother. I have a Taurus pt92 9mm that is close but not quite what suits her. I wanted something smaller but with less felt recoil and thought a decent .380 might do. The trigger pull on the .32 magnum is too hard for her the ammo is hard to find and relatively expensive.

How about a mak? It's blowback, but made of heavy steel so maybe it will even out. .380 is easier to find ammo for though. I've never shot a mak either. Any opinions about the hi point .380 with the comp? The hi point has a polymer frame and weighs 31 ounces, but maybe the comp will help even out the recoil. To be honest I don't want to spend a lot of money on a gun that will probably never be shot except for me testing it out. Accuracy is not really an issue because if it is ever used it would be at about 10-15 feet in a defense situation inside her home.

I once saw where someone had filled the bottom of a 1911 mag with lead to help with the recoil. Do you guys think that might help assuming that I could get the mag to function properly?

Thanks,
mole

 

[grimjaw]

How about a mak? It's blowback, but made of heavy steel so maybe it will even out. .380 is easier to find ammo for though.

You can find Makarov PM's in .380, and recoil is very manageable. I wouldn't compare it to shooting a .22, but it doesn't bother me to run it through extended sessions at the range, either.

jmm

 

[Shorts]

I had two pistols at the range a few days ago, Beretta Cheetah 86 .380 and a Commander 9mm. Here's a run down comparison of the two. If it matters, I am a 5'3" 110lb female shooting one-handed.

I've had the Beretta for nearly a year. It is blowback operated. The first time I shot this pistol, I noticed it was very snappy. THe grip fit my hand extremely well. It is a smaller grip so my hands are like a glove. The gun is easy to handle and hold, and the report and recoil is comparable to a firecracker pop. There is not much muzzle flip and is very controllable for quick followup shots. It has been excitingly accurate since the day I got it. If you are the receiving end, you do NOT want me using this pistol

The Commander 9mm, I've only had for several months. It is my project gun I built this summer so I've shot this much less than the Beretta and have not 'become one' with this pistol yet. I used a flat MSH on this gun so the fit in my hand is different than the arched grip of the Beretta. The recoil of this Commander is not a firecracker pop. It is more of a softer thump. There is more muzzle flip with this gun, so it does push. Overall the recoil is heavier in my hand. It is not uncomfortable, just takes a different "flow" than that of the Beretta.

The platforms of each of these guns can make a huge difference in perceived recoil. Not to mention the individual shooter, type of ammo, shooting technique, size and weight of the gun... There's just a lot of factors that make a difference.

Personally, the gun I shoot .380 out of, I think it's a cakewalk and I can shoot it all day long. It is my carry gun. I love shooting it and I'll go through ammo quickly.

 

[jacobtowne]

Mole:
Is this for carry or home defense?
JT

 

[Warrior]

.380 recoil

My Keltec P3AT is unpleasant to shoot, especially with Plus P ammo. The P3AT is not a blowback design and operates similar to a 1911 handgun. The P3AT's heavy recoil is the result of its extreme light weight of a little over seven onces empty. Its small size, light weight and reliability make it an excellent carry gun, however. I have learned to minimize the recoil and carry it often.

 

[Dollar An Hour]

Depends on the weight of the pistol. My S&W Sigma .380 is light and polymer and it's pretty snappy. Plus the small grip only allows 3 fingers + thumb.

My buddy's CZ-83 is much more pleasant to shoot. It's no .22lr, but it's not at all bad.

 

[mole]

This is definately not a concealed carry gun. More of a nightstand type gun. I have already ruled out the Keltec P3AT for very reasons warrior named. The closest Bersa dealer is quite a far ways off. I will NOT be able to take her gun shopping. She thought it was a scandle when I brought her some margaritas to try.

I just had an idea. She likes gold jewelry and Taurus offers some of their pt 92's with gold trim/accents/whatever you want to call them. They look a bit gaudy to me but she might like them. Shop around for some slimmer grips and some very light 9mm loads (any recommendations?). It might be a little big, but if it's "pretty" then she might like it. Another problem is making sure she can work the slide.

Keep the ideas coming.

Thanks,
mole

 

[Peter M. Eick]

The 84f is quite accurate. It is a 3 dot sight, fixed and the gun hits close to point of aim. I twiddled with my loads till I found one for carry that hit perfectly (102 grn rems).