Talk to me about small, steel-framed .380/9mm

PPK/S impressions

I have about 150 rounds through my new PPK/S .380, and on the whole I'm quite pleased. It feels really good in my hand, and I like the (for me) teeny-tiny groups I get out of it. I also like how smooth it's getting as it wears in.

My hands are on the smallish side, for a man, but even with the PPK/S's slightly taller frame I find the extended magazine is more comfortable. Someone with larger hands, meaning at least half the male population, might find it less accommodating.

I have a limp-wristing problem with the PPK/S that I haven't run into with other guns (um, mostly ). Cor-Bon high-velocity JHP, for example, misfeeds every other round. Even with plain old Federal Independence FMJ I have to concentrate carefully. So far, Federal Premium Low-Recoil 90-grain Hydra-Shok has worked out best.

I had hoped for deep concealment, but that is proving harder than I expected. Despite the availability of several pocket holsters, it's far too heavy and a bit too bulky for my pocket; very conspicuous.

My only major gripe is that it's kinda finicky to clean. Lots more fidgety, hard to reach bits than the "full-size" pistols I've used.

PS I handled a S&W 908 single-stack 9mm in the shop, but didn't get to fire it. Something about the feel of it really grabbed me. Quite thin and not too heavy, as I recall.

Another vote for the cheetah. The 84FS looks like a 3/4 scale 92 FS (though it is blowback). DA/SA with frame mounted safety/decocker, Alloy frame, 13+1 capacity. Definitely the Cadillac of .380's. I love mine.

Despite the availability of several pocket holsters, it's far too heavy and a bit too bulky for my pocket; very conspicuous.

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Ditch the holster, hitch up your belt real good (weight..), muzzle down in your strong-side empty pocket in a pair of sturdy pants: you are in business.
I like the feel of the heavy steel in the pocket; don't worry about printing: they won't notice or care....
My summer-time carry....

NAA Guardian 380.

According to the internet the current block of PPKs have reliability issues that one must work out before trusting as a SD weapon.

According to the internet the current block of PPKs have reliability issues that one must work out before trusting as a SD weapon.

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Yup, I have hade reliability issues, and my PPK/S is functioning fine now.

According to the internet

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I am the Internet!!!

The AMT DAO Backups are now being manufactured again in Texas, and I have actually seen the 9 mm model in the retail channel. I have read postings on other forums that the .380 is also now available.

Sounds like you already know what you want, and I don't blame you. Go with the Walther PPK/s. It's calling to you.
I'm thinking about one myself. I was thinking about the Sig 232 and the Bersa as well, But they are slightly too big for realistic pocket carry. You might as well get a 9mm. The CZ83 is pretty much in the same boat.
Walther makes a PPK 6shot. It's one round less but 1/2 in less in height. Might be more pocketable. Little differences in size make huge difference in pocket carry.

I'll third or fourth the Beretta 85F....I like it better than the Cheetahs or 84s, as the 85F has a chrome lined barrel, and checkering on the front of the trigger guard and grip.

An additional plus is that if you run out of ammo, or it jams (HAH!), it's heavy enough that you could club the BG to death with it....or a baby seal if that's your bag.

What about the P232 from Sig. It fits the hand real nice and is easy on the eyes.

Without doubt.. go 9mm

...

And if you can fit one into your budget, as they're around 1k, but the Springfield Armory's EMP 9mm 1911 SAO, 9+1 capacity, along with, it comes exactly as you see it with, wood grips, real night sights, 3 mags that are easy from the get-go to hand load, along with this gun has a full size grip, no pinkie mag placement with this gun, and you can carry safely, cocked and locked with both a palm grip safety and best, thumb slide safety.

Mine has gone 1200 flawless rounds, and is one of the best, most natural feeling, both weight and balance, point to aim, accurate shooters I have..

When the wife has it, she likes 115gr JHP, and when I have it, I like 124gr JHP. But 9mm in, any weight or, velocity, beats any 380's 95gr, or 105gr, punch by a mile. Along-with, with any 9mm, no blow-back action is used, which, many of B-A made-380's gets one's 380 dirty "real quick" as opposed to our EMP, for example, can go well over 600 rounds before any real need for disassembly and cleaning, as opposed to our (for sale) Sig P232 SL 380 which had/has a guarantee that after 230 rounds you would, and will, get one or two jams per magazine from then on until both, the gun, and mags, were cleaned out of dirty blow-back spent powder residue.. a lot. And, this is with "new Winchester wb ammo" only, along with new Federal Hydra Shok JHP's.

Go 9mm whatever, but the EMP gives you a lot of plus's, full thin grip, max load of whatever size weight 9mm JHP ya want to shoot, and fits large hands or small hands, yet is very thin and with 3" barrel, very ccw..

Stainless steel barrel and slide, and aluminum frame fyi.. perfect weight for long ccw and for absorbing (what little because of full grip) recoil the gun offers, especially with quick follow-up shots and accuracy..

And, IF ya wanted to, you can pocket carry this gun as well..


Ls

Kahr K9 or MK9.

www.kahr.com

Kahr PM9, or Bersa Thunder .380cc

To Dan-O,...where'd you get the stocks for that Bersa?? Looks pretty sharp,...looking for a set of woods,...have the SGS version of the Thunder .380,...and the .22 LR as well....

"Star S and SS models, Llama locked breech .380, Iver Johnson Pony, Colt Government .380. Garcia Pony, All are steel framed. In spite of what folks say about Llama's mine is very reliable, and is the closest .380 to a 1911 internally."

I will 2nd the above. I have 3 of the older llama .380s, and they are my favorite handguns. Mine are all made in the 1940s, are in excellent to like-new shape. It's simply a miniature 1911A1, and they fit my hands perfectly. Also very accurate and reliable. Also scarce.
I am also looking for a Colt Government .380, which is slightly bigger than the Llamas and are not internally like a 1911, but fine guns.
Also looking for a Star S or SS.

Someone else mentioned the PA63. For $99.95 that has to be the best bargain out there for a CCW piece. I need to buy a couple before they go up.

I have the PPK/s with the pachmayr grips and it fits like a glove..but even better is the Beretta 380 that I just got about 6 months ago...now of the two...the Beretta seems to shoot better and has less recoil...I might add that the nasty little 380 PPK/s kicks worse than my 45acp Les Baer...but not no with the Beretta.,....

Given the size of some of the new 9mms, I see no purpose for a full sized 380. Pick the right 380, and you are down to the size of 32 and 25s.

The steel Kahr K9 is about the most size efficient handgun i can think of, without being truly unpleasant to shoot.