.380 Auto Reccomendations

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rhoggman

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I am thinking about getting a .380 ACP pistol for those times when concealing something small is really the only way to go.

75% of the time I am pretty comfortable with a S&W Model 60 .357, or my XD 40, but is seems there are times when something smaller is the only thing that will work. For instance if I want to tuck in my shirt I need a gun I can throw in my pocket, or strap to my calf.

What .380's do you all reccomend? I have not shot any .380's because I don't know anyone who owns one (Maybe that is a sign).

I like the looks of the Barretta, CZ83, Ruger LCP.
 
Bersas are nice and doggone reliable. I've shot a couple and some friends own the 380CC model and like it. Personally I do not like the Walthers in .380 but to each his/her own.

Now a Sig P230/232 is a fine weapon. I picked up a used one for 300 and it shoots like a top. For SD/HD I would recommend Golden Sabres. You can still find them from time to time on gunbroker and such other sites.

Just my .02
 
I have been quite happy with my Kel Tec P-3AT. On the other hand, there are reports that their quality is uneven, and there are some people who have tried very hard to like Kel Tecs who have not been successful.

You might also want consider the NAA Guardian and the Seecamp.
 
I have on occasion carried a CZ83 in a paddle holster which tucks in close nicely. I believe it carries 13 rounds. But I usually carry a SW stainless 642 357 with 5 rounds. I like the fire power better and it profiles actually less in a paddle holster than the CZ with the thick grip carrying all those rounds.
 
I guess it depends on how fixed you are for cash. If money is no object, then get the Sig. If money is tight and you would like to save as much as possible AND you want a NEW .380, get the Bersa or Ruger.

If money is REALLY tight, get the CZ-82 from jgsales.com for $160.00 it is in 9mm makarov.

My personal pick is somewhere in the middle with the CZ-83, but I am one of those for whom money (for gun purchases anyway) is really tight.
 
The Barretta .380 is about the best you can get, but it is big for a .380. If you got a lot of money to spend, look for a old Colt Mustang or Pony. The Makarov in .380 is a good choice if funds are low. orchidhunter
 
I would defnately rule out anything as big as my S&W M60, becasue I would be wasting money for nothing. Thanks for the advice on the CZ82/ Cheetah.

I like the idea of the LCP because it is not blow-back operated like the Kel-Tec. I hear people claiming that the KEL-Tec has more recoil than you would expect. The LCP takes advantage of the recoil to cycle, and thereby reduces felt recoil.
 
I would also have to say Ruger or Keltec for a truly small, easy to conceal .380. A Colt Pony or Mustang would be only slightly larger than either the Ruger and Keltec, but they are out of production, and could easily cost twice as much as either of them. Currently produced guns like the Walther PPK or Bersa, would also be somewhat larger than the Ruger and Keltec as well. If you wanted to go up in caliber, yet keep it on the small side, then something by Kahr would be a very good, albeit more expensive, CCW choice.
 
Sig P232. It has the best DA/SA trigger of any .380 on the market, is probably the most accurate, and is one of the most reliable. It is a little pricey in comparison to most pocket and subcompact .380s, but like all things in life you get what you pay for. If you want a little more recoil management, go with the all stainless model.

The Ruger LCP has been plagued with all kinds of problems. At this point, I wouldn't trust my life with one.
 
The KelTec is light and reliable, I also have a North American Arms in 32NAA that is well made but a little on the heavy side but it is the one I carry the most. If I were doing it again I would just get the Guardian in 380.
 
"I like the idea of the LCP because it is not blow-back operated like the Kel-Tec. I hear people claiming that the KEL-Tec has more recoil than you would expect. "

Both use locked breech.
 
For the budget conscience the Kel-Tec or the Bersa. If you can afford more I like the Sig 232 or maybe a S&W made PPK/S but they are a bit bigger and heavier.

I love my .380's. Next to my .45acp my .380's are the most accurate. Not the most powerful round but fun to shoot and adequate for defense especially if you can alternate HP and FMJ in your mag and they all feed nicely.
 
Colt 380

If you can find one the Colt Pocketlite 380 is a fine weapon. 7+1 HP or Corbon Powerball works well. Alum frame steel slide. I suspect they are going to be a bit pricey these days, but a dependable bug.
 
CZ 83, Double Stack 12+1

I have had 2 Walthers in .380 - both were great. I currently carry a Walther PP in .32 and all things weighed out, I like the .32 better in that gun. Flawless in operation - super mild recoil for follow up shots. A big plus for me is that I have nine shots out of that size package.

I just recently (last 3 weeks) bought a CZ 83 in .380 from Cole Distributers for $230.00 plus $30.00 shipping. The gun was a hand-picked (European police trade in) in like new condition. I picked up 3 more magazines from Midway for $35.00 each. This gun is a pure gem. Tops everything I have read about them. It ran through FMJ and Hollow Points flawlessly. The double action/single action trigger pull is one of the best I have ever seen. It carries extremely well for a double stack medium size semi-auto. This is the first CZ I have owned - its easy to see how they got their reputation. A very well made high quality all steel gun. Great thing about Cole is that they sent me pics for my approval before I sent them a money order. My FFL had the gun the next day after they had my money.

www.coledistributing.com
 

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which >380???

We can toss in the Sig P232 and the Browning BDA 380. Both are about the same size and shoot well.
 
380 for CCW

Hi, I don't know about the LCP being plagued with issues because everyone I know who owns one (and that's several) have had no problems and if I'm not mistaken you still have to wait forever to get one. The Ruger LCP drop issue recall is a CYA expense that is being corrected expeditiously to the benefit of the companies reputation and customers.
I personally own a many of the 380 pistols mentioned in the above posts and can vouch for most of them. However, putting the fantastic little Colts aside because of their cost and availability, I agree that most are too heavy for pocket carry and would recommend based on the criteria you set forth either the Ruger LCP or KT.
You can drop either in your pocket or pickup a little pocket holster and forget it's there (the same goes for the ladies...drop in a purse or slack pocket). Myself and the fellows I know and shoot with regularly count on the LCP for our ccw/PD.
Hope this helps,
JimK
 
My vote would be for a Sig P232. I have had a Sig stainless P232 about 10 years. Never had one problem with it. I have other pistols but this is the one I carry the most often.

Before that had a Beretta 380 it was reliable. But either it was not very accurate or I just could not shoot it well.

Before the Beretta 380 had a Colt Mustang 380 it was neither reliable or accurate....it was pure junk.
 
Here's another vote for the Walther PPK or the PPK/S. The German- and French-made guns (Manuhrin) are the best of the bunch. The U.S.-made Interarms guns are next in line. It's a true classic.
 
Sig 230 is the Caddy of .380's but may be larger than you wish. For the money I think the Bersa is worth a look also.
 
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