380 Fans?

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lizziedog1

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For some reason I like the .380ACP round. I have a couple of pistols chambered for this cartridge and I really enjoy shooting them. I even reload for them. I realize that it is a border-line cartridge for self-defense and it ain't much of a hunting round either.

Actually, one of my 380's is pretty accurate. I just ran some reloads with cast bullets through it and not only did they cycle perfectly, they proved to be quite accurate. I am going to try and pop a jackrabbit with this gun. If I can get with 25 or so yards I think I might succeed.

Are there any other .380ACP fans here?
 
I own a Browning 380 BDA that I love. It is a toss-up which is prettier ...it or my Browning Hi Power...Harold
 
I prefer my .380 (PPK) in the summer where I can conceal it better with light-weight clothes. It would offer better penetration with a perp who also is wearing a light git-up...:)
 
Yes, I really do like the .380, even though I haven't owned one in years. Ballistic testing in gelatin is not always favorable to it, but I'm fairly sure this depends on the particular bullet.
 
If the .22lr is a quality small game round I don't know why the .380acp would not also be sufficient.
 
Biggest problem is ammo cost. With how popular its becoming, you would think they would make it a bit more affordable.
 
Love my Thunder 380, too. It was my EDC until I found a PF-9 Kel-Tec, but the Bersa is way more enjoyable to shoot (lighter round, heavier gun.)
I also enjoy the quirks of my old Grendel P-10 380 pistol, which is loosely an ancestor of the Kel-Tec line..
 
I've always really liked my SIG P232 (an all stainless, current production version). It is a really comfortable pistol to grip, and the mass makes it simple to handle with the snappiest of .380 loads. I don't engage in any of the caliber wars here or elsewhere, but I will say I've always felt (and still do) that .380 is a quite adequate SD round.
 
380

Here in Colorado I am allowed by law to have a loaded handgun in my car. Mine is a Ruger LCP 380. Perfectly fits in my car with a low profile. Its only purpose is close quarter protection. I like it.
 
I enjoy several .380s. A few are simply some of the best designs, most ergonomic, high quality pistols made. IMHO, the Berettas are the best, the Sig is total sweetness, the Sphinx feels like it's from a solid chunk of steel. The Walther started it all. I enjoy them all. My grail gun is a HK P7K3... maybe someday.
TEST004.jpg

My favorite.
84f001.jpg

The beauty Queen.
newkahrwoodgrips001.jpg
 
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Since CPL has increased so have .380 popularity. I am looking into that caliber because of the nice choices out there.
In line with .380 popularity, .380 ammunition has also kept pace as far as performance. In another post I emphasized that the key to a .380 is its ammunition choice.
Though I love the .45 I am starting to realize that bigger is not better. .380 ammunition has made good progress in keeping up with .380 handgun demand.
 
Jotobo said:
Biggest problem is ammo cost. With how popular its becoming, you would think they would make it a bit more affordable.
Click to expand...
Although not as inexpensive as 9 mm, 380 at 29 cents a round is way cheaper than 40 or 45 cal ammo and is around the same price as 38 special in similar quality ammo.
 
I can't say I'm a fan of the .380, but I love the small size of my LCP. I can carry it when no other gun I own would fit.
 
We have a Beretta 84FS Cheetah, a Browning BDA 380 and a Walther PK380. Love 'em all.

Have felt the .380 was an adequate SD round for many years - carried a Walther PPK as a BUG starting about 39 years ago.

Have looked at the SIG P232 and definitely prefer it to the P238. I can conceal any of the pistols we have now so have no use for the Ruger LCP.
 
petrey10 said:
what 380 would you guys say has the least recoil?
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The thing about 380 pistols is that most if not all of the larger ones are blowback action while most of the pocket 380s are locked breach action.

If you have two pistols of the same size and weight and one is blowback and the other locked breach, the blowback will have significantly more felt recoil than the one with blowback action.

Because the pocket pistols like the LCP/P-3AT with their locked breach action are so small and light they kick pretty hard, but compared to a pocket 380 like the Seecamp, NAA and Micro Desert Eagle which have blowback action the LCP, P-3AT and a number of other pocket pistols with locked breach action have much less felt recoil.

The Sig P238 is a small and very light weight pocket 380 with a locked breach action that IMO has less felt recoil than many of the larger 380 blowback pistols.
 
petrey10 said:
what 380 would you guys say has the least recoil?
Click to expand...
Walther PK380, hands-down. Decent size, locked-breech, grip you can hold with all fingers - it's one of the sweetest-shooting guns out there. Great price, too. And unless your wardrobe consists of Speedos and Spandex, it's quite easy to conceal.
 
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