380 PLEASE-Which One?
- Thread starter sw282
- Start date
- Status
Lonestar49
Member
...
If this is just to own a 380, no ccw, then the Beretta is gonna be the best shooter in the group, besides their classical look..
Ls
If this is just to own a 380, no ccw, then the Beretta is gonna be the best shooter in the group, besides their classical look..
Ls
Erik M
Member
I have a Bersa Thunder, I know its not on the list but It's ergonomics and dimensions vaugely resemble the PPK. This thing with +p loads kicks like a ticked off mule.
HOME DEPOT GEORGE
Member
I have shot the beretta and owned a keltec and sold it to buy the ruger lcp and never looked back. I pocket carry that little gun and it just seems to fit perfectly. For pocket carry the walther or the sig look good but I think the sig is lighter.
WLE
Member
I have the Bersa and the SIg. I think the SIg shoots better and fits my hands better. They both conceal very well. My choice would be the 232.
to shoot, the Beretta 84/85 get my vote...less spongy trigger than the Sig 230/232
for CCW, the Walther PPK, along with the PP, is a classic...comment does not apply to the PPK/s...the Seecamp would be my first choice for this use, but not general use
if limited to one all around .380...the Beretta 85 get the nod
for CCW, the Walther PPK, along with the PP, is a classic...comment does not apply to the PPK/s...the Seecamp would be my first choice for this use, but not general use
if limited to one all around .380...the Beretta 85 get the nod
benderx4
Member
Of the three you mentioned, I like the looks of the Walther the best. (But it tends to bite your hand.) The Sig comes in second.
EvanWilliams
member
NONE!
Don't buy a 380. Get a baby Glock in 9mm if you have to.
That is like asking which gun in 32acp should I get or 25acp?
There is no need for those chamberings anymore. Very concealable guns exist in better calibers.
Don't buy a 380. Get a baby Glock in 9mm if you have to.
That is like asking which gun in 32acp should I get or 25acp?
There is no need for those chamberings anymore. Very concealable guns exist in better calibers.
Lone_Gunman
Member
I can hide my Keltec P3AT in places you could never even think about putting your Glock.
Cards81fan
Member.
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2009
- Messages
- 429
No, it's nothing like that. It's actually like asking which .380EvanWilliams said:
is best, which is what he's doing. The caliber has a purpose in a weapon of such a small size. An LCP, P380, or PPK are all noticeably easier to carry than a double stack Glock.
EvanWilliams
member
Any gun is better than no gun, I guess.
I have seen the aftermath of many shootings in the ER and OR.
The small caliber guns can do damage. Bigger is more effective however. Bigger and faster is even more effective.
I will relay just one of those experiences.
I was on call on the weekend in a craphole level I trauma center in Connecticut. Around 1 am I get a page to go to ER for multiple GSW.
I get there and some homie is on a stretcher with 9 small caliber GSW to torso and legs. This guy was about 6'2" and maybe 350. Winter in Conn. and wearing thick clothing as he was riding a motorcycle.
I was not needed and he did not even have to go to OR.
Later the same night the SAME THING occured. I was called, guy had at least 6 or 7 small caliber wounds. Didn't need anything from me in the ER and did not come to OR later.
Obviously, yankees need to learn to shoot better and use more gun. Could have been 22 or maybe 25 or 380. Hell might have been 9mm.
My experiences with known caliber is that 357 and 40 destroy alot of tissue and the wounds need some work. Obviously, I only see the ones who aren't DOA. Some die in the ER or OR. The rifle and shotgun wounds I have seen are usually associated with the soon to be deceased or massive tissue damage needing OR time.
So, if you have to spend money on a gun and you can't afford to buy everyone you want, then make smart purchases, buy the most gun you can carry and shoot them repeatedly, preferably in multiple vital areas. If it matters do it right.
I have seen the aftermath of many shootings in the ER and OR.
The small caliber guns can do damage. Bigger is more effective however. Bigger and faster is even more effective.
I will relay just one of those experiences.
I was on call on the weekend in a craphole level I trauma center in Connecticut. Around 1 am I get a page to go to ER for multiple GSW.
I get there and some homie is on a stretcher with 9 small caliber GSW to torso and legs. This guy was about 6'2" and maybe 350. Winter in Conn. and wearing thick clothing as he was riding a motorcycle.
I was not needed and he did not even have to go to OR.
Later the same night the SAME THING occured. I was called, guy had at least 6 or 7 small caliber wounds. Didn't need anything from me in the ER and did not come to OR later.
Obviously, yankees need to learn to shoot better and use more gun. Could have been 22 or maybe 25 or 380. Hell might have been 9mm.
My experiences with known caliber is that 357 and 40 destroy alot of tissue and the wounds need some work. Obviously, I only see the ones who aren't DOA. Some die in the ER or OR. The rifle and shotgun wounds I have seen are usually associated with the soon to be deceased or massive tissue damage needing OR time.
So, if you have to spend money on a gun and you can't afford to buy everyone you want, then make smart purchases, buy the most gun you can carry and shoot them repeatedly, preferably in multiple vital areas. If it matters do it right.
Lone_Gunman
Member
The reason the guy with multiple GSW's was not dead on arrival and did not need to go to the OR was not because of the caliber, but because of shot placement.
A 22 that enters the abdomen deserves exploration just as much as a 357 or 45 to the abdomen.
I am also a big proponent of more powerful rounds. I have operated on fewer of those than 380's, I assume because more die in the field. But the 380 will kill you dirt dead also. The 380 in your pocket is a much more effective defense weapon than the 1911 you leave at home because it is too big.
A 22 that enters the abdomen deserves exploration just as much as a 357 or 45 to the abdomen.
I am also a big proponent of more powerful rounds. I have operated on fewer of those than 380's, I assume because more die in the field. But the 380 will kill you dirt dead also. The 380 in your pocket is a much more effective defense weapon than the 1911 you leave at home because it is too big.
OK i'll relate one from the field
get a call one morning at the end of my shift
an airman gets picked up in a bar the previous night by a girl and goes to her home for the evening. wakes up and is having breakfast at the counter when her estranged husband walks in...oops. husband say "no big, i'm just here to get some clothing" and walks into the bedroom. comes back out a few moments later with a .25 auto.
airman backs out into the backyard and puts his hands up to calm the husband. husband fires one shot into his chest. airman drops like a stone and dies...there's hardly any bleeding.
lucky for the husband it was a one shot stop...the next round jammed
get a call one morning at the end of my shift
an airman gets picked up in a bar the previous night by a girl and goes to her home for the evening. wakes up and is having breakfast at the counter when her estranged husband walks in...oops. husband say "no big, i'm just here to get some clothing" and walks into the bedroom. comes back out a few moments later with a .25 auto.
airman backs out into the backyard and puts his hands up to calm the husband. husband fires one shot into his chest. airman drops like a stone and dies...there's hardly any bleeding.
lucky for the husband it was a one shot stop...the next round jammed
usp9
Member
Beretta or the Sig. Both are great guns. The Walther only if it is a much better price. I bought all three of these used, but in excellent condition. The Walther was the cheapest at $315, followed by the Beretta at $400, then the P232SL at $450 (but it came with $100 Nill grips). The best deal of these IMO was the Sig although it was the most expensive. I also found a very nice alloy P232 for the same price as the Walther, $315. Good deals can be found for all three if you are patient.
nitetrane98
Member
Of the choices given, I'd go with the Beretta. Not a big fan of the exposed barrel on the Beretta but I have a Browning BDA and think it is the most shootable of the bunch. I have fairly big paws and like being able to get almost three fingers around the grip. It's not the smallest but 13+1 is nice when you're a little down on horse power.
oldfool
Member
I have decided to purchase a 380(used). Have narrowed it down to three Walther PPK, Beretta 85, Sig P230
gosh, I wish folks would quit telling other folks not to buy what they want to buy...
me, a 38/357 revolver guy, but I wear a 380, by my own choice
bad news - first one I ever bought, Colt Government MarkIV series 80, just happened to be "best-ever-for-me"
bad news, because for twenty years, never could get past the notion that there surely must be ("just for me") something as good or even better
cost me some to find out different, but most life lessons do
You cannot know until you hold it in your own your hand and shoot it
My last try, felt great in my hand, pointed natural, great sights, etc... real popular model, functionally flawless, 250 rounds, no FTF, 5 different loads... might as well thrown a handful of gravel at the target, eyes closed... not the gun.. me
PPK works great for some, but do tend to "slice" some hands
Sig 232 (after having done my due diligence, studied specs, googled it to death, analyzed it beyond any doubt)... I finally (given the faddish recent mania for 380s) found one NIB at a BassPro in mid-Alabama. Woulda' done it, too, despite the price. But when I held it in my hand (I think I mebbe I wet my britches), it was one of those rare moments the guy behind the counter is either clairvoyant or actually knows handguns.. without a word, pointed at web of my hand, no words needed... like to broke my heart, too, because I wanted him to lie to me.
worse yet, not too long ago, looked at a Beretta model 85 single stack, 8 round mag, NIB under glass... smart enough not to pick it up and hold it, not at that price.. but if i ever see one affordable, going to have to "try again"
good news - OP, you have your list narrowed down
bad news - other guys & gals who own 'em and love/hate 'em can't call your shot
better news - none of those models are hard to sell/trade/swap for next try
gosh, I wish folks would quit telling other folks not to buy what they want to buy...
me, a 38/357 revolver guy, but I wear a 380, by my own choice
bad news - first one I ever bought, Colt Government MarkIV series 80, just happened to be "best-ever-for-me"
bad news, because for twenty years, never could get past the notion that there surely must be ("just for me") something as good or even better
cost me some to find out different, but most life lessons do
You cannot know until you hold it in your own your hand and shoot it
My last try, felt great in my hand, pointed natural, great sights, etc... real popular model, functionally flawless, 250 rounds, no FTF, 5 different loads... might as well thrown a handful of gravel at the target, eyes closed... not the gun.. me
PPK works great for some, but do tend to "slice" some hands
Sig 232 (after having done my due diligence, studied specs, googled it to death, analyzed it beyond any doubt)... I finally (given the faddish recent mania for 380s) found one NIB at a BassPro in mid-Alabama. Woulda' done it, too, despite the price. But when I held it in my hand (I think I mebbe I wet my britches), it was one of those rare moments the guy behind the counter is either clairvoyant or actually knows handguns.. without a word, pointed at web of my hand, no words needed... like to broke my heart, too, because I wanted him to lie to me.
worse yet, not too long ago, looked at a Beretta model 85 single stack, 8 round mag, NIB under glass... smart enough not to pick it up and hold it, not at that price.. but if i ever see one affordable, going to have to "try again"
good news - OP, you have your list narrowed down
bad news - other guys & gals who own 'em and love/hate 'em can't call your shot
better news - none of those models are hard to sell/trade/swap for next try
I like big .380s like my 84 Cheetah. Very accurate and i like the 92 style action reliability and trigger. If im limited to a .380 i would rather have a 3.9" barrel than a 2" micro pistol granted it would be more like trying to conceal a Glock 19 but 13+1 is nice too.They also have a single stack model. BuffaloBore has .380 P+ pushing 1200fps M.E. 288 ft. lbs from the longer barrels.
I also want one of the new Walther .380s comming out that looks like a scaled up version of the P22 and MSRP is around $350.
I also want one of the new Walther .380s comming out that looks like a scaled up version of the P22 and MSRP is around $350.
i think you're confusing your Beretta models
the Browning 380 BDA was a rebranded Beretta 84, the OP is considering the Beretta 85 which has a single-stack mag.
FWIW - the large cutout slide of the Beretta makes ejection extremely reliable and also makes it easier to drop a cartridge into the chamber...OK per the owner's manual due to it's extractor design
sokygunner
Member
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2009
- Messages
- 89
Don't really have any experience with the others, but the PPK is a good weapon with a good track record. Small and concealable, not cheap, but not too expensive. The old design is not perfect...the slide of a ppk will eventually bite the web of your hand and it will hurt when it does. I would probably look heavily at the Sig if I had the choice. Those are great guns that get great reviews and are perfectly reliable, maybe more so than a PPK. The beretta is a little big to justify a .380 cartridge, but still a great gun. I love Sigs, have a few and their quality is great and service is excellent. Walther on the other hand is a Smith&Wesson product on this side of the ocean and their service is great too.
- Status
