KJS
Member
Yes, mainstream in tiny pistols. Not mainstream in revolvers.
.380 rumor true?
- Thread starter TheProf
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Yes, mainstream in tiny pistols. Not mainstream in revolvers.
1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
I think he meant mainstream as in plentiful and cheap.
NewShooter
Member
Taurus might have done better making it in .22lr.
I think they had the market in other countries in mind when they came up with this.
I would love to see a DA .22 half the size of a Jframe.
I think they had the market in other countries in mind when they came up with this.
I would love to see a DA .22 half the size of a Jframe.
ddixie884
Member
I handled one at my LGS on Friday. It seemed light and short. I'm not sure how I feel about it;s power...........
sidheshooter
Member
^^^how do you feel about its fit and finish?
So they are out now. Interesting. Did you get a street price while you were there, perchance?
So they are out now. Interesting. Did you get a street price while you were there, perchance?
ThomasT
Member
Yep that happens. My dad bought a S&W model 28, loaded it with 357 rounds and put it in his nightstand and there it stayed until he passed away nearly 9 years ago. I got the gun and in nearly nine years I haven't fired it either. And best of all it didn't cost me a cent. I wish he hadn't chunked the box.
I do like the idea of a 380 revolver but just a few days ago I shot my new model 30-1 with 2" barrel and that should fill the role the 380 would be used for. Thats a neat little gun. Plus I handload for it so ammo is cheap and I can load ammo that is faster than the weak factory stuff.
Dr_B
member
They're on Buds for just under $400. Why would anyone buy a .380 revolver when they could have a S & W .38 with the same number of rounds for just a little more?
Kendal Black
Member
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- 1,647
Might be time to reintroduce the 9mm Federal Rimmed. More people are carrying these days and there might be a market for the cartridge now, if somebody makes I-frame sized revolvers to match.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=7701540&postcount=87
http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=7701540&postcount=87
Maybe because the shorter cartridge is easier to load and extract/eject from a snubby with a short extractor rod, and if you handload the .380 and use it in a revolver you can duplicate most .38 Special loads, because cartridge overall length isn't critical.
That, and the overall bulk is slightly less, which can matter if you ankle or pocket carry.
It should be remembered that when the .38 Special cartridge was introduced in 1899 it was designed to hold 22 to 23 grains of black powder. Today all of that capacity (and the related case length) isn't necessary.
oldfool
Member
just another gimmick gun in search of a reason
What is a 380 acp supposed to do for me in a revolver that the wide array of 38 bores do not already do ?? I don't get it.
At least 9mm revolver fans can argue the cost of ammo, though not much else.
You cannot argue even that for 380acp.
38 offerings can be, and oft are, both uploaded and downloaded
but what are you going to do with 380acp in either direction
somebody said "Bud's", but I see no pictures there..
so is this thing just yet another T-85 in disguise, or what ?
me, I predict less than one year lifespan for this "innovative and compelling" new product, even sight unseen
(south american market mebbe ???)
What is a 380 acp supposed to do for me in a revolver that the wide array of 38 bores do not already do ?? I don't get it.
At least 9mm revolver fans can argue the cost of ammo, though not much else.
You cannot argue even that for 380acp.
38 offerings can be, and oft are, both uploaded and downloaded
but what are you going to do with 380acp in either direction
somebody said "Bud's", but I see no pictures there..
so is this thing just yet another T-85 in disguise, or what ?
me, I predict less than one year lifespan for this "innovative and compelling" new product, even sight unseen
(south american market mebbe ???)
Dr_B
member
As a novelty gun or something fun to load for, yes this might be good. But, in my opinion, for self-defense a .38 revolver is the way to go if you like small revolvers. If you like the .380 cartridge for defense I believe an LCP would the way to go.
harmon rabb
Member
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- 2,699
LMAO. If anybody would do that, it would be taurus. But i think that's too silly for even them.
Bobson
Member
This is as good a place as any to ask it.
As someone who's been considering a J-Frame .38 special, what are the differences between the .38 and the .380? Aside from 20 grains of bullet, I mean. Is the .38 Special more powerful? I always assumed it is. In other words, why do so many people prefer the .380, while others prefer the .38? In my case, the reason has been ignorance and not knowing the difference.
As someone who's been considering a J-Frame .38 special, what are the differences between the .38 and the .380? Aside from 20 grains of bullet, I mean. Is the .38 Special more powerful? I always assumed it is. In other words, why do so many people prefer the .380, while others prefer the .38? In my case, the reason has been ignorance and not knowing the difference.
MCgunner
Member
I was thinkin' about getting one for the novelty, not to carry, then I found out about the 405 in .40S&W, so I have a new desire if not the money to satiate it. 
oldfool
Member
"why do so many people prefer the .380, while others prefer the .38?'
just speculation and opinion here, no facts or numbers
but 380 enthusiasm was waning for quite a long time, until the big wave of popularity for mini pocket guns turned the tide
The 380 is quite different out of all steel 20-something ounce guns with near 4" of barrel, than it is out out the LCP/KelTec variants, and compares quite well with 38 sp out of snubbie class guns. Very controllable shootable in the larger guns, slightly moreso than the typical 38 snubbie IMO, and a single stack slim steel 380 is very easy on IWB carry, moreso that the 'roundness' of 38 snubbies
But the mini guns are what sell in much higher volume. If/when you want smaller/lighter, it's tough to beat the appeal of the VERY small/light 380 pocket pistol. Mini 9s really are less small/slim/light (and arguably even harsher on the hand that holds it), while pocket 25s and 32s give up more 'power factor', what there is of it.
On the other hand, the most popular 'serious' loads for 38 snubbies are the 38+P variants, which deliver more/better punch per inch of barrel. While 'loadings' in 380 acp can vary a little, and can be sought from boutique shops, "380+P" is more fiction than fact. The modern 38 revolver is simply more versatile, and if/when you throw in "357 mag capable" the range of versatility is pretty extreme.
Hence many of us own both 380 acp and 38 sp, and own both in more than one size platform, yet see nothing even remotely compelling about a 380 acp revolver.
(Don't look different enough to me to even qualify on cuteness factor, and I already own a nice smaller-than-J size Brazilian made snubbie six shooter, in S&W32/L)
But, me being me, I never could see the charm in 45 acp or 9mm revolvers, either. After all, it's not like there is any scarcity of revolver loads in same bores, that can do everything they can, and perhaps a bit more.
38/357 no can do something that 9mm/9mm+P can do ?
45LC no can do something that 45 acp can do ?
I just run revolver rounds in revolvers, and auto rounds in autoloaders
to each their own, though, no harm, no foul
PS
but if 327 Federal could not make much of a dent in the market demographics, methinks 380acp revolver is just going to bounce off the wall
(South America, dunno, they have some pretty odd limitations down yonder, mebbe 380acp wheelies will sell down yonder, but if they do, they will simply cannabalize their 380 pistola market )
just speculation and opinion here, no facts or numbers
but 380 enthusiasm was waning for quite a long time, until the big wave of popularity for mini pocket guns turned the tide
The 380 is quite different out of all steel 20-something ounce guns with near 4" of barrel, than it is out out the LCP/KelTec variants, and compares quite well with 38 sp out of snubbie class guns. Very controllable shootable in the larger guns, slightly moreso than the typical 38 snubbie IMO, and a single stack slim steel 380 is very easy on IWB carry, moreso that the 'roundness' of 38 snubbies
But the mini guns are what sell in much higher volume. If/when you want smaller/lighter, it's tough to beat the appeal of the VERY small/light 380 pocket pistol. Mini 9s really are less small/slim/light (and arguably even harsher on the hand that holds it), while pocket 25s and 32s give up more 'power factor', what there is of it.
On the other hand, the most popular 'serious' loads for 38 snubbies are the 38+P variants, which deliver more/better punch per inch of barrel. While 'loadings' in 380 acp can vary a little, and can be sought from boutique shops, "380+P" is more fiction than fact. The modern 38 revolver is simply more versatile, and if/when you throw in "357 mag capable" the range of versatility is pretty extreme.
Hence many of us own both 380 acp and 38 sp, and own both in more than one size platform, yet see nothing even remotely compelling about a 380 acp revolver.
(Don't look different enough to me to even qualify on cuteness factor, and I already own a nice smaller-than-J size Brazilian made snubbie six shooter, in S&W32/L)
But, me being me, I never could see the charm in 45 acp or 9mm revolvers, either. After all, it's not like there is any scarcity of revolver loads in same bores, that can do everything they can, and perhaps a bit more.
38/357 no can do something that 9mm/9mm+P can do ?
45LC no can do something that 45 acp can do ?
I just run revolver rounds in revolvers, and auto rounds in autoloaders
to each their own, though, no harm, no foul
PS
but if 327 Federal could not make much of a dent in the market demographics, methinks 380acp revolver is just going to bounce off the wall
(South America, dunno, they have some pretty odd limitations down yonder, mebbe 380acp wheelies will sell down yonder, but if they do, they will simply cannabalize their 380 pistola market )
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I'm with the group that thinks this wasn't intended for the US market - it's probably like 'we make it and those Americans will buy anything, so throw it out and see what happens'. And they may be right, there may be a market here, we seem to find a use for about anything that shoots. My Proof: The Judge, so good S&W had to make one.
It's real market is probably what 1911Tuner noted - elderly and women - in countries where 'military caliber' weapons are difficult to get permission for, but the .380 is exempt - like Mexico.
It's real market is probably what 1911Tuner noted - elderly and women - in countries where 'military caliber' weapons are difficult to get permission for, but the .380 is exempt - like Mexico.
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