Best .380 for CCW, Medium Hands - Poll

[brashboy]

I like a .380 for CCW, for size, weight and thinness. My hands are larger medium size and my Mauser Hsc is a bit small. Also not crazy about the mag release on bottom of grip. I need something a little bigger than the PP/PPK size. The Bersa Thunder and Sig P32 seem too small. Price not over $550. DA is fine.

Beretta 85, Browning BDA (looks like the Beretta), CZ83, Taurus PT380 or SW Sigma?

Anything else I should consider?

I know, a .380 lacks the knockdown, but they all have to be placed right.

 

[Chrome]

Is price a factor?

If not, Walther just came out with the PPS, a poly framed shrunken P99c) in 9mm.

Later,
Chrome...

 

[Guitargod1985]

If you're dead set on getting one of those, I'd get the CZ.

The Browning BDA model was discontinued in 1997, I believe, so you may have difficulty finding one that's not used, if indeed you are able to find one at all.

You mentioned that size is a deciding factor. My HK USPc is almost identical in maximum dimensions to the CZ, although I think the HK is a tad heavier. If you look hard enough, you can probably find something chamberd for a more powerful round which meets your criteria.

Oh, and whatever you do ... For Thomas Jefferson's sake do NOT get one of those aweful Sigma creatures. The trigger pull is terrible and the accuracy is marginal at best.

 

[rantingredneck]

If you're interested in a pocket gun for deep concealment try a NAA Guardian. I have large hands and it is very comfortable to shoot for me. Carries well in a pocket holster, shoots well too. Price, about $400.00 if you can FIND one new. Used will run you around $300-350 or so. Currently out of production but supposed to be back on line at some point.

 

[dogtown tom]

BDA's are discontinued, but easy to find new and used on GunBroker. Expect to pay about $375 for a nice one.

The Beretta 85 is a single stack- you should also look at the Beretta 84, it's a double stack and uses the same magazine as the BDA.

 

[gbelleh]

Check out the Beretta 84. Have you considered a Makarov?

 

[Barr]

Bersa Thunder 380. Phenomenal gun for the money.

 

[whistler]

my vote would have to be for the Sig 232 or colt pocket lite

 

[usp9]

The Beretta 84 or 85 is the best of the ones listed. Tops in quality, capacity and reliability.

Sig P232 is a great .380, very easy to shoot and conceal. Put Hogue grips on one and you may find it feels very good.

Sphinx AT380 is a great DAO but hard to find. Small but a double stack so it may fit your hand OK. Exquisite trigger.

CZ 83 is a nice gun but heavy. Not much aftermarket gear for these.

For CCW reliability and dependability is most important and the Berettas are top class. Available with factory plastic or wood grips, aftermarket rubber grips and a variety of holsters, (I use a Galco Fletch). I even have a model 84 with night sights.

 

[Ala Dan]

I voted for:

the Browning BDA

 

[brashboy]

Great info, guys, thanks - that's why I like this forum so much. I'll be checking some of these out on the next trip to my favorite gun store. Some, like the BDA, you find where you find them. The Beretta looks to be a great gun, but looks a lot like the BDA - are they the same design? The Berettas tend to be pricey.

I have to check out the HK and Mak, have never looked at either. Admittedly, I am thinking about a Kahr CW9 or maybe a better Kahr model, since it actually is the size of the PPK but not too small for my hand. I don't want to deal with too many different cartridges, and I already have 9mm, .45 and .357/.38 (.22 of course). Going to a 9mm would simplify life in this respect. Until I looked at the Kahr, I had not seen a 9mm this small and thin, comfortable to hold. Need to shoot one first, though.

Hard to justify $600+ for a Beretta .380 when Kahrs are available for the same price. The BDA and Beretta are pretty thick with the double-stack mags.

 

[tydephan]

Sig P232 is a great .380, very easy to shoot and conceal.

Well...I haven't dropped this photo in a while...so here goes:

My 232.


The Nill grips are expensive, but they really improve the size of the grip, which allows me (medium-large hands) to really grasp it good without worrying too much about slide bite.

The hogues are also nice on this gun.

 

[brashboy]

Whooaaa, Tydephan, me likee! Those grips are very nice. Now I want to look at one. Unfortunately, the shelves at most gun stores are not exactly bursting with .380s. Is that your carry piece?

 

[Lonestar49]

Between 2 IMHO

Quote: *Bersa Thunder 380. Phenomenal gun for the money.
-------------
...

Dependability and Accuracy out of the box:

*I would agree with the above statement, as I have read MANY post in regards to 380's that are Reliable and it got the most votes, based on the low price for such a great gun..

If, as another mentioned, price is not the issue, then I would steer you away from any of the most beautiful 380's IMO, the Beretta 84/85, due to the one issue of; the placement of the saftey-decocker, and it's very hard to activate it while one will compromise one's proper-2-hand grip vs what I deemed the deciding factor in getting our bug Gun, the Sig P232 SL 380 with Hogue fingered wrap-around grips for 740 bucks.

And it was the placement of the decocker-only (no safety, which I like) and the ability and "ease" to activate it, decock the gun, without sacrificing one's 2 hand grip, especially the ease and maintaining a proper 2-hand grip, for my wife's use of it..

As it is a great one hand shooter, if one has no choice in a quick moment, as well as being able to decock it out of SA mode back into DA mode with only the shooting hand, and NO loud thump/Click, as the hammer never touches the firing pin.. very clean and stealthy.. no noise.


Good luck,


LS

 

[tydephan]

Is that your carry piece?

I'm actually awaiting the arrival of a holster for it. My carry piece was a Glock 26. It got sent to the safe when I bought my M&P9compact. But when it had trouble, I pulled the Glock back out and it's what I'm carrying right now.

I intend to carry the 232. Just waiting on some good leather.

I bought that gun from a member of THR, Frandy. I had slobbered all over the screen everytime he posted the picture above and when he posted the 4sale thread, I jumped all over it.

Great gun. The Nill grips are about $100 add-on. But the hogues will work just as well for adding more girth to the grip (and the hogues will actually grip a little more positively, due to the material). I just like the looks of the wood.

Good luck on your decision. Let me know if I can help in any way.

 

[brashboy]

I'm glad to see that others use a .380 for carry. The size and weight are great, and the cartridge is enough, if shot placement is good.

The P232 is a fine piece, I just wasn't aware of it when posting the thread. Clearly, I should have added it to the poll, seems like the clear winner if I had.

The CZ83 is a good gun, and I'm a big CZ fan. But it is fairly heavy. If the .380 is bulky or heavy enough, it seems to me that the justification for carrying .380 is pretty much gone, in light of smaller 9's like the Kahr.

I have a PT111 9mm, but loaded out the gun is fairly heavy, and very thick. The .380 Mauser by comparison feels like a feather. The PT111 seems much thicker than it would need to be, compared to say, the Kahr.

 

[dogtown tom]

brashboy:

... The Beretta looks to be a great gun, but looks a lot like the BDA - are they the same design? The Berettas tend to be pricey...

The Browning BDA .380 was manufactured by Beretta for FN. BDA's will have FN, Beretta and Browning rollmarks on the pistol.

Although the Beretta 84 and the BDA look similiar there are a few differences:

Hammer- BDA has a spur, Beretta is round.
Slide- BDA is solid, Beretta is their typical open top design.
Safety-BDA has it mounted on the slide like the big Berettas, the Beretta 84 has it frame mounted.
Sights-BDA has a very small half moon front blade, Beretta has a larger blade front sight. Both feature fixed rear sights.
Trigger Guard- Current Beretta 84's have front of trigger guard sculpted for "combat hold".

Some parts do interchange, which ones I've not yet figured out.

A year or so back a bunch of police surplus Beretta 84's came on the market. I see a few at every Dallas Market Hall gunshow. they were asking $385. Looked like a good deal.

 

[tydephan]

I'm glad to see that others use a .380 for carry. The size and weight are great, and the cartridge is enough, if shot placement is good.

It's not just the tool. It's how you use it.

Whatever you decide to get, practice practice practice with it. IMO, the .380 is plenty effective in most situations. But I don't typically get wrapped up in the caliber wars. You said it...shot placement.

Just get a gun that you are comfortable with. If you can shoot it good, it will be effective.

 

[dairycreek]

I voted for the CZ 83 based on my personal experience with that gun in 380.

As you can see mine is finished in nickel and I have had it for nearly ten years. Can't tell you how many rounds I have put through it but it is a bunch. Never had a problem with the gun at any level. The 12+1 pistol has functioned perfectly. The finish has held up remarkably.

The extra weight and barrel length (3.8") makes the gun quite accurate and a pleasure to shoot even though it is blowback in function. I sure have enjoyed mine and recommend it without reservation.

 

[Lonestar49]

Sig P232 SL 380 Pic link

...

Take a read and look with the Hogue grips and note the decockers location on the frame, easy use:

http://www.sigarms.com/Products/ShowCatalogProductDetails.aspx?categoryid=10&productid=69


LS

 

[usp9]

A year or so back a bunch of police surplus Beretta 84's came on the market. I see a few at every Dallas Market Hall gunshow. they were asking $385. Looked like a good deal.

That's the latest of my three Berettas...an Indiana State Police trade. It came with three 13 round mags, a nice Desantis shoulder holster with double mag pouch, night sights and a sweet trigger... for $350. I mainly bought it because it had these custom rubber grips with the Indiana S.P emblem.

then I would steer you away from any of the most beautiful 380's IMO, the Beretta 84/85, due to the one issue of; the placement of the saftey-decocker, and it's very hard to activate it while one will compromise one's proper-2-hand grip

Not sure I understand this comment?? The safety is very easy to thumb down, Ala 1911 style. In fact the Beretta can be carried three ways...cocked and ready to fire, cocked and locked or decocked and ready for a DA trigger pull. No reason to break one's grip.

 

[iwilc2]

bersa

i know that the bersa thunder is not on your list but i just bought a thunder 380 cc, and for the money i dont think you can go wrong for reliability and accuracy

 

[DAdams]

Bersa

I don't own any on your list but can attest to the value of the BERSA. I have had a BERSA Thunder .380 for a year and put over 750 rounds through it.
It hasn't missed a beat and has been totally reliable.

 

[GunTech]

My deep carry is a 380 Colt mustang. If you are going to carry a larger 380, why not just go to a 9mm Kahr?

 

[don95sml]

I intend to carry the 232. Just waiting on some good leather.

I would recommend an IWB holster from The Leather Arsenal. I've used mine for quite some time and have been very happy with it. At the time I bought mine they didn't have a web site, but that may have changed. Otherwise, you could request info from The Leather Arsenal, 27549 Middleton Rd., Middleton, ID 83644, (208) 585-6212. My reasons for buying from them included a very sturdy design and lower price than other more well known brands.