Colt 380s

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bratch

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I'm considering picking up a Colt 380 SA to become my "small" gun. There are alot of varients so I'm looking for some infomation on the group as a whole.
I'd like:

1. Description
2. Size and comparative size to another handgun (perferably a Kahr K9 and PM9)
3. Fair price for New, Used (good), Used (Fair)
4. Differences in models

I've seen:
Government
Mustang
Mustang Pocketlite
Series 80
During my research but I'm sure I've missed some.

I'm assuming the series 80 refers to the same things as it does with the 1911. I've got a little idea about a couple of them but would like a definate clarification on them.

i'll probably be shopping for one at the up coming Tulsa show.
 
The Government is a 7 shot with a longer grip.
The Pony is double action only.
The Mustang has a 6 shot grip.
and you can combine these varibles in the guns....
Aluminum frames Some called Lite (has an aluminum frame.)
Steel Frames
Stainless Steel frames
 
What greg531mi said. Also the Mustang plus II is a Government model frame with a Mustang slide. 7 shot 2 3/4" barrel.
 
I had a Colt Government Pocketlite .380 and sold it after 9 years to a guy in Oklahoma City. I loved that gun but used its sell to finance another one - Two months later and I really want my gun back!! Great gun! I have a Kahr MK9 - and the Colt was thinner and lighter. If you get only don't ever sell it!
 

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I picked up a Mustang couple years ago. Its a keeper 1 of 5 pistols I own I will not sell. Kids would go first. Their easy to replace. :eek: But these little Colts are getting scarce.
 
My father in law picked up a very nice Mustang last year. It's not the most reliable thing in the world, but it's cute as all get out.

I'm in the begging/bargaining stage for that thing myself, but not making much headway. Very cool little things if you happen to run across one.
 
I have a series 80 Mustang that I bought new ~15 years ago. It has been my carry gun on and off for that whole time. It now has a fair amount of holster/ carry wear and looks like a well cared for tool.

It has been very reliable, very comfortable and is pretty accurate for such a short barrel. It's loud and it has a sharp kick. I would not part with it.
 
I have the blued steel Mustang. It's my warm weather carry.

It also served well when teaching my wife to shoot: We started with .22, then went to the .380 mustang. It fits her hand well (with the extended magazine) though I usually carry it with a flush-fitting magazine.

I'd like to get a government model to have, but I don't think it will replace the mustang as a carry piece. If you have to ankle-carry, you'll almost forget it's there, and it's so thin (even thinner than the Kahrs) that you won't worry about being "made."
 
They are great little guns, unfortunately they have a spotty quality reputation. Mine has a soft barrel that is slowly peening up the barrel lugs. Someday it will be to much and it will jam. The rest of the gun is out of "spec" so just swapping a barrel is not going to cut it. I really need to either have a custom barrel made just for my gun or get the slide stop holes welded up and redrilled higher to force the lugs into the slide more.

I am taking the "don't fix it until it breaks" approach. At the rate of peening, I figure I have about 2 more years to think about it.
 
I luv my Mustang

I pocket carry it all the time. Hammer down in a round in a pocket holster. Or cocked and locked in a tuckable IWB. It just disapears. Its blued. They came out with the stainless model after I bought mine. I probably would have bought the stainless one if it was available at the time. I find it to have very little kick for a gun of its size. The original models came with 5 round mags then the mags were changed to allow 6 rounds. The 5 rounders have a notch in the lower left rear side of the mag. The 6 rounders work in the older guns as well. The 7 round govt mags are supposed to work in the Mustang but I had problems with mine. I recently bought a 10 round aftermarket mag but haven't used it yet. :)
 
There was a rumor a while ago that Colt would bring back the 380 family..
I don't think I will hold my breath till I see one..And if they do bring them back they won't be able to be sold here in Mass...So the Pony and Mustang that live at my house will stay here forever..
 
Bulbboy,

How did the Government size compare to your MK9? The biggest problem I have with pistols is the length of their frame. Anything longer than an Officers .45 frame startes printing.

I'm looking for this as a pocket gun but was curious its overall dimensions.
 
Love my Mustang Pocketlite. It is my "most carried" gun.

mustang_grips.jpg
 
They`re nice little guns. Mild recoil and very easy to hit with. 2 accurate rounds of .380 beats 1 not so accurate .45. As you can see from the pic this one belongs to my wife (the original girley girl!). :eek: Marcus
08a617b6.jpg
 
The DAO Pony Pocketlite is a great little .380

I picked one up and had a good smith polish it and melt it, its like a little piece of butter. Very reliable, never failed to fire and just easy to control. You can carry it in a shirt pocket and forget its there.

The Mustangs are also great little guns, but they weigh too much for their size. Same with the older Colt 1908. Great little pistol, just weighs too much for its size.

Take a look at it here: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=38910

Scroll down to post 20 and 21 while you are at it.

Mine has been carried a lot and shot very little but it works every time.
 
I have a Government .380 ACP completely customized by Terry Tussey. He installed low-mount sights, and the little thing will blast golf balls all day long.
 
bratch said:
Bulbboy,

How did the Government size compare to your MK9? The biggest problem I have with pistols is the length of their frame. Anything longer than an Officers .45 frame startes printing.

I'm looking for this as a pocket gun but was curious its overall dimensions.
Click to expand...

The barrel was a little longer - but the Kahr is a bit chunkier - the kahr is more like a thicker version of the Mustang Pocketlite.
 
I've got one that I've carried for a good number of years.

colt380gov.jpg



I've replaced the grips, guide rod, and mag release spring. I've also had to fill with epoxy and re-tap the grip screw holes once because of so called gunsmith that offered to install the grips that I bought.
 
Bone stock, haven't done a thing yet, but the trigger is a little harsh... some where around 8 lbs.. but still fun to shoot

probably will change the grips to something smooth, checker the front and rear and get the trigger down to a reasonable pull weight.


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any suggestions on the best way to get the trigger weight down with out a full trigger job by a smith?
 

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I got my stainless Mustang a few months ago. It's due to go to Cylinder & Slide for a slight rounding of sharp corners but I'm not sure it needs it.

It's a little heavy for pocket carry and with my big hands the pockets have to be big but I get by. The Pocketlite would be better but I'm happy with the Mustang.

I have put a couple hundred rounds through it with no issues. Last night I tried some of the new CorBon PowRBall .380 and WOW that's a big bang. 70gr @ 1200 FPS. Previously I had been carrying Golden Sabre in it.

mustang.jpg
 
I have a full steel .380 Government, that is honestly absolutely the best .380 to shoot. I was soo impressed with the SIG P232 that I so wanted one... I constantly dreamt of one.

But then, I saw the .380 in the glass case, bought it and its one of those rare guns that after you shoot off the first magazine you take a deep breath and admire the gun for a few minutes. I actually admired it and thought wow, this is one absolutely great gun with low recoil. Thank you breech lock design.

One thing though, I was hoping to pocket carry this gun, pocket carry gun this is definitely not.

But it would serve a great CCW as a IWB, OWB, SOB, or any other way of carrying it. I think this would be a great motorcycle gun since it fits my Alpinestars motorcycle jacket perfectly.

Good luck!
 
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