Colt Mustang .380 owners - how do you rate them?
- Thread starter Daguerre
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Daguerre
Member
The little bugger is definitely growing on me. Now with a little shooting, a good cleaning, and a little breechface polishing, the gun is chambering the first round off the mag just fine. The firing pin spring is all smushed up like it had been compressed beyond full compaction for some time... not sure how someone could do that to a FP spring, but oh well. I have a feeling the double spring recoil spring is really tired. I hear they should be replaced every 500 rounds in the Mustang. So I've got a complete spring kit coming for the Mustang from Wolff. Since the used gun is new to me I'm just going to go over the whole thing and give it a tuneup & spring replacement. I've got a SM&A stainless recoil spring guide rod on the way from C&S. With a little revamping this baby beauty will be in top form, I'm sure... if I can get in the habit of keeping my thumb down and away from the thumb safety. And a new spring in there will probably help as well.
Now I'd like to find another extractor and firing pin to have as spares... and I've got to order some CorBon 90 gr. +P JHP which gets 1050 fps and 220 FP with probably a 3 3/4" barrel. Any idea how much those numbers will drop shooting them through the little Mustang barrel?
Though I'd prefer one of my 1911's or Browning Hi-Power .40's for defense, the little Mustang will give my S&W 642 .38spl Centennial a run for it's money in my pocket.
Now I'd like to find another extractor and firing pin to have as spares... and I've got to order some CorBon 90 gr. +P JHP which gets 1050 fps and 220 FP with probably a 3 3/4" barrel. Any idea how much those numbers will drop shooting them through the little Mustang barrel?
Though I'd prefer one of my 1911's or Browning Hi-Power .40's for defense, the little Mustang will give my S&W 642 .38spl Centennial a run for it's money in my pocket.
DonP
Member
Govt. Pocketlite here
Got one of the Govt. Pocketlite versions with the SM&A deep cover package. It's a SA only, designed to be carried Cocked and Locked (according to the folks at SM&A.
It has an alloy frame to cut the weight a little and, with the exception of no grip safety, is a double for my 1911. I like having a smaller gun with the same controls and feel as my big shooter.
It eats anything I feed it except the Win-Clean blunt nosed stuff. It chokes heavily on that.
Cleaning it is pretty easy and exactly like cleaning my 1911 after a trip tot he range. I'd think that the same rules should apply for SD ammo that work on the P-32. Go with FMJ stuff since the HP won't get the velocity it needs to work right.
If Colt started cranking them out again I'd get another one in a minute. But the prices I've seen lately are way up there for them now, if you can even find them.
Don P.
Got one of the Govt. Pocketlite versions with the SM&A deep cover package. It's a SA only, designed to be carried Cocked and Locked (according to the folks at SM&A.
It has an alloy frame to cut the weight a little and, with the exception of no grip safety, is a double for my 1911. I like having a smaller gun with the same controls and feel as my big shooter.
It eats anything I feed it except the Win-Clean blunt nosed stuff. It chokes heavily on that.
Cleaning it is pretty easy and exactly like cleaning my 1911 after a trip tot he range. I'd think that the same rules should apply for SD ammo that work on the P-32. Go with FMJ stuff since the HP won't get the velocity it needs to work right.
If Colt started cranking them out again I'd get another one in a minute. But the prices I've seen lately are way up there for them now, if you can even find them.
Don P.
NJ3
Member
I just picked up a gently used SS Pocketlite Saturday. It's a real nice shooter and easy to carry all day. It didn't come with a manual though. (And Colt wants $10 for one.)
I think I need one of the Positive Retention slide stop's from C&C though.
If Colt started making the Mustang pistols again I'd also get another.
I think I need one of the Positive Retention slide stop's from C&C though.
If Colt started making the Mustang pistols again I'd also get another.
PeacefulWarrior
Member
I owned a Colt Gov't model .380 and it was the only gun that gave me headaches. I finally got rid of it and purchased a PPK. I was really disappointed in the gun since I am a 1911 fan. If you want .380 go with a PPK or a Sig.My wife owns a Mustang and loves it and has no problems with hers....go figure.
One thing I will say about the Colt.380's they were a joy to carry.
One thing I will say about the Colt.380's they were a joy to carry.
bredda
Member
I bought a nickel Govt. 380 new in 1984 and the only problem was about 10 years ago when it went full-auto once at the range (wherein about 3 guys said they would double what I paid for it). Had some sear work done and it's been trouble-free since. I think I paid around $220 and now they're hovering at or above $500.
NJ3
Member
That would be fun if you were expecting it.
I've seen nickel Colt 380's for more than $500.
Keith
Member
This thread got me thinking about the accuracy of the Mustang.
I went out shooting this morning and for the first time put it on paper from a rest... well, from the hood of my car, anyway.
I was a little disappointed at first because at 15 yards the best group was over three inches. Not as good as I thought. I then went out to 25 yards and got groups over 6 inches! The best 25 yard group was 5 3/4" ... the worst one I won't talk about...
I then realized that all of the 15 and 25 yard groups were right around the bull! And that is something NONE of the other pocket guns I've ever owned have done. Almost all of them have shot high, often ridiculously high!
So, assuming my Mustang is typical, the "secret" to the accuracy is that they simply shoot to point of aim. A lesson other manufacturers might wish to copy.
I don't think accuracy is that big a deal when it comes to guns of this size which after all, are meant for close-in defense work. But, it's reassuring to know that if I do have to take a pot shot at someone at a distance, I won't be shooting a foot over their heads. I'd much rather have a gun that hit within 3" of point of aim and got sloppy groups at 25 yards, than some gun that got fantastic groups a foot over where I aim it.
Keith
I went out shooting this morning and for the first time put it on paper from a rest... well, from the hood of my car, anyway.
I was a little disappointed at first because at 15 yards the best group was over three inches. Not as good as I thought. I then went out to 25 yards and got groups over 6 inches! The best 25 yard group was 5 3/4" ... the worst one I won't talk about...
I then realized that all of the 15 and 25 yard groups were right around the bull! And that is something NONE of the other pocket guns I've ever owned have done. Almost all of them have shot high, often ridiculously high!
So, assuming my Mustang is typical, the "secret" to the accuracy is that they simply shoot to point of aim. A lesson other manufacturers might wish to copy.
I don't think accuracy is that big a deal when it comes to guns of this size which after all, are meant for close-in defense work. But, it's reassuring to know that if I do have to take a pot shot at someone at a distance, I won't be shooting a foot over their heads. I'd much rather have a gun that hit within 3" of point of aim and got sloppy groups at 25 yards, than some gun that got fantastic groups a foot over where I aim it.
Keith
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