Comparing Four 380's

[il.bill]

Thanks for sharing - that was a nice review and some great pictures!

No one has mentioned my favorite .380 ACP pistol, the CZ83. A little wide with the double stack magazine and heavy for concealed carry, but they are great shooters.

 

[Tallball]

Thanks again for all the nice resonses. The Spanish ones would be next on my list.

 

[jrdolall]

Good post. I think it really points out the differences in each individual person AND firearm. So many people automatically assume that a gun is a POS because they don't shoot it well when, in reality, the gun is an excellent shooter in the right hands. I have medium hands so most guns work well for me.
I have a Mak in 380 as well as a couple of Bersas and i prefer shooting them over the P3AT, Ruger and Bodyguard. The smaller pistols are very concealable but not a hoot to shoot.

 

[franco45]

I too enjoyed your comparison. I like the 380 round also. I currently own a Browning BDA, an LCP and a Kahr CT380. The LCP is obviously the most concealable. I carry it when I wear jeans or shorts. The CT380 is perfect in the pocket of cargo pants or iwb.

 

[bannockburn]

Currently I have three .380s: a Colt Mustang, a SIG P238, and a KelTec P3AT. Surprisingly enough that's also the order I would rank them as most comfortable to shoot and the most accurate though the P238 sometimes fares better than the Mustang due to it's easier to use night sights.

 

[JWH321]

My M&P BG380 is most comfortable to shoot with heavier bullets, i.e., 100 grain ball provides reduced perceived recoil than 90 grain stuff. Still, it's a little gun with little mass to dissipate the energy produced. I don't see myself ever regarding a 380 as a pinker (especially with the cost of 380 ammo).

 

[kokapelli]

My M&P BG380 is most comfortable to shoot with heavier bullets, i.e., 100 grain ball provides reduced perceived recoil than 90 grain stuff. Still, it's a little gun with little mass to dissipate the energy produced. I don't see myself ever regarding a 380 as a pinker (especially with the cost of 380 ammo).

"Most comfortable" compared to what?

How much are you paying for 380 ammo? 380 ammo is less expensive than 45, 40, 38 special.

 

[Tallball]

My FiL recently added 380 to his reloading repertoire, so the cost is nbd. If I were strolling around in the country, I would be happy to use my Colt, Beretta, or Makarov for plinking. In fact, many soft drink cans, small stumps, old toasters, etc were sent to their dooms by my Makarov (back when I was younger).

 

[9 fingers]

Another good post Tallball, thanks. Your Makarov is in fantastic condition!
I also like to shoot .380 and have a small herd of them. My favorite is the CZ83but I also have a Mak .380, and no matter how much I try to ignore it, every time I take it out it amazes me with how accurate it is. I also like the Mauser HSc a lot and have 3 of them. And I have a Beretta 70s, but I hate the grips The thumb rest positions my thumb so high that I inadvertently activate the safety. Have a set of Klinsky grips on order and that should take care of it.
9 fingers

 

[JWH321]

"Most comfortable" compared to what?

How much are you paying for 380 ammo? 380 ammo is less expensive than 45, 40, 38 special.

Sorry, I was comparing it to my old Kel-tec P3at, my daughter's SIG p238, and my Beretta Model 70. And you're right about ammo, too. I was mainly thinking of 9mm. But the comparison that I had intended was that the BG was most comfortable with 100 grain stuff as compared to how it felt with 90 grain stuff. The point that I had hoped to make was that the lighter projectile created more perceived recoil. That fact seems to be true for the other guns, too, except for the Model 70 which seems to feel the same no matter the bullet.

Around here, 380 is running $21-24 per box for 50 rounds. SD stuff is $24-27. 9mm is $13.99. I shoot mainly handloads. I think $23-$24 for range ammo is a lot. Others may feel differently.

 

[d'zaster]

I find the Kahr P380 a better shooter and more accurate than Glock 42. Better sights and trigger pull on the mini Kahr. Recoil feels close but P380 edges out the G42. Someday I'll compare to my late 70s vintage Walther PP that a friend borrowed.

 

[usp9]

Nice write up with an interesting conclusion. Over the years I've grown to appreciate the many great guns made in .380 caliber. Some are world class. My Makarov was in the similar 9mm Mak, but they are nice guns... no doubt. I've owned a Astra Constable, Beretta 84 and 85, several Sig P232s, a nice Sphinx, Walther PPK/S and Bersa T and Plus... all great guns well worth owning. My personal favorite is the Beretta 84.

 

[golden]

To each his own

One nice thing about the .380ACP caliber, is that you have lots of choices.

I found that the BERETTA 84 was a mild kicker and very accurate. The large grip area made it easy to control and gave mild recoil. The large size of the sights compared to some .380ACP pistols and smooth trigger gave very good accuracy.

I have a CZ-82 and it would be the equal of the BERETTA 84 except I do not like the lack of a hammer dropping safety on the CZ.

I also like the SIG 232, which is lighter, much easier to conceal, but also has all the good features of the BERETTA except magazine capacity. The sights, excellent design of the grips and excellent sights mean my SIG 232 shoots as accurately as my SIG 9m.m. pistols.

On the other hand, for carry, I prefer the GLOCK 42 which shoots as well as the BERETTA, but is far more concealable without the negatives of the micro .380ACP pistols which have small sights, various quality triggers and difficult to grasp grip frames.

It is a good time to be a .380ACP shooter!

Jim

 

[Litlman]

Cool post. I have a Beretta 84, Walther PPKS and a FEG SMC. Love them all. I think the FEG is the smallest with very small sights but does shoot well.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Out of my four .380s, the old Remington 51 shoots best

I currently own six .380 pistols, have owned many others. Not a one compares to the 51 for comfort or accuracy. Pedersen was a genius.

That is not to say I don't like my CZ83, or that the Beretta 84 is not a great gun. And the little guys like the P3AT and DB380 certainly carry easier. But the model 51 is just plain svelte.