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For the size & expense, you can go w/ a 9 mm pistol and end up with a better self defense round. Check out the baby Glocks & the Kahrs in 9 mm & 40 S&W for comparison.
If I had only known, I could have warned you off on the blue model. The stainless slide model makes all the difference in the world.
It's (at least for me) a VERY disappointing experience to get a new pistol, dance all the way to the range--and find out that it's a bummer/lemon the first day. Sorry pal.
Lots of guys seem to just trade lemons off. I just can't do it. I put them in the very bottom of my safe hoping to never see them again.
I know that my conscience would hurt to sell someone a lemon and then read in the next day's newspaper that they were killed with a full mag because the gun jammed. Nope, not this guy. I've got far too many "checks" on the bad side of the ledger now, I don't want to add any more.
The SIG P230/232 is arguably the best .380 auto on the market. The problem is the size. It is easy to find 9mm and .40 cal guns that are smaller and weigh less than a stainless P232. If you have your heart set on a .380, the Walther PPK is significantly smaller. I have an Interarms stainless as well as a German blue version and both have been reliable and accurate. Some people have had trouble with the Interarms guns, but I am not one of them and mine has a serial number in the 3000 range. I have had work done to it, but that was done before even firing the first shot and my changes may have improved its reliability.
Do yourself a favor and at least check out the Bersa Thunder before you buy your .380. It costs much less than the SIG, and is NOT as refined. But it fulfills the same mission, and shoots very well.
then, by all means, check out a CZ 83. Somewhat heavier than a P232 it has IMHO less felt recoil. All steel, reliable, and an excellent shooter. Comes with 10-round mags and costs a bunch less than SIGs. FYI http://cz-usa.com/. Good shooting
I have a Walther (Interarms) PPK in .380. I got it used for $350 and have put about 400 rounds through it without a hiccup. It has not cut my hand and the recoil is okay.
The big advantage of the gun is its concealability - it is very flat, about 0.8 inches thick throughout, and has a short grip (2 fingers on grip with pinky tucked under. I have carried it when nothing bigger works. The best carry I have found is a Bianchi suede IWB holster, which adds virtually no thickness to the gun.
I admit that the stopping power of .380 is marginal. I use Hydrashok 90 grain hollowpoints, which have 1000 fps velocity and 200 ft-lbs of energy. Marshall gives them a 69% OSS. The gun holds 6+1, and has a heavy DA pull, but a good SA pull. I actually prefer it to a J-frame .38 because it gives you 2 more shots and slightly better stopping power.
Maybe I have been shooting a different PPK from some of those I read about here. I dont find the recoil objectionable and I can't say I've ever experienced hammer bite from it. What I can say is that I found it to be completely reliable and combat accurate with a variety of loads. IMO, the design would not have lasted all these years if it wasn't acceptable. I vote PPK
You can find Makarov's in .380 or change the barrel to .380. But why? 9MM Makarov caliber is slightly better, cheap and plentiful. Get a Mak, you won't regret it. Another great, yet somewhat more expensive option is a CZ-83 in either .380 or 9MM Mak.
If you like the Walter, I would spend some money and have Teddy Jacobson work on the action. The Walther trigger pull sucks. Teddy somehow seems to work magic without cutting any springs or tampering with any sear angles.
I've got a Star Super S that I've had for years. When the Colt Mustang came out I looked at several thinking I'd like to "upgrade". What I saw led me to keep the Star.
My daughter has the American, stainless Walther PPK
as distributed by InterArms. While most reviews bash
these little gem's, this one has functioned flawlessly;
even with JHP ammo. And, it was purchased NIB in
January of 1995!
I had one that got the slide replaced once by Colt, and the slide stop chewed the cut away AGAIN. Colt ended up giving me back my full retail price including taxes and fees for the gun. Yes, you heard right, they admitted they couldn't fix it and sent me a check.
My stainless and nickel Gov. .380's work flawlessly and I carry one every day. Very slim frame, locked breech. My second choice is a Walther or Walther-like .380.
Hi, the 380 right now is pretty much worthless unless you can find an older, smaller platform for it...you can get a 9mm that is not much bigger, or a 32 which is way smaller..the 9mm will do more than the 380, and so for that matter will the 32 in a proper loading...
I did some informal penetration/expansion testing with Remington's 102gr. Golden Sabre and I was pleasantly surprised with the performance. Its not that far behind a standard 9mm. In my FEG PPK clone, it is very accurate and reliable.
I also have an FEG Walther clone. Best gun for the money I've ever bought. As accurate and reliable as any I've shot. Mine has an aluminum frame and a steel slide. Very sharp recoil.
Holly Crap, Batman!!
I guess I've had good luck with my blued .380 Colt Govt. model. I bought it used, put over 300 rounds thru it already, and it still looks as good as new.
I guess if I have a run in with the slide problem I could ask Colt to use a stainless slide in the repair??
The Bersa Thunder .380 is a well made, reliable, slim platform for this round. Put a Hogue Handall grip sleeve on it and you can hardly go wrong for the price.
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