Is the Cobra CA 380 junk?

[lazybassett]

I'm looking for an inexpensive concealed carry handgun relatively inexpensive.

 

[jonnyc]

Keep looking.

 

[cobblestone]

Kel tec, ruger, bersa, taurus....

 

[makarovnik]

Mine was reliable and accurate enough out to 20 or so feet. The slide cracked (didn't blow my hand off) and I sent it in. They replaced the slide for free and I sold it.

I have many of the Bryco/Jenning/Jimenez pistols and they are pretty good except for the 9mm ones. I have never cracked a slide on these and they are very reliable. Mine liked to be shot almost completely dry.

The little .380 Jimenez will bite your hand but is otherwise pretty reliable. Get rubber grips with finger molds and hold the pistol a little lower than you normally would, smooth out the sharp edges on the bottom of the slide and you should be OK.

http://www.bryco-jennings-jimenezarms.com/forum/

 

[harmon rabb]

Do you mind ordering online? Are you the least bit handy? If you don't mind ordering online, and don't mind swapping out a couple springs (VERY easy to do), the cheapest reliable, quality carry gun out there is a PA-63. Southern Ohio Gun carries them. They're $150.

You will then need to order the 15lb recoil spring, and the 11lb hammer spring from here http://www.gunsprings.com/index.cfm?page=items&cID=1&mID=20 and install them (this makes the recoil much more tolerable, and fixes the too heavy double action trigger).

For a little over $200, including the FFL transfer fee, shipping, and springs, you'll have an actual quality gun, a proven military design. To choose something like a Jennings or Cobra over a military surplus gun just makes zero sense.

As a bonus, the 9mm Makarov (9x18) cartridge that the PA-63 fires is cheaper than standard 9mm Luger (9x19).

 

[Mooseman]

I've always heard favorable reviews of the Bersa 380.

 

[harmon rabb]

I've always heard favorable reviews of the Bersa 380.

I have one. They're good, but they're getting up there in price lately.

 

[Snowdog]

Above is my Davis P380, the same pistol as you mentioned.

Mine is actually reliable; I can't remember off-hand any malfunctions from it. Granted, I've only put about 5 boxes of ammunition through it since I purchased it in '94. It's not accurate in the least, but it probably has something to do with the worn rifling (no, it's not polygonally rifled). The rifling just about striped out after 4 boxes of Hansen 95gr JHP. This pistol was purchased new, btw.
Considering the type/construction of this pistol, I am quite hesitant to lay any blame on the ammunition.

I wouldn't dream of carrying mine, let alone chambered. It's a "pot metal" zinc-framed pistol that was intend for those wanting defense on the cheap (and I mean on the cheap). You can to so much better than this! Even if a person is so strapped for cash that this appears to be a viable option, a deal in the same price range or very nearly so can be found in the used market.

I'd strongly suggest that you invest just a tad big more for something vastly superior in quality.

 

[dcarch]

Yup. Keep looking.

 

[jon_in_wv]

I bought a Bersa 380 a few weeks ago. It is a GREAT weapon, especially for the money. Please steer clear of the Cobra. They are sub par at best and dangerous at worst.

BTW, I paid $257.00 OTD for my Bersa. That is really cheap for a quality weapon I would trust as a CCW. Also you can still find Makarovs in that same price range. They a tank of a weapon and reliable as anything out there. I had one as a carry weapon for a while. The Bersa is lighter and more refined but the Maks are great guns too.

 

[dcarch]

The CZ 82 is a fine gun as well.

 

[MICHAEL T]

my dealer got 6 in and none would fire He no longer carries them

Really really keep looking Bersa is a good choice

http://bersachat.com

 

[NMGonzo]

I have a bersa and a kel tec.

both work really well

 

[NML87]

As with everyone else, keep looking. I had one, rather unhappy with it, got rid of it glad I got it at a discount so I was only out $100

 

[KingContraryMan]

I have a Davis .380. Just shot it this weekend. I forgot about the nick it always leaves on my "thumb knuckle" and the dang thing jammed more than it shot.

 

[NoobCannon]

I'd definitely keep away from them. You can get a good Taurus, Bersa, or pretty much ANYTHING better than that for not much more. I've heard bad things from Taurus, Bersa, even high-end pistols, but I've yet to hear of any "loving" fans of those saturday-night specials.

 

[dcarch]

Bersas are quite nice, actually.

 

[Giterboosted]

Bersa thunder 380 pre lock was the first gun I ever purchased and it will be the last i ever get rid of, it's never failed me in any way shape or form, with ANY type of ammo I fed it and it's decently accurate at almost any decent distance as I'm usually known to push my limits, I vote for it quite strongly

 

[Kiln]

I'd steer clear of anything made of Zinc chambered for anything above .32acp unless its made by Hi Point. Most Zinc guns have problems with the powerful .380 and 9mm rounds because the slide just isn't hefty enough. The Cobra 380 will probably be fine if you fire it enough to get familiar, keep it clean/oiled, and then put it up. The .32 model will likely last a long time even with frequent firing due to the low pressures of the .32acp.

Cobra has come quite a ways since they were Davis and their pistols have improved.