looking for a 380 pistol

[justin22885]

im looking for a new (or at least new to me) 380 pistol. just a simple, straight blowback.. im a fan of 380s for their simplicity, reliability, and of course their accuracy.. itll probably be used as a concealed carry pistol.. and with modern self defensive 380 ammunition they are quite effective in that role, i do not feel underpowdered in the least bit with one

so far what ive looked at and considered is the bersa thunder 380, as well as the 380 plus (doublestack 15rd magazines).. also considered the walther PPK.. doesnt get more classic than that.. the sig P232 would probably be on this list if they still made them, also considered a few military classics like the PA63 and czech CZ82, and the mauser HSC is still fairly inexpensive for the post war models

only requirements is a straight blowback metal frame fixed barrel 380 pistol

so.. what are your opinions about those listed above, and what else should i consider?

 

[OpticsPlanet]

the P7 is the only gun I can think of that isn't on your list....understandable given the price

I would go with the PPK out of the models listed, but I like non-blowback .380s primarily.

-Matt S.

 

[CPO15]

I despised my PPK; perfect function but surprisingly high recoil. When I bought it in about 1984, I was also considering the SIG 230. Last year I finally got the SIG 232 and there's no comparison between it and the PPK; it is everything I wanted in the Walther. You may still be able to find a 232 new, and SIG fans expect production of them to resume.

I'm also pleased with my Kahr P380, but some buyers report problems.

My Seecamp 380 is well made, the Rolex of pocket guns, but no fun at the range: just smack my hand with a hammer instead.

And, of course, there's the Glock 42. A nice gun, fun at the range but needs a generous pocket for carry.

Never owned nor shot a Bersa, but they rate very well among those who do.

 

[Mercury]

Although not a blow back, the Mustang is hard to beat.
Very accurate and reliable.

 

[MikeJackmin]

The CZ82 is a very fine choice with just one drawback - you'll either have to manually lower the hammer over a live round, or depend on the thumb safety and carry it cocked and locked.

The P230/232 is also a fine gun, but awfully large and heavy for a seven-shooter.

Have you consider an LCP? It's not the easiest gun to shoot well, but it's one of the easiest to carry.

The Beretta Cheetah would probably be my top choice, if you want a larger double-stack gun.

 

[1KPerDay]

My LCP has been more reliable than any blowback 380 I've tried (including my P230 and PPK) and is A LOT more pleasant to shoot.

 

[MAKster]

Out of the models you listed the Sig 232 is the best. But I think these relatively large blow back 380s are being replaced by smaller, lighter locked breech designs like the Ruger LCP, Kel-tec and Glock 42.

 

[onelastshot]

I'm also pleased with my Kahr P380 in terms of accuracy but, I suggest you stop by a gun store and handle it before you purchase. The slide has one of the tightest springs I've ever come across in a semi-automatic pistol. Let's just say you need strong wrists and a firm grip to engage it.

 

[justin22885]

well i did list metal frame as a requirement... so, no kahrs, no rugers, no glocks

 

[Panzerschwein]

The Bersa I bought recently broke it's slide stop after 60 rounds of shooting, totally locking up the gun. I got it fixed, but the new stop look like it was cast from pot metal. Really low quality.

I'd pass on the Bersa. Others in the same price range or just above are much better. I am in the process of selling mine. Just not at all impressed with it.

 

[C0untZer0]

I think there is a market for larger .380 ACP but its not a huge segment of shooters. I knew someone who purchased and carried a Bersa 380 for a time. The Bersa Thunder is 6.6" long, 4.7" high and weighs almost 19 ounces, the Shield is 6.1" long 4.6" high and weighs 19 ounces.

Eventually she figured out that she could handle a S&W Shield and the Bersa was sold to fund her Shield purchase.

There is always going to be that pressure in the market, the pressure to just go with a 9mm, but then there are shooters who are recoil sensitive who may benefit from shooting a .380 instead of a 9mm, but going with straight blowblack puts them back with an uncomfortable recoil, which can influence them to choose short recoil designs.

 

[justin22885]

hmm, its too bad the 9x18 ultra never really took off.. more common bullet diameters than the makarov, more power than the makarov, still low enough bolt thrust for a blowback to handle and puts the kinetic energy right between a 380 and a 9mm without losing the benefits of the straight blowback weapons (such as a fixed barrel)..

i wonder if you could load 380 to match 9x18 ultra performance if you made it from thicker brass (like .223 reamed out to eliminate the excessive wall thickness) or actually make 9x18 ultra instead, just slightly modifying the 380 chamber.. seems it would give the pistol just that little extra boost in muzzle energy to get both expansion and penetration for 90 grain hollow points to be an effective self defense round

the walther CCP does warrant some consideration, offering the benefits of simplicity, reliability and a fixed barrel for accuracy that youd get with the 380 blowbacks, but in a 9mm of roughly the same dimensions.. even if it is a plastic framed pistol

 

[stoky]

I have a Mustang Mark IV with the electroless nickle finish and a Pocket Lite. Both have served me well.
Sig started making the 238 when Colt stopped making the Mustang. The Sig has better sights. I've shot them and I like them a lot.
I don't know much about the new Mustangs.
The Walther PPK is a classic beauty.

 

[ROAshooter]

Browning 1911-380.....

 

[Zerodefect]

 

[Ironicaintit]

Why straight blow back?
Of the ones you listed...I have a post war Mauser HSc, and its a beautiful piece, and as reliable as youd ever want. Its not picky about ammo, and has a nice trigger and fits me well. It does have a kick though! Also, its relatively heavy.
I also have a mauser HSc 80 (italian contract double stack), and though its still pretty good, it has had some reliability issues, which appears to be par for the course on that model.

The colt mustang and sig p238 have been mentioned. I have the 238 and am just tickled with it. Same round capacity as my HSc, but half the weight and less kick, to boot!
And its controls are 1911-esque, whereas the HSc has the heel mag release, and the safety is backwards.

 

[guyfromohio]

I have or have had PPKs and Sig 232. Both great guns. I found the 232 to be more reliable and easier to shoot, but accuracy on the PPK is hard to beat in a small .380. Although bigger, IMO.....nothing beats the Beretta 84/85.

 

[25-5]

I had a PPK and found it unreliable. Ammo fussy. I shot a Sig P238 and liked it. Nice sights for a small pistol. But you'll end up paying $700.00 out the door. Same money for the Browning 1911-380. I liked it's 1911 mini aspect, barrel length, and condition one capability, but way too much plastic (including the sights) for the money and one mag. I did like it the best, but hate that ripped off feeling. There are some YouTube vids on it.

 

[justin22885]

can a beretta 84 handle hotter loads, closer to that of the 9x18 ultra (a bit hotter than 9x18 makarov).. like would a beretta 84 handle 90 grains at 1100-1150fps?

 

[Captains1911]

In my opinion, by limiting yourself to direct blowback guns, you are eliminating almost all of the best 380s on the market.

 

[Ignition Override]

justin22885

My former PPK/S was in superb condition, but even after installing a weaker Wolff spring, which made it very reliable (modern ammo a bit weak for stripping off rounds), its very tight trigger and recoil were still very similar to the small Polish P-64. Bye bye.

There should be plenty of spare parts in the future for my Sig 232. Really excellent gun.

The commercial Russian Makarov in .380 (mine is single-stack) or Polish P-83 in 9x18 might suit your needs.
My Mak's DA trigger requires a tighter pull at the end of the movement.
Believe it or not, the (also rock solid) Polish P-83s trigger is even smoother than my East German Makarov.

 

[Ignition Override]

justin22885:
My former PPK/S was in superb condition, but although a weaker Wolff spring suddenly made it very reliable (modern ammo a bit weak for stripping off rounds: all fmj), its very tight trigger and recoil were still very similar to the small Polish P-64. Bye bye gun: hello reliable Eastern Euro types to complement the Sig. What a welcome change!

There should be plenty of spare parts in the future for my Sig 232. Really excellent gun.

The commercial Russian Makarov in .380 (mine is single-stack) or Polish P-83 in 9x18 might suit your needs. Better triggers and much less recoil than the PPK/S. These guns are very solid. You know that many Russian Maks are double-stack.

My Russian Mak's DA trigger requires a fairly tight pull at the end of the movement.
Believe it or not, the (also rock solid) Polish P-83s trigger is even smoother than my East German Makarov.

 

[TruthTellers]

I like the Bersa Thunder Plus myself, pretty sure it's the only doublestack .380 that's being manufactured at present. I'd lean that direction, but if you want something for half that price, Cobra FS380.

 

[zb338]

I would look into the new Walther pistols that just came out.
Either that or the Glock .380.

Zeke

 

[huntsman]

Of those you listed I'd take a p-232, costs more than others but worth it. Now if you're willing to drop the fixed barrel then it opens the door to Beretta 81 series, personally I kept a BDA and let the p-232 go because the BDA has a better DA trigger.