Loving Full Size .380 (Anybody Else)

[Mark_Mark]

Anybody here in love with full size 380 pistols?

had a chance to shoot a Browing BDA .380! Nice Gun and confidence like your shooting a .22 auto. Tight groups and FUN

Will Full Size .380 be the new 9mm?? Hope so! .380 PDW? I would

 

[defjon]

I don't think it'll be the new 9mm. Ammo too expensive, and not terribly impressive ballistics.

Shined in the pocket guns, but now 9mm is taking that area.

380 full size even blow back is a lot of fun. Except for ppks...

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I have a browning black label pro 380. I like it very much. 4 1/4 inch barrel.

 

[gc70]

Larger .380 pistols mean shooting with easier speed and accuracy. They won't replace 9mm pistols, but more people are beginning to realize they can be very viable options and additions.

Below is an example of a larger .380: the SIG P250 Compact is shown in 9mm (left) and .380 (right), both with 15-round magazines.

 

[Buckeye63]

This pistol.. just interests me …

 

[Obturation]

I don't / won't own a 9mm parabellum . 380 covers that segment for me with a smaller gun , less noise and blast, same size hole. Only hits count.
If someone doesn't think the 380 is sufficient, no one will make them accept it. If penetration is the primary concern, ya can always shoot 'em in the mouth- everyone starts out with a gaping hole there as it is.
I've got a g42 which is bigger than some 380s. I find it very shootable and easy to conceal .

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

My SW 380 EZ. And the browning i can shoot the best as far as accuracy.

 

[dweis]

Picked up a Ruger Security 380 yesterday. It replaces my Security 9 Compact. After two decades of keeping my arthritic hands strong I finally had to give in and go to 380. I loved the Security 9 Compact. It was a great shooter, great size for CC. And with a 15 round magazine in it I always felt secure. I sold the gun today after testing the Security 380 at the range. I put 50 rounds of American Eagle 95 grain FMJ through it to check functionality and begin the break in process. It performed 100 percent with zero failures. I did not asses accuracy, but I will do that next week with 100 rounds. I’ll report back after I do that.

The pistol shoots like a Security 9. It has the same action and the trigger is great (IMO). The sights are superb, and much better than on the security 9 models. The blacked out rear slight makes the glowing green front sight pop out.

A nice thing was the pistol fits my DeSantis holsters that I bought for the Security 9 Compact. That saved about $100. I have some Underwood Extreme Defender ammo in 380 that I carried in my LCP II, which I eventually sold because it really punished my hands. I’ll be loading the new 380 with that for self-defense preparedness.

I am not concerned with the perceived under-power of a 380. Today’s new ammo closes that gap — not entirely but efficiently. I am more accurate at 25 feet with this pistol than I was with my Security 9 Compact when shooting is fast succession. I attribute that to the very reduced recoil. For a man with weakened hands this 380 is a dream. Softer shooting that any LCP series model with a longer barrel and higher capacity. No, it’s not a 9mm, but with the right ammo it is more than adequate at distances out to 50. feet.

 

[Buckeye63]

Picked up a Ruger Security 380 yesterday. It replaces my Security 9 Compact. After two decades of keeping my arthritic hands strong I finally had to give in and go to 380. I loved the Security 9 Compact. It was a great shooter, great size for CC. And with a 15 round magazine in it I always felt secure. I sold the gun today after testing the Security 380 at the range. I put 50 rounds of American Eagle 95 grain FMJ through it to check functionality and begin the break in process. It performed 100 percent with zero failures. I did not asses accuracy, but I will do that next week with 100 rounds. I’ll report back after I do that.

The pistol shoots like a Security 9. It has the same action and the trigger is great (IMO). The sights are superb, and much better than on the security 9 models. The blacked out rear slight makes the glowing green front sight pop out.

A nice thing was the pistol fits my DeSantis holsters that I bought for the Security 9 Compact. That saved about $100. I have some Underwood Extreme Defender ammo in 380 that I carried in my LCP II, which I eventually sold because it really punished my hands. I’ll be loading the new 380 with that for self-defense preparedness.

I am not concerned with the perceived under-power of a 380. Today’s new ammo closes that gap — not entirely but efficiently. I am more accurate at 25 feet with this pistol than I was with my Security 9 Compact when shooting is fast succession. I attribute that to the very reduced recoil. For a man with weakened hands this 380 is a dream. Softer shooting that any LCP series model with a longer barrel and higher capacity. No, it’s not a 9mm, but with the right ammo it is more than adequate at distances out to 50. feet.

Im waiting for my LGS to get some more back in stock … the owner bought 2 .. absolutely loves’em
He too found the Security 9 holster works
XTP , FTX bullets seem to expand . I like Winchester FNFMJ …similar principle as LWC
Ballistically the longer barrel should help with velocity… and I agree .. hits count .. accurate hits count more … and multiple accurate hits are golden
Multi -holes in the chest .. puncture lungs .. thus cuts O2 to the brain .. hole in the heart cuts blood flow to the brain ..
accurate quick followup shots is the goal

 

[Mark_Mark]

I have a browning black label pro 380. I like it very much. 4 1/4 inch barrel.
View attachment 1137173

that thing is SWEET!!!

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Yeah i wanted one for a long time. I saved up for it. Cabela's had the best price on them too at the time. Same thing with my mini 14. And my Taurus PT111. It's not often i can say they had the best deal on a new firearm.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Picked up a Ruger Security 380 yesterday. It replaces my Security 9 Compact. After two decades of keeping my arthritic hands strong I finally had to give in and go to 380. I loved the Security 9 Compact. It was a great shooter, great size for CC. And with a 15 round magazine in it I always felt secure. I sold the gun today after testing the Security 380 at the range. I put 50 rounds of American Eagle 95 grain FMJ through it to check functionality and begin the break in process. It performed 100 percent with zero failures. I did not asses accuracy, but I will do that next week with 100 rounds. I’ll report back after I do that.

The pistol shoots like a Security 9. It has the same action and the trigger is great (IMO). The sights are superb, and much better than on the security 9 models. The blacked out rear slight makes the glowing green front sight pop out.

A nice thing was the pistol fits my DeSantis holsters that I bought for the Security 9 Compact. That saved about $100. I have some Underwood Extreme Defender ammo in 380 that I carried in my LCP II, which I eventually sold because it really punished my hands. I’ll be loading the new 380 with that for self-defense preparedness.

I am not concerned with the perceived under-power of a 380. Today’s new ammo closes that gap — not entirely but efficiently. I am more accurate at 25 feet with this pistol than I was with my Security 9 Compact when shooting is fast succession. I attribute that to the very reduced recoil. For a man with weakened hands this 380 is a dream. Softer shooting that any LCP series model with a longer barrel and higher capacity. No, it’s not a 9mm, but with the right ammo it is more than adequate at distances out to 50. feet.

I love how fast and accurate I can shoot the full size .380!

I think they tried to make the 30 SC the new 9mm. But do what you want people. I’m going to rock .380 from now on! Need to get some more dies again!!! lol

 

[KevininPa]

I'm waiting to see if S&W makes an Equalizer in .380. I'm going to be getting a Shield EZ in 9mm in the next few weeks. Finally getting tired of carrying steel now that I'm older.

 

[GRIZ22]

I has a Beretta 84. I got rid of it (sorry I did) when I got a 6906. Basically the same size but a 9mm Parabellum.

I don't think manufacturers will take a chance making a "full size" 380.

 

[Old Dog]

I have a fondness for the Beretta Models 84, 85 and 86. (The BDA basically being a copy of the Beretta) I stupidly traded away a beautiful 84, as well as a very sweet 1991 Taurus PT-58 (excellent bluing, great shooter in spite of a mediocre trigger). Now I want one of the tip-up barrel 86s.

Yes, I like the bigger .380s even with their limitations. Easy to shoot, can be good-lookin' pistols, who cares if they're really all that practical?

 

[Reinz]

If you find the PPK(s) tiring/punishing after just a box of rounds and or have slide bite, the BDA is quite a sweet ride.

A friend introduced me to the BDA almost 40 years ago and after shooting one I bought this one on the spot.

 

[Mark_Mark]

If you find the PPK(s) tiring/punishing after just a box of rounds and or have slide bite, the BDA is quite a sweet ride.

A friend introduced me to the BDA almost 40 years ago and after shooting one I bought this one on the spot.

you bought that 40 years ago!

I would love to see a CZ 75 in .380!

 

[Mark_Mark]

I have a fondness for the Beretta Models 84, 85 and 86. (The BDA basically being a copy of the Beretta) I stupidly traded away a beautiful 84, as well as a very sweet 1991 Taurus PT-58 (excellent bluing, great shooter in spite of a mediocre trigger). Now I want one of the tip-up barrel 86s.

Yes, I like the bigger .380s even with their limitations. Easy to shoot, can be good-lookin' pistols, who cares if they're really all that practical?

why I don’t sell guns anymore, regret every gun I sold

 

[Mark_Mark]

Picked up a Ruger Security 380 yesterday. It replaces my Security 9 Compact. After two decades of keeping my arthritic hands strong I finally had to give in and go to 380. I loved the Security 9 Compact. It was a great shooter, great size for CC. And with a 15 round magazine in it I always felt secure. I sold the gun today after testing the Security 380 at the range. I put 50 rounds of American Eagle 95 grain FMJ through it to check functionality and begin the break in process. It performed 100 percent with zero failures. I did not asses accuracy, but I will do that next week with 100 rounds. I’ll report back after I do that.

The pistol shoots like a Security 9. It has the same action and the trigger is great (IMO). The sights are superb, and much better than on the security 9 models. The blacked out rear slight makes the glowing green front sight pop out.

A nice thing was the pistol fits my DeSantis holsters that I bought for the Security 9 Compact. That saved about $100. I have some Underwood Extreme Defender ammo in 380 that I carried in my LCP II, which I eventually sold because it really punished my hands. I’ll be loading the new 380 with that for self-defense preparedness.

I am not concerned with the perceived under-power of a 380. Today’s new ammo closes that gap — not entirely but efficiently. I am more accurate at 25 feet with this pistol than I was with my Security 9 Compact when shooting is fast succession. I attribute that to the very reduced recoil. For a man with weakened hands this 380 is a dream. Softer shooting that any LCP series model with a longer barrel and higher capacity. No, it’s not a 9mm, but with the right ammo it is more than adequate at distances out to 50. feet.

I waiting to pick up my LCP Max, Had a LCP once, was a peppy gun but love how it felt in my pocket… or lack of feeling, didn’t even know it was there.

I’ll be inline for the Cheetah once it comes out

 

[DeepSouth]

I’m one of the people in the market for one. With all the new ones coming out I may wait a bit.

Personally I think Beretta dropped the ball big time by making the 80X a blowback gun. The Security 380 looks promising, if it’s reliable. The low capacity of the S&W tosses it out. And for some reason nearly all seem to think we want a manual safety, well I for one don’t.

None of them seem to be exactly what I want. I can be a little picky too. Lol

 

[CajunBass]

I have a fondness for the Beretta Models 84, 85 and 86. (The BDA basically being a copy of the Beretta) I stupidly traded away a beautiful 84, as well as a very sweet 1991 Taurus PT-58 (excellent bluing, great shooter in spite of a mediocre trigger). Now I want one of the tip-up barrel 86s.

Yes, I like the bigger .380s even with their limitations. Easy to shoot, can be good-lookin' pistols, who cares if they're really all that practical?

The Browning BDA wasn't a "copy" of the Beretta. It was made for Browning, by Beretta. The only difference is the enclosed slide, and I believe the slide mounted safety/decocker. I had one many years ago. Just an absolutely beautiful gun, but I was young, and even dummer than I am now, and it was "just a 380" so I sold it off to a fellow, who threw the money at me, and ran back to his truck giggling the whole time. As he took off, I thought to myself...I'm going to be sorry for this one." I was right. I said I'd get another one "one of these days" but I never
saw one at the right time.



So I "settled" for a Beretta 84F to replace it. Not as pretty as the BDA, but still a pretty decent gun. People talk about the recoil of a blowback 380, but I've never found this one (or the BDA) to be unplesant at all. About the only "grip" I have with it is the small sights, especially the front one.

If anyone is looking for one, Tisas makes a very nice clone of the 84BB for about $350 or so the last time I noticed one online. I had one, and liked it a lot, but it didn't have a decocker/safety, and lowering the hammer manually worried me as my arthritus started to kick up, so I traded that one off, but kept the Beretta.

 

[jar]

I've been very pleasantly surprised by the S&W 380 EZ; pleased enough that even though it has a FUGLY rail it got its own Privateer Leather (Wes Dahl) Cutthroat IWB holster.

 

[Tallball]

The Colt Government Model is very nice to shoot!

 

[KevininPa]

you bought that 40 years ago!

I would love to see a CZ 75 in .380!

Then look for a CZ83. Not as big as the 75, but all steel and a good shooter. The 82 in 9mm Mak is about the same. I always have my eye out for the Unicorn, either in .32 acp.

 

[MachIVshooter]

.380 has been around just about as long as 9x19 (1902 vs 1908); if it were going to replace it, would have happened by now.

It has a place for sure, I have quite a few .380s. But one of the biggest detractors aside from ammo cost is that most hosts are blowback, which causes the recoil to be snappier and makes them poor suppressor hosts with lots of port noise. The S&W Shield EZ .380 and Sig P250 380 are the only larger locked breech .380s I can think of.