recommend a .380?

[MatthewVanitas]

I you like the Beretta Cheetah .380, note that Taurus (Brazil) produced the same model under license as the Taurus PT-58, and with a better (frame-mounted) safety.

No idea where for your area, but in Austin I've seen the PT-58 sell for $250-300 three times in the last year in pawnshops. Not a terribly common gun, but you can find them online occasionally.

Though again the CZ83 goes for around $300, and CZ builds some great stuff.



However, as mentioned above, getting a .380 might be false economy. As David mentioned, many .380s kick more than 9mm due to most .380s using a straight-blowback system. Factor in the lower power, and the fact that .380 is more expensive than 9mm, and you're probably better off just getting a good used 9mm. A used CZ 9mm is usually under $400, and some used 9mm Glocks run around $400.

Really, unless your girlfriend is buying ammo 1000rds at a time, it's not that much more hassle to pick up a 100rd box of 9mm and a 100rd box of .380, especially when it's $23 for the 9mm and $32 for the .380.

Overall, I'd say just get a good 9mm and don't fixate on standardising on one single cartridge. .380 is good for small carry guns, but not really ideal for a range gun or house gun.

 

[usp9]

I you like the Beretta Cheetah .380, note that Taurus (Brazil) produced the same model under license as the Taurus PT-58, and with a better (frame-mounted) safety.

FWIW: The Beretta also has a frame mounted safety. Is there another factor that makes the Taurus safety better?

 

[shooter1]

David E wrote:

Ok, I'll say what everyone else wants to...

A .380 is a horrible choice for a "first handgun" purchase.

That Bersa weighs more than many 9mm's. Ammo costs more while the power is minimal for defense.

There are but two reasons for getting a .380:

1) Because the gun that chambers it is small, light and concealable.

2) It's the largest caliber you can control. Because many .380's kick more than 9mm's, due to the straight blowback action, (such as the PPK) it would make sense to get a larger .380, such as the Beretta 84.

Me, I'd get a Glock 19, 17 or Springfield XD or Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm. In proper holsters, they conceal just fine.


Exactly !!

str1

 

[Redhawk1]

Kel-Tec P3AT, mine shoots every thing I have feed it. Great CCW.

 

[CZ223]

I have owned and can recomend two 380s

The first,which I wish I had never sold, was a Colt Mustang. Now that I am again the proud owner of a 1911, aTaurus PT1911, the mustang would be just about the perfect pocket pistol/BUG. All the controls are the same, just on a smaller scale.

The second, which I just recently purchased, is the Ruger LCP. If maximum concealment is your first priority this is definitely the way to go. It did have a break in period for sure but it is 100% reliable for the past 200-300 rounds that I have put through it. The trigger is pretty darn good for DAO and it is more accurate than it ought to be. I originally bought this thinking that I would give it to my daughter once she turns eighteen but I like it so much I am just going to have to buy another.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Bersa Thunder or the Thunder + its the hicap model

http://bersatalk.com
over 5800 members and growing dailey

 

[dogspit]

Kel-Tec

You won't be sorry with the Keltec 380

Heck some big guy's even copied the Keltec trying to steal some .380 business!That ought to tell you something.

Good luck on your decision

 

[benderx4]

God forbid, but someday your life, or the life of a loved one, may depend on this gun.

Spend the money and purchase a Seecamp LWS380. Finest 380 on the market. This is one of those FEW purchases in life where you really want to have the best.

 

[Fastcast]

You can't go wrong with the Beretta....13+1, accurate, reliability 2nd to none, larger than some but still very concealable and something to be proud of and hand down to your children as an heirloom!.....They're not cheap though but you get what you pay for!

For the record the 84 Beretta safety is on the frame.....Not the slide.....See pic below.

 

[Dollar An Hour]

CZ-83's are very nice. Great trigger, accurate and nice ergonomics.

 

[Pilot]

Ok, I'll say what everyone else wants to...

A .380 is a horrible choice for a "first handgun" purchase.

I don't want to say that. If he's going to carry it due to size, slimness and weight of the firearm. Why not? Yes there are micro 9MM's that are smaller, but they are difficult to shoot accurately and terrible for practice. I'd rather have a .380 that I like to shoot and can hit somehting with than a 9MM that I hate to shoot and may not hit where I aim.

 

[HexHead]

For the record the 84 Beretta safety is on the frame.....Not the slide.....

The safety is on the slide on it's near twin the Browning BDA-380. That might be causing some confusion. The BDA was built by Beretta to Browning specs. Closed slide and the safety are the two differences. And the nicer finish.

 

[gregj]

I love my Sig 230SL. Great to carry, extremely accurate, and easy to carry. My 14 yr old son loves it too, and I'll probably loose it to him one of these days.

 

[EAJ]

+1 for the CZ 83. Very controllable, reliable and 12-rounds.

 

[Fastcast]

And the nicer finish.

Splitting hairs now aren't we?

 

[jlg]

P3AT if you're looking for something very small and easy to conceal...I carry mine in my front pocket. However, I also carry a 1911 45acp strong side IWB. I bought the 380 mainly as a "Sunday Morning Gun"...anytime I'm dressed up too nice (shirt tucked in) making it more difficult to conceal my 1911. I don't think I'd want it as my only everyday carry gun.

If you're going for a larger 380 than the P3AT I'd recommend stepping up to a 9mm. Recoil should actually be a little less and it's much more effective (both in stopping power and ammo costs).

BTW, if you get the P3AT put a laser on it. It's darn near impossible to aim the thing without one...unless the BG is within spitting distance.

 

[Just One Shot]

Bersa Thunder .380

Dependable, concealable, and it won't break the bank (under $300.00). Works as well as those that cost 3 x as much.

I'm carrying one as I type and with the mags alternately loaded with ball ammo and hollow points I'm not worried about the lack of penetration unless the BG is wearing body armor.

There are more powerful pistols, and I have larger ones, but they aren't as easy to conceal when wearing certain clothing.

 

[Pilot]

The safety is on the slide on it's near twin the Browning BDA-380. That might be causing some confusion. The BDA was built by Beretta to Browning specs.

However, the statement was accurate and relevant to the discussion. The Beretta M84/85 has the safety mounted on the frame where it belongs. The BDA is chunkier and IMHO less desirable than its Beretta siblings, plus the safety is in the wrong place. Still a nice pistol though.

 

[KBintheSLC]

If you like the feel of the Bersa, I'd go with it. I don't own one, but I have shot one, and I have read/heard countless boastings online and at the local range. They are good guns. A lot of folks are quick to say why a 380 when you can get a 9mm... yada yada. To me, the best gun is the one you shoot well with. If its a Bersa 380, then so be it.
I personally would prefer the Ruger LCP or the KelTec P3AT... both of which will be easier to carry than the Bersa. After all, stealth is where the 380 cartridge excels.
I have 2 KelTec P32's (the P3AT's little brother) and they have performed flawlessly so far. I can't tell you how many times I have heard "why the 32 when you can have 380 or 9mm or 45... etc". All I can say is I have bigger guns too, but in this tiny package, I have my reasons.


My worst .380 was a late model Walther PPK/S made by S&W. I tried many things for many months to make it reliable with no avail.

 

[CTPistol]

get a colt!

P3AT is great for pocket carry, but a complete dog to shoot, uncomfortable junk...but it works...

heres a real shooter! -

 

[Hikingman]

Sig!

 

[moph759fl]

When nothing else conceals well I go to my 380 Auto. Micro Desert Eagle.

 

[woad_yurt]

A .380 is a horrible choice for a "first handgun" purchase.

It really isn't. Run of the mill .380 seems like it would thump one something similar to regular ol' .38 SPL. Buffalo Bore sells stuff that's 276 ft lbs.

Also, he wants to share ammo with his girlfriend, guys. They're in love and spring is right around the corner....

 

[groundhog34]

get a 9mm glock 26 or 19 or XD or even a S&W ammo is cheaper they kick less and are more reliable. IMO 380 is a useless caliber

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Beretta 84F if you want a bigger gun.

Gov 380 if you want a smaller one.

Gov 380 on top, 84F on the bottom.