Rifles chambered in "Pipsqueak" handgun Ammo?

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I expect there is a considerable market (knowing I’ve sold a great many of them) of folks who own only one pistol, which happens to be a pocket pistol chambered for 380acp. Many of these folks see value in owning a firearm for personal defense, but are not otherwise what anyone would consider to be a hobby shooter. These folks would also inevitably hear frequently how a rifle is a superior home defense weapon than a pistol, and also hear frequently of the convenience of having complementary rifle and handgun pairings in the same cartridge. For this particular type of person in this particular paradigm, a 380acp carbine could be an ideal solution.
 
It make sense to lots of people. Not so much to me. It's hard for me to get past carrying a rifle to shoot a pistol cartridge. If you are going to carry a rifle why not shoot a rifle cartridge, But I can see the attraction for people that want something more powerful than a .22 rimfire in a Compact rifle. A rifle is easier to shoot accurately and you get a little more performance out of the pistol cartridge. Folks don't have to justify their choices to me.
 
I’d love a rifle chambered in 32 s&w long, preferably a single shot action. I think it’d be really nice for quiet shooting, with more authority than .22lr, and pretty frugal plinking/reloading. If the action were strong enough (not a problem today) it could also be loaded up to .32-20 levels and make an ok short range deer gun in a pinch.

A .380 semi auto rifle however, does make me scratch my head a bit.
 
Well, I have a 22 short rifle, a 357 mag rifle I mostly shoot 38 special in, and a 44 mag rifle that I mostly shoot light loads (44 Special-ish) in. Handgun cartridges in rifles work for me. Cheaper to shoot and versatile.
 
When 45 acp carbines can be had IDK why a 380 would exist other than cost or same mags or something... Sounds like a niche.

Seriously, a DI 45acp has equal or less recoil and decibels than a 9mm
 
I have a highpoint 380 carbine.
I figured hell why not, it was only a little over $200, I have been reloading a ton of 380 ammo over the last 13 years and only have 1 gun that shoots it, the sig p232.
When 380 is fired out of a long barrel sounds like a 22lr, but it don't hit like a 22lr.
I like it, I'm going to send it off to have the muzzle threaded and put a cheap 9mm can on it.
 
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MAKster said:
I highly doubt Hi-Point carbines of any caliber are being sold in Mexico. I believe you are thinking of the old story about 38 Super 1911s being sold because 45 acp was restricted. Hi-Point makes a 380acp carbine because it is lower recoil than 9mm and the type of people who buy Hi-Points aren't too concerned with ballistics tables.
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I don't know if it's true, I kinda doubt it too, but it's something I've read a few times
 
From the keltec cmr30 page-
"Despite its compact size and minimal weight, the CMR30 dispenses 30 rounds of .22 Magnum from a single magazine and 16″ barrel. The best part about that, it comes with two of them. Magazines. Not barrels."
I thought that was funny. Seems like a cool gun, like they put the pistol version to better use.
 
Call me crazy but I would build a Ruger 10/22 in 32 acp if I could. Would be good for dispatching critters in urban areas. Not to mention fun plinking. 32acp can be handloaded for cheap.
 
I don’t have a Hi-Point .380 Carbine, but it makes sense from a certain perspective. .380 ACP from that 16” barrel puts the bullet traveling the same velocity as a comparable weight 9mm (non +P) from a 3-4” pistol. When you combine that with the fact that these carbines are inexpensive, pretty darn reliable, have virtually no recoil when compared to larger calibers, and are typically easier to keep on target than a pistol for those that aren’t expert shooters, they start to take on a purpose. Drop a light and maybe a laser on one, and I can see them as a potential home defense weapon. It may not be right for many, but apparently enough people buy them For it to fit into the market.
 
I don't see the attraction to any carbine in 380, let alone a Hi-Point. IMO just buy the 9mm if you are wanting a HP carbine, the recoil and weight of the Hi-Point carbine in 9mm and 380 is about the same. The price is about the same for the rifles, but the ammo cost is more for the 380.

I personally have the 4595 (45acp) carbine.
 
In most circumstances, a 9mm Carbine makes alot more sense than a .380 Carbine. Ammo is more affordable, round is more powerful, and in a carbine the recoil difference won't be THAT noticeable.

That being said, for the non-gun person who just owns a .380 handgun and decides they want a rifle but doesn't want to buy another kind of ammo, it makes sense.
 
Mosin77 said:
I’d love a rifle chambered in 32 s&w long, preferably a single shot action. I think it’d be really nice for quiet shooting, with more authority than .22lr, and pretty frugal plinking/reloading. If the action were strong enough (not a problem today) it could also be loaded up to .32-20 levels and make an ok short range deer gun in a pinch.

A .380 semi auto rifle however, does make me scratch my head a bit.
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There were .32 S&W Long(or short?) chambered rifles back in the day for light varmete hunting, but if no why not get a carbine chambered for .32/.327 Magnum instead? There is the safety issue here to factor in.
 
Ironicaintit said:
Now, if it were in 7.62x25, I’d be singing a different tune!
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Well, you have to search a bit, but there are some Suomi semi-auto builds in 7.62x25, and a Pph-43 or two.
There was an outfit in Houston building those Suomis. I foolishly turned down one in the mid-90s. They were handy little things, if having a "look." I just did not want to have to add 7.62x25 to my ammo list (and, this was far enough back that ammo selection was not great; my LHS had gotten licensed to make HP ammo in 7.62x25 for sale).
 
I have an ongoing PPSH build, but the parts were very worn out, and it’s having birthing issues. And then trying to find time to finish!
An el-cheapo hi-point in something like that would appeal to me
 
My only mistake is I should have gotten a high point carbine sooner the local gun shop had a slightly used one for $160. But I didn't know anything about them until I asked the gun shop guy what the hell is that. Then that was my first time hearing about them.
 
Varminterror said:
I expect there is a considerable market (knowing I’ve sold a great many of them) of folks who own only one pistol, which happens to be a pocket pistol chambered for 380acp. Many of these folks see value in owning a firearm for personal defense, but are not otherwise what anyone would consider to be a hobby shooter. These folks would also inevitably hear frequently how a rifle is a superior home defense weapon than a pistol, and also hear frequently of the convenience of having complementary rifle and handgun pairings in the same cartridge. For this particular type of person in this particular paradigm, a 380acp carbine could be an ideal solution.
Click to expand...

I believe Varminterror hit the nail on the head. This is a gun for the non-gun-person who owns a .380 for concealed carry and has decided that a long-gun for home defense is a good idea, too. They only have to buy one kind of ammunition for both. Frankly, given that there are a lot of people whose only gun is some kind of CCW, particularly a .380, I'm surprised there aren't more offerings.
 
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