Seecamp LWS 380 Report

[DAdams]

For a year I have been seeking an optimized pocket carry pistol. This may or may not turn out to be it. If it is not, it's darn close. Nice heft, short grip and disappears in the pocket. To say it has a snappy recoil would be an understatement, brusque comes to mind. No comparison to the BT 380 in the same caliber. Mass makes a big difference.
The .32 calibers are more popular, half the price, same size, less recoil.

Seecamp LWS .380. MSRP $795.

DAO

6+1

Weight 11.5 ounces Empty 14 ounces loaded

I had an opportunity to go to the range Saturday and try out the LWS .380!!


The LWS performed flawlessly. I was only able to tolerate 24 rounds before my index finger knuckle on the inside had taken enough abuse. It seems the tighter I gripped it and the more finger I was able to get on the trigger the less it got smacked. This is obviously going to take some time to get performance perfected.

Shot 12 WWB 85
6 SGD 90
6 RGS 102

I really couldn't feel a big difference in recoil although in my limited testing I did the best with the 6 SGD, and worst with the RGS. Not a scientific sampling by any stretch. I was happy at this point to have 3 different brands light up with no issues. The Golden Sabres test out better for penetration and blossom.









Rapid fire at 3 Yards.



Rapid fire at 4 yards.



Photo Ron Graham Reno, Palehorse Holsters
Time to get a holster.

For more information on small semi-auto pistols here's Bobo's Guide to Mouse Guns.

http://www.mouseguns.com/PocketAutoComparison.jpg

For more information see the website and Forum.

http://seecamp.com/

 

[VA27]

For range practice, I wrap my trigger finger with a band-aid. I finally figured out that this old saying applies to the Seecamp .380: "That which does not kill me leaves me sore for weeks after..."

 

[usp9]

Correction: My mistake. No .380 short barrel. The short barrel ammo starts at 9mm.

 

[DAdams]

usp9

Speer makes this round for 380 ACP.



It is not advertised or promoted as "short barrel" such as the .38spl and .357.
I have used both of these "short barrel" ammunitions in my 38s and 357s.

Seecamp recommends the following and only JHP, no FMJ:
Winchester Silvertips 85gr
Speer GoldDot 90
Remington Golden Sabre 102

I recently had an opportunity to run all three of these through successfully. 7 rounds of 102 gr at a nominal 900 fps+ isn't any slouch.
I have the following for pocket carry, different form/power factors for different occasions.

Karh PM9 9mm
S&W 642-2 w/CT 405 38spl
S&W M&P 340 w/CT 405 38/357 (Speer short barrel 135gr or BB148)
Seecamp 380

Others on the Seecamp forum have tried different ammunitions as is evidenced here.



There have been numerous tests run on 380 ACP vs 38, 9 etc. and comparisons of the NAA, Seecamp and Rohrbaugh lines.

 

[mjrodney]

That little Seecamp is on my "gotta get me one of those, someday" list.

Good looking handgun.

 

[DAdams]

mjrodney

Put it on your list for certain. Although it is a bit on the pricey side and hard to come by I think it's worth it. I'll bet I will end up carrying this more than all my other "pocket" pieces combined. It will also appreciate nicely, especially the way stainless steel is going.
There are many times I head out the door w/o something to carry on my person, although I always have something of consequence in my vehicles.

I'm not a KelTec fan or I would have purchased one in .380 a long time ago and got it working to satisfaction. Better to have it and not need it, than....
well you know the rest.

Instead of this being one of the last handguns I purchase, it should have been the first.

 

[NCHornet]

Glad you like your Seecamp they are a fine pistol although I chose the NAA Guardian over it for many different reasons, the fact that the Guardian offers a mag with finger extension is one of them. I can't understand why Seecamp doesn't at least offer this for it's customers. I have shot 50 rounds through the Guardian and have never received as much as a blister. As a matter of fact it is a Guardian that is pictured in the Graham Holster. I have his "Cookie" holster and it is very nice, although it is better suited for belt carry than pocket, as it is formed to the contours of the gun and will pull out of the pocket during a draw, I prefer the good old $20 Nemisis holster. Once you pocket carry with one of these small pistols they will be a gun you will always have with you. Again, enjoy your new pistol.

 

[DAdams]

Hornet

I just ordered a Nemesis today. I have one for my PM 9 and for the money they are nice and durable.
I don't care for the "european" mag release. I still haven't figured out how to release it quick, smoothly, elegantly? It's a bug, I doubt it will have to be reloaded under fire.

 

[NCHornet]

Good choice with the Nemisis, if you are like me where my lifestyle and mode of dress forces the Guardian to become primary at times. When it must be my primary SD weapon, you bet I carry a couple spare mags, they are so small it's not a big problem, so I highly recommend practicing reloads, besides I don't carry my Guardian as a BUG persay, instead it is a second primary gun as under certain circumstances drawing a gun from a pocket may cause less attention than drawing from the hip, so I try and train for as many different situations as I can.
Take Care
NCHornet

 

[HisSoldier]

I've wanted a Seecamp in .380 for a long time, but hate to spend that much for such a small gun, does anyone know why the price difference between the .32 and the .380? Thanks,

 

[NCHornet]

Because of what it takes to make a gun so small to fire the 380 round. If you think the Seecamp 380 is expensive take a look at the Rahrbaugh 9mm!! As I said before I believe you can get to small. A gun the size of the NAA Guardian 380 acp easily disappears in any pant pocket that I wear, blue jeans to dress slacks so I see anything smaller as not a positive but a negative, but I also have fairly large hands. I myself surely don't see a $350-$400 difference between the Seecamp and Guardian, and I for sure don't see a $600 difference between a Colt Python and a S&W 629, maybe it's just me. I suggest shooting any possibility prior to purchasing.

 

[DAdams]

HisSoldier

I've wanted a Seecamp in .380 for a long time, but hate to spend that much for such a small gun, does anyone know why the price difference between the .32 and the .380? Thanks,
__________________

Here is a NIB Seecamp .32 for $409.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.h...60&LF=0&OI=0&LTID=CL,A,AB,BA&AC=&MN=0&MX=0&F=

I'm a marketing guy. If you have the bestest, fastest, smallest, best looking, highest performer etc in class, you milk it for all its worth. That means skim the cream while you can $$ wise, because someone will come along for their share of your market eventually. Seecamp sets the price of MSRP $795 and you can get one at that price if you want to place an order and wait a year. In fact you can get a personalized serial number too. Special promotion with a $40 retail value. Makes for a nice legacy pistol to hand down through the generations. Supply and demand, demand exceeds supply and there are plenty of people out there willing to pay $1K or and not have to wait a year.
Niche Marketing.

Also the price of stainless has virtually trebled in the last two years.

That said. The 380 is 6lbs in a 5lb can. CNC machining (not stamping or molding) hand fitting and micro detailing to make these works of art disguised as a pistol work.

People say, " why heck I can buy 4 KelTecs for the price of a Seecamp 380". "Or two for the price of a LWS .32", Yes you can. And they will work out of the box (most do) and if they don't KTs excellent customer service will make certain they do. But, at the end of the day what do you have? Four (or two)KelTecs. . I doubt if they will appreciate over time. The certainly don't offer the same pride of ownership knowing you own the "best in class". Two years from now assuming I take good care, I will be able to sell the Seecamp for more than I paid for it. At minimum it will be worth what I paid for it. The KelTec will be worth half if that.

I would try a .32, half the price of the 380, identical form factor and available in 60 days. Take it from there.

BTW I do like the NAA 32. They do a nice job, and have some nice accessory items.
If I were looking for a diminutive .32 the Seecamp and the NAA would be the only two I would consider.
I like the looks of the Browning and the flip up barrel for folks who have trouble chambering that first round makes sense.
I don't know anything about their customer service or out of the box performance.

 

[DAdams]

Hornet

If you think the Seecamp 380 is expensive take a look at the Rahrbaugh 9mm!!

Seecamp 380 MSRP $795 one year wait. They are out there for immediate purchase through dealers for $900-1100.
Monitor the Seecamp Forum and they come up for sale used, but go fast.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=Rohrbaugh
Rohrbaugh R9s NIB for $925

What, maybe 30% more than its nearest competitor the Kahr PM9 and about the same as a LWS .380.

 

[Rexster]

Thanks for your report! As a long-time Seecamp owner, dating from .25s in the mid-80's, and presently owning a .32, I think I would rather have two of them in .32 than one in .380, for the same money, waiting period or not. The best "reload" for a pocket pistol is another pocket pistol, and I am not convinced of the superiority of the .380 from such a short barrel. The .380 is certainly a marvel of engineering, and I am certainly not critical of anyone who wants to own or carry one. They are all good.

 

[DAdams]

Holster

Most of the "nice" leather holsters for these take a few weeks to months.

In the interim you can't beat a DeSantis to cover the bases until the BBQ rig comes in.

 

[Ala Dan]

Uum, I can't wait too get my hands on one of these~!

 

[Iggy]

Ala Dan,

How many of those LWS-32's do you have left in stock?

 

[brownie0486]

DAdams,

Good report on the 380, glad you like it, it should serve you well. Don't worry about a fast reload, it's intent is not as a primary fighting weapon, but one that can get you out of trouble while you extricate yourself from the area and hides/carries well enough to have it with you when you need it.

I've had several 32 Seecamps over the years starting in the 80s when they were harder to get [ and extremely expensive for the times-cause- supply and demand ] due to their shop being smaller.

I presently own the 32 version, it serves me well. I also own two 32 Kel-tec's, one my wife carries 4 days a week when riding in the desert. I carry the Seecamp over the kel-tec all the time.

Quality has a price, there is no other way to say it. The Kel-tec is larger and easier to shoot, weighs less too.

Quality has a price, you've got yourself a nice pistol, stay safe.

Brownie

 

[DAdams]

Seecamp

One of these days I'll add a .32. I'm spending the rest of my armament allocation $$ for 2007 to a Hornady LnL and necessary accessories.

 

[Ala Dan]

Att: Iggy My Friend-

At last check, late yesterday (10-04-07) evening we had just two left.
As you know, these don't stay on the shelf very long~!

I will be away from the shop until Monday, Oct. 8th, but in the meantime
if anyone wants one (or any other type of firearm) please contact Mr.
Clay Simmons, co-owner and CEO of Simmons Sporting Goods here in
Bessemer, AL at PX: (205) 425-4720 or 426-0490.

 

[PX15]

FWIW:

It's all just personal choice..

I've "had" a Tomcat... I "have" a KT P32 and a NAA Guardian..

The KT P32 and the Guardian are very good little mouseguns. Both have been reliable and accurate at self defense range. Since I purchased my first Seecamp LWS32 the KT&NAA spend their days now in the gun safe.

They aren't bad guns.. They just aren't Seecamps. Hard to explain.

JMOFO

J. Pomeroy

 

[DAdams]

Size

This thing is really nice in the pocket.



And with a J Frame

 

[usp9]

I tote my Seecamp in a Hedley when I front pants pocket carry, but when I carry in a coat pocket or windbreaker I go back to the Nemisis holster. The gun pops out faster from the Nemisis in a overly large pocket. Great guns.

PX15, Very cool magazine.

 

[PX15]

usp9:

Thanks..

If you are a member of the www.seecamp.com forum extended Seecamp family Larry will sign one magazine for you. (No charge). Just a nice freebee from a very nice person to the admirers of the fine little pistols first manufactured under the direction of his Father, and carried on by the Son..

J.P.

 

[HisSoldier]

One guy said that these are not made to hold up to high volume shooting. I can see that shooting 500 rounds at the range in a weekend would not be fun, maybe not even possible. But are they really a low round count gun? Are replacement parts high priced? It seems stupid to ask a gun like this to hold up like a 1911 when no one could shoot it as many rounds without medical attention, but on the other hand I do expect a gun to last several lifetimes, especially stainless ones.