smallest .380 with a full grip?
- Thread starter g_one
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Grunt
Member
I have a Colt Mustang that is pretty soft shooting but again you may be looking at a short grip problem that you mentioned you want to avoid. Might want to see if you can find a Colt .380 Government. Bit longer in the grip than the Mustang but with its locked breech design rather than straight blowback, the recoil should be as soft or softer than my smaller Mustang.
Honorable mentions go to the CZ83, Beretta 84/85, Sig 230, Makarov and the Taurus .380. However, some of these have a double stack magazine that may be an issue for smaller hands, the DA pull on some of them may be a bit tough and they are all blowback designs that are going to produce more snappy recoil.
Honorable mentions go to the CZ83, Beretta 84/85, Sig 230, Makarov and the Taurus .380. However, some of these have a double stack magazine that may be an issue for smaller hands, the DA pull on some of them may be a bit tough and they are all blowback designs that are going to produce more snappy recoil.
Grunt
Member
Matter of fact, a guick search on gunbroker brought this one up (not mine).
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=313604915
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=313604915
Cocked & Locked
Member
Yet another vote for SIG
The SIG P230 or P232 are hard to beat for a comfortable in the hand .380 that is easy to shoot and accurate.
As mentioned in a few posts above, the alloy frame ones are the lightest...that would be the blued ones. The stainless ones have a steel frame.
Gotta watch that slide in the back though. It will bite big hands if you grip it too high.
P230
The SIG P230 or P232 are hard to beat for a comfortable in the hand .380 that is easy to shoot and accurate.
As mentioned in a few posts above, the alloy frame ones are the lightest...that would be the blued ones. The stainless ones have a steel frame.
Gotta watch that slide in the back though. It will bite big hands if you grip it too high.
P230
wnycollector
Member
I picked up my Beretta 84B from cole distributing last year for $270. It was mechanically excellent but showed some holster wear after spending 30+ years with the Mishteret Y’Israel (the Israeli civilian police). Cole has 29 Beretta 84's for sale from between $200-290.
aarondhgraham
Member
Bersa or Beretta,,,
Bersa Thunder 380 or Beretta 85,,,
Either will do just fine.
High capacity they are not,,,
High performance they are.
Aarond
.
Bersa Thunder 380 or Beretta 85,,,
Either will do just fine.
High capacity they are not,,,
High performance they are.
Aarond
.
biohazurd
Member
Im gonna have to say the bersa or walther ppk/s. I have pretty big hands and i can get a good full grip on my bersa .380. With the flat mags though my pinky slips...
I have a large hand and shoot a Beretta 84, Walther PPKS, and a FEG SMC (all in 380) well. I also have Bulgarian Maks that I can shoot well. The only high cap one is the Beretta. My brother is gigantic and shot my FEG very well. The Walther has extended grip mags.
toivo
Member
Nice looking Kel-Tec. Is that a factory finish?
I have a P32 and a couple of the extended mags. I sometimes carry the extended mag as a spare, but IMO the pistol with the long mag in it is very awkward to carry. It won't fit in a pocket and it's very top-heavy in an OWB belt holster. IWB might work better -- I haven't tried that.
The op said she was recoil sensative. The P3AT would have a lot more recoil than anything else mentioned+1 on KelTec 3AT with round extension. Lighter and smaller than any thing else discussed so far. Great low price too.
bannockburn
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A Colt Government .380 or Mustang Plus 2 would also work well, as the grip frame is slightly longer than that of the smaller Colt Mustang and its not-so-distant relative the SIG P238. Only problem here is that both are out of production and very pricey in terms of being more of a collectors piece than an EDC gun.
Another way to go in more of a medium frame size .380 would be a SIG P230, P232, or a Beretta Model 85.
Another way to go in more of a medium frame size .380 would be a SIG P230, P232, or a Beretta Model 85.
I have a Beretta M85FS that I sometimes carry, and really like. However, as a straight blowback it is a bit snappy. My all steel Russian Commercial Makarov in .380, with Pearce grips really soaks up the recoil. They are tough to find though, but 9MM Mak ones are still around on the secondary market.
I got my wife a gel shooting glove for range practice. It really helps reduce felt recoil, and she will now shoot my 9MM's preferring only .22 before. I also reload so I will load some lighter 9MM practice rounds as well so she can work up to heavier loads at her pace.
I got my wife a gel shooting glove for range practice. It really helps reduce felt recoil, and she will now shoot my 9MM's preferring only .22 before. I also reload so I will load some lighter 9MM practice rounds as well so she can work up to heavier loads at her pace.
harmon rabb
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Walther pk380. "full size" single stack 380 for a woman with small hands. Recoil is barely above a 22, slide is easier to rack than any other gun made.
Cheap to buy, warranty by s&w.
Cheap to buy, warranty by s&w.
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