The Battle of the classic .380's!

[Skillet]

So I have been looking into some classic 380's, and i have narrowed It down to four.

The Walther PPK
The CZ 83
The Bersa Thunder 380
The SIG p232












What do you think about these, what guns would you pick, and have you owned one of these guns, and If you have, what did you or didn't you like about it?

 

[KevinR]

What about the SIG 232, One of the best I think

 

[Ed4032]

I like the Bersa. I have three and two PP's. I still like the Bersas best.

 

[NMGonzo]

I own a Bersa.

I shoot the nastiest and cheapest stuff that I can afford.

Is yet to fail me.

 

[usp9]

You left the best one off your list...The Beretta 84/85.

They're all good, some are just... more good.

 

[wlewisiii]

I have owned a CZ. Good gun but big for the caliber. If I ever get another .380 it'll be a Colt 1908 Pocket Hammerless.

William

 

[dogtown tom]

Yup, you left off the best of the "big" .380's:

Browning BDA
Beretta 84
Beretta 85
Star Super SM
Colt Goverment Model

 

[sidheshooter]

I've owned the Bersa (mine was a dud) still own a ppk (THE classic, but somewhat dated in handling, IMHO. I'll never sell it though) and shot the sig.

In addition to the above, I'd be throwing in another vote for the Beretta and its derivations as #1. I have not yet shot the CZ yet, though.

The one .380 that I own that has never, ever choked is an ancient 1934. We're talking many decades of reliability and thousands of rounds.

The only thing about those 84/85 (or 86 or browning) is that they are darn big for a .380, but that wouldn't stop me from owning one.
JMO.

 

[huntsman]

sig 232

 

[strangelittleman]

You left the best one off your list...The Beretta 84/85.

They're all good, some are just... more good.

You're right about that USP9...Is that a Sphinx .380 on the right second one down?
Also let's not forget the Colt M1908 nor the Beretta M70.

 

[jeepguy]

i have a cz 82(9x18) & it is nice esp with the extra rds. my dad has the sig & it is nice but les capacity. i cant comment on the others. but if im going to carry 380 i want the extra rounds. no offense i just think 380 & 9x18 are on the light side. which is why i go with the cz. plus i have big hands & i can get my whole hand on the grip.

 

[Jeff23]

Awhile back I was agonizing over a CZ or a Beretta-- got much good advice and great recommendations for each. The thread is around someplace if you look for it. Then I was shopping around and came across an amazing deal on a Sig P230, liked the way it looked and felt, and just up and bought it. Been shooting it quite alot, and it has yet to give so much as a hiccup. No jams, shoots where I point it. I've fired several kinds of ammo through it. I'd still buy the CZ or the Beretta or the Walther though. I've never been one to go for a gun just because it costs a few bucks less, but people do say Bersas shoot fine. My P230 isn't my main HD or CCW gun, so I guess if I just wanted a .380 to mess around with, I might buy a Bersa. Gun buys are so personal in the end, eh? Unless there's something major wrong with a given model that everyone warns you about. Sig and the American Berettas have de-cockers if that's any issue for you. I like the de-cocker, some don't. Carry On!

 

[m2steven]

I have all but the sig 232. The Bersa is the winner and would be if it were a few hundred dollars more expensive. I love the CZ but it's not quite the pistol the Bersa is even if it's twice as nice looking and nearly as reliable. I shoot the Walther the best of the bunch. It's (to me) got the best sights and it will put lead exactly where you point the gun. It rubs the skin off the webbing between my thumb and forefinger (not slide bite either). Makes me bleed after about 2 boxes of cartridges.

Bersas with laser grips were selling a month or two ago for 400.00. I'm an idiot for not jumping on that deal.

 

[Snowdog]

Ugh, I hate to answer a question with a question, but...
If you're seriously considering a CZ-83, is there some reason not to consider the nearly identical CZ-82 that's chambered in a near identical cartridge (as far as ballistics go) and sells for about half the price?

To purchase an excellent condition CZ-82 and have it refinished (especially if done yourself with Gun-Kote or the ilk) would save you about $200 that you could spend on ammunition (that's currently easier to find and cheaper to purchase than .380acp).
I have a CZ-82 and while a little on the large size for the .380acp/9x18, it's incredibly comfortable, accurate and reliable. If you're jonesing for a high-capacity auto in a cartridge similar to a .380acp, the CZ-82 is hard to beat.

When reading your thread title, I was thinking more along the lines of a Browning BDA, Colt .380 Gov't model or Mustang. I've tossed around the idea of buying a Colt Gov't model .380acp for years, but can't find a use for one (especially since I've had a K9 for about as long). They're cute pistols though.

 

[cjl8651]

Walther PPK.

 

[fastbolt]

Is this for shooting or just to look at in the safe?

I've seen a lot of .380's come through various LE & civilian ranges over the years. Some work and some don't.

I had a Beretta M84 that I finally traded off because it wouldn't consistently feed, even using FMJ. New mag springs wouldn't do the trick. Keeping it clean and properly lubricated wouldn't do the trick. It just wasn't the same gun being praised in the magazine articles of that era.

Walthers? Seen a LOT of them. Seen more that wouldn't function than those that would function. Sort of a 'lodge pin' of LE for off-duty and deep concealment in years gone by. Sometimes someone's hand got in the way of the slide and slowed functioning/feeding down, leading to a stoppage (slide bite), and sometimes the guns just didn't like to feed even FMJ. The loaded chamber indicator jammed up one gun. Another few of them had issues develop with the decockers. Not something I ever felt inclined to own and carry, myself.

If I were going to carry a .380 ACP (instead of a similarly sized 9mm), I'd lean toward the Sig Sauer. I've yet to see one fail to function during a qual course of fire, even with JHP ammunition.

I'd rather carry a similarly sized 9mm, though.

Of course, I'm not exactly a collector of what's sometimes considered to be sub-caliber pocket pistols, either, so my thoughts may be of little interest to folks who like to collect little pistols.

 

[LibertySympathizer]

Drat, when you said classic, I couldn't wait to see if there was a pic of a Colt Mustang. :banghead:

 

[usp9]

USP9...Is that a Sphinx .380 on the right second one down?

Yes it is. Sweet, compact little jewel, holds 11+1, DAO trigger, and.... it also can use CZ82/83 magazines.

 

[Skillet]

Drat, when you said classic, I couldn't wait to see if there was a pic of a Colt Mustang.

There you go

 

[Harvey]

LibertySympathizer Drat, when you said classic, I couldn't wait to see if there was a pic of a Colt Mustang.

Exactly. Without the venerable Mustang, this thread is all the more blather ... alas.

 

[rellascout]

Sorry but I will take a Beretta 84FS everyday of the week over every gun on your list...

 

[buy guns]

You have the capacity of the Bersa listed as 7 rounds but they are available with a 15 round capacity as well. That would be something to take into consideration if you're looking for a carry gun. http://www.bersapistols.com/item/56244_Bersa_Hand_Guns_Pistols_Bersa_THUN380PLUS15_Pisto.aspx

 

[LibertySympathizer]

There you go

Much better.

Me likey!

 

[cyclopsshooter]

Spiegle grips on a Gov 380 for me too Ordered some sterling Colt medallions to spice it up!

 

[M&PVolk]

I have a lot of experience with the Bersa. It has been perfectly reliable and is a great gun. I would not consider it pocketable, though, if you have any interest in that. The Walther I have never shot, but have a friend who used one in combat and swears by it.