Beretta made the .380 Model 86 with a tip up barrel for a while. They still make the .32acp 3032 Tomcat.
Who makes a good, little .380?
- Thread starter viking499
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wally
Member
Another vote for the Beretta 86 if you can find one and don't mind the price. My wife loves hers.
My friend's daughter really liked the Walther PK380 which is a bit smaller than the Beretta 86.
If you want to go smaller, anything smaller than the SIG p238 will be a handful when you shoot it.
My friend's daughter really liked the Walther PK380 which is a bit smaller than the Beretta 86.
If you want to go smaller, anything smaller than the SIG p238 will be a handful when you shoot it.
Glock 42 is rumored to be a 380 AUTO.
Will be unveiled at SHOT Show.
IMO it has to be something different than the G26 & G19 sized models 25 and 28. They wouldn't come up with a completely new model name for an existing model just because they started making It in the U.S.
On the other hand - the G42 could be a single-stack 9.
Will be unveiled at SHOT Show.
IMO it has to be something different than the G26 & G19 sized models 25 and 28. They wouldn't come up with a completely new model name for an existing model just because they started making It in the U.S.
On the other hand - the G42 could be a single-stack 9.
I like the look of that Beretta 86. Anyone got a picture of it alongside a G26 or a P3AT or P238?
Mike1234567
member
I can't speak from experience but a friend of mine bought a Walther PK380 and loves it. It seems like a nice pistol... appears to be well-made.
Grmlin
Member
My wife prefers her wheel guns but wants a semi auto for CC. She has tried my Walther PK380 and SIG P230, she can shoot both, although the P230 is more snappy. She got the opportunity to try a SIG P238 and loves it, she was good with it immediately with no problem racking the slide at all. Now that is all she wants, she has the model picked out(desert) and every gun show or store we go to she's looking. The only problem for me is the price.
rodinal220
Member
Colt Govt 380,Mustang,Pocketlite.The Mustang is back in production and a "better" build than the older version,but my older original Mustang has worked just fine.The Colts have a locked breech and have less felt recoil than most blow back .380s.
http://www.coltsmfg.com/Catalog/ColtPistols/Colt380Mustang®.aspx
http://www.coltsmfg.com/Catalog/ColtPistols/Colt380Mustang®.aspx
To my mind the Para Ordanance Carry 9 is a better choice than the .380. It's as small as many .380s I've seen, shoots a better caliber and I really don't think the recoil is any worse than the snappy recoil of a .380. I have not shot the Kahrs but I wonder whether the same can be said for them.
oneounceload
member
As far as racking tough slides, look at Pax's www.corneredcat.com; Kathy has techniques for weak-handed folks to work the slides - whole site is a good read for both of you
tommy.duncan
Member
I like my PPK/S and my wife loves her LCP. They are both carry pieces.
Not trying to be sarcastic, but if she is so sensitive to recoil maybe a can of mace or taser would work well for her. Otherwise, a Smith 60/649 Colt Detective Special or Ruger SP101 in 327. Each firing light target loads or in the case of the 327 firing 32 H&R Mags or 32's. The point being a 20-23 ounce gun firing lighter loads. You can have the action worked such that it is both reasonably light and reliable.
Or could consider something like a Smith 317 Kit Gun. 8 shot 22 weighs 12.5 ounces.
Or could consider something like a Smith 317 Kit Gun. 8 shot 22 weighs 12.5 ounces.
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Apparently, a lot of you have never had old age and Arthritis in your hands sneak up on you yet.
I have shot 1911's for about 55 years.
And now I have a little trouble racking the slide on them without hand pain.
Or tearing the skin off some fingers!!
It ain't fun kids.
But it is a fact of life if you live long enough!
rc
I have shot 1911's for about 55 years.
And now I have a little trouble racking the slide on them without hand pain.
Or tearing the skin off some fingers!!
It ain't fun kids.
But it is a fact of life if you live long enough!
rc
Jim NE
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I love my Ruger LCP. and will never sell it, but it's a 20 footer - beyond that range, I have no guarantee that that all of my shots will hit a man size target. At least when I'm shooting it. But it's completely reliable so far. And there are rare times when nothing else I own is going to be small enough. Recoil isn't horrible at all, but not great either. Maybe I could shoot more accurately with a .25 or .32, but I wouldn't have confidence in those calibers, personally.
I only have one other .380. Let me tell you about it: The recoil is amazingly low, the gun is amazingly accurate, and it's been very reliable after it's very short break in period. Know what it is? A HI POINT!!
I only have one other .380. Let me tell you about it: The recoil is amazingly low, the gun is amazingly accurate, and it's been very reliable after it's very short break in period. Know what it is? A HI POINT!!
wally
Member
Its closer to a CZ75 compact than any of these, except probably not quite as thick as the G26. I suspect its why its been discontinued there are a whole lot of 9mm pistols the same size or smaller.
TRX
Member
All .380s are going to have similar slide spring tension. Can she rack the slide of one? Will you load the gun for her?
For arthritis or weak grip, a 2" .38 Special revolver is bulkier, but might be easier for her to handle.
For arthritis or weak grip, a 2" .38 Special revolver is bulkier, but might be easier for her to handle.
Beretta 86
23 ounces
7.28 inches long
4.92 inches high
4.37 inch barrel length
1.18 inches grip width
1.3 inches wide
8 round magazine
Looks like it is a fairly large gun. That said, it does have the tip up barrel feature which might really be a benefit.
A quick scan of Gunbroker shows a price for a really nice condition one at $600-$700. 3 were listed when I checked. Mags were $45 for factory new in package.
23 ounces
7.28 inches long
4.92 inches high
4.37 inch barrel length
1.18 inches grip width
1.3 inches wide
8 round magazine
Looks like it is a fairly large gun. That said, it does have the tip up barrel feature which might really be a benefit.
A quick scan of Gunbroker shows a price for a really nice condition one at $600-$700. 3 were listed when I checked. Mags were $45 for factory new in package.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
No, they actually won't.
The locked-breech models like the Kel-Tec P3AT, Ruger LCP, SIG P-238, etc will have much softer recoil springs then the blow-back operated ones like the Walther PPK, SIG P-232 & , etc.
rc
Thanks.
I was thinking the same thing about the tip up barrel.
bannockburn
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1) Beretta Models 84, 85, and 86
2) Colt Government .380, Mustang, and Pony
3) SIG P238
2) Colt Government .380, Mustang, and Pony
3) SIG P238
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