Why no "Gov't .380" mini-full-size Colt Mustang?

[MatthewVanitas]

Recently I took my girlfriend shooting; she's only been a few times before. She had no problem with a .22 Beretta Neos, but we rented a 1911 .45 ACP as well as a Sig 238 .380 (their version of the Colt Mustang), and for those latter two she had a real hard time getting on target. My impression is that though she really liked the hand-feel of the Sig (she's a rather small girl), and could rack it fine, the short barrel really compromised her aiming. While the full-size .45, she had trouble racking (though I specifically followed some of the online advice, CorneredCat, etc. for women racking slides) and had some trouble shooting due to flinch.

I see that Browning has a "scaled-down Gov't model" 1911 in .380 ACP, as does RIA. But the Browning has a polymer lower, and RIA is okay but not impressive reputation. That got me wondering: since Colt is doing okay selling the new Mustang (and did well in the past selling the old one), why don't they offer a model with a slightly longer grip and somewhat longer barrel? Like the Glock 42, it wouldn't be intended to be a pure pocket gun, but more a compact CCW but more importantly a decent range gun or HD gun for small-framed people that want a scaled-down version of a full-size pistol, sufficient sight radius and weight to make it easy/fun to shoot, but in a low-recoiling chambering and with a small grip radius and trigger reach.

Not that anyone here is a Colt exec, but any thoughts as to whether a larger size of .380, akin to their previous "Gov't Model" .380 micro-1911, might be forthcoming? Either from them, or from SIG or Kimber who has copied their old design?

(pic from 1911forums.org, contrasting the "Mustang" size with the larger "Gov't" size .380)

 

[bikerdoc]

Matt, my wife perfers revolvers but having followed the same path you did we found the Bersa family of 380's were acceptable to her.

 

[bannockburn]

MatthewVanitas

I had a Government .380 and while it was a really well designed and built gun I ended up selling it and went with the Mustang when they came out. My way of thinking was that in a .380 smaller is better and the Mustang has filled that concept perfectly.

 

[Lucky Derby]

I like the Gov .380 better than the Mustang. wish they would bring it back. I was hopeful for the Browning, but the polymer really puts me off.

 

[cfullgraf]

When the Mustang was first introduced in the 1980s, it seemed the sales of the .380 Government Model fell off. Colt continued to update the Mustang into the 1990s (Stainless, the Pony, etc) but not the .380 Government Model.

I suspect that Colt does not feel there is sufficient market for the 380 Government Model.

If Browning's and RIA's .380 Mini 1911 version take off, Colt may dust off the plans for the 380 Government Model.

Of course, my opinion and $5 will get you an overpriced cup of designer coffee.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

SIG has what they call the P938 Target, a long-slide version in .22LR. That might be interesting as a 9mm or .380.

 

[Mitlov]

Despite the polymer issue, the Browning 1911-380 really does sound like the perfect gun for her.

 

[Lotus7]

I'm with the Gov't 380 group. I prefer it over the Mustang. I recently purchased a Sig P938 with the idea of selling the Govt 380 if I was satisfied with the P938. So far, I'm keeping both pistols. I like the size and power of the P938 but the Govt 380 is such a sweet little gun I doubt I'll every let it go! With the N82 IWB holster the Govt 380 seems to disappear and is easy to forget your even wearing it.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I have 2 of the older Mustangs 1 Blue 1 Nickle .

Eagle Imports is bringing back the old Llama 1911 380. I don't know release date . Every time they try to import a new pistol. They get the run around by the govt and its red tape. Its coming I just can't say when.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I had a Government .380....bang, jam, bang, jam....No more for me, thanks.

 

[Eb1]

The .380 ammo I shot out of my Bersa reaches 1204 fps with a well know hollow point. If a medium sized single stacked .380 came out with a 4 1/2" barrel then I think that'd make a fine and fun gun to shoot. You'd have light recoil do to the weight of the gun, and more capacity due to the grip size.

That's be a nice gun.

 

[Master Blaster]

I bought a new Mustang Pocket light. It has replaced my LCP in my pocket carry line up after 300 flawless rounds with different hand loads and factory ammo. I can shoot it much more accurately, recoil is zero, and the size difference is not noticeable in daily carry.

You should have your girlfriend try out the new Mustang if possible. The small size should fit her hand well. Flinching is most likely a bigger issue than the sight radius. Flinching can be overcome with practice and familiarity with the firearm.

 

[Deaf Smith]

SIG has what they call the P938 Target, a long-slide version in .22LR. That might be interesting as a 9mm or .380.

I'd be interested in a SIG 9mm like that. Bit longer slide and frame.

Say a 8 shot version with 4 inch barrel. And again, in 9mm.

Deaf

 

[Tallball]

I am interested in an old Government Model, the Browning, or the RIA. My wife has large hands but damaged wrists: something large enough for her to hold easily, and with very mild recoil due to the small caliber and locked breech. It sounds like the RIA might be best for that. I guess she will just have to wait. No hurry, it will likely just be a range toy or plinker.

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

Its a tad wider than the mustang but Browning used to make a double stack .380 that was larger than any of the Mustangs. It was the Browning BDA, double action pistol. It seems that it was made in cooperation with Beretta and produced in Italy. It had a 13 round capacity and can be had for a reasonable price on the used market. Hope that helps.

 

[golden]

I had a COLT GOVERNMENT .380ACP Lightweight model and it shot well, but I just was not happy with the single action trigger and preferred a similar bulk pistol with a double action like the SIG 232.
I had no complaints about the gun besides the trigger.

Oh, PYTHON ELITE, you probably had one of the early ones with a bad magazine. The early models earned a bad reputation until COLT fixed the magazine problem.

Jim

 

[Surculus]

Stop fooling around w/ those pretenders, and get a Makarov [in either the original 9mmMak or 380acp.] Got to hand it to those Commies, they knocked it out of the park w/ the Mak. MUCH improved ergos over the TT33 that it replaced, altho' of course, in a much less effective round then the Tok.