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I need good advice on 380 autos


Irish Pat

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I'll second the Kahr P380, it's a soft shooter for its size, way better than the Taurus, LCP, Bodyguard, & Keltec and I've shot them all. The only one as good and possably better for some folks would be the Sig 238 but its bigger and doesn't slip into my pants pocket as easy, unless their cargo pants. Kahr now makes a ecomicial version of their P380 as in the CM 380, and I think the MSRP is around $418 compared to near $600 for the P380. WBR

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  • 1 month later...

I have two.

 

The first...and my favorite...is a Colt Government .380 (Like several above, and a favorite of the late Boston John Doucette) that is in the shop right now for some minor upgrades.

 

While it's there I'm carrying an antique like Big Jake (The gun is an antique, not Jake) but mine is a .32 Remington model 51 which is IMO the finest concealment size auto pistol ever made. It only has a few faults: it's a bitch to take apart and has a very heavy recoil spring for its size. Like most little pistols, the sights are equally tiny, and I'd prefer a bit larger safety lever. The last two are, in my case, not terribly important.

 

It's the most natural-pointing gun I ever owned, even better than a Luger, and thinner than my Colt 1903 or a PPK or almost anything else. It weighs almost exactly the same as the Colt Government .380 and the Colt 1903.

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Rorhbaugh makes a 7 shot 9mm that is the same size as the 380's, they are not cheap, but the quality reflects that. Search Rohrbaugh P9. Nothing to cut you, no sharp edges, just a great gun for "light clothing" carry. I won't part with mine!

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KK, that's just the gun I'm looking for as a birthday gift to myself. What did that run you, out the door, taxes and all? You can PM me the info if you'd rather not post it here.

Be sure to check out the Springfield Recall notification about the .45 and 9mm XDS pistols. THis is a safety recall and the XDS pistols should NOT be fired until they've been fixed by SA. I don't know if ANY of the new guns in the marketplace have been modified, though, so it might be prudent to avoid getting one at this time.

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GENESEO, Illinois (August 29, 2013) — Springfield Armory® launched a voluntary safety recall to upgrade 3.3 XD-S™ 9mm and 3.3 XD-S™ .45ACP pistols with new components, which eliminate the possibility of a potentially dangerous condition.

Owners of XD-S™ 3.3 9mm and .45ACP pistols are instructed to
stop using their pistol and carefully unload it; then visit
and follow the instructions to begin the upgrade process. Springfield will cover the cost of the shipping and upgrades.

This Safety Recall applies only to:

Springfield 3.3 XD-S™ 9mm pistols –
serial numbers between XS900000 and XS938700.

Springfield 3.3 XD-S™ .45ACP pistols –
serial numbers between XS500000 and XS686300.

The company announced that, under exceptionally rare circumstances, some 3.3 XD-S™ 9mm and .45ACP caliber pistols could experience an unintended discharge during the loading process when the slide is released, or could experience a double-fire when the trigger is pulled once. Springfield said the chance of these conditions existing is exceptionally rare, but if they happen, serious injury or death could occur.

“Springfield apologizes for this inconvenience,” said Dennis Reese, co-chairman of Springfield, headquartered in Geneseo, Illinois. “Our customers’ safety is our paramount concern; we want to emphasize that no injuries have been reported to date.”

Springfield is in the process of notifying customers, distributors and
dealers.

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Be sure to check out the Springfield Recall notification about the .45 and 9mm XDS pistols. THis is a safety recall and the XDS pistols should NOT be fired until they've been fixed by SA. I don't know if ANY of the new guns in the marketplace have been modified, though, so it might be prudent to avoid getting one at this time.

Well...I believe that there is a Serial Number block that is involved in the recall...

 

So perhaps folks should check first as to whether their XDs needs to be returned.

 

But what do I know?

 

Phantom

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I have a bersa .380 and love it. It's half the cost of a Walther and I think performs the same.

I sold a lot of Bersa .380's when I worked at the local Gander Mountain. Also got a number of repeat sales from guys who came back to get one for their wives, girlfriends or moms.

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My Colt Govt. Model .380 carries quite nicely in an inside-the-waistband holster, shoulder holster, or the inside breast pocket of my favorite leather jacket. Great shooter too.

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http://sdough.smugmug.com/Art/Just-For-Fun/i-vKZpz8C/0/M/colt380-M.jpg

 

my wifes cousin gave me this 1908 Colt hammerless auto in 380. made about 1917. sweet little gun and the price was righr.

curley

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I had a Kel-Tec .380 and carried it for awhile, it never jammed and shot pretty well at 15 ft. I switched to a S&W Hammerless Airweight in .38 spl. I like the dependability of revolvers and it's as easy to carry as a small .380. With Hornady Critical Defense +P ammo I don't feel underarmed.

 

Rye

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I sold a lot of Bersa .380's when I worked at the local Gander Mountain. Also got a number of repeat sales from guys who came back to get one for their wives, girlfriends or moms.

 

 

I have had a couple of them. Still got one.

They have been great.

Nice features for the money also.

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Sig 238. 1911 platform, yes I know it's not a 1911, lightweight, about the same size as the LCP but does not beat the crap out of you. Good trigger, especially compared to a LCP. It's actually fun to shoot, and is quite accurate for such a little gun. Pricy compared to some .380s, but only you know what your life is worth.

 

Another thought is a Kimber Solo 9mm. Again 1911 type, notice I said type, only slightly larger than the small .380s, but still pocketable. Actually about the size of a Sig 232. Extremely accurate for a gun that size and fun to shoot. It is LOUD though. Trigger takes a little getting used to as in is not like you'd expect on a 1911. Rather long pull, but feels smooth and light. Like any Kimber it is expensive.

 

Personally, I hate double action semi-automatics, especially the little ones with a 10 lb. trigger that wares the skin off your finger. Give me a 1911 or something dang close to it.

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I'm kinda biased with the Colt Mustang and the Colt Government .380. AND (off-topic now) the S&W Model 36 Airweight (j-frame revolver).

 

Let me say though, in all fairness, that I don't have experience with the little Ruger and some of the other micro guns. The one I handled felt a bit awkward to me, while the two Colt's weapons felt mor natural .... to me, that is.

 

I still don't know why I sold the Government .380. It was reliable and accurate and very classy in nickel-plated steel with the factory white plastic grips. I miss it.

 

The S&W Model 36 Airweight (shrouded, exposed hammer, 5-rnd, 38 Special), is one I bought my wife in the early 70's when we lived in Long Beach. It got her out of two nasty scrapes that would have gone the other way had she not been carrying the weapon.

 

My opinion is that those two weapons (either of the Colt .380's and the S&W j-frame Airweight), are the best self-defense carry guns around.

 

However, further to that, I believe that the Smith j-frame (steel or alloy frame), with the shrouded hammer, loaded with 4-rnds in the cylinder, hammer down on empty, is the absolute best firearm decision for any person with limited firearms training and experience.

 

 

I will echo others on the string and say there is NO reason to download a J frame from 5 to 4 rounds. It is a modern DA not an old SA. When you only have 5 you want all 5 on board.

 

I had a Kel Tec 380 and two KT 32s. The 380 was snappy but wish I'd kept it. Did keep the two 32s and one is always with me along with a 10 round b/u mag as well as a 9shot 22 and a 5 shot 22mag mini revolver. The one that swings into its grip and clips in the pocket and looks like a folder knife. I will soon trade out the 9 shot 22 to the Ruger LCP 22mag.

 

Love my Kel Tec 32s, their only draw back is lack of suitable ammo. So I keep them loaded with Glasers and practice with FMJ.

 

These are the daylight walking around my little hick town I feel safe carry guns. At night or traveling I go with the Glock 30 and Springfield 45 XDs.

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...soooo...what did I do today????? I bought a Ruger LCP from my neighbor!!! My hypocrisy knows no bounds! :P

 

 

Rye :wacko:

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Howdy,

Its not about caliber, its about shot placement.

James Bond could get away with a tiny 25 because he knew where to shoot

and was going to be up close.

A few years back a big healthy outdoor type fella went down with one .25 round.

It hit his neck and severed his spinal cord. Weird luck shot.

And those darn baby gummint colt .380s are accurate.

Easy to hold too.

Best

CR

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SIG P230 or P232. Very shootable, very accurate, FEELS like a gun, not a toy. I like the all stainless model. I foolishly sold them when .380 was impossible to get. Bea Itchin' preferred hers to a full size gun.

 

SIGP230232004.jpg

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...had the sig P232 sold it...

 

...had the Ruger LCP sold it...

 

...have the Colt Government Pocketlite and will keep it - great gun

 

...have the Bersa Thunder and will keep it - great gun

 

...will be getting 1 or 2 more Bersas 'cause they just shoot and are reliable and the wife took mine...

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Off Topic I know, but, Bond carried a .25 ACP Beretta 418 in the first 5 books. He switched to a 7.65mm Walther PPK in Dr No. He also carries a S&W Centennial Airweight in that book. In Casino Royale he slept with a Colt Police Positive under his pillow. In Moonraker, he keeps a Colt Army Special in the glovebox of his Bentley. In A view to a Kill he carries a long barreled Colt .45

 

On Topic, For my choice of .380, I too have a soft spot for the Colt Mustang. Although, I have always wanted to get a Mauser HSC.

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I own a Colt Mustang and two Colt Gov't models. I carry a Colt Poney.

 

About the same size as the Mustang but it has a DAO trigger and no Safety.

 

With a good pocket holster it just drops into the pocket of my jeans and disappears.

 

If you can find one, buy it.

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