3" J frame vs. PK380
- Thread starter Greg D
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
photoman
Member
Simplicity of operation, reliability, ammo availability are the first things that come to mind that are an advantage of the J frame.
MgoBlue
Member
Man, I can't think of an advantage of the PK380 over the J-frame. It's not more concealable, ammo is much harder to obtain, punch of the round is less than the J-frame.
I'm not bashing the .380 round -- heck, I've been known to back pocket-carry a Seecamp now and then (when I really can't carry anything else). But, I sure do love the J-frame. Heck, I love too many guns to mention!!
I'm not bashing the .380 round -- heck, I've been known to back pocket-carry a Seecamp now and then (when I really can't carry anything else). But, I sure do love the J-frame. Heck, I love too many guns to mention!!
GatorFarmer
Member
I don't have one of those Walthers. I do have a 3" 36-1 and a 3" 31-1. I've had other .380s - Interarms PPK, Sig 232, Bersa, Llama, etc. The wife still has a P3AT.
I just bought a 100rd pack of .380 FMJ the other day for the wife. I haven't seen any .38 in a while. Availibility thus depends when it comes to ammo and eventually .380 will catch up with demand.
Anyway, the general "pros" to .380 autos in these debates are - faster reload time, great capacity, sometimes lighter weight, sometimes better sights, sometimes less recoil. There also tends to be less muzzle blast until you get into the real micro .380s.
General pros to the snubs - reliable, simple, less maintenance, easier to use weak handed (no chance of limp wristing)
Same basic weight and similar bulk to a 3" steel J frame and you can simply tote one of the Baby Glocks like the 26 or 27. I continue to believe that these are the best of the compact guns if one wants more rounds or a bigger bullet than a J frame can deliver.
I just bought a 100rd pack of .380 FMJ the other day for the wife. I haven't seen any .38 in a while. Availibility thus depends when it comes to ammo and eventually .380 will catch up with demand.
Anyway, the general "pros" to .380 autos in these debates are - faster reload time, great capacity, sometimes lighter weight, sometimes better sights, sometimes less recoil. There also tends to be less muzzle blast until you get into the real micro .380s.
General pros to the snubs - reliable, simple, less maintenance, easier to use weak handed (no chance of limp wristing)
Same basic weight and similar bulk to a 3" steel J frame and you can simply tote one of the Baby Glocks like the 26 or 27. I continue to believe that these are the best of the compact guns if one wants more rounds or a bigger bullet than a J frame can deliver.
- Joined
- Feb 29, 2000
- Messages
- 2,297
- Reaction score
- 2,483
Research that Walther in its original .22LR format. You should find enough negative information to give you pause about carrying one for your defensive needs. Stick with your J. 
When I was on patrol, I carried a Walther PPK 380 ACP inside the vest and knew of at least two (2) other officers that did the same.
I switched to a Glock model 23, in late 2000. For the same weight, I now had 16 rounds of 40 S&W versus 8 rounds of 380 ACP. The Glock was a little more blocky, but in the manner I carried it, no one knew.
Doncha just some one that mixes it up and doesn't answer your question?
OK then, I give the Walther a slight edge due to 8 rounds versus 5.
The other points regarding ammo availability are well stated.
I switched to a Glock model 23, in late 2000. For the same weight, I now had 16 rounds of 40 S&W versus 8 rounds of 380 ACP. The Glock was a little more blocky, but in the manner I carried it, no one knew.
Doncha just some one that mixes it up and doesn't answer your question?
OK then, I give the Walther a slight edge due to 8 rounds versus 5.
The other points regarding ammo availability are well stated.
Frank237
Absent Comrade
THIS was the eternal probklem way back when I was first a cop in the 1970's. I loved my Smith snubbie, but the PPK/s carried more rds, and was easier to conceal. I carried that Walther for several years as a back up gun and off duty.
With todays +P capable 3" J's THATS the route I'd take now. The extra inch of barrelallows for better ballistics as well.
Then again...the PPK was good enough for James Bond??
FN in MT
With todays +P capable 3" J's THATS the route I'd take now. The extra inch of barrelallows for better ballistics as well.
Then again...the PPK was good enough for James Bond??
FN in MT
Erich
Member
Yeah, but he used a .32!
Truth is, I see the .380 and .38 as filling different roles. I have a LCP (tiny, flat and light) in .380 (I carry 95-gr DT ball at about 950 fps) that I use for deep concealment. A J-frame is somewhat less simple to conceal. (A 3" J works just as well as a 1 7/8" in every carry mode except pocket-carry, I've found. I do love my 36-1 and put it on this morning.
)If you want to get the new Walther, have at it. Holds more rounds and probably reloads faster than the J-frame (once you get past that different sort of mag release) - maybe those would be advantages to you. But there are any number of guns that I would buy before the Walther, guns that are no bigger and either hold more rounds or hold more powerful rounds (that are cheaper and easier to find - 9x19) or do both. It's a free country, though - buy what you'd like. You're the only one who has to justify it . . . and you have to justify it based on subjective assessments that none of us are privy to.
Truly a Ford and Chevy sort of argument that
most have an opinion about. Personally, I have a M60 (.357) and LCR (.38+p) as well as a PPKS and LCP in .380. The best people stopper in the crowd is the .357 with the .38 +P a close second. No getting around it.
Given the choice, I will always select either of the small revolvers as they have a lot more stopping power. The LCR is much lighter. For front jeans pocket wear, as in shorts, the LCP with appropriate ammo is a distant second choice. The PPKS looks good in the safe as it's pretty.
most have an opinion about. Personally, I have a M60 (.357) and LCR (.38+p) as well as a PPKS and LCP in .380. The best people stopper in the crowd is the .357 with the .38 +P a close second. No getting around it.
Given the choice, I will always select either of the small revolvers as they have a lot more stopping power. The LCR is much lighter. For front jeans pocket wear, as in shorts, the LCP with appropriate ammo is a distant second choice. The PPKS looks good in the safe as it's pretty.
hdfinder47
Member
J frame has my vote (is what I carry) due to reliability, simplicity, cost / availability of ammo, and accuracy (for me). But I could live with either.
Brian48
Member
I carried a SW M60 j-frame for over 16+ years, but switched over to the PK380 this year after shooting it for a while. It's a great little gun. Granted, it's not as compact as my all-steel j-frame and I just can't slip it into my trousers, but it still conceals pretty well. It's light, reliable, and shoots like crazy. I may still carry my j-frame in situations where I have to, but for the most part, I'm very comfortable with the PK380 and the added firepower it offers.
You can get a 9mm in a handgun about the same size as a .380acp. IMHO the only thing less useful than a .380acp is a .25acp.
I use and trust my J-Frames in .38 Special and larger.
I use and trust my J-Frames in .38 Special and larger.
cmort666
Member
I'll take the .38 Special 158gr. LSWC-HP +P "FBI" load over ANY .380acp load I've ever heard of. I regularly carry a 2" Model 36 and have that load in it.
I would only carry a .380 if there was simply no way to carry anything bigger.
I would only carry a .380 if there was simply no way to carry anything bigger.
The 380 is a small, puney ineffective cal and is not really enough for personal defence. In my opinion, you would be much better served with the 38 special. There are many plus P loads that are very effective and would be a much better choice. Why carry a mouse gun when you could carry a real gun. David
Tom Servo
Member
Actually, he derided it in one of the early books. His favorite gun had been a Beretta .25.
I second the others on the utility of the J-Frame. It's a proven design, while the Walther is relatively new, and I'd go with what I know.
PeterCartwright
Member
I'll leave to the professionals the arguments pro and con for the two platforms. I would note, however, that BOTH the .380 and the .38 Spl. have benefited from a great deal of R & D on the propellant and projectile fronts. Both are a great deal more effective than even a decade ago. I've never owned a PPK, nor have I played with the current crop of micro .380s. I very much like my 60-4, however.
PC
PC
Amend2
Member
.38 vs .380? I often carry one of each: a KT P3AT in the RF pants pocket and a S&W 642 in a belt holster.
The only small auto I carry is a Makarov. I used to have a Walther PP, a beautiful gun but not 100% reliable, The Mak has never refused a cartridge, never jammed, and with its 3.6" barrel is incredibly accurate. Its 9x18 cartridge is more powerful than a .380, but not as powerful as the .38 Special. But the snub revolver is super reliable as well, which is why I also carry a S&W 2" Model 10 (slightly larger and heavier than the 36 or 60, but with 6 shots; it is also less painful to shoot.
My two cents for what its worth (about 2 cents).
My two cents for what its worth (about 2 cents).
Similar threads
