380 acp J Frame

[BobR1]

I was in my local gun shop today, and a customer came in for a second look at a S&W 380 acp revolver that they had just gotten in. I over heard the conversation, and stated that I was pretty sure S&W had never offered a 380 revolver.

A little looking and the store owner managed to locate the revolver in question, which ended up being a new model of Taurus. It was indeed in 380 acp, and came with Moon Clips. It had a bobbed hammer, and a pretty stiff DA trigger.

The customer and I talked after the Taurus was put back in the cabinet. He was looking for a revolver to replace his wifes semi auto with.

I told him that I would take a look at, and try the trigger on the 442, and the LCR38 that were also in the cabinet. I told him the LCR38 should have a pretty good trigger, but was about as good now as it would get. I also explained that the springs could be changed in the 442.

We had the shop owner open the cabinet back up. It turned out that the 442 was the 442 PRO Moon Clip version, and had a very good factory trigger. The LCR38 also had a very good trigger.

The customer handed the shop owner the 442 and said he would take it. I did some explaining about what ammo worked in the moon clips. It turned out that the only good SD ammo on the shelf was some Hornady, which I was not sure about the fit in the moon clips. Well I hand loaded a clip with them, and they worked fine.

I happen to have a 442 Pro Moon Clip, so I had a good handle on this revolver. It had every bit as good a factory trigger as mine. My factory trigger was good enough that I have never put my Wolff spring kit in it.

For $450 Tax and all the customer had a new 442 Pro and a box of SD ammo. That was a GREAT Price for the 442 Pro. A much happyer ending than taking the 380 Taurus home.

Bob

 

[Kilibreaux]

642-1 Pro here...outstanding SD choice. DAO was a bit gritty out of the box but it smoothed out very quickly.
Not diss Taurus or any other maker, but I genuinely think S&W makes the premier compact .38 spl +P revolver on the market today.

 

[wildenout]

I think a 380 ACP Revolver sounds awful...Glad you were there to help him not make a giant mistake!

 

[colt_saa]

While I am a fan of the Centennials, the 380 Taurus is an interestng piece. Offered in both stainless steel or an ultralite alloy version

 

[roundgunner]

If you were hand loading your 380s you could get it as good a basic 38 spl but factory 380 is pretty disappointing. The premium stuff is good but oh my god expensive around here.

I think anything but round nose 38 is pretty acceptable and available, my opinion you did those people right.

 

[vito]

I have no idea why any manufacturer would make a 380acp revolver. This caliber works if you want a really tiny semi-auto like the Ruger LCP, but why use this in a revolver that is essentially as large as one that can handle 38 Special +p? Having a very weak round in a gun that only holds a low number of rounds seems like the worst of both worlds to me.

 

[JeepinSoldier]

I have no idea why any manufacturer would make a 380acp revolver. This caliber works if you want a really tiny semi-auto like the Ruger LCP, but why use this in a revolver that is essentially as large as one that can handle 38 Special +p? Having a very weak round in a gun that only holds a low number of rounds seems like the worst of both worlds to me.

Manufacturers will make what people want. I agree with your statement, but some people want the low recoil of the .380 with the simplicity of a revolver.

The Smith and Wesson 940 fires both 9mm P and .380 just fine.

The 940 with 9/.380's would be a good option if the purchaser already had 9mm/.380 guns. Problem is finding them.

 

[JeepinSoldier]

For $450 Tax and all the customer had a new 442 Pro and a box of SD ammo. That was a GREAT Price for the 442 Pro. A much happyer ending than taking the 380 Taurus home.

Bob

I agree. And if they want low recoil, they can handload or find somebody who does and load low recoil practice .38's. (Or just purchase .38 target wadcutters)

 

[jtcarm]

I'd never trust my life to a Taurus or a .380 given a choice.

If recoil is a problem, why not a. .38 spl wadcutter?

 

[16thVACav]

Man - that is one ugly revolver!

 

[H Richard]

Thanks for posting those pictures. The size of the revolver is intriguing. Just how much smaller than a J frame is it? Looks maybe 10% smaller?

 

[eveled]

I'd like to see a comparison picture of the little Taurus and a J frame. If it is not too much trouble. Ed

 

[colt_saa]

I'd like to see a comparison picture of the little Taurus and a J frame. If it is not too much trouble. Ed

Sorry ED,
I do not own one.

Those pictures are from my annual Shot Show report that I post in the Lounge every January.

 

[poordevil]

I think the .380 is best in an auto

 

[Johnnu2]

.380

Personally, I had one Taurus in my lifetime and I loved it so much that I kept it for 10 years despite THREE catastrophic breakdowns that stopped it from functioning until fixed. In my 70 years, I never had another handgun actually break............ Conclusion: It may have been a fluke, but three tries and the gun was finally GONE...no more Taurus for me; ever.... p.s. the .380 is an excellent 'squirrel gun' but you gotta wait till they get close.

 

[71velle]

I held that 380 revolver and thought it was no smaller than my 642. But I didn't have both in hand at the same time.

I would like a j frame in 9 mm so the cylinder could be 1/4 inch shorter and the barrel a little longer. Plus the 38 ammo is a lot ore expensive.

 

[Owly]

I guess a .380 acp revolver is better than carrying a sharpened stick... maybe

 

[eveled]

I heard they were coming out with a snub nose revolver chambered in .25 auto next.

 

[snubbiefan]

I handled one at a local pawn-shop and to me...it is a little smaller than a J, but the butt (frame) seems to protrude to the rear a bit making if "feel" about the same. I would guess the ONLY reason to own one is that you are a 380 fan and the ammo is very plentiful about everywhere. Taurus has a habit of producing a model, stopping production, then bringing it back again. I have always considered Taurus as more of a marketing company than a firearms company. My success rate for getting one to function properly right-out-of-the-box is around 60%. If you're a home-spun gunsmith....you can get one to work very well, but even the Taurus fans suggest the first thing to do is strip the gun and remove all the cosmoline, mill-shavings and floor sweepings. The older ones seem to be very good guns like the early 85 and the 82.

 

[joonbis]

I have a 455 snub Taurus that is a great gun. I have thought about getting one of those just to add to my collection. I have tons of 380 ammo.