.380 Love Affair

[otis24]

I suppose the .380 has its purpose. Got a NAA Guardian in .380 for my wife, will probably sell it and get her a 642. It seems everyone is trying to hit the market with new pistols chambered in .380. Whats with this resurrgence in popularity of the .380?

 

[bamabiker]

I think the low cost, small, thin and easy to carry Keltec started it and then the Ruger LCP added fuel to the fire. I was at a gun show today and saw a guy buying the little Ruger at one of the front tables for $449. I wanted to tell him there was another table farther back that had a bunch of them for $349 but he was already filling out the paper work.

 

[Racegunner]

Within the past five or ten years there was a surge in many states to issue CCW or CHL permits. Many new licensees ran out and bought a 1911 or other full sized or duty pistol. After carrying it for a while many people realize a stainless 5" 1911 is a little more hassle than they expected and the pendulum swings the other way and suddenly everyone wants a mouse gun; S&W snub or small .380 semi. Just my own theory based on what I've seen.

 

[GatorFarmer]

It's one of those things that seems like a good idea at the time. The hot thing used to be small .32 autos. First the Seecamp, then the Beretta Tomcat, the Autauga (now almost forgotten), KelTec P32, NAA offerings, and probably some that I forgot. Then engineers came up designs to make their product stand apart by making a similar size gun in .380. Thus the next generation of small autos.

In the "it's seem like a good idea" category, it goes alongside the very light alloy frame .357 magnum revolvers in terms of utility. Some people learn to use their mouse guns well, others find them a bit snappy, that reliability might be an issue (Keltecs seem to be iffy), and that the short sight radius and limited sights make hitting anything a challenge.

 

[The Last Standing Knight]

In hot weather, which SE Texas seems to have 13 months of the year, carrying a medium or large sidearm is difficult at best. Something small, light and flat with minimal maintenance fits the bill better and as such, Kel-Tecs and Rugers.

My Ruger LCP's sights are all but non-existant...most pocket guns have this quality, but to me, I ain't going to get in a long range shootout with it. I figure that if SHTF, cardtable range or closer will be factor.

 

[JcMack]

Kahr has a new .380, so does magnum research. The caliber is still viable in some peoples minds. Myself included. I don't like the "partial cocked" striker in most of the pocket pistols. I've got a Beretta ss 21a in .22, and a Seecamp .32. At 62 my hands shake petty bad. I have to concentrate to hit anything 15 feet away. So close in is fine with me. I've got a Browning BDA that I carry as a sidearm occasionally.

 

[snowman.45]

I've noticed in my department lately that I'm qualifying alot of the younger officers with the LCP's for off-duty carry. They appear to be all the rage. They are required to complete our regular qualification course, which includes ranges of 5, 10, 15 and 25 yards. They have all managed so far. I shot one of the LCP's belonging to one of the kids. Functioned great and I was able to hit center mass at 25 yards. With CorBon Pow'rBall or Hornady Critical Defense loads, these might make a viable secondary (I'd be hard-pressed to carry less than a 9mm as a primary, and that is usually a .45).

 

[H Richard]

The development of better ammo has brought the .380 up to a viable defense cartridge. The big advantage is it is small, and you will actually carry it. A 17 round 9mm is great, but will you actually always carry it in all kinds of weather and clothing requirements? The new Hornady Critical Defense load is very effective.

 

[conn ak]

Up close, the .380 should get the job done. A sawed-off 9mm, the .380 is certainly a better alternative than a .32 or .25 or .22 I bought a used Kel-Tec and I like the ease of carry when the weather is hot. Try lugging a Model 639 at the beach. I can't wait to see S&Ws version of the Kel-Tec/Ruger LCP/Kahr/etc.

 

[BOB THE PALINDROME]

Honeybun really likes her Sig 232. Carries it everywhere.

 

[Capt Steve]

If anyone is considering a .380 don't overlook the Bersa line. They make several models to fit your individual preferences. The only down side to my CC model is the lack of available ammo. Bang for the buck this a lot of gun. The CC model went out the door for just under $300 about a year ago. It shoots well and is perfect for concealed carry.

 

[jag312]

Anyone here who DOES NOT mind being shot with a .380, please raise your middle finger.

One of the guns that I an authorized to carry is my Browning BDA380. I consider it to be a purely self defense gun. Anyone who desires to make me his next victim will have second thoughts looking at the business end of a .380 barrel. I also believe that several shots at close range into someone's chest will take care of any problem in a violent confrontation.

 

[jag312]

I want to add pne more thing. I was fixing the brakes on my motorcycle yesterday. I went into the basement to find an aerosol can of brake cleaner. Stashed away with the car and motorcycle stuff were four boxes of .380 Auto cartridges that I had forgotten about.

 

[cshoff]

If anyone is considering a .380 don't overlook the Bersa line. They make several models to fit your individual preferences. The only down side to my CC model is the lack of available ammo. Bang for the buck this a lot of gun. The CC model went out the door for just under $300 about a year ago. It shoots well and is perfect for concealed carry.

I'll second the recommendation on the Bersa hanguns. We've got a few of them we use for our CCW classes and they've been good little guns. I actually prefer shooting them to the PPK/S.

 

[Faulkner]

My BUG is a Walther PPK/S and I carry it a good bit when off duty. I've been impressed with the performance of Federal Hydra-shok JHP's and the PPK is very accurate and mine has proved to be very reliable. I think I prefer it's 7 + 1 capacity over the 5 rounds of .38 in a J-Frame.

 

[judge]

PPK/S - hard to beat it. Very accurate and totally dependable. Double action on the first shot, and single action for the others. Feeds very well - jams are very rare with the right ammo. I use S&W 380 JHP - works all the time. Just wish it had adjustable rear sight.

 

[animalmother]

I've always been a 380 ACP fan. I had a Sphinx 380 from 1994-2000. Currently have a Taurus PT58HC. Plan to get a Ruger LCP or Kahr.

 

[DB404]

The Star “StarFire” locked breech, alloy frame .380 is actually the grandfather to many of the current 1911 style locked breech .380s. GCA 68 knocked it out off of the importation list, just as Colt was readying to release it to the US market as the Colt Pony. There are something like 20 of the Colt marked guns out there which were sold to Colt employees when the deal with Star fell apart. FI of Washington DC bought parts for it from Colt and Star and produced the FI Model D, the same gun but with a steel frame. Iver Johnson later acquired FIs machinery and gun parts and produced several versions of the pistol, initially using the Pony name. Its early guns serial numbers started with CPA, which many speculate as standing for Colt Pony Auto. All of them are well made, strong little guns. I knew a farmer who carried one of the Stars daily, for years. With it he harvested fox squirrel, gray squirrel, nutria, possum, raccoon, red fox, beaver, at least one coyote and “a few” blacktail deer. He commented that all shots were within 25 yards, two handed and using a rest where possible. He added that he’d used it on game because it was what he had with him, and it wasn’t in the way while be was farming.
All the best - Dave

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I also drank the Koolaid, bought a 380.
Don’t recall if I ever even shot one before!
Bought a Ruger LCP Max.
I’m thinking pocket pistola.
I have shot it about 150 rounds with Zero Problems.
So far It more reliable than many of the Guns and People that I have encountered.

 

[otis24]

I first posted this ELEVEN years ago. I’ve gone from an NAA Guardian to a BG380, to an LCP Max. The .380 is still going strong and capacity has increased greatly. Three elections, several riots, and a pandemic later: .380 ammo is still nearly impossible to find. Albeit for different reasons!!!!