Colt Mustang range report

[matt2009]

My dad has had a Colt Mustang for years and I got to shoot it for the first time yesterday. It was also my first time shooting a 380.

I only shot three clips through it (rained us out). This was my final six shots.

That was a distance of 21', off hand and standing. 2" group shooting Federal FMJs. Not sure of the weight.

I was very impressed. The gun was nice shooting too. It shot a little high (found that out on my first magazine and confirmed it with my second) at that distance but I figure that was probably more about the ammunition than anything. It had noticeable recoil but nothing bad. This is a very small pistol but it's actually a little heavy for it's size IMO.

I'm going to buy some SD ammunition for it and try it again. I have no intentions of replacing my 649-5 with it as a carry gun but I can now see why people like the 380. At least this one impressed me.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Big difference in the lock breach Colt vs. a blow-back 380!

I've had a Mustang Pocket-lite, alloy frame, for years... nice guns. While I don't like it for pocket carry in condition 1....... It is my smallest and lightest auto..... so it has seen some carry time.

 

[matt2009]

Big difference in the lock breach Colt vs. a blow-back 380!

I've had a Mustang Pocket-lite, alloy frame, for years... nice guns. While I don't like it for pocket carry in condition 1....... It is my smallest and lightest auto..... so it has seen some carry time.

I guess they are. I would have no idea what the differences are. I just know I shot a two inch group on my third magazine and was impressed!

I don't really know the model of Dad's but I will find out.

 

[petepeterson]

Most people associate .380 with LCP-sized pistols. Any time I take someone new to the range, I bring along my .380 Gov't Model, and it's usually a favorite. It's accurate and comfortable to shoot. I think SIG made a wise choice when they introduced their SA .380s and 9s.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Matt,

Lock breach operates like a full size Colt Govt model..... vs. the blow-back which relies on just a heavy spring/ and or weight of the bolt..... most find the lock breach recoils "softer" !

Very few blow back guns greater than .380 ........ Hi-points and the Beretta Storm carbine come to mind.

 

[LVSteve]

Tin hat on, somebody said clip.

Not that many locked breech .380s out there until the KelTec 3-AT came out. The Mustang had been out of production IIRC and the only other ones were Spanish Stars and Llamas or the Hungarian B9R. Now there are a bunch of then like the BG380, Taurus 738 and the Ruger LCP

 

[Cyrano]

I really liked my Mustang Pocket-Lite. Controls in the same place as my beloved 45 and it was accurate and reliable. I had two problems with it. the first was that the pivoting trigger with a pointed bottom often pinched my trigger finger when shooting; producing a distraction at the worst time in a gunfight. The second was that I shot my Mustang enough that the alloy frame began to peen where the breech of the barrel slammed down on the frame during firing.

I sure like the SIG P 230; one of these days.........

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

Matt2009, those are neat little pistols, never shot one though.

Cyrano, I love the SIG P232, I just can't seem to miss with it. (That saying something with how bad I shoot.) it's the one .380 I really want to own.

 

[matt2009]

Matt2009, those are neat little pistols, never shot one though.

Cyrano, I love the SIG P232, I just can't seem to miss with it. (That saying something with how bad I shoot.) it's the one .380 I really want to own.

I hadn't either until Saturday.

Also I don't think dad's says pocket lite anywhere. It just says 80 Series. Or series 80. Can't remember now. Either way it is a fine shooter. For someone to have never shot a small auto, much less that particular one to shoot a 2" group in the third magazine is impressive to me.

 

[blujax01]

Good shootin'!

You have come across what many consider to be the benchmark for all pocket 380's. The Mustang is a smaller, simplified version of the Government 380. Pictured below is my Mustang II, which utilizes the Government 380 frame and the shorter Mustang slide.
Extra factory magazines are available for both the Mustang and the Gov't. 380 from GrabAGun for as little as $22.

Handgun Magazines - Magazines Online Gun Store.

Steel recoil spring guide rods are available through Brownells (p/n 969-000-115) for about $25. I have never had a problem with the Delrin guide, but just can't get comfortable with that critical of a component being made from plastic. I look at it as an inexpensive insurance policy.

Polished Guide Rod, only : GUIDE ROD & SPRINGS | Brownells

And I do carry mine often...

 

[matt2009]

Yours is a nice looking gun.

I like dad's. Surprised myself really, lol. I'm looking forward to trying it again. It shoots very nice.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I really liked my Mustang Pocket-Lite. Controls in the same place as my beloved 45 and it was accurate and reliable. I had two problems with it. the first was that the pivoting trigger with a pointed bottom often pinched my trigger finger when shooting; producing a distraction at the worst time in a gunfight. The second was that I shot my Mustang enough that the alloy frame began to peen where the breech of the barrel slammed down on the frame during firing.

.........

Have read of this issue ..... so mine is "almost" a safe Queen....

I added a steel guide rod and had a blue steel front sight dovetailed into the slide and added some wood grips....... it is a pretty little gun and a joy to carry.

 

[kozmic]

My wife made off with my Mustang Plus II. It's ok because she shoots better with it than I do! I love the way they point and shoot.

Nice grouping, BTW.

 

[jimmyj]

Years in the past I was issued a Browning (BDA )? .380 as a "Off Duty".
Never having a .380 I ask a good friend who was former Army Special Forces, and a Gunsmith/Gun Shop owner for suggestions on ammo. With His recommendation I used PMC .380 JHP ammo. I was very impressed with the weapon and ammo. In the near past I purchased a Beretta Model 84 (which is the same weapon as the Browning) and also pleased with it. These weapon are a bit large for the caliber but with the 13 rounds magazine it is GREAT (I do not pocket, IWB, or ankle carry. OWB only)

 

[blujax01]

Years in the past I was issued a Browning (BDA )? .380 as a "Off Duty".
Never having a .380 I ask a good friend who was former Army Special Forces, and a Gunsmith/Gun Shop owner for suggestions on ammo. With His recommendation I used PMC .380 JHP ammo. I was very impressed with the weapon and ammo. In the near past I purchased a Beretta Model 84 (which is the same weapon as the Browning) and also pleased with it. These weapon are a bit large for the caliber but with the 13 rounds magazine it is GREAT (I do not pocket, IWB, or ankle carry. OWB only)

Jimmy, do you know if they ever made a single stack version? The double stack made the grip seemed so out of scale with the rest of the gun.

 

[jimmyj]

Jimmy, do you know if they ever made a single stack version? The double stack made the grip seemed so out of scale with the rest of the gun.

Good Afternoon:
IIRC (?) there is a single stack Beretta .380 Beretta.
The longer I belong to this forum, the more I am aware of how little I know about firearms.

 

[k22fan]

Jimmy, do you know if they ever made a single stack version? The double stack made the grip seemed so out of scale with the rest of the gun.

There was a series of single stack single action .380 Berettas based on the Italian model 1934 WWII army pistol. The last of them was the model 70S which had the 180 degree rotating safety relocated and changed to a 1911 style. I believe Beretta's model 86 single stack DA/SA tip up barrel .380 is still made. It is longer barreled than Beretta's double stack model 85. The tip up barrel is often recommended for older women who can't retract a slide. Modern .380s are quite a bit smaller.