Did I miss any good .380's?

[Kavinsky]

I've been trying to make up my mind on what to replace an alloy framed beretta 85 cheetah with and I want to go with some sort of steel framed .380 for its replacement

but the only ones that I know of that have steel frames are the old walther PP series, maybe the older version of the cheetah from the 80's, the polished blued ones although I'm not entirely sure about that though and the sig 232/230 stainless but not the blued version sadly as I believe that has an alloy frame as well (along with alot of sigs in general) and the colt 1908 in .380

so is there any I missed, and I'm looking for a steel framed one with some sort of a manual safety as it would be a pocket gun and the lack of a safety on a semi auto in that kind of use frankly makes me nervious and about a 6 to 7 round capacity and preferabily a takedown lever and an easy takedown like on the beretta cheetah, basically something where I wouldnt have to hold the trigger guard down to take the slide off for cleaning like on the walther PP series

and the reason why steel is a must is because I've noticed that the alloy frame of the beretta seems to heat up in my hand and overal feel kind of uncomfortable and sticky during a range session because of the alloy frame, while steel framed ones and polymer framed ones dont.

and as a rule it seems like the polymer ones dont have any sort of a manual safety like on the PP series so I havent really given them much thought here so there might have been something I missed with that hence the posting of this thread.

 

[handejector]

Browning made one of the slickest and smoothest ever- before 1968.

 

[diamonback68]

You forgot the Colt Mustang.

 

[Kavinsky]

You forgot the Colt Mustang.

I kinda dont want to go with an SAO like the 1911 in this matter as I dont really trust the cocked and locked with an external hammer sticking out like that in a pocket for daily carry, so that rules out the mustang, beretta 70 and the sig 238.

 

[Rule3]

The best 380's IMHO are the Sig 230/232 and the CZ 83. Neither are "pocket guns" by the Cheetah isn't either.

The NAA 380 is solid SS a bit heavy but a true DA only. The trigger is pretty heavy but can be lightened a bit.

The Seecamp 380 is expensive, hard to find and expensive.

The Colt Pony Pocket Lite IMO is better than the Mustang for putting in your pocket.

 

[Faulkner]

I think the best pocket pistol in .380 ever made is the Colt Pocket Model M, also known as the model 1908. It's compact, reliable, accurate, easy to field strip, but they ain't cheap.

Here's one compared in size to a Interarms PPK/S.

 

[RonJ]

I agree about the CZ and Sig. Given the price I went with the CZ83. Slick, well finished and very reliable, even though it sometimes pinches my trigger finger.

 

[judge]

Walther PPK/S, made in Germany, blue & all steel. Even used, they are well worth it. Outstanding small semi-auto. Just wish it had adjustable sights.

 

[TACC1]

You might want to look at a MasterpieceArms MPA380 Protector.
Magazine capacity is 5, upper and lower made of 4140 Steel.
DAO, and less than 12 ounces. Smaller and lighter than the NAA,
recoil is not bad. Still less than $300, I believe. TACC1

 

[TACC1]

Oh, yeah, here's a pic of a MPA380...

 

[pharmer]

Kahr makes a very nice DAO .380. But a little bigger (PM9) and you get 9mm. Joe
http://www.kahr.com/Pistols/Kahr-P380.asp

 

[Kavinsky]

The best 380's IMHO are the Sig 230/232 and the CZ 83. Neither are "pocket guns" by the Cheetah isn't either.

The NAA 380 is solid SS a bit heavy but a true DA only. The trigger is pretty heavy but can be lightened a bit.

The Seecamp 380 is expensive, hard to find and expensive.

The Colt Pony Pocket Lite IMO is better than the Mustang for putting in your pocket.

yeah the cheetah certainly isnt that, atleast without a holster but is what I said about the sig 230 and Sig 232 in their blued forum true, that they are alloy framed? or is it possibile that the sig 230 could have been steel framed and they only moved over to alloy for the 232?

and the colt pony looks kind of interesting actually as it seems like the bevertail would give you a better grasp of it so your not always adjusting your grip to get a good grip on it like a browning .25 acp while shooting it which was part of the reason why I never really gave guns like the seacamp much thought as I have rather large hands and figured it would happen on those and guns like it like the kel tec .380 I tired at a gunshop when they first came in.

Walther PPK/S, made in Germany, blue & all steel. Even used, they are well worth it. Outstanding small semi-auto. Just wish it had adjustable sights.

funny you should mention that as I believe Micro Machining Corp made some adjustabile rear sights for it back in the 1960's

http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/123999-anyone-here-expertice-walther-ppk.html

although I'm not sure where to you'd be able to find them today though as MMC of today aint what it used to be in any sense of the word.




and Ron what's the magazine capacity of the CZ there? it looks like it may be a double stack from the photo

and Faulkner is the grip shorter on the colt there that the walther PPK/S?

 

[RonJ]

Good eye! The mag is double stack with a 12 round capacity. (CZ83)

 

[Class III]

What about the Makarov IJ70 (Available in 9 x 18 and 380ACP)? 11 + 1 double stacked capacity, steel frame and slide, adjustable sights, safety/decocker. The only problem I ever had out of mine was the rear sight shot loose after the first few hundred rounds so I replaced it with a beefier model from makarov dot com.

Class III

Edit: Makarov dot com no longer sells parts.

 

[Iggy]

Another vote for the Colt's Model 1908 .380

 

[Rule3]

The only ones with a manual safety that I know of are large guns and not "pocket" or mouse guns.

The best, smallest, all metal (but heavy gun is the NAA 380 Guardian.) IMO.
It has no safety, but a very heavy, long trigger pull. It does not need a safety. It is a simple blowback, easy to fully take apart and works very well.

The Seecamp is like a fine watch but brutal to shoot in 380, it is the same size as the 32ACP which will also bite your trigger finger.

This chart may help:

http://www.mouseguns.com/PocketAutoComparison.pdf

 

[Vulcan Bob]

A German made Mauser Hsc is worthy of consideration as well.

 

[forindooruseonly]

I'll second the Hsc...

 

[Kavinsky]

I'll second the Hsc...

hmm I have heard of the HSC before but I kinda wrote it off because I heard it had feeding trouble, has any of that been true with your two examples?

and where exactly is the hammer on the thing as its got a really odd looking hammer on it and is there any sort of hammer bite from it as it looks rather close to the web of the hand on it

What about the Makarov IJ70 (Available in 9 x 18 and 380ACP)? 11 + 1 double stacked capacity, steel frame and slide, adjustable sights, safety/decocker. The only problem I ever had out of mine was the rear sight shot loose after the first few hundred rounds so I replaced it with a beefier model from makarov dot com.

Class III

Edit: Makarov dot com no longer sells parts.

honestly I'm not really a fan of russian pistols and the fit and finish just doesnt look that nice on them in my opinion, plus from what I understand the guns have some sort of a sleave in them to shoot .380 acp as the barrel is not strictly a .380 barrel and the same applied to the walther PP super in .380 and supossedly your not supposed to shoot that markarov ammo in the walther either

I dont remember why though

The only ones with a manual safety that I know of are large guns and not "pocket" or mouse guns.

The best, smallest, all metal (but heavy gun is the NAA 380 Guardian.) IMO.
It has no safety, but a very heavy, long trigger pull. It does not need a safety. It is a simple blowback, easy to fully take apart and works very well.

The Seecamp is like a fine watch but brutal to shoot in 380, it is the same size as the 32ACP which will also bite your trigger finger.

This chart may help:

http://www.mouseguns.com/PocketAutoComparison.pdf

so the NAA is practically a revolver in regards to its trigger then?

 

[chief38]

I have to agree with Faulkner. I own 3 of the Colt Model M Pocket Pistols. They are incredibly well manufactured, easy to shoot, easy to control, very ergonomic, and flat! They shoot like a dream and NEVER jam! Even with their rudimentary sights, they are dead nuts on in the accuracy department.

They ONLY down side to them is as a CCW. I do not like carrying them with a round chambered - -as the safety can be easily switched off by accident, and with the chamber empty, one would need the use of two hands to bring the weapon in to battery; a definite detraction as a CCW gun.

That said, I simply love 'em!

Chief38