I have bought pistols just because had accumulated so much brass. Have a 1934 and while it appears indestructible and mechanically accurate, it is difficult for me to shoot accurately. If not needing a carry pistol and just looking to shoot up the 380 ammo on hand, would consider the glock 42 or the sig 365 in 380 acp. Or another recoil operated pistol.
Recommendations on a .380?
- Thread starter TheHobbyist
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I just picked up a Smith & Wesson EZ 380 and it has been great. It feeds everything so far that I put in it, including some .380 SWC reloads of unknown origin that I had lying around. I'm getting some arthritis in my thumbs so having an easier racking slide is a big help.
I keep all my small autos in .32 auto. .380 's are rough on small pistols
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It sounds like you are looking for a range "toy", not a carry gun. The surplus Beretta would be one choice or one of the 1911 style .380 might be fun. The pocket guns are not that fun to shoot for shooting's sake, although I did enjoy practicing with my Remington RM380 with the extended finger rest. As a locked breach DAO metal framed gun the recoil sensation (such as it is) is mitigated some.
Since you wrote range toy. I agree with the Beretta or the Browning or FN versions of the same basic gun.
985Plowboy
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I'm well familiar with 1911's so my choice of a .380 was based on the same/similar platform.
I've owned a Sig 238 for the last 12 years.
It's the only .380 I've ever owned or shot so I can't make any comparative statements But…here's what I think of it.
Small enough for pocket carry, disappears IWB, well made, VERY nice trigger, accurate, and has run with every brand and style ammo that I've fed it.
I keep it clean and oiled and carry it condition one.
I trust it.
I've owned a Sig 238 for the last 12 years.
It's the only .380 I've ever owned or shot so I can't make any comparative statements But…here's what I think of it.
Small enough for pocket carry, disappears IWB, well made, VERY nice trigger, accurate, and has run with every brand and style ammo that I've fed it.
I keep it clean and oiled and carry it condition one.
I trust it.
Okay. I'll be quite honest with you. I love my LCP. Great little gun for which it was designed. BUT...it's not a gun designed for plinking or for any significant amount of recreational range time. It's designed for up close and personal self-defense. What I call "belly button range." It's not what I would personally pick for recreational plinking. Just too uncomfortable after several rounds.
If your really set on getting a .380, I'd definitely go for one of the bigger ones. Of course, that's just my view from the saddle.
Rpg
Member
For range use only, with no plans to carry it, I'd stay away from the little 380 pistols.
They're great pocket guns but not the sort of gun I'd want to use for the primary purpose of burning up a bunch of ammo.
The little tiny 380's aren't fun to shoot. I'd look at guns no smaller than a Colt 1908.
They're great pocket guns but not the sort of gun I'd want to use for the primary purpose of burning up a bunch of ammo.
The little tiny 380's aren't fun to shoot. I'd look at guns no smaller than a Colt 1908.
S&W 380EZ. Great shooter and easy to handle.
I had a PPK stainless..380 and I didn't think it was fun to shoot. I sold it.
If I bought another 380 it would be the Browning 1911-380... but they are not available in California.
1911-380 Pistols - Browning
If I bought another 380 it would be the Browning 1911-380... but they are not available in California.
1911-380 Pistols - Browning
I have a couple PPK/S pistols in .380 as well as FEG AP9S, APK9S, and SMC, a Beretta 81, an RIA Baby Rock and a Kimber Micro.
The FEG AP9S and APK9S pistols are fun to shoot, being just a bit larger and heavier than the Walther PP and PPK/S.
However the Kimber Micro and RIA Baby Rock are my preferred .380 ACP pistols. Both are accurate and reliable. The Baby Rock is a great budget option and is a PP sized blow back operated pistol. The Kimber Micro is alloy framed and half the weight but felt recoil is similar thanks to the delayed blowback locking system.
I also own a Taurus 905, and Taurus roulette wheel QA issues aside, they are nice pistols if you get one that works. Mine is in 9mm but they also come in .380 ACP and if you like revolvers it would be a pleasant way to shoot up that .380 ACP ammo. Get TK Customs moon clips however as the Taurus moon clips are too soft and bend easily.
The FEG AP9S and APK9S pistols are fun to shoot, being just a bit larger and heavier than the Walther PP and PPK/S.
However the Kimber Micro and RIA Baby Rock are my preferred .380 ACP pistols. Both are accurate and reliable. The Baby Rock is a great budget option and is a PP sized blow back operated pistol. The Kimber Micro is alloy framed and half the weight but felt recoil is similar thanks to the delayed blowback locking system.
I also own a Taurus 905, and Taurus roulette wheel QA issues aside, they are nice pistols if you get one that works. Mine is in 9mm but they also come in .380 ACP and if you like revolvers it would be a pleasant way to shoot up that .380 ACP ammo. Get TK Customs moon clips however as the Taurus moon clips are too soft and bend easily.
Can't imagine why anyone would want to plink with a mouse gun.
Find a Sig as mentioned above or a CZ83. Much better for plinking.
Find a Sig as mentioned above or a CZ83. Much better for plinking.
LVSteve
Member
The S&W EZ380, Sig P238 (if you like small), Sig P250 compact or subcompact (if you can deal with the revolver style DAO) are locked breech .380 pistols that I have shot, and shot well. I shoot the LCP OK, but it's hardly a fun range gun.
You could try finding a Star Model S, a steel locked breech gun with a 4 inch barrel and mini-1911 looks. If you like spending money, then the Colt Mustang and its clones spring to mind.
I had no idea the Springfield 911 had been discontinued. Shows how fickle the market can be.
You could try finding a Star Model S, a steel locked breech gun with a 4 inch barrel and mini-1911 looks. If you like spending money, then the Colt Mustang and its clones spring to mind.
I had no idea the Springfield 911 had been discontinued. Shows how fickle the market can be.
v84x4
Member
I love my KAHR lineup
As much as people ***** about it
The KAHR p380 is an awesome EDC and only 11 OZ
fits in my front pocket I would take this gun over an LCP any day
The only other .380 I would carry is a "BAYARD" from the late 20's
Just My Opinion
best of luck and best regards Rick
As much as people ***** about it
The KAHR p380 is an awesome EDC and only 11 OZ
fits in my front pocket I would take this gun over an LCP any day
The only other .380 I would carry is a "BAYARD" from the late 20's
Just My Opinion
best of luck and best regards Rick
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Back in the day, the.380 ACP was considered a fine backup and many officers I worked with carried one. I carried a Walther PPK/s inside the vest where I could retrieve it with my weak hand. Along comes technology and for the same weight I carried a Glock model 23 in 40 S&W. The difference was 8 rounds of .380. versus 14 rounds of 40 caliber.
At this point the 380 became a nice secondary sidearm. I have several including the Walther and a Colt Mustang.
At this point the 380 became a nice secondary sidearm. I have several including the Walther and a Colt Mustang.
FN (or Browning) 1910. The gun that started WW1.
smoothshooter
Member
Ruger LCP MAX. It will fit easily in a pocket holster in your pocket.
( I have 2)
The more I fool around with .380's, the more I like them.
( I have 2)
The more I fool around with .380's, the more I like them.
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buckshotshorty
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I carry only 380. I have been through a few but the three best that I have found in order of preference are: Glock 42, Sig 238 and Sig 365/380 ACP.
GOOD luck with your search. Let us know what you end up with. I would be curious to find out which one you choose.
GOOD luck with your search. Let us know what you end up with. I would be curious to find out which one you choose.
Grayfox
US Veteran
I like .380s and have several of them. Since you mentioned selling off your Walthers, I'm guessing you are not interested in another. Too bad, I'm quite fond of the PP series. 
If you want a range toy, I'd suggest staying away from the smaller blowback guns. Recoil on these can be quite uncomfortable and accurate shooting suffers.
My personal pick would be the Colt .380 Govt or Mustang. Excellent guns, very accurate and their locked breech design makes recoil easy to handle. Simply a scaled down 1911.
But if you want a true classic, find yourself a Colt 1908. A fine pistol to bring out your inner Bogart.
If you want a range toy, I'd suggest staying away from the smaller blowback guns. Recoil on these can be quite uncomfortable and accurate shooting suffers.
My personal pick would be the Colt .380 Govt or Mustang. Excellent guns, very accurate and their locked breech design makes recoil easy to handle. Simply a scaled down 1911.
But if you want a true classic, find yourself a Colt 1908. A fine pistol to bring out your inner Bogart.
.380
If you are actually going to shoot up that ammo, then get the Glock 42 or the S&W 380EZ. Most of the other .380s are fine for pocket or concealed carry, but don't shoot like these two.
The suggestion to sell the ammo and get a new small 9mm might be the best way to go, and that ammo is the cheapest you'll find, aside from RF.
If you are actually going to shoot up that ammo, then get the Glock 42 or the S&W 380EZ. Most of the other .380s are fine for pocket or concealed carry, but don't shoot like these two.
The suggestion to sell the ammo and get a new small 9mm might be the best way to go, and that ammo is the cheapest you'll find, aside from RF.
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