Recommendations on a .380?

TheHobbyist

TheHobbyist

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Hope this message finds you well. I recently got rid of a few Walthers and have quite a bit of .380 ammo. Presently, have a Beretta Model of 1934 that just sits; got it in trade years ago.

I am thinking it is time to start using the .380 ammo that I have for plinking/range time. Personally, I've never been a big fan of .380, but just sort of accumulated the stuff over the years. Might as well get some range time in.

Do you have any recommendations?

Thanks in advance-- TH.:)
 
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Ammo is not an issue. Bought a lot a few years back. Honestly, I do not know how much I have, but it is enough.
 
Sell the remaining ammo and purchase a small 9mm instead. Many of the guns that were previously .380 only size are now almost the same size in a 9mm which is easier to obtain practice ammo for and as a defense weapon is much more effective. Many of guns have better triggers and better sights as well.
 
I have a KelTec P3AT. Very reliable and reasonably accurate. I bought a Ruger LCP and tested the two side by side. The Ruger's trigger gave me a sore spot on the bottom of my trigger finger and I found the KelTec to be slightly more accurate.
 
That's a good point, Tom.

The ammo value far exceeds the gun value of my model of 1934 Beretta and likely anything else. My thought process was to shoot the ammo then sell the gun. Perhaps I simply divest...

I was thinking maybe something interesting had developed over the years; it seems Ruger has options???

If nothing else, I will do a fire sale, so-to-speak, and get rid of the ammo cheap. As stated, it was mostly a by-product of collecting; that is, not the intent.
 
The SIG P238 was my first semi-auto. It's like a high quality mini 1911.
I've been tempted to get out of the .380 caliber completely, and settle on 9mm as my lowest power center fire, but this little SIG is too nice to abandon. Snappy, but the Hogue grip tames that.


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Best .380's in my opinion: Sig 238, Sig 232, Colt 1908.

I don't have any .380's left in my collection due to not wanting to stock additional caliber/ammo.

That being said all three of those were great pistols for the range or carry!


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Small 9 mm not a bad recommendation.
I have a Kahr about same size as my Ruger LCP Max.
Flush magazine - Kahr is 6+1 Rounds.
Ruger is 10+1.
Was also reluctant to take on a new caliber.
But it's one I probably won't shoot that much!
 
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I'd like to get a PPK in .380 or maybe a Beretta but they are too big for easy carry in today's world. When I was young and had a waistline, I carried a PP in a Bianchi Pistol Pocket. Now, if I hang too much on my belt, my britches start heading south.

If I could find a should holster that would fit my bulk, that might be an option.
 
I have owned 3 Taurus TCPs, 2 Ruger LCPs, Kel tek, and a Ruger LCPII. All the guns were reliable and accurate enough but the Ruger LCPII was the most accurate, comfortable, softest shooting, and had the best trigger. It was also the biggest. There is no reason to own a big .380 in my opinion when a 9m/m is the same size and weight and cheaper to shoot. When I got my Sig 365 9m/m I got rid of all my .380s except my second generation LCP which is smaller, thinner, and lighter and I can easily stick it in my pocket. It's with me every day.
 
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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.
 
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.
 
dmthomp32 said:
Best .380's in my opinion: Sig 238, Sig 232, Colt 1908.

I don't have any .380's left in my collection due to not wanting to stock additional caliber/ammo.

That being said all three of those were great pistols for the range or carry!


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Click to expand...
I keep all my small autos in .32 auto. .380 's are rough on small pistols
 
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.
 
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.
 
TheHobbyist said:
I am thinking it is time to start using the .380 ammo that I have for plinking/range time. ...Might as well get some range time in.
Click to expand...

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.:)
 
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.
 
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