Seecamp LWS .380????

[MrTrolleyguy]

Subscribing to the adage that, "one is none, two is one and three is better" I am thinking about the Seecamp LWS .380

Better quality and caliber than the Baby Browning, this pistol can fit in the watch pocket of my jeans. And I doubt it will lose value.

Anyone have experience with this little gun?

Of course I am ready to be amused by y'alls cleaver comments...

I'll start it off....

 

[zzzippper]

I honestly never knew the value of these pistols. For some reason I always thought of them as copy throw-down guns, like a Jennings. Live and learn.

 

[nagant]

That guy new what a gun needed to do! From their website--- L.W. Seecamp Co, Inc. was founded in 1973 as a family business specializing in Ludwig's patented (#3722358) double action conversion of the venerable 1911 semi-auto pistol (Colt .45). This conversion, done during a period when the single-action versus double-action controversy was at its peak, resulted in the first commercially available DA .45 autoloaders anywhere in the world. Nearly 2000 such DA conversions were done from the early 70s to the early 80s. Ludwig had become a firm believer in the value of DA after a Walther P-38 saved his life in WWII. That incident, which left him with a cheek-long scar and some missing teeth from a bullet wound, also convinced him point shooting rather than sight use is the reality in close range combat. Having been a fan of the 1911 but being also an advocate of DA carry, commercial conversions were a natural outgrowth of the Colt 45 that Ludwig had converted to DA for his own personal protection.

 

[Iggy]

The quality of a Seecamp is hard to beat. They are a precision instrument.

The manual of arms is a bit different. There are a couple of idiosyncrasies, but once you get use to them, they are great little guns.

I don't know about the .380s. The 32ACP in the exact same gun is a spirited little rascal.

My wife and I each usually have one tucked away somewhere even if we are packing something more substantial too.

The Seecamp is a "GOMA" gun. "Get Off My Arse whole". Stuck up the bad guys nose or in his ear, you don't really need a front sight.

 

[mc5aw]

Iggy is correct, and the .380 is considerably more spirited than the .32. I had the latter, and it was a nifty little pocket piece. Not better than any of my Js, just different in a novelty sort of way. The Seecamps are beautifully built, very finicky about ammo, and well worth the ~ $500 price if a small caliber semi is what you are looking for. You don't shoot a Seecamp as much as you carry one, and I would always go with the .32 over the .380 for recoil reasons.

 

[zzzippper]

Now I'm wanting one. But since I already have a Ruger LCP in .380 to carry for times when I'm only in a bikini I don't see any reason to get one.

 

[Rule3]

I have the 32ACP. A finer made pocket gun you will not find. They are a work of art. Larry Seecamp is a great guy. All stainless, hand made. Larry used to personally test each one firing 2 full mags through the gun before it left the factory. (Someone else does it for him now)

I have shot the 380 and it's not for me. It will tear your trigger finger. It is the same dimensions as the 32 ACP. The ballistics of the 32 is not much different than a 380 in that size barrel, It's a modified blowback so it is indeed "snappy"!

Guess I am saying is get the 32.

There is a the coveted trifecta of getting all three. The 25, 32 and 380.

As to ammo, they are specific on the 32 ACP as the mags have a rimlock plate (for JHP) in them to prevent rim lock. The Gold Dots work the best. The 32 was designed around the Winchester Silver Tip. The Remington FMJ Truncated nose will fit the 32. So it's the COL that is the issue.

 

[therevjay]

I have a LWS .32 I pretty much agree with what everyone else has said about them. Get the .32 it's snappy but not painful. I fired my BIL's .380 once. Once was enough, most owners advise wearing a Band-Aid on your trigger finger. Good plan, but it still hurts.

Like someone else said the overall length is what restricts you to certain ammo. Gold dots, WW Silvertips, Federal Hydro Shocks. WW flat nose FMJ.

 

[MrTrolleyguy]

What erks me is that there was one sitting in the case for months at the range last fall. I had the hots for a Ruger GP100 in the same case. i considered getting both but suspected I had a screw that was loosening up and should cool it. They also had a SP101 hammerless there, each gun was a good price. Got the GP100 and will never sell it.

 

[pineappleshooter]

trolley,

The best place for Seecamps is Tanners (but you already know that). They have the best prices in our area, bar none. I picked up a LWS32 from them for $400 and change less than two years ago.

pineappleshooter

 

[H Richard]

For awhile I had the NAA 380, which is a copy (good quality) sort of of the Seacamp. It was quality, and reliable, but it was heavy and thicker than my LCP. I kept the LCP and sold the NAA. I do understand the Seacamp is hand fitted quality.

 

[ralph7]

I carry an older .25 loaded with magsafe and some other aftermarket plus pee stuff.
Had a .32, but this one was always so much smoother, that I sold the .32. Would like to find a .380.

 

[MrTrolleyguy]

Based on what I have read here I am going to hold off on a Seecamp. I get that it is a quality piece. For now I'll shoot a friend's BB .25 awhile and then decide.

Thanks for all the feedback.

 

[Rule3]

For awhile I had the NAA 380, which is a copy (good quality) sort of of the Seacamp. It was quality, and reliable, but it was heavy and thicker than my LCP. I kept the LCP and sold the NAA. I do understand the Seacamp is hand fitted quality.

Back in the .380 craze I kinda collected them

The NAA 380 is a great gun, works every time. Not as brutal as the Seecamp due to it's weight, Did a trigger job on it so it is around 10 instead of 20 lbs,

It does feel like a rock in your pocket but when you run out of ammo you can bean the guy on the head!!

 

[ladder13]

I had a 32 acp, until I bought the 380, and sold the 32. I figure if my hand is gonna hurt, it's worth it for a bigger hole.

 

[chief38]

While I've not personally owned a Seecamp, I have 3 friends who own them and I have shot all 3. I've yet to see one fire reliably. According to them, you must use a specific type and brand of ammo and even with that none of the 3 have worked anywhere close to reliable.

The Mag's are very expensive and hard to obtain and while quite compact and comfortable to carry I'm in the ".380 is a Mouse gun" court.

The ONLY compact .380 I have seen, tried and used with 100% reliability so far has been the Colt (all steel) Mustang Pocket that was releases a few years ago. It is a VERY WELL made gun - however it's still a .380 although you can use all kinds of ammo in that one.

 

[Rule3]

That's baloney. The mags are around $35 direct from SC. They are stainless steel. The gun functions perfectly with Speer GD HP. I have owned one for years and a member of the forum.

If the "friends" guns do not work then they need to contact Seecamp and they will be made to work. No BS

L.W. Seecamp Co., Inc. - Ammo Recommendations

 

[chief38]

That's baloney. The mags are around $35 direct from SC. They are stainless steel. The gun functions perfectly with Speer GD HP. I have owned one for years and a member of the forum.

If the "friends" guns do not work then they need to contact Seecamp and they will be made to work. No BS

L.W. Seecamp Co., Inc. - Ammo Recommendations

Well what can I say? The 3 SC's are owned by three different people and they were shooting the ammo that was recommended (Winchester Silvertips as I recall) as well. I guess they just got 3 lemons. At the time the mag's were on a long Back Order and more than $35 bucks, but since I do not own one I have not kept track of Seecamp happenings.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Iggy and mc5aw are quite correct. I have one in .32ACP. It is definitely a niche gun. I believe there are only 4 moving parts in the entire weapon (not counting the slide assembly). Mine has functioned flawlessly with WW Silvertips. It is neither a range gun, nor a pleasant piece to fire. I am quite satisfied with the .32ACP chambering and would not be even slightly interested in a .380ACP. I have on a few occassions considered selling it, but then remembered that it is so small a piece as to render no excuse for not carrying a firearm.

Best of luck,

Dave

 

[BigBill]

How do these compare in quality and size wise to the cz 50 & cz 70?

How much is the seecamp pistol?

 

[jsfricks]

While I've not personally owned a Seecamp, I have 3 friends who own them and I have shot all 3. I've yet to see one fire reliably. According to them, you must use a specific type and brand of ammo and even with that none of the 3 have worked anywhere close to reliable.

The Mag's are very expensive and hard to obtain and while quite compact and comfortable to carry I'm in the ".380 is a Mouse gun" court.

The ONLY compact .380 I have seen, tried and used with 100% reliability so far has been the Colt (all steel) Mustang Pocket that was releases a few years ago. It is a VERY WELL made gun - however it's still a .380 although you can use all kinds of ammo in that one.

I really think if one don't own a certain gun that you shouldn't comment about it. Your statements are ALL false!
My Seecamp 32 is very reliable with two different defensive loads.
Mags are easily obtained through Seecamp for $34.95.
All three caliber Seecamp feed perfectly if you use the ammo that Larry Seecamp built the gun around.
I carry mine everywhere. When anything else is too big are too time consuming to put on mine sits in a Del Fatti front pocket holster ready to do its job if needed. There are people out there that give Seecamps a bad name because they "heard something" or someone didn't know how to use it.
To the OP, go to the Seecamp forum and do some reading. These can't be beat for a small gun!

 

[gm272gs]

I always thought they were door stops or wheel chocks.
Bought and sold them over the years and don't believe that I ever had more than $100 in one. I feel a bit silly. Should have kept them and cashed in now.

 

[jsfricks]

Well what can I say? The 3 SC's are owned by three different people and they were shooting the ammo that was recommended (Winchester Silvertips as I recall) as well. I guess they just got 3 lemons. At the time the mag's were on a long Back Order and more than $35 bucks, but since I do not own one I have not kept track of Seecamp happenings.

The new Silvertips that are made today are not the same bullet or same quality as when Larry recommended them. If you measure each one you'll see what I mean. Your friends should try Speer Gold Dot or Federal Critical Defense. Both of these function fine in mine. Once you find what works stick with it. Here's a good chart to show the difference in size compared to other guns.
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B22wLsyYEkTOMDU4MjJlNTktOTRlZi00NTJkLWE0MGMtZmEwNGFlMWE3ZDlm&hl=en_US

 

[jsfricks]

How do these compare in quality and size wise to the cz 50 & cz 70?

How much is the seecamp pistol?

Bill, you can usually find them under $500 for a new one from dealers on Gunbrokers.

 

[Jim1392]

Based on what I have read here I am going to hold off on a Seecamp. I get that it is a quality piece. For now I'll shoot a friend's BB .25 awhile and then decide.

Thanks for all the feedback.

I know you said you wanted to hold off on the Seecamp but I just wanted to mention I just noticed one on this forums guns for sale. It's new with holster and ammo. P.S. I'm not the seller or nor do I know the seller. It looks tempting if your into Seecamp's

 

[ladder13]

How do these compare in quality and size wise to the cz 50 & cz 70?

How much is the seecamp pistol?

My 380 was one of the first production runs by Larry, he gave people with a 32 a heads up on the 380's.
Mine was ~ 750, and I'm happy to have it. It's been flawless thru 200 rds.

 

[Rule3]

The Seecamps hold their value.

As to size look at the chart. You will not find a better made gun that is this small.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B22...kLWE0MGMtZmEwNGFlMWE3ZDlm/edit?hl=en_US&pli=1

 

[Rule3]

I just looked on the website and there was a 32 and a 380 for sale but they are gone, they never last long so they must be doing something right. Only members with 20 posts can access the for sale section.

 

[chief38]

I really think if one don't own a certain gun that you shouldn't comment about it. Your statements are ALL false!
My Seecamp 32 is very reliable with two different defensive loads.
Mags are easily obtained through Seecamp for $34.95.
All three caliber Seecamp feed perfectly if you use the ammo that Larry Seecamp built the gun around.
I carry mine everywhere. When anything else is too big are too time consuming to put on mine sits in a Del Fatti front pocket holster ready to do its job if needed. There are people out there that give Seecamps a bad name because they "heard something" or someone didn't know how to use it.
To the OP, go to the Seecamp forum and do some reading. These can't be beat for a small gun!

I DO NOT own one but that does not preclude me from making an educated statement from 3 guns I have personally shot. NOT hearsay, NOT articles I read somewhere, but I did actually shoot all three on numerous occasions! You don't need to own a Ferrari but if you have driven one on three separate occasions you are certainly entitled to form an opinion or make true statements on your driving experience and how the vehicle performed.

I take offense to you claiming my statements are false as they are as true as any I have ever made. They may be hurting to your "Seecamp ownership" or your personal experience, but I have no personal gripe against Seecamp and have only stated exactly what I have personally witnessed and experienced. Had it been only one out of the three I would not have even bothered to post this, but NONE of the three guns were reliable.

I own plenty of Smiths and Colts and not only have I seen "lemons" from those two Company's, I actually had one that was so bad even Smith could not repair it so they issued me a new one with the same serial number. I still buy and collect Smiths, but they still do ship a lemon from time to time. Maybe when Seecamp was THE BADEST BOY IN TOWN he was rushing them to market - who knows?

As far as the Mag's are concerned, when one of my friends who at the time owned one tried to get another mag. he was told they were back ordered and would have to wait a while and they were NOT available at any LGS's. That was years ago, so I do not know what the situation is now. I am talking about the period when Seecamp was all the rage and I guess extra Mag's were really in demand.

None of the three Seecamps that I shot are still owned by my friends as they all sold them so I could not even suggest to them to try new ammo that might not have been available back then.
If you like yours then keep it, but don't go calling my statements false just because you don't like what my true experiences were.

Oh, and just for the record my comments were on the Seecamp 380's NOT the .32's

Chief38

 

[Abbotson]

I had a .32 and enjoyed it. Ammo is really the limiting factor. Buy several hundred rounds of something it likes. Sold it and bought an LCP. Haven't regretted it for one second.