imjin138
US Veteran
I see a lot of articles on .380 pistols lately and heard there was a shortage of the ammo. I have 3 or 4 different guns in this caliber and I enjoy shooting them but why the big upswing in the caliber now?
The .380
- Thread starter imjin138
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Texas Star
US Veteran
Probably due to the proliferation of really small .380's, especially now that Ruger has the LCP. Some are about the size of .25's, and often are all the gun that one can readily conceal.
I plan to try the LCP, but still prefer a small .38 where feasible.
T-Star
I plan to try the LCP, but still prefer a small .38 where feasible.
T-Star
What Texas Star said, plus 380 is loaded on the same lines as 9mm. Since most everybody is back ordered on 9, they are not going to shut down the line and switch calibers.
I bought mine 'cause it was nifty looking, concealable and easy to shoot. The easy-to-shoot part did not pan out. A blow-back .380 is not fun to shoot. My wife says she'd rather shoot my model 60 with hot .38 Specials. I plan on keeping it though.
It seemed to be the caliber of choice for the non-gun owning crowd that decided they'd better buy a gun after Nov. '08, before they were gone. Then they sucked up all the ammo for them causing a domino effect with every other caliber.
Now all the gun writers are writing about them because they are what's "hot" in the marketplace, which is typical wether they are worth a darn or not, due to the increased sales in guns and ammunition in that caliber.
.380 ball ammo is back in relative abundance now. Still hard to find JHP but it also can be found. The Ruger LCP is not a blowback operated gun, nor is the KT or Kahr.. They are locked breach. The Walther PPK, Bersa, Seecamp, NAA are a blowback.
diamonback68
US Veteran
NFrameFred
Member
I haven't tried the little Sig but I've had it's daddy for years, the Colt Mustang. It conceals at those rare times when even a J frame is too bulky and I have handled bigger 25 autos. Thin and small and mine has been reliable. And just because I could I picked up it's bigger cousin, the Colt Government 380 some time back.
Loaded with Glasers and hydra-shoks (no doubt it needs all the help it can get) it's an in-your-face emergency piece that will hopefully allow me to make it inside or to the car for a quick exit or at least to retrieve something heavier . . . not ideal, but it beats a .25 or a rim fire in the same sized package or smaller.
I guess I just have to learn to change my shooting grip and hold the gun sideways if I use it . . . .
Loaded with Glasers and hydra-shoks (no doubt it needs all the help it can get) it's an in-your-face emergency piece that will hopefully allow me to make it inside or to the car for a quick exit or at least to retrieve something heavier . . . not ideal, but it beats a .25 or a rim fire in the same sized package or smaller.
I guess I just have to learn to change my shooting grip and hold the gun sideways if I use it . . . .
OP
imjin138
US Veteran
I have a Wlther PPK/S and a Colt 1908 in .380 I like both the Walther bites me though I have fat hands I guess. I looked at Sig 232 today and looked up the Beretta 85 single stack.
I looked at the LCP and a lot of people are buying them, I just didn't feel good about them.
And I am still stuck on a Navy .36 or Remington 58. So the 380 will wait for awhile I go on Vacation next week and won't do anything until after that.
I looked at the LCP and a lot of people are buying them, I just didn't feel good about them.
And I am still stuck on a Navy .36 or Remington 58. So the 380 will wait for awhile I go on Vacation next week and won't do anything until after that.
Dan Cash
Member
CZ-83.
That is a nifty looking piece even though I am not enamoured of DA auto loaders. Bet it works well.
Skeptic 9c
Member
I have an LCP, it's a bit too small, I really want to get more fingers on the grip, but even with the mag extension it still isn't long enough. There is a new long magazine and grip adapter from Kel-tec for their pistols. If you move up to a medium size pistol, the New Walther P-380 is larger in the grip than their P.22 and the PT-138 is the same size as the 9mm Luger PT-111!
Geoff
Who likes the idea of keeping the rounds on target, with a rapid fire short range pistol.
Geoff
Who likes the idea of keeping the rounds on target, with a rapid fire short range pistol.
As these "miniguns" keep getting bigger my 642 looks all the much better.
Grayfox
US Veteran
I've had a mustang for a long time and love it. Its my go-to gun when circumstances require something on the small side.
At the range a couple of months ago, a guy had one of the new Sigs and let me shoot it. As mentioned before, it could easily pass for the Mustang's younger brother. Nice pistol, I was impressed.
At the range a couple of months ago, a guy had one of the new Sigs and let me shoot it. As mentioned before, it could easily pass for the Mustang's younger brother. Nice pistol, I was impressed.
The Seecamp is actualy a 'delayed blowback'. (in theory anyway) I'm not sure that little ring machined into the chamber really does anything. I can't see any indications on the fired cases.
Yes, very true. Either way, in .380 it is a real hand biter! The 32 ACP is not as bad.I have no problem shooting the Ruger or Kel Tec.
The larger .380s such as the CZ, Walther, Sig 230/232, Colt Mustang/Pony are enjoyable to shoot and very accurate.
I guess I have put about 250 rounds through my LCP and I still haven't figured out how to hit a target with it at any more than about four yards. You would be relatively safe standing in front of mine at seven yards. In my hands I consider it a belly gun and nothing more. I would really like to try the new S&W 380 with the laser sight.
jag312
Member
I have a Browning BDA380 since about 1985 or 6. I like it. Always have. It is a blowback, but the recoil is not bad. Ammunition was expensive and difficult to get, but I do have 6 boxes put away. Six boxes won't last too long, but I'm lucky enough to practice with a Beretta 87, which is the same size but uses .22 Long Rifle cartridges.
Capt Steve
US Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2008
- Messages
- 1,674
- Reaction score
- 2,979
While .380 continues to be hard to find and nearly impossible at anything approaching a reasonable price I love my Bersa thunder CC. It is my everyday/truck gun and stoked with winchester 95 grain silver Tip Hollow points I have no qualms about carrying it. Smart Carry, IWB, or front pocket it is the most concealable gun I own and an excellent shooter. You could not give me an LCP and would never pay the big bucks some of the other .380's command when the Bersa gets it done every time for about three bills.
How in the world can ammunition retailers justify $20 to $30 a box for .380??? I found a box of 50 the other day for $17.99 and only had to bend halfway over to buy it. )o; I keep waiting and hoping for it to come down to a reasonable price and then I will stock up. As far as 9mm it is available everywhere and dirt cheap. On average about $10 a box at Wally World.
How in the world can ammunition retailers justify $20 to $30 a box for .380??? I found a box of 50 the other day for $17.99 and only had to bend halfway over to buy it. )o; I keep waiting and hoping for it to come down to a reasonable price and then I will stock up. As far as 9mm it is available everywhere and dirt cheap. On average about $10 a box at Wally World.
YogiBear
Absent Comrade
Wife and I like our Beretta 84 and 86.
Both shoot straight and are kida easy shooting.
Both shoot straight and are kida easy shooting.
Similar threads
