.380 options – locked breech

The problem with guns like the Beretta 84 and some of the other larger .380s (even the CZ-83) is that they are almost as big as some of the smaller 9mm guns. They aren't that cheap, and they aren't that small.

The only reason I carry a .380 (which I sometimes do) is that it can be smaller and more concealable. I had a P3AT in my pocket all day today, as i was driving around the state, and it just didn't draw attention to itself, nor did I notice it. If I'm going to carry something larger... I might as well go for a larger caliber, too.
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Exactly. With the compact 9mms available today, I don't see the point of a .380 the size of a PPK/SIG P230, when you have the Kahr MK9/PM9, Walther PPS, etc in 9mm for roughly the same size.
 
As mentioned, the fit of the gun to the shooter's hand is a crucial one, especially for somebody who is recoil sensitive. For example, the P3AT is short and skinny in the grip, and it hurts.

The Walther PK380 has a very nice grip, like a P22 but scaled up a little. And since it is locked breach, it doesn't have the quite strong recoil spring that the blowback guns have. That means it is easier to manually open the slide.

I think the PK380 meets all the requirements in the first post. And the one I saw in a local shop (Ben's in Renton,WA) is only $320 before taxes.

Bart Noir
Who evaluated both trigger pulls on the PK380 as being a little heavy.
 
I don't see the point of a .380 the size of a PPK/SIG P230, when you have the Kahr MK9/PM9, Walther PPS, etc in 9mm for roughly the same size.
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Logic follows that there is no reason or point to the 1911A1 then, or any other similar .45acp pistol for that matter, because the Kahr PM45 exists... ergo; we should all be carrying Kahr PM45s.
 
Logic follows that there is no reason or point to the 1911A1 then, or any other similar .45acp pistol for that matter, because the Kahr PM45 exists... ergo; we should all be carrying Kahr PM45s.
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The argument originally offered was that if you are going to carry a gun of a given size, why not carry a larger caliber gun of the same size, not a smaller gun of the same caliber. You changed the logic.
 
The argument originally offered was that if you are going to carry a gun of a given size, why not carry a larger caliber gun of the same size, not a smaller gun of the same caliber. You changed the logic.
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Actually I was mocking the illogical statement found in virtually every .380acp thread...that such-and-such a gun is too big for the caliber because you can have a PM.

If that is true then so is the 1911 statement.

Neither is true of course and that is why I mock it. I guess I just get tired from time to time of certain repetitive opinions, that have no basis in fact.
 
I like the larger blowback .380's like the Beretta M84/M85. Felt recoil isn't bad, and I can hit what I aim at. The small 9MM's aren't as accurate and just unpleasant to shoot.

I have an old Llama .380 that is also a blowback, but that same mini 1911 model, IIIa, was locked breach before they cheapened it.
 
Since you are not looking for a super tiny gun, I'm thinking your best bets are the Walther PK380 (very much like the P22) and the Bersa .380 (or .380cc). The Bersa is blowback, but all metal, and thus heavier (a plus for recoil, a minus for carrying around). Go to the store, handle them both, and get the one that fits better in your hands, because that one will likely feel better when you shoot it.
 
The small 9MM's aren't as accurate and just unpleasant to shoot.
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I don't think they aren't as accurate, but do agree some of them are probably harder to shoot well. But not all of them.

I've got a Kel-Tec P3AT and a PF-9, and both are accurate, but I'd much rather shoot the PF-9. (The P3AT really hurts my trigger finger when I shoot it.) I shoot the PF-9 just as well, do it without pain. I just sold a Kahr P9, and have shot a PM9, and both were more pleasant to shoot than most .380s.
 
.380 options - locked breech

If you want reduced recoil and less muzzle flash simply use good defensive ammo like Corbon Pwrball.
 
For my uses, I've been happier with the Kahr CW380 than I was with the Sig P238... both have mild recoil to me.

KahrCW380_zps9ec7e328.jpg


SP238DP.jpg
 
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I think the Bersa .380 seems like a nice gun. I carry a Makarov, sometimes in .380 and it's very easy to shoot. It is, admittedly, heavier and larger than the newer .380's. Still, I like the gun and that's good enough for me. To each his own.
 
About those Bersa's,,,

As example, I have read opinions on a Bersa forum that the Bersa 9 UC has less felt recoil than a Bersa 380. Ideally, she could have a chance to hold and shoot many, but not always easy to accomplish.
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I own both pistols,,,
The 9UC has heavier recoil.

I had them both to the range with a newbie last week,,,
The newbie much preferred the 380 to the 9.

Also, the 9mm is a double-stack mag,,,
That gives it a somewhat wider grip.

The wide grip mitigates a bit of recoil,,,
Especially if one has large hands.

But if you're like my friend,,,
The 380 fit her hand much better.

In any event her perception was,,,
The 9 kicked way more than the 380.

Aarond

.
 
My zombie thread answer is a p238. I shot a Kahr 380 today and the owner has nothing but problems with it. It's the second Kahr I've shot and both had issues for the owners.

The Sig p238 eats any ammo you throw at it. Great pocket carry - though the op said no micro guns it's the best 380 you can buy.
 
For a person with small or weaker hands, the main advantage of a locked breech pistol over a blowback is that the slide of the former is usually easier to retract for loading/unloading. Even small folks can get used to recoil, but if the strength to operate the slide isn't there, the gun can't be used in the first place.

Jim
 
I have both types of .380's but I think blow back pistols are more accurate. My PPKS hits the bullseye more times than my locked breech pistol PK380. But the slide on on the PPKS is harder to load a round.
 
I had at one time a few 380 including ; Remington 51, CZ 24, and Mauser Hsc.They were all 24 oz and similar size. The lowest felt recoil was the delayed blowback Remington 51, the second was the rotating barrel locked breech CZ 24 and the highest recoil the Mauser HSc.
That's why I like delayed blowbacks like the HK P7 !
 
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