.380 revolver
- Thread starter renny2
- Start date
whew.....I just don't know. it'd be cool for sure, low pressure, could be made very small and light, but that velocity loss from a snubbie in a 380 would be critical. that'd be a tough sell for CC, and what's the point in a full length. I dunno.......not for me I don't think.
Not much, and the market would be zero. The only reason for 9x19 revolvers is for commonality of ammunition with auto pistol users, mainly police. A .380 ACP revolver would provide commonality of ammunition with ... whom?
The .380 has about the same power as the .38 S&W so if you want a top-break, buy a decent old S&W in the latter caliber.
Jim
The .380 has about the same power as the .38 S&W so if you want a top-break, buy a decent old S&W in the latter caliber.
Jim
bedbugbilly
New member
+1 ^^^^^
While a lot of folks like the .380 in semi - I personally can't see where there would be a demand nor justification for a company to develop one and go to the expense of tooling, etc.
I like "different" and trying things "different" but I wouldn't take a second look at a .380 revolver. And I'm one who loads and shoots a lot of 38 Colt Short for plinking, etc.
But hey . . . there's not shame in dreaming about something we'd think would be neat . . .
While a lot of folks like the .380 in semi - I personally can't see where there would be a demand nor justification for a company to develop one and go to the expense of tooling, etc.
I like "different" and trying things "different" but I wouldn't take a second look at a .380 revolver. And I'm one who loads and shoots a lot of 38 Colt Short for plinking, etc.
But hey . . . there's not shame in dreaming about something we'd think would be neat . . .
Bill DeShivs
New member
Taurus makes one. It's a swing-out cylinder, though.
The .380 is a little more powerful than the .38 S&W.
What I think WOULD sell, is a 5 shot, .32 acp revolver, scaled to the cartridge and made by a major manufacturer.
The .380 is a little more powerful than the .38 S&W.
What I think WOULD sell, is a 5 shot, .32 acp revolver, scaled to the cartridge and made by a major manufacturer.
Cheapshooter
New member
Like this one from Taurus?
http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=856&category=Revolver
http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=856&category=Revolver
If they used 17-4 Stainless and did all the heat treatments correctly, Ruger (or anyone that wanted to I guess) could make a modern top-break revolver strong enough to take a 44 magnum without any problem.
In my opinion, if they were to bring out a set of top breaks as they have their singles actions, in 2 frame sizes (or 3 if they really wanted to be cool) and chambered them in a verity of caliber like 22, 327 Fed, 357 mag, 41 mag 44 mag and 45 colt, they would open a whole new market and own the whole thing.
A top break is never going to compete with a good semi-auto as a "combat gun" in the modern market place, but neither is the revolver in any configuration. Yet revolvers still sell VERY well.
Just because a good auto might be "better" to fight with doesn't make the revolver "bad", and doesn't mean you can't fight well with a revolver. It's as effective today as it was in the 1870s or the 1970s.
Accuracy is always better then more misses in a shorter period of time. In the hands of a good marksman who can keep his head, any gun is good, and some are a bit better for some circumstances.
The revolver is still a very popular weapon for the outdoorsman and casual shooter, and a real joy to anyone that reloads their own ammo.
If I could buy a set of revolvers in 22LR 5", 327 Mag, 5", 357 Mag, 6" and 44 magnum 6" I would do so as long as the design and quality was good.
If Ruger did them I am pretty sure the quality would indeed be good!
Might be worth some letters to them.......
In my opinion, if they were to bring out a set of top breaks as they have their singles actions, in 2 frame sizes (or 3 if they really wanted to be cool) and chambered them in a verity of caliber like 22, 327 Fed, 357 mag, 41 mag 44 mag and 45 colt, they would open a whole new market and own the whole thing.
A top break is never going to compete with a good semi-auto as a "combat gun" in the modern market place, but neither is the revolver in any configuration. Yet revolvers still sell VERY well.
Just because a good auto might be "better" to fight with doesn't make the revolver "bad", and doesn't mean you can't fight well with a revolver. It's as effective today as it was in the 1870s or the 1970s.
Accuracy is always better then more misses in a shorter period of time. In the hands of a good marksman who can keep his head, any gun is good, and some are a bit better for some circumstances.
The revolver is still a very popular weapon for the outdoorsman and casual shooter, and a real joy to anyone that reloads their own ammo.
If I could buy a set of revolvers in 22LR 5", 327 Mag, 5", 357 Mag, 6" and 44 magnum 6" I would do so as long as the design and quality was good.
If Ruger did them I am pretty sure the quality would indeed be good!
Might be worth some letters to them.......
As to the question, I don't think there would be a big market. The 380 is a shorter end to end cartridge designed to make a semi automatic more compact. It is the same width as the 9 mm so it really wouldn't give you additional capacity in a revolver. I don't really know what other advantage there would be to it.
Bill DeShivs I agree 100%. Maybe if it could also shoot 32 S&W or even 32 H&R mag too you might really have a seller. Something smaller than a j frame or an LCR.
Bill DeShivs I agree 100%. Maybe if it could also shoot 32 S&W or even 32 H&R mag too you might really have a seller. Something smaller than a j frame or an LCR.
The reason I was thing this would be a good idea is that I carry a Beretta Pico now. I know this is not a powerful pistol but it is much easier to conceal than my model 29 with an eight inch barrel, also easier to shoot. I do worry about the Pico having a malfunction. with a revolver just pull trigger again. Also would want three in barrel, extra inch no problem to conceal. I also think .32 would be great but don't need to take on another caliber.
The .380 revolver has existed for generations! IT's BRITISH!!!!
A dedicated revolver for the .380ACP?? (aka 9mm Kurz, 9mm Corto, etc.)
I don't see the point. Not that it isn't possible, but as others have mentioned not only does it face all the drawbacks of a rimless case in a revolver, but even a purpose built gun, made to get every advantage from the rather small difference in length vs. a 9mm, would find only a niche market, and a rather small niche, at that.
As to a top break, a number of the British .380s are. Webleys, & Enfields, mostly. .380 is the British designation of our .38 S&W round, although they load it differently than we do, generally.
Logic (and pride in 21st century engineering) says they should be able to make a top break in a powerful round, .357, or .44 Mag. One that stands up to the pressures. All just a matter of using the right steel and heat treating? I don't know, not my field of expertise. But if that's all it takes, why has no one done it?
With all the people I hear talking about how the S&W isn't "durable enough" for a lifetime of magnum shooting, I do wonder what they would say about a top break??
A dedicated revolver for the .380ACP?? (aka 9mm Kurz, 9mm Corto, etc.)
I don't see the point. Not that it isn't possible, but as others have mentioned not only does it face all the drawbacks of a rimless case in a revolver, but even a purpose built gun, made to get every advantage from the rather small difference in length vs. a 9mm, would find only a niche market, and a rather small niche, at that.
As to a top break, a number of the British .380s are. Webleys, & Enfields, mostly. .380 is the British designation of our .38 S&W round, although they load it differently than we do, generally.
Logic (and pride in 21st century engineering) says they should be able to make a top break in a powerful round, .357, or .44 Mag. One that stands up to the pressures. All just a matter of using the right steel and heat treating? I don't know, not my field of expertise. But if that's all it takes, why has no one done it?
With all the people I hear talking about how the S&W isn't "durable enough" for a lifetime of magnum shooting, I do wonder what they would say about a top break??
Bill DeShivs
New member
The top break design allows the latch to stretch just a little each time the gun is shot. Couple that with latch wear from opening/closing. The latches stretch and wear no matter what the material. A high powered top break could be made, but it would still shoot loose in short order.
The T/B design works much better with low powered rounds.
The T/B design works much better with low powered rounds.
FWIW we had a pretty good 'top break' discussion not too long ago here:
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=566092
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=566092
I think there is a niche for revolver between a .22 and .380 for recoil shy concealed carriers, especially of an older generation, or women who may not be gun ethusiasts, and prefer the simplicity of a revolver. While .380 costs more than 9mm, its less expensive, much more widely availbale, and more effective than .32 S&W. Maybe the .327 fed or newer rounds will catch on and change that, but right now .380 is the most popular step down from 9mm and 38spl.
I wouldn't buy a 380 revolver and I don't think many others would. The ammo is more expensive than 9mm and it is less powerful. Why pay more for less? I have semi-autos in both 380 and 9mm and I like the extra power and lower expense. 9mm is also more available with better variety.
One of the large retailers here local is selling bunches of the Taurus .380 Revolvers. I had some time to kill and asked the counter guy what was hot this summer. Without missing a beat, the said the Taurus .380ACP Revolver. I say "What". He told me he would show me one if he had one. Can't keep them in stock. I had to come home and look them up. Not for me, but apparently a lot of people like them.