.380's around the world

A

andreb

New member
Well, my Glock 25 is gone, I sold it and ordered a PT-138. While talking to a friend of mine we started discussing the fact that here in Brazil .380's are the most powerful handguns civilians are allowed to carry and that made us wonder how many good .380's are there available in the world that we are no aware of. Here we see mostly Taurus, Glock, S&W (mini-sigmas) and some PPK's but that's about it.

My question is, what are some good .380's available in the world today that we may not be familiar with here.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,

André
 
A new G25 goes for about US$ 1.200 here in Brazil, I sold mine for about US$ 900 and bought a brand new PT-138 for about US$ 400. I did this for several reasons: 1) I wanted a smaller semi-auto, 2) I wanted to support Taurus because of the loobying they have been doing for us gun owners here in Brazil, and 3) I could use the extra cash for another project that I needed to get started on. I could have waited a couple of weeks for the cash but the first two reasons I mentioned above spoke louder.

Regards,

André
 
There's the Colt Mustang and the Pony series. And I think HK made their P7 series in .380 too. If they did, that's the one I'd go for. Bersa makes a decent gun. Beretta Cheetah. Sig 230 or 232. Browning BDA. Hmm...what else?
 
Hey guys...

Thanks for all the help!!!!!

By June I'll be getting a new semi-auto, and I'll take in account all the suggestions.

Stephen, in this next purchase size is not an issue since the soon to arrive PT and my 85 UL/Ti are small enough for carry so I'll definatelly be looking into CZ.

I saw that Sig makes a .380 called the 232, it looks good, any opinions or personal experiences?

Thanx,

Regards,

André
 
Have only fondled the SIG P-232 in a gun store. Felt nice. Its reputation is stellar. Arguably the best .380 around.

Beretta also makes a .380. BDA?

FEG makes a good, economical clone of the PPK. The Bersa PPK clone is also a nice pistol. Do a search and you will find many comments on those pistols.

I also like the ergonomics and capacity of the CZ-83.
 
Consider stepping up to the similar 9x18 (9MM Makarov) round and get a Mak. The 9x18 is slightly stronger, cheap and readily available. The Makarov is just a damn fine gun as is the CZ-83 that Mr. Camp addressed. You can also find both of these guns in .380, but there is no good reason to do this.
 
I agree with Mr. Camp, the CZ83 is an excellent gun. It is made in .32; .380; and 9mm Makarov.

The Makarov caliber CZ83 has the sweetest polygonal rifled barrel you could ever imagine.

The surplus cz83 .380 pistols for sale at around $200 have the smoothest trigger action you could ever imagine.

I think buying a .380 Pistolet Makarova is not as good a choice as getting a cz83 in .380; and a cz83 in Mak is even better. I have both. I truely love my P-Makarovas (9x18); but I love my CZs even better. Magazines for the .380 and Makarov CZ83s are interchangable. In fact you can recaliber either gun by having the barrel replaced (though not back-and-forth -- one time thing).


--Spiros
 
Sig makes a very nice .380. Beretta makes a number of them, in both single and double stack configurations. The Walthers are classics. Some of the Makerovs are now available in .380 as well.
 
I'm not familiar with your laws....

but assuming that full capacity mag's are allowed, and assuming that 9x18 is not.....

You'd have the most firepower by going with the 13 +1 rounds of 380 that the CZ-83 affords. As far as I'm concerned, it's only drawback is that it's large for it's size. That argument only holds if you are allowed larger calibers. Given the strength of the round, I think having as many "soldiers" in your gun as you can is a good idea. I'd put my CZ ahead of any of the mentioned guns in value, quality construction, trigger, weight, sites etc if I were looking at a non "pocket" pistol.
 
I would also vote for the Bersa 380 Thunder. Great guns at a very nice price.
I have several 1000 rounds through my wifes and it still looks new and functions without a fault.

Tony
 

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The Beretta 84/85 is a real nice .380, though a bit big. I figure the extra barrel length is good for a bit more velocity, which is helpful for the .380 JHP. The 84 uses a double stack magazine (13+1) vs. the 85, a single stack (8+1). Both have good ergonomics and are quite relable, worth a look.
 
Hi Andre,

I'm still kicking myself for not buying a great .380 I saw at the last gunshow. It was a NIB "Sphnix", made in Switzerland that came with two 13 round magazines. It's the only pistol that I've ever came home without, and when I told my wife about it, she said "You should have bought that one"! I cheated myself. I think about that .380 Sphnix almost every day. :(

KR
 
Hiya Andre

I recently found a Colt Government 380 in stainless, that has quickly become my favorite gun to carry daily. The pony, mustang, and naa 380 are all good..but in my larger hand, the goverment model gave me just alittle more grip. And it's thin too!
Good Shooting
RH Factor
 
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