Can't walk away from a .380

What? No MAUSER HSc!?! DISCLAIMER: I don't own a single .380, but it just seems that no collection of them is complete without one. And perhaps a Browning M1955? Because they don't fill a clear need in my anticipated ALL .380s cost more than I have to spend on them (perpetual college student), and I'm sure I've just mentioned 2 of the more expensive ones.

Back in the days when people gasped in horror at the thought of $1/gallon gasoline, I DID get to wring out a Llama .380 with a locked breech. It did everything that one could ask of a .380, except look like something that James Bond would carry. For purposes of nostalgia, I WOULD probably buy one in good condition, if I find myself with extra $$. I think an excellent selling point for almost any .380 would be the availability of a .22 LR conversion kit, but I say this with the realization that marketing "geniuses" routinely ask for things that engineers know are not feasible.

I've enjoyed shooting all the .380s I have shot, would shoot them again, and grasp, on more than an intuitive basis, why people like them. Maybe when I'm eligible for SOCIAList inSECURITY (whether there's any left or not), I'll look at buying one, or will stumble on a "can't pass it by" deal on one.
 
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Intellectually, I don't like .380's. But then I see those $200 Ruger LCP's and they start whispering about how nice and light they are, and how wonderful IWB carry is, and then my wallet starts tugging towards them. It's disconcerting.
 
The Browning BDA - made by Beretta - is possibly the most beautiful of them all when stocked with the original wood grips. It is also utterly reliable.
 
I like my 380's a lot, but they aren't fancy:

From top to bottom - Beretta 84, Russian Makarov (commercial), Colt Government Model, Kel-Tec P3AT.

380s_zpshby7gmek.jpg
 
The only 380 I have is a little Taurus TCP. It's reliable but I am not very accurate with little bitty guns. I have 7 handguns and my accuracy seems entirely dependent on the size and weight of the gun. I am most accurate with my 2 largest and heaviest guns. They are a RIA full 9mm 1911 tactical and a Ruger 22/45 target. They shoot and feel almost the same and are about equally accurate.
 
The Mauser HSc is a fantastic pistol, but I know it only in its 7.62(.32) trim. Didnt know there was a .380 version.
 
I also dont see a Cobray M12 mac pistol! No collection is complete with out one...and you call your self a 380 collector....:D I to like the 380 and the pistols that shoot them. My favorite right now is the Beretta 84F, I liked it so much I also got one for the wife, she has no problems shooting it. Just for kicks I pulled out my Colt Pony and used it for my CW at our company Christmas party. I forgot how much I liked that gun, Colt really was ahead of the CC curve when they made thoes and the Mustang.
 
I've got a Bersa Thunder CC in 380 and I love it. Total bad-breath weapon. I've got speer gold dots for it. I just bought some Hornady critical defense, but after watching THIS, I'm staying with Speers.
 
Smee78, Colt would have been further ahead if they had produced the Pony when originally offered, which was a copy of the Star DK and some years later became the Mustang. The Mustang, FI mod D, Sig 238 and Kimber Micro all share parentage to the Fifties era Star which itself died because of the 68 GCA. I find it amusing that the magazines all interchange (except the FI which requires a different floor plate on same mag).
 
Ok now, dont puke in your mouth after I say this.
I am working on a .380 that I had gotten for free.
A Bryco Jennings model 38. After I got it, I shot about 100 rounds through it and the slide locked up.
After investigating it seemed the bottom of the slide at the bolt bulged out.
Its been on the shelf just waiting for the next stupid Lib gun buy back program.
What better way to dispose of a POS gun?
Well I have happened upon a few vendors who dispose of fire arms for Police depts?? ect.

They destroy the frame and then sell the reaming parts. I am watching a couple of auction, if they dont get to high maybe I get the POS shooting again and add it to the .380 pile.
 
I really enjoy the .380 although I have moved away from subcompacts in the last couple of years. With that said, I would much rather have a .380 in a pocket gun than a 9mm. I know there's a difference in power but there's also a huge difference in shootability. Contrary to what seems to be the popular opinion, shot placement doesn't just magically not apply to calibers smaller than 9x19.
 
Thanks all for sharing, some very nice .380s here.

I have an infatuation with the .380, particularly the platforms that use it. Sure, it's right on the razor margin of an acceptable self-defense cartridge, but it worked well enough for a lot of police forces for a long time in Europe and Asia, and some of the guns that shoot it (Beretta Cheetah, Walther PPK, Sig P230) are some of the most elegant, high quality designs in any caliber.
 
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