Full size 380 auto

K

kmw1954

New member
Ran this past on another forum but not a lot of answers so I'll ask here also.

I am looking at purchasing a larger framed 380 to use as a target gun and not as a carry gun. Looking at the very least a 3.5" barrel and a budget of under $400.00 new or used and have narrowed my search down to these 3;
Beretta 84F or BB
Walther PK380
EAA Tanfoglio Pavona

Now I've already hashed thru all the other suggestions and am not interested in hearing of others guns, or suggestions so please keep it limited to these three guns.

I am familiar with the Beretta but know nothing of the other two so if anyone has experience with them I'd appreciate it.
 
I had thought of actually treating the question seriously and possibly giving some advice, but since you say you are not interested in any other guns or any suggestions, you have rather cut me out. Sorry.

Jim
 
James K, not a problem and no need to be sorry!

Many of the guns that were presented before were either out of the budget range, small pocket pistols or were not available locally or very hard to find on the web even.

And no I don't need or want another 9mm.
 
I've owned several Beretta 84's, and a Walther PPK. The Walther is a bad memory. I own an 84BB and an 85F. IMHO, they are, along with it's "sister" the Browning BDA, the best .380's ever made.
 
Very familiar with the Beretta 92 and have wanted an 84F forever but could never afford a new one. Have been watching used ones on Gun Broker for a year. Have handled the Walther PK380 but haven't fired one yet.

One reason for this purchase is as a reward for quitting smoking. This is a want and not a need.
 
If it was me (I would'nt buy a full size .380 :P) and I had to pick from the list.. I'd go for the PPK so I could pretend I was 007 :P

Otherwise.. probably the 84 since I like the 92 it would be similar.
 
My wife has a Beretta 85fs and an EAA Pavona. The Beretta is EXCELLENT!!! Her Pavona is a 9mm not a .380, but so far has been a very good gun with good accuracy, very reliable. It's a bigger pistol than the Beretta. She won the Pavona as a door prize at an IDPA match. The Beretta IMHO is a classic, used you might be able to find one priced within your budget. A new Pavona is around $350. Try to handle both and see which one fits your hand better since its going to be a range gun. The Beretta in a .380 to me has a more snappy recoil than the 9mm Pavona.
 
Of the choices you offer the Beretta in single or double stack would be the best available on the used market,however, finding one for under $400 will be quite a challenge ( don't forget extra mags).
 
Darn...I had just written up a recommendation for the CZ-82, but you don't want to hear it. I saw one yesterday tagged at $400.00. I started to make an offer on it, but decided I didn't want another gun I wouldn't shoot. It was either a 82 or 83...whichever is in 380.

I had a BDA a while back. One of the best handguns I've ever owned. Out of your budget range though apparently.

I guess I can't help you.
 
If it was me (I would'nt buy a full size .380 :P) and I had to pick from the list.. I'd go for the PPK so I could pretend I was 007
Click to expand...
Joesixpack, You would have to be very good at pretending...the Walther PK380 is not a Walther PPK 380.
 
I have never had a problem with a Beretta with respect to the durability, shootability, or workmanship.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
See if I can answer a few questions and thoughts.

Why380? Because I want one. No reason other than that. Have 9's and want something else smaller w/o going to a 22. Also I want another auto pistol and at this time don't want to go bigger, 10/40, 45acp.

I am fully aware of CDI Sales and have 14 Berettas saved to my watch list.

There are all sorts of 380s that will fit this list and I've looked at all of them, trust me. A short list; Browning 1911 380, Browning BDA, CZ83, Bersa Thunder, LLama, Grand Power, Taurus PT58, Walther and many other obscure guns that are near impossible to find or are way above what I want to spend for a 380.

Now CDI Sales also has the CZ83 and lots of them, starting prices are $250.00 but I'm not interested even at that price. On the other forum I had to tell one guy 3 times that I didn't want a Bersa Thunder! He just couldn't get that thru his skull.

I know I want the Beretta, it's the other 2 that I'm unsure about and am trying to make an informed decision.

Lastly if all you want to do is make a comment about why anyone would want a 380 or any one of these guns because you have no use for them then please just keep it to yourself because it adds nothing to the conversation.
 
PK380 is a piece of crap. I have one that is now a paperweight. It had been back to Walther 4 times for FTF and FTE. They kept blaming bad extractors, and each time they installed the newest and bestest extractor, same thing would happen.

Would not even trade it in, because some unsuspecting person would wind up with this dog.

The Bersa is a very good gun, but the king of the hill is definitely the Beretta. Shoots well, shoots straight and goes bang every time. I was happy to see Beretta bring it back after a short hiatus, even if it is overpriced. It is worth it.
 
Lastly if all you want to do is make a comment about why anyone would want a 380 or any one of these guns because you have no use for them then please just keep it to yourself because it adds nothing to the conversation.
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I didn't say that nor did I go there! Nothing wrong with 380 I have a Kahr CT380 in my pocket right now. This is a firearms forum and was just simply asking why 380? Or why not 380? I like to hear what other folks have to say!

Peace
 
I didn't say that nor did I go there! Nothing wrong with 380 I have a Kahr CT380 in my pocket right now. This is a firearms forum and was just simply asking why 380? Or why not 380? I like to hear what other folks have to say!


SDF880 I have no quarrel with that question, just Why is a pretty straight forward question. Now if the response would have been "why would anyone even want one", then that is changing the topic and just stating an opinion. The topic wasn't why do I want one or why wouldn't you want one.
 
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