Full size 380 auto

Beretta 84 all the way.

Personally I can't seem to wrap my head around having a full size .380 as a range toy. Kind of expensive to feed and got very little oomph from a full size, but hey, to each their own. :)
 
I have a thing for 32acp and 380 service pistols. I have owned four or five of each. They're fun.

This isn't just for the OP, but for whoever else may be interested in service 380's:

Russian Makarovs were sold here in 380. The ones I have seen have had adjustable sights. It is a good service pistol. The DA trigger is clunky, but the SA is decent. The steel frame soaks up the recoil well. It seems simple and rugged.

I have owned and shot PP/PPK style pistols. They are okay. The sights aren't much for target shooting.

The Beretta 84 is a good pistol. It has okay sights and a good trigger. It feels gpod in the hand and points well.

I like the CZ83 even better than the Beretta. It is is roughly the same size and capacity, but with a better trigger and feels even better in the hand. It is my favorite of the actual service pistols.

The Colt Government Model was made in the 80's or 90's. It is a single-action steel pistol with a locked breech. It is between the Mustang and 1911 in size. The sights are nice. The steel construction and locked breech make it very soft to shoot. I can shoot it at least as well as the actual service pistols, which are slightly larger.
 
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OP, coincidently, I have had a Beretta 84 on my wish list for some time. I hear great reports about them and they look and handle like a quality gun. But, I doubt you will be lucky enough to grab a good used one for $400. A good stainless model seems to command $200-300 more. For a range gun you should consider the value of the added heft of the heavier versions. Good luck finalizing your decision and your search for the 380 that meets your needs.
 
I picked up a 84F from CDI a few months ago. Had it in my hand for $375 including shipping and FFL fees, the latter of which are a little steeper in my area than some places. It has some holster wear but it is completely sound mechanically, and shoots very well.

Two cautions to people who have never owned an 84F: the slide is fairly stiff, and you have to keep the barrel all the way back in the slide as you reassemble the slide to the frame.

The 84F is a nice pistol, though - just nestles right into your hand and feels solid there.

CDI is a well regarded company and was fine to work with. I paid and had my FFL forward their info on the afternoon of the same day the auction ended, and CDI shipped the very next day. The USPS then sent my pistol on an amusing little side trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico, on the way from Kentucky to Florida. I noticed it on the package tracking and emailed CDI. They jumped on it, contacted the postmaster from where they shipped, tracked it, then emailed me after delivery to make sure everything was OK. Really couldn't have asked for any more from them.
 
I haven't ever shot a Pavona, but am a big fan of the CZ/Tanfoglio pistols in general.

My shooting buddy and I have bought three or four pistols from CDI Sales. We have been pleased with them. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Beretta 84 or CZ83 from them. They are both good 380 service pistols and it shouldn't be a problem to get either one OTD for $400. I got one of each and paid closer to $350 apiece OTD. The more expensive ones have a better finish. You can see pictures of the actual pistol you are purchasing.
 
I have a new production 84FS, its a great pistol, I have fired all sorts of different ammo through it from Perfecta to Underwood +p+ hardcast, it just eats it all. Now, had I to do it all over again, I would have bought used, as others have mentioned CDI has them for 400 and below. I'd also look for a blued finish as apposed to the black paint like finish that is on these current models as I can already see a bit of finish wear on mine and it has only been in kydex a couple of times. I also like the looks of the older rounded trigger guard. The 84FS is a bit thick in the grip because its double stack, but you can get a thinner single stack 85. The 84 isnt one of these micro 380's but its not huge either. It also carrys well IWB and with 13 in the mag and one in the pipe Its a great CCW.

I handled a Browning 1911 .380 at the gun store, It was a dream to hold, I have never shot one though.
 
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If it was on the rather limited list, I'd suggest a Russian Makarov converted to .380, just because it's the biggest and heaviest .380 I have, and it reeks of commie milsurp coolness. But it's DA/SA, which I hate.
 
Thanks to you all especially those with the comments on CDI Sales. I've been watching their auctions for over a year and why I haven't bought one yet is beyond me.

Not too concerned about the finish on the used CDI Berettas as I think they are beautiful guns and a new one would scare me in that I might scratch it up! Honestly!!!

The Pavona I've found out is dimensionally the same size as my XD Mod2 4.0 so it should make a decent range/target pistol.

For those commenting on the cost of ammo, I shoot all reloads so it should be even cheaper than my 9mm!

Lastly, with the conversations with my wife who will also be shooting this weapon she is leaning towards the Pavona while I want the Beretta which would compliment my 9mm.
 
Was reloading for a P238 and figured that it was hard to justify reloading only one gun in .380. So I bought an 85FS. :D Reloading .380 is Super Cheap.

It shoots very well. It's a beautiful gun. But it's such a bad design. The rear serrations are hard to get a purchase on. Blowback (design) is stupid and the gun kicks far more than a .380 has a right to. And it smacks the base of my thumb when I shoot it.

That said, I'll be keeping it because it is so easy to shoot well. Maybe someday I'll find a better full size .380.
 
I would look around for L/E trade ins... even though most US departments don't issue a Beretta Cheetah, many foreign police agencies do.

I think AIM Surplus (using them as an example, since I refuse to recommend them after the data breech that I was a part of) had some Beretta 84s for sale at one time. Want to say Israeli pistols...

I personally moved away from .380 due to cost. Practice with my LCP was expensive... my P938 is a lot cheaper to train on. Still keep the LCP, as of how small it is. With my Recluse holster and Magguts converted magazines, I have 15 rounds (gun is 7+1, another 7 in spare magazine) all contained in my back pocket.
 
Well the issue has been settled for now. Made an offer on a Pavona that was listed locally on ARMSLIST and it was accepted. Now it's just a matter of arranging for a pickup.

I will follow up once it's in my hands with impressions, pictures and a range report.

Thank everyone for the thoughts and suggestions. I believe a Beretta is still in the cards somewhere down the road.
 
Even though the OP's needs are met for the moment I wanted to carry the CDI banner one more step. Over the past fifteen years I have purchased no less than thirty pistols from them with total admiration for their business practices, quick shipping, discreet markings even as the Feds meddle more and more in this area ( like a bunch of crap markings are aiding in crime solving) and the pricing of their pistols.
I would not hesitate to purchase their products.
 
Just got home from picking this up and I have to say that so far I really like the feel. The single action is smooth and crisp with what I feel is a nice break. DA is a bit long and really stiff.

Believe it or not but on this one the gold speckles are very light and hardly noticeable. In my room with just outside light one has to really look hard to see them. The idea that this is a Ladies gun, I don't see it. The slide on my Taurus PT92C racks easier than this one.

I also picked up a box of Winchester 95gr FMJ to run thru it 1st as for now I have no hand loads to try in it.

The gun store that had this also had a Walther PK380 and a Beretta 84 in nickel. The Beretta still feels fantastic also and hasn't been removed from my list of Must Own.

Oh yeah another observation, this gun is only slightly smaller than our XD Mod2 4.0 in total size. So thanks everyone for the feedback and honest opinions.
 
Bersa Thunder. Should be within your budget.

If you can find a good deal on a used Sig P232 then get that!

Edit: nevermind, too late.
 
Id like to have a compact 32 ACP .. My little tiny Keltec 32 .. With a factory single stack holds 8 rounds already ..
 
First off - The most important comment so far in this thread. You Quit Smoking. Congrats and never start back. You are commended and deserve what you want and more for your determination and diligence.

I have 2 Beretta 85F's, and they are both wonderful pistols. A little patience will allow you to find an 84 in your price range in very good to excellent condition. Good luck with it.
 
lamarw, thanks it's much appreciated. Been 11 weeks last Friday and it hasn't been easy. Every day at some point I get a craving that is hard to resist but I do it. It's been long enough now that I know if I have one I'll cough and gag like a beginner.

It was the look in my wife's eyes while I was in the ER that scared the bejesus out of me and then when the cardiac surgeon told me this time we are going to have to open your chest. Wife didn't give me a choice, she came home took all my tobacco, tubes, rolling machine and ash trays and threw then away!!! Best thing she has ever done for me.

Now when we get to the range it will be the first time since my bypass. Hoping it doesn't hurt too much.
 
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