I'm looking to purchase a small .380. Problem is I don't have much money, only about $250. Can someone suggest a good, reliable pistol in this range? I've looked at the Bersa Thunder and the FEG SMC 380 and PMK 380. Anyone have any experience with these? Any other suggestions would be helpful.
Help on .380 purchase.
- Thread starter Arlander
- Start date
I have an FEG PA-63, which I think is similar to the SMC380, but with a slightly longer barrel. I like my PA-63, and I got it in like-new condition for $120 with 4 magazines. I see them advertised in Shotgun news for around $100 each. It shoots the 9x18 cartridge (9mm Makarov). I think this is actually a little more powerful than the .380. I'd look at one of these. You can get decent Russian practice ammo cheap, and name-brand hollow-point ammo is also available (for a lot more $).
You should take a look at http://makarov.com. They have write-ups on the FEG pistols, including the one you are looking at, I believe. Of course you might also consider getting a "real" Makarov. Nice ones can be had for under $200 (WAY under if you have a friendly FFL who will order for you).
Of course, in your price range, you might also want to look at a more capable cartridge like a 9mm (9x19) or .40 in a Kel-tec or Heritage Stealth pistol.
Good luck.
Doug
[This message has been edited by DougB (edited June 10, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by DougB (edited June 10, 2000).]
You should take a look at http://makarov.com. They have write-ups on the FEG pistols, including the one you are looking at, I believe. Of course you might also consider getting a "real" Makarov. Nice ones can be had for under $200 (WAY under if you have a friendly FFL who will order for you).
Of course, in your price range, you might also want to look at a more capable cartridge like a 9mm (9x19) or .40 in a Kel-tec or Heritage Stealth pistol.
Good luck.
Doug
[This message has been edited by DougB (edited June 10, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by DougB (edited June 10, 2000).]
Have a PA63 Feg .380, called the 9mm short. A very accurate little gun easy to carry in a pocket. Came with a holster and extra clip.
Traded a Rossi .38 special 2 inch snubby for it. I got the best of the trade, couldn't shoot the snubby with any control and didn't want to take the time to get use to. Easier to shoot a full house .44 Mag than that snubby. Only use the PA63 for plinking. The
9X18 has more power.
Traded a Rossi .38 special 2 inch snubby for it. I got the best of the trade, couldn't shoot the snubby with any control and didn't want to take the time to get use to. Easier to shoot a full house .44 Mag than that snubby. Only use the PA63 for plinking. The
9X18 has more power.
Look at getting a used Beretta 94/95F or a Sig P230, not at $250 but your getting close, The extra money is worth every dime if your considering it for self protection in terms of reliability.
Personally, I would get a used .22 revolver or pistol and skip over the 9x17. Ammo is cheaper and you will become more proficient at shooting it. Reliability and Shot placement is everything and with practice the .22 is capable amazing things and more people have been killed with .22’s than any other caliber.
Anything under 9mm you should use ball ammo, as it lacks the penetration (12 inches+), to truly become an effective man stopper. The .22 is dismal, best record is approx. 32% vs. the .380 at approx. 70% in actual "street shootings". The .380 is usually more expensive than the 9mm so that makes the 9x17 (.380ACP) a declining market with "slimnines" on the market like the Kahr9, MK9 etc.
So going back to your question, around $250, get a used .22 revolver put a Betetta model 97 in .22cal on layaway. They cost around $550 but the gun is a keeper. Cheap to shoot, accurate and very reliable.
I hope that helps.
Regards,
Hann
Personally, I would get a used .22 revolver or pistol and skip over the 9x17. Ammo is cheaper and you will become more proficient at shooting it. Reliability and Shot placement is everything and with practice the .22 is capable amazing things and more people have been killed with .22’s than any other caliber.
Anything under 9mm you should use ball ammo, as it lacks the penetration (12 inches+), to truly become an effective man stopper. The .22 is dismal, best record is approx. 32% vs. the .380 at approx. 70% in actual "street shootings". The .380 is usually more expensive than the 9mm so that makes the 9x17 (.380ACP) a declining market with "slimnines" on the market like the Kahr9, MK9 etc.
So going back to your question, around $250, get a used .22 revolver put a Betetta model 97 in .22cal on layaway. They cost around $550 but the gun is a keeper. Cheap to shoot, accurate and very reliable.
I hope that helps.
Regards,
Hann
I have a Bersa md#83A,which I believe is the same as the Thunder. A PPK lookalike. I purchased this gun used LNIB with two mags for $130. I do carry this as a CC gun. It has proven to be a reliable addition to my collection. I enjoy shooting it.Also it may be worth your while to take a look at those Makarovs.They are good shooters, reliable and inexpensive.
I have an E.German and love it.
Hope this helps
------------------
We preserve our freedoms by using four boxes: soap,ballot,jury, and cartridge.
Anonymous
I have an E.German and love it.
Hope this helps
------------------
We preserve our freedoms by using four boxes: soap,ballot,jury, and cartridge.
Anonymous
Find a mak.Good quality for the money.380 a little easer to get ammo fore but would not turn the 9X18
------------------
beemerb
We have a criminal jury system which is superior to any in the world;
and its efficiency is only marred by the difficulty of finding twelve men
every day who don't know anything and can't read.
-Mark Twain
------------------
beemerb
We have a criminal jury system which is superior to any in the world;
and its efficiency is only marred by the difficulty of finding twelve men
every day who don't know anything and can't read.
-Mark Twain
railroader
New member
I would also suggest a makarov. I have a russian one in .380.Great little gun. .380 ammo can be a little expensive though, it's not on sale all the time like 9mm. They do sell russian .380 steel case ammo at the gun shows for reasonable prices. I reload so that's not a problem for me. Good luck
I f you really want a .380 acp, then I would have to suggest the Bersa. I picked my Series 95 Bersa brand new for $189. The gun is tightly built has a nice smooth ramp and feeds anything and everything. I can consistently make one ragged hole at 7yds. in the center of a B-27 target. This is definetly the one I would suggest in .380acp.
Bersa is the way to go, Arlander. It is simple, easy to maintain, costs under the amount you have to spend NIB, and shoots regular .380 ammo. You can easily find a number of different types of .380 ammo: some for target practice and some for carry. In any event, .380 ammo is widely available. The Bersa is a very accurate weapon and carries very well. Even my daugther likes to shoot it over the .22 or the .45. I like Markarov's too, but the type of ammo it requires is still tough to find in many areas . I'd own a Markarov only after I'd purchsed a Bersa .380 and practiced with it a lot!
FWIW
Rome
FWIW
Rome
Arlander,
A Bulgarian Makarov for ~$160. If you know you really want the .380, then a Makarov barrel in .380 is $50 from Federal Arms Corp. My gunsmith said he would put it in for $30.
That's still cheaper than .380 Bersa's in my area. The Series 95 is going for around $270 in my area.
I'm leaving the 9x18 barrel in my Makarov. J&G Sales, in Prescott, AZ, is selling Russian surplus ammo for $5.50 per bx of 50 109 gr FMJs and Sellier & Bellot 95 gr FMJs for 7.95 per bx of 50.
Today I shot American Eagle 95 gr FMJs at $14.99 per bx of 50 !!!
!!! So, ... I'm checking out the milsurp, non-corrosive, boxer primed ammo.
Rome, why do you recommend owning and shooting a Bersa before getting a Makarov.
I think they are comparable, except the Makarov may be a tad larger and heavier.
[This message has been edited by sensop (edited June 11, 2000).]
A Bulgarian Makarov for ~$160. If you know you really want the .380, then a Makarov barrel in .380 is $50 from Federal Arms Corp. My gunsmith said he would put it in for $30.
That's still cheaper than .380 Bersa's in my area. The Series 95 is going for around $270 in my area.
I'm leaving the 9x18 barrel in my Makarov. J&G Sales, in Prescott, AZ, is selling Russian surplus ammo for $5.50 per bx of 50 109 gr FMJs and Sellier & Bellot 95 gr FMJs for 7.95 per bx of 50.
Today I shot American Eagle 95 gr FMJs at $14.99 per bx of 50 !!!
!!! So, ... I'm checking out the milsurp, non-corrosive, boxer primed ammo.Rome, why do you recommend owning and shooting a Bersa before getting a Makarov.
I think they are comparable, except the Makarov may be a tad larger and heavier. [This message has been edited by sensop (edited June 11, 2000).]
Everyone seems to go "full auto" here anymore. I see 5-10 messages that are duplicates. Since I know that the folks posting aren't doing it on purpose, what is going on?
On the topic of a small .380, I'd have to recommend the Colt Mustang. If you're looking for a small .380, the Mustang is hard to beat. It's one of the smaller of the breed, and since it fires from a locked breech, the recoil is very mild for a small and light .380. I like my Pocketlite so much that I picked up a steel framed one for range practice.
On the topic of a small .380, I'd have to recommend the Colt Mustang. If you're looking for a small .380, the Mustang is hard to beat. It's one of the smaller of the breed, and since it fires from a locked breech, the recoil is very mild for a small and light .380. I like my Pocketlite so much that I picked up a steel framed one for range practice.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by johnwill:
Everyone seems to go "full auto" here anymore. I see 5-10 messages that are duplicates. Since I know that the folks posting aren't doing it on purpose, what is going on?
[/quote]
On Sunday, 11 June, I kept getting "Connection Timed Out" messages when trying to post. Being a hard headed SOB, I tried repeatedly to respond to a post. This resulted in multiple posts of the same answer.
I suggest the moderator remove the redundant posts, but for us, when you post and get the "timed out" screen, reload TFL. If your message isn't there, refresh the screen and it should appear.
Everyone seems to go "full auto" here anymore. I see 5-10 messages that are duplicates. Since I know that the folks posting aren't doing it on purpose, what is going on?
[/quote]
On Sunday, 11 June, I kept getting "Connection Timed Out" messages when trying to post. Being a hard headed SOB, I tried repeatedly to respond to a post. This resulted in multiple posts of the same answer.
I suggest the moderator remove the redundant posts, but for us, when you post and get the "timed out" screen, reload TFL. If your message isn't there, refresh the screen and it should appear.
Eric of IN
New member
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Hann:
...more people have been killed with .22’s than any other caliber.
[/quote]
This can be misleading. More people have been killed by .22s because more people have been shot with .22s.
Eric
------------------
Formerly Puddle Pirate.
Teach a kid to shoot.
It annoys the antis.
"But Officer I HAVE to have all these guns in the truck, I'm going to TFL End of Summer Meet"
...more people have been killed with .22’s than any other caliber.
[/quote]
This can be misleading. More people have been killed by .22s because more people have been shot with .22s.
Eric
------------------
Formerly Puddle Pirate.
Teach a kid to shoot.
It annoys the antis.
"But Officer I HAVE to have all these guns in the truck, I'm going to TFL End of Summer Meet"
Sensop,
If Bersa's are $270 in your area I think I'd move
$180 is about right, they can be had off a net dealer for $160 NIB, great little gun. Mind you it should be as it's basically an Argentine produced PPK and .380 packs quite a thump at close range. Not sure if I'd go with the Hydrashoks or the heavier Golden Sabre for better penetration.
Mike H
If Bersa's are $270 in your area I think I'd move
$180 is about right, they can be had off a net dealer for $160 NIB, great little gun. Mind you it should be as it's basically an Argentine produced PPK and .380 packs quite a thump at close range. Not sure if I'd go with the Hydrashoks or the heavier Golden Sabre for better penetration.
Mike H