High Cap .380

T

thor81

Inactive
Hi, I am in the process of paring down the calibers I own, fewer guns means more ammo for what I have. I am looking for a high capacity .308. So far all I have been able to find is the Sig p250c which holds 15 rds. I have read these were problematic a few years ago, just wondering if anybody here is knowledgeable in them and can say whether or not the issues have been fixed. Nobody around me stocks any so I would have to have it shipped, something I don't care for much since I like to get it in my hands and fire a few rounds before purchasing. The Sig is the only one I could find in stock anywhere, but if anyone else has a suggestion I would appreciate hearing it. Thanks

Mike
 
Beretta 84FS has a 13 round mag. And a Browning BDA, that has the same frame as the Beretta but had a slide mounted safety. There is a Bersa Thunder hi-cap model as well.

I have a Beretta 84F that I bought used off of gunbroker, great pistol.

 
Whirlwind06 said:
Beretta 84FS has a 13 round mag. And a Browning BDA, that has the same frame as the Beretta but had a slide mounted safety.
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FWIW the Beretta was built in several different versions. The main difference is that the no-suffix, B-, and BB-suffix pistols have blue finish (nickel optional), a rounded trigger guard, and a non-decocking "cocked-and-locked" safety. The F version changed to matte black finish, a squared-off and serrated trigger guard, and a decocker/safety. The FS has an improved decocker without a false detent in the middle; the F pistols aren't necessarily bad, you just need to remember to always push the decocker through to the safe/decock position.

Also, the designation "BDA" was applied to several different pistols marketed by Browning/FNH, including DA/SA versions of the BHP and early versions of the SIG P220 with a heel mag release. The specific pistol in question here is the BDA 380. This same basic pistol was sold on the European LE market as the FN 140 DA; although this model was never sold commercially in North America, a number of surplus examples have made it here on the secondary market. In addition to the slide-mounted decocker/safety, all BDA 380s and 140 DAs have closed-top slides and spur hammers rather than the open-top slide and ring hammer on the Beretta; the guns are otherwise very similar, and were all built in the same Italian plant.

All 84's and BDA 380's take the same basic magazines. A magazine disconnect was available as an option, and is very easily added or removed per owner preference.

Two other comparable metal-frame 13+1rd pistols are the CZ 83 and Astra A60. Both are discontinued but fairly common; the CZ is easier to find parts and accessories for.

Another oddball contender is the double-stack commercial .380 version of the Makarov, which was sold under several brand names but is usually found with Izhmash or Big Bear markings. However, these guns have less aftermarket support than the far more common single-stack versions, they're pretty bulky, and spare mags are notoriously difficult to find.
 
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"... just wondering if anybody here is knowledgeable in them and can say whether or not the issues have been fixed."

My lady friend has one and we aren't aware of any issues that needed fixing. Hers has been problem free with several brands of ammo.

My preference though, is DA/SA which the Sig P250c is not - it's only available in DA only.
 
Why just a high capacity .380? The market is large for the smaller variations. I own an HCs, I wouldn't recommend it because of the cost in reliable magazines. However, there are a lot of others out there. Colt still makes the Pocketlite.
 
aarondhgraham said:
Bersa Thunder Plus has a 15 round capacity.



I've never handled the Plus model,,,

But if it's like my standard Thunder 380,,,

It will be a reliable and accurate carry handgun.



Aarond



.
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The biggest difference besides the double stack width between the standard and the Plus Bersa .380 is the Plus has a reversible mag release in the same position and design as the Bersa UC models.

I would recommend the Bersa .380 Plus for the OP.
 
Thank you for all the suggestions. I originally was looking at the thunder plus, but I cannot seem to find it anywhere, the local stores or online. I already own an LCP .380 which I really like. I am looking for something larger to keep in the nightstand. If I could find the thunder plus anywhere I would grab it in a second. Thanks again
 
thor81 said:
Thank you for all the suggestions. I originally was looking at the thunder plus, but I cannot seem to find it anywhere, the local stores or online. I already own an LCP .380 which I really like. I am looking for something larger to keep in the nightstand. If I could find the thunder plus anywhere I would grab it in a second. Thanks again
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Your location would be helpful. I bought mine last month at a gunshow for $299.
 
Taurus also made (makes?) a hi cap .380. I have a magazine but no weapon. Maybe called the PT58? Not sure... I have the Browning BDA, it is a handful. Its not for sale. What a great shooter.
 
I own a Beretta 84 and my FiL owns a CZ83. They are both excellent pistols. I think I prefer the CZ by a slight margin. CDI Sales on Gunbroker usually has both pistols for sale as surplus. Ours cost around $250 apiece. Mine had been carried a lot and not shot much. His had not been carried much or shot much.
 
My top picks in .380s would be;
* the Beretta 84 first and foremost over all the others. Super reliable and easy to shoot well. :D
* Next the Sphinx AT-380 if you can find one. Solid and compact.:cool:
* CZ83, has weaknesses, but is solid and reliable.:)
* Bersa Plus, my last choice, never reliable. Good features... wish it worked.:(
 
Another current-production 13+1 .380 pistol is the EAA (Tanfoglio) Witness Pavona. I forgot about this pistol when I posted earlier. I've handled a couple of the 9mm and .40 examples, and they're pretty nice if you can deal with the wild and funky frame colors. ;) The .380 is supposed to be slightly smaller than the others, and is not locked-breech; I have not seen one of the .380s in the wild yet.
mcb66 said:
Taurus also made (makes?) a hi cap .380. I have a magazine but no weapon. Maybe called the PT58? Not sure...
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Yes, it's called the PT 58. I don't know a whole lot about these pistols, although they seem to have been offered with 10rd, 12rd, and 15rd mags at different times, and even with a 19rd(!) mag as the PT 58 HC Plus. They seem to have vanished from the Taurus catalog a few years back.

They seem to have a good reputation for working properly (not always a guarantee with every Taurus), but be forewarned... the PT 58 is not small. It looks comparable in size to a Beretta 84, but feels closer in size to a Beretta 92 Compact L, albeit slimmer through the grip.
 
I've seen the Pavona, all sparkly. They had no intention of marketing those to men. The black sparkly was the least objectionable, but I still couldn't take that leap. And I really like the Witness line. If they had a basic black, I'd do it. You can put the Pavona upper on the Witness-P-C frame for a non sparkle version, but I doubt the OP wants to buy two guns to get the one he wants. The Witness Compact doesn't come in .380

I've since sold my Witness .45 as I wanted to get away from plastic frames.
 
I have a 9mm P250 sub-compact which has never gave me a problem. Very solid and reliable and has fired every kind of ammo I fed it (and there was some pretty quesionable stuff a few years ago when the ammo was scarce). The issues with the 250 were years ago and have been long since fixed. They are very nice economical pistols. The only gripe anyone ahs these days is the DAO trigger which is fine unless you are used to a Glock, 1911 or similar trigger (I can't shoot my 250 after I have been shooting my Glock 26 - it's takes a while to get used to the trigger again). If you are okay with a DA revolver the P250 is very nice. Or if you only plan on shooting the 250 you'll be fine with practice. it is a nice DAOP trigger. I can't address the 380 - maybe the ammo would change the performance but probably not.

I have a Beretta 84FS, too which is very nice but a good $300 more. I would try a Bersa 380 Plus if I saw one.

But as was mentioned there a a lot of nice 9mms the same size as the P250 compact and you would save yourself headaches finding ammo and a substantial amount of $$$ in the long-run. I have nothing against 380acp but I do like to be able to shoot the guns I own at a reasonable price when I want to. The ammos coming back in the stores but at $10 more for 50 rounds, I can stay with 9mm. Also unless you go really light, a good 9mm is as easy to shoot as a 380acp.

But if you really want a P250 (it is a Sig and reasonably priced) I would bet you'll find it's a nice reliable gun and be happy with it.
 
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