Jennings .380 hanguns
- Thread starter Demmy
- Start date
Well, let me be the first to say that for a little more money you could get a much higher quality pistol from the former Soviet Bloc.
The styles of pistol to which you refer are made of zinc castings, with steel liners in the barrels. They are often unreliable with any cartridges except those with full metal jacket bullets (assuredly not the best choice in a .380 for self defense). There is no way to safely leave a cartridge in the chamber of that style of pistol, which means that the user must rack the slide before he can fire.
I have found Jennings pistols to be mostly reliable with FMJ ammo. I would not personally use one for self defense, and I would not recommend that anyone use one for self defense unless it is the only possible choice.
I am glad that these pistols are made, since they make it possible for a person of very modest means to have at least some sort of a firearm to defend himself. However, I would point out to anyone that it is possible to purchase a much more reliable, easy-to-use, able-to-use-better-ammo and arguably safer Makarov or police trade-in .38 spl revolver for $20 to $50 more.
The styles of pistol to which you refer are made of zinc castings, with steel liners in the barrels. They are often unreliable with any cartridges except those with full metal jacket bullets (assuredly not the best choice in a .380 for self defense). There is no way to safely leave a cartridge in the chamber of that style of pistol, which means that the user must rack the slide before he can fire.
I have found Jennings pistols to be mostly reliable with FMJ ammo. I would not personally use one for self defense, and I would not recommend that anyone use one for self defense unless it is the only possible choice.
I am glad that these pistols are made, since they make it possible for a person of very modest means to have at least some sort of a firearm to defend himself. However, I would point out to anyone that it is possible to purchase a much more reliable, easy-to-use, able-to-use-better-ammo and arguably safer Makarov or police trade-in .38 spl revolver for $20 to $50 more.
Okay I`ll admit it,I used to own one myself. 
At the time my wife and I were just getting started out,had no money and lived in a so so part of a pretty big city. I bought it for like $75 and it served us for a few years until I could upgrade. Mine liked Federal JHPs,it often jammed with FMJ. The OAL seemed too long for it`s liking. With JHPs it never jammed for me once. I only shot maybe 4 boxes of ammo through it (couldn`t afford that either),sold it for $50. 
With any choice at all I`d opt for a better quality gun (used snubby .38,used Makarov etc.) but it was better than nothing. Moving up to a .40 Astra A-75 sure seemed like a giant leap in power,accuracy and quality and Astras aren`t exactly the benchmark for such things.
Marcus
At the time my wife and I were just getting started out,had no money and lived in a so so part of a pretty big city. I bought it for like $75 and it served us for a few years until I could upgrade. Mine liked Federal JHPs,it often jammed with FMJ. The OAL seemed too long for it`s liking. With JHPs it never jammed for me once. I only shot maybe 4 boxes of ammo through it (couldn`t afford that either),sold it for $50. With any choice at all I`d opt for a better quality gun (used snubby .38,used Makarov etc.) but it was better than nothing. Moving up to a .40 Astra A-75 sure seemed like a giant leap in power,accuracy and quality and Astras aren`t exactly the benchmark for such things. Marcus1911A1 fan
New member
Get a Mak or look at used guns. Wrong time of year though, the best time to look for used guns is around TAX time!
Will Beararms
New member
Jennings is the pinacle of perfection. No finer weapon can be had in the .380 caliber designation. The materials and pride of workmanship in the Jennings are a sight to behold.
One thing to note: with a .380, always take the bullets out of the box before shooting and dip the pointed end into your ear. It is best to skip cleaning your ears for a couple of weeks that way there is plenty of ear wax. Ear wax on the bullet end of the .380 shell will make it go faster and lubricate the barrel for better accuracy.
One thing to note: with a .380, always take the bullets out of the box before shooting and dip the pointed end into your ear. It is best to skip cleaning your ears for a couple of weeks that way there is plenty of ear wax. Ear wax on the bullet end of the .380 shell will make it go faster and lubricate the barrel for better accuracy.
As much as I hate to say it I had one too in 9mm, I took it apart one day and the firing pin flew out the window, I didnt bother looking for it and just threw the gun in a drawer. It has sat in there for around 5 years, I really need to take a picture of it, and show yall how to not treat a gun. I'm waiting for a local buyback program so I can finally get the embarassment out of my house.
For a pretty cool story though, there are some good pawnshops here where I live and I try to hit all of them at least once a month, I was in one looking at a Poly underfolder and thug comes in the store looking to buy a Jennings .380. Im just kind of shaking my head while looking over the AK and he comes asking me questions about the rifle, I get to talking to him and dude is not a thug at all, he just turned 21, is a computer geek like me. Turns out the snakes at that particular pawnshop sold him on how great the Jennings was a few days earlier and after shopping around he came back to make the purchase, I talked him out of it. Hell the asswipes at the pawnshop were asking 1200 for a stamped underfolder, I offered 800 cash on the spot and they wouldnt take it, that and most of their handguns were crap anyways.
The cool part though is he didnt buy the POS and is meeting me this afternoon to do some shooting and let him try out some of my toys, and he is going to see if he can get me a new job where he works at. Life sure is great sometimes.
For a pretty cool story though, there are some good pawnshops here where I live and I try to hit all of them at least once a month, I was in one looking at a Poly underfolder and thug comes in the store looking to buy a Jennings .380. Im just kind of shaking my head while looking over the AK and he comes asking me questions about the rifle, I get to talking to him and dude is not a thug at all, he just turned 21, is a computer geek like me. Turns out the snakes at that particular pawnshop sold him on how great the Jennings was a few days earlier and after shopping around he came back to make the purchase, I talked him out of it. Hell the asswipes at the pawnshop were asking 1200 for a stamped underfolder, I offered 800 cash on the spot and they wouldnt take it, that and most of their handguns were crap anyways.
The cool part though is he didnt buy the POS and is meeting me this afternoon to do some shooting and let him try out some of my toys, and he is going to see if he can get me a new job where he works at. Life sure is great sometimes.
Herr Walther
New member
Repeat after me: Makarov, Makarov, Makarov.
Friends don't let friends buy Jennings, Bryco, Davis, etc.
I wouldn't even use one as a doorstop, let alone have one in my house.
Friends don't let friends buy Jennings, Bryco, Davis, etc.
I wouldn't even use one as a doorstop, let alone have one in my house.
How can I say this in a nice way??? Hummmmm, let's just say friends don't let friends buy junk and those things are junk and that is being very kind. Like the others have said get a Makarov and an East German Makarov, if you can find one, they are the finest. They have the best fit and finish, the best trigger and typical German craftsmanship...
Welcome to TFL...7th
Welcome to TFL...7th
Don't do it
If money is a problem, and you want something inexpensive and reliable, two choices come to mind. The aforementioned Makarov, of any nationality, Yes, the East Germans are the best ones, I own an East German Makarov, but a Bulgarian is a viable subsitute as well, trigger wise, at least to me, indistingushable as are fit and finsh, both are done very well, in my eyes and hands. Your milegage may vary.
Your second choice is the FEG PA-63, which I also own and carry, simular to the Makarov in look and caliber, but its a closer copy of the Walther PP series design than the Makarov is, of which the Makarov is based on as well. The PA-63 is slimmer, and lighter than the Makarov, which will mean that it will kick a little harder, not much though.
Both can be had in .380 or 9mm Makarov, I use the latter since its just as available and plentiful as .380, cheaper, and a little more powerful. If you're in a rural area, I'd go with the .380 as it can be found anywhere.
A Makarov can be had for as little as $99.00-$150.00 at most
A PA-63 can be had for as little as $89.00-$125.00
Either of those two will serve you better than a Jennings, Bryco, Lorcin, Hi Point for the same amount of money or cheaper.
If money is a problem, and you want something inexpensive and reliable, two choices come to mind. The aforementioned Makarov, of any nationality, Yes, the East Germans are the best ones, I own an East German Makarov, but a Bulgarian is a viable subsitute as well, trigger wise, at least to me, indistingushable as are fit and finsh, both are done very well, in my eyes and hands. Your milegage may vary.
Your second choice is the FEG PA-63, which I also own and carry, simular to the Makarov in look and caliber, but its a closer copy of the Walther PP series design than the Makarov is, of which the Makarov is based on as well. The PA-63 is slimmer, and lighter than the Makarov, which will mean that it will kick a little harder, not much though.
Both can be had in .380 or 9mm Makarov, I use the latter since its just as available and plentiful as .380, cheaper, and a little more powerful. If you're in a rural area, I'd go with the .380 as it can be found anywhere.
A Makarov can be had for as little as $99.00-$150.00 at most
A PA-63 can be had for as little as $89.00-$125.00
Either of those two will serve you better than a Jennings, Bryco, Lorcin, Hi Point for the same amount of money or cheaper.