Looking around for small pistols...

C

Ceol Mhor

New member
I'm not planning on buying another pistol quite yet, but I'm trying to get a good feel for what's out there...

I'm looking into small pistols good for CCW/backup duty. I'm thinking either .32 or .380...how much practical difference is there between those? I also definitely want a good-looking gun. As they say, life's too short to shoot an ugly gun. I've looked at the Kahrs, Kel-Tecs, and small Glocks, and they all failed the "good-looking" test. The ones I've found that seem to be good are:
Walther PPK
Bersa Thunder
Firestorm
Sig P230/P232
Sauer & Sohn 38H
CZ-70

I would really like an older gun (by old, I mean pre-WWII), assuming it would run well (they have more character, and my Dad has a C&R which would facilitate purchase). Can anyone give me some pros and cons of the guns I mentioned? What others are there that would fit my criteria?

Thanks!
 
Oh yeah....I'd forgotten about Makarovs.

Does anyone know of any other reliable and good-looking small C&R semi-auto pistols?
 
For good looking, the Sig P230 in Stainless or a PPKS are both beautiful, but both are heavy as heck and not small enough in comparison to a compact 9mm to justify it (in my opinion).

Pretty good difference between the .380 and the .32, but if you are wanting a really concealable gun (as in put in in your pocket and no one can tell) the only choice in .380 is an NAA Guardian in .380. Personally, I carry a Kahr P9 on my hip and just bought a Kel-Tec P32 to put in my pocket when the Kahr is not an option.

Of the ones you mentione, I'm most familiar with the Sig, the Walther, and the Bersa. Of the three I would choose the Sig first (nice trigger pull, nice looks, good reliability), then the Bersa (decent trigger pull, decent looks, decent shooter) and then the Walther - the DA trigger on the Walther feels like lifting a Volkswagen with your index finger..
 
The Sphinx AT380 M is a great little .380. It's double action but has a very light, crisp breaking trigger. I was absolutely shocked at the accuracy of this gun. I initially had purchased a like new one at my local gun shop (the day it came in for sale) and liked it so much that I recently purchased 3 more of them (for a total of 2 in all palladium finish and 2 two-tone). It's hard to find new ones but you can if you look hard enough. Sphinx is going to import again to the US soon so you could wait for a new production one I suppose. I just happen to like their "old" palladium finish and that won't be offered in the new guns.

I swear by this gun because it's accuracy, fit & finish is stunning. I never thought I'd say I liked a .380 but I'm sold on this one (obviously).

"Spanki" goes with me everywhere!!!!!!
 
cz-70

I own a cz-70 and I am in love with it. They do have some minor problems though.

1. Firing pins are fairly brittle which means no dry firing but the saf t caps solve this problem also new ones can be found as well as replacements which are supposed to help with the trigger pull also. these can be found at www.makarov.com

2. the magazines are not 100% reliable with more than 5 rounds of JHP ammo unless you take a dremel to them which is a fairly easy fix. FMJ has no problems.

3. the front blade of the sight can be a little hard to see but with a little white paint it is much better. Also www.makarov.com has custom gunsmithing which they can replace the sights.

I think these are very reasonably priced guns I paid 119.00 for mine but they can be found for as cheap as 80.00 online with 2 mags and a holster. I found the accuracy to be great under 10 yards but with the small caliber it would be hard to get much more out of it using any gun. I would recommend this gun to anyone. Magazines, and parts are still very redily available.
 
Check out a North American Arms "Guardian". They offer it in .32, and .380. I love mine. It will pass the "Looks" test for sure. Quality is superb.
 
Seecamp .32ACP.....Winchester Silvertip ammo

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and my Dad has a C&R which would facilitate purchase
Click to expand...
FYI, purchasing a pistol with a C&R with the express intent to sell or transfer ownership is a felony. My point here is, while it's very hard to prove that happened, posting such comments won't help your case if it ever does come up.
 
If you really want pre-WWII, have you looked around for a Colt .32 Auto? Hammerless, with a bit of a long barrel, but slim, trim, and racy, in it's own way. They show up in stores occassionally, and are not bad CCW guns at all once you check them for function and maybe spend some bucks for reconditioning, assuming you find one that has no value as a wall-hanger.

Otherwise, I'd look around for a Walther, or the Sig. The 232 has a very nice feel, IMO.
 
Seecamp is probably the best, an older PPK in 32 is a great gun but a tad heavy. Both will cost you a pretty penny, but are well worth the price.
 
I own 3 Seecamps. One 25 ACP and 2 32 ACPs ( 1 pre and 1 post CNC machining). Yes, the 32's are jewels, but there are certain advantages with the Guardian that the Seecamps don't have. First, you need a drift punch and case to field strip the Seecamp, which you do not need with the Guardian. The Guardian can shoot any 32 ammo, but the Seecamp is limited to Winchester Silvertips only, if it is below SN 30,500. SN over 30,500 can use other JHP's except for Federal. Also, the Seecamp cannot chamber hardball. The Guardian has a Browning style mag release, while the Seecamp doesn't. And finally, price. You can buy 2 Guardian's for what the Seecamp go for. With a Guardian you have a choice for aftre market sights. Seecamp has no sights and no after market sights are available.
 
Hi hoplophile:

Yesterday, I saw a Seecamp for sale at a gun show in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. Its price tag read $750. The Guardian 32 next to it was $329. The Guardian is a hair bigger and 2 ozs heavier then the Seecamp. If the Guardian had been available 14 years ago, I would not have bought my first Seecamp. Don't get mewrong, I like the Seecamp, but overall I think the Guardian 32 is a far better gun.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions, guys.

johnwill - I forgot to mention this is for a possible birthday gift from my parents this summer.
 
My suggestions are the Sig 230/232 or one of the NAA Guardians. I have the Sig 230 in stainless (.380) and the NAA Guardian in.32 and think they are both great pistols but they serve two very different roles. The Sig is carried IWB and the Guardian can go with me everywhere regardless of what I am wearing. In my opinion stay away from the Walther, I agree with bikeguy about their triggers, they are horrendous and IMHO just can't compare to the Sig.
 
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