Looking around for small pistols...

If you're buying a gun for it's looks....

beauty is more than skin-deep, especially with a good handgun!

Oh well, if you can't stand the looks of the KelTec P32, look no further than the North American Arms Guardian. They also have an excellent website that you would enjoy exploring. NAA makes quality products and exhibits excellent customer service. For the price, quality, reliability, and customer support, the NAA Guardian, either in .32 auto or .380 acp is hard to beat.

As far as an older backup handgun, to each his own, but I'd definitely opt for a current offering. Handgun and ammo technology has come quantum leaps since WWII. If you're using it for self-defense, definitely stick with something current/new.
 
The Mauser HSc is about the nicest looking .380 I've seen. They were built before and after WWII. Very high quality.

The various FEG pistols are really nicely made and are often less than $200.
 
FYI...North American Arms is coming out with a new Guardian soon that shoots a new cartridge, the .32NAA. They have information posted on their website and it looks interesting. Here is a link: http://www.naaminis.com/32NAArel.html

I have their Guardian in .32 ACP and it has performed just fine.

I've also had a SIG 230 in .380 ACP for nearly 10 years and practiced a fair amount with it. It has never had a failure of any sort.

I've had a Bersa (pre-Thunder, but very similar) in .380 for almost 10 years and it also has never had any failures, however, I probably haven't put more than 150 - 200 rounds down range since I have owned it.

The guys suggesting a Makarov are giving you a great idea. Those are amazing guns for the money and its cartridge (9X18) is a bit more powerful.

Good luck with your decision.

Wilson2
 
Given those tight restrictions, I'd say the Walther PPK or Bersa Thunder are you best bet. I don't have the PPK, but my Bersa's been plinking away happily for six months now, and has never so much as hiccupped. Eats almost everything too. I had almost completely forgotten I owned one, until I rediscovered it.

On a separate note: You sure you won't reconsider the Kahr? I think it looks all right... in a rough, tough, blocky sorta way. Also, it shoots like a dream and conceals very well.

Your pick.
 
Who cares about looks (unless we are talking about a lady). Go with Kel Tec P32. It is incredibly light and perfectly concealable - the perfect .32 (just don't shoot it too much, save that for your Glock - it is a fragile little thing).
 
cool older "small" pistols

Someone else already mentioned the Colt 1903 hammerless, there is also a 1908 hammerless in .380. And I think Husqvarna (sp?) had a clone of it. I think they have a lot of character, are very, very flat and feel good in your hand. But the safeties on them are kind of small and hard to work - you can probably get someone to silver solder on a small extension, if you really wanted to. The ones I've seen were made incredibly tight as well - they were manufactured to a different standard than guns today. But finding one in good condition won't be cheap. They also have these itty, bitty pimples for sights and are not as accurate as modern .32's, but they have longer barrels for some more velocity.
A cool gun to have, but maybe not the most practical choice for personal defense.

There are those old Beretta 1934's in .380, they have a kind of funky italian fascist look about them :-) If I remember correctly, it was on that model that Beretta began their open topped slide tradition. I think there is a .32 version of it as well. No idea how they shoot, but saw and handled one at a gun show.

The Walther PPK in .380 is supposed to be a dog - a dog that bites the hand that feeds it. I shot one years ago, and it reminded me of having a firecracker explode while I was holding it. It is supposed to be better in .32, but I read that the safety has issues, and will sometimes slip halfway into safe, making the gun fail to shoot, and apparently costing some German policemen their lives.

If you are looking at a gun the size of a CZ-70, you ought to upgrade to the CZ-83. An excellent "little" gun, great trigger, decent sights, well made. The Sig P232 will give you somewhat less gun for your money, but very sexy looks - the gun the Walther PPK is supposed to be.

Steve
 
Ceol Mhor

I think you're an esthete like me so, assuming that and considering what you said you've had in mind, I'd recommend a Sig 230 if you can shoot well with it.

Dwight M S
 
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