Looking for the best .380 for a female shooter?

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InfamousOne

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Hey all,
I'm looking to purchase a .380 pistol for my wife as a gift. I am looking a .380 with the least amount of felt recoil. She shot my friend's P3-AT not too long ago at the range but said it felt too snappy. She also handled a Sig P238 at our local gun store but said it felt too complicated. I've heard good things and bad things about the Kahr P380. And I've heard nothing but bad things about the Diamondback DB380. But I haven't shot or handled either of them. Does anyone have hands on experience with these two or have any other suggests?
 
My Browning High Powers and my CZ75B feel a lot "less" than either of the .380's I've owned - a PPK/s and an FIE Titan GT380.

Is there a reason why you/she want a tiny tot like the two you listed?
 
Check out the Walther pk 380. It is a little larger frame, but handles a heck of a lot better than any of the ones you have mentioned. The slide is also one of the easiest to rack on any semi auto I have ever tried.
 
The P238 "felt too complicated"...?

Humor me for a moment... would you explain what is complicated about a gun with one lever, one button, and a trigger?

Are we to assume, then, the the level of recoil from the P238 was acceptable, but the manual of arms was not? I think that really only leaves the DAO pocket .380s, because to my knowledge all of the medium-sized .380s like the PPK, Sig P232, Bersa, etc, are going to be just as complex as the little P238.

Others will have to chime in here, because I don't particularly care for DAO pistols most of the time if alternatives are available, and therefore haven't taken the time to learn about them.

EDIT: It is my experience that women who want guns have no problem learning the minor level of complexity involved in operating them. This may be a sign that your wife is humoring your desire for her to carry, rather than actually being willing to put forth effort to be armed - the difference is practice and competence. Of course, that may all be totally wrong, and if so please just ignore it. If it isn't, you may want to reconsider the purchase, or at least direct her towards www.corneredcat.com before proceeding further.
 
Check out the Walther pk 380. It is a little larger frame, but handles a heck of a lot better than any of the ones you have mentioned. The slide is also one of the easiest to rack on any semi auto I have ever tried.
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Funny, I've been discussing the PK380 earlier today, in the following thread.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=471128

Despite its good points, it's obvious that my overall opinion of the gun isn't very positive. :rolleyes:
 
I am looking a .380 with the least amount of felt recoil.
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She shot my friend's P3-AT not too long ago at the range but said it felt too snappy.
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This is going to be her ccw so size matters
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.....................................32 ACP.........................

Maybe think of a small 32 like the Kel tec P32 if she doesn't like the recoil of the 380 mouse guns.
 
I've never fired one but I bet a Beretta Cheetah is something to look at. I love the styling since it is like me 96D. I had something similar, a Browning BDA .380 which I loved but got rid of for some really stupid reason.
 
The Bersa Thunder is woth checking out. Decent price. The 9mm Ultra Compact is a prety decent one too. Not too bad for smap, and can be shot for expended periods without beating the hand to death.

Note if she wants small, light, and simple it is probably going to be a bit on the snappy side whichever one you pick.
 
Is there a lightweight .380 that doesn't feel snappy? My wife bought herself a Walther PPK/S. It wouldn't have been my first choice, but some battles aren't worth fighting. It's heavy as .380 pocket pistols go, and it's still snappy. Manageable, but never pleasant.
She might be better off w/ a compact or sub-compact 9mm or possible a .38 snubnose.
 
+1 on a Bersa Thunder. Rack it, de-cock and she is ready for the first shot in DA which isn't a heavy trigger.

If a 32 is acceptable the Kel Tec as you know from the P3AT is one of the best for CC. Thin and light.
 
+2 on the Bersa Thunder .380. My wife got herself the CC variant after months of trying different options, and likes it a lot. In fact, I liked hers so much that she got me one, too.
 
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