Speaking of the .380 Auto???

Blow-back .380s are little, if any, more pleasant to shoot than the smallest locked-breech 9s.
I shot a buddy's KelTec, and it is a little beastie. Of course, it's also tiny in size and weighs next to nothing.
.380 is consistently in the top five of factory ammo sales, which is doubly surprising to me; that many people have .380s, and then shoot them that much?
I've owned two for a few decades and have never shot one of them.
 
A couple years ago, Israeli surplus Beretta Model 84’s were imported at attractive prices. I had wanted one when I was young, but couldn’t afford it. I ordered one up, never really considering the medium sized 14-shot 380 for serious use.
Then, when I got it to the range, I found it to be accurate and reliable...it also seemed to fit my hand really well, point shooting like an extension of my hand.
Now, I have a Glock G26, which I love, and shoot really well. I can easily carry the G26. But, I just find I really like that Beretta 84F...thus, that is what is in my belt right now. Loaded with Underwood +P XTP’s, I feel pretty well armed.
After all, some guy (or gal) walked around Tel Aviv or Jerusalem with it...I should be scared in Cleveland?
As for pocket 380’s... I carried a P3AT for a few years. Just before the plandemic, I replaced it with a P32. I like the extra round, and the fact that the slide locks back after the last shot.
 
I carry a .380 every day. A Manurhin PPK/S.

It's flat, thin, accurate, and by golly, it looks good. :D

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Carl the Floor Walker said:
One thing I have learned from shooting pocket guns in 380 is to change out the recoil springs very often. These little guns do take a beating. A big explosion in a small gun. I have been laughed at and ridiculed many times because I change out recoil springs every 500 rounds. And buy many wolf springs, and usually heavier weights if possible.
Say, what you want, but my 380's, Kahr and Pico and LCP all run great with a lot of ammo down range. The LCP which I do not shoot much will eventually go down much faster, but you can extend the life of it with frequent changing of the recoil spring.
I also change out my Micro 9mm springs at about 800 rds. I have one Nano now with 14,000 rds and running like a top.

Changing out recoil springs is a small investment. It works for me. Let the flames fly! (I am use to it)
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NO!! What you do makes a whole world of sense. I am not laughing at all.

If you read my long ranting post, from my research lately, the recoil spring is an important issue for small guns and need to pay a lot of attention to and keep in tip top shape.
 
.380 might take a bit of a hit, but there are more 10mm models and loads available today than ever...it ain’t going away anytime soon.


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I don't believe 380 is going to disappear, each caliber has it's own virtue. This is the smallest one that actually have stopping power to talk about. Sure, it's not 9mm, but the gun size reflect that also. The only useful gun is the one that you can carry. Unless you are on the job that requires carrying, for people that carry but not expect to use it, that little weight can make a big difference if you just carrying it day in and day out.

The same logic applies to 32ACP, it's stronger than 25!!! Same as 25 is better than a knife!!! You cannot just say if it is not 9mm, it's nothing. It's not an all or nothing game. It all depends on your situation and requirements.


BTW, ammo shortage is not permanent, so if it takes a year to recover, it will. This is not the end of the world!!! I am buying more guns even if I cannot buy ammo. Stupid people can ban the guns, but if you buy them, you can take your time for the ammo to become available.
 
Alan0354 said:
This is the smallest one that actually have stopping power to talk about. Sure, it's not 9mm, but the gun size reflect that also.
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To exercise my tendency toward being overly pedantic, technically .380 ACP IS 9mm. It just happens to be 9x17 (9mm Corto or 9mm Kurz) rather than 9x19.

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Being a Pocket gun fan, I remember well when the LCP first hit the Market. I believe that was back in 2008-9. It really hit the market place in full storm. I recall it was gun of the year in many places and sold over a million. Of course there were other small guns out there, but the attention did not come until the Ruger hit the road with it. You tube had many video's with the LCP and even video's with contest between it and the Keltec.
I also remember the Sig 238 was a big hit.(still is) Kind of surprised I have not bought one. Fine 380.
There use to be a forum dedicated to just small guns, but alas that is long gone.
 
.380acp stuff

My daughter belly band carries a Walther PPK/s .380 that she shoots extremely well. The gun has never had a FTE or FTF. Her work demands small, flat concealable.

I'm one of the lucky ones who has a dependable AMT Backup (.380acp) that functions flawlessly; a great pocket gun. Harsh kickback but dependable.

When concealment is not an issue, nothing beats a 45!
 
the G42 tamed the .380acp that was usually in a harsh kicking blow back or a micro locked breach. I like mine, though it is the only .380 I own and the one most likely to be traded off if something else caught my interest.
 
I don’t want a 380 personally, but I don’t see it going anywhere anytime soon. Many like the option of carrying pistols that are smaller than even the micro 9mms. I don’t see that changing.


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A 380 is on my bucket list just cause I want to have one. Wanted a Beretta 85... Fell off California's "list" of approved guns for sale. Maybe a Sig 232 or CZ 83 will find it's way home some day.
 
TunnelRat said:
I don’t want a 380 personally, but I don’t see it going anywhere anytime soon. Many like the option of carrying pistols that are smaller than even the micro 9mms. I don’t see that changing.


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Yes.

In my book, even a 22LR is better than a knife. Of cause the best is to carry a 44magnum everywhere, but if it is not convenient, then you just have to scale down. 380 is a good compromise for self defense where people are not out to look for trouble.
 
Bill DeShivs said:
Physics.
You can not make a 9mm as small as you can make a .380.
You can not make a .380 as small as a .32.
You can not make a .32 as small as a .25.

Yes, there are 9mms as small as some .380s, etc. But if the same miniaturization is used, the .380 can be made smaller.
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I get your point but... except for the miraculous Seecamp. Started as a .25acp, adapted to the .32acp then, by virtue of better metallurgy, morphed into a .380acp. All in the same size pistol.

LCP and .380 Seecamp
 
Just googled around and found

10.50 oz Seacamp .380 (no mag)

9.6 oz LCP (didn't say)

7.7 oz Kel-Tec P3AT (unloaded)

While the Seacamp is smaller, it's also the heaviest of the three above.

I wonder how the P3AT is about 2 oz lighter than the LCP.
 
Seecamp also should be considered a no buy after the company was sold.

There ACTUALLY is a 9mm in production that is as small as the LCP. Happen to have owned a few.

(They are junk)

DB9. Exact same size as my LCP. BD9 on the left and LCP on the right.

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The R9 wasn't even as light or has small as the DB9. However, I think the product is just bad design as confirmed by my experience(s) and after Taurus stepped to partner with DB and then stepped right back out.
 
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The LCP is heavier because LCP gen2 has slightly taller sights than P3AT and gen1 LCP, slide stop, and slightly less contoured slide than the P3AT (the mid slide chop on the P3AT isn't there on the LCP.
 
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