I have a guardian.32....it's a great gun and shoots well...but my hands are just to big. Same with the Kel-Tec p32. I want something alittle bigger but still can go into pockets like the Guardian. I'm thinking about a Colt Mustang, I thought about the Colt Pony, but i'm not a real fan of DAO. Is the mustang single action only or DA/SA? What's your opinion? Thanks.
Which .380 would it be?
- Thread starter RH Factor
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Sambonator
New member
Get a German Walther PP. It works for me! 
revolvergeek
New member
Not any .380s out there that really inspire me.
The Colt Pony and the new Guardian are IMHO too heavy for such a small gun for comfortable pocket carry. Not too heavy, but if you take my meaning too dense. Maybe better/different pocket holsters would have helped with mine, but i aways felt like it was moving around too much. It was very comfortable to shoot and NEVER once jammed, but i only put maybe 500 rounds through it before i sold it. Trigger and sights were lousy, but it would do it's job. If you could find a Pocketlite Pony it might be a good compromise.
For a carry .380 i would look at the Mustang + II or Gvt .380 Pocketlites from Colt if you are comfortable with cocked and locked in the pocket. They have a little longer grip than the Pony/Guardian/Keltec and may feel better to you.
The Sig p230, Makarov, PA 63 and CZ83 all have their merits, but they are a good deal bigger. An alloy frame P230 is nice, light and accurate, but you can get into several small 9mmPs that are roughly the same size and cost and hit much harder.
Maybe a PPK carried ON-SAFE if you can find one in your budget (pref German made, they seem to work better than the average American made ones) that works well, or possibly one of the KBI SMC PPK copies. Looked at some of those at a local shop recently and the triggers are very heavy but they seem pretty nice overall.
The Colt Pony and the new Guardian are IMHO too heavy for such a small gun for comfortable pocket carry. Not too heavy, but if you take my meaning too dense. Maybe better/different pocket holsters would have helped with mine, but i aways felt like it was moving around too much. It was very comfortable to shoot and NEVER once jammed, but i only put maybe 500 rounds through it before i sold it. Trigger and sights were lousy, but it would do it's job. If you could find a Pocketlite Pony it might be a good compromise.
For a carry .380 i would look at the Mustang + II or Gvt .380 Pocketlites from Colt if you are comfortable with cocked and locked in the pocket. They have a little longer grip than the Pony/Guardian/Keltec and may feel better to you.
The Sig p230, Makarov, PA 63 and CZ83 all have their merits, but they are a good deal bigger. An alloy frame P230 is nice, light and accurate, but you can get into several small 9mmPs that are roughly the same size and cost and hit much harder.
Maybe a PPK carried ON-SAFE if you can find one in your budget (pref German made, they seem to work better than the average American made ones) that works well, or possibly one of the KBI SMC PPK copies. Looked at some of those at a local shop recently and the triggers are very heavy but they seem pretty nice overall.
CZ83 in .380
RH, while looking at the above suggestions, also take a look at the CZ83 in .380 cal. This gun is a good size and shape for larger hands. Also note in the photos below, the larger trigger guard -- will handle gloved hand. This is a very fine firearm indeed. up until very recently it was imported in .32, .380, and Makarov calibers. But now only available in .380 cal (9mm Browning).
Mine is an oldie from '88, but here's a photo:
http://wsphotofews.excite.com/029/qv/c5/Hh/iz84290.jpg
Here is another photo of the same gun with a CZ50 in the same picture. The CZ50 is very similar to a Walther PP in size and shape, as is the CZ70 (almost identical to CZ50). The cz50 &cz70 are both .32 cal pistols, but are not recommended for large hands.
http://wsphotofews.excite.com/037/wy/It/mL/L726155.jpg
Another one, not mine, but newer with wood grips which may give you a better idea of the size:
http://wsphotofews.excite.com/031/cZ/Wq/ui/kR89837.jpg
Spiros
RH, while looking at the above suggestions, also take a look at the CZ83 in .380 cal. This gun is a good size and shape for larger hands. Also note in the photos below, the larger trigger guard -- will handle gloved hand. This is a very fine firearm indeed. up until very recently it was imported in .32, .380, and Makarov calibers. But now only available in .380 cal (9mm Browning).
Mine is an oldie from '88, but here's a photo:
http://wsphotofews.excite.com/029/qv/c5/Hh/iz84290.jpg
Here is another photo of the same gun with a CZ50 in the same picture. The CZ50 is very similar to a Walther PP in size and shape, as is the CZ70 (almost identical to CZ50). The cz50 &cz70 are both .32 cal pistols, but are not recommended for large hands.
http://wsphotofews.excite.com/037/wy/It/mL/L726155.jpg
Another one, not mine, but newer with wood grips which may give you a better idea of the size:
http://wsphotofews.excite.com/031/cZ/Wq/ui/kR89837.jpg
Spiros
I'll have to put in a vote for the Colt Mustang Pocketlite. One if the nicest little .380 pistols around, and perfrect for your application. I've had my Pocketlite for years, picked up an SS model a couple years back to keep it company. The bonus is the locked breech really tames the snap of the .380 in a small and light gun, the Mustang is a real pussycat.
I've had my Pocketlite for years, picked up an SS model a couple years back to keep it company. The bonus is the locked breech really tames the snap of the .380 in a small and light gun, the Mustang is a real pussycat.ppk/s is another good sized .380. I have a Manurhin one, licensed by Walther, that I recently picked up. Sits real nice in the hand when ya have your target lined up. Slim design is another bonus. ( Now this is my first post on a forum, so if I do it wrong, I'm apologizing ahead of time) 
The Walther PPK/S is a good little gun, but can be a little hard to handle if you have large hands (as I do). The handling is much improved by Farrar grips (actually a single sleeve-type grips that replaces the originals). I like my PPK/S, but I like my SIG P232 better. Better feel and smoother shooting.
MAKAROV or CZ-83
A Makarov in either .380 or preferable 9MM Mak is a great choice. Bulgies at SOG are $109 right now! If money is no object the Beretta 84/85 series is also good, but they are $400 or more. The Browning BDA is also a good, but expensive choice. Can't forget the CZ83 either (right Marko) which is priced right at around $300.
A Makarov in either .380 or preferable 9MM Mak is a great choice. Bulgies at SOG are $109 right now! If money is no object the Beretta 84/85 series is also good, but they are $400 or more. The Browning BDA is also a good, but expensive choice. Can't forget the CZ83 either (right Marko) which is priced right at around $300.
Check out the Bersa Thunder before you buy. It seems to have a good reputation here. Its PPK sized, so bigger than the Guardian, slightly bigger than the Colts, but smaller than the Beretta Cougar etc. Inexpensive. Alloy frame for light weight.
Also, check out SIG P-230. Another PPK "clone" of high quality. But it'll be heavier than the Bersa.
My .380 is an FEG APK. The current version is the FEG SMC-380. I beleive the SMC has an alloy frame for light weight, too. If so, that's another one to consider.
Also, check out SIG P-230. Another PPK "clone" of high quality. But it'll be heavier than the Bersa.
My .380 is an FEG APK. The current version is the FEG SMC-380. I beleive the SMC has an alloy frame for light weight, too. If so, that's another one to consider.
Revolvergeek
I have both a Colt Pony and Pony PocketLite. You are right that the Pony is a bit heavy for pocket carry EXCEPT in a pair of jeans with a good belt. The PocketLite is better for dress pants or shorts. Both are easy to shoot, although the Pony with the extra five ounces is a pussycat. I use Federal HS's which work very well. I just picked up some W-W Silvertips but had two failures of the slide to fully close on the second round in four magazines. Not exactly a confidence builder in a small self-defense gun. However the ST's do shoot a little better.
I think I prefer the DAO of the Pony over the cocked-and-locked of the Mustang for the purposes of pocket carry.
I have both a Colt Pony and Pony PocketLite. You are right that the Pony is a bit heavy for pocket carry EXCEPT in a pair of jeans with a good belt. The PocketLite is better for dress pants or shorts. Both are easy to shoot, although the Pony with the extra five ounces is a pussycat. I use Federal HS's which work very well. I just picked up some W-W Silvertips but had two failures of the slide to fully close on the second round in four magazines. Not exactly a confidence builder in a small self-defense gun. However the ST's do shoot a little better.
I think I prefer the DAO of the Pony over the cocked-and-locked of the Mustang for the purposes of pocket carry.
glockorama
New member
For quality and price, you can't beat the FEG SMC-380. Mine is accurate and functions flawlessly. Maks are great too, but a bit larger.