General .380 S/auto consensus......

Eric Larsen · October 13, 2002, 02:46 PM

I know alot about .380's. Ive owned a bunch of the best and shot damn near everything else. I may be in the market for a "smaller" or doubles as a BUG s/auto. Id like to hear your experiences with the following guns. Actual experience is preferred....My cat can pick from guns he hasnt shot

.

Walther .380 PPK.PPKS
Bersa/FStorm .380 new style
Bersa 8* series old style
CZ 83
Browning/Beretta BDA/etc
FEG PMK/SMC
Mauser/HSC .380 auto
Daewoo .380 auto
Sig 230-232
NAA 380 guardian
New Smith and Walther PPKS
Taurus PT138
Roman Carpati M95 380
Sphinx AT380

Anything I missed

The ultimate is the Sphinx..the same size as the NAA just slightly bigger and holds 14 rnd....ssssppppeeeennnddddyyyyy

Shoot well

blades67 · October 13, 2002, 02:59 PM

I like the Colt Mustang and Mustang PocketLite the best, but I've had good experiences with the SIG Sauer P230/P232 and the Walther PPK/s. I've only been able to shoot a Guardian a couple of times, but the one I shot was reliable.

Laz · October 13, 2002, 03:16 PM

My experiences with .380s are as follows:

1. American Arms Escort - great concept, not a very good gun.
2. FEG AP (not SMC) very, very nice PP clone. Totally reliable and accurate.
3. Sig P230SL - a dream. Perfect fit and finish, perfect functioning.
4. Sig P232 both SL and blue - see 3 above.
5. NAA 380 - an early model. Couple of bobbles early on with Cor-Bon and a couple of other brands. 100% since with Federal, Winchester, Speer, etc. Surprisingly accurate and easy to shoot.
6. Have done limited shooting with friends Interarms PPK/S and his, at least, works fine. I like the Sig better.

Actually, I've had pretty good luck with .380s; only one lemon in the bunch. I've been impressed with the S&W made PPK/S but would only personally be interested in buying the PPK version if it ever shows up in the marketplace.

Pilot · October 13, 2002, 03:26 PM

Here's the best of the .380's that I own.

1. CZ-83
2. Beretta Cheetah
3. Russian Commercial Makarov in .380

Any of these three are excellent carry pistols. All are accurate 100% reliable and easily carried. They don't import the Russian Commercial Mak anymore, but if you look around, you can find one used.

VHinch · October 13, 2002, 03:26 PM

My only problem with .380's is that I have a hard time shooting a gun that small. I have a Bersa Thunder .380 that has been absolutely reliable and very accurate, but I've been thinking about trading or selling it because a gun that size just doesn't feel right in my big hands.

Baron Holbach · October 13, 2002, 03:30 PM

Taurus PT58
Taurus PT938

Baron Holbach · October 13, 2002, 03:33 PM

VHinch, I would strongly suggest you keep your Bersa .380, even though it is not an ideal fit for your hand. Your Bersa has been reliable and accurate, even though you might not shoot it as often. I try to avoid trading or selling any of my guns that have proven themselves many times over.

Crimper-D · October 13, 2002, 03:38 PM

My sisters - Walther clone - feels good, shoots good.
My only .380 was a WWII issue Walther PP. If you can find one get it.
I'm being drawn to a "blast from the Past" at my local gunpirates, a Remington 51 .380 = Very slick, very thin, very light for all steel construction

.....Very Old made in the 20's

Sure is a Nice old Mousegun though, anyone ever had one of these

Blackhawk · October 13, 2002, 03:40 PM

Quote:

My cat can pick from guns he hasnt shot

What guns HAS he shot?

Walther PPK .380 in stainless. Beautiful gun, and it functioned flawlessly.

Gigs:

Bigger and heavier than a 9mm KT P-11 with less capacity.

The slide can bite. Mine never bit me, but that's because I was very careful as to how I held it. Whether one will bite you or not depends on exactly how your hand is "built". In an emergency, mine probably would have bitten me.

After getting a P-11, there was no room in my heart for the PPK, especially since it was worth a couple of P-11s....

tbeb · October 13, 2002, 03:53 PM

Grendel P-12, 380 ACP, double action only, 11-round magazine. This pistol came out before the Kel Tec P-11. Believe same man designed both. I carry mine with 10 in the mag and one in the chamber. I have fired a bunch of Silvertips through it and have never had a malfunction. It works for me. These aren't made anymore. I got mine, which has a chrome slide, for $170. I think used ones are like $145.

Laz · October 13, 2002, 03:56 PM

Somehow, inexplicably, I forgot to mention my CZ-83. Its ONLY drawback is it is rather large for a .380. Still, it is robustly built, well put together, has a wonderful trigger, is extremely accurate, easy to shoot, points very well, is either 10+1 or 12+1 depending on finding pre-ban magazines, and absolutely loves hotter loadings such as Cor-Bon. It may not be the best CCW .380, but it is close to being the best .380, I think.

Baron Holbach · October 13, 2002, 04:17 PM

Laz, I second your comments concerning the CZ-83. It truly is a great gun, which just so happens to be one of the few .380s on the market where both the frame and slide are made of steel.

QB · October 13, 2002, 04:19 PM

.380s always hurt my hand.....

That is until I bought a Sphinx AT380. It's a DAO but is 100% reliable and shockingly accurate. Hits exactly what you point at every time! The DAO is actually quite nice. I liked my Sphinx so much I purchased a total of 4 of them over time (2 in palladium finish and 2 in duo tone). I have since sold one of the duo tones in order to buy another gun and may also sell my other duo tone. But I'll NEVER sell my 2 palladium finished guns. Nice Nice Nice guns (I am biased since I have a Sphinx AT2000 Police Special in palladium finish). Although Sphinx is trying to get a US distributor approved (application has been delayed now until at least the end of the year) they will not offer the palladium finish but rather what they refer to as a titanium finish. They emailed a picture to me and it's sort of grayish, much less appealing to me than the palladium finish. I was sorely disappointed in the news that palladium was no longer going to be offered.....hence the vow to NEVER sell my palladium finished guns. I really don't think there is a 14 round mag for them but I believe that 13 round mags exist (somewhere). I "think" I have a couple that 11-12 rounds fit in but not sure about 13.

The only other .380s I've ever owned were the Beretta Cheatah and a Walther PPK/S. Can't remember why I didin't like then since it was about 5-6 years ago when I had them (other than remembering they hurt my hand).

Baron Holbach · October 13, 2002, 04:46 PM

QB, I appreciate your comments concerning your Sphinx .380s. I do not know anything about this gun but am curious as to where I can find one and for how much they are selling. This is a Swiss-made gun.

pocketman · October 13, 2002, 06:28 PM

I've had a bunch of 380's, for a belt piece I would use a alloy sig.230/232.

I currenlty have two pocket 380's, a blue walther ppk and a custom colt mustang, both are excellent useful pocket pieces.

This pic is lowsey, its raining outside and that is where I do my best work.

Hard Ball · October 13, 2002, 06:37 PM

The only .380 I have shot extensively is a German made Walther .380 PPK/S. It is an excellent pistol, accurate and reliable. If I were going to carry a .380 I would carry it.

sox · October 13, 2002, 07:45 PM

Eric, my hands down favorite is the Colt Mustang Pocketlite. I think this thing was like 12.5oz. The recoil was super light, it was accurate and THIN. This is a browning type action which helps the recoil. I didn't care for the PPK- heavy trigger, cut my web. Sig is too big for .380, but nice and light with great trigger. The Sig is actually pretty good. Owned the sphinx years ago when it first came out, small but brick like. So, I saw a Mustang Pocketlite for 350.00 the other day. I would buy one at that price. The Sig P230 can be found pretty reasonably too. Goodluck.

Eric Larsen · October 13, 2002, 09:10 PM

Great replies so far. Just for noting. Ive owned 2 CZ 83's..IMO the Cadillac of 380's...perfect. Just a tad big for a BUG...wanting more pocketability than anything else. Ive shot Walthers, FEG's, Bersa's, Colts (the only one Id consider is the Pony...just a d/a kinda guy

) Brownings (owned a BDA), Daewoo and Mauser/Hsc guns....some alot and some alittle.
I can make a holster than will hide the weight easily...but not the size. After consideration regarding this matter the following are a tad large ......

The Walther PP....functioning probs and bit me BAD
CZ 83...Miss em all ...sniff
Sigs...great guns just a tad big..almost dual stack big
Beretta..same as Browning
Browning...miss this one too ...but too big
Daewoo....great gun...same as the Sig
Mauser/Hsc....same as the Daewoo/Sig
FEG AP9...same as above
Bersa 8* ....same size as the 83
Mak....380..just a tad large for pocket.

This leaves the FEG PMK/SMC, Bersa new prod, Smith and Walther Ppks, Naa Guardian, Sphinx AT 380 (Drool) 13 rnd mag +1, Colt Pony and maybe one or two others....keep going.

Shoot well.....much thanks

Coltdriver · October 13, 2002, 09:11 PM

I have had a couple of .380's that you don't mention.

I have a Colt Mustang in stainless that is an excellent, easy shooter. Recoil is totally manageable because of the locked breech versus the blow back style of the walthers and cz's etc.

I have a Colt Pocketlite in .380 that my smith melted and polished and it is a permanent keeper.

13 oz, locked breech. Even hot rounds are easy on the hand. My wife carry's the Pocketlite most of the time and really likes to shoot it.

Rovert · October 13, 2002, 09:50 PM

Unless you're absolutely hung up on .380, I'd suggest a micro 9mm, like the Kahr MK9. Pretty much the same size as a PPK, or other common .380, but more power.

Check my web page for a write-up.

Eric Larsen · October 13, 2002, 10:04 PM

Rovert,
Thanks...right now Im throwing an idea. There is something alluring about some of the .380's Ive had and shot over the years...the little PMK FEG I shot was a prince in FEG clothing.

I currently own a fully Custom K40 and am usually the "defend Kahrs to the death" guy here. Ive shot a couple of MK's and like them alot. Great guns....I wont rule them out but Im still gonna check out a couple of .380's also...

Thanks and Shoot well

robctwo · October 13, 2002, 10:24 PM

My Beretta 84 Cheetah was a leo used, has 13 round mags. It has lots more recoil than the Bersa Thunder and is bigger. Otoh it holds more rounds and is a Beretta. By the time I'm looking at the Beretta, I'm closer in size to the BHP and CZ75, so the Beretta stays home most of the time. I am a CZ fan, so one of those little puppies may follow me home some day.

itgoesboom · October 13, 2002, 11:14 PM

As i have mentioned on numerous other threads, i currently am using a Bersa .380 (new version) as my carry piece. When i was looking for pistols (and i looked for months), it was the only small pistol that fit my hand well. And the fact that it was very inexpensive was just icing on the cake.

It fits my hands just perfectly, point instinctivly, the D/A trigger isn't too heavy, and the S/A is nice and light, it feeds very reliably, is easy to take apart and put together (once you get the hang of it), and is more accurate than you really need it to be. As i have said in previous posts, i tend to outshoot most of the people at the range i attend when i shoot it.

Add in that it conceals well, and is light enough for me to feel comfortable even with a fairly inexpensive belt.

There are only a couple things that are odd when it comes to the Bersa;

1. The grip panels will sometimes become loose after 100 or so rounds, although, since i tightened them good, i haven't had a problem.

2. I noticed that when i ejected a live round, (ie, before dry-firing, or before cleaning), that there was occasionally a small dent on the side of the primer. It turns out that the ejector "taps" the back of the round if it is ejected without a magazine in the pistol. So now i just put an empty mag in before i eject the chambered round, and there are no more problems. I have heard of other pistols doing something similar, but i prefer not to chance it, so i just use an extra mag.

Other than that, i think this pistol is one of the best bargains out there, especially at $220 NIB.

I.G.B.

Robby from Long Island · October 13, 2002, 11:15 PM

The only experience I have had is with my Beretta 84F. Have to admit I'm really quite happy with it.

Maybe some people would say it's too big for a .380, but then again it's holding 14 rounds of Cor-Bon.

I looked at a lot of other .380's before making my choice and I wouldn't take another over the Beretta.

QB · October 13, 2002, 11:19 PM

Baron Holbach -- there are a few of the duo tone Sphinx AT380s for sale at GunsAmerica. I purchased all 4 of mine from dealers on Gunbroker. The 2 duo tones were consecutive serial numbers and from the same dealer. The dealer I sold one of them to probably still has it but I can't say for sure. I say he may still have it because he really didn't want it but I am a good customer of his and so he let me trade it in. It's not normally a type of gun he would sell & he may just put it out on his table & see what happens. The dealers at the Dallas Market Hall gun show just didn't have any interest in the Sphinx.

The GunsAmerica guns run from $425 to $569???? They are all duo tone (I purchased the only palladium finished ones the minute they hit the auction). I believe 2 or three of the ones posted have been there a LONG time and it's possible they are no longer available. The one posted for $450 (I think that 's the price) was just posted within the last week or so.

By the way, the AT2000 duo tone that is listed on GunsAmerica has been there a LONG time also and I would be surprised if it's still available but who knows.

Good luck.

October 13, 2002, 02:46 PM	#1
Eric Larsen Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2001 Location: Bountiful....Ut. Posts: 3,226	General .380 S/auto consensus...... I know alot about .380's. Ive owned a bunch of the best and shot damn near everything else. I may be in the market for a "smaller" or doubles as a BUG s/auto. Id like to hear your experiences with the following guns. Actual experience is preferred....My cat can pick from guns he hasnt shot . Walther .380 PPK.PPKS Bersa/FStorm .380 new style Bersa 8* series old style CZ 83 Browning/Beretta BDA/etc FEG PMK/SMC Mauser/HSC .380 auto Daewoo .380 auto Sig 230-232 NAA 380 guardian New Smith and Walther PPKS Taurus PT138 Roman Carpati M95 380 Sphinx AT380 Anything I missed The ultimate is the Sphinx..the same size as the NAA just slightly bigger and holds 14 rnd....ssssppppeeeennnddddyyyyy Shoot well __________________ If they dont know you have a gun.....then I did alright! If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice......Rush

October 13, 2002, 02:59 PM	#2
blades67 Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 1999 Location: Chandler, Arizona, USA Posts: 6,014	I like the Colt Mustang and Mustang PocketLite the best, but I've had good experiences with the SIG Sauer P230/P232 and the Walther PPK/s. I've only been able to shoot a Guardian a couple of times, but the one I shot was reliable. __________________ Guns cause crime like spoons cause Rosie O'Donnell to be fat! I hunt, therefore I am.

October 13, 2002, 03:16 PM	#3
Laz Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 1999 Posts: 1,278	My experiences with .380s are as follows: 1. American Arms Escort - great concept, not a very good gun. 2. FEG AP (not SMC) very, very nice PP clone. Totally reliable and accurate. 3. Sig P230SL - a dream. Perfect fit and finish, perfect functioning. 4. Sig P232 both SL and blue - see 3 above. 5. NAA 380 - an early model. Couple of bobbles early on with Cor-Bon and a couple of other brands. 100% since with Federal, Winchester, Speer, etc. Surprisingly accurate and easy to shoot. 6. Have done limited shooting with friends Interarms PPK/S and his, at least, works fine. I like the Sig better. Actually, I've had pretty good luck with .380s; only one lemon in the bunch. I've been impressed with the S&W made PPK/S but would only personally be interested in buying the PPK version if it ever shows up in the marketplace. __________________ Laz I’m just a nobody, trying to tell everybody, about Somebody, who can save anybody.

October 13, 2002, 03:26 PM	#4
Pilot Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2000 Posts: 4,193	.380's I own Here's the best of the .380's that I own. 1. CZ-83 2. Beretta Cheetah 3. Russian Commercial Makarov in .380 Any of these three are excellent carry pistols. All are accurate 100% reliable and easily carried. They don't import the Russian Commercial Mak anymore, but if you look around, you can find one used. __________________ Pilot

October 13, 2002, 03:30 PM	#6
Baron Holbach Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2002 Location: Maryland Posts: 238	Here's a couple more Taurus PT58 Taurus PT938

October 13, 2002, 03:26 PM	#5
VHinch Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2002 Location: Northeast Georgia Posts: 374	My only problem with .380's is that I have a hard time shooting a gun that small. I have a Bersa Thunder .380 that has been absolutely reliable and very accurate, but I've been thinking about trading or selling it because a gun that size just doesn't feel right in my big hands.

October 13, 2002, 03:33 PM	#7
Baron Holbach Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2002 Location: Maryland Posts: 238	Your .380 VHinch, I would strongly suggest you keep your Bersa .380, even though it is not an ideal fit for your hand. Your Bersa has been reliable and accurate, even though you might not shoot it as often. I try to avoid trading or selling any of my guns that have proven themselves many times over.

October 13, 2002, 03:38 PM	#8
Crimper-D Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2001 Location: The Bearflag Republic Posts: 579	Ditto the FEG AP My sisters - Walther clone - feels good, shoots good. My only .380 was a WWII issue Walther PP. If you can find one get it. I'm being drawn to a "blast from the Past" at my local gunpirates, a Remington 51 .380 = Very slick, very thin, very light for all steel construction .....Very Old made in the 20's Sure is a Nice old Mousegun though, anyone ever had one of these __________________ "It is evident that scepticism, while it makes no actual change in a man, always makes him feel better.".....H.L.Mencken

October 13, 2002, 03:53 PM	#10
tbeb Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 100	Grendel P-12, 380 ACP, double action only, 11-round magazine. This pistol came out before the Kel Tec P-11. Believe same man designed both. I carry mine with 10 in the mag and one in the chamber. I have fired a bunch of Silvertips through it and have never had a malfunction. It works for me. These aren't made anymore. I got mine, which has a chrome slide, for $170. I think used ones are like $145.

October 13, 2002, 03:56 PM	#11
Laz Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 1999 Posts: 1,278	Somehow, inexplicably, I forgot to mention my CZ-83. Its ONLY drawback is it is rather large for a .380. Still, it is robustly built, well put together, has a wonderful trigger, is extremely accurate, easy to shoot, points very well, is either 10+1 or 12+1 depending on finding pre-ban magazines, and absolutely loves hotter loadings such as Cor-Bon. It may not be the best CCW .380, but it is close to being the best .380, I think. __________________ Laz I’m just a nobody, trying to tell everybody, about Somebody, who can save anybody.

October 13, 2002, 04:17 PM	#12
Baron Holbach Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2002 Location: Maryland Posts: 238	Laz's comments Laz, I second your comments concerning the CZ-83. It truly is a great gun, which just so happens to be one of the few .380s on the market where both the frame and slide are made of steel.

October 13, 2002, 04:19 PM	#13
QB Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2000 Location: Carrollton, Texas (DFW Metro) Posts: 100	.380s always hurt my hand..... That is until I bought a Sphinx AT380. It's a DAO but is 100% reliable and shockingly accurate. Hits exactly what you point at every time! The DAO is actually quite nice. I liked my Sphinx so much I purchased a total of 4 of them over time (2 in palladium finish and 2 in duo tone). I have since sold one of the duo tones in order to buy another gun and may also sell my other duo tone. But I'll NEVER sell my 2 palladium finished guns. Nice Nice Nice guns (I am biased since I have a Sphinx AT2000 Police Special in palladium finish). Although Sphinx is trying to get a US distributor approved (application has been delayed now until at least the end of the year) they will not offer the palladium finish but rather what they refer to as a titanium finish. They emailed a picture to me and it's sort of grayish, much less appealing to me than the palladium finish. I was sorely disappointed in the news that palladium was no longer going to be offered.....hence the vow to NEVER sell my palladium finished guns. I really don't think there is a 14 round mag for them but I believe that 13 round mags exist (somewhere). I "think" I have a couple that 11-12 rounds fit in but not sure about 13. The only other .380s I've ever owned were the Beretta Cheatah and a Walther PPK/S. Can't remember why I didin't like then since it was about 5-6 years ago when I had them (other than remembering they hurt my hand).

October 13, 2002, 06:37 PM	#16
Hard Ball Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 1999 Location: California Posts: 3,925	The only .380 I have shot extensively is a German made Walther .380 PPK/S. It is an excellent pistol, accurate and reliable. If I were going to carry a .380 I would carry it. __________________ "I swear to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemeis domestic or foreign WHOMSOEVER."

October 13, 2002, 07:45 PM	#17
sox Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 1999 Location: Atlanta Georgia Posts: 591	Eric, my hands down favorite is the Colt Mustang Pocketlite. I think this thing was like 12.5oz. The recoil was super light, it was accurate and THIN. This is a browning type action which helps the recoil. I didn't care for the PPK- heavy trigger, cut my web. Sig is too big for .380, but nice and light with great trigger. The Sig is actually pretty good. Owned the sphinx years ago when it first came out, small but brick like. So, I saw a Mustang Pocketlite for 350.00 the other day. I would buy one at that price. The Sig P230 can be found pretty reasonably too. Goodluck.

October 13, 2002, 09:10 PM	#18
Eric Larsen Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2001 Location: Bountiful....Ut. Posts: 3,226	Great replies so far. Just for noting. Ive owned 2 CZ 83's..IMO the Cadillac of 380's...perfect. Just a tad big for a BUG...wanting more pocketability than anything else. Ive shot Walthers, FEG's, Bersa's, Colts (the only one Id consider is the Pony...just a d/a kinda guy ) Brownings (owned a BDA), Daewoo and Mauser/Hsc guns....some alot and some alittle. I can make a holster than will hide the weight easily...but not the size. After consideration regarding this matter the following are a tad large ...... The Walther PP....functioning probs and bit me BAD CZ 83...Miss em all ...sniff Sigs...great guns just a tad big..almost dual stack big Beretta..same as Browning Browning...miss this one too ...but too big Daewoo....great gun...same as the Sig Mauser/Hsc....same as the Daewoo/Sig FEG AP9...same as above Bersa 8* ....same size as the 83 Mak....380..just a tad large for pocket. This leaves the FEG PMK/SMC, Bersa new prod, Smith and Walther Ppks, Naa Guardian, Sphinx AT 380 (Drool) 13 rnd mag +1, Colt Pony and maybe one or two others....keep going. Shoot well.....much thanks __________________ If they dont know you have a gun.....then I did alright! If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice......Rush

October 13, 2002, 09:11 PM	#19
Coltdriver Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2001 Posts: 683	I have had a couple of .380's that you don't mention. I have a Colt Mustang in stainless that is an excellent, easy shooter. Recoil is totally manageable because of the locked breech versus the blow back style of the walthers and cz's etc. I have a Colt Pocketlite in .380 that my smith melted and polished and it is a permanent keeper. 13 oz, locked breech. Even hot rounds are easy on the hand. My wife carry's the Pocketlite most of the time and really likes to shoot it.

October 13, 2002, 09:50 PM	#20
Rovert Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2001 Posts: 824	Unless you're absolutely hung up on .380, I'd suggest a micro 9mm, like the Kahr MK9. Pretty much the same size as a PPK, or other common .380, but more power. Check my web page for a write-up. __________________ "Following the path of least resistance is what makes rivers, and men, crooked."

October 13, 2002, 10:04 PM	#21
Eric Larsen Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2001 Location: Bountiful....Ut. Posts: 3,226	Rovert, Thanks...right now Im throwing an idea. There is something alluring about some of the .380's Ive had and shot over the years...the little PMK FEG I shot was a prince in FEG clothing. I currently own a fully Custom K40 and am usually the "defend Kahrs to the death" guy here. Ive shot a couple of MK's and like them alot. Great guns....I wont rule them out but Im still gonna check out a couple of .380's also... Thanks and Shoot well __________________ If they dont know you have a gun.....then I did alright! If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice......Rush

October 13, 2002, 10:24 PM	#22
robctwo Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2002 Location: Albany, Oregon Posts: 644	My Beretta 84 Cheetah was a leo used, has 13 round mags. It has lots more recoil than the Bersa Thunder and is bigger. Otoh it holds more rounds and is a Beretta. By the time I'm looking at the Beretta, I'm closer in size to the BHP and CZ75, so the Beretta stays home most of the time. I am a CZ fan, so one of those little puppies may follow me home some day.

October 13, 2002, 11:14 PM	#23
itgoesboom Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2002 Posts: 223	As i have mentioned on numerous other threads, i currently am using a Bersa .380 (new version) as my carry piece. When i was looking for pistols (and i looked for months), it was the only small pistol that fit my hand well. And the fact that it was very inexpensive was just icing on the cake. It fits my hands just perfectly, point instinctivly, the D/A trigger isn't too heavy, and the S/A is nice and light, it feeds very reliably, is easy to take apart and put together (once you get the hang of it), and is more accurate than you really need it to be. As i have said in previous posts, i tend to outshoot most of the people at the range i attend when i shoot it. Add in that it conceals well, and is light enough for me to feel comfortable even with a fairly inexpensive belt. There are only a couple things that are odd when it comes to the Bersa; 1. The grip panels will sometimes become loose after 100 or so rounds, although, since i tightened them good, i haven't had a problem. 2. I noticed that when i ejected a live round, (ie, before dry-firing, or before cleaning), that there was occasionally a small dent on the side of the primer. It turns out that the ejector "taps" the back of the round if it is ejected without a magazine in the pistol. So now i just put an empty mag in before i eject the chambered round, and there are no more problems. I have heard of other pistols doing something similar, but i prefer not to chance it, so i just use an extra mag. Other than that, i think this pistol is one of the best bargains out there, especially at $220 NIB. I.G.B.

October 13, 2002, 11:15 PM	#24
Robby from Long Island Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2001 Location: North Babylon, N.Y. Posts: 157	The only experience I have had is with my Beretta 84F. Have to admit I'm really quite happy with it. Maybe some people would say it's too big for a .380, but then again it's holding 14 rounds of Cor-Bon. I looked at a lot of other .380's before making my choice and I wouldn't take another over the Beretta. __________________ Robby

October 13, 2002, 11:19 PM	#25
QB Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2000 Location: Carrollton, Texas (DFW Metro) Posts: 100	Baron Holbach -- there are a few of the duo tone Sphinx AT380s for sale at GunsAmerica. I purchased all 4 of mine from dealers on Gunbroker. The 2 duo tones were consecutive serial numbers and from the same dealer. The dealer I sold one of them to probably still has it but I can't say for sure. I say he may still have it because he really didn't want it but I am a good customer of his and so he let me trade it in. It's not normally a type of gun he would sell & he may just put it out on his table & see what happens. The dealers at the Dallas Market Hall gun show just didn't have any interest in the Sphinx. The GunsAmerica guns run from $425 to $569???? They are all duo tone (I purchased the only palladium finished ones the minute they hit the auction). I believe 2 or three of the ones posted have been there a LONG time and it's possible they are no longer available. The one posted for $450 (I think that 's the price) was just posted within the last week or so. By the way, the AT2000 duo tone that is listed on GunsAmerica has been there a LONG time also and I would be surprised if it's still available but who knows. Good luck.