April 4, 2011, 10:57 PM | #1 |
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S&W or Walther?
I was looking at two 380s today, the Walther PK380 and the S&W Bodyguard. This would be a CCW for me, just looking for info on either or both. Pros and cons would be nice. I am a big guy 6'0 250# so I did like the larger grip on the Walther, but the S&W comes with a laser. Any comments will be helpful. Thanks
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April 4, 2011, 11:07 PM | #2 |
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I've done a lot of research on the two because I was in the same boat about a months ago. Here is a thread where people helped me as far as walthers go.
http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...t=used+walther Long story short, I did not buy the walther ppk, but the bersa thunder .380, which you can see in my review of it here. http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...hlight=walther If I had to choose between the "Walther" (The new ones are actually made by S&W) and the bodyguard, I would without a doubt choose the walther. It has much less problems (proven record) and feels MUCH better in the hand. Also, the laser on switch is in a weird place on the body guard and I can't say it is very intuitive to activate (especially under stress). However, if I were you I would also consider the Bersa Thunder and Sig P232 as alternatives. |
April 4, 2011, 11:21 PM | #3 |
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After reading a few threads on 380s, I am concidering the Bersa, can it be fitted with a laser sight in anyway? I might not be the only one carrying it once the wife shoots it.
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April 4, 2011, 11:23 PM | #4 |
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For the same size handguns you're looking at you can get away from the underpowered .380 and get at least a 9mm handgun. Even .40 cal starts to come into play.
Walther PPS Multiple kel-tec pistols New Ruger 9mm New sig 9mm Khar pistols There is quite a list of small service caliber pistols. |
April 4, 2011, 11:27 PM | #5 |
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Yes, there is a laser grip available, which is just as expensive as the gun :P
http://www.crimsontrace.com/Home/Pro...4/Default.aspx Honestly, I don't know how these laser grips are so expensive. A decent laser cost $40. Oh well. If you are worried about finish, go with the nickel bersa. Also note that there is a CC model of the bersa thunder that has low profile sights, which I would not suggest (the normal ones on the thunder are fine and accurate). If money wasn't a factor for me, I probably would have gone with the walther. That being said, I don't know that there would have been any difference in shootability or reliability. IF you want to go 9mm, there are some of comparable size mentioned above. I think my next pistol will be the CZ Rami or the Kahr p9 Last edited by Kodyo; April 5, 2011 at 01:49 AM. |
April 4, 2011, 11:27 PM | #6 |
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One of the Kel-tec 9mm are also on the short list. I have a S&W 6 shot snubbie 38 already, I just want something thinner, and my Colt Series 70 is a full size and I wouldn't carry that without a shoulder holster.
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April 5, 2011, 12:31 AM | #7 |
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OttoJara,
It depends on how you want to carry. Unless you are going to pocket carry, there are better choices than the SW 380, much easier to shoot. These have been mentioned: Kahr CW9 Kahr PM9 or (new, cheaper) CM 9, which can also be pocketed Both the above would be much easier to shoot than the Kel-tec 9mms, and I like them both better than the Walther PPS. The new Ruger LC9 would probably feel and shoot more like the Kel-tecs it copied, so I wouldn't recommend until I get info that it's better than that. Not sure which Walther you are referring to. The "classic" metal frame PPK is in my view a bit outmoded, by the Kahrs and others, and the polymer PK 380 (?) seemed cheap to me, bulkier than the Kahrs, and has that weird Walther mag release I can't stand. Try the Kahrs. |
April 5, 2011, 01:45 AM | #8 |
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I definitely misread the PK380 part as a ppk, my bad. I do have a small place in my heart for metal framed pistols, so I am partial to those (nothing wrong with polymers though).
I am not very familiar with the firearm, so can't say much pertaining to it. I would also suggest taking a hard look at the Kahrs and those that offer competing models. I would take a kahr over a bodyguard any day. Last edited by Kodyo; April 5, 2011 at 01:50 AM. |
April 5, 2011, 03:55 AM | #9 |
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I strongly suggest at least HOLDING a sig P232, they fit the hand like all pistols should. They're very accurate and reliable, but may not be made much longer due to production costs and the Sig 238. I only wish it was 9mm.
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April 5, 2011, 06:50 AM | #10 |
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I never thought about the Kahr or the Sig, my budget is around $450-$500. Maybe if I can find a nice preowned (I don't like saying USED for guns), I would like to get a laser for it. BTW, any suggestions for a good lower priced laser for these guns?
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April 5, 2011, 06:57 AM | #11 |
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The more I look at the Bersa 380, the more I am leaning that way, no place to put an accessory but the price is hard to beat and from what I have been reading, they are very reliable.
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April 5, 2011, 09:54 AM | #12 |
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I was initially somewhat enamored with the PK380, but my feelings have soured. Reasons:
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April 5, 2011, 10:13 AM | #13 |
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I've had most of the pocket size .380s and 9mms and IMO the way to go is the new Kahr CM9. Can be had new for around $425. My thinking is why go with a .380 when I can get a subcompact 9mm the same size? I know the argument about less recoil but in my experiences the Kahr PM9, which is bsically the CM9 plus all the bells and whistles, recoils no more than any .380 I've shot.
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April 5, 2011, 10:34 AM | #14 |
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I'm a big fan of Walther firearms but not the PK380. It feels kinda "cheap" to me. And I'm pretty sure the slide is cast.
Someone earlier stated that S&W made Walthers, but mine were all made in Deutchland. Maybe the Pk is, as I don't have one to look for the "DE". S&W do import Walthers, but as far as I've seen, Walther makes their own guns.
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April 5, 2011, 11:25 AM | #15 | |
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Quote:
AFAIK the PK380 and P22 are actually made by Umarex, Walther's parent company, in Koln (Cologne), Germany. The P99, PPS, and PPQ are made at the Walther plant in Ulm, Germany. S&W manufactures the American-market PPK and PPK/S at their plant in Houlton, ME. This plant is also the source of all current S&W .22LR semi-automatic pistols. AFAIK the S&W SW99, a modified version of the P99, was formerly made at the main S&W plant in Springfield, MA, but this pistol was recently discontinued in favor of the M&P series.
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April 5, 2011, 12:25 PM | #16 |
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As mentioned above, check out a PPS in 9mm or .40 S&W OP.
The PPS is slightly smaller than the PK 380. I've had a PPS for 18 months or so. It's uber accurate and very reliable. At this point, I've put 1,700 rds. of assorted fmj and jhp through it with zero malfunctions.
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April 5, 2011, 04:35 PM | #17 | |
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Quote:
The P99, PPS, and PPQ are the only "real" Walthers, and therefore, the only ones I'd spend my hard-earned money on (and I have - I have a P99AS that is quite simply the best handgun I've ever owned, and I'm eyeing a new PPS). The Umarex and S&W manufactured models aren't even in the same ballpark, quality wise. Not to same they are bad products - just not up to the stellar quality of the Walther pistols. |
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April 5, 2011, 06:06 PM | #18 |
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I should have specified that I have a P99 and two PPS's.
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April 5, 2011, 06:26 PM | #19 |
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Well guys, I now have my sights on the Khar cm9, I looked it up online and now I'm going to see if I can find one in a store to hold. Thanks
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April 5, 2011, 06:28 PM | #20 |
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While at the gun shop il also check out other pocket 9s. Thanks again I know I can always count on you guys for advice (sometimes).
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April 5, 2011, 08:31 PM | #21 |
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IMO the CM9 is a great firearm at an excellent price.
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April 5, 2011, 09:47 PM | #22 |
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I own a pk380. Never experienced a FTF or FTE. Grip feels amazing and really easy to shoot. Very accurate out to 25 yards. I've fired the Bersa and its definitely more difficult to shoot.
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