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View Full Version : so i just bought some .380 ammo...


Badness
May 12, 2010, 03:14 PM
for a .380 gun that i do not own yet...:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

which .380 would you recommend and why LOL? :D

spacecoast
May 12, 2010, 03:20 PM
Given its scarcity, don't worry, it's an investment... ;)

ElectricHellfire
May 12, 2010, 03:52 PM
For carry, I like the Ruger LCP and Bersa Thunder. The Ruger fits in the pocket very nicely.

rptrower
May 12, 2010, 03:56 PM
The Ruger LCP is my favorite. I own 3 of them.

coldpointcrossing
May 12, 2010, 04:04 PM
so i just bought some .380 ammo...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

for a .380 gun that i do not own yet...

which .380 would you recommend and why LOL?

I'm guilty as well. But I guess we can consider it prudent planning.

cerberus65
May 12, 2010, 04:18 PM
If you're talking about for carry then it's hard to beat the LCP. The Kel-Tec P-3AT is slightly thinner and I'm considering getting one but I haven't shot one yet.

I must confess - I too have bought ammo for guns I don't own yet. I even have dies for one of those calibers.

awpk03s
May 12, 2010, 05:00 PM
What will you use it for?? Pocket carry? Dedicated CCW pistol? Or fun/range pistol?

I pocket carry a Kahr P380. See this thread:
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=403575

I own a new Beretta 85FS Cheetah in Nickel that I can't wait to completely put through the paces.

I would highly recommend a Sig 232 as well.

Neither the Beretta or Sig are good pocket guns if that's what you're after, but they're very fine firearms and a good addition to any collection for shooting.

lamarw
May 12, 2010, 05:11 PM
One of the Beretta Cheetahs. They are not the smallest nor are they inexpensive, but you will recognize the difference when you hold it.

The Bersa Thunder and Beretta 85 are close to the same size, and you can buy two new Thunders for the price of one new Cheetah. I personally just like the looks and feel of the Chettah 85 that much better. I would take a good used Chettah over a new Thunder.

I have read and heard good things about most of the other .380s mentioned.

Save your brass and prepare to start reloading.

rsxr22
May 12, 2010, 05:16 PM
I love my Sig 232! It is definitely not a pocket carry but it is extremely reliable and a great shooter. Very accurate because of the fixed barrel design

NYPD13
May 12, 2010, 05:40 PM
Buying ammo for guns we don't own?......sounds more like planning ahead for future purchases!

Badness
May 12, 2010, 10:27 PM
yeah....i would say so :D

I did that because everytime i see a gun i want selling for a good deal, i always hesitate and then say to myself..."well, i'll sleep over it and make my decision in a day or two"...then i go to look at it again to help convince me i really do want to buy it..............................and of course it sold out. So i end up kicking myself to the point where i almost end up buying it from somewhere else for a higher price.

Hopefully since I now own the ammo for a gun i don't own, when i see the gun using that caliber for a good price, i'll just go for it.....cause i can't just leave that ammo sitting there collecting dust!

P1X4R
May 12, 2010, 11:34 PM
Sig P238!

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh285/P1X4R_2008/Guns/Sig%20P238/IMG_8286.jpg

gyvel
May 13, 2010, 05:51 AM
The FN/Browning 1910, always.

Qtiphky
May 13, 2010, 06:28 AM
Don't forget about the Walther PPK! Have one and love it and it does fit in your pocket.

CWPinSC
May 13, 2010, 06:44 AM
The "best" gun is the one YOU like, not anyone else. It will be a compromise of:

1. Fit - It should fit in your hand like you were born with it there.
2. Reliability - It should go BANG about 99.8% of the time you pull the trigger.
3. Accuracy - In YOUR hand. It's how well YOU shoot it.
4. Concealability - It should be comfortable enough to wear and easy enough to conceal so you won't leave it laying on the dresser at home.
5. Cost - You don't want to scrimp on your "life protector" weapon, but you probably don't need a $1,000 Kimber, either.

That being said, from experience, I can recommend the Bersa Thunder the Taurus Mil-Pro.

Jimtl
May 13, 2010, 06:58 AM
I usually end up carrying my LCP in a pocket holster. I'd rather carry a 9mm or larger, but figure a .380 in my pocket is better than my Glock in the safe.

FWIW, Both the local gun ranges I frequent seem to have plenty of target .380 in stock. Defensive ammo has been a little harder to find but seems to be getting a little better as well.

Check out the site below for some .380 ballistic info...

http://www.brassfetcher.com/380ACP%20ammunition%20performance%20in%20ballistic%20gelatin.pdf

Cooter Brown
May 13, 2010, 10:42 AM
I carry a Sig P238 with the trigger guard mounted laser on my ankle every day. I rarely notice that it's there. It's an awesome shooter. Easy to clean. Has the Sig reliability. This is a true carry gun. Anything larger you'll end up leaving it at home. Especially if you live in the south.

And 380 ammo is not hard to find in Tulsa. Not sure about anywhere else.

59754


Placement, capacity, caliber - in that order.

wingman
May 13, 2010, 10:53 AM
for a .380 gun that i do not own yet...

which .380 would you recommend and why LOL?

Depends on what or how you want to use it I have 3-380's a Russian Makarov 10 rounds,super accurate, an FEG smc 380, nice for carry but heavy, and I just purchased a Taurus TCP for pocket carry, I went with the TCP because of the larger trigger guard(large hands) and less felt recoil then the ruger lcp I tried. Best thing try out as many as you can I see the 380 as a back up only but it beats not having anything.;)

Piffin
May 15, 2010, 05:12 PM
My .380 is a Sig 232

Nice fit, unless I try to push it into my hip pocket, but it is concealable with a good holster.

What fits your hand and your useage is highly important.

I put a lot of guns into my hand when ever I want to buy one.

Forums are good for learning about reliability, not fit and feel.

berettaprofessor
May 16, 2010, 08:48 AM
Beretta '84, '85, or (the ultimate) '86. There is no substitute.

PSP
May 16, 2010, 09:04 AM
Pick from one of these and you'll have a winner...

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i186/ripley16/My380s.jpg

...but perhaps the ultimate .380acp is the HK P7K3, (just a tad bit pricey though).

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i186/ripley16/HKP7K3.jpg

The top photo show from left to right, top to bottom;
PPK/S, Beretta 85, Sig P232, Sphinx AT380, Beretta 84, P232, CZ83

Opinated
May 28, 2010, 08:04 PM
About 380 ammo, Walmart has shelf price of $17.47 for 50 rounds Remington, but rarely any in stock. Dick's seems to never have any. Gander Mountain store about 60 miles from my home says they have plenty is stock, 4 brands at $25.00 per 50 rounds. Local gun store told me for 10 weeks that they would have some just any day at $18.00 per box. Called me to say it had arrived, price $28.50 per box. I may just online order from Cabelas.

EricandSuebee
May 28, 2010, 08:51 PM
I paid $18.80 I think for a 50 round box of .380 ammo for my Bersa Thunder, I do plan on getting a PPK/S once I get some bills paid. For the price hard to beat the Bersa.

sek2344
May 28, 2010, 09:44 PM
I think shooters are making a big mistake with this .380 ammo shortage. IMO, the .380 is a good carry gun and has become very popular in the last year or so. I have two, a Kel-Tec and a Taurus TCP which I like very much. These super small guns are big sellers for all the reasons we already know. The point I am trying to make is that it is not necessary to practice so much with this little gun after you become familiar with it and shoot about 300 or so rounds.
Again, IMO this is a one purpose gun and this is to hit your target center mass at self defense range, no more than 25 feet and in most cases 10 to 15 feet. In most cases you will probably not even have a chance to use these very small sights. Once you become comfortable with these guns, just carry them with good self defense ammo and shoot them maybe two times a year. I use Power ball ammo in both guns and it costs me maybe 150.00 a year. These are not range guns, so what is the problem? ///END///

briandg
May 28, 2010, 09:51 PM
I have friend who is reloading .380, and I'm quite well pleased with his results. It is a lot cheaper than $30 a box.

EricandSuebee
May 28, 2010, 10:33 PM
So why don't people use .380 as a range gun? Everyone says don't use it for Range use but no one ever says why not to use it.

ScottRiqui
May 28, 2010, 10:39 PM
I don't know why not - my .380 is strictly a range toy.

Opinated
May 29, 2010, 06:35 AM
"These are not range guns, so what is the problem? ///END/// "

In the last 4 months, it has not been possible to find 300 rounds of 380 in this area. That is 6 boxes. I did get 4 boxes. 2 of them were $35.00 per box. Walmart shelves do have more of some calibers in recent days and hopefully the 380 will soon be available.

Glock_19
May 29, 2010, 06:44 AM
Personally, I think there is no reason to have a .380 that isn't a pocket pistol. I'd go with the Ruger LCP and carry it in a pocket holster.

EricandSuebee
May 29, 2010, 08:11 AM
Guns like the Walther PPK/S, Bersa Thunder and Beretta I would consider range guns due to the fact they are not small and medium framed so you can get a good grip on them. Some parts of the US have plenty of stock of .380 ammo and over in europe with .380 being the biggest that civilians get to shoot I don't see why you can't just shoot .380 as range.

PSP
May 29, 2010, 09:51 AM
Personally, I think there is no reason to have a .380 that isn't a pocket pistol.

That works for you, and that's good, however, some of us just like to shoot and own really great guns, and some of them are larger than a Keltec. Enjoyment and appreciation are factors I consider more than whether or not it fits in a pocket.

Using the "too big for the caliber" arguement makes no sense unless you consider all .45acps too big except the Kahr PM45 or all 9mms too big for the caliber except a Rohrbaugh. Sometimes more size, more weight, more grip, more capacity and good sights are what's called for.

I enjoy blasting through ammo in all my guns... there's not one that isn't fun, but there's something special about picking up the P232SL or my much used, shot and carried "Old Reliable" Beretta 84. They fit, they work, they hit what I look at and they make me smile, (AHHHH...give me a moment ;) ).

88m53453
May 29, 2010, 12:37 PM
i enjopy my Walther PPKS, but 380 ammo is tough to get my fingers around to reload and finding that little ole brass on the ground..oh well....the decison is to keep or maybe let it go and get a 9mm, might be easier to find the brass etc...?

SPIN2010
May 29, 2010, 05:43 PM
I can get it local for 22.00 a box (50rnds) ... but, it is .380 and shoots well.