LWS Seecamp vs PPK 380

[turbojohn]

Got tremendous response to keep PPK over Sig-232 because of size, etc. Appreciate that and I saved some bucks too. Have a friend wanting to trade his Seecamp LWS380 for my PPK 380 (with some reasonable difference in $). What is response??: is the Seecamp380/32 as good as they say it is?? I have always heard these hand-made guns are some of the best out there.

[murphjup]

I own both PPK/s and Seecamp LWS .380.... they are both fine pistols...

It depends on your needs... if you want pocket carry there is no better in my opinion than the Seecamp... either .32 or .380, however the .380's are pricey... usually around $800-$900...

I liked carrying my PPK, but I found it too heavy for pocket carry or any other carry for that matter here in Florida, where T-shirts and Shorts are worn most of the year...

Come on over to the Seecamp forum and take a look around...

http://www.seecamp.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl

Might help you make a decision...

Let me know if you have any other questions...

:)

[turbojohn]

Agree on the heavy part, that is why I looking towards the Seecamp. Looked at the webpage, nothing like our firing line. Just was wondering if the Seecamp really was worth the extra cash. All the gun mags praise it.:confused:

[murphjup]

TurboJohn, it depends on how you want to carry... if you can carry in a IWB or OWB holster you might be better off with a bigger caliber gun...

But like I said if you want Pocket carry... I don't think you can beat it...

Some will say that a .380 round is marginal for SD especially from a smaller pocket pistol, so keep that in mind in your decision making..

I wouldn't sell my PPK because I like it too much too...

So it's really a matter of personal preferance...

:)

[speedracer211]

what about the rohrbaugh 9

[turbojohn]

Not real sure what you mean...I thought the 32 was becoming obsolete. according to the Seecamp writeup because "their disproportionate size to caliber ratio and the increase in the number of criminals shooting back who were punching bigger holes." I have often thought maybe for the Seecamp, it may be best to go 32 because of its small size, but with everything going to 380 now...there has to be some advantage of the larger caliber.:confused: Hell you can get two .32 for the price of the .380 getting tougher and tougher to make the decision.

[PSP]

These are really different types of gun. The Seecamp is a specialized gun, on the cusp of the gunmakers technological and practical limit of manufacturing a reliable gun. They only compare in caliber, not in one to one matchups. Like comparing the PPK to a 1911...they're just too different I think. Here's a PPK/S and a Seecamp. Very different in size, weight, purpose.
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i186/ripley16/PPKandSeecamp.jpg

[DAdams]

Don't mean to derail but it's not that often that Seecamps show up in a conversation.

I would just like to interject that I am in the market for one late model previously loved or NIB. I am not interested in paying over $950 for NIB.

Thanks for your indulgence and now back to your prior conversation.

[murphjup]

DA,

Take a look at the Seecamp forum..

http://www.seecamp.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl

Post your need there... there are a few dealers there...

:)

[los]

Great Posts Murph!

Once you hold the Seecamp (LWS32 and/or LWS380), and then proceed to experience it's unique and uncanny ability to disappear in the pocket (holstered),....it's a no-brainer.


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y6/los3088/MySeecampNkimber2.jpg

[Tom2]

Old guy at the last gun show was trying to palm off a Rohrbach used, for 800$. SOmething about not being able to shoot it well because of arthritis, don't know what that is about, but if there are used ones out there for that price and a 380 Seecamp is about that new, well, I guess they both have collectability potential in the future. I would go with the 9 if I could control it good enough.

[murphjup]

I try to take after all your Great Posts my friend Los!!

:)

[predecessor]

As murphjup says, It depends on your needs...

The Walther PPK is a great carry gun - proven mechanics, awesome history, easier to manage and shoot accurately vs. a pocket gun. You'll enjoy the range far more with the PPK.

But fit in the pocket well, it will not. If you want a pocket gun the Seecamp is generally considered head of the class. But you'll pay for it. If money is no object, definitely go with the Seecamp. Other more affordable choices currently in pocket carry are:

NAA Guardian .32 ACP or .380 ACP - ($400 to $500 - but hard to find new in .380 these days) close to the Seecamp in quality. Plenty of accessories.

Beretta Tomcat .32 ACP - ($400) classic design and crimson trace makes laser grips for them now. A nice addition since pocket carry is primarily for self defence.

Kel-tec P-32 (.32 ACP) or P-3AT (.380 ACP) - ($200 to $300) - good mechanics, cheap finish - but some would prefer to sweat on and scratch an inexpensive finish then mar a $500 to $800 gun during regular carry duty.

All have their pros and cons so it is up to you to decide your needs. In my opinion the .32 ACP is every bit as viable an option as the .380 ACP in pocket carry. So find a good deal on a firearm and carry safe!

[michael t]

I carried my PPK/S(interarms) in my front pocket for a long time. I never had a problem with the weight or fitting in pocket.S&W with that silly tang might be another story. My holster was a Don Hume. I also have a DH for IWB. I love a Seecamp in 32 I don't think I would want the 380. I have a 380 KT and with Corbon DPX its snappy, I belive Seecamp would be more as its a delay lowback. But its still a blowback.

[los]

michael t

.....I love a Seecamp in 32 I don't think I would want the 380. I have a 380 KT and with Corbon DPX its snappy...

Interesting comment. I carry my LWS380 loaded with DPX.

[456-SGT]

To PSP and Los - those are awesome photos that do those weapons serious justice. I currently carry a S&W 342PD .38 off duty and I have been thinking of a change, primarily due to the thickness of the gun. I had been considering a Walther, mostly because I owned one in the past and loved it. But I gotta tell you, I knew that Seecamps were good, but not that small. There's clearly a huge difference between the two weapons, with Seecamp dominating the small and concealable catagory.

I, too, think that I have now been bitten by the Seecamp bug. Dang! What can I expect a new .380 to set me back? Since I carry daily, often times with shorts, it will be worth it, whatever it is.

[turbojohn]

I kept the PPK 380, but got the 32 Seecamp...about same price. It's the See-380 that is a bit costly. A friend of mine had a 380 Seecamp, but with this small 380-gun the kick was a bit more noticeable (jolt highly dependent on degree of wrist lock). Think I wll like the 32 Seecamp for that less-kick reason even tho stopping power is not as great. The kick on the 380 seecamp (14 oz, fully loaded) was a bit more than felt with the larger and heavier PPk 380 (23.9oz, fully loaded). The seecamp-32 is the size of my pocket Beretta-22LR, but should have a bit more stopping power.

[456-SGT]

How does the Seecamp compare size-wise to Beretta's .32 ACP Tomcat series? Anyone have size comparison pictures?

[turbojohn]

My Bobcat .22LR looks the same size as the .32 seecamp. Found these dimensions of Tomcat .32 overall length, 4.9", ht, 3.7", width 1.1". The .32 seecamp overall length, 4.25", Height 3.25" and width 0.90". Both seecamps and bobcats are smaller than the tomcat.

[kungfucowboy]

hell i used to pocket carry a colt lawman mk III with a 2.5in barrel occasionally (that was the only time i liked the incedibly strong trigger pull on that model nice and safe) i can't see a ppk being much of a problem.

[turbojohn]

Hey Los......yea, carrying it is easy, but try firing the 380 a bit. 4me anyway, the excess see-380 recoil (+$600 more cash) gave the 380 a back seat to the see-32 especially with repeatly firing this extremely small pistol.:)

[PSP]

Great size comparisons here...
http://www.mouseguns.com/PocketAutoComparison.jpg

[murphjup]

For a Pocket Gun I don't think you could go wrong witht the lower Priced Seecamp LWS .32... about $400 these days...

With the LWS .380 going for $800-higher...

Neither gun is considered a range gun, probably shouldn't throw more than 50 rounds out of them before letting them cool a bit...

They are considered a last line of Defense weapon... not an Offensive weapon IMHO...

:)

[los]

turbojohn

Hey Los......yea, carrying it is easy, but try firing the 380 a bit. 4me anyway, the excess see-380 recoil......specially with repeatly firing this extremely small pistol.
No argument there for sure. The LWS380 packs a nice little punch.

I take mine out to the range about once a month. Only discharge a mag full per outing.

As Murph already stated, The LWS380 is definitely not a Range Gun. Not even close.

The Seecamp LWS380 remains the smallest .380 auto DAO semi-automatic handgun currently manufactured in the World.

[pesta2]

Yohoooo Playboy, where are you??? He is the man that needs to chime in on this.

[Chesster]

I find the Seecamp .32 to be a great "all the time carry" backup or primary gun if need be. I bought one after the 380s came out and the 32 price and availability improved. My only PPK is a pre 1968 .32 that stays in the safe. I prefer the German/French marked .380 PPK/S as they fit my hand better and have been utterly reliable in my experience, plus carry an extra round. A favorite PPK substitute for me has been the now seldom seen Hungarian RK-59, R-61, SMC 918 and its twin the SMC 380. With the original grips it is light, compact, reliable and costs much less than a PPK.

[turbojohn]

Finally got my seecamp 32. Great gun. But seriously needs that small one-finger extension on the magazine like the PPK+ PPKs have. It wouldn't hurt the small size of the pistol very much, if any, and would make it so much easier to grip with my slightly larger than normal hand. Seecamp doen't offer this extension to their magazine, but has given me some leads to find one. It seems to me that such an extension would be mandatory for the 380.:confused:

[murphjup]

Put some rounds through it you will get used it...

:)

[Laserlips]

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a73/Laserlips/100_6811_01.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a73/Laserlips/100_6909.jpg


JMOFO:

The only downside to owning a Seecamp is it seems no matter how ever many Seecamps you have it's never enough..

Seriously, I'm a senior citizen and have been cc (legally) since 1966. I've tried the competition in the "mousegun" nitch and trust me NONE compare to the quality and overall package found in the Seecamp.

If you can cc a larger firearm, then I recommend you do so. (I do). But there WILL be times you cannot carry a larger firearm and generally you CAN still cc your Seecamp. Now when I cc my Walther P99c/AS I STILL cc the Seecamp. It's just that small and easy to cc.

Best Wishes,

J. Pomeroy

[olddave48]

Where can one get the mentioned grip extension / Extenioon for Magazine for LWS 32 ?

[PSP]

Where can one get the mentioned grip extension / Extenioon for Magazine for LWS 32 ?

Look here:
http://www.seecamp.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1177278873

Bad news is it is a custom made item not sold commercially.