Tip-up barrel .380 pistols?

gbelleh · April 3, 2002, 11:30 AM

I'm looking for the most powerful (at least .380), highest capacity (more than 10 rounds) pistol I can find that has a tip-up barrel.
So far the only gun I've found in this category is the Beretta 86.
Does anyone know of any other guns I might be overlooking?
Are there any tip-up barrel guns more powerful than .380? Maybe a 9x18?
Thanks

Kermit · April 3, 2002, 11:46 AM

I saw a Beretta 380 w/ tip up barrel...mod 86 I think. BIG for a 380, but COOL!

Erich · April 3, 2002, 03:13 PM

I sure can't recall seeing any tip-up bbl pistols meaner than that .380 Beretta.

9mmepiphany · April 3, 2002, 03:23 PM

there is also the beretta 85 if you want somthing slimmer...it has a single stack mag

Eric Larsen · April 4, 2002, 08:21 AM

There are a couple of good .380's but the tip up barrel is the limiting factor...the Beretta is the only one I know of. If you can live with the "normal" barrel...there is no better gun than the CZ 83...I have owned and shot ALOT of the .380's...Sigs, Brownings etc...the CZ is worth a SERIOUS look.....Shoot well

gbelleh · April 4, 2002, 11:39 AM

Thanks for the replies.
The reason for wanting the tip-up barrel is...I'm trying to find the perfect home defense gun for my girlfriend. She has a lot of trouble pulling the slide back on most semi-autos. A tip-up barrel would be perfect for her until she can get used to racking slides. She does fine with everything else, manipulating safeties, mag release, slide release etc., and her accuracy is excellent. She just doesn't have the finger strength to grip the slide firmly enough to pull the slide all the way back. (She can do it after struggling and contorting her arms etc.) Not a good thing to not be able to do in a self defense situation.

I know... she should get a revolver. That's the other option, but she wants a semi-auto, and I'd like her to have something with a lot of rounds ready to go.

If not a tip-up barrel, then she needs a slide that is super easy to rack. None of my guns fit that description.

johnwill · April 6, 2002, 12:36 AM

If she's adept at handling a gun, except for the slide problem, consider a Colt Mustang. They're still commonly available used, and they have a softer spring than blowback pistols, being a locked breech. The slide moves almost too easily!

Eric Larsen · April 6, 2002, 09:24 AM

Consider taking her to a gun store and see if she can rack the slide on certain guns...she may surprise you. My 8 year old 60lb son uses my CZ 83 and does everything....its a blowback design.
Another option is keep one in the chamber for her, after the magazine is empty..replace the mag and let the slide lock go...she may be able to do this? Just another option......
Shoot well

nine fingers · April 6, 2002, 09:50 AM

If racking the slide is a problem you must take her to the store to try the gun first. Also, try having her push with the grip hand while pulling the slide with the weak hand. BTW my .380 Beretta's slide is harder to rack than my CZ75 compact.

gbelleh · April 6, 2002, 09:05 PM

Thanks for the input.
We tried several guns last week at a local shop. There were a couple pistols that were manageable for her, but not easy.
We didn't try a Mustang, maybe I'll see if I can find one in my area to try.
Any other semi-autos known for their slides being super easy to rack? She doesn't want to go bigger than a 9mm.
Thanks

Jody Hudson · April 6, 2002, 09:31 PM

Two other good reasons to go with the hi-cap Beretta .380s for her... The wider grip will reduce felt recoil while giving larger capacity. The .380 can be purchased in Triton QuikShok which is an AWEsome round for defense.

Also, the Beretta .380s are notoriously accurate from what I understand.

James K · April 6, 2002, 09:40 PM

Actually, yes. The Jo-Lo-Ar was made in 9mm Largo. Tip up barrel, no trigger guard. Not exactly found in every dealer showcase, though.

Jim

bad_dad_brad · April 7, 2002, 05:20 PM

Tip up barrels are only feasible for blow back pistols. .380 and calibers smaller. The tip up barrel is great for the reasons gbelleh mentions - easier for some women to operate. I recommend them to women who want a semi-automatic but have weak upper bodies and can't rack the slide consistently. The Beretta is a great choice. Taurus mimics their designs also, but I think the Beretta is better made (more expensive too).

I remember a young couple at my dealer's shop discussing a handgun. The young lady did not want a revolver simply because she did not like their looks. She had small hands and for whatever reason the dealer stuck an M1911 in her hands after sort of showing her how to rack the slide. Well she gave it try, got it about half way back and it slipped out of her hand, breaking a nail! Ouch! She was very upset.

I went to their rescue and showed them the .380 Berreta Cheetah and explained the tip up barrell. As far as I know, I think they bought it.

Johnny Quest · April 7, 2002, 06:03 PM

Just about the coolest .380/9mm short is the SIG P232. No tip-up barrel, but helluva shooter. I owned the Beretta Tomcat but I did not like it, so I bought the P232. Good decision on my part.

JQ

Watch-Six · April 8, 2002, 02:40 PM

Beretta and Browning had a close arrangement. Some tip up 380s that are nearly identical to the Beretta were sold with the Browning name. Both are good pistols. Watch-Six

April 3, 2002, 11:30 AM	#1
gbelleh Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2001 Location: Kansas Posts: 435	Tip-up barrel .380 pistols? I'm looking for the most powerful (at least .380), highest capacity (more than 10 rounds) pistol I can find that has a tip-up barrel. So far the only gun I've found in this category is the Beretta 86. Does anyone know of any other guns I might be overlooking? Are there any tip-up barrel guns more powerful than .380? Maybe a 9x18? Thanks __________________ gbelleh

April 3, 2002, 03:13 PM	#3
Erich Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 1999 Location: Albuquerque, NM, USA Posts: 2,543	I think that's it. I sure can't recall seeing any tip-up bbl pistols meaner than that .380 Beretta.

April 3, 2002, 03:23 PM	#4
9mmepiphany Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2000 Location: northern california Posts: 1,092	there is also the beretta 85 if you want somthing slimmer...it has a single stack mag __________________ the map is not the territory

April 4, 2002, 08:21 AM	#5
Eric Larsen Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2001 Location: Bountiful....Ut. Posts: 3,226	There are a couple of good .380's but the tip up barrel is the limiting factor...the Beretta is the only one I know of. If you can live with the "normal" barrel...there is no better gun than the CZ 83...I have owned and shot ALOT of the .380's...Sigs, Brownings etc...the CZ is worth a SERIOUS look.....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

April 4, 2002, 11:39 AM	#6
gbelleh Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2001 Location: Kansas Posts: 435	Thanks for the replies. The reason for wanting the tip-up barrel is...I'm trying to find the perfect home defense gun for my girlfriend. She has a lot of trouble pulling the slide back on most semi-autos. A tip-up barrel would be perfect for her until she can get used to racking slides. She does fine with everything else, manipulating safeties, mag release, slide release etc., and her accuracy is excellent. She just doesn't have the finger strength to grip the slide firmly enough to pull the slide all the way back. (She can do it after struggling and contorting her arms etc.) Not a good thing to not be able to do in a self defense situation. I know... she should get a revolver. That's the other option, but she wants a semi-auto, and I'd like her to have something with a lot of rounds ready to go. If not a tip-up barrel, then she needs a slide that is super easy to rack. None of my guns fit that description. __________________ gbelleh

April 3, 2002, 11:46 AM	#2
Kermit Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2001 Location: California Posts: 3,020	I saw a Beretta 380 w/ tip up barrel...mod 86 I think. BIG for a 380, but COOL!

April 6, 2002, 12:36 AM	#7
johnwill Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2000 Location: PA Posts: 3,451	If she's adept at handling a gun, except for the slide problem, consider a Colt Mustang. They're still commonly available used, and they have a softer spring than blowback pistols, being a locked breech. The slide moves almost too easily! __________________ I collect old pistols, got any?

April 6, 2002, 09:24 AM	#8
Eric Larsen Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2001 Location: Bountiful....Ut. Posts: 3,226	Consider taking her to a gun store and see if she can rack the slide on certain guns...she may surprise you. My 8 year old 60lb son uses my CZ 83 and does everything....its a blowback design. Another option is keep one in the chamber for her, after the magazine is empty..replace the mag and let the slide lock go...she may be able to do this? Just another option...... 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

April 6, 2002, 09:50 AM	#9
nine fingers Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2001 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 104	If racking the slide is a problem you must take her to the store to try the gun first. Also, try having her push with the grip hand while pulling the slide with the weak hand. BTW my .380 Beretta's slide is harder to rack than my CZ75 compact. __________________ My mind works like lightning. . . one big flash and its all gone.

April 6, 2002, 09:05 PM	#10
gbelleh Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2001 Location: Kansas Posts: 435	Thanks for the input. We tried several guns last week at a local shop. There were a couple pistols that were manageable for her, but not easy. We didn't try a Mustang, maybe I'll see if I can find one in my area to try. Any other semi-autos known for their slides being super easy to rack? She doesn't want to go bigger than a 9mm. Thanks __________________ gbelleh

April 6, 2002, 09:31 PM	#11
Jody Hudson Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2000 Location: Near Rehoboth Beach Delaware Posts: 1,140	Two other good reasons to go with the hi-cap Beretta .380s for her... The wider grip will reduce felt recoil while giving larger capacity. The .380 can be purchased in Triton QuikShok which is an AWEsome round for defense. Also, the Beretta .380s are notoriously accurate from what I understand. __________________ We help people relocate to Rehoboth Beach Delaware. Our Site: www.Kate-Jody.com

April 6, 2002, 09:40 PM	#12
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Actually, yes. The Jo-Lo-Ar was made in 9mm Largo. Tip up barrel, no trigger guard. Not exactly found in every dealer showcase, though. Jim

April 7, 2002, 05:20 PM	#13
bad_dad_brad Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2000 Posts: 866	Tip up barrels are only feasible for blow back pistols. .380 and calibers smaller. The tip up barrel is great for the reasons gbelleh mentions - easier for some women to operate. I recommend them to women who want a semi-automatic but have weak upper bodies and can't rack the slide consistently. The Beretta is a great choice. Taurus mimics their designs also, but I think the Beretta is better made (more expensive too). I remember a young couple at my dealer's shop discussing a handgun. The young lady did not want a revolver simply because she did not like their looks. She had small hands and for whatever reason the dealer stuck an M1911 in her hands after sort of showing her how to rack the slide. Well she gave it try, got it about half way back and it slipped out of her hand, breaking a nail! Ouch! She was very upset. I went to their rescue and showed them the .380 Berreta Cheetah and explained the tip up barrell. As far as I know, I think they bought it.

April 7, 2002, 06:03 PM	#14
Johnny Quest Member Join Date: February 22, 2002 Location: Western U.S. Posts: 53	Just about the coolest .380/9mm short is the SIG P232. No tip-up barrel, but helluva shooter. I owned the Beretta Tomcat but I did not like it, so I bought the P232. Good decision on my part. JQ

April 8, 2002, 02:40 PM	#15
Watch-Six Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2000 Location: Utah Posts: 654	Beretta and Browning had a close arrangement. Some tip up 380s that are nearly identical to the Beretta were sold with the Browning name. Both are good pistols. Watch-Six