380 Suggestions - Page 2

tallball · January 19, 2018, 07:46 PM

I like my Sig 230. It points nicely and is pretty. For shooting I prefer the slightly larger Beretta or CZ, but the Sig is nice.

My very favorite 380 to shoot is my Colt Government Model. It fires from a locked breech and is very accurate for its size. They aren't usually cheap, though.

I have a pretty nice old FEG model, too... I think it's called an smc. It's maybe a little smaller than a Walther PP.

Really, all of the milsurp type of 380's I've had have been good solid guns. Usually the aforementioned CDI sales has several models to choose from for under $300.

Kreyzhorse · January 19, 2018, 08:13 PM

Ruger LCP. Good gun, good company that stands by their product.

kmw1954 · January 19, 2018, 08:17 PM

Don't know what your budget is but here are my suggestions

Walther PK380 around $350.00

EAA Witness Pavona 380 around $300.00 the black with gold or silver speckles are not very speckley. The one I have you have to look close to see them

Beretta 84 Cheetah. If you look on gun Broker for CDI Sales they can be had used for $275.00 and up depending on condition.

hdwhit · January 20, 2018, 12:00 AM

I've always liked the looks of the LCP, but I've seen on a lot of firearms posts complaints about pins walking out under use so I've been a little hesitant.

I have to admit to a sneaking admiration for the Hi-Point. B*** Ugly, but what I read they're like a Timex from the John Cameron Swasey days so that it takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'.

I didn't see any mention of the Taurus 738. Any experience with them?

I honestly had not thought about Bersa because I've never seen one in any of the gun stores around here. I'll keep my eyes out. Thanks for the head's up.

hdwhit · January 20, 2018, 12:06 AM

Quote:

kmw1954 wrote:
Don't know what your budget is but here are my suggestions

The budget is "the cheaper the better".

But, if $30 or $50 buys me an appreciably better gun, then I can just save up another month or two. I'll be retired, so it won't hurt to be patient. The bible says that Jesus learned patience through the things that he suffered. If all the suffering I've got to do is just wait until the bank account is large enough, then that's really all that much suffering.

kmw1954 · January 20, 2018, 12:19 AM

hd I do have a Witness Pavona. I bought it to use as a range gun, therefore the full size. It is about the same size as the XD 4.0 4" barrel. I really enjoy shooting it and as I do hand load for it it's costing me just about 11cents per round. I paid $315.00 locally for mine but I've seen them under $300.00 online. I've got 100 rounds of factory and about 350 rounds of reloads thru it.

Anyways I hope you find something you like.

Buzzcook · January 20, 2018, 01:34 AM

If you can find a Colt 1908 you'll have some fun shooting

Mosin44az · January 20, 2018, 12:04 PM

I vote for the Bersa Thunder .380. My cc version was good, but the standard version with the longer grip tang is more comfortable to shoot. I compared it directly to a SIG P 232 one range session and actually thought the Bersa shot better.

The little SIG 238s are fun but pricey. The LCP is great for carry, not much fun at the range.

Carmady · January 20, 2018, 12:56 PM

If it's going to be a "fun gun" instead of an EDC gun, you might like this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh8zsxgjQvM

rwagliardo · January 20, 2018, 01:25 PM

Browning 1911 380 one of my favorite.

Kvon2 · January 20, 2018, 01:29 PM

I've shot a friends SW Body Guard a few times and that thing hits exactly where I point it. I'd at least give it a look.

Carl the Floor Walker · January 20, 2018, 02:01 PM

Having owned 4 LCP's, I personally would look elsewhere, especially if you plan on putting a lot of ammo down range. And if just fun plinking is what you are looking for, then I would say the Bersa. Besides for the fact they hold up well, they feel great in the hand, well balanced. If you are looking for CCW then that is a different subject.

franco45 · January 20, 2018, 07:20 PM

Quote:

I'm impressed with my new Remington rm380. It's priced in the mid $200's. Unfortunately, you just missed the $100 rebate.
__________________

I agree with GarandTD. I'm very happy with my RM380.

GarandTd · January 20, 2018, 10:20 PM

The rm380 is my first 380 and pocket gun, so I have no basis for comparison, but I enjoy shooting it. I don't find it snappy or unpleasant. I even like the trigger pull and the sights which are the main complaints from people that review them.

rt11002003 · January 21, 2018, 02:45 PM

I have the SIG p232 and the Bersa. My wife likes both. So, the Bersa is her carry gun. I find the SIG to be more refined, but they shoot equally well. I have owned several other .380s, Browning, Beretta, etc.. For the money, the Bersa is a good choice. Need to remember the trigger bar is external and avoid letting your hand rest against it.

Wendyj · January 21, 2018, 02:45 PM

Husband bought me the Glock first and Bersa second. Bersa little heavier and more accurate for me at the range. Glock I carry. His little Sig hurts my hands with stout loads after several mags shot through it.

FrankenMauser · January 21, 2018, 04:09 PM

You know...

If you just want cheap, you could pick up a Cobra derringer.
It'll probably work ... some of the time.

Mine (.38 Spcl and .380 'large frame' models) were good for about one in five rounds. The rest had to be double-struck or moved to the other barrel.

brian33x51 · January 21, 2018, 05:15 PM

My wife has a bersa 380 thunder that I also happen to shoot very well. Definitely remove the mag safety!!!! The rm380 is interesting as it's all metal and reportedly tame. I wish I could have gotten one during the rebate period.

Sgt127 · January 21, 2018, 09:09 PM

RM380. I now own two of them. For the money, it’s an outstanding all metal, locked breech .380.

Own quite a few others. Including a couple Sig P232’s. (Actually, I think one is a P230). They are fantastic and classy guns. But, they are pretty big in comparison. And, with the alloy frame and blowback design, kick a lot more than the RM380.

Prof Young · January 22, 2018, 12:22 AM

I have a Sig p238. Much more pricey than the range you are looking at, but a very good gun. Seriously accurate for such a small gun.

I've had a Bersa Thunder CC model. Really liked it, but it did make a trip back to the shop as the slide would not stay back. Very small sights. I bought it as a carry gun but found that when I reached for a carry gun I always grabbed the Sig so the Bersa got sold off.

Now I have a Beretta Pico and must suggest you seriously consider it. It's small DAO and a really simple gun. Easy to field strip and once you learn the trigger pull reasonably accurate. Now when I reach for a carry gun it is the Pico as often as it is the Sig. Kind of depends on what I'm wearing that day and where I'm going.

Look at the Beretta Pico. I think you'd like it.

Life is good.
Prof Young

FrankenMauser · January 22, 2018, 06:02 AM

Trusting a Remington pistol (the RM380) after the double-failure of the R51 and the ridiculous failure of the RP9 is absolutely incomprehensible to me.
How do you guys sleep at night, after recommending that garbage?
Lots of drugs? Or do you just not care about your safety when you pull the trigger?

(I own - at least for now - an RP9. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.)

GarandTd · January 22, 2018, 11:57 AM

Your loss, FrankenMauser. The rm380 was an existing design bought by Remington from Rohrbaugh. It was a reliable design then and still is now.

I've been able to pick up more than one low cost, high quality firearm by doing my research, making informed decisions, and adding a splash of chance. Ignoring biased insulting comments by people that have NO experience with the firearms I choose helps, too.

I'm sorry you are having a bad experience with your RP9. I didn't recommend that pistol to anyone.

lamarw · January 22, 2018, 12:03 PM

I am with Forum member tallball. The only .380 I would recommend is the Beretta 84 & 85. They are the classics. I own two. I also own a Bersa Thunder and would never and I say never recommend it to anyone.

peterg7 · January 22, 2018, 04:05 PM

I don’t believe one .380 will suffice, currently I have a BDA and an LCP. If I were starting from scratch I’d look real hard at a G42 first.

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lee n. field · January 22, 2018, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdwhit

For many years, I went along quite happily with the 1911 I inherited from my grandfather than the S&W revolver I inherited from my grandmother.

Then, some friends who don't reload gave me 991 rounds of 9mm brass. Well, if you give a mouse some brass... He's going to reload it. And if he reloads it, then he's gonna have to shoot it. You can work out the rest.

Well, I recently ordered some previously fired brass and it came "contaminated" with a surprising number of pieces of 380 brass. So, if you give a mouse some 380 brass... the cycle begins again.

How about some suggestions on an inexpensive 380 pistol?

I'm 73 days from retirement and I have the brass, bullets, primers and powder laid in for what I anticipate shooting for the rest of my life, so if I'm going to add 380 at this late date, price is an object in every respect.

Thanks.

LCPs are super cheap these days. But, they're not (IMHO & YMMV, the standard disclaimers) fun to shoot.

If I wanted fun to shoot, I'd probably look at a Bersa. Or a surplus CZ-83.

January 19, 2018, 07:46 PM	#26
tallball Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2014 Posts: 2,444	I like my Sig 230. It points nicely and is pretty. For shooting I prefer the slightly larger Beretta or CZ, but the Sig is nice. My very favorite 380 to shoot is my Colt Government Model. It fires from a locked breech and is very accurate for its size. They aren't usually cheap, though. I have a pretty nice old FEG model, too... I think it's called an smc. It's maybe a little smaller than a Walther PP. Really, all of the milsurp type of 380's I've had have been good solid guns. Usually the aforementioned CDI sales has several models to choose from for under $300. Last edited by tallball; January 19, 2018 at 08:36 PM.

January 19, 2018, 08:13 PM	#27
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	Ruger LCP. Good gun, good company that stands by their product. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

January 20, 2018, 10:20 PM	#39
GarandTd Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2016 Location: Rural PA Posts: 1,639	The rm380 is my first 380 and pocket gun, so I have no basis for comparison, but I enjoy shooting it. I don't find it snappy or unpleasant. I even like the trigger pull and the sights which are the main complaints from people that review them. __________________ 22lr, 20 gauge, 8mm Mauser, 35 Remington, 30-06, 5.56x45/223, 9mm, 380acp

January 21, 2018, 02:45 PM	#41
Wendyj Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2015 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,372	Husband bought me the Glock first and Bersa second. Bersa little heavier and more accurate for me at the range. Glock I carry. His little Sig hurts my hands with stout loads after several mags shot through it. __________________ God is NOT dead!!!!

January 21, 2018, 04:09 PM	#42
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	You know... If you just want cheap, you could pick up a Cobra derringer. It'll probably work ... some of the time. Mine (.38 Spcl and .380 'large frame' models) were good for about one in five rounds. The rest had to be double-struck or moved to the other barrel. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

January 19, 2018, 08:17 PM	#28
kmw1954 Senior Member Join Date: June 11, 2016 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 1,524	Don't know what your budget is but here are my suggestions Walther PK380 around $350.00 EAA Witness Pavona 380 around $300.00 the black with gold or silver speckles are not very speckley. The one I have you have to look close to see them Beretta 84 Cheetah. If you look on gun Broker for CDI Sales they can be had used for $275.00 and up depending on condition.

January 20, 2018, 12:00 AM	#29
hdwhit Senior Member Join Date: June 22, 2017 Posts: 1,011	I've always liked the looks of the LCP, but I've seen on a lot of firearms posts complaints about pins walking out under use so I've been a little hesitant. I have to admit to a sneaking admiration for the Hi-Point. B*** Ugly, but what I read they're like a Timex from the John Cameron Swasey days so that it takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'. I didn't see any mention of the Taurus 738. Any experience with them? I honestly had not thought about Bersa because I've never seen one in any of the gun stores around here. I'll keep my eyes out. Thanks for the head's up.

January 20, 2018, 12:19 AM	#31
kmw1954 Senior Member Join Date: June 11, 2016 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 1,524	hd I do have a Witness Pavona. I bought it to use as a range gun, therefore the full size. It is about the same size as the XD 4.0 4" barrel. I really enjoy shooting it and as I do hand load for it it's costing me just about 11cents per round. I paid $315.00 locally for mine but I've seen them under $300.00 online. I've got 100 rounds of factory and about 350 rounds of reloads thru it. Anyways I hope you find something you like.

January 20, 2018, 01:34 AM	#32
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	If you can find a Colt 1908 you'll have some fun shooting

January 20, 2018, 12:04 PM	#33
Mosin44az Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2006 Posts: 2,585	I vote for the Bersa Thunder .380. My cc version was good, but the standard version with the longer grip tang is more comfortable to shoot. I compared it directly to a SIG P 232 one range session and actually thought the Bersa shot better. The little SIG 238s are fun but pricey. The LCP is great for carry, not much fun at the range.

January 20, 2018, 12:56 PM	#34
Carmady Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Location: on the lam Posts: 1,735	If it's going to be a "fun gun" instead of an EDC gun, you might like this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh8zsxgjQvM

January 20, 2018, 01:25 PM	#35
rwagliardo Member Join Date: October 19, 2016 Location: Spring Branch, TX. Posts: 41	Browning 1911 380 one of my favorite.

January 20, 2018, 01:29 PM	#36
Kvon2 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2016 Posts: 757	I've shot a friends SW Body Guard a few times and that thing hits exactly where I point it. I'd at least give it a look.

January 20, 2018, 02:01 PM	#37
Carl the Floor Walker member Join Date: June 3, 2017 Location: South Posts: 1,422	Having owned 4 LCP's, I personally would look elsewhere, especially if you plan on putting a lot of ammo down range. And if just fun plinking is what you are looking for, then I would say the Bersa. Besides for the fact they hold up well, they feel great in the hand, well balanced. If you are looking for CCW then that is a different subject.

January 21, 2018, 02:45 PM	#40
rt11002003 Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2014 Posts: 524	I have the SIG p232 and the Bersa. My wife likes both. So, the Bersa is her carry gun. I find the SIG to be more refined, but they shoot equally well. I have owned several other .380s, Browning, Beretta, etc.. For the money, the Bersa is a good choice. Need to remember the trigger bar is external and avoid letting your hand rest against it.

January 21, 2018, 05:15 PM	#43
brian33x51 Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2005 Location: Denver area Posts: 221	My wife has a bersa 380 thunder that I also happen to shoot very well. Definitely remove the mag safety!!!! The rm380 is interesting as it's all metal and reportedly tame. I wish I could have gotten one during the rebate period.

January 21, 2018, 09:09 PM	#44
Sgt127 Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2002 Posts: 1,053	RM380. I now own two of them. For the money, it’s an outstanding all metal, locked breech .380. Own quite a few others. Including a couple Sig P232’s. (Actually, I think one is a P230). They are fantastic and classy guns. But, they are pretty big in comparison. And, with the alloy frame and blowback design, kick a lot more than the RM380.

January 22, 2018, 12:22 AM	#45
Prof Young Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2007 Location: Illinois - down state Posts: 2,404	I have/had three and . . . I have a Sig p238. Much more pricey than the range you are looking at, but a very good gun. Seriously accurate for such a small gun. I've had a Bersa Thunder CC model. Really liked it, but it did make a trip back to the shop as the slide would not stay back. Very small sights. I bought it as a carry gun but found that when I reached for a carry gun I always grabbed the Sig so the Bersa got sold off. Now I have a Beretta Pico and must suggest you seriously consider it. It's small DAO and a really simple gun. Easy to field strip and once you learn the trigger pull reasonably accurate. Now when I reach for a carry gun it is the Pico as often as it is the Sig. Kind of depends on what I'm wearing that day and where I'm going. Look at the Beretta Pico. I think you'd like it. Life is good. Prof Young

January 22, 2018, 06:02 AM	#46
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	Trusting a Remington pistol (the RM380) after the double-failure of the R51 and the ridiculous failure of the RP9 is absolutely incomprehensible to me. How do you guys sleep at night, after recommending that garbage? Lots of drugs? Or do you just not care about your safety when you pull the trigger? (I own - at least for now - an RP9. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.) __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

January 22, 2018, 11:57 AM	#47
GarandTd Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2016 Location: Rural PA Posts: 1,639	Your loss, FrankenMauser. The rm380 was an existing design bought by Remington from Rohrbaugh. It was a reliable design then and still is now. I've been able to pick up more than one low cost, high quality firearm by doing my research, making informed decisions, and adding a splash of chance. Ignoring biased insulting comments by people that have NO experience with the firearms I choose helps, too. I'm sorry you are having a bad experience with your RP9. I didn't recommend that pistol to anyone. __________________ 22lr, 20 gauge, 8mm Mauser, 35 Remington, 30-06, 5.56x45/223, 9mm, 380acp

January 22, 2018, 12:03 PM	#48
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	I am with Forum member tallball. The only .380 I would recommend is the Beretta 84 & 85. They are the classics. I own two. I also own a Bersa Thunder and would never and I say never recommend it to anyone.

January 22, 2018, 04:05 PM	#49
peterg7 Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2017 Posts: 316	I don’t believe one .380 will suffice, currently I have a BDA and an LCP. If I were starting from scratch I’d look real hard at a G42 first. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk