.380 ACP Pistols

[neilin]

The February 2010 issue of the American Rifleman compares nine .380 ACP Pistols currently on the market. I feel that anyone considering carrying one of these .380's should read this issue first.

[Helix_FR]

I carry a .380. What was the lowdown on it?

[neilin]

Originally Posted by Helix_FR

I carry a .380. What was the lowdown on it?

There are nine in the issue, what brand/model do you have?

[Helix_FR]

CZ83

[neilin]

Originally Posted by Helix_FR

CZ83

That one is not covered in this issue. This issue covers currently manufactured, new and somewhat trendy models. Your .380 is supposed to be one of the best according to numerous other sources.

[Helix_FR]

Dang straight! Thanks though. I'll look into that issue anyway. Sounds interesting.

[neilin]

Originally Posted by Helix_FR

Dang straight! Thanks though. I'll look into that issue anyway. Sounds interesting.

I feel it is an eye opener.

[questor]

I only receive the American Hunter, what about the Kel Tec P3AT?

[ponycar17]

I carry a P3AT and have since 2005. I know it's a reliable running pistol...

[neilin]

Originally Posted by questor

I only receive the American Hunter, what about the Kel Tec P3AT?

Eight of the nine .380's had failures to feed. Their test P3AT was "prone to malfunction with several kinds of ammunition".
Their Rohrbaugh test gun was the one that did not malfunction.

[questor]

Originally Posted by neilin

Eight of the nine .380's had failures to feed. Their test P3AT was "prone to malfunction with several kinds of ammunition".

Thanks for the up on the .380. Located this on:
http://www.americanrifleman.org/Arti...?id=2074&cid=4

When you go to this URL, click on Photo Gallery. Then when you click on any of the weapons you receive a picture of that specific weapon with a review, as the Kel-Tec below. I don't use the sights, I use it as a point & shoot weapon 2-7 yards.

Kel-Tec P3AT

The single most important criteria in selecting a gun for habitual carry is weight—as long as the gun in question is enough gun for the job. If you are considering a .380, you cannot find one that is lighter than the 8.3-ounce P3AT. While Kel-Tec has branched off into some interesting long guns in recent years, the firm’s bread and butter has been small semi-automatic pistols at low prices. It actually makes a smaller and lighter version of this gun in .32 ACP. Using a light, slim polymer receiver that houses the lockwork and a single-column magazine of six rounds, the P3AT is indeed a light, small package. It’s a hammer-fired DAO, in which the mass of the hammer is concentrated around the point of pivot. The gun is not easy to shoot, in that the sights are small and hard to see, and it has too many sharp edges and corners. Further, the P3AT is prone to malfunction with several kinds of ammunition. I suspect that the Kel-Tec needs a great deal of breaking-in before it goes into service. $318

*****

nutNFancy did a review on the weapon and said it needs at least 100 rounds for break-in: http://www.youtube.com/user/nutnfanc.../1/s4O3BxoFLM4

[Redhand]

I carry an AMT Backup for just that purpose. It is a little on the hefty side but is a solidly built stainless model with a manual and grip saftey. It shoots and functions fine. Kinda reminds me of my Colt 1911.

[graehaven]

Meh. Underwhelming.

"I suspect, blah blah blah." Ok buddy, whatever.

Anyone who's done much shooting KNOWS that a new gun has a break in period.

If this person did 30 seconds of research on the Kel-tec, he'd have discovered that it's helpful to spend 10 minutes on a fluff and buff to make sure that there are no chambering or feeding problems. Sounds like the Kahr, and the LCR (Keltec ripoff) need it too. Others probably could benefit from feed ramp polishing as well.

Not a truly fair assessment I'd say.

And as far as the one that didn't malfunction - and it costs MORE than $1000???? It darn well better not malfunction if you pay that much for a mouse gun. The company better break it in before shipping it, for that money. Holy crap.

[CampingJosh]

Originally Posted by graehaven

Not a truly fair assessment I'd say.

And as far as the one that didn't malfunction - and it costs MORE than $1000???? It darn well better not malfunction if you pay that much for a mouse gun. The company better break it in before shipping it, for that money. Holy crap.

That's what I was thinking.

Priced at more than double many of the others, it should be finely polished.

And it's hardly a scientific sample size, using one of each gun. Overall, I felt like I didn't learn anything new.

[gdmoody]

I really like the looks and feel of the Sig P238. The only thing keeping me from getting one is the fact that I hate the thought of spending $500 for a .380!!

[Terry_P]

I hate the thought of using a 380 to protect myself although I carry a mouse gun when I exercise wearing shorts and a T shirt. A 380 would be a step up but think I'll go a different route and carry my 357 mag in a bellyband.

[ARB]

Finally, someone else had the same difficulties I had with the LCP. I ran a lot of ammo through that little bugger to get it broken in, and then switched to the most expensive ammo hoping the jams and misfires would stop. Nope.

[graehaven]

Did the article mention the MAMMOTH recall on the Ruger??? Probably not.

Now THAT is questionable reporting.

[Double D]

I just ordered a taurus 738tcp 380 for a customer. It looks pretty good. I saw the reviews on it. They all seem to do about the same. They need break-in.

[CampingJosh]

Originally Posted by gdmoody

I really like the looks and feel of the Sig P238. The only thing keeping me from getting one is the fact that I hate the thought of spending $500 for a .380!!

You may be able to find a used one labeled "Colt Mustang." (It's the same gun.) Of course, that may be more expensive than getting the new SIG.

[ponycar17]

Originally Posted by CampingJosh

That's what I was thinking.

Priced at more than double many of the others, it should be finely polished.

And it's hardly a scientific sample size, using one of each gun. Overall, I felt like I didn't learn anything new.

The KelTec does indeed need a good breaking in. I thought I had bought a lemon when I first started shooting mine since it had several FTE's and FTF's... I noticed that the slide spring was VERY stiff at first (I'm talking amazingly stiff and hard to operate). After a couple hundred rounds the spring lightened and the pistol shot without a hiccup with most ammo.

I'd go with those who own and know the gun versus those who handle the gun for 15 minutes when new and form an opinion.

[guns4life]

Like the walther pk 380 the most of all or the bersa thunder 380 great performance at a good price

[MaxxRPM]

It's funny how the LCP worked just fine when he first tested it, but now it is ammo-sensitive. I don't shoot mine much (.380 ammo is stupid high), but I did put about 70 rounds through it and only had 2 malfunctions. With a brand new gun, using 3 different brands of JHP ammo, I don't consider that too bad.

[scudrunner]

My issue came yesterday and I did read it. Pretty good article I suppose, I think the assessment was on in some ways and off in other ways. First of all the .380 ACP is what it is, a small, light caliber meant for self defense. It is not a hand cannon, it will do the job of stopping an attack and putting a mean hurt on someone who probably thought you were an easy target. The lighter .380s are easy to carry in light clothing like in the summer. Try carrying a 1911 in shorts and a T-shirt, not so easy. As far as having small sights that are hard to see and align with the target, well, I don't think you will really need them at 3 or 4 feet or even 10 feet. This is really what they are made for, close in self defense. Try to explain to a jury why you shot at someone in a parking lot, let’s say, at 25 yards away. I don’t think so. If you are looking for a light weight, small, very compact protection package these are the ticket.
All I can tell you about these are of the two that I have owned the PT-3AT and the LCP. The Kel-tech was an OK pistol. It was very ammunition-sensitive and would not work with some types of ammo no matter what you did. Clean it, polish the chamber and ramp etc., just wasn’t gonna do it, I traded it in on my LCP. The LCP works great with many types of ammo, FMJ, RN, JHP, FMJFN, Wolf steel case, Blazer. Everything I have tried to date works good. It did need some brake in time of about 100 rounds or so. I had a few hiccups in the start. I polished the ramp up and keep it clean and I can tell you that my LCP malfunctions very, very seldom. When it does it’s usually after about 100 rounds and it’s dirty. I have put at least 500 rounds through mine. I carry it all the time in my front pants pocket in an Uncle Mike’s pocket holster which keeps it upright and the muzzle covered. I have tried to carry many other weapons but this one for me is the easiest and most comfortable. I know it will work and it’s adequate to do the job. Like someone asked me a few months ago. “Hey why do you carry a pistol all the time Dave? Are you expecting trouble or what?” I looked at them and smiled and said “nope, not expecting any trouble, if I thought there was gonna be some trouble I would have brought my 12ga with some 00 buckshot” They didn’t have much to say after that.

You’ll be safe out there, lots of crazy people about!

[graehaven]

Originally Posted by ponycar17

The KelTec does indeed need a good breaking in. I thought I had bought a lemon when I first started shooting mine since it had several FTE's and FTF's... I noticed that the slide spring was VERY stiff at first (I'm talking amazingly stiff and hard to operate). After a couple hundred rounds the spring lightened and the pistol shot without a hiccup with most ammo.

I'd go with those who own and know the gun versus those who handle the gun for 15 minutes when new and form an opinion.

Yep. That's why 10 minutes with some 600 grit sandpaper will do wonders.