New non-Ruger pistola first impressions

[sixmranch]

Might check out the Ruger Security 380. Very easy to rack the slide. Plus, I think it's the only double-stack .380 on the market.

 

[Hvymax]

Many moons ago, I read an article in a Shooter's Bible or Gun Digest (I disremember which) about an "orthopedic" handgun. The author was looking for the best choice for someone with bad arthritis, weak muscles, or other physical limitations which could make it difficult to manipulate a firearm. He also felt the usual recommendation of the time (a rimfire) lacked sufficient fight stopping ability. Double action revolvers require a strong trigger finger to fire double action, and dexterity to fire single.

The firearm he concluded was a best choice was the Beretta 86, a tip-up barrel 380 ACP pistol. Loading did not require retracting the slide, capacity was better than a revolver, recoil was mild, and the cartridge was on par with the 38 Special loads most law enforcement carried at the time. It could be fired DA/SA, or carried cocked and locked.

Seemed like a well-reasoned argument for that Beretta.

I occasionally take elderly individuals- many of them women- to the range, and some of them want a personal defense gun. Since a lot of them suffer from lack of strength or advanced arthritis, the thought occurred about a year ago that adding a Beretta 86 to the stable might make sense, so they could see if it was something user-friendly for them.

Yeah, no. Prices have gone through the roof in the last few years! Just not practical for them to fall in love with a pistol that is hard-to-find and potentially beyond their means.

So along comes EAA/Girsan. They just began producing a tip-barrel 380 that doesn't require selling a kidney to own, the MC 14T. Decent barrel length (3.8"), so the Hornady XTP I favor in this round will expand well and it has a good sight radius. 13+1 round capacity. Only a little over a pound and a half loaded, so not too heavy to hold comfortably, but enough weight so recoil shouldn't be an issue. Ambidextrous safety. Not nearly the beautiful finish as the Beretta guns, but for a nightstand or purse gun, it should be fine, and the ability to hang a light/laser under the frame might be nice for some.

I'm picking mine up tomorrow, and if there's any interest, I'll post up a review/range report...although the range report has to wait for the flood watch to go away and the mud to firm up a bit!
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O Light has an awesome light/laser combo that's really compact. I have 3 of them. Zoom in on the bears forehead. Momentary switch so you don't have to broadcast your location till ready.

 

[noahmercy]

Might check out the Ruger Security 380. Very easy to rack the slide. Plus, I think it's the only double-stack .380 on the market.

This Girsan is 13+1. If it turns out not to fulfil the "mission" I have envisioned for it, it will get sold down the road and I'll look for alternatives. Sadly, some of the folks I take to the range won't be able to rack a slide no matter how little effort it requires. Lack of hand strength or advanced arthritis means no way to pinch or grasp with enough strength to pull it back, hence my interest in the tip-up barrel loading/unloading feature.

 

[RC44Mag]

It is, but I think it takes well over twenty pounds of force to retract the slide any, and there is very little area to grab on to. The flat sides of the slide are only .35" high. And if one retracts it much at all, there's no need to use the slide catch lever...the slide will slingshot forward on its own.I have been manipulating it and running the slide a bunch and it seems to be getting slightly better, so I still have hope it will be tolerable after a little use.

I find it easier if I simultaneously pull back the slide and push forward with my grip hand. Like the same way to start a chainsaw

 

[larry8]

I'm beginning to wonder if this gun is a good idea. Maybe I'll stick with my Security 380 and the slightly weaker spring in my Security 9.

 

[Hvymax]

This Girsan is 13+1. If it turns out not to fulfil the "mission" I have envisioned for it, it will get sold down the road and I'll look for alternatives. Sadly, some of the folks I take to the range won't be able to rack a slide no matter how little effort it requires. Lack of hand strength or advanced arthritis means no way to pinch or grasp with enough strength to pull it back, hence my interest in the tip-up barrel loading/unloading feature.

I would almost have to question their ability to present and fire it effectively.

 

[blume357]

I don't understand that... I have a good friend that is unable to rack any slide I've offered her..... I've always thought a tip up barrel made a lot of since, I had one of those bobcats years ago and actually passed a 25 cal one to a friend a while back too... this sounds like a good choice for the elderly to me.

Noahmercy, Your review of it was very good, thanks.

 

[gramps]

Might check out the Ruger Security 380. Very easy to rack the slide. Plus, I think it's the only double-stack .380 on the market.

Beretta 84, LCP Max, etc are all double stack.
gramps

 

[gjgalligan]

Sig 365 380 is also double stack.

I also have tried to help some of the older folks, mainly ladies, start shooting. I have to say most of them find a revolver to be better then autos.

 

[Hvymax]

One of the questions I have is if you can't physically manipulate a regular firearm can you effectively present and fire it???

 

[gjgalligan]

Depends on what you call a "regular firearm".
I see that most of the people I have been trying to help do just fine with revolvers and I consider them to be regular firearms.

 

[MHtractorguy]

Not to derail an excellent topic, but I have to mention another locked breech pistol that is easy to rack and also LACKS double stack magazine.
My wife absolutely loves her Walther PK 380 and I find it much easier to rack than even a MKII.

 

[beentheredone]

I own 2 Girsans, a Beretta 92 clone and a Browning HP clone. Experience with them is enough to tell me two things: Girsan builds pistols of excellent quality, and they all require a bit of break-in. The reliability is there from the get-go; the smoothness arrives fairly quickly with use. Stick with it, it'll get better...