The .380 semi-auto going away?

[Mus408]

With the cost of .380 ammo the same as .45 ACP even when on sale and the small high capacity
9mm pistols that are flooding the market...why bother buying a .380?

 

[Pat-inCO]

Excellent question. :wink:

 

[WAYNO]

With the cost of .380 ammo the same as .45 ACP even when on sale and the small high capacity
9mm pistols that are flooding the market...why bother buying a .380?

Because a .380 pistol is often offered as one of the tiniest hide-away or deep-concealed packages available, and fills a role few other pistols will satisfy.

Most people aren't shooting their little .380's much other than occasional familiarity drills, so the cost of ammunition is not a huge factor.

If deep concealment is not a concern, or there are no other reasons to want a .380, there are far better choices in both price and performance.

There is one more area a .380 might be a better choice. For the recoil sensitive, there are now a couple of pistols designed for 9mm, and sized for a 9mm, but now chambered in .380. These pistols have less recoil, and have softer recoil springs, making them easier to operate the slide for folks that may have diminished hand strength.

Fortunately we have a plethora of cartridge and pistol choices, to match the many needs and requirements of any given shooter.

I might say, "why bother with the wimpy little 9mm when there are far better choices?" :mrgreen:

 

[Rook]

...why bother buying a .380?

A statement made by somebody that doesn't pocket carry. Try stuffing a 1911 in your pocket and you'll figure it out. :lol:

 

[mexicanjoe]

a LCP is an execellnent concealed carry pistol ...

 

[bogus bill]

In town I pocket carry a Sig 238. 380 caliber. I have many other guns but the little Sig gets packed the most due to the small size and weight. If I lived in a high crime infested area I would carry larger. Everything we do in life is a gamble and or a compromise.

 

[Heliman]

When wearing light summer clothes with tough concealment issues, a small .380 is an adequate option. Modern defense ammo has made this caliber more effective as a personal carry defense arm.

That being said I find myself carrying my LCPII about 90% of the time. Beats a handful of gravel..... I think there will be a place for the .380 way into the future.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

Dave, I agree. There are probably well over a couple million 380's out there that are actually carried. No reason not to carry it.

Truth is with jobs that don't want you carrying a gun but it could mean someones life (like teaching for instance) I'm surprised more teachers don't carry a little hide away 380. Better to have it and not need, it than, need it and not have it. I wonder how many teachers COULD HAVE ended shootings if they had just had a gun. Read the book "One Second After" by William R. Forstchen. It's only one example of a gun saving what the day could become, and even thought there aren't nearly as many school shootings as the media would have you believe if it does happen, it's better than a handful of gravel. :mrgreen:

 

[hittman]

My only experience with polymer 380s is the LCP and the Glock 42. Both were certifiable turds in every way.

However, my early 60s Walther PP and PPK are absolutely excellent in every respect. So ..... I'd buy another 380 if it were the right one and I just stocked up with 500 rounds of 380 ammo too.

 

[Heliman]

I don't consider the LCPII a turd. A BIG improvement over the original LCP. Just my opinion of course!

 

[SamV]

With the cost of .380 ammo the same as .45 ACP even when on sale and the small high capacity
9mm pistols that are flooding the market...why bother buying a .380?

Because a .380 pistol is often offered as one of the tiniest hide-away or deep-concealed packages available, and fills a role few other pistols will satisfy.

Most people aren't shooting their little .380's much other than occasional familiarity drills, so the cost of ammunition is not a huge factor.

If deep concealment is not a concern, or there are no other reasons to want a .380, there are far better choices in both price and performance.

There is one more area a .380 might be a better choice. For the recoil sensitive, there are now a couple of pistols designed for 9mm, and sized for a 9mm, but now chambered in .380. These pistols have less recoil, and have softer recoil springs, making them easier to operate the slide for folks that may have diminished hand strength.

Fortunately we have a plethora of cartridge and pistol choices, to match the many needs and requirements of any given shooter.

I might say, "why bother with the wimpy little 9mm when there are far better choices?" :mrgreen:

Yep. This sums it up pretty well. I have multiple choices for carry, but the little .380 gets carried the most. It simply disappears in most clothing. I am not keen on the ammo prices, but I might run 200 or 300 rounds a year through it, so it is not prohibitively expensive. Even my LCR seems like a tank compared to it.

 

[bogus bill]

The magazine holds 6, I have one in the chamber for seven plus own a second magazine. Mine came with a clip on plastic holster that I dont use. Looks like something out of a cracker jack box. I did buy a leather pocket holster and mostly carry the gun in that BUT I really started carrying it just loose in my pocket (depending on type of pants.) With some pants without the pocket holster the gun sometimes tends to turn up side down and with my sunday church pants even get locked and hung up in the pants. A month or two ago I took a bad fall as I am recovering from a broken hip. I fell on the gun. I even broke a hand and sprained both hands and wrists trying to protect my face. There isn't a mark on the gun.

 

[hittman]

My son has an LCP-II with no problems either. I was gun-shy by the time they came around ... pun intended.

 

[Mus408]

Now one .380 I have always like was the Colt Mustang...little bitty 1911!

I just brought this up after noticing the cost of .380 ammo vs. 9mm.

I do pocket carry several small revolvers and semi-autos in my back pocket in a holster of course when
around the home or out walking. When out around town ISWB.

 

[bobski]

how are the old colt pocket 380's eating new ammo these days?

 

[Kevin]

The recoil of .380 is interesting. I’ve often wondered why there isn’t a large gun available in .380. Something the size of a full sized steel framed 1911. I think that would could be a nice target gun.

I have some 380 ammo, but no gun.

 

[rimmer]

If you can find a Mauser, (Gamba,Italian), double stack .380, they are the biggest .380 I know of. It holds 13 rounds of .380 and is easy to shoot.

 

[RoninPA]

When the situation calls for it, I will carry a SIG P238 also. Good gun with good self defense rounds, easy to conceal, fits the need when a larger gun won't. The .380 round has come a looong way since it's inception and ammo manufacturers now make good, reliable and deadly ammo for it. The .380 will be around for a long time to come.

 

[kmoore]

Beretta (did or still does) not sure make a full size .380 a model 84 if I remember right.
I handled one once and nearly purchased it. Just could not see me with a full size handgun in .380.

 

[bogus bill]

I had a 380 Beretta years ago. A nice gun but it was as big as other full size 9mm`s. Thats why I sold.

 

[VonFatman]

the worst .380 i have ever shot was a walther ppks. horrible trigger, too heavy and not at all balanced in my hands.

everyone has an opinion.

 

[gjgalligan]

I have 2 .380s and zero .45s. Never understood the allure of .45.

We are all different in our taste.

 

[Rook]

The 1st generation Kel-Tec P-3AT .380 that I carry is the lightest of the .380's at less than 7.5 ounces empty. Some of the early ones had problems, mostly people that couldn't handle the sharp recoil of the little gun, but the one I have has never had a failure of any sort since I bought it new back in 2003. I've always got it with me no matter what other gun I may be carrying. It's so light there's no reason to not carry it.

I've been using Pow'R Ball ammo in my .380 for a long time now. It has the polymer ball in the hollow point that feeds very well. I'm not sure if they still make the stuff today but I bought a bunch of boxes of it at one time and still have a lot of it left. I also reload .380 but for carrying I carry the Pow'R Ball.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

I had a 380 Beretta years ago. A nice gun but it was as big as other full size 9mm`s. Thats why I sold.

Same reason I sold mine. But man those things are shooters. They point well and it's probably one of the best pure shooting guns I ever had. Kicking myself. I embarassed a cop who was trying to give me a shooting lesson, I was using the Beretta 84.

 

[roashooter]

My wifes bbq gun is a SA 1911....but she does not like trying to conceal it....when Browning came out with the 1911-380....she bought the Black Label 380....adding it to her 1911-22....and when the 1911-380 Pro came out....she got that one.....with the 4 inch barrel....and locked breach....the 380 has a lot more performance than the short/blowbacks......and it has performed flawlessly.....is her edc…..

the common controls are a great asset....

 

[wunbe]

The S&W .380 EZ is a standout for those who appreciate easy loading and take down, mild recoil, and a slide that anyone with arthritis or weaker hand strength can readily use. Plus it side carries like it isn't there and shoots tight and reliably. And it is in the low to moderate cost zone too.

I have two -- one for CCW and one for the house with a laser sight for low light eventualities.

My wife loves them.

wunbe

 

[blume357]

another part... the recoil spring... I know at least two woman that can't wrack the slide on 9mm or above but can a .380...

 

[Rook]

People with arthritis in their hands or what ever that can't rack the slide on a semi auto but would still like to carry one should consider something like the .32 cal. Beretta Tomcat since the barrel flips up where you don't have to rack the slide.

 

[Ordguy]

People with arthritis in their hands or what ever that can't rack the slide on a semi auto but would still like to carry one should consider something like the .32 cal. Beretta Tomcat since the barrel flips up where you don't have to rack the slide.

I had two Beretta Tomcats in .32ACP. First one was blued, never worked reliably till I had over 700 rounds through it. Slide cracked, sent it to Beretta Authorized Repair Shop. Ended up paying over $400 for a wideslide stainless version, guess I wanted the Tomcat badly. Worked fine from the start, lasted just over 3 years & about 2400 Rounds. Trigger mechanism broke, Beretta said Sorry warranty only good for 3 years.

Had a Beretta 84 .380 for awhile too. 13 round magazines, gun was kinda stiff to operate. Accuracy was fine. Lasted me a few years but maybe I'm hard on the Beretta guns cause it broke too. Same Sorry bout that from Beretta; outta warranty.

My Colt .380 Government Model has served me well since i bought it about new about 1995. Found it won't work with Aguilar .380 ammo; every other brand & my handlods work wonderfully.

My LCP ate up the Aguilar stuff and every other brand i put in it. At the range the Slide flew off; landed about 5 feet in front of me. Ruger gave me a return label and they rebuilt it.

Very happy with my .380 Colt & LCP.

 

[WAYNO]

And... .380 ammo doesn't have to be ridiculously expensive. I buy a lot of ammo and I often find deals.

This .380 is not much more expensive than 9mm.