Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Do you carry a .380?

HV,

You're a very astute guy as well who never seems to miss a thing & I always pay attention to your posts as they offer good information & insights, quite often on interesting & more diverse subjects than what I tend to focus on routinely.

As usual, you are absolutely correct that in general, SA's are better suited to more experienced people than they are for novices......couldn't agree more with them starting with DAO's or revolvers, too.



I'd say that's better than very good shooting with that package..........

MM

Bob,

I've read a number of your posts, and enjoy them. I can readily discern that you know quite a bit about various handgun rigs. Some of your posts, like the vest story, gave me a good chuckle when picturing that in the mind's eye--doubly so when envisioned with Shane's post.

Regarding small rigs and hot ammo--I do not advocate the use of it for carry. I've found in testing some of the hotter stuff in smaller rigs, that on occasions, reliability in slide operation goes out the window, not to mention how hard it is on a rig when frequently used.

I shoot pocket rigs a lot, primarily because they are difficult to master at heightened firing speeds--something I like to challenge myself with. Subsequently, when one then fires a mid or full size rig, it is much easier to excel with.

When I saw the pic that you posted with the guitar, I had to do a double take, as your appearance was a dead ringer for our family doc from back in the late 1970's...

MM,

Thank you very much for those good words--I really appreciate them. The sentiment/respect is mutual...

I have a select group of guys whose posts I look for too--as it is very easy to discern those who have significant skill and knowledge, and I always find I'm learning from reading of other's experience's--it keeps me coming back. On occasion, when I can get a good, useful tidbit--or a laugh--it's all the better...

Hi_Vel.

Yes, there is a pretty good number of very knowledgeable people here that I always pay attention to.

Not an all inclusive or complete list by any means, but just the ones that come to mind the most often. Some I have corresponded with directly from time to time, others not so much

Mallard Addict is a very knowledgeable guy across many different platforms including AR's as well as handguns.

Mackay Sagebrush is a wealth of information on all gun & security related subjects.

RJM has a huge amount of personal experience & instructor background & always offers good info.

RGK has a broad range of shooting & firearms experience.

JOG, though he doesn't post much anymore, has great technical information.

Gun Geek (Kevin Gibson) has a broad range of experience & knowledge, though sometimes goes of on some strange tangents or topics.

There are many more, but besides yourself, I always pay attention & have learned a thing or 3 over time from these particular guys.

Best Regards,

MM

anyone seen one of these, it's called an Ideal conceal .380 double barrel that is supposed to look like a cell phone. The bottom half drops down as a handle exposing the trigger.

I hope some fool doesn't answer the wrong phone and blow their brains out.

Now THAT is classic LOBO !!! Thanks for the chuckle.


Quote Hi-vel


I just shot a box of Underwood Extreme Penetrators this afternoon in a little Kahr P-380 and your words are true. It's all I can do to keep that little sucker on target for rapid follow up shots because there isn't much to hold on to. That Underwood stuff is nasty and hard on the little pistol. I also had along a little Kel-Tec P3AT that I've carried since Kel-Tec started making 380's and until I got the Kahr. No telling how many rounds I shot through the P3AT, but they have all been standard stuff, or my reloads which are standard loads. I shot it very well easily making quick follow up shots even though the Kahr pistol is of much higher quality and has better sights and trigger. But load it with dynamite and I can shoot the Kel-Tec better using standard ammo.


I can shoot a 45 auto on repeat shots faster and more accurately than the Kahr loaded with dynamite and I know dang well I can shoot faster and more accurately with a model 19 Smith.

Small is great for carry, but not so much for shooting when loaded with hot loads. What is it that Clint Smith says about that? A firearm is supposed to be comforting, not comfortable.

Besides my .380 I have a Double Tap Derringer in 9mm. It's a 2 shot over and under with an extra 2 rounds stored in the handle. This gun also comes in a .45acp. I have shot the .45 and I can tell you after 2 shots you won't want to shoot it again. It's so thin it comes back into the web of your hand and it hurts like hell. I've never been recoil sensitive but this gun is NOT a fun gun to shoot in either caliber. Having said that it carry's very inconspicuously in a wallet type holster either in the front or back pocket. It can be considered a bug or a better than nothing close range defense weapon.

I don't have a 380, but the Beretta 84 is the one I would look for, if I was looking.

I just can't warm up to tiny pistols.

Those are sweet. My local shop had one new from Beretta on the shelf a few weeks ago. I handled it and liked it. Reasonable price, too. Just couldn't justify it when they make 9mms about that size, or smaller. Then again, it held 12 or 13 rounds in a double stack mag, and with modern loads that would be pretty effective.

That's kind how I see it. If it's going to be the size/weight of a Beretta 84, might as well roll with a Glock 19.

Takes me right back to the Glock 17 I've been carrying since dirt was young.

I got a Bass Pro flyer last week advertising a Browning 1911 .380. Had not seen these before, might like to handle one for size and feel.

Mike

It's a neat piece, but it's not something I'd consider carrying.

Size is halfway between the little Browning 1911/22 and a Gov't Model. They basically scaled down the Gov't Model in dimensions to have it built around the .380 cartridge instead of the .45ACP. Handling will be just like a shrunken Gov't Model; which ain't a bad thing.

It'd be a neat piece to shoot, a good "trainer" for someone trying to learn the mechanics of a 1911 (especially if the person is smaller framed; think "youth sized"), and a fun range toy, but for carry I can't think of a reason why.

Holsters are very tough to find.....plus if I recall, it had some plastic parts I didn't care for....neat gun to play with though.

Hey Sean, what is your problem? I often carry the original, a MKIV Series 80 Government .380!

Upper left and compared to Glock 42 and Colt Commander .45

T, my old friend, if there was a slight implied in that quote of mine it was entirely unintentional.

The point I was trying (and failing, obviously) to make is that the Browning 1911 .380 is a neat piece, but for carry if you're going to carry a .380, it just doesn't make sense to me to go BUY one. Now, if you happen to have something as deliciously nice as that Colt of yours, then why not carry it?

However, that Colt is smaller than the Browning (in both length and height). And, if you're going to be looking at a .380 to carry, today, there are smaller, lighter .380s available in or near that price range (G42, Kimber Micro, LCP, etc.), or alternatively if you're looking at something that goes 18 oz empty and measures 7.5" overall, you can either have a more substantial round than the .380 in that package (easily) and/or more than 9 rounds on deck. That's easily in the Beretta 84 size range and the Cheetah gives you 14 rounds, or in the weight range as a dimensionally smaller G43 that gives you 9x19 capabilities.

Don't get me wrong, the 1911 .380 is a NEAT little pistol and I'd not mind having one. If I had one, I'd carry it, but I can't see going an buying one with a primary purpose of CCW.

As for carrying the .380, you know I have in the past and in fact there's a .380 in my pocket as I type this, so it's not a knock on the cartridge (though I do recognize it's limitations).

No insult perceived Sean, I have been hurting for the past few days and may come across a bit short, sorry about that. As to the smaller .380's, they are for less arthritic hands than mine. Got rid of the K-T P3AT for the Glock 42, just a BUNCH easier on the hands. I will tell you what though, that Colt .380 is a pure joy to shoot, I can burn 100 rounds through it at a session with no trouble to the old paws.

The G42 is a taste bigger and lighter but actually holds one round less than the Colt. Of course I would rather lose it than the Colt!

Son finally talked me out of the 1903 Colt .32. and daughter is getting quite eloquent in her pitch for the .gov .380, rot's a ruck on dat Keri dear!

My dear friend, that you are hurting is the worst news I've gotten. I am so sorry to hear that.

You bring up a great point about shootability, too. Those of us still in pretty good shape and with our strength don't think about or understand the needs/requirements of those who don't.

The point you and others have made about certain pistols being uncomfortable to shoot is something else I'd been thinking about recently, and playing with mathematically. There's a correlation between weight and recoil, and I think there's a definable limit, or at least a range that's definable, where things just start to hurt. I'm still working on the finer points, but the math is solid.

Trust me my friend, you would not realize that I am the same guy you and A met a few years ago. But life goes on till it stops, nuttin' ya can do about it.

Also passed on the S&W 60 and carry the J frame .32 H&R when toting a revolver. You either adapt or give up, I ain't about to give up!!!!!

the G42 is a nice pistol, I have one that is not going anywhere.

We'd NEVER suspect you of being one to give up. Adapt, yes, and easily so. Give up; never.

I'll not tell A you're suffering. She thinks the world of you and it would make her cry.