Opinions needed: Most reliable .380 pocket pistol? Best SD ammo.380? Why?
- Thread starter Labadie
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SpeedRacer
Well-Known Member
If you're going for deep concealment/pocket carry, I'll never understand the logic behind a tiny metal framed gun that weighs a pound like the P238 and micro Eagle. Kinda defeats the purpose IMO.
returningliberty
Well-Known Member
Agreed. Go light for easier concealment, and suck it up. They're all going to have an attitude when firing, just deal with it.
Ruger LCP for size but I find the 6 round capacity to be a negative. If you are set on it being a 380 but have a little flexibility, why hasn't anybody mentioned a Bersa? Good pistol for the $$$ (around $300+) and the CC version is smallish with an 8rd +1 capacity. Too small for my liking and I sold mine to get the regular Thunder. Eight round capacity (7+1), same low cost and a very good, reliable gun. Thumbs up for the Bersa.
Because many of us here don't think highly of South American pistols... that and the whole Deafdave deal. Thumbs down for Bersa.
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SpeedRacer
Well-Known Member
The OP asked about reliable pocket guns, the Bersas are neither.
Can't argue on the your "pocket" standpoint, but the Bersa I carry everyday and shoot regularly will disagree with your view of lacking reliability. It's not a Glock or M&P, but it has functioned flawlessly no matter what crap I've ran through it.
dixiejarhead
Well-Known Member
My experiences:
First 380 - Bryco/Jennings 380. POS. Still shot everytime I pulled the trigger. Sold it.
2nd 380 - Grendel 380 from the mid nineties. Worked great, but had an internal non detachable mag. Too much a PITA to deal with reloading so SOLD IT.
3rd 380 - Walther PPKs stainless. NEVER a FTF/FTE/Failure to fire. Ever. Eats every ammo I put in it. My model is interarms import model from the late 80s early 90s.
4th 380 Diamondback DB380. Nice gun. Trigger was too long a pull for me with long fingers. (I know, sounds weird) I could pull one round off but the gun would short stroke on the trigger with my sixed fingers (large thin and long) Sold it.
5th Ruger LCP. Worked great, grip too small for me. I liked the size though. Sold it.
6th 380? Nope. Kept #3. Wather PPKs. Just got a new firing pin for it. Old one was broken. Works like a charm. Have used handloads, FMJs, Gold dot 90 grain loads, and the current load I have in it is something I bought back in 2004/5 time frame. Don't remember the name, but they work well. 90 Grain HP's have always fed in all of them as well as 90 grain FMJs. When I tried 100 grain anything they all jammed. Every one.
Hope this helps
First 380 - Bryco/Jennings 380. POS. Still shot everytime I pulled the trigger. Sold it.
2nd 380 - Grendel 380 from the mid nineties. Worked great, but had an internal non detachable mag. Too much a PITA to deal with reloading so SOLD IT.
3rd 380 - Walther PPKs stainless. NEVER a FTF/FTE/Failure to fire. Ever. Eats every ammo I put in it. My model is interarms import model from the late 80s early 90s.
4th 380 Diamondback DB380. Nice gun. Trigger was too long a pull for me with long fingers. (I know, sounds weird) I could pull one round off but the gun would short stroke on the trigger with my sixed fingers (large thin and long) Sold it.
5th Ruger LCP. Worked great, grip too small for me. I liked the size though. Sold it.
6th 380? Nope. Kept #3. Wather PPKs. Just got a new firing pin for it. Old one was broken. Works like a charm. Have used handloads, FMJs, Gold dot 90 grain loads, and the current load I have in it is something I bought back in 2004/5 time frame. Don't remember the name, but they work well. 90 Grain HP's have always fed in all of them as well as 90 grain FMJs. When I tried 100 grain anything they all jammed. Every one.
Hope this helps
I carry and trust my Kahr P380. Small, lightweight, and accurate. Takes about 200 rounds to break in, but who'd carry a gun without that round count and trust it to protect his/her life? I like Hornaday Critical Defense rounds in it.
500ish rounds through my LCP (not a super large amount of rounds) but regardless has been flawless and suprisingly accurate with practice. It is my "all the time carry." .380 pocket isnt a gun Chuck Noris would carry but its better than no gun at all. 
This ^^^^. I respect varying opinions but the current crop of Bersas ain't too bad. When is the last time you shot a current production one? I bought a Thunder CC model (slim, almost useless sights and small for CC) mainly for my grandudes to shoot 'cause they were getting restless with shooting just my .22s. It turned out to be a little TOO small for my hands (the grandudes are only infrequent users) so I sold the CC model and acquired a regular size Thunder.
It had useable sights, a bigger grip and , so far, has been a good gun. I wouldn't carry it if I was a LEO or professional person, but for a little 380 that is seemingly reliable, inexpensive, accurate and seems built well, I think the Bersa is a good gun especially for the price. Check it out again before you condemn them altogether.
You might change your mind.
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I keep a SW Bodyguard .380 handy. I've found I shoot it better than my little .38 snubby, and I have two more shots. So far, no malfunctions.
With some cheapo ammo, I have had to double strike to get a round to fire. No issues with quality ammo though.
With some cheapo ammo, I have had to double strike to get a round to fire. No issues with quality ammo though.
