Anyone shoot .380?

[LouisianaMan]

The .380 tends to be snappy in recoil because, traditionally, it utilized the blowback system--and was the most powerful cartridge to do so, generally speaking. In other words, it's essentially top-end within its design envelope. That's a decent hint. . . Once you make the gun heavy enough to dampen that snappy blowback action, you can make it a locked-breech design strong enough to use 9mmP, and paradoxically that tends to feel smoother than the weaker .380.

I owned 2 Beretta 84's and liked them, but my wife hated them as feeling too rough. She preferred steel-frame .38 snubs! The only .380 I've kept is a Remington 51, a semi-locked breech design last manufactured in 1927. FWIW, it weighs 21 ounces.

I join with others in believing that most .380's are going to be unpleasant for beginners.

 

[nwmousegunner]

My wife has an older S&W 36, for practice she prefers mid-range wadcutter loads. She does not like recoil and prefers revolvers over semi-autos. Women that I have loaned guns to for concealed carry intoduction seem to prefer smaller guns. My beretta bobcat is popular, also a 950. The tip up barrel makes loading easy. I carry daily in my front pocket, so I like a small light pistol. I usually carry a rhorbaugh r9 in a desantis nemisis. Recoil is always more in smaller guns, but is managable. A full size 380 should not be uncomfortable for new shooters. The strait blow back guns have more recoil than one with a locked breach. I think your approach is right. Let them try different sizes and calibers and make their own choice. Good Luck and good shooting. Dave

 

[Rainsdrops]

.380 typically generate loud reports, uncomfortable recoil, unacceptable accuracy, a non appealing power factor, light weight / low velocity ammo.

But if the .380, is your only weapon, shoot it.

 

[BigNick73]

I say get the Ruger or a Kel-Tec and let them shoot it! You'll save most of them from buying an unwanted pistol.

That said I really like my 238.

 

[kcinnick]

I made the mistake of putting 9mm STI in new shooters hands, then they wanna know how much it, then they don't wanna touch it any longer. Now I start off with an M&P and work around the other pistols.

 

[flamatrix99]

Friends don't let friends shoot a .380

 

[oscar615]

Well my wife hates my XD .45. But loves the S&W bodyguard in .380. She also liked the Ruger P95 in 9mm

 

[rob52]

I guess I will be one of the few who don't see a problem with the 380. They seem to be fun to shoot and I don't see recoil as a problem (of course I'm a bit overweight). I carried mine for a short time but changed it so i could carry a gun gun with more plastic.
My wife qualified with a 22lr but made a quick conversion to my 40 and now carries and shoots a 9 and has never complained about the recoil. It seems my fear of recoil was more than hers, and I never realistically expected her to carry a 22 any way.
On the other hand, I donn't disagree with anyone else on this forum, just another opinion.

 

[wfarrell1]

I currently carry a tcp .380 taurus for the time being until I buy a holster for my xdsc 40. What I like about it is, that with the bulldog conceal case, It looks like im carrying a iphone or something on my side not a gun. The gun was originally for my gf but she did not like the recoil of it due to its small size.

 

[jguilletjr]

I shoot a sig p238 and it is sweet. I also shoot .44 mags, and an XDM .45ACP. I don't even notice the recoil of the .380.

 

[JBP55]

I shoot a sig p238 and it is sweet. I also shoot .44 mags, and an XDM .45ACP. I don't even notice the recoil of the .380.

If you are going to carry a .380 the Sig P238 is a good choice.

 

[TyGuy]

22lr for beginners, or anyone, is a great caliber. Cheap to shoot so you can put a LOT downrange.

380 is usually more expensive than 9mm, so, if you wanted centerfire then I'd say 9mm.