[Leighton]

Well since Vonfatman (Bob) mentioned them, I thought we should have a spread here on what I think are some of the neatest little guns around. I know alot of folks turn their noses up at the 380, and even worse at the .32's, but they do serve a purpose, and both calibers have been around as long or longer than the .45ACP. They both have served well during peace and wartime. Some of the platforms are classics in their own right.
BDA380

Beretta 85FS

Walther PPK/s The one on the left is the 380, top is a Manurhin .22lr, and the one on the right is in .32acp.

 

[vonfatman]

Hey, I have a few I can show off!

Bob

My daily CCW...Kel-Tec P3-AT...notice how I laid the gun on the holster...would not want to mess up that factory fresh finish!! :lol:

CZ-83...has a pretty good stock trigger...

Llama 380...(belongs to Karli)...a reliable and fun shooter...

PPKS...Interarms unit...(also belongs to Karli)...

 

[Sebago Son]

Just one man's opinion.....

I had to get rid of all my .380's..... because I found myself carrying them.

The last to go was a Stainless Interarms PPK (not /s) which was my "Walking Gun" that I took with me on my warm weather strolls.... I do 5.8 miles most every morning just after sunup.

I once had occasion to shoot something that needed to be shot and I was less than impressed with the outcome.

For that reason I decided to not have (so I wouldn't carry) anything less powerful than a .38 Special. This year I'm gonna get a better holster and carry one of my 2.5" Model 66's or a 3" 65.

There's no denying that the guns that .380's are chambered for are attractive and interesting, but I'm left a little cold by the round's performance. But that's just me.

Drew

 

[azmick]

The new bullet designs/loads have me rethinking the 380. There was a very informative thread on the subject on the "Pre-Color" forum

 

[Leighton]

If I was going to start packing one it would be the Beretta 85FS. It has all the functions of a full size pistol, its very slim, and with two additional mags, I think it would have enough to see through just about anything. Its also scary accurate, and with the longer barrel it gives the little 380 somewhat more velocity than the shorter pocket type guns.

 

[vonfatman]

I CCW my P3-AT because I can and DO carry it every day, everywhere I go. A larger gun won't do well in summertime yard shorts. I'd love the knockdown of the G36 I used to own, but it's not small enough for my daily (EVERYDAY) CCW.

I carry the gun in a DeSantis pocket holster in one pocket and a spare/back-up magazine in the the other pocket.

Works great and the little stinker is deadly accurate too...at 15 yards I can knock down 8" steel plates all day long.

Bob

 

[toroflow]

Here my Colt Mustang "Pocketlight" .380...its even lighter than me model 38 bodyguard!

 

[pistola]

Colt Mustang Plus II in stainless.

:lol:

 

[Sebago Son]

Neat Guns, but I've had a couple of bad experiances with those little Colt's .380s.... Mostly while decocking that tiny hammer on a live round..... Also, mine would go out of battery with the hammer down and the safety on. I never took the time to overcome my predjudices as I could not see any improvement at all with these guns over a PPK or PPK/s..... so I moved them along.... at a healthy profit... you fellas had anything like that with your guns?

 

[bmcgilvray]

Here's my only .380 pistol.

Pretty much the same set-up as Bob's.

 

[vonfatman]

Hey Gil,
How do you like those flat nose bullets? I've stayed with round-nose ever since loading up some flat-nose plated bullets....I had a few feeding issues, not many, but I was using the exact same load with the round-nose bullets without any feed issues.

Just curious....my reloads are not real hot and that may have "helped" the failure rate with that type bullet.

Bob

 

[BlackAgnes]

 

[Sebago Son]

Ooooooooo Remington 51. The Art Deco .380. Patton would be proud!

 

[BlackAgnes]

Yep, Drew...I carries it right next to my pocket watch and my buttonhook...;-)

Seriously--wouldn't this be great in .22 LR????

Tim

 

[Sebago Son]

Yep, Drew...I carries it right next to my pocket watch and my buttonhook...;-)

Seriously--wouldn't this be great in .22 LR????

Tim

Tim,

Yes it would....

Pedersen was having a very good day when he conceived this beauty....

Too bad it didn't survive the depression. Even the newest 51's are now almost 80 years old....

Equally as disappointing is the fact that the similar, but larger Remington Model 53 in .45 ACP as was recommended by the US Navy, never got off the ground. I read once that the 53 was smaller and more accurate than the 1911.

I understand that there have been attempts to resurrect the design as it's locking mechanism design should be able to accommodate more powerful chamberings...

Thought if they wanted to sell them to us old guys, something would have to be done about those tiny sights .....

Drew

 

[BlackAgnes]

...probably need a tacticool rail for the laser...

 

[Lord Slashcat]

My favorite .380 is my Colt 1908 pocket pistol that says "Calibre .380 Hammerless" on the starboard side of the slide. It's in great shape overall,but not nearly as nice as that Remington.
Maybe someday Gizamo will teach me how to post pictures.

 

[Sebago Son]

My favorite .380 is my Colt 1908 pocket pistol that says "Calibre .380 Hammerless" on the starboard side of the slide. It's in great shape overall,but not nearly as nice as that Remington.
Maybe someday Gizamo will teach me how to post pictures.

George,

It's a snap.... for someone as talented as you in the mysterious, I bet you'll find it a breeze....

In the meantime, if you'd like, I'll post any photos for you that you'd care to send my way....

Drew

 

[Guest]

I find it interesting that no one picked the Remington Model 51. It's a neatly assembled pistol that fits like a glove. It is very thin and has that old school bluing. kihfL

 

[Leighton]

I find it interesting that no one picked the Remington Model 51. It's a neatly assembled pistol that fits like a glove. It is very thin and has that old school bluing. kihfL

It is, but I think the FN/Browning 1910 is just as slick, even though mine is .32acp, they were also offered in .380, and some came as sets with the extra barrel and spring.