380 Pistols

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I really like and have liked the 380 for way too long. I went through a whole host of 380s that I shuddakept and wuddakept except life intervened. The only shuddakept I didkept was the Sig P230. Today though there is a whole new world of really nice, relatively inexpensive if you buy on sale 380s out there.

Of the ones I've tried by far the best has been my Remington RM380. It did take me a while to learn how to do take down and reassembly but now that's a piece of cake. I did swap out to the Galloway spring set and that took about 10 minutes and made a real improvement.

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My Sig 380s come next and it's hard to choose between the old P230 and the newer P290RS. Very different guns but both have bee super reliable and accurate.

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The easiest to conceal is my Beretta Pico. The only issue with it is that it does not seem to like wide mouth hollow points. Since I most often carry either ball or fluted rounds that is not a big issue.

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Those four have all been so nice that they have pretty much pushed my snubbies off into the safe.

I seem to have had two others follow me home but the jury is still out on them; the S&W M&P Bodyguard 380 and the Ruger LCP.
 
No .380 thread is complete without a LCP or two. It isn't cool, or classic....in fact, I dont particularly like it.
It's just small, light, reliable, inexpensive, and accurate. I carry it almost every day.
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I agree, although I do like mine. And I don't find it particularly unpleasant to shoot. I bought mine when Palmetto had them for $169 with free shipping about a year ago, and I've seen them advertised regularly at that same price. At that price, I figured there was no reason not to have one, and I've been pleasantly surprised by it.
 
Did someone say Russian Makarov in 380acp? I bought this one brand-new in the late 1980's. I don't recall it ever malfunctioning.

I'm pretty sure this Beretta 84 is some kind of surplus pistol. I has plenty of holster wear.

For a heavy locked-breech 380, the Colt Government Model is my favorite.

I've never had a PP or PPK made by Walther, but this FEG is pretty close.

For longer-range shooting the FN Model 1971 is what I reach for.
 
Of the ones I've tried by far the best has been my Remington RM380. [...] My Sig 380s come next and it's hard to choose between the old P230 and the newer P290RS.
Would you please compare RM380 and P290RS back to back? The trigger pull is quite long on both of them. The SIG comes with factory +2. So, what does give RM380 the advantage in your view?
 
Interesting indeed!

I own 2, an EAA Witness Pavona in 380 and a Shield EZ. The Witness is one of those sparkly black and gold ones only the gold sparkles are hard to see on this one. Besides I can't see them when looking down the sights. Trigger is smooth with a sharp clean break. I bought it to use as a range gun for training and really enjoy it. Reload for it is slightly less than what it costs to reload 9mm.

Looked at the Black Label and thought it a bit pricey.
 
Obviously I am a Pico fan boy. We Took the Pico, the Kahr and a New 380 from a different manufacturer to the range Sunday. Brought along 400 rds of mixed ammo. Set up targets at 10 yds and began shooting. The new model gun quickly grew boring and just could not shoot it well. Terrible groups and then failures. Put that aside and just started nailing the 10 yard target with the Pico and then Kahr. Both guns ran like champs. The Pico has always eaten any ammo. The Kahr had to go through a break in when new, but now shooting great. Regardless, These two guns are such nice shooters. They did extremely well shooting at that range. While both are similar in shooting characteristics, about the same amount of Recoil and handling very mild. I prefer the Pico over the Kahr. For myself, it feels better in the hand than the lower bore axis of the Kahr. That obviously is subjective. I find both of these guns so much fun to shoot. Should have brought along more 380. Followed up shooting the LCR9mm, another fun gun and the Smith 38. Love the small guns.

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https://imgur.com/gallery/cbuqy5C

*Note to Tallball. I am still running on top of the bid for the Keltec 32cal. Regardless will be getting one and hoping it will eat the Underwood ammo. The idea of a little pocket gun weighing 6.6 lbs has really captured my interest. And the reviews with the Underwood ammo have really been positive. Hot summers and wearing shorts and Tee shirts coming quick.
 
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Would you please compare RM380 and P290RS back to back? The trigger pull is quite long on both of them. The SIG comes with factory +2. So, what does give RM380 the advantage in your view?
Honestly they are very close.

Both have the same barrel lengths, the longest of the newer ones that I compared at 2.9". Only the older, larger and heavier Sig P230 and Makarov had a longer barrel at 3.6" and 3.5" respectively. .

The Sig P290RS has far better sights than the Remington RM380 and so at distance it shot slight tighter groups than the Remington but at 10 yards and under they were too close to call.

The Sig P290RS also comes with the option of an 8+1 extended magazine.

Based on just the numbers, the Sig P290RS appears to be the clear winner.

But there is also the subjective side.

The Sig P290RS is heavier (514g) than the RM380 (445g) and also larger. The RM380 is more comfortable to carry as a concealed pocket gun than the Sig P290RS.

with 6+1 mags:
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with the Sig 8+1 magazine:
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The Sig also has really aggressive stippling that grabs on some fabrics making presentation difficult.
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With the 6+1 mag in the Sig I get two full and one finger just touching on the grip:
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and with the extended mag I get all three fingers on the grip:
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but with the Remington I get all three gingers on the grip even on the 6+1 arrangement.
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The palm swell on the Remington fits my hand better, the slide is even easier to cock than on the P290RS, the trigger feels smoother and crisper on the Rm380.

The RM380 has the ambidextrous slide (AKA magazine release if I were not brain dead this morning) releases as standard so it works better weak hand and alternating sides. That for me is a very important feature and would be enough alone to move the Remington RM380 (and also the Pico) to the top part of any list.

The Sig P290RS did come with a Kydex holster (looks like an IMI product) and so if I am open carrying or covered OWB the Sig P290RS or more likely the Sig P230 or Makarov, would likely get the nod but for deep concealment pocket carry the Remington RM380 works best for me.

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Thanks a lot, that comparison is just what I needed. One comment though:

The RM380 has the ambidextrous slide releases as standard so it works better weak and and alternating sides.
I don't see a left-handed slide release on the quoted pictures. Did you mean the magazine release?
 
Thanks a lot, that comparison is just what I needed. One comment though:


I don't see a left-handed slide release on the quoted pictures. Did you mean the magazine release?
Correct. Applin spalling. Magazine release. I always release the slide with a sling instead of using any release anyway.
 
I hear they have very easy racking.
Both have very easy racking. I also upgraded the trigger and hammer springs on the Remington RM380 with the Galloway set. It made a slight difference in how smooth the trigger is.

The Sig P290RS does have one other advantage I did not mention. The sights do have a flat forward surface which could be used to rack the slide one handed. But I have also racked the Remington RM380 one handed using the edge at the top of the frame over the ejection port.
 
MnsHO is,,,

Just clean up the Beretta,,,
Maybe get her some new grips so she feels new to you.

It is undoubtedly one of the finest 380 handguns ever produced,,,
You can spend a whole lot of money,,,
And not get anything better.

Aarond

.
 
Both have very easy racking. I also upgraded the trigger and hammer springs on the Remington RM380 with the Galloway set. It made a slight difference in how smooth the trigger is.

The Sig P290RS does have one other advantage I did not mention. The sights do have a flat forward surface which could be used to rack the slide one handed. But I have also racked the Remington RM380 one handed using the edge at the top of the frame over the ejection port.

I have communicated over the Past few years with "B&&&&&ll" another Pico fan, also a fan of the RM. One of his complaints on the RM was the finish on these guns and being sub par or wearing fast and the Lack of sights and and poor accuracy. I know he sent his RM to Innovative Arms to have one cut, but unfortunately could not, the" aftermarket tritium sight requires a bit more depth for installation". While some folks do not care about sights, I pretty much insist on them. Especially for the fast point and shoot style I do. Other wise I have always thought this gun would a very nice 380. Not fond of using aluminum in a 380, but if I could train with another gun, could get by with just carry. Might pick up one if I find a used model, just to add to my collection. I like the looks of them and the new one just released. But for the the Money, just cannot believe they did not spend a little extra for sights or the ability to have night sights)

I have told folks in the Past that have difficulty with other 380's to try out the RM380 for the reported easy racking.

I like this RM380 "Executive" and with a stainless steel receiver. MSRP is $405.00. If the prices drops considerably and they find a way to add sights, which they possibly could do with this new model, I would love to have one. (provided they report good accuracy)


o6TqXK3.jpg Beautiful looking gun from the Picture.

Innovative arms for sight upgrade. for other models, including the Keltec p32, (Unfortunately they will be down making the sights for a while, as they are busy with silencer work.

https://innovativearms.com/portfolio/sight-upgrade/ I hear they do excellent work. Here are some LCP's.

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Are the Beretta 84 and 85 models still in production? I don’t see them on the U.S. website.
Beretta dropped 84FS from the catalog some time around 2010, but the dealers complained a lot, and it was re-instated in 2014. Maybe the time has come for it to disappear again. It's unclear if the production is still ongoing.
 
I have communicated over the Past few years with "B&&&&&ll" another Pico fan, also a fan of the RM. One of his complaints on the RM was the finish on these guns and being sub par or wearing fast and the Lack of sights and and poor accuracy. I know he sent his RM to Innovative Arms to have one cut, but unfortunately could not, the" aftermarket tritium sight requires a bit more depth for installation". While some folks do not care about sights, I pretty much insist on them. Especially for the fast point and shoot style I do. Other wise I have always thought this gun would a very nice 380. Not fond of using aluminum in a 380, but if I could train with another gun, could get by with just carry. Might pick up one if I find a used model, just to add to my collection. I like the looks of them and the new one just released. But for the the Money, just cannot believe they did not spend a little extra for sights or the ability to have night sights)

I have told folks in the Past that have difficulty with other 380's to try out the RM380 for the reported easy racking.

I like this RM380 "Executive" and with a stainless steel receiver. MSRP is $405.00. If the prices drops considerably and they find a way to add sights, which they possibly could do with this new model, I would love to have one. (provided they report good accuracy)


View attachment 826508 Beautiful looking gun from the Picture.

Innovative arms for sight upgrade. for other models, including the Keltec p32, (Unfortunately they will be down making the sights for a while, as they are busy with silencer work.

https://innovativearms.com/portfolio/sight-upgrade/ I hear they do excellent work. Here are some LCP's.

View attachment 826509
So this morning I made a run to the range (indoor) to put a few more rounds through the Smith BG380 (back from spa day at mothership to get slide stop replaced) and the Sig P290RS 380 (after cleaning interior on magazines, one is still misbehaving) and so also took the Remington along as my carry gun.

Ran 25 rounds through it with a five spot target set at 5 yards. Shot one handed weak hand point and shoot, medium rapid fire with one dot as goal for each magazine. Largest grouping I could still cover with my hand, smallest with just my palm.

The Remington RM380 is simply amazing, and I keep trying (and failing) to find the flaw or weakness I know has to be there. But so far it really has been flawless, enough so that as soon as I got back from the range I ordered one of the new dark blue & stainless slide version.
 
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Someday, I will have to break down and get a 1911 pocket gun. Have been saying this for years. My choice would be the SIg Hd. Solid gun. A little heavier, but I believe it would handle a lot of ammo down range vs the Aluminum. I have shot all of them and they all shoot well. Now Springfield has the 911. I will have to try this one out for sure.

I will give them points already for the 911 features an ambidextrous safety and is perfectly matched with an Ameriglo® Pro-Glo™ green tritium front sight inside a yellow luminescent circle,

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Or the Sig
P238 BRG Micro-Compact
 
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I like the PPK series and my first and only .380 - I also like the round - is (top) a PPK/S. Second is a .22LR and a WWII souvenir at the bottom; a PPK 7.65mm with a German soldier's holster. I know the first pull on the trigger is heavy; but these pistols fit my hand like few others.
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There were a few times when new, that I cursed this well built little gun. Spending time with it paid offf big time after the break in. Great sights, very nice double action trigger, very mild shooting.All Stainless steel build.



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While the gun is not modular, notice how Kahr took the time and spent the money on placing steel inserts at the Stress areas.

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I got a Stainless 84 Cheetah Beretta with wood grips. Well made piece ! And the best looking 380 out there. The Walther is sweet looking too. If I ever get another , Walther would be the one.
 
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