BruiseLee
Member
The Kakr P380 California edition is about that much money after DROS and taxes, and I passed on it.
Do many people purchase an $800.00 380 pistol?
- Thread starter george burns
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tactikel
Member
I think of it as would I pay $800 for a weapon that fit my SD needs, was reliable, accurate, and I would trust with my life? If yes, I would pay $800 (if the same criteria could not be met with a less expensive weapon).
Should be pretty clear that a functional pistol that sells for $350 will sell better than one that sells for $800.
But some people will pay for the $800 pistol, especially if it offers something they believe the $350 pistol doesn't.
I forget how much I paid for my wife's Beretta model 86 .380. That's the model with the tip-up barrel which she wanted because she sometimes has trouble racking the slide on an autopistol. I know it wasn't the cheapest functional .380 available at the time, but I wanted a feature it offered that wasn't generally available.
But some people will pay for the $800 pistol, especially if it offers something they believe the $350 pistol doesn't.
I forget how much I paid for my wife's Beretta model 86 .380. That's the model with the tip-up barrel which she wanted because she sometimes has trouble racking the slide on an autopistol. I know it wasn't the cheapest functional .380 available at the time, but I wanted a feature it offered that wasn't generally available.
sniper5
Member
If I am looking for a handgun for a specific purpose, and it fits my hand and points well and is accurate and reliable, I have no problem paying whatever. If it doesn't do those things the gun is worthless regardless of the price. And in the big picture the cost of the gun is a drop in the bucket compared to the ammo I will run through it.
WestKentucky
Member
I have one disassembled in a safe deposit box worth considerably more than that, and it's not even in .380. It's in the lowly 32acp. But then again a nicely engraved walther pp unfired, in box with all paperwork, with buffalo horn and ivory custom grips should be worth a small fortune. I just wish I knew who engraved it and who made the grips......but that's in another realm. That was my first collector grade gun.
800 bones for a pocket gun to carry every day...not for me. Not terribly far off though. Sig p238 is around 600 then add crimson trace grips and your there. Similarly for a lot of classically designed metal framed guns your going to be in that ballpark. A new mustang would be in that ballpark for sure. A new ppk would be as well. A lot of folks get tied up on 2 things. One makes a huge difference, one makes very little. Cash for caliber...if we all went cheap we would ALL be carrying a hi-point 45. There are PLENTY 22 lr guns in the 4 figures. There are plenty 1911s north of 3 grand. All calibers and all prices, so cash for caliber don't make squat. The next hangup is between a plastic pocket rocket or a steel or alloy framed defense gun. Who gives a rip if it's made by glock, keltec, sccy, colt, smith, kimber, kahr, sig...that material part DOES make a huge difference in 2 aspects, carried weight and cost of manufacture. Steel is heavy. Aluminum kinda in between, titanium and plastic are light. This works 2 ways...your either going to be lugging around a brick, or getting smacked by one if you go to either extreme. Airweight .357 mags HURT. Steel framed guns weigh on a man after they ride around on you all day long. Heavy guns don't recoil nearly as bad, lightweight guns are easy to carry. Sooo...if a gun falls somewhere in the line of what I want then yes, if I have the money to spend and I feel it's a quality weapon that I like I do it. If not I let the glock 42 keep riding.
800 bones for a pocket gun to carry every day...not for me. Not terribly far off though. Sig p238 is around 600 then add crimson trace grips and your there. Similarly for a lot of classically designed metal framed guns your going to be in that ballpark. A new mustang would be in that ballpark for sure. A new ppk would be as well. A lot of folks get tied up on 2 things. One makes a huge difference, one makes very little. Cash for caliber...if we all went cheap we would ALL be carrying a hi-point 45. There are PLENTY 22 lr guns in the 4 figures. There are plenty 1911s north of 3 grand. All calibers and all prices, so cash for caliber don't make squat. The next hangup is between a plastic pocket rocket or a steel or alloy framed defense gun. Who gives a rip if it's made by glock, keltec, sccy, colt, smith, kimber, kahr, sig...that material part DOES make a huge difference in 2 aspects, carried weight and cost of manufacture. Steel is heavy. Aluminum kinda in between, titanium and plastic are light. This works 2 ways...your either going to be lugging around a brick, or getting smacked by one if you go to either extreme. Airweight .357 mags HURT. Steel framed guns weigh on a man after they ride around on you all day long. Heavy guns don't recoil nearly as bad, lightweight guns are easy to carry. Sooo...if a gun falls somewhere in the line of what I want then yes, if I have the money to spend and I feel it's a quality weapon that I like I do it. If not I let the glock 42 keep riding.
Have you handled or shot one yet? Can you afford it? Are you absolutely sure a Speedo sized get off me gun is what you want and need? If not, you may wish to reconsider.
If I knew beyond all doubt that it was what I really wanted, I would slowly and angrily save up for it.
But if we are talking about me personally, there are indeed too many good .380's at half the price, except I'd rather have a 9mm for logistical reasons anyways.
If I knew beyond all doubt that it was what I really wanted, I would slowly and angrily save up for it.
But if we are talking about me personally, there are indeed too many good .380's at half the price, except I'd rather have a 9mm for logistical reasons anyways.
CajunBass
Member
I doubt if I would, but I don't worry about it if someone else wants to.
Woolecox
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A buddy of mine has one of those. I was seriously impressed when I shot it. I would buy the 9mm model if I did not already have the ecxcellent Kahr MK-9 Elite. I paid $700 for my Kahr on GB.What specific pistol are you talking about at $800?
I know I paid $600 for a Sig P238 which seemed like a lot at the time. But for me it was the perfect summertime (T-shirt) carry gun in a De Santis IWB holster, and had the same single-action operation as the 1911 I like to carry in the winter when proper concealment is less difficult.
I've been very pleased with the accuracy and concealability of the P238 and haven't regretted the money because the small .380 pistol allows me to carry more often.
Tinpig
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filter777
Member
If he is referring to what is pictured, it looks like a Beretta. I do not recall ever seeing a Beretta in .380 with a retail or street value of $800.What specific pistol are you talking about at $800?
I know I paid $600 for a Sig P238 which seemed like a lot at the time. But for me it was the perfect summertime (T-shirt) carry gun in a De Santis IWB holster, and had the same single-action operation as the 1911 I like to carry in the winter when proper concealment is less difficult.
I've been very pleased with the accuracy and concealability of the P238 and haven't regretted the money because the small .380 pistol allows me to carry more often.
Tinpig
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george burns
Member
I have some expensive small guns, I discussed that earlier. The point I was making is that a pistol like the Kimber 380, is not only overpriced and under powered. But many of them have reliability problems.
Kimber has always been plagued by their Quality Control problems. You can get one that works well, and one that doesn't work at all. Its split about 50/50, It's a fact that most shooters know well and although they make a nice looking gun, it is just not worth that kind of money unless you Could put a couple hundred rounds through it firs, "I am being Facetious". No way is a 380 from Kimber a gun I would stake my life on.
The little Sig is another story, they work well. Having to be tied to one specific brand of ammo for the gun to fire properly is a huge issue alone. If you don't use the recommended ammo, they actually tell you the gun may not chamber the next round.
Why would anyone take such a chance with their carry gun, which should be the most reliable gun you can get, price aside.
Also if you wanted a small pocket gun why not get a 9mm Kahr, at 14 ozs. I carry one for years and it has been gone over by Kahr for reliability. Having many years of experience in what works and what doesn't work as well, I know a 9mm will get you the penetration and expansion that the 380 will not, or may not.
And you are still probably going to have to put half a magazine into a bad guy to stop him unless you are Jessie James, and can shoot someone in the brain stem or cardiac area while running and gunning.
All statistics aside, go with the most powerful round you can handle well, The trend to 9mm I agree with, but in a gun fight, I would still prefer to have a 45 or 357.
Kimber has always been plagued by their Quality Control problems. You can get one that works well, and one that doesn't work at all. Its split about 50/50, It's a fact that most shooters know well and although they make a nice looking gun, it is just not worth that kind of money unless you Could put a couple hundred rounds through it firs, "I am being Facetious". No way is a 380 from Kimber a gun I would stake my life on.
The little Sig is another story, they work well. Having to be tied to one specific brand of ammo for the gun to fire properly is a huge issue alone. If you don't use the recommended ammo, they actually tell you the gun may not chamber the next round.
Why would anyone take such a chance with their carry gun, which should be the most reliable gun you can get, price aside.
Also if you wanted a small pocket gun why not get a 9mm Kahr, at 14 ozs. I carry one for years and it has been gone over by Kahr for reliability. Having many years of experience in what works and what doesn't work as well, I know a 9mm will get you the penetration and expansion that the 380 will not, or may not.
And you are still probably going to have to put half a magazine into a bad guy to stop him unless you are Jessie James, and can shoot someone in the brain stem or cardiac area while running and gunning.
All statistics aside, go with the most powerful round you can handle well, The trend to 9mm I agree with, but in a gun fight, I would still prefer to have a 45 or 357.
filter777
Member
The only way I'd own a Kimber is if someone gave it to me. I would never pay their outrageous prices... especially for a 380. You are absolutely right. Reliability and firepower is the key to staying alive. My XDs 45 suits me just fine.
onebilly43
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I Paid $600 for my Kimber micro 380 and another $200 for the Sanbar stag grips
It is my e d c and to me it is worth every penny I spent on it
It is my e d c and to me it is worth every penny I spent on it
GBExpat
Member
zerobarrier
Contributing Member
Where did this info come from? I don't remember seeing it in the manual, but I didn't read the whole thing. Now this comes from their website, "SIG SAUER recommends the use of only newly manufactured ammunition meeting SAAMI (www.saami.org) and/ or NATO specifications."
I have a p238 and have had no issues with any type of factory ammo.
If I handled one and tested it, determined it to be nicer in some way to the LCP I got for 40% of the price, and that the nicety was worth the price, I might.
I can see why people would want to, if they want something that's a bit better quality. However, for what it does, I doubt I would need anything besides an LCP in .380.
I can see why people would want to, if they want something that's a bit better quality. However, for what it does, I doubt I would need anything besides an LCP in .380.
JWH321
Member
It's hard to imagine paying that much for a .380.
I paid $279 for a BG .380. It's a very nice gun. But .380 has a lot of shortcomings and I don't ever see it becoming a gun that you take to the range for an afternoon of plinking. But it has its place and I carry it a lot.
I would be very unlikely to buy a more expensive gun in that caliber. I like the P238 to look at, but even that is simply too highly priced to draw me in as a customer.
I paid $279 for a BG .380. It's a very nice gun. But .380 has a lot of shortcomings and I don't ever see it becoming a gun that you take to the range for an afternoon of plinking. But it has its place and I carry it a lot.
I would be very unlikely to buy a more expensive gun in that caliber. I like the P238 to look at, but even that is simply too highly priced to draw me in as a customer.
I just bought a circa-2007 .32 Seecamp. It's very well polished but the actual machining work is extraordinarily bad. Like a bore that appears to have been made with worn/loose tools. From the talk on the Seecamp forum that's just the brand's unique charm. What's scary is that the new guns since the sale of the company appear worse to the point of even those guys not accepting it.
Apparently the .380 models are built on the .32 frame, only with even less finish machining because the metal's so thin.
Apparently the .380 models are built on the .32 frame, only with even less finish machining because the metal's so thin.
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then you have never looked. A nickel 84 will go over $800 and a blued will come close
Here is one for $879 before shipping and fees
www.gunsamerica.com/999044014/Beretta-85FSNK.htm
There are more I could post
GreenHunter
Member
Last year I plunked down $775 for a nickel Beretta 84FS Cheetah. But after I put some custom grips on it, it came to $825. I do not regret spending the money. It is a beautiful piece of machinery that is reliable and accurate with a 13+1 capacity. Modern .380ACP ammo is not the wimp it used to be. By using an arbitrary formula, the BATFE seems to think the Beretta Cheetah is a cheap imported Saturday Night Special. So for now, no more will be imported into the U.S. It's just another example of the old adage: "The is no reason for it, it's just our policy" 
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