Jeb Stuart
member
Yes, they are really nice looking guns. Bet that set you back a few bucks. How about a Pic?
380 Pistols
- Thread starter greg_r
- Start date
- Status
Yes, they are really nice looking guns. Bet that set you back a few bucks. How about a Pic?
bannockburn
Member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2007
- Messages
- 26,283
30Aught
I wasn't aware there was a stainless steel version of the Beretta Model 84. Are you sure it's stainless and not something like an electroless nickel finish?
I wasn't aware there was a stainless steel version of the Beretta Model 84. Are you sure it's stainless and not something like an electroless nickel finish?
You may be right-could be nickel-my mistake. I'll check next time I get to my home up North where it is at.
Last edited by a moderator:
Mark 40
Member
Recently purchased a Pico. Never shot a small 380 so accurately, it really agrees with me. My new front pocket pistol.
golfer_ray
Member
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2012
- Messages
- 179
Tried many 380 pistols but now carry the Sig P238 almost exclusively. Very accurate for a small pistol.
Jeb Stuart
member
I hear ya Brother! Love shooting the Pico and can do wonders with it and my favorite. The Sig 238 is also a fine little gun,and can be extremely accurate. Years ago, myself and others at my club would have informal contest with the Pocket guns. The Sig would always take top honors. However, I consider them in a different class than the smaller guns and they are IMO better for target shooting rather than concealment and fast shooting. I love the Sig and Kimber , but just not for EDC. (for myself). That said, may get one eventually.
jar
Contributing Member
I somewhat agree when it comes to the Sigs. I would not go so far as to say they can't be EDC but rather they are just a hair big if considering pocket carry. I did carry my P230 for many years as a pocket pistol and still do on occasion but only with a pocket holster Lou Alessi made long ago. The P290RS though just doesn't seem to work well as a pocket pistol at all. But with an IWB or OWB holster it is great for EDC. Of course local laws as well as work environment and general societal pressures would play a part and it is slightly harder to conceal a belt carried handgun than a pocket gun.
To offset the greater difficulty in concealing the handgun it does offer a larger number of rounds, 8 +1 with a 6 round spare magazine.
Jeb Stuart
member
One very easy way to off set the amount of rounds is to carry two Pocket guns, which is more easy to do than one thinks. If 7 rounds in a small pocket gun with great accuracy and shooter skills at 10 yards is not enough, so easy to transition to a second gun. Faster than changing out a Magazine. And it disperses the carry weight to both sides. I personally am not in to high round count. One gun that I am going to add to my collection is the Keltec 32 at 6.6oz. And with the new Leheigh/ammo, this seems like a game changer for the 32.cal. I hate carrying around a heavy gun. Love the small guns. Love being about to put them just about any where. Even when I carry my Micro9 the Pico is with me. Keep it light, keep it fast.
By the way, that trigger guard holster actually fit perfectly on my 642.AABEN
Member
I have 2 Bersa 380 and both are very good shooters one is a 12 round the other is a 15Rd I also have 2 9MM one is the new BP9CC striker fired it has a 31/2Lb trigger witch I like the other is a Thunder 17 rd full size
Mark 40
Member
Since you like the Pico so much, I'm confident the P-32 will suit you well and you'll be really pleased.
Funny, I've had the P-32 long term and recently added the Pico.
There will be days I carry both, one in pocket, the other on the ankle.
I've been on a 380 kick recently, I've carried my lcp gen 1 for 10 years. Thinking about a stainless lcp. I like the sig's, springfield's etc but they are pricey. the Picos are nice looking but i haven't held one did they ever fix the firing pin issues on them?
Jeb Stuart
member
They never had a firing pin problem. The only problem was from a bunch of Knuckle heads that could not read. As in the Manual that stated to use snap caps. The Hammer springs are strong. The gun has double strike capablity but I have very seldom had to use that feature except for one brand of Re-manufactured reloads. And that is only occasional. I bought a few spares when it was new, but have yet to use them after thousands of rounds out of two Pico's,
Gordon
Member
I have an original very thin model 51 Remington in .380 and this French made MAC little one . I still have a few hundred GECO cupro nickel snappy loaded .380 cartridges left that these guns love and hit to sights with at 50 feet. have carried the 51 some but really my S&W 442 with +P loads seems lighter and more effective . If I want to go really small and light then it goes down to a Keltec P32 . I had a beautiful model 1955 Browning .380 but sold it in a deal with a HP a Baby and it in a presentation case. I basically had no sights but was pretty accurate to 50 feet if pointed correctly. For me the .380 is an anacharism . I also have a P63 and an RK59 Feg banging around and my son carries the Feg 63 around a lot and ran off a big bear in Oregon with it. The PA 63 is very light and the RK59 is tiny and both have heavy recoil but I guess they are stronger than a .380 , a little.
Last edited:
Jeb Stuart
member
Well just ordered the Keltec P32. No it will not replace my Pico or Kahr, but I just had to have this little 6.6 ounce pistol. And I really believe that the Lehigh/underwood Cavitator has changed the defense dynamics of the 32,cal. I paid $151.00 for a new gun, so feel like I got a good deal. Even if the gun is not to my liking, $150.00 will not break the Bank.
I was previously bidding on a used gun on Gun Broker, but actually got this cheaper.
With the Hot Humid Summer days approaching, and wearing very light clothing, this gun may get a lot of carry use.
Mark 40
Member
Great deal and nice going Jeb.
Hokkmike
Member
I have used many .380's - My preference is for the Glock 42...
toivo
Member
I have to agree. These are the .380s I own, have owned, or have shot:
- SIG P238
- SIG P232
- Bersa Thunder
- Beretta 85
- CZ 83
- Beretta Pico
- Kahr CT380
- Ruger LCP
While I really like the DA/SA pistols as classic firearms for fun at the range, and while I appreciate the teeny-tinies for pocket carryability, it's really hard to beat the G42 for reliability, shootability, and ease of function. It's like a perfect compromise, IMO.
Would you care to offer an opinion about the CT380?
toivo
Member
Trigger pull is a bit too long for my taste, and the trigger guard is too small: my finger gets pinched between the guard and the bottom of the trigger. Also, it's very hard to rack: maybe the hardest of any pistol I've tried.
I acquired an Interarms Walther PPK/S and I fell in love with it. I’m obviously a fan of 007. I’d like to acquire an original PPK but a replica will probably do, too.
I love the action of it. I do get nervous about slide bite on mine.
I wonder how the new release will be.
midland man
Member
I bought the newer ruger lcp 2 in 380acp and this one has a super nice trigger break so guys have any of you tried the newer ruger lcp 2?
Jeb Stuart
member
Wow, Picked up the Kel-tec P32 last night and it blew my mind. I mean this is a one cool little light weight Pocket pistol. When I found out the little gun only weighed 6.6 OZ, curiosity just got the best of me,and I had to have one. This gun is LIGHT. And as a bonus, it has the same "thinness" as the the Pico. (.075) The Pico, my favorite 380, is actually about double the weight. I have ordered a number of boxes of ammo to try out. Also a steel guide rod, extra magazines, different weight recoil springs and a Gifford, mag extension like the Pico. The build quality is on par with the Kel-tec 380 and Ruger LCP's. No where near the quality of the Beretta Pico, but for a light weight , aluminum chassis gun, this is what I expected. The D/A trigger is new and a little gritty, but that will wear in and the pull and weight is just right for a small Pocket gun. I really like the fact that a owner can buy extra grips for these guns. The serial number is on the chassis. I had enough cracked grips owning Rugers that this is important to me. Not that the light weight 32.cal will crack a grip like a 380.
I plan to do a full review with pics and shooting experience with different ammo later. Especially interested in the Underwood/Lehigh cavitator ammo. From all accounts this was the gun used to develop the round, or at least seems to shoot fine with present owners. So far, it looks like Kel-tec has a winner. Looking forward to a lot of range time with this LITTLE pistol. If it works out, it will be a fine addition to carry this HOT HUMID summer for carry.
Before leaving the store, Instead of Placing the gun back in the box. I just slipped it into my Jeans "Watch Pocket". Perfect Fit.
I plan to do a full review with pics and shooting experience with different ammo later. Especially interested in the Underwood/Lehigh cavitator ammo. From all accounts this was the gun used to develop the round, or at least seems to shoot fine with present owners. So far, it looks like Kel-tec has a winner. Looking forward to a lot of range time with this LITTLE pistol. If it works out, it will be a fine addition to carry this HOT HUMID summer for carry.
Before leaving the store, Instead of Placing the gun back in the box. I just slipped it into my Jeans "Watch Pocket". Perfect Fit.
Last edited:
Tallball
Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2014
- Messages
- 7,788
Good for you, Jeb! Use it in good health. I have had mine for 2-3 years and don't recall any malfunctions.
And I very much agree with Midland Man. I shot several small 380's back-to-back-to-back, and the LCPII easily had the best trigger. It's the one I carry from time to time. (Normally it's that or my LCR.)
And I very much agree with Midland Man. I shot several small 380's back-to-back-to-back, and the LCPII easily had the best trigger. It's the one I carry from time to time. (Normally it's that or my LCR.)
Mark 40
Member
Jeb- congrats on the new P-32. I'm sure you are gonna find it is a nice compliment to your beloved Pico. The P-32 has been my most oft carried gun the past few years. The Pico may go out more now, but the P-32 still has a place in my carry rotation depending on weather/wardrobe/function. Looking fwd to your impressions once you get it out there on the range.
Charlie98
Member
I carried a Colt's Government .380 stainless for a few years... as one poster outlined, it had a few issues as a carry piece, and I finally parked it in lieu of a Kahr 9mm, but I still really like the pistol, and it's a fun range gun to shoot. Contrast that with my brother's PPK/s... which is a blowback pistol... which I consider not so fun a range gun because of the recoil crack to the hand. The Colt is definitely a Cadillac, even if the PPK/s has all that intrigue behind it.
I have seriously considered a Kahr in .380, for when I need a true pocket pistol... they are certainly cheap enough, and Kahr's reliability has proven itself to me. As a defensive cartridge, I think the .380 is right there thanks to technology and bullet design.
I have seriously considered a Kahr in .380, for when I need a true pocket pistol... they are certainly cheap enough, and Kahr's reliability has proven itself to me. As a defensive cartridge, I think the .380 is right there thanks to technology and bullet design.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
