.380's are unreliable

[harmonic]

I've owned two. The first was the first semiauto handgun, and the second handgun ever, I owned. It was a Llama 380 that literally left me bleeding after every range visit. It bit me on the web of my hand.

I sold it.

The second 380 was a Sig P230. Absolutely reliable and comfortable to shoot.

The cartridge is fine. It's just that not all guns chambered for the 380 are good.

 

[mjrodney]

My Bersa Thunder 380 concealed carry model has been 100% for me.

Stoked with alternating Buffalo Bore solids and Golden Sabers, I don't feel under gunned at the 12 yards or less I would likely expect to be using it at.

 

[moooose102]

it has more to do with a particular gun, than the caliber. i have read that the early kel-tecs were not real reliable, so that may have been what you heard about. i own a newer kel-tec, and a ruger lcp. the kel-tec had to go back to the factory. it had something wrong inside the slide, so it would not fire consitantly. since they replaced the slide, it has been flawless. the ruger had a few minor hickups until i had around 150 rounds through it, since then, it too is flawless.

 

[Mountie855]

My only 380's currently are P3AT's (2),very reliable. Have owned Sig 230's, Berettas, PPK's, PPKs's. Sigs nice, but as big as a 3913; ditto Beretta.

All but PPK & KS's were 100%- never trusted the Walthers much, though they were neat and great to carry, and accurate as well (when they worked!).

 

[cliffy]

A .380 vs a .25 ACP

Both are popguns, better than a can of pepper-spray. Some mighty small .45 ACPs are available. Just because 007 survived through many movies, does not make a .380 a true man-stopper. Head shots? Maybe, if he doesn't have too hard a head. Look into a mini-1911 in .45 ACP. .45 ACP is a BIG-GUY equalizer. Or a mighty .357 Magnum makes a fine defense caliber. Check-out the ballistics on-line, before buying anything not at least equalling 700 ft/lbs of muzzle energy. Never perturb a big assailant with a popgun. Use .38 Special ballistics as a basis for a 60% man-stopper when hit in the shoulder. Go for 100% with a .45 ACP. cliffy

 

[Noxx]

Meh, if you're a statistics guy, the .357 is the most reliable stopper, and there's plenty available in pocket guns.

I've never experienced a mechanical problem in .380, but if I had to shoot someone with it I would expect to have to shoot them several times.

 

[krs]

A CALIBER can't hardly be unreliable. Plenty of pistols might be unreliable, in any caliber.

Harmony:

It was a Llama 380 that literally left me bleeding after every range visit. It bit me on the web of my hand.

I was surprised to hear this, Harmony. I have an old one of these and while I wouldn't carry it because it occasionally develops little issues and fires a peashoot caliber I do find it a fun and comfy little bitty 1911 to shoot.

Right on, cliffy!

 

[MICHAEL T]

I have 5 different 380's from a Kel Tec to Colt Mustang all relieable.

 

[woof]

The .380 round is not reliable. I sent one out with a 20 once for a six-pack and he never came back.

 

[Lonestar49]

True and False.. IF

Was hoping you guys could tell me where this comes from as I have heard it several times from different people. Is this true or false?

...

True, IF one owns a 380 that uses a blow-back action. This gets any 380 very very dirty in 230 rounds, was my on-going experience. Mix all that black gun powder with oil (and heat) on the feed-ramp, on, and within, (internal walls and mag sping), the first 1/4" of mags and the follower, and the recipe is there for a feed jam, and it will occur with the first or second shot, as was the case with my 380.

Up to 200 rounds, which goes quick at one range session, based on a completely cleaned, and freshly oiled gun, they sing/work great. But come rounds 230 and on, uncleaned, and each mag, thereafter, had a feed jam on the most important shot, the second or third, (for those follow-up shots) and unjamming/clearing them was a "time eater" IF one had a 380 with a Euro style bottom Mag thumb-release..

Keep a round count, keep them clean, both gun and "mags" (internal walls) and one should be OK with any of these type blow-back action 380's.

False IF gun is a Closed breach action with side thumb release mag button and should be FAR more forgiving both, in higher round counts before cleaning needed, and in the time it takes to clear a feed jam, thru dropping the mag and clycing out the jam.

Been there, done that.. with a Sig P232 SL



Ls

 

[GeorgiaGlocker]

My Bersa Thunder 380 is flawless. I use Corbon 90 grainers in it.

 

[jjohnson]

Over Generalization.

Nope.

My Bersa 383 and Makarov in 380 are utterly reliable - and I mean after thousands of rounds, not after half a box. The Mak was developed by the Russians, and God knows THEIR stuff works, even when it's not pretty.

As pointed out, the 380 might be unreliable as a man stopper. If people are telling you that 380s aren't reliable, they may have experience with the low end junk guns that are easier to make in blowback designs. I'm not going to say "saturday night specials" but you get the idea.

They're reliable enough that I carry a Mak in 380 as a CCW when I can't hide a .45, which is often. 'nuff said.

 

[russcoh]

I've owned two Bersa Thunder 380's, both have been very reliable. I think where people run into problems with these is over lubrication and using ammo that's either junk or too low of pressure.. which can cause problems with just about any semi auto.

 

[harmonic]

I do find it a fun and comfy little bitty 1911 to shoot.

Well, if you're an itty bitty framed person it's probably different. I'm 6'6" tall and weigh in at about 230. There really wasn't much room for my hand.

 

[MCgunner]

Like any other CENTER FIRE gun, more a function of the gun than the caliber. It was built for small autos and, well, MINE works 100 percent. YMMV I even had a cheap POS Davis that worked well. I've heard guys with the PPK/S that had lots of trouble. Guns can have problems.

The Bersa has a great rep. The little LCP and P3AT have a unique niche, 380 caliber the size of a baby Browning .25. It's a good time to be living for .380 lovers. Me, I don't really swoon over the caliber, but not for reasons of function, more to do with the puny bullet/load and my concerns over adequate penetration. There are 9mms from several manufacturers that are smaller and lighter than a PPK/S. It's also a fine time to be living for 9mm fans.

 

[ice monkey]

.380's are unreliable? Hmmm … The only quasi deserved caliber I know of that is unreliable, is the .22lr. But that’s because it’s a rim fire.

I hate to sound like a broken record, but my Sig 232 is the most reliable pistol I have ever owned. From day one, it has never had any kind of failure of anything occur. I am quite sure I have over 1500 rounds through it too.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

I've shot enough .380acp, 9X18 Makarov, 9mm Para and .38 Spl into wooden pallets used as target stands to know that I don't wish to be shot with any of 'em. they all take a chunk with them passing through.
The .380acp loaded with Golden Sabre takes a sizeable chunk.

 

[dmxx9900]

How about some of you come to my place and stand proud and let me shoot one .380 FMJ or a Hollow point (your choice) in your chest.Since you think this caliber is weak and a unreliable stopper.

I dont think you will blow hot air anymore since you will spend a long time in intensive care or you will be six feet under.Never under estimate a caliber no matter how small it is or how slow it is moving it might surprise you in what it can do to someone.

 

[Lonestar49]

Fair enough

deleted..

 

[PRM]

1910/1955 Browning .380

My Browning 1910/1955 model in .380 functions flawlessly with all types of ammo.

 

[goon]

How about some of you come to my place and stand proud and let me shoot one .380 FMJ or a Hollow point (your choice) in your chest.Since you think this caliber is weak and a unreliable stopper.

I dont think you will blow hot air anymore since you will spend a long time in intensive care or you will be six feet under.Never under estimate a caliber no matter how small it is or how slow it is moving it might surprise you in what it can do to someone.

No doubts on the lethality of getting shot, but are you really planning to commit a felony just to prove your point?
I highly doubt it.

 

[guntotinguy]

My Bersa Thunder 380,is my BUG gun...it in itself IS reliable as for the .380,a non combat round,still all in all depends on 'shot placement'.I believe that my developing 'skills' with any firearm is the true test of reliable or unreliable.

 

[hemiram]

I've had three, a Beretta 84, a Browning BDA 380, and one of those horrible Erma PPK semi clones, and all three functioned perfectly, the Erma's trigger was downright crunchy, and took about 30 pounds of pressure to fire in DA mode, when it was new. It eventually loosened up to the point it didn't cut your finger to shoot it.

 

[krs]

Well, if you're an itty bitty framed person it's probably different. I'm 6'6" tall and weigh in at about 230. There really wasn't much room for my hand

No, actually, I'm 6'4" and 250 lbs. I do have a long experience shootiing pistols of every variety and know to have a look at the relation of my hand to the slide of one that's new to me so it won't bite me.

My first bite was done by a 1911 because I was young and ignorant of the possibility, but the Llama doesn't even come close because I'm now older and much wiser.

 

[denfoote]

Bunk Hooey!!!

Was he, by any chance, trying to sell you a larger caliber gun??