does any one know of a match grade or very accurate 380
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sixgunner455
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German made PPK's are very accurate but not very fun to shoot due to recoil, tiny sights, slide cutting of the hand with a high grip, and a very heavy double action to start. I can generally get one hole at 7 yrds firing from a rest with it but it gets to be work fast.
Generally speaking, some have opined that barrels that are attached to the frame such as the PPK, many Makarov clones, and CZ 82/83 are more accurate because they remove one more variable (barrel/slide fit) from the semi auto accuracy equation. Can also personally vouch for accuracy of the Sig P 238, it is a fun gun to shoot and might be good prep if your girls want to shoot bullseye with a 1911 someday. Surprised that no one mentioned the new Glock in .380 though.
Might also be able to tighten groups by careful handloading--might want to fire heavy lead bullets especially at bowling pins. Like others, I would be afraid of bouncing a FMJ back at me.
Generally speaking, some have opined that barrels that are attached to the frame such as the PPK, many Makarov clones, and CZ 82/83 are more accurate because they remove one more variable (barrel/slide fit) from the semi auto accuracy equation. Can also personally vouch for accuracy of the Sig P 238, it is a fun gun to shoot and might be good prep if your girls want to shoot bullseye with a 1911 someday. Surprised that no one mentioned the new Glock in .380 though.
Might also be able to tighten groups by careful handloading--might want to fire heavy lead bullets especially at bowling pins. Like others, I would be afraid of bouncing a FMJ back at me.
Any blow-back operated pistol is inherently more accurate because of the fixed barrel. But with small pistols, a good trigger and sights are more important. I have a Colt Gov 380, Pocketlite and the Sig 238.
The Little Sig 238 is not the most accurate, (the Pocketlite beat it out slightly) but it the easiest to shoot well due to a nice trigger and exceptional sights.
The Colt Government 380 has been a real disappointment as far as accuracy. But it is by far the most comfortable to shoot.
The Little Sig 238 is not the most accurate, (the Pocketlite beat it out slightly) but it the easiest to shoot well due to a nice trigger and exceptional sights.
The Colt Government 380 has been a real disappointment as far as accuracy. But it is by far the most comfortable to shoot.
BERETTA and SIG ARE MY FIRST CHOICE
My experience with .380ACP pistols is that the BERETTA 84 and SIG 232 are the most accurate. For a teen girl, you may find the thinner grip of the BERETTA 85 is preferable to the double stack magazine of the BERETTA 84.
Good ammo helps in this, a lot!
On late production BERETTA models, you can also use the safety to drop the hammer which is a big safety plus compared with lowering the hammer manually. The BERETTA is also the most reliable .380ACP pistol I have every shot. The same goes for the .32ACP model 82. The both feed almost anything.
The SIG has always had a decocker, a SIG trademark. The SIG 232 also has a choice of grips. The base model with aluminum frame is my favorite. It fits my mid size hand like a glove. The stainless models have fingergrip style stocks which I do not like, but some love.
Both have good triggers and sights. Disassembly and reassembly on these two guns is also very easy.
I have shot the CZ 82 in 9m.m. MAKAROV, but not the CZ83 in .380ACP. It was very accurate and well made, with a smooth trigger. The CZ does not have the hammer dropper, so I downgrade it to a "B" for that reason.
The BROWNING 1910, 1922, 1955 and 1971 are all basic variations on the original model 1910. They are all very well made pistols except for WW II Nazi production. They are single action only with no way to decock, that and the rising prices make it more of a collectable, than a shooter. Still, well made and basically accurate. The 1910 and 1955, same gun, but the 1955 was imported after WW II had micro sights designed for not catching on clothing, not hitting anything past 10 yards. You can shoot out to 15 yards with them, but it can be a real challenge.
COLT 1908 is a very well made gun, but is already a collector price. Also, small sights and expensive magazines if you stick with original COLT'S.
Plus the lack of decocker works against it.
The later COLT Government series in the full size models (not MUSTANG) had short, single action triggers and decent sights. I found mine shot well, but I do not like single action semi-autos for carry and sold mine. The lack of decocker was the deciding factor in my parting with it.
The new GLOCK 42 is a fantastic pocket pistol and more accurate than I expected. The negative is that the short barrel/slide mean a short sight radius (good sight design, though) and short grip make its practical accuracy less than you would get with the BERETTA 80 series or SIG 232.
Very reliable as long as you do not limp wrist it.
The WALTHER PP may have something to offer as it is the PPK with a longer grip and barrel. The negatives are the trigger is not a good as the BERETTA and SIG. Actual WALTHER made guns and some S&W made have a slightly gritty, but still usable trigger. Those made by INTERARMS can be really bad. S&W only made the PPK and PPK/S if I remember right. Also sights are not as good as the BERETTA and SIG.
Just my experience
Jim
My experience with .380ACP pistols is that the BERETTA 84 and SIG 232 are the most accurate. For a teen girl, you may find the thinner grip of the BERETTA 85 is preferable to the double stack magazine of the BERETTA 84.
Good ammo helps in this, a lot!
On late production BERETTA models, you can also use the safety to drop the hammer which is a big safety plus compared with lowering the hammer manually. The BERETTA is also the most reliable .380ACP pistol I have every shot. The same goes for the .32ACP model 82. The both feed almost anything.
The SIG has always had a decocker, a SIG trademark. The SIG 232 also has a choice of grips. The base model with aluminum frame is my favorite. It fits my mid size hand like a glove. The stainless models have fingergrip style stocks which I do not like, but some love.
Both have good triggers and sights. Disassembly and reassembly on these two guns is also very easy.
I have shot the CZ 82 in 9m.m. MAKAROV, but not the CZ83 in .380ACP. It was very accurate and well made, with a smooth trigger. The CZ does not have the hammer dropper, so I downgrade it to a "B" for that reason.
The BROWNING 1910, 1922, 1955 and 1971 are all basic variations on the original model 1910. They are all very well made pistols except for WW II Nazi production. They are single action only with no way to decock, that and the rising prices make it more of a collectable, than a shooter. Still, well made and basically accurate. The 1910 and 1955, same gun, but the 1955 was imported after WW II had micro sights designed for not catching on clothing, not hitting anything past 10 yards. You can shoot out to 15 yards with them, but it can be a real challenge.
COLT 1908 is a very well made gun, but is already a collector price. Also, small sights and expensive magazines if you stick with original COLT'S.
Plus the lack of decocker works against it.
The later COLT Government series in the full size models (not MUSTANG) had short, single action triggers and decent sights. I found mine shot well, but I do not like single action semi-autos for carry and sold mine. The lack of decocker was the deciding factor in my parting with it.
The new GLOCK 42 is a fantastic pocket pistol and more accurate than I expected. The negative is that the short barrel/slide mean a short sight radius (good sight design, though) and short grip make its practical accuracy less than you would get with the BERETTA 80 series or SIG 232.
Very reliable as long as you do not limp wrist it.
The WALTHER PP may have something to offer as it is the PPK with a longer grip and barrel. The negatives are the trigger is not a good as the BERETTA and SIG. Actual WALTHER made guns and some S&W made have a slightly gritty, but still usable trigger. Those made by INTERARMS can be really bad. S&W only made the PPK and PPK/S if I remember right. Also sights are not as good as the BERETTA and SIG.
Just my experience
Jim
Monac
Member
Your bad experience with a Beretta is unusual, Artym. I've had a couple Beretta 22s from the Model 70 series, and they have been excellent guns. The hold-open was the problem, and not the magazine?
safebustr
Member
I have the Sig P-230, very accurate and one of the best shooters I own.
Combat Engineer
Member
"does any one know of a match grade or very accurate 380...other than the Walther PPK?" [furfinsandfeathers]
One of my smallest carry pieces, shot a 1" group at 50 yards. Ammo used, .380 cal, 95 grain fmj, RWS SPORT LINE MATCH GRADE, made in Hungary. A couple of years ago I bought a goodly lot at my (no kidding) local grocery store. But then the shortage came and I have not seen any 380 ammo.
The Sig P238, has no business being that accurate, but maybe it was the coffee, or the ammo? Or maybe I cheated? Was leaning up against a post and used my weak hand to steady my aim.
Having said that, just about all guns leave the factory with combat accuracy, about 3", then you get one that is flat out accurate, and those are keepers.
"The .32 ACP isn't a target cartridge either. " [Sunray]
Would have to disagree, George Patton, of military fame, was quite the pistolero, and once fired 2 shots thru the same hole during a competition with his 32ACP Colt M1903. The RO disagreed, said the bullet completely missed the paper, Patton smiled but did not protest, he knew better. ( Later during WW2, Patton tried to down a Nazi ground attack aircraft with a .380 Remington 51). Bigger bullet, don'tcha know.
The 32ACP is a very accurate round (and an economical hand-load) which hits with great accuracy out of a Colt M1903, J.P. Sauer & Son M1913, Walther M4, Walther PPK, Steyr M1908, and Sig P230, to name several.
In America, the 32ACP cartridge has never enjoyed the popularity of the 380ACP cartridge.
One of my smallest carry pieces, shot a 1" group at 50 yards. Ammo used, .380 cal, 95 grain fmj, RWS SPORT LINE MATCH GRADE, made in Hungary. A couple of years ago I bought a goodly lot at my (no kidding) local grocery store. But then the shortage came and I have not seen any 380 ammo.
The Sig P238, has no business being that accurate, but maybe it was the coffee, or the ammo? Or maybe I cheated? Was leaning up against a post and used my weak hand to steady my aim.
Having said that, just about all guns leave the factory with combat accuracy, about 3", then you get one that is flat out accurate, and those are keepers.
"The .32 ACP isn't a target cartridge either. " [Sunray]
Would have to disagree, George Patton, of military fame, was quite the pistolero, and once fired 2 shots thru the same hole during a competition with his 32ACP Colt M1903. The RO disagreed, said the bullet completely missed the paper, Patton smiled but did not protest, he knew better. ( Later during WW2, Patton tried to down a Nazi ground attack aircraft with a .380 Remington 51). Bigger bullet, don'tcha know.The 32ACP is a very accurate round (and an economical hand-load) which hits with great accuracy out of a Colt M1903, J.P. Sauer & Son M1913, Walther M4, Walther PPK, Steyr M1908, and Sig P230, to name several.
In America, the 32ACP cartridge has never enjoyed the popularity of the 380ACP cartridge.
Vodoun da Vinci
Member
I'm late to the party on this thread but have you considered finding an older Thomson Center Contender with a .380 acp barrel? My Father in Law had such a beast - he loved his T/C pistols and had barrels for calibers you'd never imagine including .380 and .32.
I believe his were 10" and accuracy/performance of both .380 and .32 were surprising out of that gun even at 100 yards.
Just an idea....his T/C and barrels "disappeared" some time ago well before his death. I suspect someone in the family looted them and sold them as he aged and lost track of them. But that's another story...I know T/C had barrels chambered in .380 and that they were very accurate if you can find this stuff online somewhere.
VooDoo
I believe his were 10" and accuracy/performance of both .380 and .32 were surprising out of that gun even at 100 yards.
Just an idea....his T/C and barrels "disappeared" some time ago well before his death. I suspect someone in the family looted them and sold them as he aged and lost track of them. But that's another story...I know T/C had barrels chambered in .380 and that they were very accurate if you can find this stuff online somewhere.
VooDoo
SC Shooter
Member
I have a Walther PK 380 that is very accurate, and racks very easily which might be a plus for your daughters.
The two most accurate 380s I've owned (wish I still had) were a CZ-83..phenominal trigger and a Russian IJ-70 18A I think it was called (Makarov in .380 ACP). That was incredibly accurate and way more reliable the the PPKs I owned.
Both blowback/fixed barrel guns which are always better in the accuracy dept.
Both blowback/fixed barrel guns which are always better in the accuracy dept.
Monac
Member
That has been true since 1945. Before WWII, however, Colt, Savage, and Remington all made several times as many 32 automatics as 380s.
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