More .380s

[sidheshooter]

I see that the Taurus is now available. We'll see how it does, given that LCPs, Kahrs and Sigs are now starting to enter standard stocking item status.

On the other hand, I see that the Diamondback arms "mini-glock" DB380 is now shipping; I didn't find a whole lot that was current here from a search.

Anyone have one yet? Started by two former kel-tec employees is the buzz over at KTOG; regardless, it looks promising:






more here:

http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1256091187/0#4

 

[miket]

Why? Not much smaller (if at all) than a Kahr PM9 in FULL 9mm WITH a magazine activated slide lock.

 

[benzy2]

For pocket carry. That PM9 may fit in your pockets but certainly not in mine. The P3AT is pushing it as is for me with pocket carry. I don't wear nut huggers but they aren't too far off. Anything bigger than the P3AT size really doesn't work for a pocket carry with me and I'm sure at least a few others. I can't imagine how awkward an LCR or other snub nose would look in pocket.

 

[miket]

PM9, for me, carries just fine in jeans or Dockers type slacks for work. Never a problem.

 

[DAdams]

I am afraid they fall into the category "day late". The market is glutted with compact plastic .380s. Can't find anything to feed them at the present.

If I were doing a market forecast 2010 would not be a banner year. The bloom is off pocket .380s.

 

[InkEd]

Well what's the new trend then?

 

[miket]

Pocket plastic .50AEs?

I'd say the new trend is to make higher quality pocket .380s. Many people don't like Kel-Tec P3AT because they can be finicky and unreliable. And, rightly so. A lot don't like them for their rough finishes and lack of build quality. And, rightly so. Many don't like the LCP because they feel Ruger ripped Kel-Tec off and...they did...plain and simple. It's just too much alike to ignore. Many don't like EITHER the P3AT or LCP because of the long, relatively hard trigger pull, lack of real sights and no magazine activated slide lock.

Many would LOVE a Glock-like pocket .380. and this DB380 comes close from what I can see. Still no slide lock, however. But, a pocket .380 with G17/19 reliability and ease of field/detail strip would be fantastic. And the nice, short Glock trigger reset. And give it a proper, durable finish... THAT would sell.

So far, Kahr has come the closest with a quality pocket .380 with REAL sights and a REAL magazine lock. Can't argue with either bare stainless steel or the DLC finish (when those start shipping if they haven't already). And, it has a GREAT trigger. Long, but light and very smooth. All metal trigger and magazine catch, too.

They just have to keep the price point at around $400-450 MAX, which CAN be done. I know I'd pay an extra $100-150 for a RELIABLE pocket .380 with all of those features. I'm not worried about the .380 ammo situation because it CAN be found on-line and manufacturing will catch up. And, I stocked up so I'm set for a good long while.

 

[outerlimit]

None of these .380's have ever made any sense to me. But to each their own. I appreciete less people looking for 9mm.

 

[DeepSouth]

For pocket carry. That PM9 may fit in your pockets but certainly not in mine. The P3AT is pushing it as is for me with pocket carry. I don't wear nut huggers but they aren't too far off. Anything bigger than the P3AT size really doesn't work for a pocket carry with me and I'm sure at least a few others. I can't imagine how awkward an LCR or other snub nose would look in pocket.

One of the first "rules" of Concealed Carry is realizing you will have to change your lifestyle, part of this includes understanding you should dress to your weapon. The PM9 will fit in your pockets, you might have to buy new pants but you could do that if you wanted to. I carry a PM45 in my pocket everyday, I had to change my dress to do this, I now wear the Carhart Carpenter pants I used to hate, I had to do this in order to carry the gun I had selected in the manner I selected.

The .380's do fit into the market, there are many people who would rather be (IMO) under powered than change their attire, but it is a true saying 'A .380 in my pocket is better than a .45 on my nightstand.'

My two cents, You should select a weapon and buy your wardrobe to fit your gun, some people are unwilling to do that and for them the mouse guns are better than nothing, but I refuse to be one of those people.

 

[miket]

None of these .380's have ever made any sense to me. But to each their own. I appreciete less people looking for 9mm.

Then you simply just don't "get it". Why the heck are you even in a thread about .380s since they "don't make sense to you"?

 

[DasFriek]

None of these .380's have ever made any sense to me. But to each their own. I appreciete less people looking for 9mm

They didn't to me either till i decided to start carrying a bug.Ill be the first to admit its hard to find an affordable pocket 9mm that is high quality.By affordable i mean $400 or less.
This is why i prefer a main and a bug,as just one small pocket 9mm doesn't give you many options in guns.
The PM9 is a great gun,but at $650 its no cheap date.

Ill take my .45 main and .380 bug over your single 9mm any day.

 

[HexHead]

I finally saw a Walther PK-380 in a store the other day. Not tiny. but smaller than my old Browning BDA-380 was. The only one of the current crop of .380's I'd get is the Sig 238.

But then again, I have a Colt Mustang.

 

[InkEd]

The db380 looks a little bulky to be a true pocket gun.

Reliable? I don't know. You said db was founded by two former Keltec guys. The early keltecs were notorious for jamming. The newer ones seem okay from what I understand.

Ruger may or may not have copied the p3at. Simple blowbacks have been around a long time. The styling and dimensions are vey similar. So are most snubnose revolvers, striker fired duty pistols, bolt-action rifles, pump shotguns and more. The general dimensions are close for the majority of similar design firearms. It's just a fact.

 

[hammerklavier]

I'm interested in the DB380 and the DE Micro .380. Some more info on the Diamondback would sell me one way or the other. I like the design of the DB better, but I know the DE is reliable. Can we say the same of the DB?

 

[miket]

Ruger may or may not have copied the p3at. Simple blowbacks have been around a long time.

Um, these are NOT blowback pistols. They are locked breech/tilting barrel designs.

 

[miket]

Ill take my .45 main and .380 bug over your single 9mm any day.

Now, HERE'S someone who "gets it"! But, since getting the PM9, my BUG is a 9mm. I would not have a problem carrying either of my "now reliable" P3ATs as BUGs if I had to, though.

 

[Landpimp]

I also dont get the $400+ 380's, why? can get a J frame or other 9mm for the same or close

that said I got some 380's but dont carry them

but then again I can pocket carry a USPc

 

[wditto]

I still want a .380 in 1911

 

[miket]

Sig P238, wditto. A .380 in the 1911 format. I' wouldn't mind have one myself, but it's no smaller than my PM9, which is full-house 9mm.

 

[memphisjim]

while i think the pm9 is pocketable
it is a whole "size" up from a lcp
the thinckness difference does make a difference

 

[KBintheSLC]

I'm lovin' all of the cool little 380's that have been coming out lately. However, I won't be trading in my P32 until 380 ammo comes back down to earth.

Originally Posted by InkEd
Ruger may or may not have copied the p3at. Simple blowbacks have been around a long time.
Um, these are NOT blowback pistols. They are locked breech/tilting barrel designs.

Ditto... the P32/P3AT were pretty revolutionary designs because they were not "simple blowbacks".

 

[miket]

KB, I wouldn't either, especially if you have a reliable P32. I wasn't so lucky with my P32, but I didn't really work with it, either. Traded it in for the "then" new P3AT circa 2003 or thereabouts. .380 ammo availability wasn't a problem back then, however.

 

[ZX10Aviator]

To the origional poster, where did you get that clip for the keltech! Id like one like that for mine.

I love carrying my P3AT, tiny, will do the job, dont have to dress around it, COMFY.

.380 ammo is a problem? My local store has a wall full of it.

 

[miket]

Kel-Tec sells them directly from their website. I'd still prefer a holster that covers the trigger, but hey... That's just me...

 

[stchman]

For pocket carry. That PM9 may fit in your pockets but certainly not in mine. The P3AT is pushing it as is for me with pocket carry. I don't wear nut huggers but they aren't too far off. Anything bigger than the P3AT size really doesn't work for a pocket carry with me and I'm sure at least a few others. I can't imagine how awkward an LCR or other snub nose would look in pocket.

You have to wear looser fitting clothing when you conceal carry. Wearing spandex is not conducive to CCW.

I personally like loose fitting jeans as they are more comfortable. The P3AT is about as small as it gets for a center fire cartridge pistol.