Pocket SA .380

[Jesse Heywood]

My preferred small single action .380 is an AMT Backup. The original single action .380. I looked at the Backup II, DAO version and found it wanting.

I had a SA Backup II, bought about 82. Loved the gun, but traded for a Browning BDA-380 when my new wife wanted a gun she could shoot. Sold the BDA after the ex moved out. I know where the AMT currently resides. It was a great pocket gun, but with my big hands I couldn't get past the scars in the web of my hand. Now I'm looking at the Springfield 911.

 

[9mmfan]

So I’m tempted to wander over to the next town and see what I might could trade into a Mustang they show on their website.
It was made in ‘95, is blued, has an extra mag, and per the pics seems to be in mighty fine shape.
The only thing I might be willing to trade is my Colt Government. 01991 model, base, nothing extra or special added.
It does have the “100 years of service” rollmark, but the cynic in me says that is a ploy to make it collectible.
It bites the heck outta my hand when I shoot it. I have another 1911 that doesn’t leave me bleeding, has been reliable so far, and feels better in my hand (arched mainspring housing).
Worst case scenario, they just say no.
Anyone care to try and talk me out of this course of action?

 

[Armored farmer]

Anyone care to try and talk me out of this course of action?

Go. Go now!
[Pointing to the gunshop in the next town]

 

[jmorris]

I’ve pretty well narrowed it down to the Colt Mustang Pocketlite or the Kimber Micro .380 (base model, either two-tone or stainless).

Thoes and the PPK’s are nice for carry I prefer the LCP and ones Ruger copied. Smaller, lighter, less sharp edges, less expensive to be sweating on. Not as fun of a range toy but then again you are not wearing a range toy all day.

 

[Skylerbone]

I’d opt for a different firearm to trade if it were me, and I suppose because I’m sentimental. I do understand hammer bite first hand, but a good Smith could make something of that 1991 for you that you’d be happy to shoot. Pick a Glock or something easily replaceable that the LGS knows he can move along quickly in trade and won’t have him lowballing you to avoid cash leaving his pocket. That’s assuming you have other tradables.

My 2011 XSE

 

[Jeb Stuart]

If I was in the 1911 style 380, I would take a good look at the Springfield. First thing I noticed is it is rated for Plus P. And Just a little over 12 ounces.
Sig, Kimber, Colt. all great guns.

First Look: Springfield Armory 911 .380 ACP

http://www.gunsandammo.com/first-look/first-look-springfield-armory-911-380-acp/

 

[kBob]

There are a few FI Pony pistols floating about. These are basically Star Model D pistols, sort of a shortened in all directions Model S but actually the D came first. Basically the Colt Government .380 is a star S model.

If someone made a hard pocket holster that provided protection for the safety and mag release these would be nice.

-kBob

 

[9mmfan]

Maybe I should start a new thread for this, but the 1903 has been glorious thus far.

Brief range trip showed 100% reliability.

Nice accuracy from somewhere between an estimated 15-20 yards. Had that little water bottle bouncing and dancing around.

Those little sights, coupled with the dig-in-to-engage-the-grip-safety hold, and you really end up focused on lining it all up.

Taking it back out this weekend, hoping it continues.

Also, still haven’t made it over to see about trading the 1991 for the Mustang .380.

 

[whatnickname]

Tell you what. If I were considering another SA 380 I would seriously consider the Browning 1911 - 380. They make what I will call a full sized 4.25” barrel model as well as a compact version that is highly reminiscent of the Colt. I owned a Colt Mustang years ago. Shot standard pressure ammo in it. What the base of that barrel was doing to the metal on top of the rails was not good. The underneath side of the barrel was impacting the rails of the frame on the top side of the rails so hard that it was displacing quite a bit of metal. Took the pistol to Bob Coogan at Accurate Plating and Weaponry. (Look him up on line...this guy knows what he’s doing.) Bob advised that quite a few of the Mustangs he had seen were experiencing the same problems. The proposed fix was so expensive that I traded the gun away. I also own a SIG 238 was well as a Kimber. Although my Kimber is a Micro 9, not a 380. Both are excellent pistols and run flawlessly. I’m sure the 380 version of the Kimber micro is just as good.

 

[9mmfan]

Good to know.
Was your Mustang one of the older ones, or the newer production? I don’t know if that makes a difference or not.

 

[Hasaf]

Tell you what. If I were considering another SA 380 I would seriously consider the Browning 1911 - 380. They make what I will call a full sized 4.25” barrel model as well as a compact version that is highly reminiscent of the Colt. I owned a Colt Mustang years ago. Shot standard pressure ammo in it. What the base of that barrel was doing to the metal on top of the rails was not good. The underneath side of the barrel was impacting the rails of the frame on the top side of the rails so hard that it was displacing quite a bit of metal. Took the pistol to Bob Coogan at Accurate Plating and Weaponry. (Look him up on line...this guy knows what he’s doing.) Bob advised that quite a few of the Mustangs he had seen were experiencing the same problems. The proposed fix was so expensive that I traded the gun away. I also own a SIG 238 was well as a Kimber. Although my Kimber is a Micro 9, not a 380. Both are excellent pistols and run flawlessly. I’m sure the 380 version of the Kimber micro is just as good.

I never had any problems like that with my 380 Colt Government Model. That being sad, my current carry pistol is a Kimber 380 Micro. The Browning 1911-380 is likely to be my next pistol. That being said, I am giving real consideration to the Springfield EMP. However, I am likely to stay 380 and go with the Browning. What it gives me over the Kimber is the grip Safety.

 

[MrChicken]

I really like my 1911-380. It's not perfect, or I should say the magazines are not perfect. Three out of the four I have are good, the fourth has the well known issue of having the sixth or seventh round come out and fail to chamber. The "fix" is to to tighten the feed lips, did that and will test on next range trip.

Here's the decision points on this for me, it's light for a pistol it's size, it's really thin for a pistol it's size, I can a get a full firing grip on it and it has a good trigger and sights. The size makes it viable for fast and accurate shots at distance. The light weight and narrow width make it extremely easy to carry and conceal.

I hope that the added barrel length and increase in velocity are a plus but I haven't seen any gel testing on that. Maybe someday Paul Harrell will test 380 HP's out of a 4.25" barrel on his meat target.

Hasaf; I have an issue with the grip safety using a thumb over the safety grip. I don't have enough meat on my hand to depress the grip safety one time out of ten. Also my thumb hits the slide lock with thumb a over grip and the slide will not lock open on the last round. I switched to a thumb under grip and that works one hundred percent of the time.

​

 

[bannockburn]

9mmfan

As much as I love my Colt Mustang I couldn't see myself trading my Colt Government for one. Mine is like yours with the "100 Years of Service" rollmark on the slide and the one good thing about having small hands is that I never worry about hammer bite!

Have you thought about getting a beavertail grip safety to minimize the hammer bite? I have one on my Colt Lightweight Government and it feels very ergonomic, especially to the web area of your hand.

 

[Hasaf]

I really like my 1911-380. It's not perfect, or I should say the magazines are not perfect. Three out of the four I have are good, the fourth has the well known issue of having the sixth or seventh round come out and fail to chamber. The "fix" is to to tighten the feed lips, did that and will test on next range trip.

I almost "pulled the trigger" on one this week. However, I had already ordered three La-Rue triggers and that was close to my gun budget for the month (my wifes S&W for Christmas was the other part of this month's "gun budget". I think the 1911-380 is going to be after
Christmas (even though I am done with my shopping. I like to do my shopping early so that I am not thinking about the price as people open their gifts).

 

[Steve bjers]

Need help reloading 380 auto where do I look new to fourm

 

[1KPerDay]

Need help reloading 380 auto where do I look new to fourm

try the reloading sub-forum.

 

[9mmfan]

I’ve been talking myself out of the trade discussed earlier.

That “new gun itch” was scratched with the accidental discovery of the 1903, cosmetically flawed though it might be.

While still thinking about the Mustang, I went shooting with the guns I already have, and found myself sated insofar as new acquisitions go.

Now I have time to ponder some more in regards to what I want.

It might be the Mustang, it might be a G42.

Something in between or completely unrelated might be my next whim.

Thank you all for chatting me through this.

 

[Gary A]

I’m well stocked with pocket 380s and have been pursuing other acquisitions (leverguns) but while I am a big fan of the Sig P238, I find myself very drawn to the Glock 42. I have not yet come close to buying one but it does call to me and I’m not a Glock fan, though I admire their design and function highly. I have two but always think of trading them toward something more...”obsolete”, LOL.

 

[Hokkmike]

So.

So I got that itch.

A new gun might could be in my future.

As all of you might have surmised, there could be leanings towards a pocket .380. Of the single action variety.

I’ve pretty well narrowed it down to the Colt Mustang Pocketlite or the Kimber Micro .380 (base model, either two-tone or stainless).

The Colt is a Colt, and the progenitor of the style.

The Kimber has more useful sights, and runs about a bill or so less than the Colt.

Before anyone speaks up, the Sig 238 is way too squared off and blocky for my personal tastes. Aesthetics, I know, but sometimes that matters.

Much of this will come down to what I can actually put hands on when the time comes.

All that being said, does anyone have any strong feelings one way or the other as far as these two choices go?

Background lays out that my most carried guns are either a Glock 19 or a S&W 642.

Curiously, I would be most likely seeking a holster for OWB carry for the .380.

Thank you for your input.

To me Colt is like the original fish & chips. I think the Kimber is very close to the P-238 in design. The SIG does have some way cool designs. Very nice topic. Thanks. (by the way - of the .380's my favorite is far and away the G-42) Just sharing, not selling.....

 

[Hokkmike]

I’m well stocked with pocket 380s and have been pursuing other acquisitions (leverguns) but while I am a big fan of the Sig P238, I find myself very drawn to the Glock 42. I have not yet come close to buying one but it does call to me and I’m not a Glock fan, though I admire their design and function highly. I have two but always think of trading them toward something more...”obsolete”, LOL.

Tell you what, I have owned and shot the Bodyguard, P-238, and G-42. By far the Glock is my favorite...

 

[9mmfan]

Thanks to all for the discussion, information, opinions, and pulling me back from the edge.

Today the decision was put to bed, and I bought a Glock 42.

‘Twas the Colt Mustang what originally caught my eye, but then I remembered the EMP I once owned. Too pricey and pretty to sweat on all day.

That and the Glock was over two bills less expensive.