Single Most Reliable/Durable Small .380?

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BADUNAME4

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Could it be the NAA Guardian (long-term reliability and durability) or is that an impossible question to answer?
 
It might be, but having owned both, I'd have to say the Seecamp LWS380 is by far, the finest 380 made on planet Earth.
 
Seecamp 380 is probably better than the Sig 232 but since there arent too many Seecamps around in 380 it si probably a moot point.
 
It's possible that none of the ultra small .380's are trustworthy for life. How about a S&W PPK, Beretta 85 Cheetah or Sig P232? Might go that route since a longer barrel might be a good thing.
 
I like the Bersa .380 Thunder, well over 1k rounds without any stoppages period.
 
It's possible that none of the ultra small .380's are trustworthy for life. How about a S&W PPK, Beretta 85 Cheetah or Sig P232? Might go that route since a longer barrel might be a good thing.
A Seecamp LWS 380 is every bit the pistol of any you listed, and then some, and perfectly "trustworthy for life." It's also a helluva lot smaller then those boat anchors you listed.
 
I do not currently own a .380, but have shot a few, including a Kel-Tec P3AT and a Ruger LCP. I didn't really like either. I've held just about every "pocket" .380 on the market, with the exceptions of the really recent offerings like the Kahr P380, Sig P238, and that Desert Eagle Micro. Then I held a Beretta 85. Oooooh. Sweet lines, curves, weight. It's all metal, it's Italian, it's beautiful, but it's very large compared to the micro .380s. But from all I've heard regarding the Beretta's reliability, it's got a stellar reputation. I will own one some day.
 
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I have a Ruger LCP. Well over a thousand rounds of all types of ammo, and have not had one single issue to speak of.

I have heard the trigger pulls on the NAA pistols is absolutely atrocious. Never pulled one so I cannot account for it myself.
 
Sig P232 IMO, hands down.

Maybe a glock might be the only major competition IMO. But I would buy a 9mm compact glock over a .380.
 
The NAA is a good gun but...

it is a little on the heavy side. I have owned a Colt Mustang and it was a good good gun, no problems that I remember. I currently own an LCP and have got to tell you that once I broke it in it has been absolutely flawless. I probably have a thousand rounds through it now and I trust it so much that I just bought a second one for my daughter who will be gett her CWP as soon as she turns 18. I wouldn't give her a gun that I did not absolutely trust. Be assured that I will wring hers out before she starts carrying it.
 
The original Walther PPK is as good as it gets, IMO. It's a time-tested design that's still going strong, decades and decades later.
 
A Seecamp, at 11 ounces, is certainly the smallest, but not a gun you're going to shoot 10,000 rounds through.

The Guardian at 18 ounces, is a behemoth compare to the Seecamp, and thus may last a bit longer.

The Sig P232, while not small, is at least lighter than the Guardian, and should work for a lifetime and easily and reliably go that 10K round limit.

The tough and compact Sphinx 380 may be the pick of the durability liter, but it's a heavy beast compared to the others.

The best quality is the Beretta, but it too is much heavier and larger than the tiny Seecamp.

If you want tiny, get a Seecamp, if you want durable, get a Sig. Both should prove reliable as long as they last.
 
Seecamp isn`t designed as a target/plinking pistol, they don`t even have sights as they are considered a possible clothing snagger and not really needed for real close quarter work..
The LWS was designed as the smallest possible, totally dependable pistol for self defense Seecamp could make. They are not flimsy and likely will last a lifetime, but are not a comfortable pistol to shoot.
 
So far as just reliability and durability (per the original question), I have a Beretta 34 that has been in the family for something like 6 decades. I learned to shoot on that (and a flatgate single-six) as a wee tyke.

That 34 has never choked. When it comes to actual long-term track record, I think I'm going to win this thread...

;) ;) ;)


I'd love to see Beretta do a modernized version of that little thing; one of the all-time great .380s, although the SA design and odd (by modern standards) safety takes it out of the running as a carry piece, IMHO. It is definitely a slimmer package than the current 84/85 (which are also sweet, although the 84/85/86 size begs a different caliber if one is going to carry that much iron).

Probably not what you *really* asked, but that's the answer to what you typed, IMHO!

:D
 
the finest .380 i've ever handled...and that fit your wants...is the Seecamp LWS 380. it is just on a whole other level.

i can't believe folks are recommending the Sig 230/232 as a "small" gun...it was designed as a belt gun (German LE) and is bigger than the Walther PP. if you're willing to go that big, you mind as well get the most reliable .380 in that size, which would be the old Beretta 84/85.

of course if you're going that big anyway, you should look into a Kahr.

the new Sig copy of the old Colt Mustang (or is it the Pony) looks promising if you like "flat" guns
 
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