.380 Pistol that's Fun to Shoot. * Update in OP *

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - .380 Pistol that's Fun to Shoot. * Update in OP * (Page 1 of 3)

Posted: 12/2/2020 12:32:59 PM EDT

I wound up with a proverbial buttload of .380, and I'll never shoot it all through my Ruger LCP2. Also have a G42 but not sure I'll keep it. Suggestions?

**Update - Since I already have a G42, and the wife carries a G42, decided to stick with it. Although I did pick up a Sig MK25, Beretta 92x LTT, and just ordered a surplus Beretta 81BB .32, imported from the Italian Forestry service.

Posted: 12/2/2020 12:39:18 PM EDT

[#1]

I would think a 1911 pattern scaled down would be a hoot. Doesn’t rock island have a cheap one?

Posted: 12/2/2020 12:48:40 PM EDT

[#2]

Get a Beretta 84 or the harder to find 85. I have both and they are a hoot to shoot. The 85 feels just a little bit better because of the slimmer grip.

Posted: 12/2/2020 12:59:12 PM EDT

[#3]

I enjoy my Sig P232. Quite accurate. I just have to be cautious about slide bite.

Posted: 12/2/2020 1:03:06 PM EDT

[#4]

A Browning 1911 is a fun 380.
A PPK/S is not much fun.

Posted: 12/2/2020 1:10:12 PM EDT

[#5]

Bersa Thunders look fun

Posted: 12/2/2020 1:10:31 PM EDT

[#6]

Mac-11 with a can and lots of magazines!

Posted: 12/2/2020 2:21:22 PM EDT

[#7]

Good stuff, thanks. I have been looking at the beretta, shame its a single stack and mags are a bit steep.

Posted: 12/2/2020 3:07:08 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
Good stuff, thanks. I have been looking at the beretta, shame its a single stack and mags are a bit steep.

View Quote

Get the model 84. I think mags are cheaper. Plus, you get 13 rounds of fun!

Posted: 12/2/2020 3:29:15 PM EDT

[#9]

I have a Bersa 383 A that is my go to .380 "fun gun". Same as the Bersa .380 Thunder but with an all steel frame, so recoil is minimal. MecGar magazines for the Bersa Thunder can be made to function in the Model 383 A with a little work using a Dremel tool with small grinding wheel.
Gary

Posted: 12/2/2020 6:46:40 PM EDT

[#10]

Beretta M1934 and FN M1910/M1922.

Posted: 12/2/2020 7:13:01 PM EDT

[#11]

https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/cimarron-model-1862-pocket-navy-conversion-380-acp/370997

Posted: 12/2/2020 7:16:00 PM EDT

[#12]

Beretta 84, or a Colt 1908 if you're feeling classy.

Posted: 12/2/2020 7:32:38 PM EDT

[#13]

I've had quite a few different .380 pistols over the years and liked some more than others. I had an older Bersa with the wood grips and it shot great although it is heavy and bulky for it's size. The Beretta 86 was a great gun and am sorry I sold it. Very mild shooting but again, it was a big gun for the caliber. I had a S&W/Walther PPK hybrid and was a total piece of garbage. The gun's frame had sharp edges and my hand would bleed after 50 rounds. A Walther PPK on the other hand is much nicer. I kick myself for selling my Glock 42. It is by far,in my opinion, the best gun in the caliber for it's size,capacity and shootability. It recoils very lightly and is very accurate. It is a tough little gun and is a Glock. I had a P232 but if you have big mitts, it will give you slide bite. I always liked them as Sig makes a great gun but it wasn't for me. I still have my father's Colt Pocket-lite and love it. Very nice shooter although it is a point and shoot gun, as the sights aren't the greatest. I love my little LCP with a Galloway metal trigger. It shoots and feels much better than the standard stock trigger. I had a Kel Tec P3-AT and is very much like the LCP but not as refined.

After knowing what I know now, I am keeping the LCP but would love a Glock 42. The Glock 42 might not be the most fun to shoot/cool looking but it just works and shoots like a larger gun. Accuracy is excellent and mags are cheap and the gun will last a long time with little maintenance.

Posted: 12/2/2020 7:45:03 PM EDT

[#14]

The little Browning 1911 style 380's look interesting. A Mac would be fun as an sbr or full auto. There's the Hi Point Carbine to be different. I don't know if there are any full sized steel frame 380 guns but a dedicated target gun in 380 would be a joy to shoot.

Quote History

Quoted:
Beretta 84, or a Colt 1908 if you're feeling classy.

View Quote

I always wanted to to try a 84 or a Browning BDA. I've handled a few Brownings and they were butter smooth with decent triggers but I have never gotten to shoot one.

Posted: 12/2/2020 7:51:27 PM EDT

[#15]

Hungarian military ,fp6 I think it it is ,
great in 380 .
Shoots like a target pistol and pleasant too.
The 9x18 not so pleasant.

Posted: 12/2/2020 8:00:09 PM EDT

[#16]

Another vote for the Beretta 84, shown here with its bigger 9mm brother. The 84 is a great pistol and those little double-stack magazines are reassuring.

..although the SIG is another elegant pistol...

Posted: 12/2/2020 8:34:55 PM EDT

[#17]

I have a Sig 230 and 84F, both are fun, 84F being 13 rounder and mean looking is more fun to shoot

Posted: 12/2/2020 8:51:07 PM EDT

[#18]

Attached File

Posted: 12/3/2020 12:29:17 AM EDT

[#19]

I love my Beretta Model 84. Classy little pistol.

Posted: 12/3/2020 1:43:03 AM EDT

[#20]

I just remembered one I forgot. Czechpoint does a VZ61 in 380. I think it would make a cool little SBR.
https://www.czechpoint-usa.com/vz-61-pistol--380-auto-/product

Attached File

Posted: 12/3/2020 2:47:55 AM EDT

[#21]

I want an 84 badly

Posted: 12/3/2020 11:40:31 AM EDT

[#22]

A .380 that's fun to shoot? CZ-83. Or the Makarov IJ-70 in .380.

Posted: 12/3/2020 1:04:53 PM EDT

[#23]

I had a 84 Beretta,back around '76 or '77.
Was the most accurate .380 i have ever fired.
Wish i had it back.I lived on 20 acres,used to go out in the pasture and bust horse turds
with it at 40 and 50 yards.Pistol was a great shooter.Also,my first Beretta.
Just got back to them two years ago.Now have 3 and a clone.[Girsan Regard]
I would have another,if i run across a deal on one.

Posted: 12/3/2020 2:33:57 PM EDT

[#24]

The G42 is the best shooting 380 made today.

Posted: 12/3/2020 10:04:38 PM EDT

[#25]

I really like my G42.
I bet the Browning 1911-380 would be fun.
I have the 1911-22 and it’s great.

Posted: 12/3/2020 10:18:46 PM EDT

[#26]

I borrowed a Beretta 84b from a friend the other day.
Never fired. Bought 250rds to have fun.
Shot 20rds and put it away.
I did not find it fun to shoot.
Sights were terrible.
I was dissapoint.
Maybe his targa gt380 will be better?

Posted: 12/3/2020 10:21:36 PM EDT

[#27]

Have you shot the Glock 42? They are the softest shooting .380s around unless you want to get a .380 the size of a Glock 19.

Posted: 12/3/2020 10:28:50 PM EDT

[#28]

Beretta 84

Posted: 12/3/2020 10:54:52 PM EDT

[#29]

Anyone have a Rock Island Armory Baby Rock? Comments.

Posted: 12/3/2020 10:58:26 PM EDT

[#30]

I really enjoy shooting my Glock 42. You don’t care for it?

Posted: 12/3/2020 11:03:24 PM EDT

[#31]

Quote History

Quoted:
Bersa Thunders look fun

View Quote

They are shit triggers and fit and finish. Ordered and had one on a whim and sold after 200 rounds. One of my worst buys.

Posted: 12/3/2020 11:07:35 PM EDT

[#32]

Quote History

Quoted:
I really enjoy shooting my Glock 42. You don’t care for it?

View Quote

I second the Glock 42 . Have one and it is a hoot to shoot.

Also, had the Springfield 911 in .380. Got a deal at $299 but only mag and surprisingly it shot very well. Regret selling it to this day. If the Springfield 911 shot so well, I can only imagine the SIG P238 would be much better since the SA is basically a copy of the SIG.

Posted: 12/3/2020 11:15:23 PM EDT

[#33]

I've got a sig p238. Love that damn gun. Shoots way better than the G42 if you ask me. The trigger is phenomenal.

Posted: 12/3/2020 11:17:48 PM EDT

[#34]

I've got the Browning version of the Beretta 84, and you can't go wrong with either pistol for a comfortable shooting 380.

Posted: 12/3/2020 11:19:19 PM EDT

[#35]

The Browning BDA 380 was FUN

Posted: 12/3/2020 11:22:20 PM EDT

[#36]

My G42 is great to shoot... why do you not like it?

Posted: 12/3/2020 11:46:18 PM EDT

[#37]

Quote History

Quoted:
Bersa Thunders look fun

View Quote

They are fun. Also, Colt Government .380. I would pass on the Colt alloy frame Mustang. The Govt. .380 is a locked breech and recoil is nothing.

Posted: 12/4/2020 12:04:46 AM EDT

[#38]

Walter pk380 is awesome and accurate.

Posted: 12/4/2020 11:14:17 AM EDT

[#39]

Beretta 84 is the way to go.

Posted: 12/4/2020 12:00:02 PM EDT

[#40]

Quote History

Quoted:

They are fun.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Bersa Thunders look fun

They are fun.

Agreed

Posted: 12/4/2020 6:17:52 PM EDT

[#41]

Quote History

Quoted:
Get a Beretta 84 or the harder to find 85. I have both and they are a hoot to shoot. The 85 feels just a little bit better because of the slimmer grip.

View Quote

I had an 84FS. Sold it off, but wish I kept it. It's a blowback design so recoil is a little more snappy & the gun feels stout for a .380.

Posted: 12/4/2020 7:48:27 PM EDT

[#42]

All this talk about the 84. The 84FS is by far the worst handgun I've ever owned and actually the first handgun I sold. I bought it new back in '92 as my first handgun before I got educated. It felt good in my hand and looked sexy.

- Blowback recoil harsher than any of my 9mm handguns to include lighter ones. Recoil worse than my much smaller RM380 and slightly less than my LCP. Size and weight rival and exceed many 9mm
- Slide extremely hard to manipulate.
- Slide mounted safety/decocker unreachable without moving the gun in my hand. Had to use 2nd hand to decock.
- Magazine disconnect safety

Good "shooter" .380s
1. S&W Shield EZ - by far the best overall choice IMO. Hardly any recoil. Super easy to manipulate and shoot. Shoots like a full size gun in the hand, but much lighter. I'd CC mine if it had a higher capacity.
2. Sig P238 if you're ok with single action. Very accurate with little recoil. Get the extended mag for a full grip. For reference, the 9mm 938 recoils significantly less the the .380 84FS in a much smaller and lighter package.

Posted: 12/4/2020 8:18:32 PM EDT

[#43]

If you're looking for a classic the Beretta 1934 is a hoot!

Posted: 12/4/2020 10:33:59 PM EDT

[#44]

Beretta and don't forget the Browning labeled version, they still show up occasionally. One of my uncles had one that was extremely accurate and fun to shoot.

The most fun is still a MAC11 though. Burp, burp and it's time for another full magazine- you can watch the dollar signs flying out the ejection port.

Posted: 12/5/2020 3:47:01 AM EDT

[#45]

Quote History

Quoted:
I've got a sig p238. Love that damn gun. Shoots way better than the G42 if you ask me. The trigger is phenomenal.

View Quote

What he said.

Posted: 12/5/2020 3:49:53 AM EDT

[#46]

Quote History

Quoted:
Get a Beretta 84 or the harder to find 85. I have both and they are a hoot to shoot. The 85 feels just a little bit better because of the slimmer grip.

View Quote

QFT

Posted: 12/5/2020 7:03:25 AM EDT

[#47]

Quote History

Quoted:
I've got a sig p238. Love that damn gun. Shoots way better than the G42 if you ask me. The trigger is phenomenal.

View Quote

Saved me some typing.

Posted: 12/5/2020 7:08:06 AM EDT

[#48]

Quoted:
I wound up with a proverbial buttload of .380, and I'll never shoot it all through my Ruger LCP2. Also have a G42 but not sure I'll keep it. Suggestions?

View Quote

CZ-83

Posted: 12/5/2020 1:17:07 PM EDT

[#49]

Quote History

Quoted:
Get a Beretta 84 or the harder to find 85. I have both and they are a hoot to shoot. The 85 feels just a little bit better because of the slimmer grip.

View Quote

I have an 84 copy made by Tisas. Nice little gun and a blast to shoot. Carries nicely in a cheap Desantis holster too.

Attached File

Attached File

$399 otd from Atlantic Firearms.