User Panel
Posted: 10/10/2007 8:39:33 AM EDT
I want power in a small package for CCW and I prefer single action autos because I learned and competed with them. I think I'll be more accurate with that type.
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Kimber and Springfield make some tiny little 1911's now, smaller than an Colt Officer size.
Glock makes the G36, a single stack .45. A glock is a hybrid trigger, so it's better than a true DA but not as nice as a true SA; but for a defensive firearm I think it is optimal. |
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Depending upon what you mean by ".380 size", the laws of physics are not your friend in this quest. A full-power 9mm (much less a .45ACP) can only be so small and still be functional/reliable.
If you mean the size of older, traditional .380s (e.g., the Walther PPK) then you do have a few options in that size/weight range. If you mean the current super-tiny/super-light .380s that are available (e.g., the Kel-Tec P3AT), it just isn't to be. I believe Kahr makes some of the smallest/lightest 9mms and .45s out there now (the PMs). I have only owned one, and then only briefly, so you'll have to ask others about their reliability. And, they are not single action, which you said you prefer.
Probably the best choice for what you describe/want, but still larger/heavier than most .380s. |
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Sprignfield makes an awesome little 9mm with a reduced 1911 frame. REALLY pricey though.
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I just saw an ad for SA's little 9mm 1911 they're coming out with. Dunno about the weight, but that thing looked tiny.
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You'll like it. |
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Yep, since that's a single action auto. |
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I actually shot a Mustang and a pony years ago and I was quite impressed with it. For its size it was very easy to handle and even easier to shoot. My wife at the time loved to shoot it too and she has smaller hands. She never complained about recoil and never had any problems using it. IMHO a nice little pistol. I understand that they are a bit tough to come by at a reasonable price these days. Wish I hadnt let her take that one though.
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I carry a Para-Ordinance Warthog in 9mm. It holds 12+1. It's very nice but kind of pricey and the grip is a little fat (since it's a double stack).
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That's a possibility...I'm sure it will be that or the Taurus millinium pro which has a DA/SA action. I thought perhaps the other euro manfr's might have small S/A's, but I couldn't find any. |
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EDITED: I still can't find the BDA listed anywhere, but the 84/85 Cheetahs are still listed on the Beretta USA website (although not anywhere on their international site ). And, again, the OP isn't looking for a .380 (not that you didn't know that, necessarily). |
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I know, it's not about .380, but I remember seeing those little BDA's all over the places about a decade ago, and nowI haven't seen them anywhere. They really were a classy little gun. IIRC they held 13 rounds. The wood grips andall metal construction was nice too. I think Beretta made them for Browning. I guess there isn't a market fr a large cap .380 |
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I carry the .45 Warthog everyday and I like the fact I've got 11 rds in it. HH |
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A lot of people talk about 9mm, 40 S&W, and .45 ACP autos that "are as small as the old mouse guns", but rarely is this the case. Sure, some manufacturers do make some pretty small guns now, but usually, they're still substantially bigger (usually wider and taller) than the old straight-blowback operated mouse guns.
Kahrs and Kel-Tecs seem to come the closest. The Star model BM (9x19mm) is quite thin, though longer and taller than a PPK, for example. It's still pretty small overall. It's a single action auto very similar to the 1911. ETA: and much smaller than Springfield's EMP, which I really don't get. |
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How many .357's do you put throught per range session? I have one of those and with full-power loads it is snappy; kind of holding a firecracker in my hand. I manage about 10 shots, just to convince myself I could actually fire the thing. My .44 mountain gun seems like a pussycat after that little monster. For added fun, I let my friends try it with some old Pro-Load 180gr rounds... I figure the 2 boxes I have are a lifetime supply. |
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But .380 is fine by you? |
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Hell, 9x18 Mak is slightly superior to the .380 in ballistics. It's typically loaded hotter. Though I understand that .380 is much more common in the US, there's enough 9mm Mak floating around that it is a viable option. Hornady makes a decent JHP in 9mm Mak. www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot26_3.htm |
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The Taurus Millenium Pro is actually a single action unless you get a misfire and then it gives you a double action pull to give you another crack at the primer. I personally would just do a failure drill and dump that round. I like my PT745, but I just shipped it back to Taurus since it was jamming when loading from a full magazine and using the slide release. It wouldn't do it if you slingshot the slide, but I need it to be 100% reliable. It is much more ergonomic to me than the Glock 36. If Taurus can't get it to work right, I may get a Glock 36 and have a grip reduction done on it. The PT745 shoots great. No jams when firing and it is a breeze to keep them center mass at 25 yards. |
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The Colt New Agent is pretty small. I have one and no problems so far.
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One of the guys that I used to work with used to carry a cz-52. He seemed to like it. I didnt see anyone mention it and there is probably a good reason, but i thought that I would toss that one out there.
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the warthog is slightly smaller than a glock 30, especially in the shape of the rear of the slide, where the warthog shaves 1/2 inch over the glock. Add the single action vs dao, and all you have to get over is the face that the warthog is twice the price . I've heard a number of compaints about reliability in the glock 36's.. esp. in relation to magazine extensions.
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For a carry weapon? Please, when it comes to your life, don't buy the absolute cheapest POS you can find! |
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i stand corrected |
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What are you talking about? |
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It may not be the most powerful cartridge on earth, there is NO GUN with a better reputation for reliability. Some may equal the Mak's reliability, but NONE will exceed it. They are NOT cheap "pieces of shit". |
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CZ makes a very nice, small 9mm. It is a compact Browning Highpower variant. It is not SA only though. Also it is small, not tiny.
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Great Piece! |
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I looked at that review of the Springfield EMP. MIKEY WANTS!!! I'm going to keep that pistol in mind when I have the funds to afford another carry piece (for now, I have a P7).
I'll probably also end up picking up a PPK/s for something a little more concealable. The Colt Mustang is a nice little gun. I had one for a while. It's easy to shoot, and since it is actually a locked breech design, it eats up recoil very well. I wish there were more small locked breech .380s out there. (I firmly believe that a .380 I'll will actually carry is immensely better than the .45 Whizbang I leave at home) I also have a couple Star BM pistols. They are very neat pistols, basically a scaled down 1911 in 9mm. Sadly, Star is out of business. They'd make good carry guns, but they are HEAVY, since they are ALL STEEL. If I could find a great condition BKM (BM with an alloy frame), I'd consider getting it for carry, but only after thorough range testing. |
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I just dont see a need for a carry pistol thats any smaller than a Colt Officers model...
unless its a BUG? |
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Some of us skinny people like smaller pistols... they're easier to conceal when we don't have a lot of overhang, or don't want to look stupid wearing really baggy clothes. |
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The CZ looks good. Dealers are rare around here. Only 1 listed in Dallas. MSRP is a little steep $525. The Taurus is a little cheaper. I might go for that! |
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BUG = Back-Up Gun |
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