User Panel
Posted: 3/29/2010 3:42:09 PM EDT
Your opinion?
I have had very good reliabilty with my Keltec P32 (.32 cal) and now i'm looking to possibly pick up a KT .380. However, some say it's not as reliable as the P32. |
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I have a FEG and a Makerov, neither have ever been a problem. I really like the Mac it's a nice pistol-Russian.
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That may have been true years ago, but the p3at is a reliable piece now.
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My PPKS has never given problems (20 years old!)
My new LCP has only 75 rounds through it, without a hitch, but I've heard different brands/loads can lead to pickyness... |
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Can't go wrong with Beretta, Sig, or Walther for a quality .380acp pistol. However for a pocket pistol i had a cheap Kel-Tec P3AT and it worked fairly well for what it was. Since then I've sold it and now carry a quality S&W 642 revolver in my pocket.
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I love Sig firearms, but don't have a sig .380. I do have a Bersa, and it is 100% reliable.
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Thats a nice looking pistol.Never heard of that one. |
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Quoted:
Your opinion? I have had very good reliabilty with my Keltec P32 (.32 cal) and now i'm looking to possibly pick up a KT .380. However, some say it's not as reliable as the P32. There are lots of reliable .380 pistols available, it's just that none of them are the size of the P3AT. I think that you will find new P3ATs to be as reliable as your P32 was, however. |
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Walther PPK/S I mean come on if James Bond carries and it has to be good. Plus his has real knock down power.
In all actuality the Walther PPK/S would be the first choice if I ever was going to carry a .380 but since I will never carry a .380 I do not have to worry about it. |
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That is a sharp pistol, you hardly even notice that the rear sight is installed backwards. |
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It's going to be one of the larger blowback autos, like the PPK, Sig, and Bersa.
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That is a sharp pistol, you hardly even notice that the rear sight is installed backwards. Glad you're winking as those sights are some of the nicest night sights I have experienced. And yes, they are facing the right way. |
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If you want reliability, you should just get a J frame. In my experience, all the .380's have reliabilty issues. Individual guns may be reliable, but you can easily get a lemon, and when my life is on the line, I prefer reliability.
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I have personal experience with two 380's. The Bersa Thunder 380 and the CZ-83 were flawless. |
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I had an old P230 that was 100% but I got that well used and I've read that most of the pocket .380 have teething issues when you first shoot them.
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I have an LCP that hasn't missed a lick... Big +1, mine has been flawless. I also have a couple friends with later model P3AT's that have fired several hundred rounds each with no issues. Either of those would be a good choice. |
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I hate, I mean really hate to say this, but based on personal experience + a smattering of research on the subject, the Bersa Thunder .380 is a good choice, especially the CC version. I'm a Glock/HK/Sig guy and I don't usually recommend cheap pistols, but the Bersa .380's seem to be unique in their ability to be cheap and not suck. My dad has one, and I've had two (both the CC versions), and out of the thousands of rounds we've fired through all three (all three were bought new), out of all the different ammo types, we haven't experienced a failure of any kind. The other Bersas (9mm, .40, etc.) seem to have some issues, but for some reason this one just turned out right.
I like the Walther, but I've seem the PPK's FTF a number of times. My dad had one and no longer has it (he sent it back to the factory twice, once for reliability issues and once for the trigger somehow disconnecting after each shot and the rear sights coming loose). I also like the Sig, but find that it's way bulkier than any .380 should ever be. The Beretta I've never had experience with, but I just hate Beretta in general... |
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German Walther PPK, PPK/S, or PP for the win !!!! Not in my experience. My FEG PPK clone is more reliable with HP than my Walther PPK/S. And my Kel-Tec 9mm is smaller, more reliable, and has a higher capacity. |
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German Walther PPK, PPK/S, or PP for the win !!!! Not in my experience. My FEG PPK clone is more reliable with HP than my Walther PPK/S. And my Kel-Tec 9mm is smaller, more reliable, and has a higher capacity. My Keltec PF9 wasn't a very good gun . Sold it and got a Walther PPS 9mm. But anyhow not that has anything to do with the op's question. All the .380 Walther's I have owned (including an Interarms ppk/s) have been great for me. I also enjoyed a few Sig P230's in .380 and even a .32 Sig P232 I wish I still had. |
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In doublestack, Beretta 84 and CZ 83. Both are very reliable. All the recent vintage Walthers I've tried have had lousy triggers. Don't have any of the mini .380's, but like you I've had good luck with my P32.
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My P3AT works very reliably with factory personal defense loads. But is not as reliable with Winchester white box ammo.
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Love my Sig P230, tho I mostly carry a S&W 442 (when not carrying a 1911).
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Your opinion? I have had very good reliabilty with my Keltec P32 (.32 cal) and now i'm looking to possibly pick up a KT .380. However, some say it's not as reliable as the P32. I've only messed with a CZ83, and its a great firearm... I'd EASILY trust my life to it, assuming some practice with that lawyer proof DA pull. |
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The Bersa thunder 380 is a great little gun. fire everything I have feed it and never had a problem.
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I have an LCP that hasn't missed a lick... Same here, I've been very impressed with my LCP. |
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SIG P230/P232 The one pistol I regret selling. Same here. Bought a P230 back in early nineties new and foolishly sold it. It is not a pocket pistol. As for comparing KT32 to P3-AT. P3-AT has reliability issues with extraction where KT32 does not.{I'll admit to owning KT32}. My Dad has P3-AT. It's taken a little work to get it where he would trust it enough to carry. I wouldn't recommend either for primary defense weapons. In my case it's the ony thing I can get my Dad to carry for now. Seacamp is by far the most reliable in .32acp but for the money I'd rather spend on Kahr PM9 or PM40. |
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They aren't as small as the rest, but the MOST reliable, would have to be the Beretta 84 and the Browning BDA 380.
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My P3AT is extremely reliable, same as it's brother the P32.
BIG difference in recoil however. The P3AT is a little hand cannon. |
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I had an FEG .380 that was great. Accurate too. Gave it to my friend when he went to Iraq.
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Sig Sauer P230 I've owned several .380's and agree that the Sig P230 is the most reliable |
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to get great reliability in a 380 (with rare exception) you have to go to the midsize sig walther or beretta and similar pistols. In that size range you might just as well carry/use a compact 9mm-cheaper more available ammo and more power.
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I'll take my chances with my LCP. The thing eats everything w/o problems.
I carry it almost everywhere in its Recluse holster. Clint |
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I have personal experience with two 380's. The Bersa Thunder 380 and the CZ-83 were flawless. Another vote for the CZ-83 |
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Let's face it, any gun, and I do mean ANY GUN, can break or malfunction. This whole "What's the best?" boils down to personal opinion and is subjective at best. The best gun is the one that goes "BANG" when you pull the trigger and is there when you need it. Get what works best for you, test it extensively for reliability, maintain it and practice, practice, practice. Generally, expect to get what you pay for but remember that they are mass-produced machines for the most part and machines malfunction and break. It's not a popularity contest, it's a matter of self-preservation. Practice and training hold more weight than gun branding. If the gun is reliable, it'll work.
For what it's worth, my P3AT has close to 1300 rounds through it and I'm willing to trust my safety to it. |
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