Thread: what is the best 380 auto pistol out there?

Originally Posted by Phillyfan

I have to go with Kahr, though I carry a P3AT myself, couldn't justify the cost of the Kahr. No complaints with my little Kel-Tec though. Very dependable and fairly accurate if you do your part.

Surprized that there isn't any love out there for the Walther PPK.

I am lucky enough to have gotten an early 1990's Interarms/Walther American-made PPK way back when, and it is my daily carry piece. After a little manual polishing of the ramp and upper chamber it is completely reliable, and very accurate. It is solid stainless steel and beautifully machined to be a work of art. It is small enough to hide, but big enough to hold on to for good control, and heavy enough to absorb recoil for quick follow-up shots. I added a rubber slip-on finger groove grip, and that eliminated the famed "slide-bite" tendency of the PPK. Alas, the similar recent Smith and Wesson/Walther PPK "improved" design has a reputation for many bugs yet to be worked out.........................elsullo

I also have an Interams PPK/S and I wouldn't recommend it for anyone who has trouble racking a stiff slide. Mine has always been accurate and reliable. I sent it to Cylinder & Slide and had them touch it up and it is "best" for me.

I don't think any weapon is best until you've practiced with it and cleaned it a whole bunch of times.

I have always wanted a PPK. If this thread were what is the prettiest/coolest .380, it wins hands down for me. Love the design, history, and mystic. It's the 1911 of .380's!

I carry a NAA Guardian .380, fits in my pocket nicely but heavier than the others since it's all stainless. I've had 1 feed problem in about 500 rounds, but was in the 1st 50 rounds so was probably due to break-in period. It's the next best pocket .380 you're gonna get next to a Seecamp( good luck finding one and if you do it's $$$). I noticed that Masterpiece Arms is making a knockoff of these too and affordable. Just haven't seen any reviews for them yet.

Originally Posted by bloodnguts

I carry a NAA Guardian .380, fits in my pocket nicely but heavier than the others since it's all stainless. I've had 1 feed problem in about 500 rounds, but was in the 1st 50 rounds so was probably due to break-in period. It's the next best pocket .380 you're gonna get next to a Seecamp( good luck finding one and if you do it's $$$). I noticed that Masterpiece Arms is making a knockoff of these too and affordable. Just haven't seen any reviews for them yet.

I too carry the North American Arms Guardian .380 when I have to wear pants with smaller pockets. It is a beautifully machined, reliable lump of stainless steel! It is heavy for its tiny size, but that adds to the controllability for follow-up shots. Its shape stays put in the hand and does not squirm around when fired. Since there is no safety or pre-cock the trigger is long and heavy and stacks up toward the end. The cure is to use the finger TIP on the trigger which makes it very shootable and even accurate with such tiny sights...................................elsullo

I have shot and owned almost every common 380 ACP out there and here is a pic of what I settled on Colt Government Model 80 series fully customized

Here are my top picks
Colt Mustang or Government model $550-$1100
Sig P238 $450-$600
Beretta 84F $399-$500
Kahr P380 $450-$580
Browning 380 $480-$600
Tauras PT58S First Gen (Beretta Clone) $280-$480
Bersa Thunder $225-$320
Walther PPKS $300-$500
NAA Guardian $350-$450
Seecamp $400-$550
Ruger LCP $275-$320
Kel-Tech P3AT $250-$300
Tauras 738 $240-$290
Prices are based brand new to over priced based on what I've seen. There are a few out there that are not on the list but over the years this is my experience with the cartridge. When you reload this cartridge its alot more fun to shoot when it comes to cost!

I like my ppk/s JUST FINE.
And my wife likes her ppk as well.

I don't have a 380 but do have half a box of 380 in my ammo locker. Is that an adequate reason to get a 380?

Cause that Kahr looks really nice!

a buddy of mine has a baretta .380 would like to trade for something more stout . 357 hammerless, any takers?

Didn't Llama or Norinco make one????

Cause I'd shoot one of those (Not)

Originally Posted by elsullo

I too carry the North American Arms Guardian .380 when I have to wear pants with smaller pockets. It is a beautifully machined, reliable lump of stainless steel! It is heavy for its tiny size, but that adds to the controllability for follow-up shots. Its shape stays put in the hand and does not squirm around when fired. Since there is no safety or pre-cock the trigger is long and heavy and stacks up toward the end. The cure is to use the finger TIP on the trigger which makes it very shootable and even accurate with such tiny sights...................................elsullo

Yes Elsullo they are well machined, I like how you say "lump of stainless" I fully understand. As far as trigger pull, I really don't mind that it's heavy since it's a carry piece not a range firearm in any sense. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do. A highly recommended .380 ccw.

Originally Posted by Phillyfan

I have to go with Kahr, though I carry a P3AT myself, couldn't justify the cost of the Kahr. No complaints with my little Kel-Tec though. Very dependable and fairly accurate if you do your part.

Surprized that there isn't any love out there for the Walther PPK.

I beg to differ.
My next purchase is likely going to be a PPK in blue if I can find one at a reasonable price.

After that, an Aston Martin. Or maybe a Bentley.

I'm sure Q Branch will have some suitable wheels for me.

Walther ppk/s I like the stainless.
Sig,Colts,and the Karh seems to be a big favorite.
I have heard and read a lot of good thing on the NA Arms 380 also
Haven't heard about the Cheetah,except for the earlier post but Berretta has always put out a great product.
So yeah,what kind of car should I drive?
Are you close to a range that rents guns?

The Tarsus is real popular,by I have had the brand in multiple calibers and would never buy another.
Ruger's little 380,LCD? is another one.I like Ruger wheel guns,not much else

Originally Posted by mikeli

I don't have a 380 but do have half a box of 380 in my ammo locker. Is that an adequate reason to get a 380?

Cause that Kahr looks really nice!

Its the ONLY reason I now own a 20 gauge!!!


ANY reason is a GOOD reason!

Mat need to go see coctailer about a kahr

Just get an old school Llama in .380 (or even .22). The 'Mini-Me' of 1911's ....

The wood grips are on the .22, the other is the .380




A full size 1911 for comparrison

Going to be tough to say which one is the best. Depends on how you want to carry it and what fits your hands the best. It also depends on your budget. If you can afford it the Kahr is an exceptional handgun. The best overall price and build quality probably goes to the Ruger LCP. There are some issues I have with the LCP but overall it does everything a gun of it's size is supposed to do.