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Reliable Pocket .32's and .380's

UltonaUltona Member Posts: 2 ✭✭
edited April 2002 in Ask the Experts
I have been searching endlessly for the most reliable pocket automatic in .32 acp or .380 regardless of price. My only requirements are small size (PPK size or smaller) corrosion resistant construction, and some form of sights, fixed or otherwise, on the gun. What is the most reliable pocket .32 or .380 you can buy? I want somethink I can count on like my .38 revolver to go bang more than once. Somebody please let me know, as I have tried several big brands with less than 100% reliablility. Any help greatly appreciated.
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Comments

  • rsnyder55rsnyder55 Member Posts: 2,526 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The American stainless PPK is my personal choice. The only drawback I find is the extremely heavy double action pull. It is also a little heavier than some as it is not alloy. Advantages are decocking safety and loaded chamber indicator.
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  • badboybobbadboybob Member Posts: 1,658 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My choice is a Kel-Tec P-32. Loaded with 8 rounds it weighs just 10 ounces and fits in my pocket wih ease. Mine is totally reliable and. It is not a target pistol, just point and shoot. Loaded with RBCD ammo it has 1800fps and 270fpe. Check out the Kel-Tec at www.ktog.org and RBCD at www.rbcd.net.
    PC=BS
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  • royc38royc38 Member Posts: 2,235 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My two personal favorites: the Colt gov't .380 pocketlite and the beretta 84. The pocketlite is the only pistol that I have ever carried that was so light that I forgot I was carrying it. And the 84 for mag capacity (13+1). Both accurate and reliable.
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  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    Don't know about modern guns but I have a pre-WW2 PPK that fires reliably every round with virtually any type of ammo, and if the design is basically unchanged, new ones should be just as good! So there is my vote. 'Course, I have a cheap, Iver Johnson .32 safety hammerless that fires reliably every shot as well, but I would't want it for a defense gun.
    "...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conference in 1899.
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  • gap1916gap1916 Member Posts: 4,977
    edited November -1
    Kahr P9. Same size as the .380 mentioned above but in 9mm. Smooth double action pull. A little $$$ is the only draw back.
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  • KadaverKadaver Member Posts: 333 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    the .380 sig, i think its like the 220 or something like that....if i had the cash id have one in my pocket right now
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  • niklasalniklasal Member Posts: 776 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Kahrs are great, but they are a bit heavy for my taste. I'd go for the Kel-Tec P32. I hear alot of good things about them. Maybe consider the Kel-Tec P11? You get more power with the 9mm and it's only slightly bigger than the P32. Still smaller than the PPK though, and the polymer frame is more rust resistant. Also, why stray from the Revolver? The Taurus 617 titanium is small, reliable, and in 357. Nice little piece, but pricey for the material.
    NIKLASAL@hotmail.com[This message has been edited by niklasal (edited 02-21-2002).]
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  • gravediggergravedigger Member Posts: 945 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I recently bought a P-32 and although I haven't used it for carry (still waiting on that damn paperwork), it functions great. The only thing I don't like about it is that it doesn't have a manual slide lock.-Marcus
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  • BRONCO1500BRONCO1500 Member Posts: 31 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hello, here is my 2 cents.I have a Colt mustang plus II. It has never misfired, or jammed. Its .380. It has had problems with +p rounds. but it is not rated for them so it should have problems with them.( bad mistake on my part, shot cor-bon in them and it bent the slide stop notch so bad it stopped locking back on the last shot. I had the factory replace the slide, and not a problem since. And since the only problem i ever had was caused by me i cant fault it. And I would bet my life on it if i had to. but i would rather have a .45 Anouther gun to check is the berreta .380.I used to work in a gun shop and had plenty of free time to compare the feel of the different guns. The beretta .380 was top notch!! I have not shot one , but i would not be suprised if they were worth the money( i think about ($4-500)I would also stay away from the walther. We had several come back for jam problems, in fact a fellow shop worker returned his three times for jamming. We had such a problem with them that the boss stopped putting them in stock. I not saying all are garbage, or that 10% are garbage, im just saying from my experience i would not get one. Oh yea i almost forgot the colt mustang is smaller than the mustang plus II, and if you get a mustang try putting a little white out on the front sight. It makes all the difference in the world.Good luck!!!!!
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  • binderbinder Member Posts: 242 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Mauser HSC is about the most reliable made . The beretta 84 is another good choice, as is the Walther or Mannhurin models.
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  • 00scoots00scoots Member Posts: 410 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Does anyone out there have any input on a Hechler & Koch HK4?
    What are they going for in 380?
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  • kgnovumkgnovum Member Posts: 594 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Ultona - I gotta give a thumbs up to the Kel-Tec .32 - Though I'd rather have somthing with a bigger bang when I can conceal it - I like the .32 because it stays on me 24/7. I've been carrying one for about a year in a jagwear wallet holder in my back right pocket. It extracts quickly with one finger and mine has been totally reliable - no jams - with several types of ammo. I now keep it loaded with Speer Gold Dot 60 Gr. Great ammo for any caliber. I also have a Kel-Tec .40 and I like it just as much. I carry it in a quick opening pouch that clips on my belt.

    KG
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  • Guns & GlassGuns & Glass Member Posts: 864 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Of the 32/380 calibers, best large pocket pistol made, although heavier than synthetic frames is the CZ83. Vastly superior to Walther PPk's, and mini Sigs.
    If size, and weight are too much, check out the Seecamps.
    If $$$, and waiting list is too much, then look at the North American Arms line up.
    If it boils down to weight, then $$$, Kel-Tec as previously mentioned is a good choice.
    All the triggers can be cleaned up, so don't let that deter you from what you like/fits best.

    Happy Bullet Holes!
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  • budmottbudmott Member Posts: 155 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My vote is for the Keltec 32acp. I carry it
    always. First rule of a gun fight, bring
    a gun. This you can bring and you don't even
    know your bringing it. Pocket holseter $15,
    in either front or back pocket, looks like
    a billfold. Since I collect .32s I have one
    of the above mentioned guns, and a few others,
    but I carry the Keltec. IMHO this is the
    best bang for the buck out there.
    J.Cooper suggested using a ping pong ball attached
    to a string, suspended from a limb for practice.
    The idea simulating an eyeball. Works for me.
    KelTec has never failed to function. Gee, maybe
    I need to buy stock in the company.
    Later,
    Bud
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