American Rifleman - .380 Reviews

[CharlieP]

I just got the Feb. issue of the NRA magazine American Rifleman and they did a review of 9 popular .380 ACP pistols.

Kahr P380
Kel-Tec P3AT
Micro Desert Eagle
NAA Guardian
Rohrbaugh R380
Ruger LCP
SIG P238
Taurus 738 TCP
Walther PK380

The ONLY one of these that did not have test malfunctions (mostly feed problems) was the Rohrbaugh!! The writer excused most of the malfunctions as break-in related, but 8 out of 9 is still really bad. IMHO small 380 autos are inherently unreliable, but folks still like these little guns. As the gun gets smaller, 5 shot revolvers look better to me - "5 for sure".

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[JT]

I haven’t read that article yet, but to me most gun “reviews” in American Rifleman read like ad copy. I don’t think I can remember a bad review.

As the gun gets smaller, 5 shot revolvers look better to me - "5 for sure".

agreed

[TGC]

I didn't see the Bersa listed there. I have owned a Bersa Thunder DLX .380 for a couple of years now. It is the ONLY handgun I own that has had absolutely NO FAILURES. That include my Kimber Ultra Carry .45, Springfield Mil-Spec .45, Charter Arms Undercover .38, and Walther P22. My Springfiled XDm9 hasn't had a failure yet, but I've only owned it for about 6 months and haven't put nearly as many rounds through it as I have the little Bersa. I can't speak to the other brands listed, and I certainly don't put all J-frames in the same category...but I sold my "5 for sure" Charter Arms .38 because it wasn't very "sure"....I still have the Bersa and it has never failed me.

[bladenbullet]

the bersa is larger than al of the guns listed...they appear to have limited the test to true mouse guns..the smallest of the small...

[searcher 45]

We have and carry 2 P3AT and both have never missed a beat.

Totally trust them and depend on them.

[gottabkiddin]

We have and carry 2 P3AT and both have never missed a beat.

Totally trust them and depend on them.

Same with my LCP...... Never had a malfunction of any kind.. Just lucky I guess.

[OldVet]

I take periodical "reviews" with a grain of salt since most of them rely on the maker's ad $$ to get by. They seldom if ever bite the hand ($$) that feeds them. I haven't got my issue of AR yet, but it sounds like one of those rare honest reviews.

An 8-(9,10, 11, etc.)shot semi that jams after 5-6 rounds is no better than any 5-6 shot revolver. And, it may jam after the first. But most good pistols don't really have many problems, so this review is a bit surprising.

I considered the Bursa Thunder Plus (13 rds?) but was surprised at the size of the regular Thunder 380. The Glock 26/27 was the same size and a more powerful round in either.

If so many semi-auto problems are resolved by "breaking in," why doesn't the factory break them in and save itself some bad word on the streets?

[Majorlk]

If so many semi-auto problems are resolved by "breaking in," why doesn't the factory break them in and save itself some bad word on the streets?

$$$$$$$$$$$

[tokerblue]

Same with my LCP...... Never had a malfunction of any kind.. Just lucky I guess.

- Same here with a Kahr P380. I'm not sure if they just shot the guns out of the box, but all of the 380's can be finicky. I broke my P380 down after I bought it and cleaned it VERY well and then applied lube. I then racked the gun about 100 times. But that's the process I use with all my new guns.

[armado]

I have a Colt 380 Mustang that I sometimes carry that I'd bet my life on. It's never jammed yet and packs a punch for a smaller caliber gun. Except for a Walther, I've never fired any of the mentioned pistols.

[lws380]

Everyone needs a snubby, no matter how the testing of the .380's shakes out.

[BugDude]

Everyone needs a snubby, no matter how the testing of the .380's shakes out.

I'm with you!!

I've never had a snubbie malfunction in any way, shape, or form. And one of mine that I carry regularly is over 45 years old. I'm content with 5 rounds of 38.

[Guns and more]

My Sig 238 has never mis-fired. I guess I'm lucky.

[clarkston_cz]

With only limited firing so far. I'd say that I'm 100% pleased with my Micro Z.

If the .380 slug(s) doesn't stop them. They will probably be deaf and blind after my first few shots. This thing is LOUD!


It could only be better if it was:

A: In 9MM MAK ( cheap to buy ammo for..and peppy to shoot , I love the Hornday XTP in 9 MAK)

B: Made by CZUB.

C: Actually said KEVIN on the slide, or grips.
( I think Dennis Marschal might be up to the task)
I doubt if we will ever see a mini 9mm this size, so I am just pleased as punch to have this with me for now.

Mee WUVS You MINI-Z!

[BugDude]

Can you post some more pics of your micro Z. That's a nice looking gun.