380 acp

[keithplacerville]

did some research on the lorcin not the best things made

[Bad Voodoo]

I'm sure that CZ is a shooter but boy is it FUGLY!

Dude, that little CZ is gorgeous!!

[Sig226]

I know you are on a budget, but you did say .380 which is a oxymoron if you ask me...


So my vote goes to the Sig P232....

[SPQR]

If you could find a Colt Mustang don't think twice. This is the way to go. I have a Beretta 84. I have never shot my pistol, but I have fired other Beretta's 84 models. They are fun to shoot. You won't be disapointed.

[Quiet]

Bersa is the best of the low budget .380ACP handguns.

If you can spend more than $500, then you'll get into the realm of nicer handguns.

[ohsmily]

What about a lorcin .380 a guy at work has one that I can pick up for cheap I have never ever seen nor or heard of this brand ,anyone heard of this brand?Also I would like to say thanks for all the input coming my way keep it coming. I pick a .380 pistol because of size,special rounds and kick if there is some other route that is better please set me strait thanks

did some research on the lorcin not the best things made

HAHA

[Fantasma]

If i was to get a .380 it would definitely be a Bersa.

[smle-man]

I like the Mauser Hsc, very compact and very accurate. They are available used for around $300 (civilian not the WW2 military version).

[Black Majik]

If you could find a Colt Mustang don't think twice. This is the way to go. I have a Beretta 84. I have never shot my pistol, but I have fired other Beretta's 84 models. They are fun to shoot. You won't be disapointed.

If it absolutely had to be a .380, this is sound advice. The locked breech design of the mustangs and .380 government models are by far the softest shooting compared to the blowback ppks,P232, and bersas. I find small blowback guns marginally fun, but as an only gun I'd be hardpress to go out to the range for a day of shooting.

A 9x19 compact or fullsize pistol may be a better option for HD/SD and range shooting. If you're on a budget, look for a P6. It'll be easier to shoot than any of the .380s recommended so far. Although it's pretty scarce right now since everyone's hoarded up all the P6s, you can find one in the classifieds pretty regularly.

Don't skimp out on a defensive pistol for your wife.

[ivanimal]

I like the LCP by Ruger.

[Kestryll]

If you're looking for a handgun for your wife that she will likely not shoot very often and cost is a concern I am going to suggest a different route.

Have you looked at the Ruger SP101?
It is a medium-small frame revolver made of stainless steel so it's not too light but still small enough to be comfortable in medium to small hands.
The weight helps absorb the recoil and if you get the .357 you can download it with light .38 Special target loads or hot rod it with full .357 magnums.

The is no slide to operate, a much simpler manual of arms for her to learn and if it fails to fire a round she can pull the trigger again and a new chamber and round come up in to battery.
Clearing the weapon is much easier with little chance of error. If the cylinder is open it's not going to fire, you can't leave one in the chamber by accident.

I would say find a 3 inch SP101 and let her try it out.

[rrr70]

If you're looking for a handgun for your wife that she will likely not shoot very often and cost is a concern I am going to suggest a different route.

Have you looked at the Ruger SP101?
It is a medium-small frame revolver made of stainless steel so it's not too light but still small enough to be comfortable in medium to small hands.
The weight helps absorb the recoil and if you get the .357 you can download it with light .38 Special target loads or hot rod it with full .357 magnums.

The is no slide to operate, a much simpler manual of arms for her to learn and if it fails to fire a round she can pull the trigger again and a new chamber and round come up in to battery.
Clearing the weapon is much easier with little chance of error. If the cylinder is open it's not going to fire, you can't leave one in the chamber by accident.

I would say find a 3 inch SP101 and let her try it out.

+1
My SP101, even when shooting .357 has a recoil that is less snapy than my Bersa. With 38sp recoil is sweet.

If you in the SF area we can meet at the range and she can check it out.

[caldude]

If you're thinking SP101, then also consider one in .327 Federal Magnum. Supposedly less kick than a .357, but almost as effective.

[keithplacerville]

today I went to a gun store and look at that ruger stated above looks like I am going the 38 route the store stated that the 380 would most like be a 2 shot take down verses a one shot 38

[jinggoyd1967]

I agree with some of the other posters. If your buying the gun for yourselfb by all means get what you want.
If it's for your wife she might not be able to shoot too well with a small .380ACP. Snappy recoil, short sight radius, heavy recoil spring (hard to rack slide), small grip area, and mouse ballistics, are just some of the disadvantages.

.38Spl or .327 Fed Mag in a revolver also gets my vote. K-framed S&W for the house or SP101 or J-frame for carry.