Info needed on .380

[Bikertrash]

My friend is selling a .380 made by Michigan Armament. It has Custom Guardian on the slide. Is this a decent quality handgun? What would something like this be worth in decent shape. It does fire, we shot it at the range last week. He needs some cash and it fits my wifes hands.

Thanks for the help.

[Bikertrash]

its blued, not stainless. Anything. Google searches are next to futile.

[redcliff]

Probably worth in the $250-300 range if its reliable. Basically a PPK clone built by an out of business manufacturer.

Has your wife fired it? PPK's can be pretty snappy and the double action trigger pull is sometimes pretty stiff.

In this style pistol I prefer Walthers, Mausers, Sigs and even Astra's.

[shafferds]

If you want something simple and a great 380 for the price look at the bersa thunder.

[redcliff]

If you want something simple and a great 380 for the price look at the bersa thunder.

Ooh yes, how did I forget that one in my list.

[Bikertrash]

Thanks all. It fires pretty nice. He wants $200 for it plus 2 mags and nice sheepskin case. My only concern is that its not like the Jennings 9mm. Prone to failure and cracking. If she doesn't like it...I might keep it.

Anyone know of the reliability or quality?

[JTROKS]

There's a seller in GUNSAMERICA asking almost $500 for it. Another auction has it for $270.

$200 sounds like a very decent price, added that you can test fire too. Not much of a review report on the internet, but to what I've read the Michigan Armament made in Detroit were of good quality. The California made ones were crappy, thus ending their company. You would think quality will be higher in California due to the better weather. Go figure. So does the stamp say California or Detroit MI.

[HKMadness]

Quality wise, its low end. Thats not to say low end guns are all bad. I think two hundred
Is not a bad price depending on condition. Just be ready to pay more for 380 ammo than 9mm. Personally i would never buy a 380 sine i like to shoot. A lot. Id rather go with a 9, but ymmv. I dont know of a 9 u can find for that price other than hi point though.

[Bikertrash]

It was made in CA. If she likes the way it shoots than it will be primarily her HD gun. My 92FS is too big for her. Plus she got her finger caught in the slide once and got the biggest blood blister you've ever seen! If she doesn't like it (and its good quality), we'll just keep it a the shop.

My boss & I are both retired military.

[bsg]

what little i know of the gun says the $200.00 price tag is reasonable. i've heard in the past that the earlier production guns were of better quality than later made ones. i believe the stainless was more plentiful than blued; not sure.

a .380 may feel good in your wife's hands, yet may not be pleasant for her to shoot due to recoil. if she's shot it and likes it, than you may have a winner. a little larger gun in 9mm may be more pleasant for her to shoot and offer better protection due to caliber.

also look at the Bersa if you're intent on a .380; probably an extra $120.00 with tax for a new Bersa, compared to what you're considering now.

i've got a w german Sig P230SL .380, but the price tag is much steeper than most. even with the Sig's reputation as a high quality .380, it has a long trigger reach that is not always complimentary to smaller hands. the trigger reach on my P230SL seems longer than that of any of my full sized w german P series Sigs.