She's been looking for her first pistol and was torn between a .357 and a .380. We poked around a bit with both and Chris handed her the Walther PK380. She instantly liked the way it fit in her hand (as did I actually). We drove over to the range for some shooting and she decided on her way back to put a deposit on it while we wait for our new FID's.

 

Does anyone have any experience with this pistol? I'm just as excited as her to try this one out.

 

Thanks

 

 

By the way, another +1 for Lou's. Chris was very patient while we looked around and asked questions. Wouldn't hesitate for a second to use them again.

Wow, .357 vs. .380?

Wow, .357 vs. .380?

wow, yeah bro big difference unless your talkin 38 special, even that there is a difference.

lol yes we're very aware of the differences in power.

 

It was more a question of revolver vs semi auto. We're not concerned about a home defense gun as I have a 1911 and a beretta. She wanted something that fit well in her hands, relatively inexpensive, easy to handle and readily available. Since the P380 fit well and was available, that was the winner.

No experience with the gun but I can tell you first hand..................you won't find nicer people to deal with in a Gun Shop anywhere. Gene and Chris are the best around anywhere here in NJ ....IMO........Lou's Firearms in Raritan NJ is the only shop I deal with.....just terriffic.

No experience with the gun but I can tell you first hand..................you won't find nicer people to deal with in a Gun Shop anywhere. Gene and Chris are the best around anywhere here in NJ ....IMO........Lou's Firearms in Raritan NJ is the only shop I deal with.....just terriffic.

 

Oh I know, this is the third major purchase I've made there

I have only fired 380 through a Walther PPK. I found it to be extremely snappy and unpleasant. And I do not consider myself to be recoil averse. Maybe other 380 pistols are friendlier to shooter's hands. Personally, I think she'd be better off with a full size revolver in 357 and get lots of practice shooting 38 special. As for semi-autos, I think 9mm is much more pleasant to shoot. Find a reasonably heavy single stack metal semi-auto, because the single stack fits smaller hands better and the heavier metal soaks up the recoil better than lighter plastic. Good luck.

I have only fired 380 through a Walther PPK. I found it to be extremely snappy and unpleasant. And I do not consider myself to be recoil averse. Maybe other 380 pistols are friendlier to shooter's hands. Personally, I think she'd be better off with a full size revolver in 357 and get lots of practice shooting 38 special. As for semi-autos, I think 9mm is much more pleasant to shoot. Find a reasonably heavy single stack metal semi-auto, because the single stack fits smaller hands better and the heavier metal soaks up the recoil better than lighter plastic. Good luck.

 

Its not her first time shooting by any means. She uses my 9mm and .45 all the time. I definitely don't think she'll have an issue with recoil. My question was geared more towards reliability and ammo feeding etc. I do appreciate the input though, chris also said he believed the ppk was a bit snappy and that he preferred this model.

You know an STI spartan in 9mm might be right up her alley. They are known for reliability and accuracy, and the slim grip on a1911 can't be beat. The weight of an all steel gun makes the recoil negligible. And, imo only, there is a little more pride of ownership on a gun like that.

.380 is more of a self defense/pocket gun round. Are you looking for a slim type gripped gun? Maybe a Sig P225? Single stack 9mm.

The thing that turns me off from .380, the gun maybe cheap, but the ammo isn't. 380 is almost always more expensive than 9mm and usually a lot less in supply.

 

Also, I think anything less than 9mm is usually less versatile. So if she decides she wants to get into things like IDPA or other games, she wont be able to use that gun for it.

She likes the .380. I don't argue with her lol. It was her dime and her decision.

+1 for Lou's and for Chris - excellent place, excellent people. What about the Beretta 85 Cheetah (single stack - all metal .380) - it's a bit more pricey, but it's "the Cadillac of .380s" - can't go too wrong with the Walther though...

I find this very odd. Woman - wants - .357/.380...those words very rarely go together.

 

Other have stated similar things, but those are two completely different calibers. .357 is powerful and IMO not a round to shoot a lot or shoot a whole two hour shooting sessions with. It is also expensive. The good thing about .357 is you can shoot .38spc out of it which most women do find to be relatively enjoyable. .380 is snappy as hell in my experience, and is not cheap either. It's almost up there with .40 and .45, for a round that doesn't have great ballistics nor a lot of loads are offered in.

 

II don't know your wife so I can't say much there but I mean if she really wants either, I would have her shoot both calibers first and go from there. It could turn out bad to buy one or the other and next thing you know, she's turned off to shooting. I would suggest checking out 9mm, relatively less expensive than most common pistol calibers, there are TONS of different loads they make in 9mm, and most women enjoy shooting 9mm. There are also a lot more pistols to choose from in 9mm than .380.

 

Just saying...

+1 for Lou's and for Chris - excellent place, excellent people. What about the Beretta 85 Cheetah (single stack - all metal .380) - it's a bit more pricey, but it's "the Cadillac of .380s" - can't go too wrong with the Walther though...

 

That's the midget 92 series right? She looked at it. She didn't like the feel or the price of it.

I find this very odd. Woman - wants - .357/.380...those words very rarely go together.

 

Other have stated similar things, but those are two completely different calibers. .357 is powerful and IMO not a round to shoot a lot or shoot a whole two hour shooting sessions with. It is also expensive. The good thing about .357 is you can shoot .38spc out of it which most women do find to be relatively enjoyable. .380 is snappy as hell in my experience, and is not cheap either. It's almost up there with .40 and .45, for a round that doesn't have great ballistics nor a lot of loads are offered in.

 

II don't know your wife so I can't say much there but I mean if she really wants either, I would have her shoot both calibers first and go from there. It could turn out bad to buy one or the other and next thing you know, she's turned off to shooting. I would suggest checking out 9mm, relatively less expensive than most common pistol calibers, there are TONS of different loads they make in 9mm, and most women enjoy shooting 9mm. There are also a lot more pistols to choose from in 9mm than .380.

 

Just saying...

 

As I said before, very doubtful she'll be "turned off from shooting" as she is not a beginner. This is just her first pistol purchase. As for the. 357 vs. 380, like I said before as well, she wanted either a revolver (357) or a semi auto (380). It had nothing to do with the round itself. We already have a 9mm and a 1911. Those were her preferences.

She likes the .380. I don't argue with her lol. It was her dime and her decision.

 

Unless you need a pistol for concealed carry purchasing a .380 is just plain stupid.

 

Expensive ammo, less readily available, and less powerful.

 

There's really no discussin here.

 

 

Unless you need a pistol for concealed carry purchasing a .380 is just plain stupid.

 

Expensive ammo, less readily available, and less powerful.

 

There's really no discussin here.

 

My questions weren't about whether or not you like. 380. Thanks again. For contributing nothing

My questions weren't about whether or not you like. 380. Thanks again. For contributing nothing

 

It's not like or dislike issue "Ol' Smarty Pants". I was just pointing out the disdvantages of shooting .380 as a range gun..

 

380 does have it's place. And under certain conditions I would shoot one.

 

How much fun is it to cough up 18-20 bucks a box for range ammo?

 

If the 38/357 is an option go that way for a range gun.

 

If you knew all this why ask the question?

If she likes the gun then I don't see what anyones problem is. I guess it's cause shes a woman and its her first purchase everyone assumes she doesn't know how to handle a weapon?

If you're looking for a larger .380, try looking at the Taurus PT 58 HC - 15 round mags, Beretta 92-like dimensions and size, but slightly smaller - compact size really.

If she likes the gun then I don't see what anyones problem is. I guess it's cause shes a woman and its her first purchase everyone assumes she doesn't know how to handle a weapon?

 

 

If she's willing to kick in the extra cost of ammo, I would imagine the 380 could be a very enjoyable pistol to shoot in a full sized lower recoil pistol.

 

BTW it has nothing to do w/ gender. I know several woman that would shoot the pants off of both of us and I don't know YOU...

 

 

It's not like or dislike issue "Ol' Smarty Pants". I was just pointing out the disdvantages of shooting .380 as a range gun..

 

380 does have it's place. And under certain conditions I would shoot one.

 

How much fun is it to cough up 18-20 bucks a box for range ammo?

 

If the 38/357 is an option go that way for a range gun.

 

If you knew all this why ask the question?

 

Lol you point out things by calling it stupid? Haha ok then.

 

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/fiocchi-shooting-dynamics-380-auto-95-gr-fmj-50-rds.aspx?a=702486

Try $13 or less a box. I think I can swing that.

 

If you read my original post I didn't ask if this was good for the range. I asked if anyone had experience with it.

 

Thanks.

 

 

Harry uses USAAmmo .380 - works well through his S&W Bodyguard 380. $11/box

http://www.usaammo.com/380-Auto-100-gr-FMJ-New-Ammunition-Best-Prices--P217.aspx

Harry uses USAAmmo .380 - works well through his S&W Bodyguard 380. $11/box

http://www.usaammo.com/380-Auto-100-gr-FMJ-New-Ammunition-Best-Prices--P217.aspx

 

Thanks.

Lol you point out things by calling it stupid? Haha ok then.

 

http://www.sportsman...s.aspx?a=702486

Try $13 or less a box. I think I can swing that.

 

If you read my original post I didn't ask if this was good for the range. I asked if anyone had experience with it.

 

Thanks.

 

I'm glad you overcame the cost issue.

 

Correct you didn't say range but you said not HD. What's left? You're not shooting USPSA with it...

 

Really Get a 9mm, 38spl or 357. She will enjoy the versitility of the choice much more.

 

 

I'm glad you overcame the cost issue.

 

Correct you didn't say range but you said not HD. What's left? You're not shooting USPSA with it...

 

Really Get a 9mm, 38spl or 357. She will enjoy the versitility of the choice much more.

 

I asked nothing about the merits of its intended purpose. All I asked was if anyone had experience with THIS weapon. Like I said I have a 9mmshe uses all the time. She WANTED this one. She has no interest in gun games. They both shoot bullets. If she wants to carry this she can. Seem just as versatile to me if not more.

Lou's is the classic old style shop of the past.............very friendly, very knowledgable, very easy going and willing to do business.

 

Wouldn't go anywher else........and if you haven't been to Lou's, your missing out on the way guns shops were years ago......Very Nice.

While I have no first hand experience with this pistol, I've done some research and it appears she made a good choice - assuming the quality of the gun is on par with recent Walther offerings (read that: PPQ).

 

I think a lot of people jumped to conclusions when the .380 caliber was mentioned. I, too, thought that she'll be in for a surprise when she finds the recoil to be more than the 9x19 that she is familiar with. Lunker alluded to this also. That is because the majority of the .380 offerings are blowback design - meaning you not only have the recoil impulse generated from the cartridge, but there is nothing to delay that impulse transferring to the slide so you are dealing with the mass of the slide traveling faster than what we see with other types of actions.

 

This Walther, however, has a locked breech, so I would expect recoil to be less than a 9x19. The locked breech design also means that a lighter recoil spring is used, making it easier to manipulate the slide. A complaint often heard from women about semi-automatic pistols. It is also a medium sized pistol, on the scale of the Walther P22 with ergonomics that resemble other Walther offerings, thus should be good for smaller hands.

 

The cost of ammo aside, with which you seem to have already come to terms, I'd say she made an excellent choice. Of course, you know that I would have rather seen her get a revolver, but that's just me .

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

If the .380 feels good in her hands and she feels happy with her decision, then it becomes an easy choice for her. It's great that she wants to shoot. It will make future purchases for yourself easier down the road. Just imagine when it's anniversary time, and you say to your GF let's buy some guns for each other