Blowback vs. locked breech .380

[Mk42gunner]

Just wondering what your thoughts are on this subject.

A bit of background, I shot a Walther PPKs fairly extensively back in the early nineties and wasn't very favorably impressed. It shot okay, but seemed heavier than needed, plus I got slide tracks on the web of my hand. I pretty much ignored the .380 for a few decades.

Fast forward to a few years ago when we got constitutional carry here in MO. I tried a J Frame, also a bit heavy, couldn't find an affordable airweight, so I went looking for a .380. Tried a Remington Model 51, it pointed obnoxiously high in my hands and I didn't want to spend the going rate for a Colt Pocket Hammerless.

I ended up with a Sig P290RS with nitesites in .380. Should have got it in 9mm since it is so big, very similar to carrying a J Frame.

A year or so ago I found a Ruger LCPII, very comfortable to carry and to shoot. I would like nitesite, but it works.

Last month I found one of the aforementioned Colt's in .380, no finish and in pretty rough shape, but it does work acceptably.

I was surprised and how much more felt recoil the blowback Colt has over either of the recoil operated pistols.

Reading Outpost75's pocket pistol posts have gotten me curious.

Thanks

Robert

[Bigslug]

Seems like we're covering this in a few places. . .

Pretty much all the blowback .380's I'm aware of started life as .32's, and all I have tried are more comfortable to shoot in the original chambering. There are a few larger specimens out there, such as the FN 1910/22, that are closer to duty guns than pocket pistols, which are considerably less snappy. Pretty direct physics lesson really - if you want a lightweight slide and a recoil spring you can pull fully to the rear, the place the remaining energy goes in a blowback system is into the shooter's hand.

Big fan of the new crop of recoil-operated .380's for this reason.

[Greg S]

Have you looked/tried the Berea single and double stack 380s. Smooth recoil and accurate.

[rking22]

I like my 84 and find it very accurate. Have yet to play with the 81, but it’s getting warmer.
Picture is with the 84 and a RD 105 from a group buy, 3.1 of 231 best I remember. Wish I could take the occasional squirrel at home in Tn., this one was on a long weekend to friends out of state. Head shot, bang flop, an accurate 380 is adequate :)
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[onelight]

I like my 84 and find it very accurate. Have yet to play with the 81, but it’s getting warmer.
Picture is with the 84 and a RD 105 from a group buy, 3.1 of 231 best I remember. Wish I could take the occasional squirrel at home in Tn., this one was on a long weekend to friends out of state. Head shot, bang flop, an accurate 380 is adequate :)
257927
That picture is great , Squirrel hunting with a handgun is just a good time that comes with a dinner.:mrgreen: