Walther pk380. Any opinions?

[karder]

folks;
I am looking to pick up a .380 for those times when I just can't easily conceal a full size .45. Jogging, chores, or the really hot days, mostly a "weekend gun". I really like the sig 238, but it is a little more money than I want to spend right now. Besides, this is going to be a knock around gun. I don't want anything too small. The Ruger LCP is a bit too small for me to handle comfortably. The Walther pk380 seems about right. It is small, but not so small I feel like I can't quite get my hand around it securely. Do any of you have experience with this pistol? I am open to hearing other suggestions as well. Thanks in advance.

[gregthehand]

the Bersa is a nice little pistol and cheap!

[A-R]

the Bersa is a nice little pistol and cheap!

I agree. And it's about same size as the PK380 for less money ($279 + tax brand new at Academy).

I was disappointed when I saw PK380 at gun shop for first time. Didn't bust out any rulers or anything, but it definitely seems considerably larger than the Ruger LCP, Kel Tec, Diamondback, Kahr and other palm-sized pistols. In fact, I don't think it's that much smaller than my Walther PPS.

OK, so I checked Walther's site. The PPS is actually smaller in most measurements; and the original PPK is still smaller than both (though being all metal it weighs a bit more).

PK380
Height: 5.2"
Length: 6.5"
Width: 1.2"
Weight (w/mag): 19.4 oz.


PPS
Length: 6.3"
Height: 4.4"
Length: 6.3"
Width: 1.04" (width without slidestop lever and takedown buttons: .91)
Weight (without Mag): 19.4 oz.

PPK
Height 3.8"
Length 6.1"
Width 0.98"
Weight (without Mag): 20.8 oz.

[7075-T7]

I would "bite the bullet" (so to speak ) and get the P238. You Won't be dissapointed! It's a wonderful little pistol.

You'll never remember the extra $200 you spent, but you'll always remember a bad gun if you get one.

[gregthehand]

Well the Bersa is a good pistol and the extra $200 should get you about 5 rounds of hollow point ammo.

[A-R]

Well the Bersa is a good pistol and the extra $200 should get you about 5 rounds of hollow point ammo.

I'll sell you 10 rounds of .380 hollow point for half that. Seriously, I will.

[A-R]

to OP, what about a snub-nose revolver? S&W J-frame, Ruger LCR, Taurus? About the same size as the Walthers and Bersas, actually carries BETTER in a front pocket, IMHO, than either. With well-designed modern hollow point ammo and/or +P, .38 Special is a capable easily as good and most likely better than .380. Ammo is also a bit easier to come by.

[RPB]

Looks like I'm late, but was going to ask why you want such a big .380.

Smaller with more power in a PPK size is an FEG PA-63 (copy of a PPK, but with 9x18 Makarov ammo, slightly bigger bullet, slightly more powerful charge, half the cost of ammo, easier to find ammo) For $15.00 you can replace the stock FEG springs with Wolf springs and tame the recoil, total cost for pistol and springs, about $145.00 from CDNN (in Abilene)

Or if you must get a .380, look at the locked breech ones that the factory advises you to use .380 +P, instead of the ones where the factory says +P not recommended. (look at Diamondback if you don;t go with the $130.00 FEG)

.380 ammo = about 75 cents per round
9x18 Mak = about 28 cents per round

[karder]

Thanks for the responses. I know there are a lot of smaller options in .380, but I am not really comfortable shooting those. They are hard to get my hands around. I have a Ruger LCR, and I really like it, but it is my wife's gun and I don't like to take it with me, because she is most comfortable with it. I have thought about getting a second one and the Sp101 is also an option.
I am actually very interested in the FEG PA-63. I think that would be a really good option. I have a friend who is a gun dealer that can get me a new pk380 for $300. I really like the way it felt in my hand. I want to take a look at the FEG PA-63 though. I am currently carrying a Walther TPH when I want something small, and it is a pretty decent gun, but it is .22lr and I just wanted a little more bite, plus it is a bit too small for me to comfortably grip. I carry a .45 90% of the time but I want something that I can jog with and carry under a T-shirt if I run to the mall.

[Oldgringo]

As others have indicated above, .380 acp ammo is rather hard to come by these days whereas 9mm Luger seems to be available about everwhere - more or less.

Have you looked at a SA 9mm SC XD? They are the cat's meow as well as being the bomb.

[gigag04]

I would "bite the bullet" (so to speak ) and get the P238. You Won't be dissapointed! It's a wonderful little pistol.

You'll never remember the extra $200 you spent, but you'll always remember a bad gun if you get one.

This is really good advice. A bunch of my partners have Kel Tecs as BUGS and they consistently have problems with them. This made it a no brainer for me to go with the Kahr. Good luck in whatever route you go.

[RPB]

I wish the Microtech Archangel MCP 9mm (7 ounces) or the Bersa BP9CC were available ... <sigh> I hate waiting.

[HankB]

In the February 2010 issue of American Rifleman magazine, there's a test of nine (9) .380 pistols:

Kahr P380
Kel-Tec P3AT
Magnum Research Micro Desert Eagle
North American Arms Guardian
Rohrbaugh R380
Ruger LCP
Sig Sauer P238
Taurus 738 TCP
Walther PK380

With the exception of the $1150 MSRP Rohrbaugh, every one malfunctioned. Every one!

The closest I've personally had to one of these is a Kahr P9 . . . which was an awful little pistol, with numerous problems. From the test report in AR, it appears Kahr is still having difficulty making their polymer guns work.

[gregthehand]

I guess I should feel lucky. Knock on wood but my little Kel Tec .380 has never jammed with hollo point ammunition which is all I've ever shot out of it.