Recoil comparison of Pocket 380's Only

[cw380]

Got into a discussion about the p380 recoil compared to the recoil of the cw380. That led to another discussion of the various ratings of recoil between the various 380 pocket pistols. Since neither one of us has fired the same list of pocket 380's, we couldn't come up with a decent rating for comparison of recoil (naturally it's opinion driven and not scientific so please leave out words with inertia, mass, etc). For instance I'd rate the p238 first as the lightest recoil in my list, then the Bersa Thunder 380 (not the Bersa Thunder CC 380), then the Ruger lcp (never fired the gen II so can't say). I left out my opinion on the p380 and the cw380 to see if yours is the same and I'm not just biased. If you can use some of these models and list them how you feel, plz do so. If you have only fired one model and it feels fine, moderate, harsh, plz list it as so. Add comments like standard ammo ok, +p miserable, etc. Thanks all.

[muggsy]

The recoil generated by a .380 auto cartridge is the same for all guns. Perceived recoil varies from gun to gun based upon bore axis height, weight, grip angle, etc. IMHO the perceived recoil on a Kahr P380 is low due primarily to the low bore axis.

[Popeye]

Certainly can't speak for all .380's, but the Recoil on my P3at sucks big time.
It's been a reliable little CC pocket pistol, but sure isn't a range toy that I put to many rounds through in a visit. I had a Bersa Thunder.380 that was pretty nice though.

[jocko]

Got into a discussion about the p380 recoil compared to the recoil of the cw380. That led to another discussion of the various ratings of recoil between the various 380 pocket pistols. Since neither one of us has fired the same list of pocket 380's, we couldn't come up with a decent rating for comparison of recoil (naturally it's opinion driven and not scientific so please leave out words with inertia, mass, etc). For instance I'd rate the p238 first as the lightest recoil in my list, then the Bersa Thunder 380 (not the Bersa Thunder CC 380), then the Ruger lcp (never fired the gen II so can't say). I left out my opinion on the p380 and the cw380 to see if yours is the same and I'm not just biased. If you can use some of these models and list them how you feel, plz do so. If you have only fired one model and it feels fine, moderate, harsh, plz list it as so. Add comments like standard ammo ok, +p miserable, etc. Thanks all.

know the cw380 was on the market yet. but IMOP the P380 an d cw380 are basically identical,so recoil will be exactly te same. With utter guns,nodoubt it will vary. I had some kel teck 380 and those bastards was not fun to shoot at all. My lcp ruger was identical to the Kel tek so I got the same results,,, only better reliability. the P380 IMO is the most pleaseing 380 to shoot in the sub sub category. I don't put the Bersa 380 in that category, but it is nice to shoot..

[JohnR]

My Sig P238's recoil is about equal to my K9's, if that rings anyone's bell. It does mine.

[Planedude]

Again, Opinions here.

I think my P380 has a sharp but very manageable recoil impulse. I kind of like shooting it and try and put at least 50 thru the little guy at each range trip.

My Son-in-law HATES the recoil of the same gun, with the same ammo... Shrug.

I grew up on big bores and warm mil surplus ammo, all He ever shoots are Glocks and .22s. Background clouds every opinion.

My P380 is my EDC gun anymore. I don't feel under armed and I hit the targets very well with it. Now if I ever run into a member of the Taliban, body armored and toting AKs I might very well develop a different opinion...:rolleyes:

Fun thread. Always wondered how others felt about the recoil of the "Mighty 380" in other brands of guns and coming from other backgrounds. :cool:

[JERRY]

the best shooting .380acp I ever owned was a colt mustang II. the locked breach design helps this a lot. it was easier to shoot than my sig 232 all stainless, which was a blow back pistol.

[Jeremiah/Az]

I can only compare the P380, the Colt Mustang & the Ruger LCP. The LCP has more felt recoil than the other two. The P380 & the Mustang feel close to me , but of course the Mustang is heavier.

[FLBri]

I, also found the Sig P238 to be tame in comparison to the P380.

[hardluk1]

Heres a chart to help compare the different 380's.
http://www.southernoutdoorlife.com/mouseguns/PocketAutoComparison.pdf

planedude Your son-in-law is not as tough as my 100lb 5'-3 daughter and she carrys ether has a Taurus tcp 380 she enjoys shooting and that's a more of a one handed 10oz pistol or a bersa CC 380

Jerimiah/Az Bit you did not know the new mustang pocket lite is several oz liter than the sig and about the same price for the guy that has to have a single action with a safety in the pocket. Not Me. DA trigger and noooo safety. Have fun with your choices.

I like kahrs and carry from a choice of 3 of them. None are 380's. I prefer the TCP 380 over the current group that's avalible .

[otium]

Recoil is not bad in the .380. To me the snap seems to make the gun feel like it is going to pop out of my hand more than anything, but I have not dropped it yet. Some folks might interrupt that kind of felt recoil as being a lot.

That is likely due to the small grip size and the gun's very light weight allowing for a very fast recoil velocity resulting in that snappiness that is felt.

However the 80-95 grain pill at the velocities we are talking about does not generate have enough free recoil energy to be considered "heavy recoil". Now on the other hand, recoil is definitely heavy with something like a 300gr 44 mag hunting load.

The recoil calculator shows a .380 90gr pill at 980fps in a 3/4 pound gun and comparing it to a 44M 300gr at 1100fps in a 5" gun. This 44M load would likely be considered heavy recoil by most experienced hand gunners.

380 44M
00.46 01.67 Recoil Impulse (lbs sec)
19.85 15.82 Recoil Velocity (fps)
04.59 13.20 Free Recoil Energy (ft/lbs)

[jeepster09]

Add the Galloway trigger [it fixes finger pinch] and 13 lb recoil spring on a Ruger LCP and you will have a great shooting and reliable gun. I have and love it. I did no other changes. Recoil is low and shoots great.

http://gallowayprecision.com/ruger-performance/lcp-performance-parts/

[berettabone]

I used to own a S&W Bodyguard semi..................the recoil was there, but I wouldn't consider it harsh...............just really hard to be accurate over 7 yds. It's one of the reasons I went over to Kahr. My MK9 is very accurate for it's size. It is more of a "snappiness" with the .380's. 44 mag is recoil.........10mm is recoil........454 Casull is recoil.