Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

So a few weeks ago I purchased an XD .40 SC. I've had it to the range twice now and have had no issues. Only problem is, it's a pretty "chunky" gun (to me) for CC.

I have held (but not shot) the Walther PPK/S and Sig P238 .380's and they both feel really good, and are nice and slim. I think, for me, they might be a better option for CC - I'm curvy with lots of padding so slimmer is better . Plus I really like the 1911 style gun, and love the fact that it comes in a "micro" model.

Anyone have any experience with these two guns, or something similar? I've already made a $400+ mistake - I sure don't want to make a $600 one

Thanks guys!

Laura

I don't have a Walther .380 (or any .380, for that matter), but I do know that the Walther PPK .380 and the Walther P22 (in .22LR) have the same frame. Of course, the recoil will be different, but maybe see how the P22 feels?

I know some people are in love with Sigs. I personally don't care for the ones I've handled, but then I'm a lefty, and they are exceedingly difficult for me to manipulate.

If you're thinking about a Walther PPK, then go to shop or gunshow and take a good look at the Bersa Thunder 380. Every bit as good a gun, at about half the price. You should be able to get one for around $300, but the price is reflective of the Argentine economy, not the quality of the firearm. There are three basic versions of the Bersa Thunder 380: the 8 shot clone, a CC (concealed carry) model that has been "melted" (I don't like the sights on the CC), and a Plus model that uses the same slide but has a double stack magazine for 15 shots instead of 8. By the way, all the Bersa's are clones of Walther's (imagine that, an Argentine company making German clones ) but with improvements in ergonomics, etc.

I've had several Bersas for years and they are trouble free, and a very good value.

I've got a Sig P238. It is a very accurate pistol with minimal recoil issues. In fact, iut's the easiest pocket pistol I've ever fired to hit a target with. It does look like a 1911, and I particularly like the fact that it has a 1911-style hammer safety on it. But it is not a 1911. Even the relatively small grip does not cause serious issues in my big fat fists. You should always try to fire a particular model pistol before buying one, but if you're going to buy a pocket pistol, I recommend the Sig P238 without reservation. On the other hand, if you like 1911-style pistols, you might take a look at one of the Kimber Carry models. The Pro Carry II comes in 9mm, but it has a 4" barrel. The Ultra Carry IIs have a 3" barrel, but I'm not sure they come in 9mm. If Kimber makes a 3" barrel in a 9mm it might be your ultimate pistol. But it's gonna cost you $800-$1,100. You get what you pay for - sometimes. You may get less than you paid for, but dang seldom will you get more.

Normally I would agree that you get what you pay for, but I have to say that my five $300-$350 Bersas have all been flawlessly reliable, while my $900 Kimber UC II gave me all sorts of fits for the first 1000 rounds, and ultimately I had to get a reliability job done on it to make it work right.

I have the Walther PPS in 9mm. It is my preferred handgun for concealed carry as it is slim and compact with the 6rd magazine. I like the fact that you can get 7 or 8 rd mags as extra ammo backup but keep the 6rd mag for the smallest profile.

The PPS is incredibly accurate for it's size. My only issues are that because it's so thin, it's not the most comfortable gun. I put a hogue grip on and that helps a lot. This may not be an issue if you have small hands. The 2nd issue I have is that I'm more of a SA/DA guy and the PPS is glock-like with the trigger safety and striker fire mechanism.

These issues don't keep me from continuing to carry it and train with it. I have both an Uncle Bills appendix holster and a crossbreed mini-tuck. Either one is very comfortable and very concealable.

Where are you located? I'd be happy to let you shoot it sometime.

BW1911 wrote:Normally I would agree that you get what you pay for, but I have to say that my five $300-$350 Bersas have all been flawlessly reliable,

+1 The Bersa is the hidden gem of the .380 world.

The Sig 238 is based on the Colt Mustangs (I can verify that the mags ARE interchangeable!), and some of the parts can switch out...

That being said? I own a Colt Mustang for summer carry, and it's EXTREMELY comfortable, and ACCURATE! I cannot assess the SIG's accuracy as my girlfriend decided "Nuh-uh! I'm shooting it! You shoot THAT!"

It seemed accurate for her.

For $300 you too can own a Keltec PF9. Dispense with the .380s, the PF9 is a 9mm in a truly compact package. Mine feeds most hollowpoints, fits in my pockets, weighs about as much as my Droid. Very good sights. Available in a variety of colors.

my advise, ditch the .380 and get a subcompact Glock.

I carry my G22 or my G20, OC or CC with at least two spare mags. I sometimes carry my Colt Commander, but have always gone back to the Glock for simplistic purposes alone, and 15 rounds of 10mm awesomeness is nothing to scoff at.

Bottom line is really that the Glock is just the gun I shoot best at any range and with the most accuracy.

Don't get me wrong, pocket rockets have their place, but if I am going to carry something with limited capacity, it would be snub nosed .357 mag wheel gun vice something in .380.

If you are into the 1911 style and looking for something small, try the PARA warthog, ugly IMHO, but works for me.

Then again, .380 is better than no firearm at all.

My .$02

I think my biggest beef with the XD (besides the chunkiness) is the polymer frame. I really don't like the way it feels.

I checked out a couple J-frames yesterday - the Bodyguard 38 and the Airlight. They felt comfortable enough in my hand, but after reading reviews on lightweight revolvers in general, I don't think they're right for me either. Biggest issue was the lightweight frame not countering any recoil and really beating up the shooter's hands. Not good since I plan on doing a fair amount of practicing at the range.

The small frame 1911's (either .45 or .9) all seem to be out of my price range since I want to stick with American made (Colt, Springfield, Sig, or Walther (made in US by S&W) for non-1911).

So...
- no lightweight revolvers
- no polymer frames
- preferably not over $600

And that brings me back to the Sig P238 (or the original Colt Mustang) and the PPK. Funny thing is, the PPK was the first gun I put in my hand after deciding to get my CCW, and I really liked it. I guess it's time to do a real close comparison between those two.

Sold my little .25 Colt today along with an Ithaca model 37 12ga. Now I just need to unload that XD. Check the FS/Trade forum for info if you're interested

Laura

Walther PPK is a FINE weapon!

Beware of "Walther Bite" though... when your hand creeps up a bit, and the slide cuts two perfect lines on the web of your hand.

Laura.....2 questions:

Did you try out the XD at a range before buying one?

Did you try working with an instructor to see if perhaps a better/different grip may make the gun more agreeable to you?

Reverenddel wrote:Walther PPK is a FINE weapon!

Beware of "Walther Bite" though... when your hand creeps up a bit, and the slide cuts two perfect lines on the web of your hand.

I see it has a beavertail....guess because of it's small size the biting can still be an issue with larger hands. Thanks for the heads up tho!

ProShooter wrote:Laura.....2 questions:

Did you try out the XD at a range before buying one?

Did you try working with an instructor to see if perhaps a better/different grip may make the gun more agreeable to you?

I have to second ProShooter here that working with an instructor may make a difference-when i first tried a variety of guns at my intro to guns class i thought .40 caliber had too much kick -but after working with an instructor I ended up selecting the g23 glock in .40 as my handgun and frankly i was amazed that I ever thought .40 had too much recoil; it might be worth a lesson depending on the cost if you haven't ever had one before you go swapping guns -at some ranges as well the instructors will have access to a variety of rental guns which may allow you to try some different grip and feels out.

ProShooter wrote:Laura.....2 questions:

Did you try out the XD at a range before buying one?

Did you try working with an instructor to see if perhaps a better/different grip may make the gun more agreeable to you?

No, and no. We did kind of rush into that buy. Hubby loves his XDm, but he's never worked with handguns before, so had nothing to compare it to. Even though my prior experience was 20yrs ago, I guess the other guns I shot got so ingrained in me that it's now hard to stray from that.

You'd think that after 40+ years of living experience I'd be past compulsive purchasing

I know that you have said what you don't want, but have you tried a Px4 Storm compact or subcompact? The compact has a rotating barrel similar to the full size which help with recoil. The sub compact has more recoil with its tilting barrel design but is a great concealed option.

Riposite wrote:I have to second ProShooter here that working with an instructor may make a difference-when i first tried a variety of guns at my intro to guns class i thought .40 caliber had too much kick -but after working with an instructor I ended up selecting the g23 glock in .40 as my handgun and frankly i was amazed that I ever thought .40 had too much recoil; it might be worth a lesson depending on the cost if you haven't ever had one before you go swapping guns -at some ranges as well the instructors will have access to a variety of rental guns which may allow you to try some different grip and feels out.

I have shot quite a few other guns in the past (IPSC ~20yrs ago) including DE, Sig, Colt and both revolvers and semi's. From 22's to 45's. Never a polymer gun though, and I think that's my biggest beef with the XD. It didn't feel anything like any other guns I've shot before.

Hubby and I are definitely going to take a course in the next month or so. There's too much good info in them to pass them up!

[quote="Luna Never a polymer gun though, and I think that's my biggest beef with the XD. It didn't feel anything like any other guns I've shot before.

[/quote]

I wonder if aftermarket grips would change that for you?

Luna wrote: and I think that's my biggest beef with the XD. It didn't feel anything like any other guns I've shot before.

Hubby and I are definitely going to take a course in the next month or so. There's too much good info in them to pass them up!

I'll be happy to assist you guys with whatever training you need.