Metal frame pocket pistol discussion

C

Charlie_K

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Jul 16, 2012
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So a while back I made a thread discussing the hypothetical situation of what handguns would be recommended if polymer had never caught on, and materials like steel and aluminum still reigned supreme.

Now I think it's time for another thread with a similar setting. Let's take the same setting and discuss it regarded small, subcompact, pocket pistols. What would be getting carried if this area of technology had never advanced past the early 90s, before subcompact 9mms and polymer materials didn't come along? No Glock 26 or subsequent models, no Ruger LCPs, no Kel-Tec P32, P3AT, no PF9, nothing of the sort. Would the .25 ACP and .32 ACP still be regarded as popular options if there were no .380 ACP options of similar size and weight? Would the products of Raven Arms and Jimenez Arms be seeing more widespread use?
 
Sig 938 and 238.
I'm quite sure S&W would have a subcompact single stack airweight in 9mm if there was no polymer.
 
CZ and Stoeger would have a bigger slice of the market. I would also suggest the Rugers, S&W, etc would have adapted.
 
The seecamp and NAA 32 and 380s are very nice. And of course j frame revolvers.
 
The Walther PPK .380 in alloy frame. The old Star 9mm in alloy frame. Neither were imported in any quantities after the Gun Control Act of 1968, didn't meet the points requirements. They were both very elegant but dated designs. There were quite a few European lightweight alloy framed pistols that never made it to our shores after 1968.
 
I like my Kahrs and will pickup an airweight one of these days (I have shot them at the range). That being said, if metal were still the standard, I bet these guys would still be in production:

H&K P7
800px-HK_P7_M13_%2820965360961%29.jpg
 
I've been dropping this little guy in my pocket for more than 30 years. It's not the most powerful weapon on earth but it's loud which at times is all you need and it's there.
S13ogEk.jpg
 
This scuffed up little guy has been a pocket companion on more backpacking/motorcycle/and road trips than I can count in the thirty something years I've had it. Loud enough and with a large muzzle flat, it gives me five rounds of CCI mini mags or stingers. It rides in my pocket an embarrassing amount of times.


Last year I put the Hogue oversize rubber grip on it and it improved shooting 100%. Other mini is the backup I bought because I liked the first one so much.


The standard 7 yards is pushing the little mini a bit. It's really designed for arms length use.


If I need a real gun, a little .38 worked well for me for almost 40 years.
 
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As far as autos go I like the Walther PPK in 7.65mm. I carried one for many years. The Beretta Models 81 and 84 were both excellent guns and the original Astra Constable was also a loverly little pocket pistol.
Insofar as revolvers go you simply cannot beat the alloy frame Smith J frames.
 
Roamad said:
Bersa .380 -- Fantastic value, alloy frame, very accurate & reliable.
Click to expand...

The one I have has prove to be very inaccurate, and very unreliable. I've been getting all manner of jams and misfunctions with it, despite the amount of cleaning I put into it, despite the number of rounds I've run through it, and despite which magazine I use in it.
 
Have you tried different ammo brands Charlie? I have one that has run like a champ for many a year, great trigger and very accurate, but picky about the ammo. Feed it what it likes and it goes bang all the time every time. Interesting thing about the Bersa seems like ya either like it or ya don't. We're a shooting family and shoot a lot. I love it, my stepson's girlfriend loves it. But not much love from others for it. I've even carried it as a primary sidearm at the ranch at times. Been out fixing fence as a tree had fallen and made a hole. got that fixed up and stopped at this old dead one to see if there were any knife handles inside this burl, (only a couple small ones):

sZq5fC3.jpg


My entry, besides the Bersa, in this category would be the Colt Mustang .380. Very nice gun:

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The wife will even let me borrow it on occasion!
 
Charlie_K said:
The one I have has prove to be very inaccurate, and very unreliable. I've been getting all manner of jams and misfunctions with it, despite the amount of cleaning I put into it, despite the number of rounds I've run through it, and despite which magazine I use in it.
Click to expand...

Send it in for service. Bersa is very responsive from what I've heard.

https://bersa.eagleimportsinc.com/b...es-the-warranty-for-my-bersa-pistol-last.html

Mine has been flawless and feeds & fires everything I give it.
 
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