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You'll run accross those that say it's not good for the mag springs. I've had a Sig .40 for 12 years. it's been stored in the nightstand for all of those 12 years just the way you mentioned, it hasn't given me an ounce of trouble at the range.
I've heard both sides and would prefer to store it with a chambered round and full cartridge but needed ideas from those who are familiar with the .380
I've heard both sides and would prefer to store it with a chambered round and full cartridge but needed ideas from those who are familiar with the .380
I would agree, there's an old saying, an unloaded gun is a club. Well, don't know if it's old, or if anyone ever said it, but it sounds good
I've had my Bersa Thunder 380 for around 5 years, kept it loaded and chambered since day one, and again, no issues at the range.
I've heard both sides and would prefer to store it with a chambered round and full cartridge but needed ideas from those who are familiar with the .380
Depends - a DA automatic like a PPK, I would keep on the nightstand with a chambered round and hammer down, safety off.
A SA automatic like a Colt, I would probably go with an empty chamber, full magazine, intending to rack the slide to prepare for action.
A Beretta with tip up barrel, I might keep with a round in the chamber, hammer down, intending to **** the hammer to prepare for action.
Having written that - consider the beautiful simplicity of operation of a good DA revolver - you can **** the hammer manually if you need to, but you don't have to. If you wake up and see some guy with a hatchet right there next to you, just "front sight and pull through" -
I've heard both sides and would prefer to store it with a chambered round and full cartridge but needed ideas from those who are familiar with the .380
For bedside defense, I use a Micro Desert Eagle in .380, with jacketed hollow-points with a steel pin. Concealed hammer, no safety. Very nice gun, and tiny (you can carry it concealed just in your pocket). I bought it because the SO has tiny hands. The .38 has a little more kick, but still minor compared to the large bores. I formerly used a S&W 4506 (1911-style in .45), but those things are huge. It is now a 'safe queen'.
Depends - a DA automatic like a PPK, I would keep on the nightstand with a chambered round and hammer down, safety off.
A SA automatic like a Colt, I would probably go with an empty chamber, full magazine, intending to rack the slide to prepare for action.
A Beretta with tip up barrel, I might keep with a round in the chamber, hammer down, intending to **** the hammer to prepare for action.
Having written that - consider the beautiful simplicity of operation of a good DA revolver - you can **** the hammer manually if you need to, but you don't have to. If you wake up and see some guy with a hatchet right there next to you, just "front sight and pull through" -
Absolutely agree. A revolver is simple, effective, basically can't jam, and does its job.
(Going to look at a S&W Governor today... nothing like a 2 3/4" revolver that shoots .410 shotgun shells ;-)
Recoil perception will vary depending upon whether the loads are 38 special or +P.
The weight of the gun is a big factor. The LCR, one of the lightest 38 revolvers at 13 ounces, is very light but doesn't tame recoil well. However a S&W 442 at 15 ounces does. My Taurus 605 at 24 ounces tames recoil very well, but my SP101 at 25 ounces did not.
Trigger feel has a lot to do with control and follow up shots.
So the long and short is...It depends upon the revolver, your abilities/experience and load.
The 380 has the same issue. A Ruger LCP or Keltec P3AT is light and thin. It digs into the hand and it's NOT a soft shooting gun. A Sig P232, P238 or Bersa Thunder DOES shoot softly. They have wider handles which distribute energy over a larger surface area dispersing recoil very well. I have a P238 but I've shot the others. The P238 has the best feel regarding recoil. It's not existent and it doesn't even pop up for recoil. Again, it depends upon the load that you're using.
In the end: the deciding factors are:
1 Weight
2 Width of grip
3 Which ammunition you're using
If you are worried about recoil from a 38 or a 380 you should probably stick to airguns.
I own several in both calibers and consider them a notch above a 22 rimfire. I'll admit my S&W airweight in 38 with the stock wood grips bites a bit but so what.
If a person is going to shoot firearms frequently and well you need to get over fear of recoil. I accept it and almost enjoy recoil to a certain extent. I will admit there are extremes which are no fun. But certainly nothing in the 380 or 38 class.
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