Cobra .380 or .32 - Opinions? Issues?
I'm still looking for a decent and relatively inexpensive and small pocket sized pistol to carry for those times when my revolver or Kahr are not practical. What's the verdict on Cobra? Any firsthand experience with them?
I really don't want another Kel-Tec (my P32 was a nightmare) and the Guardian .32 and Seecamp .32 are too expensive for what I want. The Bersa Thunder .380 Concealed Carry is nice but still too big for my pocket. Ditto on the Beretta 3032 .32 Tomcat. Colt .380 Pocketlites are very expensive.
That leaves used AMT's, new Jimenez and new Cobra.
Any viable suggestions for me to consider?
I really don't want another Kel-Tec (my P32 was a nightmare) and the Guardian .32 and Seecamp .32 are too expensive for what I want. The Bersa Thunder .380 Concealed Carry is nice but still too big for my pocket. Ditto on the Beretta 3032 .32 Tomcat. Colt .380 Pocketlites are very expensive.
That leaves used AMT's, new Jimenez and new Cobra.
Any viable suggestions for me to consider?
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COBRA == Davis, Jenings, Imanez, just under another name..[xx(] 0 -
Are Mak's too big for you? The 9mm Makarov offer a little more punch than a 380, much more than a 32ACP.
I know you don't want to try it again, but FWIW I've had no problems with my P3AT Kel Tec. Many others will say the same. The size is just perfect as well.
My $.020 -
I've sold a ton of them in the store. They have a crappy return policy compared to the Hi Point (the other soooper cheap seller.) I have sent both types back to the companies for warranty repair....since they are both covered by LIFETIME warranties you would think they would both be the same.
Hi Point repaired the gun and returned it to the store within the month. Cobra took about three months to get any kind of response out of and about three more weeks to get the gun back.
I sell them new in the store for $139 every day. I can't say too much about a $139 gun brand new.....but it is a little heavier than it seems it should be for how small it is. An air weight revolver is chosen more often by those guns by people who know guns as a pocket gun.
I think anything is better than nothing. What about the NAA mini? I don't like the .22 a whole lot.....or the Beretta tip up guns???0 -
quote:Originally posted by Slow_Hand
I'm still looking for a decent and relatively inexpensive and small pocket sized pistol to carry for those times when my revolver or Kahr are not practical. What's the verdict on Cobra? Any firsthand experience with them?
I really don't want another Kel-Tec (my P32 was a nightmare) and the Guardian .32 and Seecamp .32 are too expensive for what I want. The Bersa Thunder .380 Concealed Carry is nice but still too big for my pocket. Ditto on the Beretta 3032 .32 Tomcat. Colt .380 Pocketlites are very expensive.
That leaves used AMT's, new Jimenez and new Cobra.
Any viable suggestions for me to consider?
You would be better off with the Kel-tec P32. I have a Cobra FS.380. The slide is extremely stiff, accuracy is horrible, and it is heavy for its size. I would definitely go with one of the others you listed. Even a Taurus PT25 would be better than a Cobra.0 -
What about a Phoenix Arms 22 or 25?[^] 0 -
quote:Originally posted by cubslover
Are Mak's too big for you? The 9mm Makarov offer a little more punch than a 380, much more than a 32ACP.
I know you don't want to try it again, but FWIW I've had no problems with my P3AT Kel Tec. Many others will say the same. The size is just perfect as well.
My $.02
I can't speak for the P3AT because I never shot one, let alone owned one. Obviously, enough LEO's own them as BUG's so I have to say that they must know something I don't.
I do know that the slide on the P3AT is designed to NOT stay open after the last round is fired which is the specific problem I had throughout my ownership of the P32.
The slide spring would pop off the plastic ledge, the slide would not stay open as it was supposed to, the sides of the plastic body would bulge outward and I'd be dry-firing it unless I counted shots. Tried all sorts of remedies and fixes and even had new pieces shipped N/C from the factory, all to no avail.
But, I'm not foolish enough at this point to ignore the P3AT altogether. Thanks!0 -
quote:Originally posted by Locust Fork
I've sold a ton of them in the store. They have a crappy return policy compared to the Hi Point (the other soooper cheap seller.) I have sent both types back to the companies for warranty repair....since they are both covered by LIFETIME warranties you would think they would both be the same.
Hi Point repaired the gun and returned it to the store within the month. Cobra took about three months to get any kind of response out of and about three more weeks to get the gun back.
I sell them new in the store for $139 every day. I can't say too much about a $139 gun brand new.....but it is a little heavier than it seems it should be for how small it is. An air weight revolver is chosen more often by those guns by people who know guns as a pocket gun.
I think anything is better than nothing. What about the NAA mini? I don't like the .22 a whole lot.....or the Beretta tip up guns???
Had an NAA mini-magnum up until a few weeks back when I traded it in and my Airweight is truly great but the butt end will still stick out noticebaly from the pockets of several of my dress pants and I can't risk that. The NAA Guardian 32 is probably a very good alternative to the Seecamp 32 but they're both still pretty expensive for the caliber and my purpose. The Beretta Tomcat is too thick for my pockets as I'm just a tad "fluffy" around the edges, i.e. a chubster.
Also, since I already shoot .357, .38 Special, 9mm and .22LR AND my wife shoots .32 and 9mm, the .32 makes a bit more economic sense over the .380. One less caliber but it's not going to be the deciding factor.
But hey, I'm relatively new to the world of guns and I'm open to suggestions from you more experienced folks. And I appreciate the advice and help.
So, are Hi-Points small in size and readily available if I wanted one?0 -
quote:Originally posted by cubslover
What about a Phoenix Arms 22 or 25?[^]
Seems to be too small a caliber - no? I had a .22 mini-magnum and pretty much everyone said it was, at the very best, a belly gun and nothing more. So, although it performed very well at the range and was a weightless joy to carry in my pants pocket, I surmised it was inadequate for self-defense and so I traded it in.
From what I have read about the .25ACP caliber, it, too, is more of a "go ahead and really p*ss off your attacker even further" type of round.
I truly don't know as I have never owned or shot one.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Slow_Hand
So, are Hi-Points small in size and readily available if I wanted one?
No offense SH, but I hope you're kidding. If you have 9mm readily on hand, try Kel Tec's P11.
They can be had well under MSRP.
http://www.kel-tec.com/p11.html
Also look at the 14oz Kahr PM9. Combat handguns said it was quite possibly the best small pocket auto.
http://www.kahr.com/new_pm9093.html0 -
quote:Originally posted by cubslover
Are Mak's too big for you? The 9mm Makarov offer a little more punch than a 380, much more than a 32ACP.
I know you don't want to try it again, but FWIW I've had no problems with my P3AT Kel Tec. Many others will say the same. The size is just perfect as well.
My $.02
Yeah, the Makarovs - although very nice and well-touted - are too big for my needs. It's a bit of a shame because I've read so many terrific things about them, especially the Polish version.0 -
Hi Points are gigantic cast metal monsters that are about the same size as a Glock....and single stack mags for all that size. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Locust Fork
Hi Points are gigantic cast metal monsters that are about the same size as a Glock....and single stack mags for all that size.
Giant is an understatement....
The ejection port is at the same height as most guns, except the slide continues, they actually eject(and I use that word loosely) out of the side of the slide.
This is NOT my gun.
Monstrosity is more like it.0 -
quote:Originally posted by cubslover
quote:Originally posted by Slow_Hand
So, are Hi-Points small in size and readily available if I wanted one?
No offense SH, but I hope you're kidding. If you have 9mm readily on hand, try Kel Tec's P11.
They can be had well under MSRP.
http://www.kel-tec.com/p11.html
Also look at the 14oz Kahr PM9. Combat handguns said it was quite possibly the best small pocket auto.
http://www.kahr.com/new_pm9093.html
Cubs, I hate to say it but I wasn't kidding. I have never seen a Hi-Point, let alone shot one. I told you this morning that power tools were my forte.[;)][:D] I wasn't kidding.
I already have the PM9 and the Kel-Tec P11 is just a tad bigger than that. The PF9 is similar and basically a "push". Although the Kahr is light and small, it still needs a reasonably deep pocket for CC, especially when carried in a pocket holster which, last count, numbered 11 or so.[:0]0 -
Yeah, we're exchanging opinions all over the place today. 0 -
I'm short and fat and I've been carrying a TomCat(tilt barrel, Beretta, .32 ACP)for years, and it fits nicely in any pocket I've got - including most of my shirt pockets, and all of my inside jacket pockets.
D.0 -
I'd vote for the DAO version of the AMT 380 Backup every time.
DAO, it has a hammer strike every time.
DAO is not wimpy like the SA model, not as skinny and with that ineffectual grip safety
[on some models]. True, a slimmer model might be better, but not by sacrificing the DAO hammer.
It fits nicely in the back pocket, is available for a couple hundred bucks, and is all stainless.
If you get one, a hundred bucks or less will get you a check-up with High Standard, new springs, complete safety check, from the Texas company now making that brand. They will not send back a gun that is not 100%. And as a carry gun, what could be more important?
I've had a safe full of carry guns, but this is the most reliable of them all, in it's size.
I had the Tomcat, but didn't like the tilt barrel. The Colts? Only the SA model, but again, I don't want a SA in a gun that might not get fired and cleaned regularly.
An older AMT with a modern checkup is a great choice.0 -
HI-POINT==Boat Anchor. 0 -
I would save my money, rather than waste it 0 -
quote:Originally posted by cubslover
quote:Originally posted by Slow_Hand
So, are Hi-Points small in size and readily available if I wanted one?
No offense SH, but I hope you're kidding. If you have 9mm readily on hand, try Kel Tec's P11.
They can be had well under MSRP.
http://www.kel-tec.com/p11.html
Also look at the 14oz Kahr PM9. Combat handguns said it was quite possibly the best small pocket auto.
http://www.kahr.com/new_pm9093.html
Better yet a new PF-9.0 -
I would just get a BARLO. 0 -
I like my old Gen. one AMT Backup 380. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Cubslover G16
IFWIW I've had no problems with my P3AT Kel Tec.
Same size as your .32.
Truncated cone = no problems.
6 inch group at 21 ft.
Once I went to the truncated. No issues at all. But get the floor plate finger extension. Or you won't be able to hold on to it.0 -
2007? I wonder what he ever went with?[:0] 0 -
Stay away from Cobra and Hi Point please.. 0 -
I need more time to think on this.
[?]0 -
I know you said not a Kel-Tec but I do have a couple years experience with my P3-AT.
I bought one used and had FTF / FTE problems right away. Was new to online gun buying and should have asked for better photos. The wear and tear and dirt did not show in poorly lit pics.
I sent it back to Kel-Tec.
What they returned was a new gun with the same serial number. I mean 100% new, they numbered a new frame. This gun has been perfect out of the box. Not the least problem. Not with any ammo I've tried. Hundreds of rounds and not one FTF / FTE.
I'm short, I wanted a pocket gun for easy concealment. In this holster it disappears completely. Any imprint looks like a wallet. Photo is the side agsint your leg. Angle of the image makes it look like part of the gun sticks up above, but that's just the angle of view.
Other than that consider a wheel gun. S&W 36 or Charter Arms Off Duty are typical.
I have owned and carried a Russian made Makarov in 9x18mm. Liked it, but heavy and a bit large for a pocket gun. Especially if you are short. Sold it to finance my other guns.
Owned an AccuTek .380 for a long time. All stainless steel. Did not shoot it much because the trigger was awful, pinched my finger on every shot. That and it was heavy enough to build up some swing as a pocket gun, had to carry strictly in a belt holster. Should have worked on that trigger, just never got around to it. Sold it too.
Brother still has his AMT Backup .380 he bought when they first came out. Still likes it but he's so partial to cowboy guns he carries something "vintage" mostly.0 -
quote:Originally posted by 427cobra289
I need more time to think on this.
[?]
I did not see the age of the original post [B)]
Clearly, the OP is well and truly passed from old age. [;)]0
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