We step into the way back machine with this one – its been out of production for years and really getting hard to find – but it does give you an idea of the size of a .380ACP 1911 – about the only one of the bunch that looks as good ( or better ) than the Sig P232 . . . But I’m kind of a slut for 1911’s – just saying – LMAO!

Size wise there is not a lot of difference between them . . .

The Star is just a little bit taller . . .

This particular one I took a close look at in a previous post so I won’t really cover all the little details of it here . . .

I wouldn’t hesitate to carry any of the current production .380ACP 1911’s out there on the market today – there are some choices out there currently – the three that come to mind off the top of my head are Browning – Springfield – and of course, Rock Island . . .

Any of them will work for you – if .380ACP AND a 1911 pattern is where you want to go or be at with a defensive pistol.

This little Star just doesn’t get a lot of range time or carry time for the simple fact if it breaks – you are now involved in a parts hunt – or should I say safari – some of these old pistols are great – but when you have to pay to have a part hand built for them to maintain functionality- not so great.

We are going to take a look at one more current production .380ACP “pocket” pistol in this group of posts – the elephant in the room so to speak . . .

Have Fun! – Run the Gun! – and remember – Fish Heads are Cheap!!

North American Arms – you know – the tiny .22 revolver people – also manufacture 4 all metal semi-automatic pistols – 2 based on the .32ACP and 2 based on the .380ACP – this particular one is based on the .380ACP pistol and chambered in .32NAA . . .

Cute little thing – isn’t it?

Honey – have you seen my little Guardian pistol anywhere? It ranks right up with the KelTec P3AT for a stash gun for me . . .

Small footprint but chambered in .32NAA – LARGE Bang . . .

The .32NAA cartridge was originally built by Corbon – nowadays it’s available from Hornady – marketed under their “Critical Defense” label – and it is a burner . . .

1000 FPS muzzle velocity and consistent 1/2 inch plus expansion – averages 13 inches of penetration – actually makes it a very effective pocket cannon pistol – all that goody is achieved by bottle necking a .380ACP round down to .32 caliber and loading it up to still safe but higher pressures than you normally see in factory ammo . . .

A little smaller than even the KelTec P3AT ( a little thicker ) being all metal it weighs in at about 21 oz loaded – compared to about 10 oz loaded for the KelTec . . .

The recoil is stout but manageable but the muzzle blast is quite breath taking – and you get a pretty decent fireball out of it when you light it off – Here’s a triple tap . . .

Good bit of recoil / muzzle flash – but it’s not bad . . . The muzzle blast however is quite a bit more than you would think out of something this small . . .

The Glock you see on the bench in the video is a Glock20 with a 9×25 Dillon barrel – another bottle necked cartridge – 10mm necked down to 9mm – pushes 124 grain hollow points out at 1700 fps – a complete hoot! Might work on a post showing some bottle neck rounds – they have been around a long time – the 32-20 Winchester started in 1882 as Winchester’s first small game cartridge . . .

If the Guardians ever come back in stock I do recommend them without hesitation – very well built – good reliability – and get one in .380ACP – the ammo is a WHOLE lot cheaper than the .32NAA – with shipping the .32NAA is usually more than a dollar a round – and it’s not something you just pick up at your local gun store . . .

Have Fun! – Run the Gun! – and remember – Fish Heads are Cheap!!