We’ll look at one more pistol in about the same size as the P232 that’s not in .380. The Radom P64 is a decent copy of the Walther PPK – not anywhere close to the finish of the PPK that was the pattern Radom used – chambered in 9×18 Makarov – which is just about ALL you want power wise in a direct blow back without going to a locked breach/tilt barrel arrangement – the only other way around it is something along the lines of a Hi Point where slide mass is used to mitigate recoil . . .

The P64’s were a great deal at the peak of the import bump – eg – they start with a dribble /pricey – then they come in by the boatload and they are cheap – then the supply dries up and they become pricey again . . .

The P64 started at about $300 bucks – dropped to about $200 bucks – and could be found for less – now they are $500 bucks and up if you can find them . . .

Here it is hiding under the Sig . . .

And on top of the P232 – just about the same size . . .

I’m not going into the gory details on the P64 simply because it’s just not readily available anymore – you can find a lot out about the P64 on various forums – again not going into a lot of detail here – except – if you run across one DO NOT DRY FIRE IT! – the P64 has a propensity to break firing pins when dry fired – use snap caps! – Mr. Snap Cap is your friend . . . ( 9×18 Makarov snap caps are out there – just hard to find )

Right after this will be a post with two videos from Paul Harrell – one on several different firearms chambered in 380 and one on different types of 380 ammunition . . .

The next 6 firearms we look at are all roughly the same footprint as the P232 and are chambered in 380 – 4 are readily available current production – one is long gone but it’s cute as Hell – and one – the Taurus Curve – is still available but Taurus is scaling production back to make other models – the next “P232 Compared to . . .” video will pick up with the Taurus Curve ( and it’s raspberry not pink! – LMAO ) . . .

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

If – and it is a big if – you can find a Sig P230 or P232 at a decent price – which in today’s market puts you in at about $800 bucks entry level ( and they go up from there! ) are they worth it??

They are smooth shooting – easy to conceal – and good looking pieces – They are FUN to shoot so you will tend to practice more with it than with an itsy bitsy teenie weenie .380 – for instance – KelTec P3AT – great little pistol – however it beats the snot out of your hand . . . You will tend to not practice with it – and accuracy with a marginal round such as the .380 is a necessity – you really need to put the rounds where they need to go – and that ability to do that consistently comes with – wait for it – PRACTICE – Damn Bruce! – There you go with that P word again!!

For the most part we are going to look at pistols ( and a revolver or two ) that are about the same “footprint” as the Sig – caliber wise until the later posts in this mess I will stay in the 380/9mm/.38 area . . .

And for no other reason than I had these pics ready – I’ll start with the Smith & Wesson 642 . . .

If the entirety of this was a beauty contest – the P232 just won best of show . . .

Size differences are minimal – the 642 is a little thicker due to the cylinder . . .

The P232 can almost hide behind the 642 – and yes I know the 642 is loaded – the rule – “Treat every gun as if it is loaded” – is true around here – because if they are “out” – they ARE loaded – and no – we have no children around here – the last time any were brought over it took about 20 minutes to get all the firearms gathered up and secured – then the parents had to sign the waiver – “Any children left unattended will be sold to the circus” – and then the children were allowed in . . .

And the 642 can just about hide behind the P232 – Damn that Sig is a good looker!

Caliber wise?? – the .38 Special walks away with the giant stuffed panda bear – compared to a .380 – there is really no comparison – But Bruce – I have 95 Grain Super Duper Elephant Killer rounds in my .380 – Why they are coming out at a blistering 1000 feet per second!! – The 642 with the Ergo Grips comfortably shoots the old FBI loads – 158 Grain Semi Wad Cutter Gas Check hollow points at 946 fps ( that’s averaged with a chrono on a 25 shot string ) – but we are comparing kiwi fruit and pears – the firearms themselves – P232 – 7 rounds in the magazine + 1 in the chamber is 8 rounds – much quicker reload with a magazine – better sights – smoother shooter – dare I say an elegant looking pistol – and of course I make it look better. . . LMAO!

The 642 carries better in my pocket – YOUR actual mileage may vary – but for me the 642 just “fits” correctly in my pocket – and the 642 can be fired from inside a jacket pocket – and no – I don’t recommend you doing that without a LOT of practice – ( the Goodwill store is your friend – LOL ) and the part I found interesting in the linked video is that he managed to empty the magazine on the semi-auto from inside the jacket pocket – I have never managed to get more than 3 rounds down range without an auto loading pistol malfunctioning!

I started with the 642 simply because I had the pictures already taken for a different purpose – someone wanted to see the size difference . . .

I will get into the lock boxes and get pics this weekend and give you folks a look at the P232 compared to some other .380’s – now enough of this internet crap – get your happy ass to the range and PRACTICE! – tell your boss you have to leave work early to go shooting and I said that it’s OK!

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