colt government 380?

midwestpredator

midwestpredator

Active member
Been looking at a couple of different .380 handguns. One is a sig p238 and during my research I came across the colt 380 government.

I like that it has one more round in the mag and just a hair longer in the grip, since I have not held one im guessing it would be just enough to get the pinky on the grip.

Anyway, wondering if anyone has or has had each of these and can weigh in on the pros and cons.

Not interested in the 380 isn't big enough, main purpose would be a plinker for the wife so im not looking for a hand cannon.
 
I believe that is the Colt Mustang? Only one that comes to my mind. They are darn close to the sig P238. Haven't shot them, but handling wise they are very nice.
 
I bought the wife a Glock 42 for Christmas and she loves it. She's petite and it fits her hand nicely. And with the typical Glock trigger, it's a joy to shoot. I CC a S&W 380 Bodyguard and while I do very much like the gun, the trigger pull cannot compare to the Glock.
 
The 380 Government is a tad bigger than the mustang & a great pistol. Just big enough to shoot well & small enough to conceal well. In it's age it was TOL. Now days there are more powerful pistols in nearly the same frame but if your looking specifically for a 380, don't mind the SA, it will be prefect. They shoot VERY well. If you can find one, you won't regret the purchase.
 


I went thru the same thing so I bought a Browning model 1955.
It is a good investment, grip safety and it is all steel.
Last it is a Browning.
 
I haven't put my hands on the Colt, but I can tell you that if you get the longer mags for the P238, you should be in good shape. I'd say I have pretty "normal" sized hands (L to XL glove) and I can comfortably get my whole paw around the P238 with the longer magazines.
 
Originally Posted By: DesertRamI haven't put my hands on the Colt, but I can tell you that if you get the longer mags for the P238, you should be in good shape. I'd say I have pretty "normal" sized hands (L to XL glove) and I can comfortably get my whole paw around the P238 with the longer magazines.

Same with me on the P238 comments.
 
Here is another thought. I had a Ruger LCP for a while. I just didn't like having a .380. Now Ruger makes an LCR in .357. Make your carry load a 357 and practice with .38. It is about the same size as the colt or Sig. A little thicker because of the cylinder. Now I not under estimating the 380 but you have a lot better chance of stopping someone with the hydrostatic shock from a 357 vs a 380. Just my .2 cents Plus you can also carry it as a woods sidearm
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Sorry just saw the whole post. Honestly forget the .380 all together. I have had a few. My lady hated shooting the .380 because of the snap in the tiny pistols. Now I gave.her my shield 9mm and she will shoot that all day. Honestly if you can go to a range that lets rent pistols out do that. I bet she would love the shield 9mm. Ammo is cheaper and WAY easier to find than .380
 
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Thanks for all of the input guys. I am sort of up in arms with what to get her. We went out and I had her handle 15 or more different handguns to see what felt good in her hands. The top choices were Glock 42, ruger sr22, sig p238.

I intiatally was just thinking of getting her a 22lr but its tough to find ammo right now and although that may change I started looking at the 380. Now she has no problems shooting a 4" 1911 but reaching the controls is not the easiest for her and she does get tired of shooting it after a couple mags. Same goes for the FNX-9, cant reach controls comfortably but she can shoot it more than the 1911.

Brandon that is exactly what im worried about. my biggest concern with the p238 is that being so small it will be too snappy for her liking and will end up not wanting to shoot it very often. I did have her handle a M&P shield and XDS and she did not like them.

As far as a wheel gun, she has never liked the feel of them so she wont even pick one up anymore

With the glock, I dunno what to say. She never liked the long heavy trigger of the sr9 I used to have and I didn't care for it either. I also don't like not having a physical safety but I think it would maybe be a bit easier for her to shoot comfortably over the sig.

I did have her handle a kimber micro CDP in 380, although I loved it she liked the sig better so Im not sure she would like the colt 380 or not but they sure do look sweet. What worries me is lack of parts if something is ever needed and from reviews the sights are garbage and takes a smith to fit aftermarkets.

Since she seemed to like the 1911 style better I had her fondle a Springfield EMP but again she went back to the sig. So Im thinking I will wait a couple more days and take her back to handle a few of them again to see if she still gravitates towards the sig. The best would be to find one for her to shoot but there are no ranges here that rent firearms and I don't know anyone who has one so I may just have to bite the bullet and buy one. Worst case scenario it will have to get sold or become mine if I don't mind shooting it. The extended mag is definitely something that I would want to add.
 
You can always get her a 1911 in 9mm. Or get her the Ruger 22/45. Buying ammo online is the best. A few places I buy ammo from are SGammo.com, bulkammo.com, freedom munitons etc. Never seen someone not like the Shield or XDS. But honestly probably getting her something in 9mm would be the best. Soft recoil, ammo is every where. Plus is she ever decides to carry it you won't have to go get another one.
 
HAVE YOU LOOKED AT THE RUGER LC9S? ITS A LITTLE LARGER THAN THE LCP AND MAY NOT BE AS PUNCHY AS THE 380. WITH THE STRIKER FIRE THE TRIGGER IS NICE AND CRISP. ANS AS STATED PREVIOUSLY, 9MM ARE A LOT EASIER TO FIND AMMO. AM LOOKING AT GETTING ONE MYSELF
 
All of the women in my family carries and some have been since Texas first came with CC. I'm talking inlaws, nieces, great nieces, aunts and cousins. My observations have been:

If the woman shoots a lot she will be more inclined to pick the 1911 style guns. That being one with a safety and a hammer. Kimber Ultra Carry, Sig P238, Sig P239 and others like this.

If a woman shoots occasionally she will pick something more simple like the Ruger Bodyguard or now several have the Glock 42. A hammer to these gals confuses them when you start to pressure them to speed things up a bit. In other words when you pull and release the slide you are through except for pulling the trigger. It's ready right now!

I've shot them all and now I really like the Glock 42. Surprisingly accurate, small with little recoil. For a strickly 1911 guy this was a hard thing to say.
 
Got a girlfriend a Colt Mustang years ago when they were one of the only truly small handguns going. In hindsite, I feel I messed up for her uses. I'm sure she wanted it becuz it was so small, lite wt. and easy to conceal and hold. I say I messed up becuz for her, had she carried it like she should have, being a single action it should have been carried in a waist holster, cocked and locked if you want a round ready to go with one hand (think female being accosted from behind and only having one hand available). That REALLY limits the options for carry. I feel a number of the modern double action or striker fired pistols are better in that regard, allowing pocket, waist, purse, etc. carry ready to go safely. JMHO.
 
Originally Posted By: midwestpredator

Not interested in the 380 isn't big enough, main purpose would be a plinker for the wife so im not looking for a hand cannon.



Don't get the Mustang.
They are a very high quality heavy-duty solid steel .380 SA that would be suitable for a grown man with strong hands.
 


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