Charter Arms Pitbull .380. The Pit Puppy

[Will Carry]

I have a Smith and Wesson model 36. It is a great little 5 shot snubby. What's the biggest complaint from people after they shoot a snub nosed 38. "It's too snappy!"
Enter the Pitbull 380. A six shot cylinder, three inch barrel and the patented ejector for ACP casings, plus the 380 has comparable ballistics to the 38. That was my justification for buying one any how. I picked it up this morning and had a chance to run a few rounds through it. I was surprised at how smooth the DA trigger pull was and the cylinder gap is next to nothing. The lock up could have been a little tighter but it is within my tolerance.
The first shot I thought was a squib accept for the hole in the target. No recoil! It sounded kind of muffled too. Once I got the front site picture right I was able to make one jagged hole at around 5 yards in single action and keeping a nice saucer size group in double action. The recoil was so low I could crank out 6 rounds quicker than I could fire 3 rounds from my 38 special. I just cannot believe that this little low recoil puppy has similar stopping power to my 38 special but I have it loaded with 380 +P and will start carrying it. 380 +P, that sounds ridicules. Kind of like a .22 short magnum. My hope is that my wife will be able to trade in her 22 and use this little pitpuppy but I might just keep it myself. I have always wanted a Charter Arms wheel gun. 

 

[DaveTN]

36 minutes ago, Will Carry said:

plus the 380 has comparable ballistics to the 38. That was my justification for buying one any how. 

Really? That’s amazing, most of the time you see the .38SPl and the 9mm battling it out.

Good luck with your new gun.

Edited August 3, 2019 by DaveTN

[Quavodus]

I knew there was some .380 ammo now that is supposed to be better but, didn't know how much better.

[Will Carry]

22 hours ago, DaveTN said:

Really? That’s amazing, most of the time you see the .38SPl and the 9mm battling it out.

Good luck with your new gun.

I was using muzzle energy as a comparison, which doesn't really equate to stopping power all the time.   I am seeing 250 ft/lbs on some 380 ammo but that's taken with a grain of salt.  I have seen claims that 380+p have muzzle energy upward toward 300 ft/lbs.  Underwood 90gr +P claims 288 ft/lbs. Buffalo Bore has a 80 grain that claims 289 ft/lbs and their 100 gr +P is at 294 ft/lbs

But you know what I have learned about the wacky world of ballistics?......