Finally gonna pickup my NIB Seecamp .380 tonight from the dealer!

[Glockboy]

I had ordered it about three years ago and tonight I get to finally pick it up! Will post photos and a range report at some point. A Seecamp .380 finally! From my research into the gun I have learned that while it is the smallest .380 semi handgun going, you pay for it with the firing experience which has been described by some as a "hand grenade going off in your hand". Does not sound like much fun, but then, I won't be shooting IPSC matches with it. Still waiting on Cabelas to ship (backordered) the recommended Winchester Silvertips to me so it will be while before I test it out. Waiting this long for a new toy makes the conclusion that much more exciting. Finally.

Chris

[Glockboy]

Well here is the little bugger. Picked it up last Thursday after years of waiting. Now if Cabelas will just ship the Silvertips I have had on backorder for months. Can't wait to shoot it.

http://photos.imageevent.com/magdump/submachineguns/websize/Seecamp%20380%20in%20hand.JPG

Here is a comparison with my other two carry guns:

http://photos.imageevent.com/magdump/submachineguns/websize/Three%20Carry%20guns.JPG

This little guy fits in a wallet holster which then fits perfectly in my pocket and the "print" looks just like a wallet. Awesome. I will give a report on the range trip once I get ammo for it. The manufacturer is very specific about the ammo that can be safely used with the tiny pistol and unfortunately, according to the manual, it does not look like I can raid my pile of .380 misc. ball machinepistol fodder and head to the range with it. In any event, it appears very well crafted and very high quality. Will advise.

[dave-t.]

Surely there is more than one factory load that will work in that thing, isn't there?

Neet looking piece btw, good luck with it.

[Glockboy]

Dave:

The manufacturer recommends only two loads at this time:

1) Winchester silvertips; and
2) Federal Hydrashoks

They warn against using ball ammo because of OAL concerns and because of bullet diameter concerns. Indeed some high quality HP loads, such as Gold Dot I believe, have been shown to have "fat diameter" bullets and have caused pressure problems, because the bullet is struggling to fit down the tight bore, and stressed this model to breakage in short order.

I would expect that if the bullet diameter is on the small side of the acceptable range, rather than on the large side, that I would be fine. I have quantities of about seven different 380 ball loads on hand and I tested each one by taking a cartridge and setting the bullet into the muzzle end to see if the cartridge dropped down to the case, as if it were normally headspacing in a 380 chamber, thereby indicating a "small" and therefore acceptable bullet diameter, or whether the bullet did not fit down the bore.

Five of the seven indicated bullet diameters in the large end of the spec range while two seemed plenty small enough and I have the little guy loaded with these until the Silvertips ship, if indeed they ever do.

CT

[swamp]

i like the S&W 642 for compact conceal carry... thats a nice looking 380...

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_764961_-1_757767_757751_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

[Glockboy]

Swamp:

I like your taste! I have practically the same thing, pictured above though mine has an aluminum frame that is corroding after all that carry. Nice and smooth gun. A great choice. You know that thing is going bang. And if it doesn't, no need to do the tap, rack, assess or clear the dud round crap, like with most semiautos. Just pull the trigger again and spin the cylinder to a fresh round! Good stuff.

CT