The Rohrbaugh Forum
Miscellaneous => Other Guns => Topic started by: mshechte on April 03, 2007, 12:37:09 AM
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Not too long ago, my attention was grabbed by sweet lookin' Guardian 380, and she is still around. Now there is a Beautiful Seecamp 380 that is wooing me to reach for my wallet. What to do? So many Guns...so little time.
Both of these little Gems are rather hard to come by in my neck 'o the woods, and one is priced a bit more than the other but still do-able. I need some guidance. I'd ask my wife but she would jusy give me that look... >:(
Mark
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I wouldn't buy either one of them but that is just me.
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Not too long ago, my attention was grabbed by sweet lookin' Guardian 380, and she is still around. Now there is a Beautiful Seecamp 380 that is wooing me to reach for my wallet. What to do? So many Guns...so little time.
Both of these little Gems are rather hard to come by in my neck 'o the woods, and one is priced a bit more than the other but still do-able. I need some guidance. I'd ask my wife but she would jusy give me that look... >:(
Mark
I own the Seecamp and love it easy to conceal and beautiful.
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Mark:
Even though I value my G380 about as highly as any gun in my collection, it has been given a lot of personal attention -- "melted," high-polished, Gutter Snipe tritium sights, fish-scale slide serrations, sterling grips, engraved monogram, a variety of Hedley holsters, etc. It's also unusual in that it is one of the so-called "Early Birds," being the 64th G380 produced. I now have more invested in it than the cost of an LWS380, which is smaller and lighter. If you have to choose one or the other, I would go for the Seecamp unless you plan to customize the pistol -- and there's not much to do to a Seecamp other than have it engraved and perhaps add some custom grips. I plan to get a Seecamp .380 myself one of these days.
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Go with the Seecamp....I value mine as much as other precision instruments that I own.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v250/flyandscuba/LWSBreitling.jpg)
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Fly, Ok now you have too many Breitlings! ;D I have an Aerospace as well. Tom
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Get the Seecamp! It is a work of art. :o
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>>I own both a Guardian and Seecamp in .380. I had to wait a YEAR for the Seecamp, so if you are inclined for that gun don't dilly dally. And of the two guns out of the box I much prefer the Seecamp...one major reason being the fact the Seecamp is so much lighter than the Guardian (~14oz with full clip on Seecamp & ~21oz on Guardian, full clip). Believe me - being 7oz lighter the Seecamp means you are much more likely to keep it on you...or perhaps better said - there have been numerous times I have NOT carried my Guardian in a pocket because it feels so heavy for such a small pistol.
That all said... I am eagerly awaiting for my Rohrbaugh .380...! And based on the look and feel of the R-9...I highly suspect the R-.380 will become my favorite .380 to carry...and I have quite a few .380 pocket guns. Eric keeps teasing me about the R-.380 because he knows how badly I want one. The last I heard from him he asked "When do you want your R-.380...?" My quick response was "YESTERDAY"...and of course I haven't heard one word more about it since. Last I heard the R-.380 will be available in June or July...which isn't a long time to wait.
Sooooo...if I were you...as much as I like both the Guardian and especially the Seecamp - I would wait for a Rohrbaugh .380 to become available if you are looking for the Cat's meow in a .380...TW<<
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What's up Tracker? Why do you feel that way? They both appear to be fine pistolas, in fit and finish. Please let me know for curiosity's sake.
Thanks to all who replied...I don't know. I should just flip a coin. They're both on my "Gotta Have" list.
Later, Mark
P.S.- I think I need a bigger Safe :-/
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* * * P.S.- I think I need a bigger Safe :-/
Now you're talking, Mark! 8)
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I think you will find that the fit & finish of the Seecamp is far better than the NAA 380.
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I personally have no experience with the NAA..
But I have with the Seecamp,both .32 and .380..
I highly recommend the Seecamps!! ;D
Brenden
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Mark,
The main reason is that I own a 1965 PPK and am very
happy with it. I just have no reason to own another .380.
Secondarily, I am influenced by Teddy Jacobson's opinions,
even though I made an exception with the Rohrbaugh.
You might check his blogspots and websites to see what
I mean. On the other hand, there are a lot of Seecamp
afficianados which is a compelling endorsement.
Check his comments on actionsbyt.com and you can make
your own decision. I personally have no experience with
either but would go with the Seecamp based on the
comments here.
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I personally own a Guardian .380 that has been customized by the NAA custom shop and by Teddy Jacobson. I don't own a Seecamp but have been researching the .380.
NAA Guardian advantages:
1) You can get it quickly.
2) It will digest anything within reason.
3) It is built like a tank. Shoot it as much as you want without worry.
4) Many good sight options through the NAA custom shop.
5) NAA has excellent customer service if anything goes wrong.
NAA disadvantages:
1) Built like a tank. It is pushing the upper limit in terms of weight for a pocket gun.
Seecamp advantages
1) Lightest weight .380 you can buy that also has a reputation for reliability.
2) From what I understand, quality is top notch.
Seecamp disadvantages
1) Only a few types of ammo will function 100%, and even with these, Larry Seecamp recommends testing individual lots. The one magazine test I read indicated extreme ammo sensitivity issues.
2) Very heavy recoil.
3) Heel clip style magazine release makes clearing certain malfunctions much more difficult if they do occur.
4) No sights or way to install sights.
My NAA .380 is my single most often carried gun. It is my choice if I need a pocket gun as a primary gun. The Seecamp would be more my choice if I were looking for a backup gun.
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Thanks, Given all of the quality info I have recieved over the last few Days on this subject, I have made my choice. I went with the Seecamp for a few reasons. First and foremost was availability. Since they are so hard to find in the first place, and this one was available to me now, I went for it. After years of haulin' Colt .380's around, the wieght of the Guardian wasn't even an issue with me, and it will be next on the "Must Have" list. I should have the Seecamp by the end of the week since it is coming to me from Nebraska, and I'll let you all know how she runs. Thanks again to all who responded.
Later, Mark
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Mark, I feel you made an excellent decission.
I find the Seecamp 32, and .380 and the R9 and R380 are both in line with one another as far as function goes, ie., the mag release, DAO, quality and feel. Both have issues due to ammunition.
The best reason to buy either or both of these pistols is what you get from the company as far as backing goes. Both companies are easy to deal with because they are small.Quick turn around time if there is a problem, and if you call, they know about your gun off the top of their heads, no need to look it up on a computer.
Please also visit the Seecamp forum and let us know how you like the LWS when you have had a chance to give it a try.
Recently I shot both my R9 and LWS 380 without any problems using Gold dots in both pistols.
20 rnds each pistol.
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Chameleon, I've always used Gold Dots in all of my Self Defense Pistols. Except for at home in my nightstand Guns I always use the Mag Safe Defenders, just to eliminate the whole over penetration thing.
I can't wait to get my hands on that LWS 380, and if the stars stay lined up, I'll be picking up a LWS 32 as well. When it rains it pours ;D.
As far as the Seecamp Forum goes...I have already been there just looking around, and I see alot of familiar names over there. I had to double check to make sure I wasn't on this forum ;). I'm looking forward to becoming a part of that Forum as well. I will defenitely, post my range results in my first post.
Later, Mark
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IMO you made the best choice. When you shoot it use a very firm grip, shes a hand full! ;)
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Mark, boy what a deal, 2 Seecamps, welcome here and over at the Seecamp forum as well. Tom
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I definitely think you made the right choice.
I have an LWS 32 and it's been 100% reliable. And the size can't be beat. Never a reason to be without it regardless of how you're dressed. I'll most likely pick up an LWS 380 eventually.
AND...(this is important)...Larry Seecamp personally goes over every gun that leaves his shop and if you EVER have a problem with it, he will fix it, without any of the hassles you sometimes go through to get things fixed from other manufacturers.
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That's good to know, but the way these Pistols look, and the way they're put together, I can't emagine having to ever send it back for anything. They're almost like a piece of Art, or close to it. Almost as pretty as my R9.
The Pistol Gods were smiling upon me, and I closed the deal on a LWS 32 today, to go with the 380. Two down, and one to go ;D.
I'll see you all at the Seecamp Forum!
Later, Mark
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>>Mark...
I too would like to congratulate you on the purchase of your Seecamp(s). But before you go putting away for a Guardian.380, don't forget the Rohrbaugh .380 is just around the corner. Now perhaps you plan to collect EVERY .380, as available...but if it came down to the R-380 vs. Guardian .380 there would be no questioning on my part as to where to go = R-380...!
Back to your original question about going with the Guardian vs. Seecamp...as this thread will attest - there are people out there who like both guns for many reasons. But a biggie which I don't recall seeing here is this and I think most folks would agree with me...
Out of the box, you may or may not get a Guardian needing to be tweaked here and there for top performance (mine did) - and there is no question Guardian has an awesome customer service department (my experience they are great), and there are many amazing things they can do to/for a Guardian .380 to make it a piece of art...and there are other Micro Pistol Smiths, like Teddy Jacobson so I'm told...who can work wonders on a Guardian's trigger and who think this gun is one of if not the best Pocket Pistol around.
However, in my experience the Seecamp is ready to go right out of the box...!...and I have never heard of one that wasn't (anyone here know of any?). Beyond some fancy art work to the gun - there is simply not anything that I know of to make a Seecamp better...no need of a trigger job, action tune, whatever.
Since you have already decided to go for a couple Seecamps these may all be non-issues...but I always like to ponder on why my guns - like a Seecamp or Rohrbaugh...are sooooo fine.
BTW...if you feel the need to unload any of your little Colts - please let me know (twalsh@juno.com)...!...TW<<
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That I will TW! Boy am I glad I let you guys talk me into buying the Seecamps. QUALITY!! Next to my R9, they rate right up there among my favorites. ;D
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By now you know that I have picked up the LWS 380, and so it would not be alone a LWS 32, and a LWS 25 that will be making it's way back into Larry's loving hands for a good bit of TLC very soon. I feel pretty fortunate that I was able to complete my Trifecta so quickly.
But the thought of that G380 still burned in my Brain, and I could not resist. So my Relapse continues... :P. Real nice G380 though. Been through the Custom Shop at NAA, and recieved the Carry Package, and the Whole Gun Polish Job. Real nice ;D, and Fires like a dream. Maybe it's in my head, but the extra weight seems to tame the recoil a bit.
Now I do need a bigger Safe...Just today I picked up a S&W Airweight J Frame Model 432 in 32 H&R Mag. Good price, and hard to find anymore.
I gotta figure out, how to get some pictures of these things, and Post 'em up for you guys to see. Maybe I'll recruit my Kid's help...They'll be able to figure it out... ;)
Later,
Mark
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Mark:
A "Trifecta" in Seecamps, an R9, and now a Custom Shop G380! You are obviously a man of superb taste in the finer things of life. Congratulations, Sir! :o
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Thanks Richard...Now if I could only get my hands on a few Hedley's to carry 'em in...I'd be a happy camper.
I'm in the market for a new Safe...Any Suggestions?
Later'
Mark
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I personally like a Browning or a Liberty safe:
http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/safes/index.asp
http://www.libertysafe.com/
I left a Browning bolted to the floor as part of the realty in the sale of my former home. I now have a Liberty. It took the proverbial "three men and an ox" to get the thing up the steps and stairs and internally bolted to the floor of my second-floor den. It would probably remain with the house in the unlikely event we ever decided to move.
A top-quality, fire-rated safe internally bolted to the floor beams provides great peace of mind and is worth every penny of the investment.
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I have actually looked at the Liberty Safes already. Some very nice features there. I like the looks of the Fort Knox brand too.
I need to bolt this thing to the floor of my Attached Garage so it's going to need to have a good Dehumidifier system.
Right now I have a Safe that "Came with the House" too, and have outgrown it.
Thanks for the links,
Later,
Mark