Seecamp .380 vs. R9-Shooting Impression

[rtw]

I own both guns and shot them again this weekend.

The Seecamp .380 is a wonderful package that is easily carried anywhere, anytime. It's bite, however is much worse than the R9-at least for me and how I sense recoil. I also find that the R9 is easier for me to shoot accurately.

Neither gun is fun for me to shoot for any extended session. The R9 rubs the webbing of my hand raw.

Having said all that, if I ever had to use either, I am quite sure that I would not feel any recoil at all.

Two masterpieces of the gunmakers art!

[Erich]

That's interesting. A couple of weekends ago I was able to fire my R9s and a friend's P3-AT side-by-side. Unlike your experience, we both agreed that the P3-AT felt like a pussycat (with a quite a number of different types of ammo, including some spicy European FMJs and JHPs) when compared to the 9x19 R9s (with just standard pressure ammo). Neither of us felt that either pocket pistol was all that onerous, though.

I was impressed by the value presented by the P3-AT, though. It seemed easier to hit with than a P-32 that I used to own (despite the .380's crude "sights"). It was not as accurate as my R9s.

My friend's happy with his P3-AT, but he's in awe of my R9s.  

[jarcher]

The P3AT uses a locked breach design just like the R9 and most semi-auto pistols.  This Seecamp has a blowback design.  The locked breach design will have less felt recoil than blowback, so utalizing that design in a .380 is going to make a pleasant shooting experience.

[PsychoSword]

Yep, a blowback .380 or 9X18 pistol is gonna have recoil more like a revolver, so on something small as a Seecamp it may be a little bit sharper than with a locked breech.

I think sometimes this difference is a bit overstated in gun forums though. In other words, don't read into it too much.

[EdMan]

I have 3 Keltec P3-ATs. They do seem to have less recoil than the Rohrbaugh R-9, even when firing "hot" Cobon ammo. The KelTec P3-AT is a lot less expensive, smaller, lighter and has less recoil. But it is not the full 9mm powered, buttery smooth triggered, work of art that the Rohrbaugh is. Both have their place in life.

[Michigunner]

EdMan,

I had excellent results with my P3AT.  It always worked, and I never did anything to it.

Probably should have kept it, but the R9S replaces a lot of pocket pistols.

The only dislike I had was the slide was very hard to pull back.

Bill