[Duddn]

Does anybody have anything good/bad to say about this pistol?

[NGIB]

Unless it's free - I'd pass. These are nothing but Saturday Nite Specials...

[Duddn]

ha I heard that before, also know they wont feed HP. was only going to pay about 60, but man .380 ammo is expensive.

[ta1588]

I've inherited a jennings .380 that I've heard nothing but jokes and bad things about but I know this one has never once jammed and feeds all types of ammo. It has also yet to explode in my hands which I have been told would happen and seems fairly accurate. It seems that without abuse and a little care these things would make an ok last resort pistol. of course they may all be different. Like an earlier poster said, if it's free then go for it, just test fire yours and make sure it does work well.

[Gunsrfun1108]

Thought I would add my $.02 here. Just bought one of the JA-380 the other day. Here is what I found. Machining quality was about equivalent to an expensive toy. Trigger had lots of take up and a heavy SA pull. My safety worked fine, but have read of others having problems and could see why. The mechanism was rough, as in easy to get rough or stuck, and too much pressure, I.e trying to force it could easily pop the spring out of its groove. Lastly the slide was so poor it took way to much force to cock the weapon.

All that said: I paid 130 bucks brand new with some sort of Chrome, possibly nickel finish, but kinda doubt it.

I spent about 2 hours with a jewelers file set to remove all the burrs found through out the weapon, worst were located in the slide along the firing pin and spring grove. Then polished all metal to metal contact points in the weapon with a dremel and compound.

I also made these mods.

Filed the magazine release, as it was catching heavily along the magazine during change. Then polished with a dremel and compound. Magazine change is much smoother now.

Smoothed the safety mech, for smoother one thumb operation.

Modified the trigger return and sear for a still crisp, but lighter trigger pull.

All in all the mods and bit of maint, has greatly improved the function of the gun, and for 130 bucks it is what it is.

Lastly anyone figured out a way to eliminate the take up? The way the SA is designed, I cannot see a way to do it other than making a longer transfer bar.

Lol and to be honest that is not worth the effort in my opinion.

Welcome all replies.

[danf_fl]

Reading that kinda reminds me of something about Silk Purse / Sow's ear.

[Gunsrfun1108]

Originally Posted by danf_fl

Reading that kinda reminds me of something about Silk Purse / Sow's ear.

lol, I think more along the lines of turning a Sow Ears, into one that might work!

Update back from the range. CCI 95gr. Constant extraction problems, and a couple of feeding issues. Found wear marks where I had missed some high spots on the frame and smoothed them with a stone. Think those high spots were preventing the slide from returning far enough to eject the spent casing. Hopefully it is fixed. Lightly sanded and polished the ramp again, of course most time I have fired Aluminum casings I have feeding problems anyway, so I will get some quality brass and hope that that is cured!

[rkhal]

I was given one, shot it once and gave it away to my son who didn't have enough money for anything better. If I was going to spend money and was strictly limited I would by a Hi Point or a used milsurp first.

[Alex910]

I think it's kind of a hit and miss thing I've heard of them jamming , ejecting un shot bullets ect but I have one and it works perfectly it's been in my family for years and still works fine just keep it clean and lightly oiled and it should fire when needed the only other thing is I've read here and there about them not shooting hollow points well so I stick with the fmj.

[ScottA]

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Monty Python - Run Away! - YouTube