Posted on 06/01/2010 5:21:55 AM PDT by beericus
I've been shooting several compact pistols in the Jimenez Arms lineup, including the JA-380 chambered in 380 Auto, for a number of years. My interest in the pistols really blossomed when I finally got tired of waiting on non-polygonal Glock barrels for my cast bullet design work. These pistols are part of the "Ring of Fire" linage from Southern California, the Bryco-Jennings line-up, but have survived and are doing well as they cycle pistols out of the plant on the outskirts of Las Vegas. You can find a lot of negative stuff about them on-line but after approximately 10.0K rounds through the various models I think those writing the comments have never laid palm to stock. I've found the pistols dependable and accurate.
(Excerpt) Read more at bangicus.com ...
The “a high caliber” is a typo. I meant to write “high quality.” It’s that post-lunch food coma.
Amazing they're considered C&R weapons...
That company has been thru about 30 name changes in the last few year’s Jenning’s was the last I knew of.
Over thirty years ago, I purchased an Iver Johnson 380 Pony. Not a particularly well made pistol but adequate.
Iver Johnson was located in Jacksonville, Arkansas and went out of business. I understand they are back in business; at least the name is back.
When I was a boy Iver Johnson and Harrington & Richardson made a wide range of affordable guns. I owned an H&R 16 gauge shot gun and many of my friends had Iver Johnsons handed down from fathers and grandfathers.
Does anyone know if either of these companies is in business and is there anything positive about the Iver Johnson 380 Pony?
Thats a great question, I will ask the Men.
bump
The author lost my interest when he began his custom bullet stuff...
Sounds like he has more interet in internal ballistics than defensive gun work...
Better to have one of these I guess, when you need a firearm, than nothing at all.
My advice to the sage, learn how to carry the G36 in all Wx conditions. Just because it is “really hot” outside, doesn’t mean you run around nekkid, dress for success.
cant please everyone. Thanks for reading.
On that note, I love my G30... 10 rds of .45 goodness! :)
“Maybe they’re lots better made now ...”
They’re not. The safeties and trigger bars still slip when the grips warp, the firing pin springs are weak, and they still contain the lifetime RDA of zinc.
If you want a really cool paperweight, get a plated one for twenty bucks and take a plumber’s torch to the front of the slide. The zinc runs out and makes a puddle, but the plating retains the shape of the slide.
H&R got folded after Marlin bought them along with New England Firearms. I have a little Iver Johnson .22 pistol. The trigger is awful, but the thing is solid.
Bryco-Jennings, Lorcin, Raven, and Davis are all gone. Bryco-Jennings was formed by Jennings’ (the Raven founder) son and Davis was formed by his son-in-law. Lorcin was a friend of Jennings’ son.
The Raven plant was destroyed by a fire. Phoenix Arms bought the patents.
Lorcin was shut down by ATF. One of the employees was making pistols and not recording the serial numbers, then stealing them and selling them in California, often by the case lot. How this could happen is beyond me. No one at Lorcin noticed that they were missing enough parts to build 2,000 guns.
Davis was sued out of businees, as was Bryco-Jennings. Both companies wer sued by the families of morons in California who put thier fingers on the triggers and were amazed that the guns fired. Cobra bought the Davis tooling. Jimenez worked for Bryco and bought the Bryco tooling.
I recently read that the kid who closed Bryco tried to get Jimenez. The little brat was shot when his friend pointed a loaded gun at him and pulled the trigger. A jury of mental midgets in California awarded $24,000,000 and ordered the patents and tooling sold to pay the debt. The little bastard is upset because someone bought all the patents and tooling to make guns and is making guns with them. He thought someone was going to buy all that stuff and dump it in the ocean.
Of course, he couldn’t spend any of his own money to do that.
dead on, well said. “how much is YOUR life worth OR, a loved one’s”? that is something I heard many years ago and it still applies. do not scrimp on this. if all one can afford now....fine, but, set your course to upgrade as soon as you can with better equipment, training and classes.
the CZ-83,,if its the 14 shot one that can be carried cocked and locked then it might be a cool pistol to own. I’d get a couple more high cap mags for it and keep that gun on hand for a back up to my back up.
Its like a Walther PP in the Makarov caliber. Id like one if it didnt have a 52LB trigger pull like the one I had years ago.
A $30 trip to the local gunsmith gave me a lighter trigger pull, and a heavier recoil spring (14lb vs 12lb) yeilds far less recoil.
Now it’s got the concealability, the added punch of the 9X18, and it’s easy enough to handle that my wife, who has had two hand surgeries can shoot it easily.
Here is your reply:
PaulF.
June 1, 2010 @ 17:52
http://www.iverjohnsonarms.com/
“Yes, Iver Johnson is back! We are manufacturing a whole new product line.
NEW PRODUCTS AVAILABLE FOR ORDER: 1911 style 45’s in 6 differenet models. 22 Converison Kits for Series 70 & 80 1911 models.
Soon to follow will be a line of lightweight 1911 style .22’s with an aluminum slide and frame. About the same time, we will be introducting a 4 barrel Derringer in 22LR. Soon to follow we will be introducing the M1 Carbine in 30 cal. in stainless, parkerized, and blued, along with the Pony 380. Check website for availability on these items.
We do not have any parts, guns, or info related to the old Iver Johnson name. Please contact your local gun dealer for any questions related to old Iver Johhnson products. Thank you.”
http://www.hr1871.com/default.asp
H&R no longer produces sidearms, but are still very active in long guns.
Hope this info helps!
PaulF.
So—hypothetically—it one found oneself an accidental owner of a Jimenez Arms JA-380, what should one do with it?
LOL! A local gun “buyback”? Like they ever owned it in the first place. Or get a IWB holster. ;>}
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.