Lorcin L380
Lorcin Engineering Company · Pistol · Discontinued · 1992
Also known as: Lorcin Model L-380, L-380
Overview
The Lorcin L380 is a compact blowback-operated, striker-fired semi-automatic pistol chambered in .380 ACP. Produced by Lorcin Engineering Company of California in the 1990s, it featured a die-cast zinc-alloy (Zamak) frame and slide, a 3.5-inch barrel, a seven-round detachable box magazine, and fixed sights. Sold very cheaply through pawnshops, the L380 was one of the 'Saturday night special' pocket pistols made by the so-called 'Ring of Fire' manufacturers around Los Angeles.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 652 g (23.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 168 mm (6.61") |
| Barrel Length | 89 mm (3.50") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 7 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 291 m/s (955 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 261 J (193 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 15 m (16 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Zinc Alloy |
| Slide Material | Zinc Alloy |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .380 ACP · primary — also known as .380 Auto, 9x17mm, 9mm Kurz, 9mm Short
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Fixed Sights, Die Cast Construction, Chrome Finish Option
Service history
Operators
- Civilian
Production
Production years: 1992-1999
Lorcin was the top-volume U.S. handgun manufacturer in 1993-1994; exact L380 production figures are unrecorded.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Discontinued: 1999
Notes
Due to its die-cast construction and simple blowback action, the L380 is not rated for +P ammunition. The pistol was offered in blued and chrome-plated finishes. Lorcin became the best-selling handgun maker in the United States in the mid-1990s by volume before product-liability lawsuits over mechanical failures forced the company into bankruptcy in 1996, with operations ceasing by 1999.
Background
Lorcin Engineering was a flagship of the 'Ring of Fire' cluster of inexpensive Los Angeles-area handgun makers descended from Raven Arms. Its low-cost pistols like the L380 became emblematic of the 1990s 'Saturday night special' debate, and a wave of personal-injury lawsuits over accidental discharges ultimately bankrupted the firm.