Author Topic: Inter Ordnance Hellcat .380 (Read 2410 times)

Spirithawk · « **on:** August 11, 2012, 10:33:52 AM »

The Hellcat .380, know anything about them? US made in N.Carolina.

keith44 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 13, 2012, 06:06:24 AM »

No, but it looks like something I would try if I wanted another .380.

http://www.ioinc.us/our-products?page=shop.product_details&category_id=1&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=26

Lifetime warranty, and no CA or MD sales so they build for the markets where they are accepted, and offer other products where sales are restricted. Kinda resembles Kel-Tec.

Price??

Spirithawk · « **Reply #2 on:** August 13, 2012, 06:59:56 AM »

I paid $225.00 out the door.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #3 on:** August 13, 2012, 07:53:37 AM »

Kinda neat looking , like the green / parkerised looking one.
So how does it shoot ?

Spirithawk · « **Reply #4 on:** August 13, 2012, 09:36:26 AM »

Haven't had a chance to fire it yet but will let ya'all know when I do.

Brett · « **Reply #5 on:** August 13, 2012, 04:29:23 PM »

Spirithawk, They are manufactured a half hour away from me. How does it compair to your Kel-tecs as far as fit, finish and size of your P380's ?

As with most new gun models earlier examples had some reliability issues. However it would seem from later reviews I've read that those issues have been worked out. Originally they were sold with a 1yr/100000 round warranty (how they could tell if you shot a 100000 rounds I don't know but that's what their warranty said) now they have a lifetime warranty on them with no max. round count.

Graybeard · « **Reply #6 on:** August 13, 2012, 05:58:03 PM »

Looks to be a more or less clone of the Kel-tec you already have. I just finishing reading a review of them in a magazine. They said it had a lot of failures in the first 60 rounds but claimed it cleared up after that. Just reading the article I didn't really get the impression it was shot a lot more than 60 rounds.

I believe they used four ammo types and fired five five shot groups with each. They might have shot it more I just didn't get much of a feel for that from the article but I was kinda reading between the lines to reach that conclusion.

Spirithawk · « **Reply #7 on:** August 13, 2012, 06:07:00 PM »

Reminds me of a cross between a Kel Tec and a Ruger LCP. It's the exact size as the Ruger and fit and finish is equal to it. I've read mixed reviews but I don't put much stock in them as that can be said for about any gun I've ever researched, including some mighty expensive ones. The debate is moot on my part anyways. My son-in-law just traded me a .357 mag for it and we're both happy.

One thing I did read was that you had to clean it before the first round is fired to remove grease from the chamber and bore as advised by I. O. A lot of feeding problems many had were proven to be caused by not first doing so.

With my PF-9

Brett · « **Reply #8 on:** August 15, 2012, 01:32:45 AM »

You really should clean any new gun prior to taking it to the range. Most have, machine oil, grease, metal shavings, etc in them from the factory. Also, very few pocket pistols of this type run smoothly until at least a 100 to 200 rounds have been put threw them to break them in and properly mate metal to metal surfaces. Just like an automobile will not achieve it's best potential fuel mileage until it has 20k or so miles on it.

Spirithawk · « **Reply #9 on:** August 15, 2012, 09:31:29 AM »

Quote from: Brett on August 15, 2012, 01:32:45 AM

You really should clean any new gun prior to taking it to the range. Most have, machine oil, grease, metal shavings, etc in them from the factory. Also, very few pocket pistols of this type run smoothly until at least a 100 to 200 rounds have been put threw them to break them in and properly mate metal to metal surfaces. Just like an automobile will not achieve it's best potential fuel mileage until it has 20k or so miles on it.

Yep just common sense and a good idea if you expected the firearm to function right.

I liked the little Hellcat well enough but couldn't pass up the trade for the .357. I can get another .380 easy enough.

I'll probably go with a Kel Tec though simply because Kel Tec's have proven themselve's to me.

keith44 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 15, 2012, 09:59:32 AM »

Quote from: Spirithawk on August 15, 2012, 09:31:29 AM

...

I'll probably go with a Kel Tec though simply because Kel Tec's have proven themselve's to me.

A proven record of dependable service has caused more brand loyalty than any other aspect of manufacturing and sales of any product

Bugflipper · « **Reply #11 on:** August 15, 2012, 07:14:38 PM »

I can't comment on the pistol, never seen one before you posted it. Just on the company. You may want to put "Inter Ordnance quality" in your search engine before you get another one. They are known for shoddy work on evil black rifles. A company that gets a reputation for poorly made semi autos and has to change their name, I wouldn't want to depend on anything they make.

keith44 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 16, 2012, 05:31:34 AM »

Quote from: Bugflipper on August 15, 2012, 07:14:38 PM

I can't comment on the pistol, never seen one before you posted it. Just on the company. You may want to put "Inter Ordnance quality" in your search engine before you get another one. They are known for shoddy work on evil black rifles. A company that gets a reputation for poorly made semi autos and has to change their name, I wouldn't want to depend on anything they make.

So I'm guessing they no longer build AK type rifles??

Blowback pistols are simpler in operation than is a gas operated rifles, and should be easier to build a quality gun in blowback operation than a gas system.

Bugflipper · « **Reply #13 on:** August 16, 2012, 06:18:16 AM »

Keith they have revamped their ak line. They have high priced tactical looking models with tapco furniture. On the receivers it says made in the USA. But they are just parts kit guns in fancy clothing. Just like every kit gun, just enough US parts to be 922R compliant. Their hand picked models get shipped out to prospective distributors. Just like they've done for years, the next batch the distributor orders is their normal quality run.

I think their name change was after the ATF shut them down for selling illegal kits. WOuldn't be to bad in itself but the agents went door to door confiscating the kits from the buyers. IO never gave them their money back.

keith44 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 16, 2012, 12:35:20 PM »

and there you have it. Bugflipper has once again shed light on a bad business practice. I know I will not be spending my money on their products. If BATF shut em down, and confiscated what was already delivered to customers, and they did not stand by the dealers, distributors, nor the end purchaser, I will not recommend any one buy anything from them.

Thanks for posting the rest of the story.

PAHUnter04 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 07, 2012, 05:22:04 PM »

Again BF I beg to differ on the new models.... After selling over 12 I.O. AK47's Econ models, every one was newly manufactured. I also have Arsenal, WASR 10's, M&M's and others. You can take one apart in minutes and it is readily easy to see if the parts were used before.

I did not buy them all at the same time either. I bought some from RSR, some from Jerry's and 4 direct from Royal Tiger their importer.

I also heard about a bad rap that they had before, but again I have not experienced it with the current models. They shoot sub 2 in groups at 100 yards with open sights. I am using the cheap steel Tul Ammo in 7.62 X 39 caliber. The AK47 I.O. with custom furniture on my website shoots sub 1.5 in groups at 100 yards, open sights, benched of course.

They also take ANY AK47 Mag on the market. My WASR 10's will only take original mags. The M&M's seems only Pro Mags. But these I.O's take them all, including 55 round Romanian Pre ban Magazines.

Regards PAH

Bugflipper · « **Reply #16 on:** December 08, 2012, 07:55:22 PM »

No problem PAHunter. Virtually every new AK on the shelf today is made from parts kits with USA made receivers, barrels and enough of the 922R parts made in the US to make them legal. The other option is to convert Saigas which can be legally imported. Centurion makes 100% USA AKs with no kit parts. Arsenal has a few in their top models as well. The other companies aren't large enough to distribute to most gun shops so I won't list them. We can just differ in opinion on what they use.

I have no vested interest in running a company down for brand loyalty. Same as vehicles I can care less what other folks drive. If I know about one that is a lemon I will tell a fellow to beware of it though. I will tell one run in I had with them 2 or 3 years ago. A fellow drove 400 miles or so and brought in one that wouldn't feed properly. I tore it down and all seemed well, so was puzzled. Everything specked out and was square. Cycled a dummy round through it and discovered what the problem was. The barrel was installed at approximately 2 O'clock if 12 is centered. The feed ramp was at 8 O'clock. I showed him why his rifle wouldn't feed and suggested he send it back since the manufacturer screwed up. I wasn't aware of the name change then or would have just put a new barrel on it for him. He came back 6 months or so later and now had the front sight canted at 10 O'clock. Instead of installing a new barrel they used the old one, they just rotated the barrel to where it should have been and that was good enough. I can say that an AK will feed reliably with the gas port canted to the edge of the gas tube if you enlarge it though.

There aren't a lot of folks who work on AKs. For the most part there isn't a need to have to work on one for mechanical issues. So I will be the first to admit that it is very one sided since probably 99% of AKs never have to be worked on for defects. But when you see the same brands over and over you become very biased against them. As I said we can just disagree on the company. But I'm not the type to ruffle feathers. Also not trying to get the last word in. Glad yours have been as good or better than you have expected. I am very biased and don't like them at all, but have no problem with you liking them. At least we live in a Country that for now we are free to chose what AK we like or don't.
Have a good day.

3030guy · « **Reply #17 on:** December 18, 2012, 04:20:07 PM »

Spirit hawk- what kind of 357 did you get in the trade?

Spirithawk · « **Reply #18 on:** December 19, 2012, 03:59:08 AM »

JP Sauer Chief Marshal

3030guy · « **Reply #19 on:** December 19, 2012, 02:40:08 PM »

Nice! You done well.