A .380
- Thread starter Apollyon
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Nowadays there are plenty of small 9mm pistols that use cheaper, more abundant, more effective ammunition.
The only reason to buy a .380 for self defense is because you need something really tiny like a LCP, it seems to me.
That said, I have several.380s and sometimes carry a Glock 42.
The only reason to buy a .380 for self defense is because you need something really tiny like a LCP, it seems to me.
That said, I have several.380s and sometimes carry a Glock 42.
Paul B
Hunter
"Worth it for a carry weapon?"
My normal carry is a Colt Combat Commander in .45 ACP with an S&W M60 .38 Spl. as a back up. FWIW, the .45 is loaded with 230 gr. Hydroshoks. Sometimes, carrying both is not feaseable. At those times I may replace the Colt with a Walther PPK/s chambered to the .380 ACP. Chamber and magazines carry Federal Hydroshok ammo. The M60 may or may not come along for the ride depending on circumstances.
I guess the point is a .380 in the hand is a lot better than a handful of rocks. Better point is try to stay out of trouble if possible.
Paul B.
My normal carry is a Colt Combat Commander in .45 ACP with an S&W M60 .38 Spl. as a back up. FWIW, the .45 is loaded with 230 gr. Hydroshoks. Sometimes, carrying both is not feaseable. At those times I may replace the Colt with a Walther PPK/s chambered to the .380 ACP. Chamber and magazines carry Federal Hydroshok ammo. The M60 may or may not come along for the ride depending on circumstances.
I guess the point is a .380 in the hand is a lot better than a handful of rocks. Better point is try to stay out of trouble if possible.
Paul B.
When many folks consider the 9x19 inadequate, the 380 is well below the bar. Son bought a 380 because it fit his need for total concealment and immediately decided it wasn't up to his expectations. Daughter carries a 380 because it's easier to conceal than a mid-size 9mm and easier to shoot than a mini-nine (she also has a 40 S&W with a full size cop attached on call with just one punch of the panic button).
I carried one for years and never needed to use it and so can't really give a first hand account of the .380 stopping a threat power. But part of it was just plain ego in that I thought and still do that the pistol I carried was the best looking semi-auto ever manufactured. The Sig P230. In retrospect the blow back action on it made the recoil 'worse' than a lot of current 9mm pistols. One advantage to a .380 is racking the slide is easier than 9mm because of the lighter recoil spring and this can make it easier for most women and some men. I have a friend who wants a pocket pistol and is also playing with the ego thing and so I've loaned him my Walther PPK... he claims he's going to buy it from me once he gets used to it.
I guess my answer to the OP's question is it is far better than nothing.
I guess my answer to the OP's question is it is far better than nothing.
I really liked the idea of the LCP and convinced myself that .380 was acceptable for self defense. But I hated shooting that little snappy pistol, and would likely miss my target at anything more than 5 or 6 feet distance. The snappiness kept me from wanting to practice at all with it, and without practice my terrible accuracy would never improve, so I sold that little gun. Now I carry a LC9s in a pocket holster and its just as concealable as the LCP for practical purposes, and gives me 8 round of 9mm.
Like the first responder (C3Ranger) said, there a lot of opinions on this subject.
For me, I will carry calibers ranging from 380 to 45 acp. and sometimes even a 10mm. It will always depend on the environment in which I will be in at the time. As well as how concealed it needs to be.
The 380 is for close quarters and the need to conceal with light cloths, no coat or jacket. For example a restaurant or a house you may be visiting. You have to realize it is an up close weapon. For me, 10 to 15 feet at the most. Anything beyond that my accuracy will start to fail. I almost always wear pants with cargo pockets. So it is easy for me to carry my S&W 380 Bodyguard. So the answer at least for me is to know your capabilities and especially your limitations with the gun you’re going to carry.
For me, I will carry calibers ranging from 380 to 45 acp. and sometimes even a 10mm. It will always depend on the environment in which I will be in at the time. As well as how concealed it needs to be.
The 380 is for close quarters and the need to conceal with light cloths, no coat or jacket. For example a restaurant or a house you may be visiting. You have to realize it is an up close weapon. For me, 10 to 15 feet at the most. Anything beyond that my accuracy will start to fail. I almost always wear pants with cargo pockets. So it is easy for me to carry my S&W 380 Bodyguard. So the answer at least for me is to know your capabilities and especially your limitations with the gun you’re going to carry.
Paul B
Hunter
I have a friend who carries a .380 as his personal defense weapon and he loads a hollow point up the spout, (HP) then a full metal jacket (FMJ) then HP, FMJ, HP,FMJ,HP. He figures that if the HP doesn't penetrate enough, the FMJ should. He lives in a colder climate than I do and worries that if he has to shoot, heavy winter clothing might be a problem. I'm kind of inclined to agree with his line of thought. He practices shooting double taps so one of each type of bullet goes on its way via the double tap. I tried it in my PPK/s and it worked just fine. Still just running the HPs and no FMJs in mine.
Paul B.
Paul B.
If you're the type of person who runs from gunfights the 380 is fine. If you're sworn to protect the public and have to run towards gunfights carry something bigger. As for stopping power at spitting distance, Trayvon Martin is unavailable for comment.
whittsailor
Single-Sixer
I hope so since I often carry my LCP Max. The 9 MM short has been around for quite awhile.
Yep, the guy I'm going to sell my Walther PPK to did not realize that .380 was actually just a short 9mm. I still carry 9mm it's just the 9mm bullet is stuck in a necked down 10mm cartridge. I stepped up to this round so that my forum name here would still be accurate.
Not a fan of the PPK... and not familiar with the others...
Mine is the Sig P230 and also the P232...but neither is a pocket gun.
I actually have two P230s. One is the only safe Queen I have....
Mine is the Sig P230 and also the P232...but neither is a pocket gun.
I actually have two P230s. One is the only safe Queen I have....
jbenedetto2
Single-Sixer
I'll be 80 next week. I have carried a Sig P365 9mm since mid April 2018. Great gun. Now I'm having problems with racking the slide and recoil of the 9mm. Looking to purchase a Ruger Security 380. 15+1 sounds better than 10 or 12+1. Recoil on a 380 should be much easier than on a 9mm.
"He figures that if the HP doesn't penetrate enough, the FMJ should."
To each, his own (theories). Having shot .380 HP into several different media materials, I don't think penetration is the problem. Although penetration was less than the 9mm or 38Sp, it seemed adequate to reach vital organs. The primary issue I found was simply energy and energy transfer to the test media.
A typical comparison: 9mm 115-124 grain cup and core HP fired into water filled milk jugs resulted in the first jug being blown open like a bomb strike and the recovered bullet was expanded to dime size.. A 90-100 grain HP .380 bulged the first jug and made it leak and the recovered bullet nose was deformed with limited expansion. Unscientific but one on one comparison.
I haven't shot any of the 'new generation' .380 HP so there may have been some improvement over the past decade.
To each, his own (theories). Having shot .380 HP into several different media materials, I don't think penetration is the problem. Although penetration was less than the 9mm or 38Sp, it seemed adequate to reach vital organs. The primary issue I found was simply energy and energy transfer to the test media.
A typical comparison: 9mm 115-124 grain cup and core HP fired into water filled milk jugs resulted in the first jug being blown open like a bomb strike and the recovered bullet was expanded to dime size.. A 90-100 grain HP .380 bulged the first jug and made it leak and the recovered bullet nose was deformed with limited expansion. Unscientific but one on one comparison.
I haven't shot any of the 'new generation' .380 HP so there may have been some improvement over the past decade.
jgt
Buckeye
I've owned .380s over the years and they penetrated porcelain appliances I shot in a desert dump. Today there is better ammo available.
The only time I had to use one to defend myself in a big city close to midnight on a dark street, it was enough to deter the two dirtbags that had decided I was a good candidate for a mugging.
The myth about heavy cloth stopping a round doesn't hold up at gunfight distance. If you don't believe it I will let you dress up in winter cloths and be a target.
The only time I had to use one to defend myself in a big city close to midnight on a dark street, it was enough to deter the two dirtbags that had decided I was a good candidate for a mugging.
The myth about heavy cloth stopping a round doesn't hold up at gunfight distance. If you don't believe it I will let you dress up in winter cloths and be a target.
Baxter6551
Single-Sixer
Dave Schwaab
Single-Sixer
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2014
- Messages
- 153
I grew up watching all the TV Westerns and my favorite cartridge is the .45 Colt. Most of the shooters in my small arsenal, however, are .22s (they're just "fun").
My home defense gun is a Blackhawk .45, but, for CCW, I had always considered that I would carry my SR22. That was, until that possibility became possible in my state (New Jersey), and the minimum requirement for a carry caliber is .380. Although I am a HUGE Ruger fan, I bought a Browning 1911-380 for that purpose. It is similar in size to my SR22 and way easier to shoot accurately than the "snappy" little "pocket pistols", like the LCP. Since my CCW weapon is only a last resort, should common sense and situational awareness let me down and I NEED to defend myself, I had considered the SR22, in my hands, to be quite adequate, and the .380, especially with modern loadings, like the Hornady Critical Defense or Lehigh Defense Xtreme Defense, will be more so.
With the recent introduction of the Security-380 (the gun I had WANTED from Ruger when I bought the 1911-380), I have made the switch to that for CCW.
My home defense gun is a Blackhawk .45, but, for CCW, I had always considered that I would carry my SR22. That was, until that possibility became possible in my state (New Jersey), and the minimum requirement for a carry caliber is .380. Although I am a HUGE Ruger fan, I bought a Browning 1911-380 for that purpose. It is similar in size to my SR22 and way easier to shoot accurately than the "snappy" little "pocket pistols", like the LCP. Since my CCW weapon is only a last resort, should common sense and situational awareness let me down and I NEED to defend myself, I had considered the SR22, in my hands, to be quite adequate, and the .380, especially with modern loadings, like the Hornady Critical Defense or Lehigh Defense Xtreme Defense, will be more so.
With the recent introduction of the Security-380 (the gun I had WANTED from Ruger when I bought the 1911-380), I have made the switch to that for CCW.
2Late45
Single-Sixer
Well, any excuse for a new gun will do...
Paul B
Hunter
"The myth about heavy cloth stopping a round doesn't hold up at gunfight distance. If you don't believe it I will let you dress up in winter cloths and be a target."
About the worst thing that would happen is the hollow point plugs up, especially on denim and the bullet behaves like a FMJ. More penetration will somewhat lessened shocking power, probably that the HP give a whole lot more. Just passing on what a friend has done. He, like me fervently hope and pray that the situation ever arises where we would have to prove his idea was the correct one.
Paul B.
About the worst thing that would happen is the hollow point plugs up, especially on denim and the bullet behaves like a FMJ. More penetration will somewhat lessened shocking power, probably that the HP give a whole lot more. Just passing on what a friend has done. He, like me fervently hope and pray that the situation ever arises where we would have to prove his idea was the correct one.
Paul B.
KIR
Sparks, NV
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2022
- Messages
- 2,771
No qualms about the newest .380 ammo. Hornady's Critical Defense ammo would be more than enough to even get through denim clothing according to the FBI. Even though it basically is a hollow point the polymer tip helps considerably. However, many smaller firearms like the LCP are made for close in shooting, not for distance shooting, so a slightly larger handgun would be a better choice. It all depends on what you intend/unintend to use it for!
harley08
Blackhawk
Ruger LCPs is the way to go - 9 MM
I have both the .22 LR and .380 LCPs. I don't seem to experience much "snapping" with the .380. I actually get more bounce from my .22 WMR derringer than the .380 LCP. As a side note, the .22 LR LCP is a tack hammer. If you are on target the first shot, that's where you will stay. No movement at all.
I just got the Security 380 and I have the problem with racking the slide of the 9 mm and larger. Yes I'm old and dont have the strength I used to have which has prompted me to get the Security 380. It is a joy to use and racking the slide is easy - well within my old mans strength. As far as the SR22 i was going to get one but I read the reviews on it and decided to get the Kel- Tec P17 instead. It has much better reviews and is about the same size as the SR22. At the range the P17 is a joy to shoot.
I’ve got a 9mm for every contingency I can think of plus a couple of extras, I can’t think of a reason I need a 380. Having said that I have carried one, and they are certainly better than than not having anything.
I’ve said before if you are going to carry, you either need to carry to the way you dress or dress to the way you carry. Some people aren’t able due to the way they dress or their body shape to carry something bigger. Good for them to have something.
I’ve said before if you are going to carry, you either need to carry to the way you dress or dress to the way you carry. Some people aren’t able due to the way they dress or their body shape to carry something bigger. Good for them to have something.
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I don’t carry anything smaller than a 9mm. I got my wife a S&W Shield 380 EZ. I can’t recommend it because we had problems with failure to feeds with it. Sent it back to Smith & came back with the same problem. I finally wound up changing the magazine springs for something stronger & now it works. It is just not EZ to load. I believe they corrected the issue before they came out with the 9mm version. Now it works. She is happy with it.
The pistol is small, light & easy to run. My wife is recoil averse & does not have the best strength in her hands. I believe it loaded with Critical Defense ammunition is a good choice for her. While I prefer more powerful rounds I would not disparage .380.
The pistol is small, light & easy to run. My wife is recoil averse & does not have the best strength in her hands. I believe it loaded with Critical Defense ammunition is a good choice for her. While I prefer more powerful rounds I would not disparage .380.
One size almost never fits all, and one gun or caliber won't either. FWIW, I kind of like KYJim's "Rules of Carry", which I discovered somewhere on the internet many years ago:
1) Any gun is better than no gun.
2) A gun that is reliable is better than a gun that is not.
3) A hole in the right place is better than a hole in the wrong place.
4) A bigger hole is a better hole.
I might add a fifth rule - "don't carry it, if you can't afford to replace it". If a .380 checks all of those boxes for someone, then I would say they're good to go!
1) Any gun is better than no gun.
2) A gun that is reliable is better than a gun that is not.
3) A hole in the right place is better than a hole in the wrong place.
4) A bigger hole is a better hole.
I might add a fifth rule - "don't carry it, if you can't afford to replace it". If a .380 checks all of those boxes for someone, then I would say they're good to go!
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