Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns 380 is it enough??

RBunt227 -

Thanks for the link - this is the first time I've seen that article.

First, let me say I�m not in law enforcement or security, my home is in a rural area and I avoid crowds and downtown areas like the plague. While there is always the chance that I�ll encounter the odd crazy gone wild, the chances of me actually needing my CCW weapon is relatively low compared to others who spend more time in high-risk areas or activities. In addition, I consider the chances that I might need to shoot through barriers like auto glass or doors to be very low. The most likely scenario is a relatively close-range encounter � a few feet at most � and, although it may take some time to develop, it is likely to end rather suddenly. A running gun battle at longer ranges isn�t very likely.

Given that, my .380 with +P loads has seen a lot of carry duty. While I am fully aware my .380 is not as powerful as my 9mm (and holds half as many rounds!) or my .45, it is easy to shoot it well and recoil recovery time is minimal. For years I used a .22 semi for home defense, figuring I could dump several rounds into a BG very quickly. The article you linked to seems to confirm what I already believed � the cartridge is less important than placement and that a couple of well-placed hits generally do the job regardless of cartridge.

No. .38 Special is my bare bones minimum, and that preferably +P.

I carry a P3AT 380 with 90 gr Gold Dot bullets and 6.2 gr Power Pistol. This does 1100 fps over the chrono and the pistol weighs 10 ounces loaded.

In October 2013 I pulled it out and handed it to my friend who had wounded an antelope buck with his rifle. The 380 body shot was instant death to the ruminant and the big 6'2" 270 pound man was complaining about painful recoil.

Better than a rock, slightly.

9�18mm Makarov has been used by Eastern bloc military's and police for decades, has undoubtedly dispatched millions, and a 380 can pretty much match it, velocity and energy.

Is the 380 ACP a preference?
Without doubt no, but for small CCW pocket defense situations it is hard to beat.

You need to look at some actual statistics. The .380 is no where close to the 9mm,andi doubt that it has dispatched millions, probably not even thousands.
The 9 mm Makarov is not a 9mm parabellum or Luger.

ClarkM Said "In October 2013 I pulled it out and handed it to my friend who had wounded an antelope buck with his rifle. The 380 body shot was instant death to the ruminant and the big 6'2" 270 pound man was complaining about painful recoil."

That is what a lot of people find out after they buy these lightweight sub compacts

tbear - living in blue state Md. I fully understand the problems you face in Va. Last year I sold a Colt 25 ACP ( at a very good profit )
but missed having a small handgun. Already have several 357MAG's. Early this year I got a very old Colt 380 with a grip safety. Great gun !

Still have a full box of 25ACP, Anyone want it ?

Yes, a 1100 fps Kurz can kick in a small pistol.
In my little blow back it feels like a magnum.

You need better reading comprehension, now reread what I Wrote real slow two or three times, and maybe you'll understand what I said this time around.

Some people are just lucky beyond all statistical probability.

I've had my .380 in my pocket for the last 1-1/2 days and and I'm still alive to tell about it.

Of course I haven't needed it, but that's kind of the point - I don't expect too, either. I got my CCW in 2003, shortly after the shall-issue laws went into effect. In the 4,000-plus days since then, or the over 15,000 days since I left the service in 1974, I've never once needed a firearm for self-defense.

In the off chance that I do need a firearm, I believe the presence of one will be far more important then the cartridge it shoots.

Nope, my reading comprehension is just fine. Show me the statistics that show the9mmMakaorw has dispatched millions and show me the statistics where it matches the 9mm Parabellum

I did not question this ,but since you brought it up, it is very easy to beat.

Is the 380 ACP a preference?
Without doubt no, but for small CCW pocket defense situations it is hard to beat

I'm the OP, last night I purchased the S&W Shield in 9MM.
While I do like the S&W Bodyguard in 380, I took most of you guys advice and went larger. IMO the Shield was a good compromise between power and concealability. Thanks for your input!

Now the question! 7 rounds is it enough!

You now have to have a small 9 but at some point you will want a smaller gun for more discreet carry.

Isn't the 380 just a 9x17? Will it go through your body tissue
and bone? If you were shot with a 22Mag at say five feet away

would it not be the same as being hit by a .223 same bullet grn

same velosity? A 380 is actually bigger dia than a 35 cal 38.

So if I shot somebody with a 35 cal super duper mag rifle and

it went right through them and orbited the earth three times

before it hit the ground would they be anymore dead?

So if a 380 shoots plumb through you and drops 1 inch behind you

if you get shot placement isn't that enough for you?

Bob

The voice of reason ?LOL

HUH??????????

I probably should not bother to answer this but here ya go



Now, how many folks do you think had their lives ended with a 9x18 in the eastern bloc where this cartridge was used for several decades ?
My hunch would be more than just a few thousand in countries were tens and perhaps hundreds of millions were killed.
Figger it out yet?
And I never said it was a 9X19, yet it is not very distant.

Huge difference between self defense applications and assassination or execution.

How is .355 bigger than .357
The formula for kinetic energy uses velocity squared. it must mean something

You guys remind me of my ex mother in law, in that you'd tell her one thing, and she hears something completely different.