.380 or .38?

[sjones]

I have a 380 now and am thinking about getting a .38 snubbie,how does each stack up for defense?thanks.sj

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[GWRedDragon]

Pretty sure that 38spl+p is generally considered a better round.

[semperfi.45]

It's a topic that has been widely debated.

I wouldn't want to get shot by either one. Just carry what you're comfortable with and can consistently hit with.

[ripley16]

IMHO, it is a matter of how well you can shoot/conceal/control/etc. one over the other. Personally, though I have carried both, I am more proficient with an automatic than I am a revolver. Reliability of the firearm and your ability with it are as much or more important than what round it holds.

[retsupt99]

Add the snubbie to your collection, then you can carry either or both.
What do you like? What are you more accurate with? Which is easier to carry?

[carver]

I have a 380 now and am thinking about getting a .38 snubbie,how does each stack up for defense?thanks.sj

Both will work, if you can hit what you are shooting at! Buy the .38, then get out and shoot both. The .38 has more recoil, but delivers more foot pounds of energy, because it is the larger bullet. The .380 will get the job done, but remember that since it does not deliver the same energy, penitration is key. I personally would carry either gun, but would shoot only ball ammo in .380, it will give you better penitration, than a hollow point, if it expands.

[coffeecup]

I cant say for certain about the penetration, but I had a fellow that worked for me a few years ago that was shot in the back of the head at very close range with a 380FMJ. No exit wound!!!!!!

He was dead before he hit the ground of course.

[ispcapt]

shot in the back of the head at very close range with a 380FMJ. No exit wound
On Oct 2, 1996 I was leading our SWAT team on an entry to arrest a federal fugitive who we were pretty certain was armed. He had stated he would not be taken alive. When we hit the door he opened fire on us with a TEC-9 in one hand and a Colt Mustang .380 in the other. Both were loaded with FMJ ammo. He fired 11 rds at us preventing us from making entry. He then shot himself in the head with the .380. The bullet entered just in front of his upper right ear, traveled thru his head, exited behind his upper left ear, went thru 4" of the arm of an over-stuffed chair, went thru drywall at an angle which meant it passed thru almost 2" of drywall, and came to rest buried about 1" in a 2X4 wood stud. DRT.

[mcp1810]

If you are thinking about a snubbie, I would look at a .357 instead of the .38. The reason being with the .357 you can slide up and down the power scale. With the .38 you can go up to +P in some models, but I figure why limit yourself?

[farronwolf]

Like others have said, which can you shoot better?

Which will you carry more, or would you carry one and leave one at home. If that is the case go with the one you would carry regardless of which is more effective.

The 38+P will have between 30 and 50 ft lbs more energy out of the shorter barrels, so it should be more effective if you look at it that way. But nothing is written in stone.

As some others have said, two guns give you more options to carry. Neither one is considered the best self defense round, but I don't think you will find any members here volunteering to be shot by either.

I like mcp1810's idea of using a .357 if you can find one in a small enough platform to suit you. That definately gives you more options.

Good luck in your search. Handle as many as you can find one that fits, feels good that is going to be a reliable weapon.

[Hopyard]

What Retsupt said.

[sjones]

The 380 I have is a LCP and it goes in my right front pocket,I don't leave home without it.I carry it when I don't feel like carrying my glock 19.I guess I'm just getting an urge to get a snubbie,I've never owned one and would probably still throw the lcp in for quick trips to the store and back.sj

[chigger]

I carry a compact 40 and a kel-tec 380 for backup, I leave home without the 40 a lot but I never leave the 380, I dont even know I have it. weighs less than my knife. my wife has a 2" .38 ultra light in her purse I think is is as hard to cary as my 40.

[jfl]

My wife has a SW .357 Scandium in 3" barrel.
The extra inch does not make it more difficult to carry and make a substantial difference in velocity/energy, weighs 14 oz. unloaded.

I hate to shoot it with .357 loads, but it is OK with .38+P; it is nice to have the option.
We had different snubbies in .38 but this one tops them all.

However, I'll stick to my G-26

[ASSA9]

I have both ,but I like the 380 better
If I were to be faced with buying a new
.38 I would not do it again,instead I would
buy an assortment of 380 ammo and
practice, practice,,practice
just my .02