If you had to choose between 32acp and 380...

[GoodSamaritan]

If you had to choose between 32acp and 380acp for a bug/deep concealment rig, what would you do?

I would think that the obvious answer would be to go with 380, based on the slightly larger diameter, and slightly higher velocities that the 380 seems to travel at.

Would there be ANY reason to go with 32. I have no real world experiende with either, and would like to know what pitfalls if any that either one would have.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Bud White]

no real world either but i would go 380 if you had to would prefer nothing below 9mm but soemtimes ya cant carry what ya want

[P95Carry]

Well, .380 is a 9mm - just 9x17 - so I would certainly favor that over .32. The P3AT for example is not hugely bigger than P32 and so no contest if I was deciding on that score.

Mind you, .the lil .380 is, like it's bigger cousin 9mm Luger, still a high pressure round and so I think the bigger the platform (within reason) you can launch from the better.

I know darned well, that the P3AT would NOT be welcome for my wife or step daughter, whereas the Bersa Thunder is definitely better, tho of course larger and heavier.

Not many cases where I would willingly downsize in cal but - even the humble .32 if well placed is still capable of causing some grief!

[srfl]

.380....thanks to the P3AT, Kel Tec put that caliber in the deep carry realm of the .32.

[Roadrunner]

.380. Bigger is better, as long as you can handle the recoil. Recoil isn't really a factor with either of those calibers for any healthy adult.

[cmidkiff]

.380 for sure.

I carry a P3AT 16/7, as a BUG or only, as the occasion warrants.

[artz]

.380 of course...

[RSSZ]

Slightly larger diameter and slightly higher velocities.........AND.........heavier bullet = quite a bit more power.

This,in a small,light,AND THIN,package that (as per my digetel Lyman trigger pull gauge) weight's >>14.6oz.<< with a mag and 6+1 inserted. Try this with the other bug's out there and let me know what you come up with. Oh yeah,that's my Kel Tec P-3AT. ------

[GoodSamaritan]

Thanks for the responses.
You guys have confirmed what I was already thinking.

I am looking at a NAA Guardian in 380 as my next firearm purchase and just wanted to do my homework. Now, however I will have to take another look at the Kel Tec p3at. The do seem to be a bit less expensive.

[BCurry1]

I have a Bersa in .380, and love it, very easy to conceal.

[rfurtkamp]

I've never liked the 380 for rapid followup shots.

I'll stick with shot placement in a .32 if I'm doomed to pick between the two calibers, probably from my PP.

[artz]

Those lil' keltec's kinda scare me due to being plastic. I am personally not privy shooting tupper ware. I have seen some nice Bersa's for the money though.
I personally use a Colt Mustang. My two reasons are (1) its metal and (2) it has a hammer. Just my .02's worth.

[QKShooter]

The .380 cartridge in the all Stainless Walther PPK/S is a nice BUG package since the Walther has some weight to it.
It's very accurate & reliable also.

[sixgun]

Alot of folks seem to lean towards the 380. And Ill put my plug in to for the 380. More power than 32 and the guns arent much bigger than 32s either. The bersa thunder 380 would be my first pick. Id still be carrying that gun if it hadnt been for a money issue. Have a good one everybody and stay safe

Sixgun

[erh]

GoodSamaritan - (IMHO) It's a very subjective question; as P95Carry has stated in not so many words, "Bigger is likely better..!" The only things to consider are which is more comfortable for you, and which one (Chosen firearm) has the better performance using which caliber; i.e.: K-T debate: Does the P32 function more reliably than the P3AT - Some say yes, some say no. (I generally carry one or the other; caliber wise not brand.., but most often as of late either my Rohrbaugh R9s (9mm), or one of either a .32 or a .380 by various makers.
I say read alot, shoot several different ones in both calibers, and make a choice. If it ends up not meeting your expectations, get another & add to the collection. (I just add anyway.., these were the ones easy to get to/ not in the safe.)


Good Luck,