.380 Popularity vs. Perceived Lack of Power

[GoldenSaber]

Seems that the gun makers that produce .380's can't make them fast enough at the moment. 380 ammo remains in short supply. However, you read all the time that most "experts" consider it a bad choice for concealed carry. Seems to me that the best CW gun is the gun that you'll actually carry, and that you can actually shoot. James Bond didn't have a problem popping people with his...

Many of the models coming out are very light, very flat, and easy to handle. Seems like a good combination for non-LEO people to learn to carry all the time. Better to have a 380 in your pocket than leave behind your .40 or .45 because your compact still isn't small enough for todays attire or events. Where's the love?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[ASSA9]

The loves right here friend
By the way most "experts" are American IMO
The rest of the wold likes the .380 and 9mm

[crue2009]

i've always felt the 2 extra rds in a .380 kinda even things up a bit when comparing the stopping power of the .380 vs .38cal..you are right though,better to have a .380 in the pocket then a .45 left at home.

[BAC]

Here is a writeup I did about my experience carrying a .380 auto.

It's a compromise, like all handgun calibers are. There are trade-offs made with ammunition cost, overall capacity, recoil, size and weight of the gun, and terminal performance. While the .380s tend to be smaller, lighter, accurate, and more concealable, their durability and reliability run the gamut from robust to worthless and in FBI testing they have a difficult time consistently meeting minimum standards for penetration (this matters quite a bit for handguns since they can't go fast enough to expand or fragment to enhance their wound cavities like rifle calibers can/do). Based on my experience with my primary handgun, and on research about other calibers, I will continue to stick with 9mm and .45 ACP handguns over .380s.

But if the option is a .380 or nothing...


-B

[archer51]

A lot of the bad rap against the .380 goes back to the days before quality defensive rounds were available for it. Same holds true from the .38 special. With today's quality defensive loads it will do the job, provided you do your job. Is it my caliber of choice for EDC? No it isn't. Will I carry it when circumstances dictate and feel safe with it. Yes I will and do.

[David in FL]

......their durability and reliability run the gamut from robust to worthless......

Caliber has no bearing whatsoever on quality. There are outstanding .380's and there are .45's that I wouldn't use to weight a fishing line.

As you so rightly say.......everything is a compromise. IMHO, the important thing is to understand your weapon's capabilities and limitations. Being able to hit what you aim at doesn't hurt either.

[GoldenSaber]

Caliber has no bearing whatsoever on quality. There are outstanding .380's and there are .45's that I wouldn't use to weight a fishing line.

As Larry the cable guy would say... "I don't care what you think... that's funny." Weight a fishing ling... whew...

[EW3]

I've never bought into the whole notion that the .380 is some kind of wimp round. It's still a 9mm and therefore makes 9mm sized holes in bad guys! I have a Bersa .380 and an LCP and have confidence in both.

[GWRedDragon]

I've never bought into the whole notion that the .380 is some kind of wimp round. It's still a 9mm and therefore makes 9mm sized holes in bad guys! I have a Bersa .380 and an LCP and have confidence in both.

The problem is not bullet diameter, but projectile energy. From what I have read the 380 is just on the edge of powerful enough to expand a hollowpoint round properly.

380 is a lot better than 0.

Personally, though, I don't find it difficult at all to carry my G26. I don't see any personal need to go to a less powerful caliber. The size/weight difference isn't THAT significant.

[puncho]

It's time we dumb this down.

Nissan Murano=.22
Honda Pilot=.25
Chevy Colorado= .32
Ford Ranger 6 Cyl.= .380
Ford F150=.38 Special
Ford F150 4X4= .38 Plus P
Ford F250= .40 Cal
Ford F250&350 4X4= .45 Cal

[JohnK87]

I've carried an LCP .380, and it conceals really nice.

But, my Kel-Tec PF-9 is not that much bigger and conceals easily as well, even with the laser and the holster. It has a LOT more power, though.

[rachilders]

I've carried an LCP .380, and it conceals really nice.

But, my Kel-Tec PF-9 is not that much bigger and conceals easily as well, even with the laser and the holster. It has a LOT more power, though.

+1

I've owned 380's for more than 30 years and found them more than capable of stopping a BG if necessary. OTOH, while I had a P-3AT vs. the Ruger, as the previous poster stated my PF-9 is not that much bigger and has a LOT more power than the P-3AT. If I can get a 9mm or larger caliber in a 380 sized package, I'm going to settle on the biggest bang for my dollar.

[BAC]

Caliber has no bearing whatsoever on quality. There are outstanding .380's and there are .45's that I wouldn't use to weight a fishing line.

The difference being .380s aren't marketed toward 'duty' use, nor are they made to compare with handguns that are. Those companies that market their product toward a harder shooting crowd tend to be much better about producing more durable/reliable pistols more often. To some, this matters, to others it doesn't, but it's still a worthwhile point.


-B

[ghost tracker]

.380s require a slide/frame size that so closely compares to the small 9mm options (Kahr PM, Keltec PF9, Robar, etc.)...why bother? If the recoil of a 9mm is too much for a shooter to handle, okay. But otherwise, I don't see the point.

[GunnyBunny]

James Bond didn't have a problem popping people with his...

Actually his PPK was chambered for 7.65mm (aka .32ACP), not .380.