Which round?

Just because everyone seems to enjoy not owning one or the other, I thought I would come up with a twist for these two calibres. If you only had the choice between 7.62x25 and .380 for a carry round, which would you pick, and why? Your choice of platform, but presume that there were restrictions in place so that these were the only two option from which you could choose. Assume concealability is not a huge priority, and that availability of the different rounds/accessories for your various choice of firearm were equally abundant and cost-effective. And presume that the 7.62x25 was available in more than, say, a TT33, and was supported by major manufacturers in any frame that would physically accept said round, just like any other calibre.

The 7.62 is a better round in my opinion, but there's no gun chambered for it that I would like to own. For the 9mm kurz my choice would be a Glock 25.

I went with .380 simply because I can walk into Wal-Mart and buy a 100 round box of .380.

You aren't doing that with 7.62x25.

I went with .380 simply because I can walk into Wal-Mart and buy a 100 round box of .380.

You aren't doing that with 7.62x25.Hence the "Assume concealability is not a huge priority, and that availability of the different rounds/accessories for your various choice of firearm were equally abundant and cost-effective." in the OP. This is supposed to be a more or less "all things being equal" type question.

If these were the only choices, I'd go with the 7.62x25 since concealment is not a priority. I think the CZ52 or the TT33 would be a suitable carry gun. It would have great penetration on vehicles/body armour and give good performance for longer ranges (out to 50-75m or so), this would be my choice of the two for a mostly rural, third world scenario.
Having said that, if concealment were a serious consideration, I'd go for one of the Beretta M84s(one of the older ones) or the CZ83. This would be my choice for a urban setting, regardless of nation. They are two of my all-time favorite .380s.

1. For the most part, 7.62x25 ammo is only available in surplus FMJ of dubious pedigree, or new FMJ if you can hunt some down somewhere.
* High-quality .380 guns and high-performance JHP ammo are available almost everywhere.

2. 7.62x25 only makes a .30 cal. hole.
* A .36 cal. hole isn't that much bigger, but the bigger the hole, the faster & more it bleeds.

3. The only two commonly available 7.62x25 handguns are old, surplus, semi-unsafe, and either big and clunky (Tokarev), or big, and heavy (CZ-52).

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

Price and availability of .380
Variety of available loads in .380
Variety of available guns in .380
Variety of available reloading components in .380

let's see, price, availability, availability, availability, and availability . . .

next subject

Definitely would go with 7.62x25.

Here's why (http://www.brassfetcher.com/762x25mm.html)

Bullet penetrated to 7.0" in the gelatin, when it began to tumble. Bullet apparently 'righted itself', traveling base forward from 14.5" onwards.

And here's why (http://www.brassfetcher.com/Wolf%2085gr%20Copper%20JHP.html)

The only problem is finding a decent CCW to carry it in.

with the situation you've presented, both rounds having an equally developed market/equally represented by both ammunition and firearms manufacturers, I would definitely go with the 7.62X25mm. the only reason the 7.62 isn't a far more popular round is the fact that there is no defensive ammunition available, and no manufacturer makes a good modern pistol or revolver for it. if i had some extra money and someone chambered a pistol i liked in it, and at least a couple companies came out with reasonably priced quality ammunition, I'd snap one up.

"Assume concealability is not a huge priority, and that availability of the different rounds/accessories for your various choice of firearm were equally abundant and cost-effective. And presume that the 7.62x25 was available in more than, say, a TT33, and was supported by major manufacturers in any frame that would physically accept said round, just like any other calibre."

I think the above from the OP is clear enough, some of you really need to work on your reading comprehension skills.

Some of you need to work on the number of quotes in your sig line too.

My reading comprehension got tired before I got to the meat of the question!

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

I find it interesting that the gap between the two rounds is tightening already.

Tis about brasspukingbottomfeeders, moved to Autoloaders


My 2¢, P3AT in, Oh, a, .380acp

Regardless, it's a moot point anyway.

No modern manufacture is going to build a gun chambered for it.

Not with a world full of 50 - 70 year old surplus, corrosive primed, semi-dangerous sub-machinegun ammo still out there at fire-sale prices.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

the .380 makes a 9mm hole and the bullet typically weighs more, but the 7.62x25 has a faster velocity and has more energy (when comparing a 90 grain bullet for both). tough question with the scenario you set up.

Yeah, you're right rcmodel, and it's a shame, I've always liked the 7.62x25, it, the 9x23 Win and 10mm have so much potential

If stuck with this choice, I would go for a .380ACP BERETTA 84. I would have a larger magazine capacity. It is double action. I can get ammo EVERYWHERE. There is a lot of good quality .380.

Against this is the weakness of the .380ACP. Against the 7.62 is the EXCESSIVE PENETRATION and very limited choice of ammo. See any GOLD DOT, GOLDEN SABRE, HST or any other really good ammo for the 7.62.

Against the 7.62 is the very, very limited choice of guns. The CZ is a facinating gun, but not set up well for defense and is to large to conceal if you change your mind and want to carry it.
The TOKAREV is not even an option. I would carry this gun, except with the chamber empty and magazine full.
What else is there.

Frankly, given these choices, I would buy a used BERETTA 92, SMITH & WESSON K-frame in .357 magnum or new SIGMA or RUGER. I am certain I would be happier.

Jim

7.62x25mm

Hands down. There it is. Extremely powerful. Fantastic round. Nuff said.

(Plus, why would you buy a .380 ACP when you could have 9mm NATO? Go for the .30 Tok in a CZ-52)

I'd go for a Sig P226 in 7.62x25,I already have one in 357sig,that's pretty much the same,isn't it??

Without thinking twice 7.62x25. The new chinese pistols are available in Pakistan which take 7.62 in double stack magazines. That erases all my concerns with respect to typical TT.