.380, 9mm, or .38 special?

[greenr18]

If you had a choice of which caliber your next handgun would be, which would you choose?

[Glockman17366]

My next handgun will be a Ruger LCP which is why I selected .380.

[oneounceload]

I'll take a 9mm in a revolver - the S&W 547 with a 3" barrel

[DeepSouth]

I had to go with .380 just because I want the Ruger LCP, but normally I won't go smaller than a .40 My preference is usually a good ol' fashion .45

[marshallu]

9 mm, already have a 380 and don't like 38 special.

[FoMoGo]

None of them start with a .4
Needs more options.


Jim

[greenr18]

no ones a fan of .38 special?

[HannibalHungry]

How convenient, the reason I joined THR resulted from stumbling upon a discussion on the Micro Desert Eagle .380 auto.

I actually own a Glock 17 9mm, as well as a taurus .357 mag (which also fires .38 spcl) So the next child I want to adopt needs to have .380 auto in its name.

The discussion on THR about the .380 deringers seems to have convinced me the MDE might not be the best buy. I have always loved the Ruger product.

[parisite]

I love shooting my 38 Special cast lead reloads in my four revolvers and my semi-auto pistol. Makes for great extended range sessions and good cheap fun.

[Marlin 45 carbine]

I have all those listed but a Makarov 9X18mm (Russki commercial model) replaced the .380acp for carry and the .38/.357mag Ruger for bed-post pistol. laugh if you wish.

[Monster Zero]

I've been planning for another 642 for awhile now, but the new Ruger LCR is gonna get a look.

.38 special is common and ubiquitous, at least today. It doesn't fling my brass all around, it's easy to reload for and has a long case life.

IT GOES BLAM EVERY TIME. If it doesn't go blam, just pull the trigger again.

And it would hurt very much to be hit with it.

Much like choosing a wife, one might say. Beautiful and exotic are alluring attributes, but they come with high maintenance attached. :)

Consistency, reliability, and effectiveness in any situation are all more important.

Thus my opinion, "There's really only one CCW handgun in the world, and it's the Smith 642. All the rest are imitations."

Notwithstanding the Smith 442 or maybe the new Ruger, of course.

[lawboy]

I voted 38spl. I love this caliber. I shoot many thousands of rounds of 38spl. each year. Shoot more. Worry about caliber less. Just make sure whatever you buy you can afford to and do shoot the hell out of it! If is a lightweight gun meant for a lot of miles and not a lot of shots, then buy one to carry and one to shoot. BUT YOU HAVE GOT TO TRAIN A LOT TO STAY ON TOP OF YOUR GAME. Almost any gun will do. The question is, will you?
A better question is, what and when will your next training session be?

[ArmedBear]

BUT YOU HAVE GOT TO TRAIN A LOT TO STAY ON TOP OF YOUR GAME.

Reality: CCW carriers who have stopped a violent crime are not all a bunch of weekend paintball, weeknights at IDPA shoots people.

A gun is not a magic wand to stop all attackers. But it's not a concert violin, either.

[mbt2001]

I voted .380 because I need a good .380 as a CCW. The logic here being is that I have 9's and .38's already and prefer an auto for self defense and can pick up the Bersa or the Bersa 'concealed' for under $400.00

I would PREFER to get a Walther PPS in 9mm, but we are talking real money not monopoly money.

[ArmedBear]

Probably none of the above, unless I get a tiny 9mm for CCW, when I get around to getting my Idaho permit.

I'd get a second J-Frame, though. I love those things. Just not sure how I'd carry it.

[cerberus65]

If you had a choice

You mean I don't get a choice?

Sorry. Couldn't resist. :-)

I chose .380 since I'm looking around for an LCP.

[1KPerDay]

38 Special cast lead reloads in my four revolvers and my semi-auto pistol.
you have a semi-auto .38 special? what is it?

[rswartsell]

Shopping for a Browning HP.

[greenr18]

Shopping for a Browning HP

I love High Powers, always been my favorite 9mm handgun.

[Treo]

None of the above?

[svxapeal]

I bought a .357, because it could shoot both .38's and .357. After 2 cylinders of .38's, I decided to try the .357's. After that I never went back to the .38's, it just didn't have the recoil I desire. I then got my Taurus 445, and sold my Ruger .357 because it no longer fit any of my wants in a gun. So to answer the above question none of the above...my next gun will be a 8 round shot gun, then a new rifle. For now...my handgun needs are covered by ones that start with .4

Caryn

[parisite]

you have a semi-auto .38? what is it?

I was intentionally vague hoping some one might ask.:)
S&W Model 52........just shoots 38 Spl wadcutters. A legend in bullseye circles.
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o182/bendebval/52-2rt.jpg

[Eightball]

Voted 9mm, as I'm hoping to pick up a Kahr.

Though, a KTP3AT is tempting.

If you'd caught me about a month ago, .38 special woulda been it, but I already bought my 638

[1KPerDay]

S&W Model 52........just shoots 38 Spl wadcutters.
Yeah, that's the only one I could think of. Nice. :cool:

[CoRoMo]

If you had a choice...

Luckily, I do, but I'm unsure which it will be.
If a hi-cap ban seems imminent, then the XDm9 moves to the top of the handgun list.

[tube_ee]

1) Accurate. Very accurate. Both the cartridge itself and the guns that shoot it. Size being about equal, your average sixgun will outshoot your average brasschucker, IME. And even among revolvers, the .38 Special has a long-standing reputation for accuracy.

2) Bullet weight. The .38 is at its best with a heavier bullet than the .380 or the 9x18. I think this matters. Some don't. It'll never be answered.

3. Bullet shape. The lack of a need to feed up and out of a magazine allows for bullet shapes to be designed with only terminal performance in mind. A 9x19 sixgun would negate this, except that nobody makes ammo designed to take advantage of that platform/caliber combo.

I guess it's mostly about the platform, but the cartridge itself has some things to recommend it as well.

The .380 isn't even in the running, IMHO.

--Shannon

[greenr18]

.38 special automatic = very cool Parisite :D

[parisite]

Colt also made a 38 wadcutter gun in the 1911 platform way back when. I have two shooting buddies who have them. We shoot our 148gr cast lead reloads out of them regularly.

[jad0110]

... in fact, I just picked one up myself, a sweet Model 15-2 made in 1965 :cool: ...



http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q139/jad0110/Smith%20and%20Wesson%20Model%2015%2038%20Special/GunPics050.jpg

[exflatlander]

I'd like to find another beretta 92 (preferably a compact or a Centurion). I wouldn't be disappointed with a CZ 75, Browning HP or a 1911 in 9mm either.

[heavyshooter]

no ones a fan of .38 special?

.38 special got my vote. I would go with a +P.

Heavy

[Shytheed Dumas]

I have two 9mm's (Kahr PM9 & Stoeger Cougar 8000) and my .38 special is a S&W 642, so of the three my next would definitely be a .380; probably a Ruger LCP.

[The_Shootist]

I voted .380 as thats the one calibre I don't have. Probably a SIG P232. However, its way down the list as I have a Bulgy Mak thats no worse than a .380, and my 642/G19 seem to be doing most CCW service. Especially the 642.

[Ben86]

None of the above. My next pistol will be a .45. Not that I'm a 9mm basher or anything.

[Lee Lapin]

Don't know about the next one- don't even know if there will be a next one. But the last two were .38 Specials- a pair of 642s with no internal locks and consecutive serial numbers. Just got them back from their trigger/action jobs- sweet!

lpl (now officially an old phart, carrying a pair of J frames)

[KeithET]

Of the three I would most likely get a S&W J frame probably a 442. I have wanted a small snubby in 38 special for a couple of years. Already have three 9mm and one 380.

KeithET

[lawboy]

ArmedBear, I understand your point and agree that people with little or no training have succeeded in surviving violent conflict with or without a weapon. However, if you strap on a gun for CCW then you strap on a responsibility to be as proficient in its use (which includes concealing it, deploying, it, using it, etc.) and you do dramatically increase your chances of doing all of that right if you train with the weapon regularly under stress. Just because some people get lucky is no reason to start touting luck as the proficiency standard.

[makarovnik]

I need a tiny little P3AT so .380. I prefer the 9mm but in the small package I'm looking for I would have to go with a Roughbach and I think they are expensive and probably painful to shoot.

[orionengnr]

Well, maybe another P7. I've owned a number of them through the years, keep selling them and then end up wanting one again :) Wish I could make up my mind.

While I own several .357 revolvers, I only one one .38 (j-frame) and it may be gone this week.

As far as .380s go, I've been down Kel-Tec Road several times, and won't be returning. I have an LCP, works great, been through the recall and back, but I'm still not sure I trust the cartridge, so it may be gone one day soon, too.

[skoro]

Mine will be a .380; either Ruger LCP or KelTec p-3AT.

[armoredman]

9mm, CZ-P07.

[Niles Coyote]

Having all three already, this is a tough question... I guess I would have to wait around until I came across some thing speical.

[Boba Fett]

Fan of the 9mm in general. I don't CC it (just personal preference). But I do like the amount of recoil and the accuracy I've developed with it (especially out of my Baby Eagle).

Though since I shoot all three, I'm not against the other two either. I'd probably take 38 special next and then 380 last. Depending on the firearm they're being shot from, they all have their places, their advantages, and their disadvantages.


My next handgun will be a Ruger LCP which is why I selected .380.

May want to reconsider the LCP purchase. At least give it a year before you buy. People are still finding issues with them.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=411170

To paraphrase orchidhunter, do you really want to be another uncompensated Ruger beta tester?

[Kind of Blued]

9mm or .38 Special. That's as wussy as I get. :neener:

[jc650]

I voted .380 as I am patiently waitin for my LCP to arrive at my dealer. I already have a 9mm and a 357/38.

[riverdog]

Why would having 9mm and a 357/38 handguns mean you need a .380? I'd take a second 9mm way before I'd bother with a .380.

I voted 9mm.

[jc650]

Not that I need a .380, I just want an LCP.

[Ben86]

I've already got 3 9mms so I want a true pocket gun. I'm not really into revolvers so it will most likely be a .380. Being a Ruger fan it will most likely be an LCP.

[MCgunner]

I've got 9s and .38s. I need an LCP or P3AT. They have uses that bigger guns can't fill and I need one in my battery.

[Big Bill]

no ones a fan of .38 special?Speak for yourself! I love my S&W 642 .38 Special +P.

[greenr18]

i like 38 :neener: i was just wondering why a lot of people arent for it

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm a revolver guy and I think the .38 Special is a good SD round. With all the improvements in bullet design all the old knocks against the .38 Special are moot.

[chriske]

My next will be a S&W mod 15-3, 2" version. (see jad 0110's pic, (# 29)

I just llllove .38 special & I've wanted this particular gun for a long long time.

[Mello]

None of those.

I have handguns which shoot those rounds. I have not fired any one of them in about 10 years.

I have been shooting 40S&W, 45acp and 10mm during that time. In controlled pairs the second shot is center of mass in less than .25 seconds at 7 yards and shorter ranges.

[pith43]

hmmm...... 454 Casull wasn't on the list, so I didn't get to vote.

[North of 49th]

Just bought a colt python in .38 spl actually.

[saturno_v]

9 mm hands down

Same diameter bullet, almost double the energy.

A 38 Special revolver is a nice "romantic" gun, the round has a lot of history behind and you can have relaxing fun at the range.
For serious defense work I'll take the 9.

[WRGADog]

Kahr P380. Will put 200-300 through her this weekend.

[woad_yurt]

My next caliber could be anything. It depends upon what crosses my path. There's a good chance that it might be a tiny, hammerless .32 Iver Johnson, though. I'm kind of in the negotiating stage right now.

[denfoote]

My new handgun is .45acp.

[mrt949]

38 special .easier on old hands with carple tunnel

[zombienerd]

I voted .380.. Picking up a Bersa Thunder .380 very shortly :)

Great CC piece.

[volgunner]

.38 sp. I'm a revolver guy. What else can I say?

[TomB7777]

Ruger LCP looks really sweet!

[Jim PHL]

I voted 9mm. The 'plan' is to buy a compliment to my 3913. However, the gun shop I go to is always likely to have some nice used S+W .38's or .357's in the case at good prices. I never know when I go in there what I might be leaving with!

I go back and forth about whether to get another Kel-Tec or the new Ruger LCP. Those two guns are the only reason I would go with a .380.

[Davionmaximus]

Got my sights set on an XDM :D

[foghornl]

I voted .380, 'cause I am undecided between the Bersa "Thunder 380" and the Ruger "LCP".

[ArmedBear]

Probably a 9mm for pocket carry.

.380 is hardly worth carrying, and while I'd rather get a .38, the 642 I already have doesn't fit in my pocket.

[mbt2001]

.380 is hardly worth carrying...

tisk tisk tisk... You should have put IMO in front of that.

I actually like the .380 round it would do the job that's for sure... I like 9mm better and .38 better still, I find that the .380 can often be found in reliable, small, easy to carry but inexpensive launchers, whereas the 9mm would cost $200 - $500 in some cases more and the .38's in the same price range would be heavier for sure and possible larger.

:(

If someone wants to buy me a Walther PPS and send it, that would be great. Otherwise, don't knock my budget!

[ArmedBear]

Geez, I'm not knocking your budget, or anything else about you. Why would I?

It does look like Cor-Bon has squeezed quite a bit of power out of the little round -- for more than a buck a shot, but I just bought one box of the stuff for my J-frame, too. It's not practice ammo.:)

https://dakotaammo.net/shop/index.php?cPath=21_31

Still, please understand that I wasn't insulting you, or anyone. I shoot a lot of .22LR. A LOT of it. Because I'm sometimes broke, and always cheap.:)

OTOH, the fact that I'm cheap doesn't add anything to the bullet weight or velocity of what I'm shooting at any given moment...

[LeonCarr]

.380 = Quit shooting me it is starting to hurt.

9mm = Ok I guess

.38 = My choice. Brutally accurate, can be loaded from mild to wild, cheap to shoot.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

[BullpupBen]

The problem with this poll is that both .380 and .38 spec exists only in CC handguns, while 9mm exists in both CC and full sized handguns.

I think you should make a new poll with the option ".38/.357" to be fair.

[tube_ee]

As there are many, many fine used .38 Special service-sized sixguns out there. A S&W Model 10, 38/44, or whatever else or a Colt Police Positive Special Officer's Model Match, Python or whatever else is a better built and better shooting gun than 99 66/100% of us deserve.

--Shannon

[rtyson]

I have owned my KelTec over a year and found it to be accurate and reliable but little hard on my hand in warm weather. I went out for the first time this winter and shooting the P3AT in cold weather literally numbed my hand after 4 rounds of Remington "Golden Saber". Having said that I never expected this little pocket pal to be something easy or comfortable to shoot and in a life and death situation a numb hand would be the least of my worries... I think my next .380 will be a PPK, still small and easier on my hand.

[texas bulldog]

i voted 9mm, and it has nothing to do with disliking .38 special. i already own all the .38s i need at the moment. however, a BHP and an LCP are both high on the wish list right now. so i'm not actually sure which one will come first. depends which i find the right deal on sooner and how much i have to spend.

[NG VI]

I would pick either 9mm or .38, but I am really torn on it. I would love to get a sweet .38 or .357 K frame next, but there are plenty of 9mm pistols (and a couple revolvers) I want badly too. I'd go 9mm Model 547 for the win.