hurrakane212
Member
Yeah I know, revolver round vs autoloader round = apples and oranges. However, how do they compare as a self defense round for a pocket gun?~Nathan
hurrakane212 said:Yeah I know, revolver round vs autoloader round = apples and oranges. However, how do they compare as a self defense round for a pocket gun?~Nathan
cookekdjr said:In just a round vs. round comparison, the .38 typically out-penetrates the .380 by a wide margin. However, the increased capacity of .380's gives them a different advantage. Its a trade-off: capacity vs. power.
MCgunner,MCgunner said:Don't forget concealability. That's the reason I often carry a .380 over my .38 J frame. The .380 fits a jeans pocket, the J frame, no way. My .380 is 100 percent reliable, not quite as accurate as my .38, but plenty for combat, and holds 12 rounds on tap in a pocket. That's a pretty desirable combination in my mind. Still, I usually have my 9 or .38 on my hip when I'm not forced to pocket carry.
The better .38 +Ps do marginally better in the M/S stats, but it's not that big a deal. Both are in the 70s IIRC. All that means to me is both will do the job acceptably with proper placement.
cookekdjr said:MCgunner,
what pocket .380 are you carrying that holds 12 rounds? I'm about to replace my AirLite J-frame, but I may hold off for something like you are describing.
Thanks,
David
unspellable said:While I find the Browning BDA to be a pretty good pistol, I have to say it's too big for a 380 to justify itself. By the time you have a pistol that big it might as well be a 9 mm.
I find the SIG p230/p232 to be the "Rolls Royce". My p230 shoots like a dream.McCall911 said:I pretty much agree with that assessment, but I still like the pistol a lot. Among .380s, I think of the Browning (Beretta) BDA as a "Cadillac."
cookekdjr said:I find the SIG p230/p232 to be the "Rolls Royce". My p230 shoots like a dream.
-David
i choose 38 special snubby all the way! compact as a 380
Based on your references, the .38 does appear to be significantly superior to the .380ACPMcCall911 said:I hope they're good, especially the .380 because a Browning BDA is my CCW.
If it's any help, Firearms Tactical has "Jello tests" of one .38 Spl and a couple of .380s on this page:
http://www.firearmstactical.com/briefs.htm
There are a couple of more .38's near the botton of this page:
http://www.firearmstactical.com/wound.htm
Now, if only someone will chime in as to how we're supposed to interpret this data.
This brings up an interesting point ...unspellable said:While I find the Browning BDA to be a pretty good pistol, I have to say it's too big for a 380 to justify itself. By the time you have a pistol that big it might as well be a 9 mm.
Alan Fud said:Based on your references, the .38 does appear to be significantly superior to the .380ACP