I'm sure this question has been brought up many times, but I can't seem to find any answers that are very straight forward so here we go... I'm thinking about getting a .380 ACP in the form of something like a Kel-Tec P3AT. At that size and weight its like a CC dream come true, but I'm not so confident about the stopping power. What do you guys think? Does it have sufficient power to quickly drop a man?
There are many small firearms designed for this round, but many of the modern 9mm's are just as small and pack more punch.
There are only two* 9mms that even come close to a P3AT in both size and weight. For a gun that can be carried anywhere - front or back pocket holster, under nothing but a t-shirt with a neck holster - you truly can't beat a P3AT.
*KT P3AT weight: empty 8.3 oz. loaded 11 oz; width: .77"; height; 3.5"; length 5.2"
Rohrbaugh R9 weight: empty 14.3 oz loaded 17 oz; width .91"; height 3.7"; length 5.2"
KT PF-9 weight: empty 14.7 oz loaded 18 oz; width .98"; height 4.4"; length 5.9"
The Rohrbaugh R9 comes close in size, but gives up over 1/10" in width, and a critical 6 oz in loaded weight. It does this at over 3x the price of a P3AT. The PF-9 gives up width and length, wins on height, and adds an extra round of capacity for only 1oz extra loaded weight when compared to the R9. I didn't bother with the Kahr PM9 in the measurements above. With a width of 1.1" it gives up 1/3" to the P3AT, and at 20oz loaded is nearly twice the weight of a P3AT. The Skyy CPX-1 is dimensionally similar to the PF-9, but loses out on both empty and loaded weights.
http://www.mouseguns.com/PocketAutoComparison.jpg - That's Bobo's pocket auto comparison chart. See the thread stickied at the top of this forum for more info. Thanks for the awesome chart Bobo!
In regards to the Marshall & Sanow numbers quoted earlier in this thread, please do a search here for more info. Their "research" is highly disputed.
As far as the .380 ACP itself, it's not a bad round. Not my first choice, but great in a small gun like a P3AT. Also great in a larger gun for someone who's recoil sensitive for any number of reasons. Heck, the Slovakian and Czech Republic Armies still issue the CZ-82 chambered in 9x18 Russian (almost a ballistic twin to the .380) as their standard sidearm. The Makarov itself has served the Russian military well for many years, and the Walther PP and PPK were always plenty for the German Police. It's not a ballistic wonder cartridge like the .357 SIG, but the .380 has worked just fine for the better part of the last century.