I keep drafting posts for this thread, and then I end up deleting them ...
Discussions which involve semantics, and the application of often malleable personal definitions of words like "marginal", hardly ever end up at some mutually agreeable consensus or definitive answer. How surprising is that?
Rather than belabor all the things I sometimes offer in threads like this, I'll try to stick to some basic elements.
The venerable Browning .380 ACP caliber has been with us for just over 100 years. Probably not going away anytime soon.
It's been enjoying a huge spike in popularity among both commercial/private and LE shooters in the last few years. In one armorer class last year I was told that it's been the fast-growing caliber for commercial ammunition sales in the last couple of years. Maybe so.
The continuing introduction of both really diminutive and "comfortably larger" new pistol models (think G42 & LC380) has apparently helped fuel this cyclical resurgence of interest. The increase of women shooters interested in this caliber has reportedly been significant (from the perspective of some of the gun companies, at least).
The .380
isn't a common, modern "service/duty" caliber. Not likely to see it start appearing in basket-weave uniform holsters as a primary weapon.
However, it's still a small caliber option that's authorized for both secondary/backup & off-duty weapons among LE agencies across the country. It's reportedly saved the lives of cops in this role. (Just like the venerable .38 Spl in 5-shot snubs.)
Sure, there are always going to be folks who feel a secondary/backup weapon ought
not be chambered in anything
less than a service/duty grade caliber. (I remember in earlier years (80's) when some guys carried .22's, .25's, .32's & .380's ... but other guys carried .45 ACP (Commanders) or .357 Magnum (2 1/2" Model 19's) as "secondary/backup" weapons.
Even in the 70's-80's you could hear strong opinions voiced that an emergency backup weapons needed to be
at least as powerful as the primary weapon's caliber.
Then again, you could also hear some cops express how they wanted a small hideout (like a .22LR/Mag or .25) that could be kept in the event of an Onion Field situation. Kind of depends which water cooler you wanted to frequent (or which gun writer you favored).
Rather than get caught up in the whole "marginal" debate, I tend to look at it from the narrow perspective of what it
means to me.
The smallest of the new models can fit where my J-frames can't go. Sometimes that's a handy consideration. (Beats relying upon a "tactical pen", in my opinion.)
It's
never going to "equal" my 9's, .40's, .45's, or even my .38 Spl snubs (especially loaded with heavier bullet weights).
As long as
I can run
my LCP's (I now own a pair of them) in realistic drills and COF's, and do so rapidly, controllably and accurately enough to be at least
minimally acceptable & adequate for my needs, I'll accept the potential disadvantages in
some situations and anticipated circumstances.
The .380 is arguably a better option than a .22 or .25, and probably better than a "tactical pen" when it comes down it.
No, I won't get rid of my .38's, 9's, .40's or .45's.
More range time and attention to realistic training to correct both acknowledged and unacknowledged shooter problems. Less bickering about make/model of guns, calibers and whatever might be the "ultimate JHP" of the moment.
Winning an internet argument, or stridently voicing an opinion, will never save your life if & when an actual imminent deadly force situation comes calling.
posts some one please pass the peanuts
