Recoil of 380 vs 9mm

[okespe04]

Most cc guns kick like hell. Even the little 32s. The only little gun I could think that may not kick too much would be a .22. If she is going to cc the gun hitting the target at 10 feet is sufficient. My petite girlfriend can shoot my lcp well enough to do the job and that thing kicks a lot. Its not her favorite thing to do but its not like she has to pull it out and blast away every 10 mins either. I would get her a good cc pistol and with a little practice she will be able to place a shot well enough despite the kick. The she can cc it knowing it will do the job and hopefully she will never have to experience that kick except for a little practice shooting now and again.

My 2 cents

 

[HexHead]

Is she planning on carrying it? The problem with most .380s these days is that they are basically pocket pistols and are both small and lightweight. So they will have more perceived recoil than a larger and heavier 9mm.
I used to have a Browning BDA-380 and it was very docile to shoot, thanks to it's size and weight.

My wife hates recoil and refuses to shoot the S&W 442 I bought with her in mind. She loves shooting my, err her Browning HiPower, again it's size and weight make it very docile to shoot. I just got her a Para PDA in 9mm for when she wants to carry. Since it's based on a 1911, it's ergos make it a pleasure to shoot and it's not as light as some of the smaller .380s. To me, shooting it doesn't feel much different than the BHP.

 

[David E]

My carry gun is a Beretta 85FS.It's recoil is less than a 9MM. I carry FMJ,preferably the Winchester flat point in their USA brand. The debate over better cartridges for personel defense is legitimate. I just feel the Beretta 85 is a good balance. Byron

I gotta ask..........a "good balance" of what, exactly ?

.

 

[chriske]

IMHO, perceived recoil depends at least as much on gun shape, weight & size & even choice of ammo as on caliber.

I'm sure my Ruger Blackhawk .45 Colt with 1000 fps 200 Gr has more "backward thrust" than my S&W 640 with .38 Sp +P 125 Gr, but is far more manageable. My Browning HP kicks less with 147 Gr subsonic ammo than my Walther PPK with regular FMJ factory stuff.

Why not let her try as many different gun/caliber/ammo combinations as possible ?
Besides giving her more to choose from, she might get used to a bit more kick in the process.

 

[Byron]

David E, I should have clarified better. By "balance" I was referring to recoil vs.9MM,adequate defensive caliber and not too heavy. Byron

 

[David E]

For the same size and weight, a better 'balance' can be found in a Glock 19 or M&P-C.

Then again, I never thought the .380 was adequate for defense.

.

 

[Byron]

David E, The G19 or the G26 are great guns.My wife use to keep a soft drink can rolling at 25 yards with her 26. The boxed off edge imprints in my pocket whereas the 85FS doesn't.Wish Glock would redesign the slide. Byron

 

[David E]

Byron, that sounds like a pocket or holster issue.

How does the 26 ride or print? How about a Kahr ?

 

[Fumbler]

I'll add my 2 cents.

I have a Bersa Thunder 380 and a Sig 228 (compact 9mm).
I got the Bersa so my fiance could keep a pistol around.

Both my fiance and I agree the while the 9mm has more recoil, it is much softer shooting.
The 9mm is like a firm but gentle push while the 380 is lighter faster smack.
This is due to a few reasons.
-The Sig is locked breech and the Bersa is a simple blowback.
-The Sig is heavier.
-The rear of the Sig is much wider than the Bersa. All the recoil of the bersa is centered on a narrow frame.

If your 9mm recoils too much then a 380 might work.
A Glock probably won't help and some people have had problems with limp wristing; that could be a concern for inexperienced or weaker shooters.

Has she tried a revolver in 38 special?

 

[toivo]

Both my fiance and I agree the while the 9mm has more recoil, it is much softer shooting.
The 9mm is like a firm but gentle push while the 380 is lighter faster smack.
This is due to a few reasons.
-The Sig is locked breech and the Bersa is a simple blowback.
-The Sig is heavier.
-The rear of the Sig is much wider than the Bersa. All the recoil of the bersa is centered on a narrow frame.

Fumbler, I would agree with everything you say except for the width of the frame. I'm not an expert, but logic tells me that the only pertinent specs there would be the total weight of the pistol and the width/contour of the grip. The weight determines the pistols inertial resistance to recoil and the grip dimension determines the shooter's perception of the force. If by "frame" you meant the grip area of the frame, then you are 100% correct. I think...

 

[Fumbler]

Yes, the grip area.
The Bersa's frame is narrow and has a tang that sticks rearward. The grips do not make that part of the frame any wider and that part of the frame pushes back into the web of your hand on recoil.
The rear of the Sig's frame is wider by design to accomodate a double stacked mag and decocker mechanism. There is much more surface area to spread out the recoil.

The weight and operating system have more of an affect on recoil, but the contact area between the frame and your hand plays a part in comfort too.

 

[Byron]

David E. part of the problem is old injuries I picked up in the late 60's when I was in the Army. Aging has affected a lot with the old injuries(it seems the Golden years are more like the rust years). The smaller 9MM's kick me so hard,that I have pain for some days.I no longer shoot 357's in a pistol and stay with 223's for mostrifle shooting. Those injuries have come back to haunt me.I live in Middle TN and the weather changes quickly. The edge of the Glock has too much of a 90 degree angle to be in my pocket even the I usually wear cargo type pants.I do have a close fitting Bianchi holster but it is served best with a jacket. We went from 19 to 60 in a few days.The rounded edge of the 85 reduces the outline. I reload and practice a lot with my 85. Byron

 

[speedsix]

Most of the .380s I have owned have kicked sharper than most of my 9mms.

The softest shooting 9mms I have owned were my Ruger P-95, Star B, Beretta 92fs and Glock 17.

I would think one of the above full sized 9mm or similar loaded with mild 9mms would not be too much for her.

Make sure she has good ear protection as a lot of flinch is in the noise.

My wife picks her own guns because everytime I get her the "perfect" gun, it is all wrong. She likes her SIG 225.

 

[David E]

Byron, I understand about injuries and wonder what accommodations I may have to make in the future.

You actually prove my dictum: Carry the biggest caliber you can control. If any larger caliber causes pain, then you have chosen wisely, both in caliber and in gun. If my primary HAD to be a .380, I'd want a LOT of bullets in it!!

BTW, what is your chosen carry load?

.

 

[oneounceload]

to the OP - have you taken her to a range where you can rent various guns?

If not, do so....and try semis and revolvers - either way, shooting light loads and then go from there

 

[ERDOC]

9mm

Get her a 9mm,and get a low recoil load.She will fair much better with practice
than the .380 .
There are some 95,and 100 grain standard pressure 9mm loads out there that
she should be able to handle just fine.
Also,though sometimes difficult to find,Federal has a standard pressure 124 grain Nyclad HP load that is mild,but, a very terminal load with proper shot placement.

Doc

 

[Byron]

David E, I use the Winchester 95 grain fmj flat point.I decided penetration would be more effective and possible with the FP,may break a bone instead of glancing off. My Beretta shoots these quite well. As indicated earlier,I reload and therefore can practice a lot. There is a very nice indoor range in Murfreesboro,TN. Byron

 

[zammyman]

I'd say go for the 9MM- larger frame such as the Glock 19.

 

[svxapeal]

My .02 is to let her shoot a .32 and see how she feels. If she likes it, consider the Seecamp, a reliable pistol that can be had in .32 for about $500.
Plus, she'll probably be able to handle it better than the husband because it will fit her smaller hands better.
The wife isn't going out to get into a battle at a mall parking lot. She only wants and needs good protection from a very small number of bad guys (typically just one), so the .32 would be just fine.

Yes this is a great idea:banghead: women are MUCH less likely to be attacked and have no need for more stopping power,because so often you hear of men being accosted at the mall and gang raped and killed. Yanno...not once have my husband and I been walking into a mall..or store for that matter and have been asked by a man to "stand there and protect him" while he puts his kids in the car...yet we have been asked by a few women. You are right...women are much less likely to run into trouble/chance for an altercation at the mall.
But back on topic...I suggest taking her to a rental range and letting her try different models in different calibers. She may surprise her self with what fits her...and what she can handle. When I first started looking I looked at a Bersa Thunder in .380 because it seemed to be the only thing that "fit" right. I kept searching and finally found MY perfect gun.A lot of times it isn't the caliber...but finding the right gun that houses it. I now shoot (500-600 rounds and counting)and carry a High Standard compact 1911 in .45acp. I find the recoil very manageable. Good luck in y'alls search.

Caryn

 

[greenr18]

just get one of those compact hi point pistols, they come in .380 or 9mm i suggest 9mm as its cheaper and more common

 

[walker944]

"I kept searching and finally found MY perfect gun.A lot of times it isn't the caliber...but finding the right gun that houses it."

Well stated Caryn!!! We all seem to have an opion on this issue, and mine is she needs to touch and feel a LOT of guns to find what she's comfortable with. She needs to think realistically about HOW she is going to carry (purse, on person, etc) and find a gun that meets that need. The long and the short of it is: All guns are loud, and have recoil. That the nature of their business. That must be came to grips with. They can be heavy & bulky and sometimes down-right uncomfortable to have on your person or purse day-in and day-out. She's making the right decision to have protection, now she just simply needs to "cowgirl-up" and deal with the outcome of having a gun and shooting it. To me, my wife and our 15 yr old 110 lb daughter, recoil is a by-product of shooting...whether it be a .22, .380, 9mm, .357 mag, .45 or anything else.

 

[jjohnson]

Makarov

Well, if this is for CCW, I'm going to assume this goes into the purse, not in her pocket.

I'd go with a Markarov. Original 9x19 is just fine - and the .380 conversions as well. Mine is utterly reliable, and not too big to stash in a purse. Recoil isn't a big deal since it's steel framed. Mine shoots well, too - better than my Glock 17!

You can get one of these for fairly cheap.... it's DA.... and actually a fun shooter, which is great. Your wife might actually enjoy shooting it now and then, which is a good thing, getting used to your CCW sidearm.

 

[oneounceload]

how about a nice 38 revolver? At least try them out at a range to see how they fit. SHE needs to make the choice

 

[jimk66]

380 for CCW?

Man, I feel your pain.....our wives, GF's, etc. can drive us crazy trying to find them a handgun they like. lol And God love them..if we're not careful they'll end up accepting anything just to please us. The problem with making that mistake whether it be for ourselves or them is that the gun will go forgotten and unfired in some drawer because of perceived (imagined or otherwise) dislike for the gun (ugly, etc), fear, discomfort or heaven forbid...they just have no interest in guns regardless of the many valid reasons they should.
If the gun kicks too hard we'll try a heavier one or smaller caliber and then we're informed "it's way too heavy or it still kicks too hard". Ever hear of the "between a rock and hard place"...
We finally ended up with a little Walther P22 22lr that is small, fits her hand, has little or no recoil, is reliable and she can shoot with some accuracy and most importantly is not afraid of the gun or shooting it.
She keeps the little P22 in her night stand drawer and knows my S&W model 640 357 is always on the night stand next to my bed every night along with the little short barreled 12ga pump under my side of the bed loaded with .00's. She also knows either the Sig 220c 45cal or the H&K45c is always n the family room desk drawer loaded, chambered and ready to fire. However, please note the home defense handguns are either DA or DA/SA and in my experience will provide the shooter with a fraction of a second additional time to make sure of whether to shoot or not shoot. It also reduces my wide's fear of touching the guns and inadvertantly pulling/touching the trigger of a single action weapon.
Just my opinion.
JimK

 

[svxapeal]

Man, I feel your pain.....our wives, GF's, etc. can drive us crazy trying to find them a handgun they like. lol And God love them..if we're not careful they'll end up accepting anything just to please us.

Again this can be avoided by taking them to try out a bunch of guns at a rental range. Let THEM chose...don't chose for them. Don't push them to make a quick choice. They WILL know when they find "My/Their" gun... maybe I am quirky...but I am glad my husband doesn't come home with guns for me, but lets me take all the time I need to find the right one.

Caryn