Would You Trust Your Life With A .380?
- Thread starter Crazy Coot
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JeffG
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I would not choose a .380. If I had one on my belt when a fight broke out I'd stake my life on it. It would be a case of the situation dictated what transpired.
I find small guns like the LCP hard to shoot - they are a poor fit for my hands. Even a Shield is a bit cramped for me, but I shoot it well. I shoot the wife's LCP well enough, but not nearly as well or as fast as a Shield, and neither even come close to a G26 in my hands.. I'm a XXL -sized guy, so concealing a larger gun is no problem. So for me, .380 makes no sense. For the wife, it's a viable choice.
When it comes to trusting a gun to defend my life, dependability is my first requirement. After that, I want the biggest caliber that I can shoot accurately and fast, and still conceal. Most of the time, that's a Glock, 1911, or Shield, in 9mm or .45acp. YMMV.
When it comes to trusting a gun to defend my life, dependability is my first requirement. After that, I want the biggest caliber that I can shoot accurately and fast, and still conceal. Most of the time, that's a Glock, 1911, or Shield, in 9mm or .45acp. YMMV.
BLU
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Yes. I did today, (too lazy to get the .357 Ruger out), and do when clothing dictates a smaller gun, (I'm never unarmed). I carry for Peace of Mind. The .380 (with sufficient practice and proper ammo), gives me that in everyday scenarios. I do prefer larger more powerful rounds... if circumstances allow, but, I'm okay with .380.
MachIVshooter
Member
Yes Kieth so true. But our Nation was a safer place 50 years ago.
Actually, in terms of unlawful homicides, we have never been safer since we began compiling statistics. Our homicide rate is presently 3.9 per 100k. The next lowest point over the last century was 4.5 per 100k in 1955.
Float Pilot
Member
Yes, with proper ammo and proper shot placement.
I would imagine modern GS trauma procedures have had a lot to do with this.
Wouldn't be my first, second, third, fourth or fifth choice in carry caliber but I would feel confident I could stop a threat with .380 if need be. I'd definitely practice more shots aimed toward the central nervous system and vital organs like the heart. With modern technology and the right load .380 is a more capable round than most give it credit for
Depending on what the weather is = how I'm dressed I'd have no problem with a 380! Carried one for years, but 15 yrs or so ago I discovered the 9mm Makerov rd in the same pistol I have in 380. Both are Walther PP sized pistols. Since then I have carried a PA 63 in Makerov. Hollow points and other "hotter" ammo is available for the Mak which gives a good edge over the same in 380.
IF the situation requires something better I carry a Browning Hi Power with 15 rds of alternated SMG Ball & super Vel HPs.
Sarge
IF the situation requires something better I carry a Browning Hi Power with 15 rds of alternated SMG Ball & super Vel HPs.
Sarge
.380 isn't a target round. It's not an inexpensive plinking round. It's not chambered in very many recreational/type guns. It's not made for hunting. The entire point of .380ACP is to be a self-defense round that can be chambered in very small, easily concealed self-defense pistols.
The fact that a lot of .380ACP ammo and pistols are sold is proof that a lot of people trust their lives to the caliber.
The fact that a lot of .380ACP ammo and pistols are sold is proof that a lot of people trust their lives to the caliber.
AZAndy
Member
Oh, I don't know about that. Riots were frequent, there were assassinations, and I was doing "hide under your desk" drills in elementary school.Yes Kieth so true. But our Nation was a safer place 50 years ago.
That's very true, I do work in two trauma centers level
I, we have a high rate of surviving after the shooting in regards of rescue teams or police getting into scene in minutes.
I saw many calibers I can measure them. However, few 45 or 40 survive or arrived to the hospital.
So, if I have no choice I would grab a 380. Otherwise, no.
My choice: 45, then 40, but since I ve been training with 9 for years. I keep it
MedWheeler
Member
Against what?
To get me out of danger from the "more-normal" one-or-two person street thug mugger situation, yes, provided it's in an effectively-deployed and utilized weapon, a requirement that applies to any firearm defense.
In most of the other, more-extreme situations that come up here as possible scenarios, I'd need to depend even more on my self-extraction opportunities, but even a pistol chambered in .380 could enhance those.
Truth is, a LOT of things would have to fall into just the right order for me to be forced to "trust my life" to any firearm in active defense.
That being said, I did switch up from the well-carried Bersa Thunder 380 seven years ago to a Kel-Tec PF9. However, it was more for ease of carry (lighter, thinner gun) than for the caliber upgrade; the Bersa remains easier to shoot.
To get me out of danger from the "more-normal" one-or-two person street thug mugger situation, yes, provided it's in an effectively-deployed and utilized weapon, a requirement that applies to any firearm defense.
In most of the other, more-extreme situations that come up here as possible scenarios, I'd need to depend even more on my self-extraction opportunities, but even a pistol chambered in .380 could enhance those.
Truth is, a LOT of things would have to fall into just the right order for me to be forced to "trust my life" to any firearm in active defense.
That being said, I did switch up from the well-carried Bersa Thunder 380 seven years ago to a Kel-Tec PF9. However, it was more for ease of carry (lighter, thinner gun) than for the caliber upgrade; the Bersa remains easier to shoot.
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Yes Kieth so true. But our Nation was a safer place 50 years ago.
With crime, including so-called "gun violence" recently having fallen to generational lows, can I ask what source you look to in weighing this? Were the late 60s really such a time of tranquility?
There's a huge opportunity for a paper here to back the observation about caliber. Since 85% of people make it to the hospital, and the vast majority survive across all calibers including long guns -- if 40 and 45 represent an aberration in terms of death rates that would be surprising, to say the least.
https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/news-releases/2014/january/survival-rates-similar-for-gun
Absolutely. I prefer a .357 on my belt, but I go months at a time in the summer packing a Pico in my back pocket.
Is it enough? Who the heck knows. Sometimes a sharp jab of a finger and a growling "Back off!" is enough. Sometimes anything short of an Ar wouldn't make a difference.
We all play the odds just stepping out the door...for that matter I'm more likely to slip and kill myself in the bathtub than be violently assaulted.
For me being the happy go lucky optimist that I am, I'm OK with a .380.
Is it enough? Who the heck knows. Sometimes a sharp jab of a finger and a growling "Back off!" is enough. Sometimes anything short of an Ar wouldn't make a difference.
We all play the odds just stepping out the door...for that matter I'm more likely to slip and kill myself in the bathtub than be violently assaulted.
For me being the happy go lucky optimist that I am, I'm OK with a .380.
Armored farmer
Member
Don't forget:
Twin towers
Boston Marathon
Pulse nightclub
School shootings
Theater shootings
Airport shooting
Army base shootings
Workplace shootings
Dog Soldier
member
Well you know about the Sidewinder. They will hunt you.
bannockburn
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Yes I have and continue to do so. My current line-up consists of a Colt Mustang, a SIG P238, and a KelTec P3AT.
And I hope to live out my life not needing my firearm, but may not have that choice. So if the need arises...
...but would never carry .380 when I have another choice.
Dog Soldier
member
It is amazing how the facts are ignored. Chicago alone has an incredible modern day homicide rate.
I trust my life to myself alone. I have a brain, try to use it correctly, and have suffered the consequences when I chose badly. No one or nothing else was responsible.
Your mind is the first weapon, use it wrongly and you will get yourself killed. What tools you chose depending on the circumstances after that? Would you go into trench warfare with just a .380? No. As a backup weapon, yes. Many did in WWI. It's an old round and has been around for a long time.
Assaulting Gold Beach in Normandy?
Doing three second rushes in the streets of Mosul?
Walking into Walmart after 10:30 for a gallon of milk?
Yes, lots of people choose to use .380 when and where the circumstances fit. Use your primary weapon, your head, and consider if it's the best fit. Maybe an AR pistol would be a better choice in other circumstances. Or not being there at all. Just don't be wrong and things go better.
Your mind is the first weapon, use it wrongly and you will get yourself killed. What tools you chose depending on the circumstances after that? Would you go into trench warfare with just a .380? No. As a backup weapon, yes. Many did in WWI. It's an old round and has been around for a long time.
Assaulting Gold Beach in Normandy?
Doing three second rushes in the streets of Mosul?
Walking into Walmart after 10:30 for a gallon of milk?
Yes, lots of people choose to use .380 when and where the circumstances fit. Use your primary weapon, your head, and consider if it's the best fit. Maybe an AR pistol would be a better choice in other circumstances. Or not being there at all. Just don't be wrong and things go better.
djont57
Member
Yes,
That is a good idea let me talk to my trauma surgeon (who has written several books about trauma) and put together some notes.
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