needmorecowbell
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my Hellcat and Spyderco’s just for comparison sakeYes. I agree with Bersaguy.
I will carry a small 38 special instead if I can, but I can carry my LCPII under almost any circumstances.
All other factors excluded, is .380 ACP the best pocket semi auto caliber?
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I tend to carry around and old .32 ACP with a 3.8 inch barrel. Have been thinking about a smaller firearm for summer, but haven't really wanted to invest, so up in the air on it still. In terms of effectiveness, from my learning about .32 ACP, from my little CZ-70 the energy is similar to the foot pounds of nrg of .22 from a long rifle with a full length barrel for what it is worth. I just load it with ball ammo to keep it simple.
WheelGunMan
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A .380 with the RIGHT ammo is a great choice. I've been using ARX ammo in my EDC for several years. My Kimber Micro .380 uses a 56 grain projectile whistling along at around 1200 fps.It is a non expanding fluted projectile that is barrier blind in its penetration and opens up the wound cavities comparable to lead expanding bullets utilizing cavitation as opposed to expansion. I think its best feature is that it tumbles by design which slows its forward momentum so as to minimize collateral damage from over penetration.
Alte Schule
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My first off duty firearm was a Walther PPKS .380. I wasn't a great shot with it but managed to qualify (required) with it every year. In 2005 I started to carry a Colt Detective Special .38 SP as a back up firearm and carried that until I retired. Gave up the extra two rounds for better accuracy.
Over the last twenty years the .380 ACP and .32 ACP has, IMO, greatly improved. I have four firearms that are my CC EDC now. A S&W .380 EZ with SIG 90 gr. V Crown, a CZ Model 50 .32 (pocket carry) and a Model 81 .32 ACP Beretta double stack both loaded with 60 gr. FTX Hornady Critical Defense. I also carry, on occasion, a Model 36 Smith .38 SP, with Hornady Critical Defense Lite.
Why so many? Texas weather dictates that. Spring and early fall I carry the .380 ACP (pocket) or the Model 36 (at my 3 o'clock). CZ is my walking the neighborhood exercise pocket carry and the Beretta at my 3 o'clock when I wear a hoodie.
Anyway, I find the .380 ACP and .32 ACP more than adequate for me.
Over the last twenty years the .380 ACP and .32 ACP has, IMO, greatly improved. I have four firearms that are my CC EDC now. A S&W .380 EZ with SIG 90 gr. V Crown, a CZ Model 50 .32 (pocket carry) and a Model 81 .32 ACP Beretta double stack both loaded with 60 gr. FTX Hornady Critical Defense. I also carry, on occasion, a Model 36 Smith .38 SP, with Hornady Critical Defense Lite.
Why so many? Texas weather dictates that. Spring and early fall I carry the .380 ACP (pocket) or the Model 36 (at my 3 o'clock). CZ is my walking the neighborhood exercise pocket carry and the Beretta at my 3 o'clock when I wear a hoodie.
Anyway, I find the .380 ACP and .32 ACP more than adequate for me.
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TTv2
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Not a fair comparison, the Nambu is being shot from a 4.5" barrel while .32 NAA is being shot from a sub 3 inch barrel and Hornady's 80 grain .32 NAA load is supposed to be 1000 fps.
If .357 Sig can feed from a Glock .40 mag, then I'm sure .32 NAA can in a Glock.
FFGColorado
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Carry them, yes, shoot them, no..YMMV, ATMO and all that. Really liked the wee LCP, hated shooting it...
But a fan of .380..good enough for James Bond, good enough for me..
His was a 7.65.
Speedo66
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And he started with a
But he had to be ordered from his original gun, a Beretta 418 in .25, so his choices are a little suspect. Not that I'm getting down on James.
But he had to be ordered from his original gun, a Beretta 418 in .25, so his choices are a little suspect. Not that I'm getting down on James.
Agree. x2
There were two 380 loads that met the basic desirable criteria of 12'' penetration and consistent expansion in Lucky Gunner test.
Lucky Gunner also tested 9mm and several 9mm loads met that criteria.
https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/
Is 380 the best pocket caliber? No 9mm is.
But OP does not want 9mm as an option.
And .... all other factors excluded.
WisBorn
Contributing Member
I like the 380acp for a pocket gun. I normal carry a LCP2 loaded with FMJ. It is light enough that you don't feel loaded down.
Ernie Bass
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Yes, the Op made a simple request. So why not be polite and honor it? You have already made a number of these cartoon post etc. Why the constant need to disrupt every thread that has to do with a 380?
To me anything that fits in a pocket (holstered) without sticking out is a pocket gun. I have a G42 380 that shoots great and it's the smallest gun I have for times when I don't want to carry a larger pistol. That said, the G43, Hellcat, P365 are all very much pocket guns that will provide an increase in performance over the 380. I often pocket carry my Glock 27, so I guess the criteria for pocket carry is different for some, but for me, if it fits in the pocket holstered and doesn't protrude, it can be considered a pocket gun.
Ernie Bass
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It is not about the 365 nor the Hellcat or any any 9mm. Please read the original post by the OP. He is not trying to find out what can fit into a pocket.He specifically said no 9mm.
barnetmill
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So let us rephrase the question: Just how different would the two be if shot out of the same barrel length with the same bullet wt?
I said they were comparable.
For self defense purposes I would do a lot of testing first rather than assuming. It is possible that will work
But it is kind of silly to ask for the best pocket caliber, all other factors excluded, and then exclude all cartridges larger than .380...
briansmithwins
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We need a modern .32 rimless cartridge designed with locked breech pistols in mind. You’d be able to get more energy out of it than the archaic .32 ACP and a modern cartridge would not be limited by needing to be compatible with 120 year old pistols, many of dubious quality.
A more compact and efficient cartridge would also let you use a more compact pistol design.
BSW
A more compact and efficient cartridge would also let you use a more compact pistol design.
BSW
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somethingbenign
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I'm a big fan of matching the cartridge to the size of the gun. While 380 is certainly more effective than a 32 if the recoil makes solid hits unlikely then what is gained? I love carrying my Pico and shooting it actually isn't something I dread but I also have a high tolerance for recoil at this point in my life. I put that gun in most anyone elses hands and they hate the thing and I don't blame them. I really wish I had a gun the same size and features but in 32 for better recoil. Maybe if the micro 380 were more often a locked breach vs the more common direct blowback we'd be able to laude the micro guns as better shooters.
Edcnh
Member
For me the 380 is a warm weather pocket carry gun. I find my 9mm Shield with the 7 shot magazine a little too big for pocket carry. But plenty of people do pocket carry a small 9mm. I have not found a small 9mm that feels comfortable for pocket carry. I use Hornady XTP ammo in my 380 as it got decent results in some online tests. I feel comfortable with the 380 when people are wearing light clothing in the summer.
CapnMac
Member
Yeah. Besides, the obvious answer is a Glock AR15 [
]OP asked a question, then attempts to restrict responses to only what he wants to read.
Is 380 the best? <--- That is a question.
Exclude 9mm. <--- Attempts to limit answers to only those that agree.
May as well re-title the thread to "I think 380 is awesome, if you disagree don't post" or "380 lovers thread, if you hate don't participate"
Cartoon post?
Disrupt every thread that is 380?
I think the OP is trying to drill down to true pocket pistols. I get it. Lots of you can cram a Glock in your cargo pocket. I think what the OP is talking about is guns DESIGNED around pocket carry. .22, .25, .32 varieties, .380 etc. I sometimes stuff my snub nose 686+ in my left front jeans pocket. It's handy when I need to go check the back door of the cabin and I don't feel like putting on my belt for a 30 second chore. It fits, I can draw it, if my shirt is untucked you can't see it. It is not a pocket gun. None of my 9mm micros are as small as my largest pocket .380. None of them conceal as well and pull my pants down more. I could see .38 special revolvers being in the mix with the 12oz hammerless flavors out there, but this is an autoloader thread.
So to honor what the OP is asking, yes I do think the .380 is probably the best pocket pistol caliber. I have carried one for years when I couldn't fit anything bigger. On business trips and on light vacation get aways, a little .380 has been a nice tag along when a larger gun was too problematic to carry. I have had the original LCP, the LCP II, the Pico, and the BG .380 sans laser. I settled on the BG .380 with the integrated laser about 2 years ago. For a fast on the draw gun with minimal aim time, having the laser give me a rough idea of where the bullet is going to go makes sense. I like the LCP II trigger a lot better than the BG, but I find the Smith and Wesson to feel a bit better in build quality over the slightly lighter LCP II.
Why go with the .380 over the other calibers? Well my big reasons are price and availability. There have been a lot of advancements in .380 technology over the last decade+. Ammo tends to expand better and hit harder than the smaller calibers at less cost. Specialty/defense ammo is readily available for .380. The other calibers are mostly target ball...if the store even has them in stock. So while a small soft shooting .25 is attractive, I am willing to deal with the recoil and slight increase in taken up pocket space that a pocket .380 requires in order to insure I have a reliable firearm that fulfills the requirements of being hard enough hitting and remaining basically invisible in a front jeans pocket with a tucked in work polo (my work attire).
So to honor what the OP is asking, yes I do think the .380 is probably the best pocket pistol caliber. I have carried one for years when I couldn't fit anything bigger. On business trips and on light vacation get aways, a little .380 has been a nice tag along when a larger gun was too problematic to carry. I have had the original LCP, the LCP II, the Pico, and the BG .380 sans laser. I settled on the BG .380 with the integrated laser about 2 years ago. For a fast on the draw gun with minimal aim time, having the laser give me a rough idea of where the bullet is going to go makes sense. I like the LCP II trigger a lot better than the BG, but I find the Smith and Wesson to feel a bit better in build quality over the slightly lighter LCP II.
Why go with the .380 over the other calibers? Well my big reasons are price and availability. There have been a lot of advancements in .380 technology over the last decade+. Ammo tends to expand better and hit harder than the smaller calibers at less cost. Specialty/defense ammo is readily available for .380. The other calibers are mostly target ball...if the store even has them in stock. So while a small soft shooting .25 is attractive, I am willing to deal with the recoil and slight increase in taken up pocket space that a pocket .380 requires in order to insure I have a reliable firearm that fulfills the requirements of being hard enough hitting and remaining basically invisible in a front jeans pocket with a tucked in work polo (my work attire).
Hokkmike
Member
Glock 42 in my pocket right now inside an Alabama pocket holster. Best carry combination I have had in MANY years. I have to admit, I am a fan of the SIG 365 in 9mm. But the 42 fits every pocket all the time whereas the latter gets a little too snug sometimes.
rskent
Member
Is the 380 the best pocket semi auto caliber?
No. Not at all. The 380 is a viable self-defense caliber whether you get it from your pocket or not.
No. Not at all. The 380 is a viable self-defense caliber whether you get it from your pocket or not.
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TTv2
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Yeah, so the reason I'm not considering 9mm is because I have yet to find a 9mm semi auto that is as small as a .380 or a .32. Now, everyone who propagates 9mm as a pocket gun and tells people to "get bigger pockets" is being ignorant because I don't dress around a gun I carry, I carry a gun around the way I dress.
In the world of conceal carry and internet gun forums that micro analyze everything thus throwing everything out of proportion, I get that makes me a stupid idiot, but at least I'll be a comfortably dressed stupid idiot.
As to the .380 tests that Lucky Gunner did, they were in a Glock 42 and not a .380 with a shorter barrel, thus I cannot trust the testing criteria given the .380 I would carry is an LCP and its shorter barrel.
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