Pocket .380 vs Snub .38

Status
Not open for further replies.
Wanderling said:
I may just end up getting a LCR and learning to use it effectively. I don't think 5 rounds are much worse than 7, in a realistic SD situation. If you as a civilian need a reload you're likely screwed anyway. I just need a reliable gun that I can trust. I do have, love, and carry G26 but far prefer a smaller option in summer.
Click to expand...

I have examples where 5 hits failed to incapacitate a single attacker, but those might not be deemed "realistic".
If LE was involved - I know, nope that's not civilian.
If it happened in a liquor store - Nope, don't work in liquor store, inapplicable.

How about this:
https://www.buckeyefirearms.org/alternate-look-handgun-stopping-power
For discussions sake lets say averages are realistic.
You can't shoot 1.8 rounds, so that is two rounds on average to incapacitate an attacker based on 199 shooting with 38 special.
We see an average accuracy rate of about 75% so despite that we all shoot like John Wick, lets ponder a miss.
Based on averages of actual shootings, it is possible to shoot 3 rounds to stop (incapacitate) one attacker.
I do not think it unrealistic to entertain the idea of two attackers, in which case that is 6 rounds fired.
I'd be much more comfortable with a Glock 26 than a LCR.

It gets hot in the summer; Yea, I'm familiar with that in FL.
I'm about 6'1 / 203# and wearing a thin untucked shirt and shorts I have no trouble concealing a Glock 19 AIWB in the FL heat.
We might not think civilian self defense could require multiple rounds, but I'd rather have rounds remaining than be empty before threat(s) are incapacitated.
I'd rather not have to reload and since this guy soaked up multiple hits and was not quickly incapacitated, IMO its not unrealistic that it could happen again.
https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/v...deputy-soaks-up-12-rounds-before-hes-stopped/
 
WisBorn said:
The YouTube video uses Greg's study. Identifying stopping power.

Click to expand...


Sone thoughts from watching the video:
Mouse guns are inadequate except for psychological stops, which is ~1/3 of your incidents.
380 ACP is nothing to sneeze at.
454 Casull is the best for all purpose because it can penetrate the level 3 body armor
Short of the 454 Casull, a 410 shotgun shell would be the best all purpose defensive gun.
 
aaaaa said:
Sone thoughts from watching the video:
Mouse guns are inadequate except for psychological stops, which is ~1/3 of your incidents.
380 ACP is nothing to sneeze at.
454 Casull is the best for all purpose because it can penetrate the level 3 body armor
Short of the 454 Casull, a 410 shotgun shell would be the best all purpose defensive gun.
Click to expand...
Yes, the 380, 9mm, 40sw, 45acp, 38s, 357 are basically the same effectiveness.
The question of course is how many attackers or are they drugged up and will need multiple shots to stop the attack.

The 3A body armor is something I wonder how multiple impacts from a larger caliber cartridges (45acp) compare to smaller (9mm) nether will penetrate, but both have to hurt.....
And no I don't want to be the test dummy :confused:
 
WisBorn said:
Yes, the 380, 9mm, 40sw, 45acp, 38s, 357 are basically the same effectiveness.
The question of course is how many attackers or are they drugged up and will need multiple shots to stop the attack.

The 3A body armor is something I wonder how multiple impacts from a larger caliber cartridges (45acp) compare to smaller (9mm) nether will penetrate, but both have to hurt.....
And no I don't want to be the test dummy :confused:
Click to expand...
If I had a choice for the drugged up 240 pound guy intent on doing me great bodily harm, I would like a 12-gauge pump or a 44 Magnum Revolver or both and a buddy with the same for backup.
 
aaaaa said:
Sone thoughts from watching the video:
Mouse guns are inadequate except for psychological stops, which is ~1/3 of your incidents.
380 ACP is nothing to sneeze at.
Click to expand...

Ellefritz modified his thinking since the original article, regarding the .380 results.

Interactions involving .380 (and below) are going to be Joe Citizen carrying for his own protection. Interactions involving 9, .40, & .45 are going to be a mix of Joe Citizen Carry, and police. The perp is going to behave differently in these two situations -- more likely to just break contact and flee in the first, put up more of a fight in the second. This will skew the numbers.
 
All I know is that *all* handguns are poor "manstoppers", until you get to .357 Magnum (from a service revolver), properly loaded .45 Colt and .44 Spl, and properly loaded .44 Magnum. Heck, .357 Magnum still holds the record for one shot stops, even in today's world of endless capacity autoloaders.
 
If it were me I would carry a 38 in each pocket as well as a small can of pepper spray. And don’t be a hero! It’s the company’s money. Wife did over nights at a gas station for 5 years. What made her quit? A town over a gentleman got killed. Dude walked in never spoke and shot him in the face. Zero warning. Just bam. And they finally have a suspect in his death. Over a year ago. Happened in Ga “suspect” found in NJ. Used the same gun to shoot someone up north.
 
For all the folks who want a maximum power big gun round in a little light weight one - you need to test your time for the second shot. We know that you might quite well need one. I recall a person who bought a 357 Sig compact Glock for stopping power and then in class just could not rope the second shot in and developed a flinch on the first. The instructor lent a 9mm and problem solved. Just saying I carry a boomer for stopping power without running it enough to master it and have good second shot times, that's a bad idea. No handgun round from a standard gun will penetrate body armor. You are better off with a good round and being able to shift target areas in a real time.
 
Mr. Mosin said:
I need help in deciding a pocket gun. Cashier at a local gas station, fixing to start graveyard shifts... Corporate policy is a resounding "no", Manager's policy is "What I don't see, I can't do anything about.". It would be in cargo shorts, but would still need to hide well. Bearing in mind that being made would result in my immediate termination, with absolutely no questions asked; irrelevant of how much my manager adores me.

My choices have narrowed to an original Ruger LCP or an Airwieght Centennial Smith (or equivalent) in .38 Spl.

And yes, this is a "buying in the near future" post. And no, "Get another job." is not a sufficient answer. Besides the fact that I like this job, it is the only one I can get to as of now, for personal reasons.
Click to expand...
Because of your restrictions at work, I would go with the .380 LCP. I like .38 special a lot, and revolvers. But, the micro .380 pocket pistols are far easier to conceal in "non-permissive environments."
 
Ethan Verity said:
You've narrowed it down to some stellar choices there, both of those happen to also be what I chose! :D

If I could only have one, I would take the Ruger LCP. Why? Because 2 more shot capacity over the revolver, and the ability to reload it very quickly with yet another 6 rounds. Also, the LCP is a bit easier to conceal in a pocket. Though, the revolver is still surprisingly easy to conceal due to its shape.
View attachment 1076737
Click to expand...
I vastly prefer the 642, but, LCPs are much more concealable if that is absolutely required. Snubbies are much fatter, not just longer/taller.
 
chicharrones said:
By the way, this is why I'm experimenting with a 6-shot revolver in .32 magnum. To somewhat bridge the gap between a 6+1 shot .380 and a 5-shot .38 Special.

If the Ruger LCR in .327 magnum was currently in stock*, I would think it would be a viable candidate.

*Edit: It looks like some are available online with prices starting at $600 (depending on where you live) before tax, shipping, etc.
Click to expand...
Charter Arms has a reasonably priced snubbie in .32 H&R Magnum I've seen in LGS.
defjon said:
The revolver is a much more organic shape in pocket. I like a simple uncle mikes pocket holster with my 642.

The draw to shoot action is faster and smoother for me as well, 642 vs lcp.

38 really offers some great rounds and is much more versatile than 380.

You could load light expanding rounds like critical defense if recoil or over penetration is a concern, you could load hardcast for hiking or camping, you could load wadcutters etc. Hornady and federal hst have some great rounds, I like to look at Lucky Gunner for some good information on performance. Buffalo bore has very interesting rounds both in standard and plus p, and if you end up reloading it's a whole other works or versatility. Just a flat 158 grain semi wadcutter at +/- 800 fps will probably do any task pretty well.

A no brainer in my humble opinion.
Click to expand...

The thing is, a .38 snubbie while being more "organic" in shape is much larger than a .380 LCP. We aren't comparing a sub compact 9 to a snubbie, which is more of a better comparison when it comes to shapes.

upload_2022-5-18_23-7-19.png
 
Mr. Mosin said:
I need help in deciding a pocket gun. Cashier at a local gas station, fixing to start graveyard shifts... Corporate policy is a resounding "no", Manager's policy is "What I don't see, I can't do anything about.". It would be in cargo shorts, but would still need to hide well. Bearing in mind that being made would result in my immediate termination, with absolutely no questions asked; irrelevant of how much my manager adores me.

My choices have narrowed to an original Ruger LCP or an Airwieght Centennial Smith (or equivalent) in .38 Spl.

And yes, this is a "buying in the near future" post. And no, "Get another job." is not a sufficient answer. Besides the fact that I like this job, it is the only one I can get to as of now, for personal reasons.
Click to expand...
 
halfmoonclip said:
If it really, really, really has to be concealed, then the LCP is the deal. Past experience with the original version has been 100% reliable; the gun will tolerate more shooting than my hand.
Love Centennials; the steel versions are easier to shoot. Revos are easier to manipulate; autos are easier to shoot.
Back to the question; if ultimate concealment is the deal, LCP for the win.
Moon
Click to expand...
Simply nothing conceals as easy as the micro pistols, whether they be .22 LR (LCP II), .25 ACP, .32 ACP, or .380's.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

D
  • Locked
Advice Needed: Kahr PM9 Vs. .38 Snub
2
Replies
28
Views
2K
scurtis_34471
S
X
  • Locked
Kel-tec PF-9 vs. Snubbie .38 vs. Ruger LCP
2 3
Replies
52
Views
10K
Valis
V
C
  • Locked
Pocket carrying heavy snubbies
Replies
19
Views
1K
JERRY
JERRY
bullseyebob47
  • Locked
lcr .38 spl exposed hammer or not? carry ammo?
Replies
21
Views
2K
RustyShackelford
R
M
  • Locked
Armscor 206 Range Report
Replies
13
Views
2K
MrFox
M
Back
Top