Why I should have a .380 if I can have a 9mm like taurus pt 138 or pt 111 ?

Recoil and control ability in getting fast, rapid follow ups.... Always shoot and carry (for SD) the largest caliber, most powerful gun you can get fast and accurate follow ups with. If that's 9mm, go for it. A little too snappy?

Back er down to .380. Preferably you will shoot and test the both guns before hand to know how this question will be handled before hand. Buying guns without shooting one is a crap shoot albeit a necessary one if rentals are not available to evaluate with rounds down range.

VooDoo

If you have to ask, then you probably don't need one.

No, I am not being sarcastic or snide.

For me, there are places where I won't comfortably conceal anything larger than my 380ACP. Anything other than that, I'd rather have my 9mm or 40S&W.

Agreed, I have no problem carrying my little Kahr 380 in my pocket when necessary. Usually when it's really, really, hot outside.

As others have stated, compare the size.

If size doesn't matter, why have a 9mm when you can have a .40 S&W? Why have a .40 when you can have a .45ACP? Why have a .45 when you can have a .50AE? They're all breech locked.

Some of you have missed the point of the question asked. He isn't asking about a tiny .380 vs. a compact 9mm. He is asking why a .380 would be available in a form factor identical to one in 9mm. Look at the two firearms in question. Identical frames, slides, and controls, differing only in the barrel, magazine, and recoil spring.

For handguns of similar size in either 9mm or .380acp, a few reasons might be:
- uniformity of caliber: if the owner of household only has a few firearms and doesn't want to complicate things, having all in the same caliber is a legitimate choice. Example - if the wife likes and carries a Glock 42 (or pick your .380acp of choice) the husband might chose a different model in that caliber
- physical limitations or recoil sensitivity: due to either personal sensitivity or a medical condition (arthritis, for example) some can better handle and aim a lighter recoil. We aren't all "young & strong & straight & true"!
- at the opposite end of the spectrum from the first comment, someone who really liked firearms might just want one of each. I fall into this category but my budget and better sense limits me somewhat.

Miked7762:
Some of you have missed the point of the question asked. He isn't asking about a tiny .380 vs. a compact 9mm. He is asking why a .380 would be available in a form factor identical to one in 9mm. Look at the two firearms in question. Identical frames, slides, and controls, differing only in the barrel, magazine, and recoil spring.

Click to expand...

There really is no reason to go 380ACP when an otherwise identical 9mm pistol is available AND controllable.

Terminal ballistic wise, 9mm is better.

If it is not controllable, then there is a room for consideration.

Here we go again. Another caliber war!

Galvan, all things being equal, the 380 will be easier to shoot well.

Taurus sells guns in markets where civilians aren't allowed to own guns chambered for military calibers, such as 9x19. That might be one reason that they make a .380 version. Of course, you'd expect they would also make a version in 9x21, if that were the only logic. So I guess there is some demand for a lower recoil option.

A few manufacturers have produced a small .380 and then followed up with a similarly sized 9mm in a very similar format, e.g. Glock and Sig. More manufacturers have produced small 9mm pistols and shortly after have released essentially the same pistol chambered in .380. e.g. Ruger, Sig, Taurus, and I think another I am not thinking of right now. They seem to believe there is a market for them. I have a friend, not a weakling at all, but now 70, who traded his Sig P238 for a Sig P938 because he wanted more power. He now has at least some regret because while he now has more power and can shoot the 938 adequately, he shot the 238 better and finds the 938 to be a bit "jumpy".

An old car salesman once said to me, "there's an a-- for every seat".

My answer: Because then you can own and shoot a Beretta '85; the perfect firearm.

The reason they make them is that people will buy them. When people stop buying them, the companies will stop making them.

Supply and demand.

The PT138 in it's variations is still popular.

As some have surmised already the .380 ACP version has less recoil and snap than the 9x19.

Some people like the benefits of the .380 ACP pistol that size versus a 9x19 model.

While the .380ACP is no powerhouse it is a good defense round form most situations. Not for all. Just for most.
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/700-s/74022-call-rerun-case-380-acp.html

Please read Qwiks draws links within this link as well as the whole thread.

I own two Taurus PT111 Mil Pros in 9x19. I like the idea of the 9x19 as a cartridge overall and shoot it better than I do with .45 ACP pistols. Nothing against the .45 ACP. It is a fine cartridge.
Now that I am an old geezer (read that as older than 50 years old ) I've been considering the .380 ACP and the .32 ACP. Getting a bit of health problems to deal with that effect being able to shoot the higher powered rounds.

The PT138 would allow me to have a pistol that has advantages, is similar to the PT111 Mil Pro yet less recoil impulse, and yet is user friendly. To me it is better than most mini .380 ACP pistols.

Carrying a bit extra ammo is a bonus compared to the mini .380s.

I went with the Taurus PT132 Mil Pro due to the reasons listed above for the PT138. I have two PT 132s.

The reasons are in the link.
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/700-s/74023-rerun-case-32acp.html

I do own a Beretta 85 and a Taurus PT58 in .380 ACP. Both are fine guns.

The problem with this discussion is that all of these pistols being considered in .380 are now a used gun only proposition. So are the PT132s. But keeping an eye on gun auctions such as www.gunbroker.com and others one can find these ever so often.

Taurus is know building and offering the 9x19 , PT111 Millennium G2 that is a bit nicer gun than the Millennium Pro version.

I'll stick with what I know, but others can have the G2 models.

Re: "Why I should have a .380 if I can have a 9mm like taurus pt 138 or pt 111 ?"

Good question, I used to ask myself that up until about, oh ... 1990 or thereabouts. My more basic generic question was why buy another gun of any type if I already have at least one of all the "fun" calibers I already load for and shoot?

My answer was a fairly long time coming but simple in the end: I like guns so I buy them. I like variety in many things and I apparently have the collector (or accumulator) gene and I have come to terms with that.

Buying and owning guns should not be a science project or a burdensome thought process. It should be fun, and for me it is.

Buying and owning guns should not be a science project or a burdensome thought process. It should be fun

Click to expand...

That is one of the best statements I have ever seen on THR. Thank you!


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I have the Sig 238 and 938. Also... the Kimber Micro and the Solo. Yes, the differences in size are negligible on paper. But in my case, the 9mm guns are just a bit too big for my pockets in the summer time.

My Mom has a Sig 238 and my Dad a 938. They do it for similar MOA but so my Mom doesn't have to handle a pocket 9.

I have two pistols that are pretty close in size, a PM9, 9mm and a G42, 380.
Although I can shoot the PM9 pretty well at my age it has become pretty uncomfortable to shoot, where the G42 in 380 is is not at all uncomfortable to shoot and is more controllable than the 9mm PM9.

I have always been a fan of the 9mm, but now as I approach my 83rd birthday a small nine is just a little too jumpy for my aging joints, so moving to 380 in the smaller pistols is a necessary compromise.

I always wondered why anyone would want a 380. But a few weeks back, on a whim, I bought a new style 380 Bodyguard (no laser). I kinda live in cargo shorts most of the year. I can throw this thing in my pocket and forget it. I take the dog out at 0500 and again before going to bed. the little bodyguard is much like my car keys. I just leave it in my pocket. It is invisible -- even my wife doesn't know its there. I had planned to do this with my 938, but, while its size is right, its just plain heavy. And the BG shoots pretty well. 95 grain Hydra-Shoks seem to take care of my needs pretty well.

I'm glad I bought it, but I too have often wondered why there is an LC9 and an LC380, and now a G42 and G43. I presume that its so they can sell to the people who want one.

I really like my Sig 238. Sure, it'd be nice to have a 9mm or .45 auto if the SHTF but having to gird up to carry the weight, avoid the print etc. may be a chore; the P238, no problem. Better to have something than have nothing.