.380 vs. 9x18 for a Small CCW piece?

[Eightball]

Just curious......which round would you pick for a small, summer-based CCW piece (summer and/or pocket carry), if you wanted something of "okay" quality? Of "good" quality? Of something where it's "cheap"? Trying to stick within the small-ish blowback style pistols (Makarov, PPK, Sig 232 type thing, not micropistols), I reload ammo (so, the ".380 has more loads" argument doesn't mean all that much, nor does the "9x18 only comes in FMJ" type argument), and enjoy picking people's brains. And please don't suggest revolvers or KelTecs, or that I "just get a 9x19mm."

Thoughts?

 

[MICHAEL T]

Bersa CC, PPK/S or a Kel Tec. Best pocket pistols going in 380 .

 

[jad0110]

Of the two, I would choose the 380 because ammo is more readily available.

 

[Sans Authoritas]

That extra millimeter means that much more powder and lead. : )

-Sans Authoritas

 

[slow944]

I carry a K-TP3AT everyday because it just disappears in my front pocket with a nemesis pocket holster.

 

[M1 Shooter]

The .380 may have more loads available, but the 9X18 has cheaper loads(Wolf, Silver Bear, etc.), and there are factory JHP loads.

I suggest you look at the CZ82's currently on the market from several sources. They are well made, quality pistols, chambered in 9X18, 12+1 capacity, and they are inexpensive right now.

 

[P. Plainsman]

Since the OP reloads, he'll need brass-cased 9x18 ammo, not Wolf -- and these days, that's not really any cheaper than comparable .380 ACP.

There are a lot more quality reloading components available in .380 ACP. In 9x18 you're limited to Hornady XTPs or Speer Gold Dots if you want to handload expanding defense ammo. On the other hand, XTP and Gold Dot are fine choices.

(You can also get factory Cor-Bon Pow'RBall ammo in 9x18 Makarov, as well as Glaser frangibles if that floats your boat. But no fancy Cor-Bon DPX bullets in the 9x18 Makarov -- unlike the .380 ACP.)

 

[cookekdjr]

I'm very partial to the SIG p232 and p230. So I chose .380. Of course the Mak and the cz82 are great guns, but the SIG carries easier and is much lighter (in alloy version).

 

[camper]

I reload 380 so plinking ammo is not a problem and I don't know of any 9x18s as small as the NAA guardian.

 

[mnw42]

The .380 has more SD loadings than the 9mm Mak. Besides you can get the original .380:

 

[biscuitninja]

.380, alot more pistols available for that. I'd give a few of them a go round. I'm beginning to like .380 in a 1911 frame....
Anyways good luck
-bix

 

[Texas Colt]

I'm opting for the 9x18 because of the gun I just bought. I had a stainless PPK but sold it in favor of the FEG R61. The FEG has an alloy frame and is lighter for pocket carry.

 

[FieroCDSP]

Interesting question... You can get a smaller 380 gun than you can a 9x18, but the CZ-82 and other Mak chambered guns are nothing to sneeze at.

 

[fletcher]

I'm going to recommend a small .380, as your only real option in 9x18 is a Makarov, which doesn't exactly fit the summer/pocket carry you require.

 

[usp9]

Not enough difference between the two rounds to matter. There may be a huge difference between the pistols that shoot the rounds. I'd pick the best pistol in either round.

 

[kashton]

kahr mk40

 

[woad_yurt]

Makarov!

They do what they're supposed to do without fuss. Here's a recent Makarov thread. See what folks said:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=341434

 

[Aaryq]

Well...I'm not yet qualified to answer this question. My gut says 9x18mm but I think part of that is because I bought an FEG PA-63 a few days ago (can't wait to leave the sand box to shoot it). If you're a reloader, you should be able to cook up a pretty good SD batch.

 

[Firepower!]

I would have suggested .380 if you were living somewhere where new Makarovs are not available. Since you live in the US and can get a brand new Mak. Thus, no comparison. 9x18!

 

[Moonclip]

Much more ammo choices and availabilty in .380, also a lot more guns so chambered. I do like the 9x18Mak round though.

 

[lee n. field]

.380 vs. 9x18 for a Small CCW piece?

Pick one, buy it. Not a huge amount of difference between them.

Pretty much everything offered in 9x18 is also available in .380, but not vice versa.

 

[ZeSpectre]

I have experience with the CZ-82 (9x18mak) and a few different .380 based guns. While I want to say go with the 9x18, finding good ammo for it (in my area) has abruptly become quite a challenge. A Bersa or SIG in .380ACP would be a decent choice.

 

[Ed4032]

Makarov people are like a cult. An obsession with a communist round that attempted to copy the PPK. I know because I have one and I attend all our meetings. Oh yeah I have a couple of 380 too.

 

[Capt. Capsize]

Light and easy carry

I tried carrying a makarov many years ago but found it heavy and uncomfortable. Found a new Colt "Pocketlite" at a gun show and have been carrying it ever since. I have found that a heavy gun was an excuse to leave it home. The little Colt has been with me everyday for the last 10 years. It has saved me from a mugging and beating one time and I didn't even have to pull it out. Long story. I should type it up and send it to NRA Rifleman mag. If I am going into a known bad area at a risky time I will leave the Pocketlite at home and carry a Para Ordnance P-10 alloy in .45acp.

 

[tinygnat219]

I'd go with the .380. Good defensive ammo abounds. While the 9MM Makarov round is slightly better, good ammo for it is limited.

Also, if I need to find the .380 ammo, it's a lot easier to find / make from existing 9MMP supplies (trim brass, use smaller bullet, less powder).