Shooter X
Member
My CCW is a Colt Mustang .380
Its small, comfortable, affordable and it works for me.
Its small, comfortable, affordable and it works for me.
.380 vs. 9x18 for a Small CCW piece?
- Thread starter Eightball
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wheelgunslinger
Member
Stephen A. Camp, despite my own belief in the large slow bullet theory, has convinced me with his writings that the 380 is indeed a worthwhile choice for SD purposes.
With the prohibition of revolvers in the first post, I'd have to say 380. And, I'd defer you to search for Mr. Camp's 380 prose here on this forum for all the good arguments as to why.
With the prohibition of revolvers in the first post, I'd have to say 380. And, I'd defer you to search for Mr. Camp's 380 prose here on this forum for all the good arguments as to why.
Marlin 45 carbine
Member
I carry a Mak (Russian commercial) that took the place of a BDA that took the place of a Walther (slide kept busting my thumb knuckle- not for large hands) that took the place of a CZ-83 (sorta wish I had kept it).
like my Mak but will admit that awhile back I shot a LEO's new off-duty Bersa Thunder and was favorably impressed.
but then most all guns favorably impress me.
not an easy answer but you won't go wrong w/a Mak and since you load then you can roll some potent H-P's if you wish. I carry one chambered and a mag full of FMJ.
like my Mak but will admit that awhile back I shot a LEO's new off-duty Bersa Thunder and was favorably impressed.
but then most all guns favorably impress me.
not an easy answer but you won't go wrong w/a Mak and since you load then you can roll some potent H-P's if you wish. I carry one chambered and a mag full of FMJ.
virgil ante
Member
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9x18
try a p64 in 9x18 very accurate at defensive distance
try a p64 in 9x18 very accurate at defensive distance
Anna's Dad
Member
You should get a revolver or a Kel-Tec
OK, I did read your post, so seriouslly: I would be comfortable with either 9x18 or .380. You'll likely find .380 ammo more available but 9x18 isn't too crazy expensive when its in stock.
For 9x18, I would very highly recommend a Makarov. I have several and they are just fantastic. I've never ownd a CZ-82 but I understand they are good choices as well.
For .380, I own a Sig P232 and a Beretta Model 90. The Beretta is old and long out of production so for a carry gun I would recommend the Sig. Great little gun and I presonally prefer it to the Walther. I don't have any experience with Seecamp but folks speak highly of them as well.
Don't forget to check out the new Ruger offering as well (LCP). Looks like a Kel-Tec but maybe Ruger's reputation for reliability will satisfy you where KT's does not.
OK, I did read your post, so seriouslly: I would be comfortable with either 9x18 or .380. You'll likely find .380 ammo more available but 9x18 isn't too crazy expensive when its in stock.
For 9x18, I would very highly recommend a Makarov. I have several and they are just fantastic. I've never ownd a CZ-82 but I understand they are good choices as well.
For .380, I own a Sig P232 and a Beretta Model 90. The Beretta is old and long out of production so for a carry gun I would recommend the Sig. Great little gun and I presonally prefer it to the Walther. I don't have any experience with Seecamp but folks speak highly of them as well.
Don't forget to check out the new Ruger offering as well (LCP). Looks like a Kel-Tec but maybe Ruger's reputation for reliability will satisfy you where KT's does not.
R127
Member
With the heavier bullets available to the 9x18 it wins hands down. Those are the loads that put the Makarov round closer to the 9mm than the .380. With the sub-100gr bullets there isn't a huge difference between the .380 and the 9x18. The Makarov pistol itself is still utterly reliable and very accurate which make it a good piece for defensive work if you can find a way to carry it you like. I never found it to be particuarly challenging. You can get smaller .380's but I have not known them to equal the Makarov in reliability, accuracy or handling.
Treo
member
My wife's first carry pistol was a Llama mini max .380 ( like all Llamas it was a 1911 style gun) it actually was a fairly accurate dependable little pistol & its still DWs favorite gun ( I HATE Llamas but I'm a firm believer that DW picks her own carry gun.)
Later we picked up a CZ-82 in 9X18 that is her carry gun now its good points are
1. It's a CZ
2. Well made ( see point 1)
3. Its a CZ
4. Very accurate ( see point 1)
5. its a CZ
6. easily concealable
7. Did I mention its a CZ?
8. Affordable we paid 275.00$
Only real draw back is that the ammunition's kinda hard to come by we've only found JHPs online & then only by Hornady.
between the two the CZ has a higher capacity magazine, a much better reputation, & a company that's still in business. The Llama , well Llamas suck , sorry
Also you can carry the CZ conditon one or double action
Later we picked up a CZ-82 in 9X18 that is her carry gun now its good points are
1. It's a CZ
2. Well made ( see point 1)
3. Its a CZ
4. Very accurate ( see point 1)
5. its a CZ
6. easily concealable
7. Did I mention its a CZ?
8. Affordable we paid 275.00$
Only real draw back is that the ammunition's kinda hard to come by we've only found JHPs online & then only by Hornady.
between the two the CZ has a higher capacity magazine, a much better reputation, & a company that's still in business. The Llama , well Llamas suck , sorry
Also you can carry the CZ conditon one or double action
romma
Member
I voted the OP has something wrong with him... 
Nothing wrong with .380 IMO...
I am becoming fonder of a little more firepower lateley though.
Nothing wrong with .380 IMO...
I am becoming fonder of a little more firepower lateley though.
Nicky Santoro
Member
.380 vs. 9x18 for a Small CCW piece?
Damned little difference. Get whatever fills the need in terms of form and function.
Damned little difference. Get whatever fills the need in terms of form and function.
Eightball
Member
I knew several people would post posts saying that, so I figured I'd go ahead and make it a poll option for that very reason
wnycollector
Member
I have a russian mak. the 9x18 is more than adequate at getting the job done with proper bullet placement. on top of that my mak is SUPER reliable (1 ftf in 2500 rounds)!
I carry my "worked over" PPK/S wherever I go. Mostly because I believe that it's better to have a little of something than a lot of nothing. It fits in the holster I have for it, and is comfortable and comforting. I try and usually succeed in getting about 100 - 150 rounds a week through it, ( I live in the country with my own range so range time is easy), and I also reload. There are probably better, but mine works for me. I'm a firm believer in finding a combo, (gun & holster), that you can carry - and then carrying it.
I voted for the 9x18 mak it is a better performer than the .380 acp. + I have a East German made Makarov, but as others have pointed out there is better ammo selection for the .380 like Buffalo Bore ammo .380 +P with 270 FT/LBS of energy 
I may need to get a CZ 83 and a Wolff 18.5 lbs recoil spring
I plan to reload 9x18 Mak and I have noticed the data is watered down to 20,000 psi, where data derived by using a Makarov PM firearm is up at 24,000 psi. I suspect that new factory 9x18 factory ammo maybe toned down as well to accommodate weaker pistols chambered in 9x18 mak.
I may need to get a CZ 83 and a Wolff 18.5 lbs recoil spring I plan to reload 9x18 Mak and I have noticed the data is watered down to 20,000 psi, where data derived by using a Makarov PM firearm is up at 24,000 psi. I suspect that new factory 9x18 factory ammo maybe toned down as well to accommodate weaker pistols chambered in 9x18 mak.
Keeterbird
Member
380 has more varieties then 9x18. However, when talking about defensive round, many million Commies carried the 9x18 for years and we were rather concerned about them. There must be something to the stopping power. I don't believe that the Commies thought they were better shots.
I think the 9x18 must be a good self defense round especially in the hollow point, Silver Bear.
Besides that, I love the CZ82 and the Makarov. Never a misfire from either. they are heavy, but they shoot well and feel right to me. That said, I go with 9x18.
I think the 9x18 must be a good self defense round especially in the hollow point, Silver Bear.
Besides that, I love the CZ82 and the Makarov. Never a misfire from either. they are heavy, but they shoot well and feel right to me. That said, I go with 9x18.
MCgunner
Member
The P3AT makes .380 a logical choice. If I'm going to carry a Makarov, I'll stick my 13 round 9mm +P loaded P11 in a pocket. Lighter, pocketable, 100 percent reliable 9mm accurate firepower. I don't own a Mak, no real need. There are better choices in 9x19 and smaller, much more carryable choices in 9x17.
All good points but for me there are other factors in the "what to carry" equation. I'd rather trust a battle proven, simple, all metal design that I know I can hit the target with. For me, that is a Makarov or a full size .380 like a Beretta M84/85 series over a smaller 9MM Keltec.
For me there is not any difference between a 9x18 or 9x17 with modern +p ammo.
Rex B
Member
If I can't suggest a 9x19mm, I have to ask, why not? A bunch of companies make 9mms that're the same size and weight as a PPK-esque .380, and the compact 9s typically have much more comfortable recoil.
Really, the only reason I see to move down to .380 would be to get a very tiny gun, like a P3AT, Guardian, or Seecamp. There's also price, but you can find used Kahrs pretty darn cheap if you look. My local gun store has had a used Kahr K9 for awhile, for... I think $350 or so. That's not a whole heckuvalot more than a new Bersa Thunder or something.
Really, the only reason I see to move down to .380 would be to get a very tiny gun, like a P3AT, Guardian, or Seecamp. There's also price, but you can find used Kahrs pretty darn cheap if you look. My local gun store has had a used Kahr K9 for awhile, for... I think $350 or so. That's not a whole heckuvalot more than a new Bersa Thunder or something.
Some people find guns more shootable when there is an optimal fit between the size of the gun and the power of the cartridge.
Not me, though. I'm looking for a gunsmith to design my dream CCW piece: The .50 BMG Ultra-Micro Carry. If it's all about getting the most powerful cartridge crammed into the smallest possible gun, I'm not messing around.
As for the original question, I don't think it makes any practical difference. Find the gun you like better, then look on the side to see what it's chambered in.
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