19-3 Ben
I totally agree with you...we discussed this topic several time on THR...the reasons why people would buy a 380 Auto nowdays for carry use, unless they suffer from extreme recoil sensitivity/very small frame individuals, are beyond me.
Ammo is even more expensive and more difficult to find than 9mm..
Yes a 22 pistol is better than nothing, but like you said, I want to be a bit more prepared if I have to face a very big, gym bound guy, potentially high on drugs and with heavy winter clothing (basically the worse case scenario in an urban situation) and nowdays you can do that without paying any price (size and cost) compared to a quality 380.
In my case, my pocket carry is my trusty P-11 loaded with 12+1 9mm 124 gr, +P hollow point.....still not a 100% guaranteed BG stopper of course but at least double the energy and a heavier bullet than a 380...I do not feel much undergunned.
If you want even more in the same size you can get a Kahr in 40 or 45 but you lose 50% mag capacity or more.
That said, an excellent 380 for the money is the Bersa Thunder...around here they sell like hotcakes.