CC and .380

[7.62mm.ak47]

I've always heard that .380 was underpowered for a CC gun and 9mm was the lowest caliber you should be packing. I was wondering though if anyone here has ever had to use their weapon against someone in a survival situation. I've never been in a predicament like that but no matter what round the bad guy is shot with shouldn't it give you enough time to find cover or get away? I know that if I was about to mug/rob/carjack somebody and was shot with a .380 I would probably be in shock for a while. Anyways I'm just curious to what you all think. Any opinions? Also does anyone really want to face the ramifications of the whole justified/unjustified legal bs when they kill their attacker with a 10mm or .45?

 

[Lakeshore]

I'm pretty certain that most muggers, etc. don't care to be shot with a gun of any caliber. If you read the monthly "armed citizen" page in American Rifleman magazine you'll note that in nearly every instance the predator flees (unless he's shot and killed first) when confronted by an armed person. It doesn't seem to matter what kind of gun the intended victim was armed with.

My own opinion is that a .380 is adequate for personal defense in most cases, however as you noted that is a subject of ongoing debate.

 

[rcmodel]

does anyone really want to face the ramifications of the whole justified/unjustified legal bs when they kill their attacker with a 10mm or .45?

So, are you thinking shooting them with a .380 will only leave a mark?

A .380 will kill you just as dead as any other caliber.

Anyway, that dead guy isn't going to sue you in a civil court for wounding him.
The wounded guy might.

rc

 

[7.62mm.ak47]

So, are you thinking shooting them with a .380 will only leave a mark?

A .380 will kill you just as dead as any other caliber.

No I'm not saying that at all. What I am saying is that some people want to carry a higher caliber weapon because they believe a .380 won't be able to kill someone.

 

[killchain]

No I'm not saying that at all. What I am saying is that some people want to carry a higher caliber weapon because they believe a .380 won't be able to kill someone.

My thoughts are this: The Europeans LOVE the .380 round. (Yes I know the whole thing about "no military calibers.") I figure since it's been running strong over there, it should work well enough over here.

And yes, I carry a .380 for defense.

 

[Tommygunn]

One might consider how important placement is. I mean, hitting the bad guy with a .380 is more effective than missing the BG with a 500 NitrosupertyrannoRexMagnum+P+ round.
. Even that round in hollowpoint won't help on a miss.

 

[Johnny Guest]

The SEARCH function is your friend

7.62mm.ak47 --

I'm sorry, but this question of suitablility of the .380 for defense arises frequently. THR discourages individuals telling their "blood stories" on the board, so you're left with the academic aspects of packing a .380. Some like answering it; many are VERY weary of it. I'd wager that most of the well informed and articulate members are about "answered out" on this one, and likely simply won't bother to write a response.

Go to the tool bar at top of the page (any page on THR) and click on "Search." Enter ".380" and you'll get a list of over SEVEN THOUSAND places to check. You can further narrow the search by adding qualifiers, like, ".380 CCW" or ".380 pocket pistols," or ".380 effectiveness."
Run through the titles of the threads that come up and you can weed out those which clearly won't interest you. If you read just a few hundred --even a few DOZEN -- of the remainder, you'll be covered up with a mass of information that will set you up to clearly discuss your particular needs.

Here are a few to get you started:

Will a .380 pocket pistol really solve all my problems?
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=527242&highlight=380

What pistol does your wife carry concealed?
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=534737&highlight=380

Ruger LCP vs. S&W Bodyguard
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=535144&highlight=380

Diamondback .380 Range Report
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=531650&highlight=380

Are Kel-Tec pistols any good?
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=534081&highlight=380

.380acp "better than" 38 Special? Why?
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=532856&highlight=380

Good luck to you.
Johnny Guest
THR Staff