Does the .380 really have enough stopping power?

[TestPilot]

If a small size pistol in 380ACP is all what a certain person can carry,that makes a valid argument for that person to select it,because having a gun is certainly better than having none.

But,I don't understand why some people claims as if a larger caliber is less accurate than a 380ACP. Less recoil? Recoil is measurable only when ammunition and the pistol it is fired in is specified. If 380ACP is fired in a pistol as same size and weight as larger caliber pistols,it might have less recoil. But,that would be an exception rather than the norm,because 380ACP pistol in that big of a size would nullify the purpose of using a 380ACP in the first place. So,it usually comes in a mini pistol,which has a stronger recoil compared to larger pistols in same caliber,and in some cases hard to get a good grip on.

I doubt if a 380ACP pistols like Kel-Tec P-3 would be more controllable than a SIG P239 in 9mm,only because the ammunition has less power. Of course,P239 is a larger and heavier pistol,so some may feel the comparison is unfair,but that comparison reflects reality,because 380ACP pistols usually comes in smaller size.

I once watched someone put five shots from a .22 caliber Browning Buckmark into half a playing card in approx. 3 seconds at 25 feet.

Is it even a reasonable analogy to compare controllability and accuracy of a combat caliber pistol in small to compact size to controllability and accuracy of a 22LR pistol in full size that weighs around 2 lb?

 

[Shawnee]

Hi Testpilot...

Wasn't comparing guns/cartridges, Testpilot. It just happens that the event I saw involved that gun and that caliber.
My point was, and is, the shooter's performance is THE critical element.
Do you disagree?

 

[TestPilot]

Hi,
I see.
I would agree.

 

[Geronimo45]

According to this thread, no:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=244121

 

[Car Knocker]

Geronimo45,
I don't think that setting off a .380 (or any other cartridge) in a vice is an adequate test of stopping power or efficacy. But then, since they say he found a bullet, put it in a vice and hit the primer end of the bullet to set it off, at that level of inaccuracy of reporting, I'm not at all certain just what it was that he had in the vice.

 

[Oohrah]

Does the ,380...

Yep, It does ! Sounds like a lot of math and arm chair theroy.
A friend in the auto repair business was at his office desk when a
bad guy with a wheel gun entered to hold him up. Bob reached
into his boot top where his .380 was sleeping. One round with an
entry under the chin, put a stop to the action with an instant kill.
I have a choice of several wheel and a modified 1911, but find
on a bad back day sometimes carry a B West Makarov with adj.
sights in the .380 caliber. Bullets are the personal protection type.
I don't consider any hit in the vitals is going to be inadequate with
energy to distroy tissue.

 

[silverbullet1976]

.380 will do

My mother had to operate on many a perp that was stopped cold with a .380 and smaller. She also did the same for a nice fella who shot a cop that returned fire (all 16 9mm 115+P+ hollow points hitting the mark). Of course dope helped him live long enough to get to the ER. Point is, there is no way to know what will and won't work. Trust your weapon, believe in your ability, and DON'T MISS. Every person shot is only guaranteed to do one thing. Bleed. Granted, the bigger, heavier bullet runs a greater chance of having more effect, but it is not guaranteed. One .380 in the brain pan and it's lights out. Since you are likely to use your weapon inside ten feet (more likely 3-5), a contact shot or darn near is likely. And at that range, a good .380 round is more than enough. I carry a Kel-Tec P3AT with 102 gr Golden Sabres. Lets face it, hollow points work about 60% of the time, and short barrels decrease that %, so penetration is needed. Now it's up to you young jedi

 

[357sigRog]

I believe it does, I like the 102gr Golden Sabres in my Bersa Thunder 380.

 

[CPshooter]

I think the right ammo will do the job just fine. When my LCP comes back from Ruger (I sent mine in to Ruger even though it worked perfectly), I will be trying both the 102gr Golden Sabres, and the Hornady Critical Defense ammo. I think both of these loads provide rather impressive ballistic performance..from the tests I've seen online anyways. However, I like the idea of the heavier 102gr GS vs. a lighter bullet. I would feel totally confident with either of these loads in my LCP though.

 

[makarovnik]

Yes. It's capable of doing some nasty damage. Penetration is respectable with FMJ into soft tissue.

It also seems to just be an accurate round. My .380's tend to be a little more accurate than my 9x19's. Even though my .380's tend to kick more than my 9x19's they are still good for follow up shots.

Most of my .380's are fixed barrel and straight blowback. I think that helps with accuracy.

Go for the stomach and probably the head last. FMJ .380's have been known to bounce off skulls. This is one of the areas of the body where a hollowpoint might work better. The sharp edges help cut into the skull rather than ricochet off or around.

 

[PhillyGlocker]

I still believe that any caliber is a good caliber. No bad guy is going to wait and see what you're shooting him with. No person wants to get shot, so when bullets start flying, they're outta there. You can bank on that.

 

[Newton]

People who carry the .380 usually feel absolutely fine about carrying right up to the point they have to use it.

Problem is, I carry a .380

 

[DawgFvr]

A .380 can be lethal...but can it stop the fight? I'd hate to chance it...and would certainly be prepared for a fist fight in the aftermath. One could emty a couple of mags of .380 into an advesary...and they just might die an hour or two after killing you.

 

[40jjb]

380

I stock mine with power ball 380, Let me use you as a target then let me now.By the way I one time read that a cop got shot thruogh a metal door and died instantly by a wanted fellon.

 

[ultradoc]

A 380 is better than nothing. I have the P3AT and I just drop it in my front pocket and go. It's small and light. It does have a kick though. After about 10 rounds my hand starts to hurt. And my pinky finger doesn't fit on the grip and my finger next to my pinky, only part of that fits on the grip. I am happy with it though.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

A 380 is better than nothing.

"better than nothing" is the absolute lowest positive criterion. Bad breath is better than nothing. A hard stare is better than nothing.

"Better than nothing" is not really a vote of confidence.

 

[PhillyGlocker]

"better than nothing" is the absolute lowest positive criterion. Bad breath is better than nothing. A hard stare is better than nothing.

"Better than nothing" is not really a vote of confidence.

Bad breath and a hard stare aren't physical tools. A .380 is one. I'll take a .380 over nothing any day.

 

[amazon shooter]

I have read hundreds of threads about one shot stopping power. Commentors seem to be wringing their hands about the effectiveness of a particular caliber as if they have only O-N-E shot!

Geeeez, just empty the clip (6 to 7 shots) into the bad guy, it takes a couple seconds. And if that doesn't stop him give him another clip worth.

 

[amazon shooter]

I have read dozens of comments about " Does the .380 really have enough stopping power?"

If you have a one-shot pistol in 380 ACP, I think the concern is real. But that is not the case with most of the small pistols available today.

Geeeeeez, just empty the clip into the guy. It only takes a couple of seconds. And, if you are still alive and the perp is still kicking, slap in another clip and send him back to his creator.

 

[kokapelli]

I don't know of any 380 autoloader that uses "clips".

 

[amazon shooter]

Dear kokapelli , Senior Member

"I don't know of any 380 autoloader that uses "clips".

Some people refer to it as a clip.

Please read below.

Source: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/clip

clip, noun

1. a metal frame or container holding cartridges; can be inserted into an automatic gun [syn: cartridge holder]

Perhaps you refer to it as a magazine.

Source: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/magazine

magazine, noun
1. a metal receptacle for a number of cartridges, inserted into certain types of automatic weapons and when empty removed and replaced by a full receptacle in order to continue firing.

Aren't we talking about the same thing?

 

[kokapelli]

I refer you to this thread from The Highroad http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=270656

 

[Dirty Bob]

If you have a one-shot pistol in 380 ACP, I think the concern is real. But that is not the case with most of the small pistols available today.

If Murphy comes to visit, that worst-case scenario could become reality. For example, most PPKs run fine, but some of us have seen some of the "bad" ones that don't. Add to that the fact that some backup guns are carried in dirty and/or sweaty environments (like pockets in summer, or in ankle holsters). In some of these situations, the chambered round may be the only one you get to fire.

Yes, guns have gotten better. Yes, we all maintain our guns perfectly. But even if both of those are true, Murphy's Law might turn a great gun into a jam-o-matic at an ugly time. I'd never seen a Remington 870 fail, until the firing pin in mine broke during a match.

Best wishes,
Dirty Bob

 

[amazon shooter]

Dear kokapelli , Senior Member

The expertise and knowledge about firearms I have learned from this forum continues to be absolutely amazing.

Fortunately, you and other experts have and will continue to teach us who wish to learn more about the finer points of handguns.

Thank you for your information ..... and it was free!

Sinecrely,

Amazon Shooter

 

[mr.trooper]

The FACT of the matter is that even a .22LR can achieve the FBI standard of 12" from a 3.5" barrel with modern high velocity ammunition.

It is also FACT that many .32acp loads will penetrate completely through a 16" gelatin block.

Even mouse guns have the potential to penetrate clean through you. With this FACT out in the open, it is apparent that SHOT PLACEMENT is all that matters.