I'm in a quandry and need help in deciding what to do...

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That said, modern ammo developments have closed the gap between 9mm and .380.

No gap has ever been closed by advancements in bullets between two chamberings. The 380 is still 10k psi weaker and less case capacity. Same for "with modern bullets 9mm has closed the gap on 40 or 10" No...its still the same gap. Same deficit on sectional density and same deficit on ft lbs.

With modern bullets the 380/9mm etc etc has closed the gap on what is acceptable penetration in gel or through barriers. Or acceptable expansion on targets. That I agree with. But no ground has been made up on the 9mm. The 9mm gets every modern bullet the 380 gets. And still has more case capacity and max psi. Plus cheaper ammo


Between the two, as far as carry, I would carry whichever I shot better. If both are equal then I'd carry the more capacity unless maybe you live where thick winter coats are standard. Then I might go for more power.
 
Some .380 rounds from Lehigh and Black Woods appear exceptionally potent in both penetration and wound channel, and with the Beretta you get 14 on tap.

.380 ACP is documentably capable of breaking a human femur, which is the strongest bone in the human body, so, is “enough” for face-to-face personal defense, but, a bonded-core-construction 9mm is capable of penetrating a car door, with enough force to cause injury to occupants of the car.

With modern bullets the 380/9mm etc etc has closed the gap on what is acceptable penetration in gel or through barriers. Or acceptable expansion on targets.

FWIW. YMMV.



I also shot a Buffalo Bore 100 grain standard pressure hard cast flat point against the same configuration of media. The round exited the second jug and made a dimple on the third. It actually expanded a little bit to between .417" and .456".

Also, I think FBI spec for the sheet metal test protocol is 2 pieces of heavier 20 gauge steel spaced a few inches apart. But, they don't put a 2X6 in front of it, and they use gel rather than water jugs. Like I said, YMMV.
 
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