Is .380 the same as .38 super?

[Zen21Tao]

Would any of you point me to rather carry a J frame in .38+P?

Just thinking about that now....

You said that you are used to a full size 1911 so you must like .45acp. I have an AMT Backup .45acp that makes a great little pocket gun. It gives you 5+1 rounds of .45acp in roughly the same size as the walther ppk.

AMT (left hand side) side-by-side with full size 1911s

 

[ugaarguy]

Fast97rs, take a look at the pistols on the chart in this post; http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=171820. Note that it's a pocket auto comparison chart and the Taurus Milleniums, Glock 26/27/33, Walther PPK/S, and several other were slightly too large for the criteria . If you want a super light, super small carry piece there are some great options out there. The PPK and PPK/S are fine pistols, and they are classics with well earned reputations. However, I think recent pistol design has produced some better options.

 

[Deanimator]

The simple fact is that we can't always carry a .45 everywhere and sometimes sacrifices need to be made.

Actually these days, unless you can't afford the gun, you CAN.
It's tough to imagine a non-law enforcement situation where you could carry a PPK/S, but NOT a Springfield MicroCompact.

 

[MCgunner]

You said that you are used to a full size 1911 so you must like .45acp. I have an AMT Backup .45acp that makes a great little pocket gun. It gives you 5+1 rounds of .45acp in roughly the same size as the walther ppk.

Isn't that AMT a tad heavy for pocket carry? I think I'd rather be packin' my 14 ounce 11 round Kel Tec P11 in 9mm loaded with +Ps, myself.

There are other .45ACP guns that are quite compact, though, but I don't think I'd go 1911. Full sized 1911s in my purchasing range far as price goes are iffy enough in reliability as it is, not that they can't be fixed. But, I hear a lot about small frame, short barrel 1911s lack of reliability, typically. I admit to the fact that I've never actuallly owned one, though, just going on hear-say. You can't always believe what you hear on the boards, believe it or not. But, I'd rather have a good 9mm +P hollowpoint and more of 'em than have to rely on FMJ ball ammo for self defense. That's sorta why I've chilled on the idea of .45 for compacts, especially of 1911 design. I will shoot 'em in full sized autos, what they were designed for. I already own a nice 9mm sub-compact which I shoot rather well and am confident in. It's a lot handier and easier to carry, too, than any .45.

 

[Zen21Tao]

Isn't that AMT a tad heavy for pocket carry? I think I'd rather be packin' my 14 ounce 11 round Kel Tec P11 in 9mm loaded with +Ps, myself.

Its not really that bad. Unloaded it weighs about 24oz which is on par with a Khar 40. Yes it does weighs more than a keltec or a light weight revolver but in stable holster that keeps it from moving around it becomes hardly noticable after a while. Plus, fast97rs was using the walther ppk, which is about 20-21oz, as a reference point. To me .45acp compared to .380acp for only 3-4oz more is well worth the trade off.

I'd rather have a good 9mm +P hollowpoint and more of 'em than have to rely on FMJ ball ammo for self defense. That's sorta why I've chilled on the idea of .45 for compacts, especially of 1911 design.

What makes ball ammo necessary in most 1911 is their lack of a feedramp. As for my AMT it is DAO not SA like a 1911. It also does have a feedramp so JHP ammo is not a problem. I must admit though, my first choices for CCW are my Glock 29 10mm and my Sig P238 .40 S&W carried IWB. But when they can't be carried my AMT is a fine substitue.