Is the .380 enough?
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Marshall
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The bigger the better but yes, it will do. Beats a stick.
My Davis P.380 Californian (Chrome) is as ready as it is gangsta ! (But my Maverick 88 Riot 12 has the place of honor bedframe mount on my side of bed) Those are the only two guns anyone breaking into my home will find (Or hear) depending on if I'm around ...
HisSoldier
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I haven't had the misfortune of having shot anyone, but lots of murders (Watch "The first 48") are committed with .380's, and even .25 ACP's!
The thing with ladies is they often don't have the grip strength to cycle the slide, many males have mentioned the high tension on the slide of my Kel-Tec, I'm sure my wife couldn't cycle it. She can't cycle the slide on my S&W PPK/S. The answer with the PPK/S is to have her cock it first, that removes about 50% of the resistance I reckon, but adds a bit of danger if she doesn't make sure it's pointed at a backstop when she does it. Finger off the trigger, but commonly people use their finger in the trigger guard for extra leverage when they are having difficulty jacking the slide!
The thing with ladies is they often don't have the grip strength to cycle the slide, many males have mentioned the high tension on the slide of my Kel-Tec, I'm sure my wife couldn't cycle it. She can't cycle the slide on my S&W PPK/S. The answer with the PPK/S is to have her cock it first, that removes about 50% of the resistance I reckon, but adds a bit of danger if she doesn't make sure it's pointed at a backstop when she does it. Finger off the trigger, but commonly people use their finger in the trigger guard for extra leverage when they are having difficulty jacking the slide!
Blues Brother
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I think the .380 is fine. I carry one.
Tell her to look into the Ruger LCP. I carry mine in my pocket. Its not a sport pistol, its all function. meant to conceal easy, and draw and fire FAST.
It does its job well.
Tell her to look into the Ruger LCP. I carry mine in my pocket. Its not a sport pistol, its all function. meant to conceal easy, and draw and fire FAST.
It does its job well.
krs
Member
no, it's not enough. It makes plenty of people FEEL like armed but that's only because of the small easy to carry pistols chambered for it.
Oh, but 'shot placement' is what counts as spoken by legions of people who have never needed to place shots under the stresses that arise at the realization that their death is in the balance if they fail to shoot well.
But there's that unpleasance called 'recoil' so give the .380. At least insist that it be THIS .380 and tell her to pull the trigger as fast as she can: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_50_495/products_id/26965
( Does it have to be such a BIG gun? )
20 rounds of .380 per BG MIGHT just be enough, if the shot placement is one atop the other right into the eye socket...................either eye. It's hit once and then hammer it in.
Oh, but 'shot placement' is what counts as spoken by legions of people who have never needed to place shots under the stresses that arise at the realization that their death is in the balance if they fail to shoot well.
But there's that unpleasance called 'recoil' so give the .380. At least insist that it be THIS .380 and tell her to pull the trigger as fast as she can: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_50_495/products_id/26965
( Does it have to be such a BIG gun? )
20 rounds of .380 per BG MIGHT just be enough, if the shot placement is one atop the other right into the eye socket...................either eye. It's hit once and then hammer it in.
I carry a .380, though if I could open carry it would be at least a 9mm. My Sig P230 is right at the upper edge of the concealment size limit for me, and is still pleasant to shoot. There are 9mm's in a similar size, but I don't know if I'd want to shoot them enough to be comfortable with my accuracy, particularly with repeated shots. I could only get through one magazine with a KT P-11 before I had to quit, and I have a reasonably high pain tolerance.
See if you can get your wife to start doing wrist curls with dumbbells or a wrist roller, and maybe also use a grip-strengthening device. The ones with springs or solid balls work fine, but I recommend Power Putty because it's awesome. About half of a person's grip strength is in their forearms, so just doing wrist curls should help a lot.
DKA
Member
I hope so< I carry a P3AT Kel-Tec everywhere I go.
My husband's carry weapon is a Sig 230 in .380 and he loves it. I have a Bersa .380, also a great gun. I took it out to play yesterday at the range, and the RO comes by and says "Ah, got the mouse guns out today!" I pointedly looked at the target and he did too...all those nice .38" holes in that center...and said "it does well enough." He agreed.
It is light weight for me to carry, and that is the primary reason I got another one (traded the first one away for a J-frame). With good ammunition, it'll do what needs doing, unless there are several BG's. That little scenario happened to me a couple of months ago, and while, thankfully, they opted to leave rather than whatever they had in mind, I was thinking about those little bitty magazines and wishing like heck I had something larger, not in size of round, but in number of rounds in the mag! Nowadays if I walk the dogs at night I do so with an XD-9...which is neither small nor light!
If she can get a chance to shoot the Bersa, that would be great. But I wouldn't worry about the caliber being too small.
Springmom
It is light weight for me to carry, and that is the primary reason I got another one (traded the first one away for a J-frame). With good ammunition, it'll do what needs doing, unless there are several BG's. That little scenario happened to me a couple of months ago, and while, thankfully, they opted to leave rather than whatever they had in mind, I was thinking about those little bitty magazines and wishing like heck I had something larger, not in size of round, but in number of rounds in the mag! Nowadays if I walk the dogs at night I do so with an XD-9...which is neither small nor light!
If she can get a chance to shoot the Bersa, that would be great. But I wouldn't worry about the caliber being too small.
Springmom
When out of a dead sleep I had to grab up my Bersa .380 to investigate some noises in the house the very first thing I thought was "Man, I need a bigger gun with more bullets".
Now I keep my 870 at bedside with a "nite-lite" attached
The little Bersa is still my carry gun though.
Now I keep my 870 at bedside with a "nite-lite" attached
The little Bersa is still my carry gun though.
Blues Brother
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You too hey?
I gotta get a light for mine...... what kind to you have on yours??
P90shooter
Member
I have several different calibers, I love to carry my .45 but without question I would carry my .380 and feel comfortable. My recomendation is to look at the LCP and the Bersa those are fantastic carry guns.
krs
Member
I agree with you Defensory, but I'm changing my tune now.
Because in my secret life I'm really a frail pansy fraught with mysterious pains and don't want a gun that makes my crotch bulge, ever, I'm going to start carrying a .380 pistol and delude myself that it will be sufficiently powerful to dissuide the killer who's biceps are bigger than my fairy waist, whose wrists are stronger than my whole backbone, who has a plain mean streak from years of brawling and being misused by people who look like me, and who's testicles are as big as the softball I use in our league play at the city park every Saturday.
But I'm a smart closet fairy so I'm gonna' get one of these: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_50_495/products_id/26965 and a whole bagful of spare magazines for it. Then I'm going to install a tiny hidden selector switch into the pistol so it can be set to fire full auto and empty those mags in two seconds each. I'm going to spray that murderer with my wimpy cartridges and kill him like the pest he's been. He'll be swatting at the little holes I make like a man who disturbed a hornet's nest while mowing his lawn. I'll be able to hear him yelling even while I run away as fast as I can.
I know it'll work because I saw it on TV
Because in my secret life I'm really a frail pansy fraught with mysterious pains and don't want a gun that makes my crotch bulge, ever, I'm going to start carrying a .380 pistol and delude myself that it will be sufficiently powerful to dissuide the killer who's biceps are bigger than my fairy waist, whose wrists are stronger than my whole backbone, who has a plain mean streak from years of brawling and being misused by people who look like me, and who's testicles are as big as the softball I use in our league play at the city park every Saturday.
But I'm a smart closet fairy so I'm gonna' get one of these: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_50_495/products_id/26965 and a whole bagful of spare magazines for it. Then I'm going to install a tiny hidden selector switch into the pistol so it can be set to fire full auto and empty those mags in two seconds each. I'm going to spray that murderer with my wimpy cartridges and kill him like the pest he's been. He'll be swatting at the little holes I make like a man who disturbed a hornet's nest while mowing his lawn. I'll be able to hear him yelling even while I run away as fast as I can.
I know it'll work because I saw it on TV
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jordan1948
Member
krs I'm not sure if you're being serious or not lol but either way it's hillarious
MrBill120
Member
Now that Ruger and Kahr are going into the pocket .380 market, what are the chances Smith & Wesson will join them???
sgb
Member
....
JR47
Member
If you look in the current American Rifleman, you'll see an article in the Armed Citizen, where a man had his home invaded, and opened fire with a ".25 caliber handgun", and killed one of the attackers.
Should someone like the .380 ACP, but not like recoil and muzzle-blast of heavier calibers, you're not going to get them into a pocket nine millimeter anything. If anyone thinks that the 9mm mini-guns recoil, and have the same muzzle-blast, as a .380, they're simply ignoring the laws of physics.
Besides, while the woman may like the .380 to begin with, she's at least armed. As her confidence levels increase, she may well opt for a heavier caliber. Pushing her to start with one may likely result in her carrying nothing, and our side losing a convert.
Should someone like the .380 ACP, but not like recoil and muzzle-blast of heavier calibers, you're not going to get them into a pocket nine millimeter anything. If anyone thinks that the 9mm mini-guns recoil, and have the same muzzle-blast, as a .380, they're simply ignoring the laws of physics.
Besides, while the woman may like the .380 to begin with, she's at least armed. As her confidence levels increase, she may well opt for a heavier caliber. Pushing her to start with one may likely result in her carrying nothing, and our side losing a convert.
Rex B
Member
Recoil
Recoil perception by an individual is hard to predict.
I can shoot my P3AT 100 rounds at a time with little discomfort.
But 6 rounds from my wifes Colt Agent .38 Spl leaves my hand stinging for 30 minutes. She has no problem with it.
I have a safe full of semi-autos, most of them .380s. My wife is no wimp, but she can't easily work the slide on any of my SAs, even the SA/DA models after cocking the hammer. It's the grip between thumb and forefinger that is lacking.
So she's looking at a Beretta Tomcat .32 ACP with the tip-up barrel.
She liked the way it felt and worked, but felt the price was unreasonable for what you get.
Recoil perception by an individual is hard to predict.
I can shoot my P3AT 100 rounds at a time with little discomfort.
But 6 rounds from my wifes Colt Agent .38 Spl leaves my hand stinging for 30 minutes. She has no problem with it.
I have a safe full of semi-autos, most of them .380s. My wife is no wimp, but she can't easily work the slide on any of my SAs, even the SA/DA models after cocking the hammer. It's the grip between thumb and forefinger that is lacking.
So she's looking at a Beretta Tomcat .32 ACP with the tip-up barrel.
She liked the way it felt and worked, but felt the price was unreasonable for what you get.
benzuncle
Member
I carry a NAA 380 in a Nemesis pocket holster when I cannot carry one of my 45's. It is easy to have your hand right on the pistola while moseying. Hitting someone with Remington 102gr Golden Sabers will make them leak. And no one wants to leak. Hitting what you are shooting at will improve your odds with any caliber. A large caliber firearm will not do much more than a 380 if you blow off the fingertip on someone's pinkie finger. I'd rather carry one of the 45's but when I can't...
benderx4
Member
RECOIL and SLIDE manipulation
I am of the opinion that yes, the .380 is enough, IF you are carrying it, and IF you are reasonably proficient with it. Those two IFs normally come with PRACTICE.
I like the 9mm "kurz" or .380 round a lot. Consequently, over the years, I've purchased many guns in that caliber. Some of these "mouse" guns had enormous "felt" recoil. Much more than any of my full-size 45s or 357s. A couple of these 380s were the Keltec P3AT, the NAA .380, the Seecamp 380, and even the Walther PPK. All those guns are long gone.
The ones that felt good in the hand are those that remained: Sig 232, CZ83, and the Bersa 380 Thunder (rented that one.) Yes, they are bigger and heavier than the others, but that was the right round for those guns.
I still wanted a "mouse" gun and ended up buying a Seecamp LWS32. In my humble opinion, for a gun that size and weight, that was the right round for that gun. I love shooting that thing, very comfortable, very pointable, and very low felt recoil. It finds its way into my pocket almost all the time in the summer.
In the winter, I normally carry the Sig or the CZ, and lately I've been carrying my newest toy, the HK P7. (About the size of a Walther PPS in 9mm)
Finally, my experience at the range, instructing numerous women, is that some women just do not possess the hand, wrist, and/or arm strength to not only cock a semiauto, but to shoot it successfully without "limp-wristing". Other women have no such problems.
For the women that have trouble racking the slide, I either recommend a nice lightweight 38 revolver (SW 642), or if they really want a safety, the Beretta Tomcat in .32 or the Bobcat in .25/.22. Both the Berettas have tilt-up barrels, safeties, and long double action pulls. Rumor has it that the blued versions had some issues with cracks in the slide whereas the SS models have been trouble free.
If you can rent some guns first, do so. If not, you're being smart by accessing a forum such as this because, trust me, it can get very expensive buying and selling guns. Good luck with your choice. Remember, even a SW 317 that carries 8 rounds of .22 Stingers, (VERY lightweight) is better than a sharp stick in the eye.
P.S. One more thing, haven't tried one yet, but I've heard great things about the Ruger LCP. If you can find one, give it a look see!
I am of the opinion that yes, the .380 is enough, IF you are carrying it, and IF you are reasonably proficient with it. Those two IFs normally come with PRACTICE.
I like the 9mm "kurz" or .380 round a lot. Consequently, over the years, I've purchased many guns in that caliber. Some of these "mouse" guns had enormous "felt" recoil. Much more than any of my full-size 45s or 357s. A couple of these 380s were the Keltec P3AT, the NAA .380, the Seecamp 380, and even the Walther PPK. All those guns are long gone.
The ones that felt good in the hand are those that remained: Sig 232, CZ83, and the Bersa 380 Thunder (rented that one.) Yes, they are bigger and heavier than the others, but that was the right round for those guns.
I still wanted a "mouse" gun and ended up buying a Seecamp LWS32. In my humble opinion, for a gun that size and weight, that was the right round for that gun. I love shooting that thing, very comfortable, very pointable, and very low felt recoil. It finds its way into my pocket almost all the time in the summer.
In the winter, I normally carry the Sig or the CZ, and lately I've been carrying my newest toy, the HK P7. (About the size of a Walther PPS in 9mm)
Finally, my experience at the range, instructing numerous women, is that some women just do not possess the hand, wrist, and/or arm strength to not only cock a semiauto, but to shoot it successfully without "limp-wristing". Other women have no such problems.
For the women that have trouble racking the slide, I either recommend a nice lightweight 38 revolver (SW 642), or if they really want a safety, the Beretta Tomcat in .32 or the Bobcat in .25/.22. Both the Berettas have tilt-up barrels, safeties, and long double action pulls. Rumor has it that the blued versions had some issues with cracks in the slide whereas the SS models have been trouble free.
If you can rent some guns first, do so. If not, you're being smart by accessing a forum such as this because, trust me, it can get very expensive buying and selling guns. Good luck with your choice. Remember, even a SW 317 that carries 8 rounds of .22 Stingers, (VERY lightweight) is better than a sharp stick in the eye.
P.S. One more thing, haven't tried one yet, but I've heard great things about the Ruger LCP. If you can find one, give it a look see!
Smaug
Member
I vote yes, I have FMJ ammo in mind to ensure adequate penetration.
However, even though the gun is a nice size and doesn't kick much, I found that my wife is not strong enough to rack the slide.
Since it is a direct blow-back design, the spring is very stiff.
If she can't rack the slide, it's time to consider 38s or 9mms.
My wife wound up with a Charles Daly Hi Power in 9mm.
However, even though the gun is a nice size and doesn't kick much, I found that my wife is not strong enough to rack the slide.
Since it is a direct blow-back design, the spring is very stiff.
If she can't rack the slide, it's time to consider 38s or 9mms.
My wife wound up with a Charles Daly Hi Power in 9mm.
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