Reason for choosing a 380 over a 9 mm???

[saturno_v]

The two rounds have, give or take, the same diameter so you do not get any more magazine capacity in a given form factor...so what is the reason why some people prefer the 380 over the 9 mm for a compact handgun??
A 380 gives up a lot in power compared to a 9 mm (in some cases over 40%).
The 9 mm recoil is not that bad....can one of the reason be that a 380 can be built even smaller than a 9 mm??? I know that a 380 is often built using the simpler and more economical blowback design....does this allow a smaller dimension with the same round capacity and barrel length of a 9 mm??
Or the reason for choosing a 380 is simply economical (cheaper guns)???

Any ideas?? Open for debate

 

[MachIVshooter]

does this allow a smaller dimension with the same round capacity

Yes. The fact that the .380 is a less powerful (lower pressure) cartridge means that is can be chambered in much smaller guns. 9mm's have become quite small in recent years, but still not 3/4" wide and only 8 ounces like the Kel-Tec P3AT. Besides, an 8 ounce 9x19mm pistol would have pretty brisk recoil; The little Kahr PM9 at 14 ounces and Kel-Tec PF9 at 12.7 ounces are quite snappy.

 

[motorsport28]

If your looking for a .380 check out the Bersa Thunder. Roughly $250.00 at academy and from what I hear, a great value.

I own a 9mm and might be looking to adding a .380 for the purpose of size. Thats the only reason that I can think of getting a .380 over a 9mm.

 

[saturno_v]

I like the little Bersa 380 a lot (I already own the full size Thunder 40 in 40 S&W) but talking with a lot of people they suggest that I should not go under a 9 mm for personal defense...

 

[welldoya]

It's just the smaller size. That's the only reason I can think of to carry a .380 over a 9mm.
I have several 9s but I'm probably going to get a Ruger LCP when the stores around here get them in. I usually carry a 642 but the LCP will fit shorts pockets just right.

 

[Pat-inCO]

If you are really looking for a reason to get a 380 in place of a 9mm, I can't think of one reason.

The 9mm ammo is less expensive. The 9mm is more effective for personal protection. The 9mm recoil will end up being virtually the same as a 380 because the gun chambered for the 9mm is usually more substantial (I'm sure there may be exceptions - but in general).

Yes, you CAN find a gun in 380 that is less expensive, but you are getting what you pay for.

Do I have a 380? Yes, I bought it on a whim. Then I got a little ammunition and looked at the other factors. Unlike a refrigerator, you cannot "just take it back".

 

[shootinstudent]

I got one and made it my favorite handgun.

The .380 comes in gun designs you can't currently get in 9mm-slimmer, lighter, and more snag free.

It isn't a good idea if you plan on surviving for weeks on end in bear country, but it's plenty strong enough for targets and personal defense, if you should ever need it. It makes exactly the same sized hole as a 9mm.

 

[owlhoot]

In my opinion the only 380's that make any sense are the very tiny ones.

While I wouldn't want to be shot with a .380, they are marginal as a defensive caliber in my opinion.

It might be worth giving up the greater capibilities of a 9mm if you need an extremely small gun. Otherwise, I can think of no good reason for chosing one.

 

[usp9]

One reason the .380 is so popular is because it is the caliber of some very, very nice guns. Sometimes people choose their firearm for reasons other than ballistics. For example, the tiny Seecamp is hideable almost anywhere on a clothed body, the Walther PPK is still a favorite hide-away, the Sig P232 is ergonomic perfection, the Beretta 84 is the duty weapon of choice when quality and accuracy count. I could go on.

Just a few threads away there is discussion of the CZ82 in the Makarov round, which is touted as a fine military caliber. Well, if the Mak is OK, then the .380 must be OK too! IMHO, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the .380acp in a civilian defensive handgun. Some folks simply trust these pistols, shoot them well, if not better than their 9mm counterparts, and have no big reason to switch.

Simply put...sometimes one carries a certain pistol, irregardless of it's caliber, because they like it better than anything else. that's good enough reason for me.

 

[P95loser]

The only reason one should have a 380 is if nothing bigger will conceal easily. It's hard to pocket carry a J-frame or a small 9mm in dockers. I have recently sold my P3AT and now pocket carry a 637, but I also wear blue jeans to work.

 

[jocko]

380

POCKETABLE/ not the most firepower but certainly better than a rock. The new Ruger lcp is one awsome 380 and you will never even know you are carrying it. Loaded with the Corbon dpx HP round this is one hell of a defense gun. No gun is worth a damn if you walk out of the house and it is still sitting on the dresser or in the vanity drawer. If you have to also dress accordingly to carry a certain handgun, then alot of times you will just not do that and again it sits home. So IMO the 380 like the Ruger LCP covers those issues. If you are going to waist band carry, there are lots of extremely small and extremely lite 9,mm, 40, and 45 out there. The Kahr line comes to mind alot as they make the best assortiment of ccw handguns in all calibers. Their new PM45 is getting rave reviews from owners..

oops, just heard from my lcp buddy, he is now up to 1600 flawless rounds through his Ruger lcp and he has fired every brand of ammo he can get his hands on. Let no one tell you this is a shoot seldom carry often gun, like most Kel-tec owners are lead to believe..

 

[Lonestar49]

No reason too, both in size and load-out

...

Besides being the same size in length, and the SA EMP is only 1/2" taller, due to grip-only, along with, the SA EMP 9mm 9+1 max load-out vs the Sig P232 380 7+1 max load-out, without doubt, you get more bang for your buck, both in punch, and lesser cost for ammo going 9mm and being able to use JHP's without any doubts, vs any 380 JHP..

Not to mention the SA EMP's SAO, locked and cocked, vs the Sigs DA/SA rather long, heavy, DA pull, and heavy snap of the hammer in either mode, DA or SA.


Ls

SA 1911 EMP 9mm vs Sig P232 SL 380

 

[12many]

Simple, .380 is sexier.

 

[TylerDurden]

+P??

I like that pic of your EMP and the Sig. Both very classy, yet badass.

Could the EMP fire +P or +P+? The Sig: could it fire +P? Do they even make +P for .38 ACP???

 

[GrandmasterB]

Because you can't get a Colt Mustang Pocketlite in 9mm.

 

[Kindrox]

I know that some women fall in love with a particular .380 gun while in a gun store and don't listen to the technical reasons why they should continue to carry the 9MM you just got them and they loved at the time.

Don't ask me how I know this.

 

[TMann]

One reason the .380 is so popular is because it is the caliber of some very, very nice guns.

That was my reason for picking up a Bersa 380 this afternoon. I have other good handguns for concealed carry, (Kahr P9, Glock 19, KT P3AT,) but there was just something about the Bersa that appealed to me. It's a quality handgun at a great price in a caliber that is at least adequate for self defense needs. But more importantly, it felt really good in my hand when I held it. That's good enough for me!

TMann

 

[Pilot]

Yes, the .380 allows a slimmer lighter package. I often CCW a Beretta M85FS which is slim, light, and accurate. Everything is a compromise, but I know the Beretta will work and I like to carry it so it goes with me instead of staying at home.

 

[Hokkmike]

If your looking for a .380 check out the Bersa Thunder. Roughly $250.00 at academy and from what I hear, a great value.

Love this gun!

 

[MachIVshooter]

oops, just heard from my lcp buddy, he is now up to 1600 flawless rounds through his Ruger lcp and he has fired every brand of ammo he can get his hands on. Let no one tell you this is a shoot seldom carry often gun, like most Kel-tec owners are lead to believe.

Once more:

P3AT exploded view


LCP exploded view

Still think the LCP is somehow "better"?

 

[Lobotomy Boy]

There is no reason to choose one gun over another gun--each have different strengths and weaknesses, and each are useful in different applications. When I can, I always carry a .45 ACP. I seldom carry a 9mm, not because I dislike the caliber, but because my Glock 36 is as concealable as my Glock 26, and when given the choice I go with the .45 ACP. I almost always have my 642 in my pocket, but plan to get a Ruger LCP for those times when the Smith produces unacceptable and unsightly bulges in my pants.

All things being equal, I'd open carry my Glock 21 24/7, but the other guns and calibers are useful because I can't.

 

[The Tourist]

My custom .380 was ordered from Tussey in December of 1996.

To be sure, there were several smaller 9mmx19 pistols to be had, however, smaller .32's and .380 of superior design had been around at the beginning of the 20th century.

Additionally, my wife might have to use the pistol, and she's more of a revolver person. A .380 Colt, which can be loaded or unloaded without disconnecting the safety had merit.

My intent was to use the pistol to fend off attackers and withdraw. I do not intend to go toe-to-toe with an agressor.

I was also seeing the advent of some very lethal, smaller caliber bullets which leveled the playing field. Certainly Terry's pistols do not suffer from stoppages.

I don't regret my choice--considering the time I placed the order. I might now have Terry cut down a .45 ACP which has similar overall measurements. However, even though my Colt has a stainless frame and slide, it is quite light and portable.

 

[antsi]

Lonestar, the EMP is a nice choice but your picture does illustrate the fact that the carryability of a gun is not just about the overall dimensions. The P 232 is mostly sleek curves. The EMP has lots of jutting jaggedy bits and corners. For some - certainly me - the shape of a direct blowback pistol contributes as much to its carryability as the size.

Also, I think there is something to be said for having a good match between the size and weight of the gun and the power of the cartridge it is chambered for. My brother in law has one of these micro-plastic guns in .45 ACP and it is absolutely the most unpleasant gun I have ever shot. I found it much more difficult to shoot within combat accuracy than my P 232.

When clothing and weather allow, yes, I prefer to carry a larger pistol chambered for a more powerful caliber. But for me, the .380 fills a useful purpose for some occasions.

I am still waiting for someone to market a new pistol called ".50 BMG Micro-Carry." Once they do, I'm sure all the people who own it will come on THR and tell all the .45 ACP micro-pistol guys how woefully undergunned they are.

 

[Lonestar49]

You'll get no argument from me, but..

Quote: Lonestar, the EMP is a nice choice but your picture does illustrate the fact that the carryability of a gun is not just about the overall dimensions. The P 232 is mostly sleek curves. The EMP has lots of jutting jaggedy bits and corners. For some - certainly me - the shape of a direct blowback pistol contributes as much to its carry-ability as the size.
...............
...

For 90% of my ccw time, I carry any of my ccw guns in the front, 11 o-clock canted cross-draw configuration, so size is the key, not the shape. But on occasion, depending on dress needs, that is not an option and then, depending on where I'm going (based on risk-factor) if low, I favor the Sig P232 over the EMP, but again, if risk area is high, then EMP gets the job, and if the risk area is severe, then I go with a bigger gun and caliber..

They all serve a good purpose but, from my experience, the EMP, being more powerful, especially with JHP choices of weight, and round count, along with the SAO, cocked and locked, wins most carry choices and does not print any worse that my Sig P232, with a few exceptions of dress requirements, and area/s of travel, taken into consideration.

As a back-up gun, ankle carry, which I do not use, that would be an interesting area to compare the 2 guns in, and for, with comfort, weight, and over-all concealment with their 2 very different, shapes, mainly the beaver-tail.

Ah, almost forgot, gun jams and clearing, where one has to drop the mag, or reloading for that matter, both in time to do, ease, and most important, the ease with least amount of thinking or time needed, the EMP's side-mag-release button (pops) them straight out, and in, wins hands-down over the Euro bottom-thumb-release, which, one, must physically pull them out and use a / angle-at-first insert operation of, and for, the Sig P232 anytime, every-time.


Ls

 

[Phil DeGraves]

The 9mm Luger requires a locked breech whereas the 380 only requires a straight blowback. That means the 9mm will have less felt recoil but will be more expensive to manufacture and will likely be very slightly larger. Personally, with the compact 9mms I see no reason for ME to own a 380.