Why .380 instead of small 9mm?

Status
Not open for further replies.
This thread has really made me feel good about carrying the Corbon DPX ive had in my PF9...thanks
 
What I get from threads like this is:

If it works for you, it's a good choice. So what if the writer for Mall Ninja Magazine said the XK-150S in .457 Devastator will stop an elephant in its tracks with one shot and is the weapon of choice of "real operators," if the pistol kicks like a mule, isn't accurate in your hands, has "issues" with reliability, and feels like a brick on your hip. You'd be better off with a light, handy Bersa .380 that you can shoot fast and accurately and is 100% reliable.

All my best,
Dirty Bob
 
Why 380 over 9mm?
Reliability.
Most of the the small 380 designs are very reliable. Simple blowback action. No problems. SIG p232 is a good example, as is the Bersa Thunder.
Both are similar in size to the Kahr P9 and CW9, and even a little larger than the PM9. The problem is that many of these small Kahrs (and guns like them) have had a number of reliability issues. Many have not, but there are enough lemons out there to scare many people off.
Which would you rather have: a 9mm that might fire, or a 380 that will fire?
 
If anyone made a 9mm as small and light as the smallest and lightest .380, you would complain abou the recoil.
 
If anyone made a 9mm as small and light as the smallest and lightest .380, you would complain abou the recoil.
They do. It's called the Kel-Tec PF9. And, yes, I'll complain about the recoil. :eek:

A customer was having feeding problems on a new one, and I shot a magazine through to diagnose. I enjoy Magnum calibers, but the lightness and angular shape of the grip on this thing make recoil all but unbearable.
 
size by ruler or size by feel?

My SIG 232 is sleek and rounded and slim. Although it is not that much smaller than compact 9mms by the measuring tape, it carries smaller than it acutally is because it is formed of smooth, curved, body-friendly shapes. The small 9mms by comparison tend to be blocky, chunky, and covered with sharp edges and protrusions.

Also, I think there is something to be said for a good match between the size of the gun and the power of the caliber. When I shoot my 232, it shoots like it is the appropriate gun for that cartridge. When I shoot other folks' "micro-9s", I find them unpleasant to grip, point, and shoot.

I wouldn't want a 16" .50 BMG carbine. It would certainly give me more power than my 5.56, but I don't think the trade-offs would be worth it.
 
Since looks do matter in a gun, it should be noted that most 9mms in midget packages are plug-ugly. The PPKs, HScs, and such are much prettier than down-sized 9mms. Recoil is, of course, an issue for some.

Also, it goes against the grain to carry a midget gun in a full-size caliber - for me, anyhow.

Very well said. Guns that are very small for the caliber make me uneasy... I just wouldn't trust one. The 'compact' and 'ultra compact' .45's just don't sit well with me, as much as I love the 1911. Smaller than a Commander is pretty much 'too small' IMO.

As I'm typing this, I'm thinking it might not be totally rational, but it would erode my confidence in the piece if it just seemed 'too small'.

BTW, I have a 45 year old PPK in .380 that's never let me down. Small enough, powerful enough, accurate enough.
 
I don't know if I'd be so harsh on the small 9mm pistols. I've never had a hiccup from my P-11, though I grip it *HARD* with a stiff wrist. It's not that bad to shoot. In fact, I can honestly say that I enjoy shooting it. I "shoot it" with snap caps as much as I do with live ammo, however, which really helps me deal with the LOOOOOOOONG trigger pull on the Kel-Tec.

That said, I don't hand novice shooters a P-11 to try. On the other hand, a Makarov -- especially a commercial .380 Makarov with the larger, adjustable sights -- is an easy gun for a beginner.

An all-steel .380 like the Makarov is a "friendly" pistol to shoot. If arthritis or shoulder problems or whatever should ever partially disable me, I think I would switch to an all-steel .380 without many regrets.

Regards,
Dirty Bob
 
Does anyone have experience with the Kahr P45 (I think that's what it is, the poly frame 45)? I have a CW9 (holds 7+1) that I like a lot and was wondering about the 45 which I've heard holds 5+1 of 45. If the 45 was the same size and about the same weight as the 9mm, hmmm? I've never seen one for rent so I have no idea how bad the recoil might be on one of those.
 
Size and cost

Small, inexpensive .380s are the rule. Yes, you will give up some stopping power, but these guns are meant as BUGs anyway.

Consider the KT P-3AT
Calibers : .380 AUTO
Weight unloaded lbs. : 8.3 oz.
Loaded magazine : 2.8 oz.
Length : 5.2"
Height : 3.5"
Width : .77"
Sight radius : 3.8"
Muzzle Energy Max : 250 ft lbs
Capacity : 6 + 1 rounds
Trigger Pull : 5lbs
Price: ~ $240 USD

Or the Bersa 380 CC
CALIBER: .380 ACP
OPERATION: Semi-Automatic
OVERALL LENGTH: 6"
HEIGHT: 4.54"
WIDTH: 1.05"
BARREL LENGTH: 3.2"
WEIGHT: 16.4 oz without magazine
MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 8 Rounds
TRIGGER PULL: 8 to 13 lbs. Double Action / 5 to 7 lbs. Single
Cost: ~$220 USD

Compare those to similar nines

Glock 26
WEIGHT 19.75 oz.
LENGTH 6.29 in.
HEIGHT 4.17 in.
Standard: 10
WIDTH 1.18 in.
TRIGGER PULL 5.5 lbs.
Cost ~$500 USD

Kahr PM9093 (3" Barrel)
Black polymer frame, matte stainless slide
~ $550

Shooter429
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top