A 9x19 is far more effective because it has enough energy to work well with expanding projectiles. High expansion on a .380 might keep it from penetrating enough.Yet, is 2mm less room and a slightly lighter projectile all that less "potent" than a a 9X19?
By Dick Metcalf, Technical Editor, Shooting Times.
"If your personal-defense handgun is going to be a small autoloader, and you are buying it because the chance exists that it may someday have to save your life, the choice between a .380 or a 9mm is still a no-brainer. Get a 9mm."
Posted by McCall911:
And the fact remains that the .380 has proven itself to be an effective self-defense cartridge.
I thought the kahr pm45 was 6 shot??????
Your statement is false.
The .380 was phased out several decades ago as a duty weapon. Even in the "old days", the cartridge never saw much use in the U.S.
There's probably not a unit or agency on either continent that currently issues the .380 as a primary carry sidearm.
The Euros upgraded to the 9mm long ago, and in the U.S. even the 9mm is being phased out in favor of the more powerful .40 S&W.
The .380 is NOT an effective self-defense cartridge. Never was, never will be.
The .380 is NOT an effective self-defense cartridge. Never was, never will be.
9mm Versus .380 ACP For Self-Defense
By Dick Metcalf, Technical Editor, Shooting Times.
"If your personal-defense handgun is going to be a small autoloader, and you are buying it because the chance exists that it may someday have to save your life, the choice between a .380 or a 9mm is still a no-brainer. Get a 9mm."
Entire article and test results at:
http://hunting.about.com/od/guns/l/aast9mmv380a.htm
The conclusion isn't that great. It's a big "duh" that in the same size package, take 9mm over .380. However, as affordable 9mm pocket pistols comparable in size to the P3AT, LCP, P32, and so forth are not available, .380 will continue to have a place.
the fact is do you really need that extra "shrinkage" for conceability??
"would you trust your life to the .380 caliber?"
Posted by saturno
It is, somewhat, true.
I'm originally from Europe (Italy) where the Beretta 34 in .380 (9 mm corto in Italian) was the standard Police and Armed Forces sidearm till the end of the 70's and, in some cases, very beginning of the 80's.
The pistol was often bad mouthed because of its marginal stopping power....it had several good aspects, reliability, accuracy, easy maintenance, relative small size which was good for concealement for plainclothing police work.....but its nickname was "peashooter" for a reason..
And not all major European armed forces used .380 pistols anyway.
Posted by saturno
On top of that consider that the .380 ammo is more expensive, in general, than 9 mm....
Posted by DawgFvr:
There is no doubt that the 9mm is a far superior to the .380. The OP's original question, however, was,
"would you trust your life to the .380 caliber?"
Posted by DawgFvr:
Because all side arms are extensions of your fist...all are poor human stoppers.
It is true, because of the blowback design, a .380 pistol can "shrink" a little bit more than a 9 mm....the fact is do you really need that extra "shrinkage" for conceability?? When you need anything smaller than a Kel-Tec PF-9???