Would you trust your life with a 380.

[MUSICALGUNNUT45]

You hear alot of criticism about this little cartridge, personally I don't like it just not enough power for me and I can get a similar sized pistol chambered in 9mm. But when I saw that colt was bringing back the mustang I had to have one and it made me reconsider the cartridge itself (if only they would bring back the pocket 9) does anyone like 380 auto.

 

[pak29]

I've fired a few, but had the same thought - it's so close to 9mm in size and recoil, that why not use 9mm? So, no, can't say that I see a purpose for it.

 

[stillkickin]

hell no

 

[Jason_G]

9 x 19 mm is my lower threshold. I know a lot of folks that carry .380 ACP, 9 x 18 mm, .32 ACP, and even smaller, but I couldn't do it with comfort. I do have a good friend though that is a respiratory therapist at a hospital that sees trauma from all over our area, and he's seen his share of GSW deaths from the "puny" calibers (.25, .22, etc), so who knows. I think shot placement and, to a certain extent, luck, is more of a factor than caliber in most cases, but I still prefer something that starts with a ".4".

JMHO.

Jason

 

[KAS1981]

I much prefer 9mm, since it's more powerful & less expensive.

But to answer your question: Yes.

 

[Manta77]

There is a definite overall size difference between the newer ultra compact .380s and the "ultra compact" 9mms. You can't replace displacement, but when it comes to weapon size.... .380 has the edge.

 

[AlexM]

For me it's more about the platform I'm using to fire it more than the round itself. Once I get down to Sub-Compact level I tend to think that the .380 has a little of an edge with most models in that caliber being a little easier to conceal. However, if I'm using the weapon as a duty pistol, or if I am wearing clothing that can conceal a Compact or larger frame then I prefer to bump up to a 9mm or all the way to .45.

 

[NMGonzo]

yes I have.

 

[Devonai]

All summer long my carry weapon has been an IJ-70 Makarov, 8+1 with an 8 round spare mag. I do not feel undergunned as the pistol is reliable and it is very easy to make follow-up shots. However, I am also competent with my Beretta 92FS and PX4 .40, which are more easily carried in colder weather.

As the 9x18 is only a bit hotter than .380, I believe the comparison is fair. I would absolutely not want to stand in front of someone armed with either caliber who knows how to shoot! However, if the weather permits it I will carry a larger caliber.

 

[Paulgibs]

I carry a P380 every day. I've tried carrying my PM9, but it is just a little too bulky for me to pocket carry and conceal. I'll try again this winter, but I'm comfortable with the P380. I know all of the arguments that this is too little for self defense, but for me at this point given my wardrobe requirements, it's the .380 or nothing. (And I ain't going with nothing).

 

[Kachok]

I don't trust anything that won't get at leased 12" of penatration with rapid expansion HPs, so no. 9mm 115gr is minimum and 357mag/10mm are ideal. Though I usualy settle for a 40. Mabey as a backup, but never as a primary.

 

[rcmodel]

Would you trust your life with a 380.

Yes, I do.
I have about 30 handguns to choose from, in about every SD caliber there is.

But a P3AT .380 is the only one that will fit in my shirt pocket and go unnoticed all day.

Better to have a little .380 then no gun atall!

rc

 

[DAdams]

I do when I need something small, light and undetectable.

 

[Single Action Six]

The Question Was..

Would you trust your life with a 380?

This is a very open ended question. Even though some of the posters here replied NO.. and then went on to mention the 9mm, the question didn't ask in comparison to a _______ (place different caliber in blank).

Looking at the question as asked.. and not as I noted above, YES I would. (In fact, I own a Beretta M 1934 .380 that I purchased new before the GCA 1968.)

I think any clear thinking handgun owner would want to carry a .380, .32, or even a .22 if the only other option was to carry NOTHING at all!

Single Action Six

 

[Two Guns]

I have trusted my life to a 380 but I would rather have some thing more powerful if able.

 

[EmGeeGeorge]

I carry a .22 sometimes, so a .380 is fine... just got a 232 sig. thing is dead accurate, heart or eye shots, methinks it'd do fine.

 

[josh2415]

Heck yeah! I'm always amazed by those who whine about "stopping power" - as some have already said, having ANY gun in a self-defense situation is better than having no gun, and the ease of carrying a small 380 helps to ensure that you'll have one with you for that VERY RARE occurrence when you need it.

 

[Onward Allusion]

MUSICALGUNNUT45
Would you trust your life with a 380.

Depending on the situation, I'd trust my life to a .22LR revolver. Would I like it, hell no. I'd rather have spare mags and 15 rounds of .40S&W or 20 rounds of 9mm, but it's still better than no gun.

 

[mgmorden]

I own five 9mm's. I still carry a .380. I'm just not into the "caliber wars", and have no issue carrying the .380. It's more powerful than the .36 cal revolvers that were everywhere in the old west, more powerful than the .32 ACP's that were used by European police for much of the least century, and right up there with the .38 Special that our own police carried for so long.

Realistically, I think that most of the caliber debate just stems from wanting something to do. If you just want to be prepared to defend yourself, get yourself a reliable gun, practice with it, and carry it. Case closed. That does get boring though, so we all sit around talking about holsters, various calibers, and a million other things that probably will make no difference at all if that day ever comes. All that will matter is having a gun, the will to use it, and the skill to wield it.

 

[ROCK6]

The .380 serves a purpose...not every purpose and not for everybody. I would assume anybody serious about self-defense would recommend the most potent caliber you can accurately (and rapidly) manage in a reliable pistol (or revolver). However, there are situations where a smaller caliber is more fitting despite the compromise. Sure, if I had a reliable .380...I would be trusting my life to it.

My wife owns a Bersa and Kel-Tec P3AT...both in .380. She likes them; she's proficient with them and really enjoys shooting them; and more importantly, she carries one of them at every legal opportunity she can. Now that she's done a lot more shooting and training, she's really been digging into concealed carry research (mostly for carry systems and adjusting her dressing styles). The good news is she's now considering a larger caliber carry piece and has started to shoot many more of mine all the way up to .45. Still, there are times and certain attire that may cause you to downsize your CCW and as impotent as most will argue the .380 is, it's still beats harsh language and waiting on a 911 response call.

ROCK6

 

[JO JO]

380 in pocket ccw is better than 45 at home, defense ammo has came along ways with good SHOT PLACEMENT, is there better yes. I think if you had to pull
it out at someone they would not say thats just a 380 no big deal they would think twice

 

[legion3]

Yes.

The 380 has been killing people long before most of us were born.

 

[Johannes_Paulsen]

I wouldn't have a problem with carrying a .380. But that said, since I already have a very small 9mm, I haven't felt the need to buy one (however cool the Sig P238 looks when I ogle it at the gun store from time to time.)

 

[harmon rabb]

If the gun firing the 380 is one I can shoot well, of course. Would you like to volunteer to take a few to the chest?

Modern 380 has pretty decent performance. There are multiple jhp loads that get 12" of penetration and full expansion.

I have regularly carried 9x18 pistols, and 9x18 is barely hotter than 380. But I'm good with those pistols, especially my cz-82. Might not be the nastiest round out there, but I'm not going to miss with it. Can't say I'd want to take a 9x18 to the chest..

 

[chuck pullen]

Not when 9mms and J-frames aren't much bigger.