Would you trust your life with a 380.

[makarovnik]

I would and I do, regularly.

 

[Dr_B]

I used to carry a .380 until I found a .45 ACP that I could carry comfortably. I sold my .380 to fund reloading supplies for the .45. .380 isn't all that bad though. I think up close it'd get the job done.

 

[DC3-CVN-72]

To answer the question the way it was asked, yes.

 

[snooperman]

Yes, I would trust my life to the 380.

Even though I do not carry this caliber as my CCW, with the better ammo out today the 380 is a fine choice for a CCW. Especially for those, for whatever reason, can not manage a larger caliber, it is a fine choice. This caliber has had a big rebirth for a reason in the past few years, because of the ammo improvement and its small size for concealability. All and all a winning combination for many people. My wife carries a Walther PK380 loaded with Buffalo bore ammo. She is 71 and shoots it about once a week along with other guns at our farm range. I would not want to be on the receiving end of this gun in her hands.

 

[TwoWheelFiend]

I would not.

 

[ForumSurfer]

Yes, I would.

But these days, you can get 9mm in the same sized package and 9mm is cheaper to shoot, so I don't see one in my future.

 

[Fastcast]

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

A Beretta 84 or CZ 83/82 have practically the same dimensional specs and ballistics of a J-frame.

These pistols carry 14 & 13 rounds of .380 and have stock triggers that a J-frame can't even remotely match. Way better ergos, better/quicker follow up accuracy, and 9 additional rounds left after your J-frame needs a reload.

Frankly these fine .380 are in a different league as far as defense and fighting handguns go. Anyone endorsing a J-frame over an 84, 83/82 type pistol for defense, because they're .380 instead of 38sp is not a very rational thinker.

Sure I'd trust myself with a .380.....After all it's the Indian that wins the fight, not the arrow.

 

[rickshooter]

Yes I would

When the alternative is my Mustang 380 or nothing of course I will.

 

[cheesebigot]

Not only do I trust my life to my CZ 83, I feel lost without it. Small enough to carry more than 6, large enough to do what I need it to do.

 

[The Sarge]

I'll take/carry (and do) my 9X18 Maks any day.
If the purpose is self defense....you bet a few 9X18's will end a confrontation quickly.

 

[khegglie]

Yes.

 

[kd7nqb]

Here is how it breaks down for me, I carry my full size handguns when it works for how I am dressing. The rest of the time I carry my LCP. I do trust my life to it but I trust a 9mm or .40s&w more.

 

[Nushif]

Short answer: Yes.

Would I go to war with one? Nope. But I don't regularly go to war. That's only about every three years. And they give me a free weapon, then.

 

[X-Rap]

Here is how it breaks down for me, I carry my full size handguns when it works for how I am dressing. The rest of the time I carry my LCP. I do trust my life to it but I trust a 9mm or .40s&w more.
__________________

This sums it up, there are times when I need a gun that carries so well that I almost forget it's there. The rest of the time it is my back up.
Some of the old European designs are as big as a modern hi cap 9 but the newer 380's have no size/weight to power ratio that equals them IMO.
I don't view mine as a primary choice by any means but it is just one of many choices that allows me to be armed 99% of the time.

 

[VBVAGUY]

This is my only issue with calibers like the 32 and 380. To quote the FBIs handgun wounding factors and effectviness book. A hangun bullet MUST penatrate at leased 12 inches at a minimum weather it expands or not. If a bullet if a bullet cannot reliably penatrate to these depths it is not suitable for LE use. This would limit 25s 32s and 380s to fmj or hadcast bullets only since their expanding bullets fail to reach 10 inches (most around 8") much less the ideal 12-18" zone. Any respectable 9mm 40 or 45 will reach 14" with full expansion. That said I would rather have a 380 then a pocket knive anyday even with their sub par terminal performance.

Everyone always likes to quote the FBI minimum penetration requirements, from my understanding though is that this requirements were really for FBI and LEO's that have to shoot through barriers such as car doors, windshields, etc. *Most* civillians do not need to do that. God Bless

 

[KodiakBeer]

Forget all the data and ballistics. Stop thinking of handguns as if a single round (in any caliber) is going to solve your problem. Instead, think of quick mag swaps. Six or seven .380's in the COM of any attacker is likely to solve any problem.

 

[Kachok]

Everyone always likes to quote the FBI minimum penetration requirements, from my understanding though is that this requirements were really for FBI and LEO's that have to shoot through barriers such as car doors, windshields, etc. *Most* civillians do not need to do that. God Bless

Nope, the book went in to detial about the different angles and body types that lead to their conclusion, no car doors or windsheilds were taken into account when determining soft tissue penatration requirements, though they do have a different test for that.

 

[medic-rod]

Yes I have it works well. with Buffalo Bore Ammunition 380 ACP +P 100 in my kel tec worked on Mt Loin 150 pound at 30 feet, 50+ pound 2 shots Coyote at 35 feet both with 1 shot and sadly A 225 pound (about) man at 25 feet 2 shots. did the job fine. I would feel better with my Ruger P-90 .45 But in summer it's hard to hide.

 

[GBExpat]

Would you trust your life with a 380

Yes.

Starting in the '70s when I was first licensed, I have carried an assortment of handguns in several calibers ... among those were a Walther PP, a PPK/s and a PPK and, more recently, a Kel-tec P3AT ... all in .380.

I always trained for 2 shots (minimum) to the center of the thorax. Quite frankly, with the .380s my mindset was that I would endeavor to keep putting bullets on-target until the threat was positively eliminated.

 

[Buck Kramer]

I would. I dont get much into the "which round is better" debates but if I was shot with a .22 (let alone 380) in the head/chest it would ruin my day.

 

[Jim PHL]

I'm a hypocrite....ok, a mind-changer

I am embarassed to say yes to the original question. Embarassed because I have stated on this and other boards a few times that I sold my KelTec .380 a while ago and had decided I wanted to carry nothing less than a treasury load for self-defense. (.38 Spl. +P 158 gr. LSWCHP)

What has me thinking about changing my mind was an honest look at how often I carry no gun at all. Even my airweight j-frame is a little too big and heavy for certain scenario's, but I've recently found myself fondly recalling how, when I owned the little KT, I ALWAYS had a gun on me. Part of my mindset when I got rid of the .380 was I thought I would carry it out of laziness when I was dressed for and in a situation where I could carry something better (and I do agree that the .380 is less than ideal and you should carry something better when you can). I've just got to resolve myself to not do that and pretty much decided my next purchase will probably be another KelTec or a Ruger LCP.

On a related topic some members have touched on, I've pocket-carried many different guns over my years as a permit-holder. For me, there definitely IS a significant difference in carrying for example, a KT380 or LCP vs. a j-frame or a PF9 or Kahr PM9. For me at least, the "micro" .380's are true pocket guns, where the others are just small guns that you can carry in your pocket. The KelTec, LCP, et al fill a niche that no other platform can. (Just my opinion and worth what you paid for it.)

 

[harmon rabb]

I am embarassed to say yes to the original question. Embarassed because I have stated on this and other boards a few times that I sold my KelTec .380 a while ago and had decided I wanted to carry nothing less than a treasury load for self-defense. (.38 Spl. +P 158 gr. LSWCHP)

What has me thinking about changing my mind was an honest look at how often I carry no gun at all. Even my airweight j-frame is a little too big and heavy for certain scenario's, but I've recently found myself fondly recalling how, when I owned the little KT, I ALWAYS had a gun on me. Part of my mindset when I got rid of the .380 was I thought I would carry it out of laziness when I was dressed for and in a situation where I could carry something better (and I do agree that the .380 is less than ideal and you should carry something better when you can). I've just got to resolve myself to not do that and pretty much decided my next purchase will probably be another KelTec or a Ruger LCP.

On a related topic some members have touched on, I've pocket-carried many different guns over my years as a permit-holder. For me, there definitely IS a significant difference in carrying for example, a KT380 or LCP vs. a j-frame or a PF9 or Kahr PM9. For me at least, the "micro" .380's are true pocket guns, where the others are just small guns that you can carry in your pocket. The KelTec, LCP, et al fill a niche that no other platform can. (Just my opinion and worth what you paid for it.)

This is why I advocate that everybody should own a pocket 380. It brings your carry percentage up to 100%. Just don't fall into the lazy trap of taking the 380 when you're dressed for your 45.

 

[LiveLife]

Yes, if that is all that was available and while I looked for other weapons and exit/escape routes.

The smallest caliber I recommend would be 9mm for me to "trust" my life with. If the situation warranted, I can almost always make room for my G27 "somewhere" on my person.

 

[exavid]

Yes. I carry my LCP for about six months of the year because I can carry it even when wearing shorts. It's invisible in my jeans front pocket in its Nemises pocket holster too. In colder weather when a jacket is practical I tend to carry my 740 Slim .40S&W for its greater punch but often carry the LCP instead if I'm going to be indoors for the most part. I've put around 800 rounds through that little .380. It's performed flawlessly and with the amount of practice I've had with it I can occasionally hit a golf ball at 25yds. No problem making an 8x10" steel plate ring at that range. Seven rounds of Federal Hydro Shoks aren't something anyone's going to laugh at, especially if you can hit what you aim at.

 

[RNB65]

Yes. Without question.