Would you trust your life with a 380.

[LiveLife]

Respectfully to all, can I make one request?

OP did not ask whether 380 pistols were smaller, easier and more convenient to carry than 9mm pistols or accurate/reliable enough to use.

OP did ask in comparison to 9mm, would one "trust" his/her life to the 380Auto.

So, could we keep the discussion to the effectiveness of the two calibers and whether their terminal performance is good enough to "trust your life with." TIA.

Of course, when size/weight/concealment is factored, I am not in disagreement as 380Auto would be better than nothing at all. But that's not what the OP asked for this thread.

 

[miles1]

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.

Short answer:Yes i would be comfortable with a .380 for HD.Shot placement is EVERYTYHING.

 

[Tomac]

Shot placement is useless w/o sufficient penetration. You must have both and penetration is where the .380 can fall short leaving you w/the choice of FMJ for sufficient penetration but minimal tissue damage or a decent JHP for tissue damage but risk insufficient penetration to reach the vitals.
Tomac

 

[miles1]

I didnt say that the .380 was my first choice.Yes; your absolutley right, it falls short of the 9 or 45 but i think that a double tap head shot would ruin a perps day.I dont think anyones debating on if a 380 causes more damge versus any other caliber.

 

[spcrobbins]

You might look at this link to Chuck Hawk's "one shot stopping power".

http://www.chuckhawks.com/handgun_power_chart.htm

It might help you with your decision. I still say, go with a 9mm, or you could think about a wheel gun and have 357 at your disposal. Either way, I would buy a DB9 if I absolutely had to have a pocket pistol and didn't want anything bigger.

 

[Fatelvis]

It beats the h*ll out of carrying nothing! When concealability is a problem, I have no problem carrying a .380.

 

[kokapelli]

You might look at this link to Chuck Hawk's "one shot stopping power".

http://www.chuckhawks.com/handgun_power_chart.htm

It might help you with your decision. I still say, go with a 9mm, or you could think about a wheel gun and have 357 at your disposal. Either way, I would buy a DB9 if I absolutely had to have a pocket pistol and didn't want anything bigger.

And after you look at that chart, look at this…….

http://larrycorreia.wordpress.com/2008/04/29/one-shot-stop-handgun-statistics-and-why-theyre-a-load-of-crap/

 

[shootingthebreeze]

Again, typical defensive engagement will be 10 yards or less.
With that and FMJ I trust my Kahr P380.

 

[spcrobbins]

And after you look at that chart, look at this…….

http://larrycorreia.wordpress.com/2008/04/29/one-shot-stop-handgun-statistics-and-why-theyre-a-load-of-crap/

I always wondered how they came up with those percentages. I would assume the 9mm has a better chance of a "one shot stop" over a 380. Regardless of any "reports".

 

[MICHAEL T]

I have many 380's and have no problem packing any one of them I have 45 's and 9's also As far as 9mm against 380 from small pocket pistol. I bet BG Won't know difference Just pain of being shot. Both work. We to much time and space wasted in these debates.

Show me a Police report or other real proof That a BG shot 2 times COM with a 380 went on to kill or seriously injure the good guy who shot him. . I guess it has happened but I have never found any real proof .

spcrobbins: Your cheer leading for Diamond back thru this thread .Got a little tiring . Their a lot of good pocket 9mm out their. My PF-9 weights 1 oz more than your can't live with out DP Holds 1 more round and best of all works with every brand of factory ammo I have tried. No pins walking out no trigger breaking or any of the other seems to be common trouble of DB. Notice below I have 2 boards of my own and yet Iam telling you that a KelTec is a good pistol. Iam not pushing either of the brands of my boards . Bersa has a new 9mm coming I will wait and see. Till then when I want a small 9 Its my PF-9 If a larger 9mm can be carried will be my 9mm Colt Commander.

 

[medic-rod]

heeler
You can get a 9 round mag for the kel.
that becomes part of the grip making it easier to hold.

 

[Ben86]

I always wondered how they came up with those percentages. I would assume the 9mm has a better chance of a "one shot stop" over a 380. Regardless of any "reports".

The difference in stopping power between the most popular handgun calibers (.380 and above), given equal bullet design, is so slight that we shouldn't worry so much about it. It's much more practical to worry about your ability to shoot with proper shot placement.

9mm undoubtedly does have a bit more stopping power than .380, all other things being equal. But, it is not a reason in itself to never carry .380. I don't use .380 mostly because 9mm is cheaper and I can have a gun that is close to the same size as a pocket .380 in 9mm. Better performance is welcomed, but it's really just an economical decision on my part.

 

[LiveLife]

9mm undoubtedly does have a bit more stopping power than .380

I would say quite more than "a bit" - http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/index.php?cPath=21_37&osCsid=1qr9sbl7te53ddvu96i97fh397

.380Auto 95gr Controlled Expansion JHP:
3.5" bbl Bersa Thunder - 1080 fps, 246 ft. lbs.
Kel-Tec P3AT - 975 fps, 200 ft. lbs.

.380Auto 80gr. BARNES TAC-XP:
3.5" bbl Bersa Thunder - 1145 fps, 233 ft. lbs.
Kel-Tec P3AT and Ruger LCP - 1050fps / 196 ft. lbs.


9mm +P 124 gr Remington Brass Jacketed JHP (Golden Saber):
1310 fps / 473ft. lbs. from a G17
1295 fps / 462 ft. lbs. from a G19

9mm +P 115 gr Remington JHP
1415 fps / 511ft. lbs. from a G17.
1395 fps Glock 19

I realize that the energy data is for G17/G19 but even factoring a decrease for shorter barreled G26, I would think the amount of muzzle energy would easily surpass 400 ft. lbs. which would be almost double that of muzzle energy from above .380Auto pistols.

 

[lockbreech]

Did you know that the .22 caliber bullet has killed more humans that any other caliber? Just some food for thought.

 

[Cokeman]

I would say quite more than "a bit" - http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/index.php?cPath=21_37&osCsid=1qr9sbl7te53ddvu96i97fh397


I realize that the energy data is for G17/G19 but even factoring a decrease for shorter barreled G26, I would think the amount of muzzle energy would easily surpass 400 ft. lbs. which would be almost double that of muzzle energy from above .380Auto pistols.

Yep. Looks about the same to me.

 

[kokapelli]

I would say quite more than "a bit" - http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/index.php?cPath=21_37&osCsid=1qr9sbl7te53ddvu96i97fh397


I realize that the energy data is for G17/G19 but even factoring a decrease for shorter barreled G26, I would think the amount of muzzle energy would easily surpass 400 ft. lbs. which would be almost double that of muzzle energy from above .380Auto pistols.

Energy! Energy in these calibers is a non factor and irrelevant. At least that's my opinion.

The whole point of this thread is not how much more velocity or energy one caliber has over another, but rather if the 380 is adequate.

 

[millertyme]

As long as it was a CZ 83.

 

[dondavis3]

Too bad we never know when we'll need a gun.

So I carry something that I know I'll carry.

If it's a .380 or a .45 - it doen't help if it's not with you.

I used to carry a Ruger LCP --- it was a .380 and I always had it with me.

Since they've brought out the LC9 in 9mm I carry it now



Morale to me is caliber is not as important as having it with you.

 

[LiveLife]

The whole point of this thread is not how much more velocity or energy one caliber has over another, but rather if the 380 is adequate.

I was simply providing some data.

Yes, we are in agreement that this thread is about whether the .380Auto is "adequate" and whether one would "trust" his/her life with the round.

Because an objective lethality data with .380Auto is not available, I am realizing that this question is more subjective/personal and this thread will join the countless other caliber discussion threads.

I will politely bow out with this post and perhaps do a polling thread instead.

Thanks all, it has been a great discussion!

Peace - EOM.

 

[kokapelli]

I was simply providing some data.

Yes, we are in agreement that this thread is about whether the .380Auto is "adequate" and whether one would "trust" his/her life with the round.

Because an objective lethality data with .380Auto is not available, I am realizing that this question is more subjective/personal and this thread will join the countless other caliber discussion threads.

I will politely bow out with this post and perhaps do a polling thread instead.

Thanks all, it has been a great discussion!

Peace - EOM.

Good idea.

 

[Ben86]

I would say quite more than "a bit" - http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/cat...ddvu96i97fh397

Despite the stark differences on paper, in reality it's not much of a difference. Especially compared to the difference between say 9mm and 5.56x45. Don't get too wrapped up in energy comparisons.

 

[AdamSean]

You have to remember the purpose of these small guns and the caliber itself. They are for close quarter defense. So seep penetration is not needed. And today's ammo performs well. I carry a Taurus TCP quite often when I can't carry a full size.

 

[mkvtaco]

Maybe as a back up. But as far as primary 9mm/.38 or up. And a Knife.

 

[3KillerBs]

Compared to leaving my 9 at home because:

1. My job is too active and involves too much bending to conceal it on my body even though its small and thin.

2. Because I'm a woman who, for various reasons, prefers traditionally feminine clothing over jeans/slacks so my concealment options are reduced due to lack of that stiff, heavy belt.

3. Because I haven't found a good fanny pack that doesn't bust out at least one of the zippers in less than a year of daily wear.

4. Because my workplace has a "no weapons" policy which, though it did not prevent an angry employee from putting a supervisor in the hospital recently, means that I'll be fired if I'm caught.

I trust my .380 mouse gun more than my thread snips, my box cutter, my steel yardstick, or a random object within grabbing range.

 

[azrn]

yes. it beats the heck out of a sharp stick.