makarovnik
Member
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2006
- Messages
- 1,678
I would and I do, regularly.
Not when 9mms and J-frames aren't much bigger.
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.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.
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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.
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.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
Would you trust your life with a 380
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.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.)