Does my .380 make me a......

jfisch

jfisch

Resident Troll
So after finally deciding to buy my first handgun and applying for my permit to carry here in Indiana I ended up getting a Bersa Thunder 380 because I had heard good things and the price was in my range (what can I say? Times are tough). Now I've taken my classes, practiced at the range and my permit finally came after nearly 2 months of waiting. So now I am wondering if I should have gone bigger with my caliber... especially after hearing things like: "Hey! That's the same gun my wife carries!" *sigh*
I did my research and I thought I had made a good choice for a first time owner/buyer. Just wondering what others thought. Please be gentle with your sarcasm.
 
Imho....buy what you want and can afford. A well place shot from a .22 or .22Magnum will and could stop a person.
:cool:

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I carry either a Walther PPK or a Bersa 380 Thunder most of the time and I'm a guy. Why do I carry these.....I'm really-really good with them and can lay down three rounds really quick with a great deal of accuracy. I can also exchange magazine fast if needed. You carry what you are comfortable with and can handle...don't have gun envy!
 
In all honesty, none of the common self defense calibers out there (9mm, 40 S&W, 45 acp, etc.) is sufficient to stop an attacker rapidly without effective shot placement. Provided you are capable of delivering one of your rounds to a vital area the 380 will get the job done. The only downside I see to a 380 is that they tend to be manufactured in highly compact firearms which serves to both restrict magazine capacity and increase recoil.
 
Since this is your first gun, use it and practice, practice and practice some more. It is your gun and your's is the only opinion that counts. As you become more comfortable with it you may want a larger caliber but, then again, you may not. Just don't rush your decision based on what someone else says. Buy for your pleasure.
 
Look man, every single one of us, no matter our current level of expertise, was a beginner at one time. You may find that you made the perfect choice for you when you become as proficient as you possibly can with that weapon. Purple sure doesn't seem to lack confidence in the caliber or the weapon. I have carried .380s before and decided that I wasn't comfortable with the ballistics profile of the round to stake my life on it, so I've moved on to other calibers that I do feel more comfortable carrying. That only means that I make decisions for me that comport with my own comfort and proficiency levels. My decisions are never intended to be a comment on anyone else's decisions as far as caliber or weapon choices.

Bottom line, get as much training as you can afford, and if you can't afford professional training, milk the range master at your local range for all the info s/he can (and is willing to) give you for free. If the range master isn't helpful, just stand back and watch the more practiced shooters. If you're comfortable asking them for help, ask away, pick their brains, the worst they can say is, "Nah, I'd rather not." Practice, practice, practice, make carrying become second-nature, and in time you will know whether that was the best choice for you. Screw anyone that says you didn't make the right choice for them.

Blues
 
I know a lot of guys that carry 380s. I carry a 380 about half of the time. It's just so small and lightweight. Easy to carry and disappears. Now I do have a small 9mm that goes with me a lot of times. Especially after dark and in certain parts of town.
 
Well I feel better already. I carry Hornady critical defense and a 9 rnd ext mag (+1 ready to go). My dad has an original 60s Colt Trooper .357 that will be mine some day so maybe I'll carry that every once and a while.
 
I have many calibers. That being said some hurt after awhile in my hand and some do not. Carry and shoot what you want too. In this world we live in you will always run across some jack wagons who look at you funny let them look. I go to the range all the time i have two cargo bags all different calibers. Sometimes they look at me also but then again there are like 20 pistols i take. I like to switch up then they say wow. I carry what i want to carry when i want to carry it you need to feel the same way about what you carry and want to shoot. It does not matter what you carry when it comes down to protecting yourself as long as it will get the job done that is all that matters. That being said i sometimes carry 380 or 9mm or 45 or 38 or 40 or what ever i feel like packing. Been collecting and shooting guns 15 years if not longer. Some of my pistols i can shoot one hand and some i cannot takes time and a lot of practice but with time you will get there. Just sharing some information. Congrats on your permit and having a right to carry good luck to you.
 
Fairly certain that anyone who thinks a .380 ACP round is ineffective will be more than happy to stand in front of one. If you find someone who will, call me, I want to watch.
 
Love my LCP in .380. I have more expensive guns in 9mm, 40s&w, and 45acp but I tend to carry my little .380. Don't sweat the fools that talk trash about the .380, I'm just glad you're choosing to carry. Good luck
 
I have the Taurus TCP .380. It is quite a hand full to shoot but I have no doubts that it will do the job!!
I use the Critical Defense or the Zombie Max, either one is fine.
It is also a tack driver and I have shot it at 25 yards to boot!!
 
Joseph A. Fisch said:
So after finally deciding to buy my first handgun and applying for my permit to carry here in Indiana I ended up getting a Bersa Thunder 380 because I had heard good things and the price was in my range (what can I say? Times are tough). Now I've taken my classes, practiced at the range and my permit finally came after nearly 2 months of waiting. So now I am wondering if I should have gone bigger with my caliber... especially after hearing things like: "Hey! That's the same gun my wife carries!" *sigh*
I did my research and I thought I had made a good choice for a first time owner/buyer. Just wondering what others thought. Please be gentle with your sarcasm.
Click to expand...

Does the gun fit you hands? Did you happen to test fire it before purchase? Not sure where your at in Indiana there are a few good gun shops that really helpful one of them the owner always seems to be a bit cranky but great guy. There is another in Hammond that has an indoor range and they have a select few models for rent that you can test drive while there. Important thing is that you made the decision to carry, now all you have to do is practice practice practice. My wife carrys a Ruger SR22 really sized is not all that important versus skill set and practice. I am sure there are a lot of arm chair commandos out in the world who will tell you x,y, or z is just big enough but ofent times when the need arises the mere presence of a firearm in the hands of a good guy solves a lot of issues right quick and in in a hurry. Besides if your in Indiana you might decide to open carry opening up more choices for you. The main thing is practice know it inside and out. By the way I was also loooking at that particular model my self thought it would be a great back up gun for an ankle holster. have you read Massad Ayoobs book ...The Gravest Extreme? Good read

Good luck
 
I carry my .380 lcp everyday in my pocket everywhere i go.If i go to a big city where crime is high i also carry either a .45 xds or 9mm sr9c along with the .380 lcp.
Not because i dont trust the .380 round but incase of a malfunction or a need to reload i would just grab the 2nd gun.
 
You should feel fantastic. You have chosen to protect yourself. Like a number of other smart people have already stated, being armed with a .380 is miles above some guy(or girl) that preaches caliber but leaves it in the car or at home. Practice and have fun. If the need arises, you will be ready.
 
I have a .380. It was my primary carry for a while. I know several people that carry or at sometime carried a .380. Carry what you want, I do.
 
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