HootmonSccy
New member
If you can find it in stock somewhere.. .380 is beginning to come back in stock.. Let's hope the trend continues.
is .380 enough gun?
- Thread starter AvidshooterTX
- Start date
If you can find it in stock somewhere.. .380 is beginning to come back in stock.. Let's hope the trend continues.
I skipped the other pages of comments, so if I'm repeating someone else, bear with me.
If you hit a STOP button (like the CNS, major bones like the pelvis or femur or major organs like heart/lungs) it really don't matter what you are shooting. Will a larger or more powerful cartridge do more damage? Sure. But if the pocket pistol rounds like the .380 are used effectively (meaning ACCURATELY), they are more than adequate.
If you hit a STOP button (like the CNS, major bones like the pelvis or femur or major organs like heart/lungs) it really don't matter what you are shooting. Will a larger or more powerful cartridge do more damage? Sure. But if the pocket pistol rounds like the .380 are used effectively (meaning ACCURATELY), they are more than adequate.
straxler
New member
Sig P232
I have been into the shooting sports all of my life, but just recently moved to a state which allows concealed carry. Being a lady with a small frame, I have found the Sig P232 in .380 is just the right size for me. After putting many rounds through it I think it will continue to be my primary carry weapon. I hope the other poster is correct about .380 ammo returning to stock soon; otherwise, I have two 9mms (a Ruger P95 and CZ 75) as a second choice.
I have been into the shooting sports all of my life, but just recently moved to a state which allows concealed carry. Being a lady with a small frame, I have found the Sig P232 in .380 is just the right size for me. After putting many rounds through it I think it will continue to be my primary carry weapon. I hope the other poster is correct about .380 ammo returning to stock soon; otherwise, I have two 9mms (a Ruger P95 and CZ 75) as a second choice.
tcox4freedom
New member
A 22lr is enough gun in some cases. So, I think a 380 is enough gun for "most" SDCC situations.
There have only been two handguns that I've had to use in a SD situation. One was a 22lr revolver. I personally know one shot from a 22 will stop a threat and ruin someones day!
I depended solely on a Bersa 380 for years; but never had to shoot in SD. I did howevr use it to "stop" a bad situation from getting worse. This gun is now my wifes 1st choice for a CC weapon and I have NO issues with her staking her life and our kids life on a "Bersa" 380.
There have only been two handguns that I've had to use in a SD situation. One was a 22lr revolver. I personally know one shot from a 22 will stop a threat and ruin someones day!
I depended solely on a Bersa 380 for years; but never had to shoot in SD. I did howevr use it to "stop" a bad situation from getting worse. This gun is now my wifes 1st choice for a CC weapon and I have NO issues with her staking her life and our kids life on a "Bersa" 380.
6shootercarry
New member
Felt recoil is the effect of ejected weight. Heavy round, heavy recoil.. More pressure will add to that, but a smaller & lighter round will create less recoil regardless of pressure.
I noticed the difference between the 230gr .45 FMJ and JHP ammo vs. the 200gr +P.
Then I really feel the difference when I go to the revolver with .38 spec 130gr semi wadcutters.. very light
So I would have to say that weight difference between the .40 ammo (135-165gr?) to the 90gr .380 ammo will make follow up shots much faster.
In short: To each their own. So carry what makes you a better shooter and enables you to feel the confidence required to put your mind at ease.. I pray that you never have to use it. That goes for all...
Peace.
Bighouse Doc
New member
It would seem that, based on gelatin testing, that the 380 should be quite adequate for defense.
More important than size is shot placement!
-Doc
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More important than size is shot placement!
-Doc
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6shootercarry
New member
Amen..
2 Dead center mass will slow em down, and perhaps stop em. Depends on target size and physical condition.
1 Through the liver will most certainly cause death, slowly...
1 To the base of the skull removing the brain stem, will cause death very rapidly...
It depends on the intent..
So "Keep em in the 10 ring"...
Peace...
ShanghaiKid
New member
I personally measure all conceal carry weapons to the Kimber Ultra Carry. It's just perfect I think
DarrellM5
Member
Although I still think it's too light a caliber for me to feel comfortable carrying, shot placement is the key.
Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie were assassinated with a .380, fired from a FN Model 1910. One shot each; him in the neck and her in the abdomen after the bullet had passed through the side of the car. This was the event that triggered World War I, but not the sole cause of it. Neither person died immediately; they both lasted several minutes.
Of Course a Beretta 84 Hi-Cap would an EXCELLENT .380 Defense Pistol...the Problem? It's The Same Size as a .9mm or .40 Cal Auto...SO You must ask yourself, What place does a .380 have in a Defense gun Now.. That Place is in a Pocket Auto like the Colt Pocket Light, KelTec .380 or Ruger .380... These guns are the size and weight of MOST .25 Acp and .22LR Pocket Guns 10 Years ago... I remember when the Seecamp .32acp was a HOT HOT Gun because of the size and Double Action... NOW you can go down to any gun store and buy a better KelTec .380 at Half the Price over the counter!!
A .380 Pocket Auto, is Better Than a sharp stick and better than yelling for help and much much better than watching your family being assaulted....
I feel very well armed with my new KelTec .380 in my Pocket... I am in Manila this week, and I couldn't carry My GLOCK 19 comfortably inside a Hotel lobby because of Security... I left the GLOCK in my SUV with another Team Member and got our client checked in ..I felt Comfortable with my .380 and a 4" Folding Knife in each pocket of Casual business attire Pants and Polo Shirt.
If I knew I would be involved in this situation, I would have worn a different holster for my GLOCK, or an Ankle Rig... But, I felt VERY OK with the .380. In the Past, I would Have had to rely on the Folding Knife only... As I have many times in Manila....
Best, Stay Safe and God Bless... "Captain"
A .380 Pocket Auto, is Better Than a sharp stick and better than yelling for help and much much better than watching your family being assaulted....
I feel very well armed with my new KelTec .380 in my Pocket... I am in Manila this week, and I couldn't carry My GLOCK 19 comfortably inside a Hotel lobby because of Security... I left the GLOCK in my SUV with another Team Member and got our client checked in ..I felt Comfortable with my .380 and a 4" Folding Knife in each pocket of Casual business attire Pants and Polo Shirt.
If I knew I would be involved in this situation, I would have worn a different holster for my GLOCK, or an Ankle Rig... But, I felt VERY OK with the .380. In the Past, I would Have had to rely on the Folding Knife only... As I have many times in Manila....
Best, Stay Safe and God Bless... "Captain"
AvidshooterTX
New member
That keltek 380 looks an awful lot like a Grendel 380 that I used to own. It misfed so bad that I eventually sold it for $50 to a "buy back" program.
I think a 380 is plenty to us as a weapon against a threat, I hear of a lot of deaths here in S.C. due to being shot with 22 rounds so a well placed shot will do the job, but for those of us who do not want to hang our lives on a well placed shot, we opt for a larger caliber weapon to stop a threat, it's like a insurance policy, we may never need it but it makes feel warm and fuzzy inside knowing it's there if we do
Avidshooter... My New Girl Friend Looks A lot Like my Old Girl Friend,,,But She is So Much Better!!!
For being AVID, I'm surprised you havent read anything on these guns... But, You Could Not be More Wrong. I think ALL Black Plastic autos "Look" the same... Its How they are made and designed... The Grendal had two models..One that loaded from the top (ughh) and then they came out with a magazine fed gun.. Neither worked... It was a High Capacity 10 shot or so Pistol that was thick with a heavy trigger.
The Keltec .380 works..and I doubt you'd find a bad test report on them now... some very first runs...several years ago, the extractor had some problems in strength...but that problem was very quickly solved.
With several LE Agencies even issuing them as BUGs and Many More authorizing them as Off Duty guns... I'd say they have some field record...They work.
Philippine Extraction Services "Captain"
For being AVID, I'm surprised you havent read anything on these guns... But, You Could Not be More Wrong. I think ALL Black Plastic autos "Look" the same... Its How they are made and designed... The Grendal had two models..One that loaded from the top (ughh) and then they came out with a magazine fed gun.. Neither worked... It was a High Capacity 10 shot or so Pistol that was thick with a heavy trigger.
The Keltec .380 works..and I doubt you'd find a bad test report on them now... some very first runs...several years ago, the extractor had some problems in strength...but that problem was very quickly solved.
With several LE Agencies even issuing them as BUGs and Many More authorizing them as Off Duty guns... I'd say they have some field record...They work.
Philippine Extraction Services "Captain"
There was a Police/Military study done in Germany in the mid sixities where they rehashed the same question that they had actually done during the war. Actually during WWII (Germany) determined that 380 was not a good manstopper, but continued to use the cal. by police and some military officers. With the small 9mm's today I would never use the 380 for personal defense -- I just can't see it 'working' well on a 6-4, 220 lb male.
tcox4freedom
New member
Are you 6' 4" 220lbs?
Would you be willing to go agaist a 380acp?
I'm 5' 11" and 240lbs, I would NOT like to go against "ANY" handgun regardless of caliber. (I've been present at to many shootings.)
I take it you've never seen someone shot in real life. I know 1st hand a 22 revolver will stop a 6' 200lb man in his tracks even though the wound is not life threatening; so I don't have any qualms about a 380acp doing the same thing. You see; getting SHOT "usually" causes a man to lose interest in harming you; regardless of caliber.
Like I said: I've only had to use a handgun twice in a SD situation; a 22 revolver and a Bersa 380. Besides, a 380acp round is nothing but a Lighter, shorter 9mm round. With all the advancements is ballistic technology a 380acp performs quite well.
I suspect you're probably just a young gun "wannabe" expert just trolling for trouble. So I'll just bid you "good day".
Peace Out!
6shootercarry
New member
AMEN!!! Brother.... That's why it's a 357 or 45 for me....
In addition to that, if I had to face a jury of my peers (here in MA with the firearm owning population being about 13% that means 1 maybe 2 of the 12 jury members will be a gun owner) I stand a better chance with the jury if I had to fire only 1 or 2 shots to stop the threat. Needing to fire 6 or more will give the prosecution the "ammo" they need to make me look like the BG...:fie:
here in MA self preservation needs to extend beyond the immediate threat...:sarcastic:
