Glockster20
Clinging to God and guns
As I stated in the "poll" thread, In most cases, I believe the .380 ACP will stop animals of the two legged variety quite handily.
is .380 enough gun?
- Thread starter AvidshooterTX
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texasnative46
New member
to all,
LTG George Patton, Jr certainly thought that the .380ACP was suitable to carry. - he once said that he actually protected himself with his little Colt's semi-auto in Europe more than once.
fyi, when i was working "out of uniform", i wanted a carry pistol that didn't SCREAM: POLICE & that particuliar kind of Colt's .380 (loaded with HIVEL JHP) was what i carried many days, in a pocket. = i did NOT feel "under-armed".
yours, TN46
LTG George Patton, Jr certainly thought that the .380ACP was suitable to carry. - he once said that he actually protected himself with his little Colt's semi-auto in Europe more than once.
fyi, when i was working "out of uniform", i wanted a carry pistol that didn't SCREAM: POLICE & that particuliar kind of Colt's .380 (loaded with HIVEL JHP) was what i carried many days, in a pocket. = i did NOT feel "under-armed".
yours, TN46
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Right U R Ken
New member
How do you know when you're going into a dicey situation? And if you know. Why would you still go there? Seems like a place you can and should avoid.
I'm with Ken. Situational awareness is number 1 on my list for defense. Why in the world would you be going INTO a situation, when you can be GOING AWAY from a situation. I guess the nomiker Wild Bill has some meaning. Personally, I think bravado comes easily to all of us as we sit at a computer playing dirty harry.
There are people who have to go to places where the danger factor is elevated. Delivery drivers, outside sales staff, utility workers and the list goes on. These folks are average ordinary citizens who are just trying to bring home the bacon, and I doubt if they would knowingly go into a situation.
To these people, situational awareness is vital to your survival in a weird and sometimes cruel world, but you should always be aware of your surroundings. Don't drop your guard just because you are in a "safe" environment. I am not a paranoid person, but I am prepared and I think this might be the OP's original reason for posting. Is the .380 enough?
Train and carry for the real world and its applications. Carrying a cop is too much work, carrying a shotgun will get you interrogated and slingshots just aren't enough. If you can get by with something that starts with a "4" in the caliber, then do it. If not, carry what you can, but please carry something. The .380 will work and the morgues have had their share of customers to prove it.
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum; qui uictoriam cupit, milites inbuat diligenter; qui secundos optat euentus, dimicet arte, non casu.
Troy Perry
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danhammondsr
Dan Hammond, Sr.
Carry the largest gun you can comfortably conceal, in the largest caliber you can accurately shoot.
Shot Placement is King
Penetration is Queen
Everything else is Angels Dancing on the Head of a Pin
:man_in_love:
Right U R Ken
New member
Exactly. A gun is our LAST line of defense. Our first line is where we go, who we associate with, our life behavior. Ncpermit has a point too. Some people are required to go into certain situations and places. But the rest of us should make conscious decisions and actions to avoid them.
Ed Hamberger
New member
I usually carry my little Taurus PT-25 .25acp Pocket Pistol when I go out during the day. The little pistol carries 9+1 and I carry an extra magazine. I figure if 19 rds don't stop someone, they will slow them enough that I can beat them to death with my Ark. Hickory Root Cane. By the way, I own a .380 TCP, a 9mm 709ss, and a PT145 - all perfect carry weapons, by I prefer my little Mouser instead. 
leasantry:
leasantry:texasnative46
New member
to all,
a solid center of mass HIT is far better than a NEAR MISS with a .44MAG - a .380ACP is small, flat & quite deadly at close range.
that's all that anyone can ask for a self-defense pocket pistol.
youyrs, TN46
a solid center of mass HIT is far better than a NEAR MISS with a .44MAG - a .380ACP is small, flat & quite deadly at close range.
that's all that anyone can ask for a self-defense pocket pistol.
youyrs, TN46
packinp238
New member
If someone tells you that a .380 isn't enough gun, ask them if you can shoot them with it. If they say no, then you have enough gun.
Hey packin: Liked your answer. My keltec P3AT is easy to carry and hold in my hand and based on recent results practicing point shooting, I can discharge that sucker into body mass a lot quicker than a holstered bigger gun with lasers and sights. I firmly believe that any possibility of my discharging a firearm will only occur at distances less than 15ft and judging from the holes in my target I have little doubt that the 380 will protect me. There is always "what if" but as dirty harry says--"man has to know his limitations"--I am not getting into "gun battles" at 20plus ft, and I am not going to burden myself with an elephant sized handgun which I will never carry even if I owned one--I will run away or never put myself in a situation where the possiblity could even exist. Being 68 and having lived in NYC for most of those years I have NEVER been in a situation that even remotely approached the "if I only had a firearm to protect me" scenario, so the what ifs are truly remote. Just sayin--to each his own. Hopefully none of us---380 or big 45 never have to rely on it.
danhammondsr
Dan Hammond, Sr.
That's the oft repeated trite answer I get from lots of semi-informed respondents. Let's rephrase the question.
Are you willing to let me shoot you with a BB gun?
Are you willing to let me shoot with with a wrist rocket slingshot?
Are you willing to let me shoot you with a blow-gun?
Are you willing to let me shoot you with a .22 short?
If they say no, then you have enough gun, right?
Please remember that in defensive situations we're shooting to stop the threat. There is no one gun/caliber combination that will do that every time against every possible attacker under all possible conditions. Most well considered opinions will tell you that the .380 is at best barely adequate for defensive use. But if that's the largest caliber you can accurately shoot, it's better than nothing.
I've said it before, I'll say it again, "Carry the largest gun you can comfortably conceal, in the largest caliber you can accurately shoot."
W
wolfhunter
Guest
And, if possible, practice/train so you can handle bigger guns. The "mousegun" may be enough, but having the option of a larger caliber is a good thing.
jgr11fan
New member
well...i have been keeping up with this thread...as also have recently purchased a ruger 380 lcp. i am fairly new to having a cwp. i was big on rifles and shotguns when i was younger but not alot of knowledge of handguns. i have read many forums and reviews on the 380's. there is alot of opinions in this thread, but i am looking into a larger caliber. hopefully i will never have to use my 380, but its here if i need it ! and it conceals so very nice. i guess what i am saying like most other usacarry folks is 380 is better than having nothing! it seems to me that the larger caliber hand guns are getting smaller and smaller in size, so no one should have this problem of concealing it to much longer. the taurus millennium pro 45 acp is looking mighty concealable and i like the looks...i dont know about the perormance though?? anybody have one ?
peace out
Mike
peace out
Mike
rock rat
New member
Now this question, albeit an honest one,never fails to stir up the hornets nest..lol! Me,I have 2 words,well,maybe a few more...shot placement!!! A 7 rd.mag loaded with .380acp can be a life-saver.It's definetly an option I would choose,over say, a sharp sharp stick! Remember too,quality defensive ammo increases your odds of acheiving your goal of positivly stopping a determined aggresive attacker. With regards to caliber,I feel and believe SHOT PLACEMENT is paramount...stay safe! :biggrin:
texasnative46
New member
to all,
the TRUTH is that at REAL "self defense range", i.e., at a distance that is considered "reasonable" by LE/judges/jury members, a .380 is PROBABLY as acceptable as ANY handgun.
according to the WI State Police, the MAXIMUM distance that they had a "shootout" between trooper & "badguy", where SOMEONE was HIT, was about THREE METERS! - i was STUNNED by the number of "gunfights" that were at ONE meter, i.e., arms reach.
further, in NYC about two years ago, FOUR NYPD officers (one was a FTO/SGT.) fired a total of 58 shots at ONE perp, at a distance of less than (according to the "shooting investigation team") at about 40 FEET, & hit exactly NOBODY!
(one of the NYPD guys DID get hit with a richoet off a concrete wall. the perp eascaped UNharmed!)
when you have about 2 gallons of adrenaline running through the system, HITTING your TARGET is NOT easy. - ask me how i KNOW!
yours, TN46
the TRUTH is that at REAL "self defense range", i.e., at a distance that is considered "reasonable" by LE/judges/jury members, a .380 is PROBABLY as acceptable as ANY handgun.
according to the WI State Police, the MAXIMUM distance that they had a "shootout" between trooper & "badguy", where SOMEONE was HIT, was about THREE METERS! - i was STUNNED by the number of "gunfights" that were at ONE meter, i.e., arms reach.
further, in NYC about two years ago, FOUR NYPD officers (one was a FTO/SGT.) fired a total of 58 shots at ONE perp, at a distance of less than (according to the "shooting investigation team") at about 40 FEET, & hit exactly NOBODY!
(one of the NYPD guys DID get hit with a richoet off a concrete wall. the perp eascaped UNharmed!)
when you have about 2 gallons of adrenaline running through the system, HITTING your TARGET is NOT easy. - ask me how i KNOW!
yours, TN46
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901-Memphis
New member
The good reviews i have heard about the PT145 were saying it performed flawlessly. It has a nice polished feed ramp to aid in reliable loading. I think it would be a solid choice for a large caliber carry gun.
Hi, There. I'm new to forum.
My primary carry are .380 (concealed) and 9mm (duty, my occupation is Chauffeur/Security).
I'm 140lb, 5'8" small skinny guy.
I tried to conceal my 92F with many way (inside belt, shoulder, hip,etc), then I see myself in mirror, I obviously look like shop lifter hiding merchandise under my arm :fie:
If I go shopping with my 92F, maybe I will be stopped and asked by loss prevention staff (Security) what's inside of my cloth....
I just renewed NV CCW (CFP) few weeks ago.
6 shot with weak hand, 6 shot with strong hand
12 shot with both hand (7yards) , 12 shot both hand (15 yards)
I have to take requalification for .45, .40, 9,.380 every 6 month for California Security firearm qualification.
I always start with .45 in re-qualification. then .380 recoil feels airgun.
So, NV qualification is piece of cake to me just routine practice, but 2 guys fail and had to take re-test in my NV renewal class.
they try to qualify either .40 or .45.
Well, if they can't hit man-target within 3 yard (one hand) or 7 yards (two handed), it is Zero stopping power and their bullets might hit innocent bystanders.
I felt like " please don't qualify them...it's scary...." (but they got permit.... scary story....)
I think gun size matter by size of body.
accuracy matter by practice.
and it's a zero stopping power if you can not place bullet in target no matter if it's .45 or 44 mag.
by the way, I choose Both beretta for my carry gun because I like hammer down safety.
My primary carry are .380 (concealed) and 9mm (duty, my occupation is Chauffeur/Security).
I'm 140lb, 5'8" small skinny guy.
I tried to conceal my 92F with many way (inside belt, shoulder, hip,etc), then I see myself in mirror, I obviously look like shop lifter hiding merchandise under my arm :fie:
If I go shopping with my 92F, maybe I will be stopped and asked by loss prevention staff (Security) what's inside of my cloth....
I just renewed NV CCW (CFP) few weeks ago.
6 shot with weak hand, 6 shot with strong hand
12 shot with both hand (7yards) , 12 shot both hand (15 yards)
I have to take requalification for .45, .40, 9,.380 every 6 month for California Security firearm qualification.
I always start with .45 in re-qualification. then .380 recoil feels airgun.
So, NV qualification is piece of cake to me just routine practice, but 2 guys fail and had to take re-test in my NV renewal class.
they try to qualify either .40 or .45.
Well, if they can't hit man-target within 3 yard (one hand) or 7 yards (two handed), it is Zero stopping power and their bullets might hit innocent bystanders.
I felt like " please don't qualify them...it's scary...." (but they got permit.... scary story....)
I think gun size matter by size of body.
accuracy matter by practice.
and it's a zero stopping power if you can not place bullet in target no matter if it's .45 or 44 mag.
by the way, I choose Both beretta for my carry gun because I like hammer down safety.
