LADIES...great topic!
As many of students have asked when it comes to "caliber" the solution is simple.
What is the largest caliber that you can shoot accurately and if conceal carrying how easily concealable is it?
When its being used for self defense purposes it means that your need to keep in mind a few facts:
- 73% of the time you will be attacked within 0-6ft
- 88% of the time you will be attacked inside of 15ft
- Their is little "stopping power" differences between 9mm/40/45 calibers in the above typical "personal attack" ranges however anything UNDER 9mm or OVER 45 have significant "stopping power" considerations even within self defense ranges.
- The average hit rate for professional LE is 18% within 15ft in an active shooter response (self defense shooting use) based on typical training standards and the fact that Isosceles/Weaver platforms are designed for "range shooting purposes" and not practical self defense such as the Center Axis Relock System.
- The flight/fight response is an UNAVOIDABLE HUMAN REACTION and regardless of training or experience everyone undergoes all the same neurological and physiological reactions...how you compensate based on training (C.A.R. works great) will determine whether your "gun caliber" is even apart of the equation.
- The average hit rate for Civilians is up to 11% within 15ft in an active shooter response (self defense shooting use) based on typical training standards of Isosceles/Weaver shooting techniques.
The point being, that if your training appropriately almost any gun will do if YOU will do...training is equal to the surprise attack your undergoing as bad guys don't usually give you a heads up.
However, be mindful that calibers under 9mm especially may not "penetrate" deep enough to stop the threat which is what HAS to happen in order for the attack to stop.
Winter clothing is a HUGE reason why less than 9mm (even 9mm hollow point instead of powerball like options) may have issues as winter jackets and layering is common and this reduces velocity thus reducing penetration. Penetration has to be deep enough to cause as much damage as possible (why hollow points are used) without OVER penetrating the intended target.
Where you shoot is also important...mid mass is often targeted but there is a ribcage and unless your hitting the T-ZONE the chances of incapacitating the threat is minimal. We let our students know that shooting below mid mass (stomach-pubic/groin area) is potentially your best bet to STOP the threat.
Your job is not to kill but to STOP a threat in general and I don't know anyone who is going to continue their attack after being shot in the groin or if the pubic bone is damaged even remotely having the ability to run after you etc. when you attempt to escape.
Will a 380 work?
It can...but 9mm is preferred as is ongoing training in SPECIFIC self defense shooting aspects/formats as being a good range target shooter (recreation or competitive) is not going to equal any kind of valuable training (other than comfort in shooting and handling a firearm in general) related to what will work when your life is on the line.
We do not try to teach average civilians to become "one person commandos" but we do require our students to be better trained than your average LE professional if taking our practical courses as 18% Nation wide Hit average in the field during active shooter response with a pistol is not something I liked banking my life on when I was one.
Best option is to find a firearm that fits your hands/grip well, you can comfortable shoot well, works with your body type/structure for concealment purposes and is at least a 9mm with specific attention to type of ammunition used to factor assailant clothing options (winter) and even shooting through car windows if needed.
Even 9mm have been known to bounce back shooting through a car window and if your ever in the middle of being carjacked etc. your not "supposed" to roll down your window (much less have time to do so) to make it easier to shoot while allowing your assailant a chance to get at you better.
Ammunition is just as important in its TYPE as is the CALIBER.
9mm is what most of us professionally trained individuals (my company) use as it allows more rounds to be stored in a magazine, far easier to find the MOST popular 9mm round than a 40 or 45 whether in small or big cities and of course is far more cost effective too!
Best of luck and hopefully my in depth post didn't bore everyone here...just thought I would post some KEY factors that seemed to be overlooked by many when it comes to TYPE of pistol and SIZE of caliber to purchase.
Be careful with POCKET GUNS too ladies...racking the slide can actually be more difficult than a decent size COMPACT.
**For those looking for Conceal Carry Certification check this link out**
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