Why all the hate for the .380?

[Lone_Gunman]

So I DROSed a Ruger LCP Wednesday and have been researching the best self defense ammo. it seems that all over the internets the most common answer to the question "What is the best .380 seld defense ammo" is "Get a bigger caliber". Here's the deal, I have my CCW, and I carry a G26. 10 +1 rounds of 9mm+p. BUT I find myself leaving it at home for short trips, day trips into "safe" areas, and not carrying at home. If I'm going out at night, or going into a "bad" area my G26 is with me. If I'm running up to the grocery store, literally 30 seconds away, I don't take the time to carry. So I got an LCP, I plan on carrying it pretty much all the time. Those of you who bad mouth the .380-- do you carry all the time, and if so what caliber.

Also I see a lot of "guns are supposed to be comforting, not comfortable". Really? I call bullshiznit. If its not comfortable you won't carry it every moment you're awake.

Why the .380 hate? It's better than .22LR, .22WMR, .25ACP, .32, and the 9mm/.357/.45 you left at home.

[xpbprox]

I like my bersa. I think it's one of the better ccw

As far as ammo, idk.... Name brand JHP?
I just get what ever is on sale most of the time or buy reloads by 500s or 1000s

[Iggy]

You know, I think it's the same debate about 45 vs 9mm, but in all honesty it's exactly what you said. How good is that 45 if you don't have it with you?

If the event ever really came up where you would have to use your weapon for self defense; the best caliber is the one you have. If 380 allows that then you're set.

[stix213]

Elitism is why you get thread crappers on .380 threads.... 9mm is obviously better if you had it with you, but if you already know you would more often carry the .380 then it sounds like that's what you should carry to me.

.380 Federal Hydra-Shok 90gr. HP is the one I've seen recommended the most. It shoots fine out of my LCP and my P238.

[robcoe]

So I DROSed a Ruger LCP Wednesday and have been researching the best self defense ammo. it seems that all over the internets the most common answer to the question "What is the best .380 seld defense ammo" is "Get a bigger caliber". Here's the deal, I have my CCW, and I carry a G26. 10 +1 rounds of 9mm+p. BUT I find myself leaving it at home for short trips, day trips into "safe" areas, and not carrying at home. If I'm going out at night, or going into a "bad" area my G26 is with me. If I'm running up to the grocery store, literally 30 seconds away, I don't take the time to carry. So I got an LCP, I plan on carrying it pretty much all the time. Those of you who bad mouth the .380-- do you carry all the time, and if so what caliber.

Also I see a lot of "guns are supposed to be comforting, not comfortable". Really? I call bullshiznit. If its not comfortable you won't carry it every moment you're awake.

Why the .380 hate? It's better than .22LR, .22WMR, .25ACP, .32, and the 9mm/.357/.45 you left at home.

I don't know why people hate it, it's a bit expensive but that's about it.

Really, any gun is better than none(yes even .22lr, .25acp and .32acp, if someone says the perp would just laugh it off I would challenge them to volunteer to be shot by my SR22p, colt 1908, or colt 1903, see how they feel afterword)

[0351USMC]

I would go with Hornady CD

[G60]

http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=19914

[ckprax]

I think because it is considered the bare minimum; when it comes to protecting yourself you want the best you can get or at least more than adequate. Granted you are correct that the .380 in your pocket is better than the .45 you left at home but there are some small single stack 9mm out there that offer more stopping power. I don't hate on the .380 but if I were able to legally carry I would opt for a larger caliber.

[robert101]

The .380 is a valid self defense round. Some people simply want to slam something that isn't their particular choice. I do have other calibers and even magnum handguns so recoil is not something I worry about. The .380 is a great small arm weapon that excells at convienience allowing one to adequately protect themselves. When in the States of my allowed CCW permit, I carry either my .380 Browning DBA or my Glock 27 .40 cal.

[beretta929mm]

All the hate for .380 ACP is from people never been shot by it.

[winnre]

It doesn't work for me like it does for James Bond.

[Saym14]

9mm is cheaper
And performs better
And more small guns come in 9 these days

[ZombieTactics]

Wellllllst ... haters gonna hate, numsayin'?

Seriously though, I do think some people are just wanting to dump on anything they don't personally choose/like/own. Admitting that there are other, viable options out there means they might have 'done the wrong thing', spent too much, not gotten the best-est one for themselves. They can't have that, so they won't consider it.

Some criticism is rational, though. Many .380 guns are scarcely much larger than their 9mm counterparts, so it begs the question as to why one wouldn't just carry the (arguably) more potent gun in the first place.

Even so ... there nothing inherent in the .380 round which puts it out of the running as a up-close personal defense choice, IMHO. It certainly also makes for a great deep-concealment or back-up-gun.

[dfletcher]

The "hate" is due to the 380 ACP being able to function using a simple blowback design. Pretty much anything above that and you're looking at a more expensive to make locked breech. A blowback designed pistol can be made cheaper and the 380 excelled in that department - biggest bang for your cheap buck. So makers made and people bought and the rep stuck. I'm not saying it's true, I have a PPk/s and a few other 380s and there are now many excellent models on the market. But for us older shooters 380 was quickly attached to "pot metal junk. Old habits die hard.

[cruising7388]

The .380 is a valid self defense round. Some people simply want to slam something that isn't their particular choice. I do have other calibers and even magnum handguns so recoil is not something I worry about. The .380 is a great small arm weapon that excells at convienience allowing one to adequately protect themselves. When in the States of my allowed CCW permit, I carry either my .380 Browning DBA or my Glock 27 .40 cal.

Plus there are some pretty potent .380 loads available now.