.380 round question.

[smith and wesson]

Why is the 380 considered a good self defense round? Is it true it's weaker than 9mm? Just curious because they always seem to advertise the 380 as a civilian carry round?

[RudyCakes]

It's definitely weaker but the more important aspects are shot placement (admittedly tricky on an uncooperative target) and follow up shots. There difference between a 357 mag and a 380 acp is nothing if the shot is poorly placed. I'm a big fan of follow up shots, so having more bullets makes a bigger difference than a bigger bullet. The Walther PPK is my favorite 380 because it has some weight to it and will eat up the 380 recoil, making follow up shots very easy. Most 380's are very small and very light, making the recoil equal to a 9mm if not a 45, and if that's the case a Glock 19 with 15 rounds is a better option. Long story short, I wouldn't worry too much about caliber as much as putting rounds on target until the threat is neutralized. Here's a good reality check http://www.policeone.com/patrol-issu...mo-on-the-job/

[sigfan91]

Why is the 380 considered a good self defense round? Is it true it's weaker than 9mm? Just curious because they always seem to advertise the 380 as a civilian carry round?

It's called "civilian" round in other nations with strange laws that prohibit the citizens from anything the military uses. Most South American countries that permit the public to have guns have this type of law. Since most of their militaries use 9x19 or 45ACP, the public is left with the next most powerful round for a self loader, that being 9x17 (380ACP).

Our civilians carry all sorts of different goodies. I know people who carry 45ACP. They consider 380ACP a mouse gun.

[jchen76@gmail.com]

I carry in my PPK hornandy critical defense rounds. As posters has mentioned, it's shot placement that counts. For me, if I ever use my CCW weapon for self defense it is defend myself so I can stop the threat and get away. If I have to use empty my ppk + use my spare mag, then I'm in world of hurt.

At home, have an HK USP 9mm with two 15 round mags loaded close by if I don't get to my shotgun first.

There's no magic round short of double 00 buck at 15 feet away, my CCW instructor recalled an incident where his police friend emptied his beretta 9mm into a huge somoan suspect at point blank range during a traffic stop confrontation. The somoan guy stopped his attack on the police officer since the 9mm was stinging his chest. Suspect survived.

[ScottsBad]

Personally, MY OPINION and only my opinion, is that the advantage of the .380 lies in the size of the pistol that can fire the rounds.

the 9mm is a better round for self defense (.40 is even better), but the larger and more powerful the round generally the larger the firearm. A smaller firearm in a CCW is sometimes an advantage. And a .380 is sometimes used by police officers as a backup weapon because of its size.

The .380 is not a powerful round, but again, if your emphasis is on concealment it might be a possible choice. I would prefer a small 9mm.

If you are looking for a nightstand handgun I believe a 9mm, .40S&W, or .45 is a better choice. Each caliber has its advantages and disadvantages.

For many folks a mid-sized pistol is the best size for all around use. Something the size of a Glock 19. Probably 9mm or .40 is your best bet as a defensive round if you take into account all the trade-offs.

[Gottmituns]

It's called "civilian" round in other nations with strange laws that prohibit the citizens from anything the military uses. Most South American countries that permit the public to have guns have this type of law. Since most of their militaries use 9x19 or 45ACP, the public is left with the next most powerful round for a self loader, that being 9x17 (380ACP).

At least in Mexico, that would be the 9mm Mak (9x18).
(The government commercially sells that round to civilians.)

[Trenchfoot]

.380 is considered by many to be the lowest performing round that is acceptable for many self defense situations. If I needed to carry a pocket pistol, I would choose a J-frame in .38+P or a Kahr PM9 over something chambered in .380.

[RudyCakes]

I carry in my PPK hornandy critical defense rounds. As posters has mentioned, it's shot placement that counts. For me, if I ever use my CCW weapon for self defense it is defend myself so I can stop the threat and get away. If I have to use empty my ppk + use my spare mag, then I'm in world of hurt.

At home, have an HK USP 9mm with two 15 round mags loaded close by if I don't get to my shotgun first.

There's no magic round short of double 00 buck at 15 feet away, my CCW instructor recalled an incident where his police friend emptied his beretta 9mm into a huge somoan suspect at point blank range during a traffic stop confrontation. The somoan guy stopped his attack on the police officer since the 9mm was stinging his chest. Suspect survived.

I have a similar setup! Sig P226 with a spare 20 rounder on nightstand and Mossberg 930 with 00 by the bedroom door. AR in the closet with a plate carrier rig and 168 rounds. Let's hope it never comes to that.

[smith and wesson]

Good stuff guys thanks.

[sigfan91]

At least in Mexico, that would be the 9mm Mak (9x18).
(The government commercially sells that round to civilians.)

That may be currently true, but what about during the cold war? Did Mexico have a good supply of 9mm Mak or make it?

[sigfan91]

I have a similar setup! Sig P226 with a spare 20 rounder on nightstand and Mossberg 930 with 00 by the bedroom door. AR in the closet with a plate carrier rig and 168 rounds. Let's hope it never comes to that.

Damn! How many zombies do you expect to fight in one night?

[XDRoX]

For me it's worth the trade off. I sometimes carry an LCP in my pocket. They just don't make a 9mm that small and light. I'll take my chances with the 380 round for the added convenience of the smaller and lighter platform. The actual probability of me having to use it in self defense is like zero. I'm not going to carry around a larger bulkier gun. And I own a G26 and a small framed snub nose revolver. The 380 is just so much more comfortable.

Here it is compared to a Glock.


Comparison with a small revolver.


With an LC9.

[Pally]

I started out with a 380. Now I keep it for sentimental reasons.

[RudyCakes]

Damn! How many zombies do you expect to fight in one night?

Just enough until air support arrives.

[BigPimping]

You got way better choices in good weapons that are the same size. J frame revolvers and 9mm autos both in that dimension.