Bad dream about .380

[alde]

First, this was only a dream and not a real situation. Most of the time I carry an M&P 40c IWB and feel it's close to perfect as a carry gun for me. I do like to have something to throw in the pocket once and a while though. It's just easy when you are running to the store for some milk. I bought a Bodyguard .380 for that and it's been 100% perfect since day one.

The other night I had a dream where I was out with my wife (she uses a wheelchair when we go out) and she was attacked by a very large dog. It was biting at her arm and was being super aggressive. I pulled out my trusty BG .380 and emptied it into the dog with zero effect.

My dream had enough of an effect on me that I went out and bought a Kahr CW40 for pocket carry. It's not much bigger than the BG but I feel better with 6 Winchester PDX1 165 grain bonded HP's. It's surprisingly easy to shoot for a tiny little .40 S&W.

Nothing against the .380. It was just a dream but it was pretty vivid to me.

[4Js]

That's a variation of "the dream" that most police officers have. You can't pull the trigger, or the bullets roll out the end of the barrel, or the bullets bounce off the bad guy.

[Springfield Bob]

Hi Alde, I also own a .380 bodyguard. I use Hornady critical defense ammo. I ALWAYS carry an extra magazine with any auto I carry.I would suggest you do the same in your next dream. Remember when Texas governor Perry was jogging with his dog and a coyote appeared and he shot and killed it with one .380 round? Sweet dreams.
Bob

[USAF385]

I've had similar dreams. One for example involved .357 magnum rounds having zero effect on an intruder. That dream I was able to ignore.

I actually had one just last night involving my SD40VE. The trigger was so stiff I had to use two hands, and it seemed like the bullet velocity was directly related to how hard I pulled the trigger, so the rounds were being lobbed slowly through the air and bounced off the bad guys car.

Hmmmm interesting. I thought I was over the trigger since I put in the apex trigger kit, but maybe my subconscious is telling me something... Just like yours with the .380.

[Stainless44]

No gun is big enough to escape "the dream". I've had a bunch of variations. Guns not firing, gun having no effect, beating bad guy and my blows are totally ineffective. No increase in real life firepower will make the dream go away.

I also have one occasionally where i hit a jump on my bike and rather than catching some air and landing smoothly...I take off and keep rising and rising and rising...I'm WAY too high and I know I'm going to die when I land. No way I'll live through it...I'm as high as airplane and then I start to fall. Faster and faster I can see the ground coming...no way to stop it. That one sucks too.

Anyway...I'm glad you got a new gun out of it...I never really thought to go that route. I wonder if the wife would understand if I brought home yet another gun with "the dream" being the reason.

[M29since14]

Originally Posted by alde

My dream had enough of an effect on me that I went out and bought a Kahr CW40 for pocket carry...

I need you guys to dream up some excuse for me to buy a Dakota .30/06 76 Classic sporter, or something like that that I couldn't possibly justify.

Good luck with your Kahr.

[rwsmith]

I dream bad guys were after us and the bullets just squirted about 10' out of my .38 special and fell to the floor. I don't know if this has anything to do with it but I haven't had the dream since I got my .357.

[radar1972]

I don't remember any of my dreams, so maybe that's a blessing in disguise. I'll just keep carrying my BG 380.

[labworm]

The only one that is going to have a bad dream about my Colt .380 is the recipient. They all won't bounce off.

That M&P 40 C should end all of those dreams for sure, GO BRUINS.

[alde]

Originally Posted by radar1972

I don't remember any of my dreams, so maybe that's a blessing in disguise. I'll just keep carrying my BG 380.

That's the thing, I never remember my dreams. This one was like it was a TV show though.

[alde]

Originally Posted by labworm

The only one that is going to have a bad dream about my Colt .380 is the recipient. They all won't bounce off.

That M&P 40 C should end all of those dreams for sure, GO BRUINS.

Yea, I know it's silly and the BG .380 isn't going anywhere but it had an effect on me.

B's are doing OK.

[Alk8944]

Originally Posted by 4Js

That's a variation of "the dream" that most police officers have. You can't pull the trigger, or the bullets roll out the end of the barrel, or the bullets bounce off the bad guy.

Fortunately "The Dream" stopped shortly after retirement! Mine was basically standing toe-to-toe with the bandit with both of us firing. Couldn't be missing at that distance but my shots had no effect on the bandit! Sure don't miss it!!!!!!!

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

After we turned in our M1911s for M9s I dreamt I tried to fire one-in combat-and the frame cracked in my hand, like plastic.
Patton said "Never take counsel of your fears." I think the same is true for dreams.

[Cyrano]

My waking moments are largely occupied with firearms. For some reason I don't dream about them.

[jimmyj]

Hi:
BAD NEWS: I discovered that a Sig-Sauer P-229 .40 loaded with 180gr JHPs is NOT effective on Pit Bulls ! Reference "Bad Dog" dispatch call. exiting my patrol vehicle and approaching the owner's house, three pit bulls attacked me. I "Double Tapped" all three in the chest with negative effect. What turned them was the sound of the shots. Lession learned-- Bag Dog calls exit patrol vehicle with the 12 gauge.
Jimmy

[OLDSTER]

My variation of that dream is either I can't remember which pocket my .380 is in, or I cannot get it out of my pocket.!!

[walnutred]

We have a consistent bad, large stray dog and coyote problem where we live. I’ve found #3 or #4 buck to be very effective. I used to predominantly carry a 380 and occasionally carry a 38 Special or 40. One day last year the family and I were leaving the parking lot of a local Big Box store. My wife was driving and I was riding shotgun. In the exit lane on our right there was some sort of altercation and the driver of the car to our 2 o’clock position stopped, got out and retrieved a sheath knife from the door pocket. Unsheathing the knife he started back to the car that was at our 4 o’clock position. Obviously he was very angry and almost foaming at the mouth. He stopped almost parallel to me and returned to his car and sped off. At this point I had my CW40 in my lap and was glad I had the 40 rather than the 380. After seeing the aggression in his face I’ve tried to carry the 40 whenever possible.

[canesfan33068]

Originally Posted by 4Js

That's a variation of "the dream" that most police officers have. You can't pull the trigger, or the bullets roll out the end of the barrel, or the bullets bounce off the bad guy.

Never been a cop but I was an armed guard in rough part of South Florida. Had a confrontation while turning someone away from a gate where I made the mistake during the initial conversation (while things seemed to be normal) of stepping out and a bit out of alignment with the doorway so once things went bad I was stuck outside and could not back into a place of cover.

Anyway, the people I dealt with were angry and pulled a gun. I had a uniform windbreaker over my gun so the guys probably had no idea I was even armed. They were forward of me and drew and had to turn back towards me. I saw the gun coming around and drew my own gun. Fear/adrenalin took over and I could only see the front site. Seemed like 10 minutes passed and all I could think was I am about to get shot! Fortunately, as the driver turned to bring the gun to me he was looking at the barrel of my S&W company issued model 10. He yelled I haven't got nothing and dropped the gun in the car and sped off. I called the Police and my Supervisor and gave two weeks notice. I could barely dial the phone I was shaking so bad. Went into the Computer field as a civil servant where I am happily employed.


Worked with many old school NYPD cops retired looking to make some extra cash or get away from the wife for a few days a week

Always had some great stories those guys. In hindsight I know I made the right decision to get out. Little training, no Kevlar, no backup, etc. All for $8.50 an hour back in 1989.

Anyway, God Bless the people who serve and protect... Me I carry my newly acquired 442-2 and don't look for or want any trouble. I pray for all of us we never need to use our weapon. If we do... I pray we will shoot straight and true.

[kozmic]

I had a dream that our socialist governor limited mag cap to 7 rounds and outlawed legal people from expressing their 2 A rights.....Wait! Oh **** that really happened!

[keith44spl]

Ha!

My waken hours are bad enough!!!

Seriously, who would pick a 9mm kurtz (.380ACP) for a defensive round,

or the 10mm kurtz(.40 Short&Weak) for that matter, when something more suitable is readily available, I ask you?

The .380 has failed me as well, much like the OP's revelation.

We all know the .40 S&W came about when law enforcement needed a round that everyone could qualify with,
with a minimum amount of training, regardless of stature or experience with firearms.

A close personal friend was in a lit'l shoot out with a drug dealer,
Drug dealer hit four times, ran off and lived to fight another day...
Oh, our LE was using the .40 S&W.

If I were have revaluations such as this....I'd get my self a firearm, of a proven (man or beast) stopping caliber.

The 9mm short is child's play......




Or maybe I'm just dreamin here

[shouldazagged]

Even a dream can be a good argument for not carrying anything less than +P .38 Special hollowpoints.

I keep hoping I'll dream I'm in bed with Salma Hayek, Bernadette Peters and Jamie Lee Curtis, but haven't managed it so far.

[FishingPilot]

Originally Posted by BLACKHAWKNJ

After we turned in our M1911s for M9s I dreamt I tried to fire one-in combat-and the frame cracked in my hand, like plastic.
Patton said "Never take counsel of your fears." I think the same is true for dreams.

Loved my M1911. Hate the 9mm. Seemed like a plastic toy after using the 1911 for a number of years. Myself and a lot of other Marines were pissed off with that decision. There was just something about the 1911 that made it so "cool".

[venomballistics]

Originally Posted by keith44spl

Ha!

My waken hours are bad enough!!!

Seriously, who would pick a 9mm kurtz (.380ACP) for a defensive round,

or the 10mm kurtz(.40 Short&Weak) for that matter, when something more suitable is readily available, I ask you?

The .380 has failed me as well, much like the OP's revelation.

We all know the .40 S&W came about when law enforcement needed a round that everyone could qualify with,
with a minimum amount of training, regardless of stature or experience with firearms.

A close personal friend was in a lit'l shoot out with a drug dealer,
Drug dealer hit four times, ran off and lived to fight another day...
Oh, our LE was using the .40 S&W.

If I were have revaluations such as this....I'd get my self a firearm, of a proven (man or beast) stopping caliber.

Or maybe I'm just dreamin here

yeah the idea of the 380 eludes me too.
no one who had ever been in a real fight ever found themselves wishing they had a smaller gun.
start with the biggest meanest piece of iron you can handle and make your concessions from there based on your situation.
While I preach from the pulpit of John Moses Browning, chapter JMB 45: verses 1911 -1911A1, my baseline really is a 629.
back in the fields and forest of WI that 8 3/8" 44 was a good solid choice where not only man, but beast as well, would be encountered. I made due with it exploring more urban settings as well.
Now that ive been transplanted into a more urban setting a concession had to be made. That mahoosive smith just dont work under a shirt. IWB carry of it means the front site digs into my knees in all carry positions and I'd need 15 minute lead time in a fight to draw the thing from IWB .. its a shoulder rig gun only.
the 1911 makes for a great carry piece .. I just wish I still had most of the 44's potency in it.

[LL617]

We all know the .40 S&W came about when law enforcement needed a round that everyone could qualify with,
with a minimum amount of training, regardless of stature or experience with firearms.

Does the .40S&W chamber any revolvers?

I presently use a .380 while I am waiting on my model 10-5 to come home all fixed up for me by the local gunsmith. I'm looking forward to retiring the .380....

[canesfan33068]

Originally Posted by LL617

We all know the .40 S&W came about when law enforcement needed a round that everyone could qualify with,
with a minimum amount of training, regardless of stature or experience with firearms.

Does the .40S&W chamber any revolvers?

I presently use a .380 while I am waiting on my model 10-5 to come home all fixed up for me by the local gunsmith. I'm looking forward to retiring the .380....

I would love to get a Model 10 or Model 64. I am hooked on J-Frames though for the time being I only have one the 442-2. I want to add a 642 and a 640 and a M&P 340 non PD model to the group. Then I may move over and start on the K frames. All this assuming I can find any of these models.

[DR505]

Talk about a wide-awake nightmare: A buddy of mine and his back-up responded to a bank robbery. Got in a shoot out with the bank robber. Bad guy absorbed 14 (yes, 14!) 165 grain .40 S&W rounds to the torso. He eventually stopped fighting, but he survived. Go figure. Dept kept the .40, but went to 180 grains. My buddy carried a .45 after that incident until he retired a few years later.

Another friend took a .38 special round to his helmet once when he was point man on a drug raid (bad headache was all that caused). Returned fire with his 9mm, hit the guy in the left ventricle. Bad guy ran around and around the room pumping blood out of the entrance hole. He was on his feet for almost a full minute, and it took EIGHT MINUTES for him to finally expire! This was ~1991.

[keith44spl]

Originally Posted by DR505

Talk about a wide-awake nightmare: A buddy of mine and his back-up responded to a bank robbery. Got in a shoot out with the bank robber.

Bad guy absorbed 14 (yes, 14!) 165 grain .40 S&W rounds to the torso. He eventually stopped fighting, but he survived.

Go figure. Dept kept the .40, but went to 180 grains. My buddy carried a .45 after that incident until he retired a few years later.

Another friend took a .38 special round to his helmet once when he was point man on a drug raid (bad headache was all that caused). Returned fire with his 9mm, hit the guy in the left ventricle.

Bad guy ran around and around the room pumping blood out of the entrance hole. He was on his feet for almost a full minute, and it took EIGHT MINUTES for him to finally expire!

This was ~1991.

^^^^ That right thar is the way it happens for real...most times^^^^




.

[smokey04]

A gentleman doesn't tout his gunfights but I will relate a few things I 've learned through experience.
I am guilty of carrying a .380 on occasions when it's the best I can do. But,I think of it as a way to fight myself to a nearby REAL gun.I never feel comfortable with it as my primary. However,I digress. There was a mean time in my life when my guardian angel took a vacation and left me in the hands of two very ugly and hostile little Asian tormentors.I was fortunate to have a .22 Mag derringer hidden in my flight jacket where they didn't discover it.I shot the first in the right eye and was elated to see the back of his head explode. The second I shot in the collar bone and prevented him from harming me until I could get the first ones AK and finish the business.Bottom line ,I didn't make that long trip to the Hanoi Hilton.So, a well placed .22 Mag. is deadly I'm not too sure about the .380 [no experience],but I think a well placed shot could be a fight stopper.
Other places and other times I found that 2 rounds of .45 ACP hardball to the chest never failed to put small statured Orientals down. Not instant death in all cases but their input to the fight was over.
Hope this didn't sound "over the top" or bore you ,I'm just relating what I found to be true from experience. Nick

[alde]

This thread has given some great insight. I pray I never have a real world experience to test my dream. Hats off to you LEO and military that have been faced with the situations that you describe. You guys are the best.

[DR505]

Originally Posted by LL617

Does the .40S&W chamber any revolvers?

I had one...a commemorative Sheriff's Department Ruger Vaquero in .40 S&W. I bought a "blemished" revolver and promptly had it reamed to 10mm by Alan Harton of Houston. Now it is in a decent caliber:



Oh yes, he added J-Frame sights as well.

[REM 3200]

Originally Posted by FishingPilot

There was just something about the 1911 that made it so "cool".

Yep, 'cause it works. These days it's a 230 gr. Gold Dot at almost 900 fps that works for me.

[M&P Mike]

Dreams.... Just keep changing the program until you win . :0)

[DR505]

Originally Posted by keith44spl

^^^^ That right thar is the way it happens for real...most times^^^^

.

On the flip side...was at a homicide scene where a big strapping young man, could have been a linebacker, got hit with a .380 in his collar bone. The bullet hit the bone and veered into the torso, center-punching the top of the heart. Poor kid was DRT. Some times you never know.

[keith44spl]

Originally Posted by DR505

Some times you never know.

Your right.......ya just never know.

One wouldn't slow down a piss-ant and another would seem to stop a bull in it's tracks

[jlrhiner]

I think it has as much to do with the individual being shot as the round. Some folks are just tougher.

[DR505]

Originally Posted by jlrhiner

I think it has as much to do with the individual being shot as the round. Some folks are just tougher.

Well, it is hard to be tough with a detached aorta.

[rwsmith]

With a decently aimed shot with a decently powered rifle, some deer drop in their tracks and others bound away. I guess people are the same way.