Anyone using .380 as primary carry?

The most important thing is to HAVE A GUN IF YOU NEED IT.

Caliber is the least important consideration after reliability, comfort, and carryability when talking about guns for dealing with human predators from a private citizen perspective.

Lots of people are killed, assaulted, and raped every day because they did not have a gun.
Very, very few suffer the above fates because of shooting an attacker with the “ wrong “ caliber.

Bears and mountain lions are a different matter.
 
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Speedo2 said:
1- Yes; a G42 with FMJ's in Magguts 7-rd mags is my EDC. I also have a S&W Shield 380EZ and a Browning 1910 as possible replacements.

2- I have tried the SIG P230 and Walther PPK, but ......I've found their recoil to be a bit too snappy. ....

3- I may try the new LCP Max in a year or so, giving Ruger a chance to work out any bugs (which they usually have to do). -S2
Click to expand...

1- Both locked breech designs, which are much easier on our older wrists, LOL. I am frequently carrying the EZ myself. Do you find the Glock any more snappy, owing to being shorter on both ends?

2- Yes, blowback, and single-stack. Besides, I've owned a couple of each over time, and neither were reliable even with FMJ.

3- Like a new significant-other in your life, yes....give it a year.
 
VictorLouis said:
1- Both locked breech designs, which are much easier on our older wrists, LOL. I am frequently carrying the EZ myself. Do you find the Glock any more snappy, owing to being shorter on both ends?

The G42 is MUCH softer shooting then either the EZ or B1910. Also, for me at least, it's more accurate. I found that it really, really likes hotter ammo (....mo hotta, mo betta). The Magguts pinky extension and Talon wrap helps a lot with the grip.

The Browning isn't really a locked breech design (machined slots between the barrel and frame, rather than being rigidly connected), but it is much easier on the wrist and hand than the SIG or PPK. I think that's due to a better ergonomic design and perhaps the tolerance between its barrel and frame slots taking care of some of the initial "snap". The PPK is a beautiful shooting gun in either 32ACP or 22LR, but not 380. My thoughts, anyway. -S2
Click to expand...
 
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My Sig P238 has very mild recoil.

Not a problem at all.

But it is the HD all stainless steel model and is therefore a few oz heavier than the Aluminum frame P238s.
 
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I have a stainless Walther PPK .380 that is carried more than any other pistol I own. Although a little heavier than a polymer frame .380, that extra weight absorbs the recoil better, at least for me. I carry a flat base magazine in the gun and a finger rest magazine as a reload. I'm very comfortable with it.
 
To the OPs question: Yes, but it’s seasonal. Right now, in sunny, hot and humid FL my Bersa .380 and Sig P232 are my prime ECDs. The wife always carries her Ruger LC. No problem with reliability or effectiveness with the right load.
 
Although I'm mostly a revolver guy, I used to like the Walther PPK/S and PPK. Then I got old and discovered that blowbacks hurt and make me flinch. I'm back to my snub revolvers like the one in my avatar with standard velocity 38s. and 9mms with moon clips.
 
Grip size, overall weight, barrel length and action are significant factors to weigh against concealability and convenience.

Low threat environments also influence the above choices. As does the cartridge. There are now many perfectly adequate .380 rounds for self defense. Choosing the right gun would be my first priority.
 
The problem isn’t so much the caliber. It’s the gun. Guns such as the Ruger or Kel Tec can be hard to handle for less experienced shooters. 380 in such a small gun is like putting a V8 in a go cart.

Problems such as accuracy and function are common. If you can handle the little guns, go for it.
 
During the summer especially, when it's too darn hot to wear a vest or jacket, the LCP is the one that usually gets the nod.
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Everything is a compromise but I have made my choices. While I PREFER to carry either .40 or 5.7 X 28mm, my .380 is my go-to. Since my particular threat level is very low, I am confident in my choice...recognizing there are NEVER any guarantees.
 
Personally I'd only use a .380 if it were the largest caliber I owned. While technology has helped the .380 hang on a bit longer, today the +P rated 9mm's are not much larger or heavier so I see no reason to use a .380 for SD.

Don't get me wrong a well placed shot at close range will do the trick, but at the time of need under much stress and a possible battle - you can't always count on a perfect shot.

For me the minimum for SD is either a 9mm or 38 Spl. +P.
 
YES I DO

Carry a Bersa Thunder .380 CC, which is a factory melted version of their stalwart fixed barrel blowback pistola.
Imho an often overlooked jewel.

At a well known shooting school ive attended a couple of times, the instructors, all ex military professionals now repping military small arms to foreign govts, carried Glock G42s.

Imho what is needed is a reliable pistol that one has complete confidence in. The rest will take care of itself.
 
Buick said:
Carry a Bersa Thunder .380 CC, which is a factory melted version of their stalwart fixed barrel blowback pistola.
Imho an often overlooked jewel.

At a well known shooting school ive attended a couple of times, the instructors, all ex military professionals now repping military small arms to foreign govts, carried Glock G42s.

Imho what is needed is a reliable pistol that one has complete confidence in. The rest will take care of itself.
Click to expand...

Hikock45 had a review of the Bersa Thunder CC....he was genuinely impressed and stated he'd never heard of problems with the CC. i, too, feel it is one that flies under the radar, especially for those of us who like DA,SA. i'm carrying one in my pocket in an Alabama holster as i write. in the cooler months my .380's get a rest and an H&K P2000sk is carried OWB in a Wright holster.
 
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