.380 annd CCW

[pedropcola]

These are the dumbest threads ever and they come up all the time. Of course a pocket 380 is not your first choice in a gunfight. Carry the most effective firearm you can when you can. That's it. Not too complicated. If you can carry a rifle, that is even better. Real world though you can't always carry big. And a LCP/BG380 carries SMALL. It fits in a pocket holster and goes into my pocket. Most bigger caliber guns won't do that. "Maybe you should bring your .45". Maybe you should show me how to carry a .45 in shorts, t shirt, and flip flops. A healthy sized (read not fat) can't consistently conceal that weapon in summer time (hot) weather and cool clothes. Yes, I can take a PICTURE with an UZI under my shirt and make it look concealed. But you can't move around and continue the charade. BUGs have a very real place in your arsenal. Carry bigger when and if you can, but carry. That is where these guns come in handy. This isn't about laying your junk on the counter and saying "mines bigger" which is what these thread almost always become. Everyone should grow up and use common sense.

 

[Florida J Frame]

I bought one .380 in my lifetime (AMT Backup), but never carried it. After testing a few rounds, I had lots of second thoughts....

I will qualify this by saying that recent ammo developments might change my mind today. Something like Glasers or Hornaday Critical Defense, has possibilities. Still, it would have to be a BUG, never my primary weapon.

Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Ammunition :: Handgun :: Choose by Caliber :: 380 Auto :: 380 Auto 90 gr Critical Defense®

You mention carrying a BUG. Most of us are not LEOs and it's hard enough to carry one gun concealed let alone two. I find the small 380s like my LCP are ideal for CCW because I always have it with me. A Smith 442 is almost as easy to carry but in hot Florida weather, I haven't found anything better then the tiny .380. Loaded with Critical Defense, I don't feel under gunned and I can carry it in shorts and a tee shirt and have 7 rounds ready to go.

 

[frank_drebin]

can't recollect ever seeing any doubter say they would stand at 50' heavily dressed to 'test' the effectiveness of the .380acp 95-100 gr jhp out of 3.5" barrel.

doubt I ever will.

Man I hate that analogy. I wouldn't volunteer to stand with my hands behind my back while 1st graders punched me in the face unabated either. Does that mean I should OC a 1st grader?



BTW, I have a P3AT in my front pocket.

 

[Lost Lake]

Man I hate that analogy. I would volunteer to stand with my hands behing my back while 1st graders punched me in the face unabated either. Does that mean I should OC a 1st grader?

LMAO!!!!

You may carry a first grader, but you'd have a heck of a time concealing the bugger.....

Still, let's not get off the original post. There are barrels attacking some people and we need to determine the best barrel gun. Or barrel killer I guess.

 

[frank_drebin]

LMAO!!!!

You may carry a first grader, but you'd have a heck of a time concealing the bugger.....

Still, let's not get off the original post. There are barrels attacking some people and we need to determine the best barrel gun. Or barrel killer I guess.

Don't laugh. Barrels are watching.

 

[Goffman]

These are the dumbest threads ever and they come up all the time. Of course a pocket 380 is not your first choice in a gunfight. Carry the most effective firearm you can when you can. That's it. Not too complicated. If you can carry a rifle, that is even better. Real world though you can't always carry big. And a LCP/BG380 carries SMALL. It fits in a pocket holster and goes into my pocket. Most bigger caliber guns won't do that. "Maybe you should bring your .45". Maybe you should show me how to carry a .45 in shorts, t shirt, and flip flops. A healthy sized (read not fat) can't consistently conceal that weapon in summer time (hot) weather and cool clothes. Yes, I can take a PICTURE with an UZI under my shirt and make it look concealed. But you can't move around and continue the charade. BUGs have a very real place in your arsenal. Carry bigger when and if you can, but carry. That is where these guns come in handy. This isn't about laying your junk on the counter and saying "mines bigger" which is what these thread almost always become. Everyone should grow up and use common sense.

Great response. It should be titled "concealed carry for regular people" (a group of which I am a proud member, by the way).

 

[Lost Lake]

Cool picture Mr. Drebbin!!!

 

[wnr700]

My biggest concern... the magazine release button

Nutnfancy on Youtube video released the mag while testing... a Keltec I think on his range.

A gun shop owner pulled one from his pocket his pocket (no holster)... he had bumped it and the magazine had released at somepoint.

Still... I had to try a Keltec P32 and never had an issue while in a pocket holster, but accidentally released the mag at the range.

The P32 was a great carry piece. It's problem (only talking about my gun, not the series in general) was something was wrong with the gun's accuracy. Even the guy I sold it too and his friend say something aint right with the gun.

My take on the .380 from Ruger or Keltec. The .380 is marginal to begin with... but the mag release button disqualifies it for personal protection.

 

[pedropcola]

I have yet to inadvertently release the mag on this gun. I guess I don't understand your statement. Are you against a mag release button or just on the ruger or keltec. Are you even talking about the BG380?

 

[at10]

Here is the opinion of Dr. Gary Roberts, a LCDR in the U.S. Naval Reserve who, in his own words, has "25 years of Naval service performing combat trauma and wound ballistic research." He also is the main author of The Best Choices for Self-Defense Ammo FAQ over at ar15.com. Quoted from the m4carbine.net forum:

"Handguns chambered in .380 ACP are small, compact, and generally easy to carry. Unfortunately, testing has shown that they offer inadequate performance for self-defense and for law enforcement use whether on duty as a back-up weapon or for off duty carry. The terminal performance of .380 ACP JHP's is often erratic, with inadequate penetration and inconsistent expansion being common problems, while .380 ACP FMJ's offer adequate penetration, but no expansion. All of the .380 ACP JHP loads we have tested, including CorBon, Hornady, Federal, Remington, Speer, and Winchester exhibited inconsistent, unacceptable terminal performance for law enforcement back-up and off duty self-defense use due to inadequate penetration or inadequate expansion. Stick with FMJ for .380 ACP or better yet, don't use it at all. The use of .380 ACP and smaller caliber weapons is really not acceptable for law enforcement use and most savvy agencies prohibit them."

Seems he recommends that if your going to CCW .380, you should use FMJ. YYMV.

 

[Copnomore]

.380 performance

I appreciate the time and effort the experts spend while attempting to create performance information for us to evaluate. I have been a LEO on both the local and federal levels. I live in the t-shirt and short region of the country, so my .40 H&K is hard to conceal. If I am walking through the jungle I carry the right weapon for the job. If I am strolling around in the recreational mode, I carry the weapon appropriate for the conditions. I would rather be reaching for my .380 BG than my cell phone to dial 911, if somehow a wild animal steps out of the jungle. To address the report by at10, I believe every word of it. As an LEO we are required to respond to any situation at a felony level, thus the right tools should be at hand. As for Joe the plumber, with a CCW, a .380 will save you better than a sharp tongue and a cell phone. Just my opinion and I may be wrong.

 

[Habbyguy]

Seems he recommends that if your going to CCW .380, you should use FMJ. YYMV.

I alternate FMJ and JHP in my BG380 magazines. I kinda doubt that the combination would fail to take the aggression out of any miscreant (two-legged variety, at least).

Sure, it doesn't have the total stopping power of my .357 magnum K-frame, but I'm not going to have that with me 99.9% of the time.

 

[pedropcola]

Thank you copnomore for injecting COMMON SENSE back into this discussion. Was it this thread where someone said they would rather have a baseball bat than any .380, but apparently a .45 would make him put his bat away? GMAB

 

[peterGun]

As for Joe the plumber, with a CCW, a .380 will save you better than a sharp tongue and a cell phone. Just my opinion and I may be wrong.

I like this answer, I'm not a Plumber but an LCP is my primarily carry gun because it's all I feel I need in my real life situations. I do have a 4566 that I can carry if I felt the need.

 

[wnr700]

I have yet to inadvertently release the mag on this gun. I guess I don't understand your statement. Are you against a mag release button or just on the ruger or keltec. Are you even talking about the BG380?

I was knocking the Keltec via personal ownership and the Ruger from observed personal experience.

I have no opinion about the other .380 models