All things .380

[Protected One]

Hi everyone. Just wanted to get a conversation started related to the .380 calibre - not JUST the Bodyguard (though it's what I have).
First, why did you choose it over another calibre, and which do you have(Ruger, Walther,etc) and why?
Secondly, have you had the need to use it in self-defense?
Any other comments, opinions, tips, or ammo advice is welcome!

 

[BigCityChief]

I have a # of pistols, four of them in .380, a S&W BG; Beretta 84FS; Bersa Thunder Combat and Bersa Duotone CT. All are great firearms. I like the .380's because 1) the pistols are easily concealed; 2) today's .380 JHP round is adequate for close quarter self defense; and 3) .380 pistols and ammo are generally reasonably priced and available.

 

[BigCityChief]

PS: No; I've never had to use this firearm in defense of myself or anyone else.

 

[OKFC05]

I have both an old S&W .380 and a SIG.
I used to carry .380, but since the new small 9mms came out, I carry 9mm or .38 spl in small guns.

I had occasion to shoot several critters with a .380, and the results were not impressive. particularly the possum that got up and tried to run off after a body shot. Of course, any small handgun is puny compared to a rifle or shotgun, or to my full sized .45, for that matter.

 

[kenjen]

i have a walther ppk/s always wanted one and finialy found one for a good price. had the kel-tec for awhile first, it was great for a "pocket" gun but not very easy to shoot, on the other hand the walther ppk/s althrough not as consealable as the kel-tec, i enjoy shooting it.

 

[Lost Lake]

I bought a BG380 because it was so cute I couldn't live without one. I leave it in my truck. I sometimes carry it if I'm wearing shorts. I don't have a lot of faith in the .380 because it is so low powered, but I hope someone won't want to get shot by it several times so they will cease and desist.

 

[lawdog45]

Micro Desert Eagle. Buffalo Bore hard cast lead.
Very concealable. Have yet to find ammo it doesn't like.
Thankfully have not used it in SD.

 

[Raider]

I carry a Walther Ppk in cal .380. Its stainless and made by Ranger Arms to the exact German Walther PPk pattern. Its loaded with Hornaday Critical Defense ammo and is my hot weather gun. I have total confidence in it as it has never malfunctioned for 100's of shots.

Charlie

 

[gm272gs]

I like to carry my Colt Mustang in the summer. It shoots much more accurately than a Ruger LCP or S&W Bodyguard .380. I think that the LCP is the definitive carry gun for the pocket, though. They are no fun to shoot, but they are lighter than my all-steel Mustang (which is why they're no fun to shoot). A pocket gun like that is for carrying when you don't want to carry, but you do anyway. It's single advantage is that you are still armed.

People will tell you (usually the guy carrying a .40 S&W with two extra 12-round mags) that a .380 will "just make somebody mad" and "really won't do any damage". You should ask these folks to stand there and let you shoot them a few times with it. They won't.

 

[Lost Lake]

People will tell you (usually the guy carrying a .40 S&W with two extra 12-round mags) that a .380 will "just make somebody mad" and "really won't do any damage". You should ask these folks to stand there and let you shoot them a few times with it. They won't.

Or how about this question:

You are in the woods and a momma black bear is upset you have come between her and her cubs. You have two guns, a .380 and a .40. The bear is coming and will not stop. Which gun do you want to use?

Oh sure a .380 to the brain perfectly placed will drop that bear, if it's not perfect though it sure can deflect off. And how will your accuracy be while a bear is chasing you? Can you put 10 rounds in the 10 ring with a bear swatting at you and your drawers full of brown baggage?

I think a drug addict on PCP is pretty comparable to a momma bear. Neither will stop until you convince them to stop. A .40 is a better convincer IMHO.

Not trying to start a war, I carry a lot of guns from a .380 to a .45, I just ain't going around saying a mouse gun could have saved General Custer.

 

[getoff]

my Ruger LCP is a constant companion. loaded up with Remington Golden Saber, 102 gr. the round is good enough. is it the only gun i carry? no. is it a trustworthy BUG? yes. i know for a fact, the bang for your buck stops here. the .380 is a small but effective close range (3'8") round. do i think its the ultimate gun to carry? no. if i can't carry anything else, it fills that role. my usual not at work carry is my glock 19, and my trusty old 442. the LCP rides in a galco ankle glove as #3. when i cant take the 19, the 442 moves to a combat master, the 638 goes front pocket, and the LCP stays home. i love and trust my LCP. that said, i'll go for my j-frames first. i got three rounds off with it in SD, and the gentleman in question is still alive. that said, so am i...

 

[GyMac]

I have a Makarov in .380 and it is one of the most accurate guns I have. That said, I carry another Makarov in 9mm Mak, which is much the same as the .380. It's not a .45, but I trust (hope) it's adequate.

 

[oedipus rx]

I tried to like my BG .380 but left the range three times in a row bleeding from the web between thumb and forefinger; never had confidence in my ability to hit target consistently. Finally traded it for a like new mdl 60. I made the right choice.

 

[losingle]

Bersa 380cc, despite its lousy finish, great concealed carry. Need 3" barrel for .380. Can target 8 .75 x .45 caliber quickly, very accurate at ten yds in. Any more than that is not defense. Looks like a 3rd generation, decocker/safety. Modern ammo is wonderful.

 

[Protected One]

I carry a Walther Ppk in cal .380. Its stainless and made by Ranger Arms to the exact German Walther PPk pattern. Its loaded with Hornaday Critical Defense ammo and is my hot weather gun. I have total confidence in it as it has never malfunctioned for 100's of shots.

Charlie

I'm thinking of getting a PPk for my wife. She saw one and thought it was "cute". I have Critical Defense in my Bodyguard as well, but also have a box of Gold Dot and Winchester PDX1 on the shelf. Been viewing a lot of ballistics videos and it seems these three are the best available.

 

[Protected One]

I tried to like my BG .380 but left the range three times in a row bleeding from the web between thumb and forefinger; never had confidence in my ability to hit target consistently. Finally traded it for a like new mdl 60. I made the right choice.

Sounds like you have large hands.

 

[Protected One]

Or how about this question:

You are in the woods and a momma black bear is upset you have come between her and her cubs. You have two guns, a .380 and a .40. The bear is coming and will not stop. Which gun do you want to use?

Oh sure a .380 to the brain perfectly placed will drop that bear, if it's not perfect though it sure can deflect off. And how will your accuracy be while a bear is chasing you? Can you put 10 rounds in the 10 ring with a bear swatting at you and your drawers full of brown baggage?


I settled on the .380 for several reasons:
1) I only planned to buy ONE gun right now, and that meant something that I could carry ANYTIME.
2) I wanted something that the size or weight of wouldn't discourage me from carrying.(or require a new wardrobe to conceal)
3) My research showed that in most instances the caliber of weapon won't matter, just the fact that I have A GUN will be enough to defuse most situations.
4) It's a learning experince


I think a drug addict on PCP is pretty comparable to a momma bear. Neither will stop until you convince them to stop. A .40 is a better convincer IMHO.

Not trying to start a war, I carry a lot of guns from a .380 to a .45, I just ain't going around saying a mouse gun could have saved General Custer.

See comment above.

 

[losingle]

I'm thinking of getting a PPk for my wife. She saw one and thought it was "cute". I have Critical Defense in my Bodyguard as well, but also have a box of Gold Dot and Winchester PDX1 on the shelf. Been viewing a lot of ballistics videos and it seems these three are the best available.

Forgot to mention Bersa 380cc is clone of Walther ppk at 1/2 price.
Hornaday Zombie better round that crictical defense. Check pistol barrel length on the Ballistic tests, less than 3" barrel not so good.

 

[Protected One]

Forgot to mention Bersa 380cc is clone of Walther ppk at 1/2 price.
Hornaday Zombie better round that crictical defense. Check pistol barrel length on the Ballistic tests, less than 3" barrel not so good.

Thanks for that info on the Bersa cc. I've been thinking about one of those since it's what I see used in most of the ballistic test. Like the longer barrel too.
About the Zombie Max rounds: That was the first box of ammo I bought for my BG (it was all the store had) and I fired half of it to make sure it would feed. It's the same round as the critical defense except for the casing (nickel for the CD, brass for the zombie) and the color of the flex tip. The "Zombie Max" is just a marketing idea...and a good one at that. Gunsmith tells me that nickel casing(Critical Defense) is preferable because is reduces chances of feed jam when quick firing multiple rounds, also, it's easier to confirm the presense of a chambered round through the chambered round indicator.

 

[Protected One]

Glad to hear you say that because I've been thinking about getting a Bersa cc for awhile now. I like the idea of a longer barrel for increased velocity AND accuracy!