Is it just my imagination or are some of the same folks that declared that the .38 Spl. was obsolete and inadequate for self defense are now falling all over the .380 pistols?
Caliber wars (or stirring the pot ;) )
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I only use ammo I know to have reliable performance in both .380 and .38 Specieal. I'm less picky about the .38 Special as I only have three types of ammo I'll use in the .380 for serious work. About 2 dozen for .38.
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As depicted, that pistol gun looks to be about a foot long, maybe longer. It appears quite ungainly. What is it's purpose and how does it handle?
I'm not saying it is your imagination however I would absolutely say that your revelation feels like it's about FIFTEEN years late.
There was a day not so long ago when the .380 Auto was all the rage but that was a decade+ ago.
The rage these days is absolutely the subcompact 9mm with the "larger than single stack" magazine, ala the Sig P365, Springfield Hellcat, Ruger Max-9 and certainly whatever piece of royal junk with zero QC that S&W offers in the same lane.
SGT ROCK 11B
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As a policeman I always thought the 380 ACP (and the 9x18 Makarov) were just wounders unless used in an execution. Many shop owners had poor results with 380 ACP against robbers.
Recently a shop owner was shot by a robber with a 380 ACP. He was hit eight times but managed to walk to the Ambulance.
It is not your imagination.
However I happen to be a great fan of the .38's AND .380's.
Nobody wants to be shot with anything.
There really isn't that much stopping power difference between handgun calibers, especially if the attacker takes 2 or more hits in the vitals.
The .380 has, due to improvements in bullet design and powders, moved from submarginal to decent for SD, IMHO, for what that may be worth to you. Shot placement is #1. Adequate penetration is #2. If you can hit with it, the .380 will do the job much of the time. If you can't, it won't.
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Have Glasser Safety Slugs in my 2 380s. Thank God have never had to use either. Very very seldom carry one as LW Colt Commander or older 640 S&W are my carry ones.
MY wife has her 380 filled with 65gr underwood extreme defense . I have no interest in CC'n a 38sp or 380. I practice some with a 9mm and have a hellcat pro comp and m&p 4" compact with holosun green dot I practice with as I may need to carry one of them one day .
I CC a m&p 40sw full size now after just retired my long time carry LW Commander -45acp
I CC a m&p 40sw full size now after just retired my long time carry LW Commander -45acp
Early in my career I handled a disturbance where dad had discovered boyfriend in daughter's bed on Sunday morning. In the ensuing altercation, BF took a .44 mag thru his hand and into his leg, deflecting off his femur and exiting just above the knee. He limped out to the ambulance.
Fast forward a month and BF gets in another argument with 2 illegals he has swindled over a car sale. One pulls out a .25 and shots BF once in the heart. BF makes it back inside his apt. and expires in the couch, phone in hand.
This was my introduction to shot placement..........
Fast forward a month and BF gets in another argument with 2 illegals he has swindled over a car sale. One pulls out a .25 and shots BF once in the heart. BF makes it back inside his apt. and expires in the couch, phone in hand.
This was my introduction to shot placement..........
I have nothing against the 380, but I don't see the point in carrying a larger gun with it. I have 2 LCPs I'll carry and feel fine with them and the round. But the guns are small, and that's why I'm carrying them. If I have a choice of a larger pistol in 9mm or 380; 9mm is going to be the choice. I mainly carry a S&W 442 though.
A modern .380 like the Glock 42 is easier to carry than a J frame, especially a steel one. An extra magazine is easy to carry and .380 95 gr FMJ will completely penetrate an upper torso so what more do you need?
Me, I like 380 for summer carry, easy to hide. I like 38WC for winter carry, hides under coat very well. But that said -and I know you didn't ask- but I carry an LCP 2 in 22 for my around the farm gun. Have had to kill more than one egg eating snake and a raiding 'possum or two. It's real handy in a chicken house. Guess what I'm implying is, if you hit what you are shooting in the right place, even a 22 works.
SGT ROCK 11B
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Besides executions, at most Crime Scenes people survive 380 but 38 Special not so much.
Shop Owners do better with revolvers. JMHO
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
Two good examples of Training Issues and a reminder that experience beats noobs.
First story, dad has probably never had any Professional Training. That is why he only took the one shot. (My favorite 44 story is a man who took various Professional Training and practice regularly with 38s and 357s, but had a M29 loaded with Federal 240 JHP for Home Defense and dropped the Bad Guy center mass with one shot, DRT)
The illegal had probably killed before so his experience came from that while the BF took nothing to a gunfight and likely just stood there like a target. Getting off the X and running in a zigzag pattern was BF's best chance at survival. JMHO
SGT ROCK 11B
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Professional Training.
SGT ROCK 11B
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That is true but a lot of them were executions and of course some people freeze like a deer in the headlights and stand like a Target instead of running.
Hal H.
Member
I agree. If you hit what you're aiming at you don't need a canon or 15 rounds.
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