Is it enough for self-defense: .380 ACP?

[Warren Sear]

The .380 has very little more going for it than the. 38 Colt, which proved itself to be inadequate, even with well placed shots.

I voted "no".

 

[BAM-BAM]

Carried a Walther PPK .380 for years (86-2005) as my going to work "suit gun".

Never carried it in Penn'sWoods........3" .357.

Rarely in the evenings or weekends in the Burgh or Little Burg (Harrisburg) generally switch to a 3913 or 6906.

 

[delcrossv]

My first EDC was a Sig P232. Still my second choice after the 940. IMO either is sufficient for 99% of armed encounters that a reasonably aware civilian may face. Like said above, I'm not going to war, I'm trying to extract myself from a bad situation.

Face it, folks "knock down power" and "one shot stop" are solely the province of rifle cartridges.

 

[oneounceload]

When I'm being lazy and wearing basketball type short with only a drawstring for a belt, the LCP goes in the pocket.

 

[Protected One]

Yes.
The majority of the time the mere presence of a gun is enough to dissuade attackers....and they don't stop to check its caliber before retreating.

 

[Warren Sear]

Bullet placement is vital with any handgun cartridge. In that regard the differences between a 9mm Luger and a .380 ACP in a self defense situation is potentially almost non existent...

There is a world of difference between 9mm Luger and .380 ACP.

 

[686-380]

For me, it's the perfect compromise. When I'm at work or working around my home, a Bodyguard .380, sig P238 or Ruger LCP won't hinder me in the slightest.

Will I fend off armies or gangs? No. If I need a gun, I will have one.

 

[Erich]

I think the posts above show the amount of nuance that gets left behind in a poll such as this one. One issue is that it's complicated - another is that everyone gets a say in the poll, even though not everyone (that guy who just took up shooting as a hobby and heard all about how it works from the guy behind the counter at the gun store) knows what he's talking about.

I've worked in some capacity on a lot of shooting cases (more than a couple hundred with handguns) over the last quarter century+. More than a dozen (more than two dozen? I'd have to look) with .380s. I could tell you what worked, how, on who . . . and what didn't work. I could (and have, in the past, here) go on about over- and underpenetration issues, and we could bring up my old signature line from The Firing Line about shot placement and adequate penetration. We could talk about the various .380s out there and how various rounds perform (velocities, expansion) from them. Lots to discuss over coffee.

While I like the "cutting the Gordian knot" approach of this "Up or Down - is the .380 adequate for defense, sayeth the Forum?" poll, I am sure everyone understands to take it with a grain of salt.

 

[Hoosierville IRN]

My theory is that friends don't let friends carry .380s. Having said that, if a .380 is the only weapon you can carry given clothing, activity, availability, etc., it's definitely better than nothing.

 

[gman51]

Placement is everything and seldom at close range is 12" penetration required for a vital hit. What is more to consider is not the caliber but the shooter's ability to put the bullet, any caliber, where it can end the fight the quickest. A crack or meth head may not even know they have been shot and keep right on going but an exploded heart or a head shot can take the fight right out of him. A 380 can do that if the shooter can place it in the right spot.

 

[Old Corp]

Just not comfortable with a .380 as primary carry. Certainly better than a sharp stick, but my reasoning is that for just a very small increase in bulk and weight a 9mm is very doable.

So, my Summer carry, usually in a pocket holster wearing shorts is a Kahr PM9. Alternate with a OWB and cover garment and it's a S&W M640 .357.

Cooler weather sees more full-size handguns being carried.
But no .380's.

 

[alwslate]

Watch "The First 48" on TV. Lots of people laid low by the lowly .380 and
often with less than ideal shot placement. The .380 is plenty good
enough for up close and personal SD.

 

[HardToHandle]

15 years ago, I picked up the KelTec P32 when the buzz developed. It was a great compact, light gun but the .32 ACP was underwhelming as a primary CCW. That said, it was my standard hiking, biking, paddling and back pocket gun for a few years. When Keltec dropped the new .380 P3AT, I bought the first one I found... it was a a dog and went back to the factory. Even after a factory trip, it was a handful to shoot versus the slightly smaller and slower 32ACP. Much like every small frame 9mm goes from fun to no fun in .40S&W.

The narrative is designed to address that certain cartridges have a sweet spot in size of handguns. The .380 fits the dictum well. My experience is the Keltec and Ruger tiny .380 are last ditch hideout guns using locked recoil are too small. A larger Beretta or Colt 1903 in blowback are more reliable and generally easier to shoot in the .380 cartridges. YMMV.

 

[sigp220.45]

The question wasn’t “is it the best?” It was “is it enough?”

Of course it is.

 

[D Brown]

For years I carried the .45 Auto exclusively. The last couple of years, I've carried either 38 Special or 380 Auto. I've never felt the least bit apprehensive about the lighter calibers.

 

[keith44spl]

I own one.........

I don't consider it a cartridge or platform that suits my needs in a SD sidearm.

Other folk's situations may vary.......

.

 

[Smoke]

I own one.........

I don't consider it a cartridge or platform that suits my needs in a SD sidearm.

Other folk's situations may vary.......

.

You own some beautiful handguns

 

[V0OBWxZS16]

"Enough" is a rather nebulous term to apply here and the poll option of "No, it's not enough to be carried at all." is plainly absurd.

Instead I will say the .380 is sub-optimal for most people, most of the time, in non-pocket pistols IMHO.

 

[Jimmy4570]

ANYTHING that goes bang is better than fingernails. My vote in .380 is Browning's little 1911 in .380...

 

[Chief Wiggums]

Nope

too small
not enough (capacity)
seasonal at best (thick winter jackets will significantly deter penetration)


Just not for me - not even as a BUG
Im sure that it works great for others