Russ, I feel the same way. I am a NRA instructor with over 35+ years of teaching-- carry what you can shoot. Most of my students carry 380 autos, and with confidence. I say carry the biggest gun you can handle, and during the colder months I usually will carry my shield or compact 9, but when the warmer weather get here, the bodyguard 380 just drops into my cargo shorts and I keep a extra mag or two just in case. I have no reservations about the 380 acp, especially with todays ammo, believe me, if you aim for center mass, you will take care of business. I did a ballistic test using calibrated gel several weeks ago on the new Federal HST 380 round. I have been real pleased with the HST line, their 9mm, 40 and 45acp is nothing short of fantastic in all bullet weights. My results were different than a review on the internet. Last week I repeated the test three times firing 5 rounds into bare gel and 5 into four layers of denim. My results were the same as the first time, that is; 10-10-1/2 in bare gel, 12-13 inches with four layers of denim. The gel was tested for calibration and was "on the money" The same gel was used to test some Federal HST 124 gr standard pressure, they all came in at 15 inches, with and without denim. The firearm used was the shield, one of my favorite 9mm carry pistols. The test was repeated two more times with the same results. The expansion was typical HST, and I can not complain with 10+ inches of penetration. I know everybody has to make their minds up about the firearm, ammo, holster etc they carry, but being able to carry all the time, in all weather conditions, jeans, shorts, dress pants etc is the key. I plan on more testing of Federals new HST 380, but from what I have seen it is a good load. I will take the 12-18 inches with a grain of salt, a good solid hit with 10+ inches and well aimed will stop the bad guy. A retired cop friend of mine hit a bad guy, a real big bad guy with two speer gold dot 380s in the chest, his body was donated to the local medical school!! If I remember, the gold dot did not get real high marks from some reviews on you tube, but I will take this kind of performance, any day of the week. My friend walked in on a robbery at a local gas station while off duty, he was carrying a ruger LCP in his pocket!! The bottom line, carry your firearm ALL the time and keep your eyes open. Stay safe to all!!!!!
