380 acp

[rrman12280]

Alright my fellow CCer's. Need some opinions.

I'm thinking of purchasing a 380 acp and I'm concerned about the small round and it's capabilities if needed. I'm very familiar with 9mm and up, so there is no need to discuss those.

Ballistics, accuracy, energy, penetration, etc. Is the 380 adequate for defense? I know shot placement is most important, but what about in general?

I've watched many reviews on Youtube for many different cartridges. Mixed reviews. I've noted best expansion and penetration go to the Hornady Critical Defense and Speer Gold Dot in the 380. Remington Golden Saber didn't do well because the hollow point was clogged with denim and acted as a FMJ.

I will be using the Sig P238 with a 2.7 inch barrell. Is this enough length to get the perfomance needed?

Waiting till I can get my hands on the new P938 later this year.

[tovisitor98]

You should be able to find more than a few threads discussing this.Almost as popular as the "notify LEO ?"threads.

[turbo52]

the .380 round is plenty of power now that the defensive ammo is pretty regularly available for it. it still is pretty snappy due to the normal size of the guns that shoot them, but I'm sure you can handle it without any problem. I only have shot a Kel-tec p3at and it was nice and easy to carry the only thing I didn't like about it was about the gun itself how it didn't have a slide lock lever. and if I were you I would go with hornady critical defense

[KCD1974]

One you carry all the time is better than one you carry sometimes. I have a Ruger LCP, I don't feel the "Need" to carry something bigger, it's easy to conceal and very comfortable. With that said I do carry a 9mm sometimes and hopefully in the near future a .45 but I don't feel "under armed" carrying the .380.

You will get a TON of opinions with this question...LOL....

[The_Outlaw]

A .380 concealed on your person is a hell of a lot better than a larger caliber left at home i.m.h.o.

[Go99]

I sometimes carry the .380 TP738 with Hornady Critical Defense ammo, this will certainly get the job done if hit in the correct area of the BG at normal self-defense distances.

[gunnerbob]

Put 2-3 380auto loads of Critical Defense/Gold Dot into somebody's bread basket at 15 feet, 9 times out of 10 it'll stop the attack.

If you're closer than that, great! That's even better. Any further than that, you might be charged with murder. A CCW piece is for use within 15 feet, that's what's taught... b/c that's what happens.

If you're shooting at someone who's high, pull the trigger a few more times. Remember... practice, practice, practice!!!!!

[rrman12280]

Thanks for the opinions. I currently carry 9mm to which I trust to get the job done if needed. Just never dealt with 380 before.

Truth be told, it is for my wife primarily. She is going to get her CWP and wants something smaller that is easier for a woman to conceal. She wants the P238, which of course is only available in 380acp. She is familiar with the operation of SAO, so that is no problem.

I may carry this as a BUG sometime in the future.

[rrman12280]

A .380 concealed on your person is a hell of a lot better than a larger caliber left at home i.m.h.o.

True, very true.

[rrman12280]

You should be able to find more than a few threads discussing this.Almost as popular as the "notify LEO ?"threads.

I'm currently researching those threads, but a fresh opinion never hurt anyone.