.380 for self defense..

[XD45]

the rohrbaugh R9 is amazing.. but the pricetag is equally amazing....http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=78143325 almost no size difference from the p3at, but a 9mm...

I dont like the idea of going away from a glock for carry, meanwhile a .380 keltec, I just dont know... I will probably get that .380 as a bug just to have it, and wear a bellyband or the smartcarry to carry my 10mm... pull the .380 out if i need it fast, and if i have the time to retreat to a safe place, or the time to get to the more concealed gun I go for that.

[mrwildroot]

Originally Posted by Steve in PA

In warmer weather, where I can't wear an over shirt, sweat shirt, jacket, etc while wearing my off-duty gun OWB, I'll be packing a PPK/S in some strategic location.

There is nothing wrong with a .380 handgun. However, they do make 9mm's now in sizes very close to my PPK/S so you could go with one of those. When I bought my PPK/S there were no 9mm's of that size.

+1 on the PPK/S!
Bought mine in 1977, and still carry it as a primary some time, BUG at other times. Also now have the Kel Tec P3AT, and love the size and weight of it, but it is in no way a Walther.
mrwildroot

[gf45acp]

Take a look at a Keltec P3AT. 6+1, as small as many .25's, and less weight. Mine works great with Powrball, which has become my favorite carry ammo in 380, 9mm, 40 and 45acp. 380 Powrball is a lot more powerfull than .22, .25 or .32 ammo. The P3AT is so small that I don't even feel it in a pocket holster. I would not recommend it for a gun to fire thousands of rounds through, but it is designed to be as small and light as it can be, not a 10000 rd. a year target gun. Take a look, you may like it. One last note, many P3AT's don't like standard ball ammo, they have a dual recoil spring set up and are made for performance ammo and don't function well with standard loads.

[Lucas]

Originally Posted by MarcS

Poor logic. Ask yourself this question: Would i want to get shot with anything? No.

Would i want to get shot because i picked a marginal caliber and had i picked a caliber with better terminal ballistics the last shot would have severed the bad guys spine, but instead is lodged in his ribcage allowing him to continue shooting me? That doesn't sound like much fun either.

Same logic can apply to .357 mag. It HAS happened. 5 or 6 shots worth if I remember correctly.
Seriously, what are the chances of having to actually use your carry weapon?
Now, of those chances, how many times will a round have to be fired?
Of those times, how many chances of multiple shots?
now, of those times, what is the chance of it being against someone who will continue to fight after being shot once/multiple times?
You reach a point where it doesn't matter what you carry, just that ANY gun is better than no gun.
I don't personally believe in basing my carry weapons on ballistic gel penetration. There are other factors to consider beside just penetration.
I may use poor logic, but it works for me. The joy of being human, we all have our own opinions and make our own choices

[MarcS]

Originally Posted by Lucas

Same logic can apply to .357 mag. It HAS happened. 5 or 6 shots worth if I remember correctly.

The difference being that 357 magnum on average has the requisite amount of penetration and 380 does not. This isn't really something that can be argued.

Use ball ammo in a 380 to maximize penetration. Anything else can't come close to minimum penetration.

[Bib]

I think the .380 is adaquate for self defense...if you can place your shot accurately. If you can't, A bigger gun won't help you much.

[MarcS]

Originally Posted by Bib

I think the .380 is adaquate for self defense...if you can place your shot accurately. If you can't, A bigger gun won't help you much.

Alright, everyone needs to read this before they can give their expert testimony.

http://www.firearmstactical.com/pdf/fbi-hwfe.pdf

[Bib]

LOL!!!! OK....I'll retract my statement.


Bullet placement is nothing....carry a POWERFUL defense gun...if your life is in danger, you can open fire and "graze" your assailant to death!

[knight0334]

As mentioned by others, the 380 will serve just fine. Many choices out there for sure.. I'm a fan of the Bersa Thunder 380 after having owned one. $230 for a PPK knock-off that had more bells and whistles. Accurate and reliable..

I transfered it to a female friend that I had converted so she'd have something to protect herself and her family.

[MarcS]

Originally Posted by Bib

LOL!!!! OK....I'll retract my statement.


Bullet placement is nothing....carry a POWERFUL defense gun...if your life is in danger, you can open fire and "graze" your assailant to death!

clearly, you didn't read.