7x.32 or 6x.380

[BradACP]

If you had to pick one or the other for personal protection. (and I'd like to limit it to one or the other)

7 shot .32 (DAO)

or

6 shot .380 (DAO)

Comments are appreciated too.

[American1776]

I think I'd prefer the 6 rounds of 380.

I'm not an expert on these matters of 'caliber wars', but from what I've read, the 32 acp is in the 'mouse gun' category. It's certainly better than nothing, but it's not a caliber that we'd want to rely on if we don't have to.

Many writers seem to place the 380 (with proper ammo) right below the 9mm, and as the minimum of adequacy for defensive purposes. I've even read some who would say that the 380 out of a 3.6 inch barrel or so, with proper ammo, is on a par in 'stopping power' (stupid word, imo) as the classic .38 sp. out of a 2 inch snub. I really don't know though.

I've seen police videos of perps who took 2-4 torso hits from .40 cal. LE loads, close range, and did little more than flinch. I've read, from Mas Ayoob's writings, about a perp who took a magazine and a half of .40 cal. from an LE before they stopped shooting the LEO.

Pistol rounds are not reliable fight stoppers to begin with; but I'll take the 380 over the 32.

[Chazman321]

Round Max FPS Max Ft Lbs
.32 Auto 934 116
.380 1,153 207
9mm Luger 1,110 342

Being that you can get a 9mm in a comparable size, my LC9 holds 8 rounds, I would pick a pocket 9. However the choice doesn't include a 9mm so...

A .32 has almost zero recoil even for being a small framed gun. A .32 can and does kill people all the time.

A .380 has better ballistics, but shooting one of those tiny guns can be uncomfortable to some, and they are louder than hell!

Both come in small framed, deep concealment sized pistols, and ammo for both isn't very expensive but it isn't cheap either. Most reloaders I know that shoot both buy 9mm and make their own brass for .380, the difference is only 2 millimeters of brass. So once a case splits the edge, if it isn't too deep, it makes a great .380 case... .32 ammo and brass must be bought. I don't see why it costs more for .380 ammo than it does for 9mm ammo, something about supply and demand, but if you reload you can get .380 for cheaper and around 9mm prices...



-Chaz

[ByAnyMeans]

I voted for .380, I guess because it's what I already own and carry.

[freddy g]

I choose the .32 only because the P32 kel-tec is a bit more reliable then the .380 and you get another round (and for what its worth the p32 is a tiny bit smaller then the p3at) , as far as stopping power i don't think there is a whole lot of differance in the 2,but like others have said i like a 9mm for a carry gun, BUTTTTTT this time of year my p32 is in my cargo shorts or bathing suit pocket everyday.

[Shisno]

If i had a choice, I wouldn't choose either. The .380 does not have enough penetration IMO so I put it in the same mouse gun caliber category as the .32. The minimum I would carry is 9mm or 38 special. And if I had absolutely no choice but to carry either of those, I would take the .380. And I would carry FMJ

[Chazman321]

EFMJ all day long... lol


-Chaz

[mpan72]

I voted for the .32 because it makes me sound like a spy if I cary that caliber.

[Gun Bowanna]

I carry the .32acp in the Summer.

Small, Light, (same as the .380).
One extra round.

Yeah, yeah, I hear the argument all the time over the stopping power thing.

I choose accuracy (less recoil) over higher energy (more recoil) and wrist snap. A .32 in the eye/head shot beats two .380 in the torso. This alone ends an issue right then and there.

Also to me, the small .380s' are akin to holding a firecracker too long in my hand..

[39flathead]

If i had a choice, I wouldn't choose either. The .380 does not have enough penetration IMO so I put it in the same mouse gun caliber category as the .32. The minimum I would carry is 9mm or 38 special. And if I had absolutely no choice but to carry either of those, I would take the .380. And I would carry FMJ

Modern .380 is right there with .38 Spec.

The 70's are long past.