380 as a defence weepon.

[thomasray]

Old Elmer K. would devorse me. I have a Makrov and a Beretta in 380 ACP. I can't imagine any circumstance than a bingo on some crooks shin bone or nose wouldn't slow down his vigor. A couple them 90 grain pils in the big intestine woodn't serve breakfast neether.

Now I have some 45 autos and a big old S&W 25 in 45 Long Colt which ain't zactly a brand of coffe. These cannons don't fit in a coat pocket without looking like I shoplifted a 6-pak of beer. So I tuck a 380 in my satorial and achieve a decent mien and a sence of security without the bulk.

What say ye? TWR

[Pistolsmith]

A .380 is marginal, but a good deal better than some other smaller calibers.
Personally, I think that a 2" .38 special handloaded with 173 grain Keith bullets is a bit higher up on the scale, and it doesn't take up any more room in a jacket pocket.
Well, you mentioned Elmer...............

[Remington597]

You are perfectly fine with a good .380 as a defensive weapon.
Recommended CC .380 firearms are as follows:

1. Kel Tec P3AT. About $250
2. NorthAmerican Guardian..380ACP around $350


Those two would be exceptional and reliable for the money

[Xracer]

I agree with Pistolsmith. .380 is pretty marginal.

If you want a nice "coatpocket" gun, here's a good choice:

http://www.swfirearms.vista.com/stor...sw_activeTab=1

Small, light, hammerless (snag free).....and a lot more of a man-stopper than any .380.

[CountryGunsmith]

.380's are OK, but I like the old Charter Arms Bulldog Pug in .44 Special.

[thomasray]

All you folks at this Forum always give good feedback. And you do it with a positive. ...........

[CountryGunsmith]

My wife just read your sig line.

She said I will never be out of a job.

[inplanotx]

I too would be a bit uneasy with a .380, specially in the winter time when people layer clothing and have heavy coats. I would really be looking at a .44. Maybe a new Taurus titanium .44 Special!

[Gunfyter]

Certainly better than nothing, but with the number of miniature 9mm , .40s&w and .45ACP guns available, I'd opt for one of them. When the adrenaline starts to flow I would rather have one of them in my hand than the .380. My Kahr conceals nicely. My $.02

[SouthernMoss]

I agree with the others that .380 is a bit minimal for concealed carry, but I also feel that a .380 "mouse gun" that you are willing and able to carry anytime, anywhere is better than a .45 that stays in the gunsafe because you aren't able to conceal it.

Best case scenario -- have several weapons available for concealed carry, and choose the largest caliber that fits with your wardrobe and activities for each particular day.



And BTW, Welcome to TFF!

[rglbegl]

According to the numbers, a good .380 bullet should do the trick. No way it could keep up with the .45, but hopefully if you have to pull a gun, the mere presence of it should ward off anybody. If the .380 is your choice, look for the right ammo. Some of this new stuff penitrates really well. Some of that frangible looks like it would be vicious too. Or just get the 9x18 makarov barrel for either gun, and have almost the same ballistics of a 9mm. (9x19)
No matter what anyone says - A .22 in the hand is still better than a .45 left at home.
--Beagle

A .22 in the hand is still better than a .45 left at home.


2-thumbs-up!

[inplanotx]

Gator, you are absolutely correct! Welcome to TFF! Glad to have you aboard.

[merc]

sometimes I carry a 9mm
sometimes a 44 special
sometimes a .380
sometimes a .32
sometimes a .22

They are all better than rocks
If you need a gun for protection from some dirty low life rest assured that all you have to do in most cases is pull it out and the low life will take off. They don't think ballistics---their mind see gun and thinks bullet and think pain or death.
show a rock and they will laugh.

[inplanotx]

They are all better than rocks

Amen, brother!

[kingjoey]

Get the Makarov barrel switched for the 9x18 version, lot better manstopper. Outside of that I can only say that I own one pistol in 380, it's a MAC-12 Good manstopper, but a little hard to conceal. Seriously though, you may want to look that the Taurus or Charter Arms 44 Special revolvers. I have an old school Charter Arms Bulldog and it can disappear in a coat pocket quite easily.

[Silencer]

A .380 pistol is excellent for self defense. Provided you can throw it very hard.

A 5 shot .44 special is ideal, because you don't have to throw it to make it effective. Pulling the trigger works just fine.

[Chief101]

I loved the idea of a Charter Arms .44spec. I ordered one in stainless and took it home. A couple of weeks went by before I dug it out and looked over it.........It was horrible...the cylinder would rotate the wrong direction, the cylinder latch wouldn't disengage enough to open the cylinder without banging on the right side of it with your off-hand. To be fair I never gave CA a chance to make it right, a buddy wanted it, even with its problems. I'm not sure if he got running right or not...

OH yeah, the .380. I carry a kel-tec P3AT alot in the summer with shorts and such. The rest of the time a Kimber Ultra.


Steve

[Dave W.]

I have a little Berretta .380, I carry it if it's all I can get away with, but I try to carry one of my 7 shot .357's if it's doable.

Dave

[exexpat93]

Criminals are cowards for the most part unless totally deranged.

Brandishing is not an option. I imagine if you pull you are also going to have to pull the trigger in a really bad situation. Brandishing exposes you if you meet the deranged part of the criminal element who won't stop for nothing.

I am worried about 380 in winter with really thick clothing. Dense wools will slow rounds balistics. I once owned a coat that weighed 30 pounds of compressed wool and that thing was tuff - warm too!

I've owned and carried 380. I did not feel under gunned with my Beretta 84.

I love my Bulgie Makarov (not to be confused with any PA63). I call 9mm Makarov - 380 Magnum. Some people like the term - others recoil in horror LOL!

380 is bare minimum.

Go with a 38 Special or 357 snubby if you need to penetrate clothing and have a balance of power - worked for the police for years.

44 Specials or Magnums - just carry a 45 Long Colt when hunting buffalo.

[Huck Finn]

I have a variety of pistols that I can carry. 99% of the time, it ends up being my Bersa Thunder.380. It hides very well, and it's with me & not left at home. To test the penetration of the rounds, I fired it at a big city (fat) phone book. At around 7 yards, it blew right through the white pages and the yellow pages each time. It's far from scientific, but it was plenty enough to convince me that it will work. Again, the most important issue in self defence is shot placement. Mkae sure you take whichever pistol you pick to the range and practice with it at least every month or two. By the way, I used MagTec hollow points in my experiment.
Hope this helps,
Huck

[Country101]

I would carry a .380 if I didnt have my .45 and would feel confident, but I just like the bigger bullets.

Pistolsmith, I think you would be taking risks by using handloaded cartridges, legally speaking of course. Try to find the hotter factory loads or get a differant gun. Might help keep you out of jail if you ever have to use it. $.02

[AGB]

I use a .380 because it is the largest caliber pistol a civil can carry here, concealed, of course. It is a commander sized 1911 clone in .380 ACP. I have a 45 Govt, and it conceals as good or as bad as the .380. If I could choose a weapon to carry, no restrictions, it would be a 1911 in 45 ACP, but as long as I can't, I use the .380 and feel pretty safe with it. I would not like to have a much smaller pocket sized gun because I feel the accuracy goes down quick.

[Bill]

Good info posted on this thread. But this question is asked so many times and one important aspect never seems to be addressed properly. There is a differnce between concealed carry and pocket carry. If one wants to conveniently carry a gun unnoticed in a pants pocket a 380 is a most convenient choice especially the KeL-Tec P3AT. Its so lightweight and thin you really don't think about it and it doesn't require any special clothing. It's my first choice for pocket carry. If one wants to conceal a holstered gun or a gun covered by jacket, shirt, coat, then by all means the larger caliber guns would be a better choice. Me thinks a distinction should be made between pocket carry and concealed carry. In my humble opinion the 380 is the best choice for pocket carry.
Bill

[Voyager Al]

Hi,Bill....Your right about the P3AT. i carry it if i am awake. I just spent 3 days at a training school, and couldnt carry. I felt naked. Back to work now, and wont leave home without it. That, and a switch.......AL