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380 not so wimpy after all.

11K views 155 replies 29 participants last post by  soundguy 
#1 ·
Story in my local paper today. Woman here's someone in her apartment, pulls her compact .380, her door is forced open, she shoots thru the door hitting the person in the torso, putting him down and in the hospital in critical condition. When, if he recovers, there will be questions. ( he was one of 3 room mates in the apartment, so its an odd deal. The who, why, hasn't been established, the 3rd party I being questioned, etc, why was the door trying to be forced, etc )

Beyond that.. Sounds like a 380 was plenty enough to put an average adult down into crit condition with a single torso shot.
 
#8 ·
Ammo has come a long way in the last few years. Those who make the 380 guns and ammo want a "larger" piece of the market so it makes sense better ammo would come out since it had a stigma of a weak round in the not so distant past. Then again, same with larger calibers. The caliber war continues. But it's harder to get more dead than dead. But I'm sure the 45 cal folks will figure out a way to do so in the ads.
 
#11 ·
A company named Lehigh Defense makes a solid copper .380, 65 gr bullet that can be loaded to 1086 fps at 5' from a 2 3/4" barrel using Alliant BE 86 powder. It penetrates close to 18" (i.e. FBI Protocol). The bullet resembles the tip of a Phillips head screw driver, no hollow point to clog.

Having said that, I wouldn't choose a .380, if I had a choice, to defend myself.
https://www.lehighdefense.com
 
#16 ·
18" is over penetration in some cases, but what if the shot you have to take is from the left, or right side, of the BG? Now you need a bullet that will give you 18" of penetration thru the arm, and into the chest cavity (vital organs).
 
#18 ·
We need a smart bullet, that calculates density and dimensions via RF pulse, travels half way thru, then activates a micro detonation that makes the round open up to 4x diameter then fragment causing 4 wound channels and dropping all its energy into the target, with no exit. A micro GPS RFID grain in the base of the bullet could then be tracked via a serial number on the inside of the box flap given to authorities, in case perp ran or body hauled off by accomplices.

These of course need to be cheap to cast at home and easy to hand load. ;)
 
#24 ·
One of my cousins was killed with one shot form Rohm .22 caliber revolver, loaded with shorts. Heart shot at about 4 feet. And I know a woman that is crippled for life after being shot in the gluteus maximus with a .25 caliber pistol, loaded with ball ammo.
 
#25 ·
It really depends on where the bullet hits. If you hit the chest and miss a rib going in it will come out the back. Hit a rib and it will not.
If I shoot you in the knee no matter what cal. it is you will not be walking towards me. You will be going down. If the person you are shooting at has a gun and is shooting at you then a kill shot is needed. And any cal. to the head or heart will stop a person.
Mike
 
#32 ·
I do not want 3 bad guys to come after me. If they do, I am confident my Glock 42 can handle them.
Just like a lot of CCW weapons, the problem isn't the caliber, the problem is the capacity.
I also carry a little .380 pocket pistol, just hope I never have to use it against 3 bad guys. There is a reason you hear cops firing dozens of rounds and only a couple hitting their mark. The situation is fluid, stressful and hard to anticipate.
 
#33 ·
I like the bigger bullets, .44 & .45. Usually one hit to the torso is all you need.
 
#34 ·
My Ruger Blackhawk .44Mag is much more accurate and has much more stopping power than my LCP .380 Auto. However, the LCP is MUCH easier to conceal and, in many situations, I do not have to be AS concerned about hitting the innocent behind the aggressor, or if I miss, the collateral damage on the other side of the wall. Hunting, beside my bed, in close quarters where conceal isn't necessary it is nice to have the .44 close by. Crowded, public places, the LCP will work just fine. Just my opinion, please allow me to be right or wrong, depending on your opinion.
 
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