.380 For Concealed Carry?

Sundance,
Rest assured my friend that I value your opinion and enjoy conversing pro's and con's on all subjects, My terminology was just that, and to carry it further in your sense I have seen men blown out of their boots/tennis shoes with the right gun;) My point being that a 380 will indeed produce a KIA, I too carry a 45,However there are times I prefer to carry lighter, I feel very comfortable with the 380, However I will agree with you to the fact that if a person is not confident with their skills in hitting mass or center of, Than they do need a larger calibre, Except a miss with any short of say a 105 is going to be a miss.
I have never been comfortable with a ankle holster but have seen those that are quite expert at using said holsters.
I do not attack you sir, I simply have a different (oh oh) opinion:D

Bobcat
 
Sundance, your opinion is just as welcome as mine. I do get testy don't I? ;) Gotta cut down on my caffeine intake.

To be honest, I could probably carry a 45 on my ankle (it's about as fat as a honey baked ham). Just can't bend over to reach it. :eek:
 
I do like the high speed ammo. In fact I have some .38 with plastic bullets that go REAL fast!!!

The unique design of the three piece, high speed, QuikShok bullet however has proven to do better in large fruits and vegetables than anything else BY FAR. My son and I have done limited tests on predators as well and they reacted similar to watermellons and pumkins!!!

And QS are far more affordable! :)

I also like Corbon HP a lot and FMJ.
 
Jody, Sundance, Cruzer

Here is just one of the real decision makers in your gun, Here is a new ammo you see advertised, I contacted the developer and asked about tests performed, Here is his reply, I warn you it is not for the skemmish (sp), It is blunt and to the point.

Bobcat

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Bobcat
Thank you for the invite to respond to the questions i have seen asked. Hope this information is helpful in answering their questions and concerns.

We test using 10% of N&K gel. Our blocks are 6x6x14 in. Shot from a distance of 7 - 10 yards. Calibration of the block is done before shooting. We get an average across the board of all calibers around 7- 9 in of horiziontal penetration. We can't measure the penetration from left to right because it blows out the side of the block runnning in gashes anywhere from 3- 5 in. long. There will be some gel pics in the catalog.

True, gel is a good media to test in but lacks A LOT in comparision to actual bone and organ tissue. We have made bullets that reacted great in gel but when tested in 450lb hogs shot straight through. On the other hand we have made bullets that would shoot straight through 14 in of gel but in hogs dropped them with one shot. We first made the bullets work effectively then we made them work in gel so they would be accepted. Because if it doesnt perform in gel people and departments won't buy it.

We have taken 180 - 200lb Russian Boars with our 115 gr prototype round, just prior to us showing up at the hunting ranch the guy had taken a police officer out on a hunt using his duty 9mm and Gold Dot ammo. It took him 2 clips and 3 rounds from his 3rd clip to kill the hog. I asked the guy yea but how many times did he hit it. His repy every time he fired. It took us 1 shot through their thick should bone with a 9mm 115 gr round fired from a Kahr. With each instance the dogs had been fighting with the pigs at the time they were shot.

The next instance I know is certainely not considered a lab test and I know I 'll receive some creative comments about it. But the neighbor above me caught a 25 - 30 lb snapping turtle. At the time we were working on our 5.56 using a 65 gr bullet travling around 2800 fps. (Please no PETA fan mail) Hung the turtle up turned flat side to us backed 10 yards, shot when examining the turtle there was no exit wound but the inside of the turtle would slosh around when we shook him back and forth.

I feel the ultimate test came when a friend of mine that raises hogs asked me to come out and harvest a hog that was getting a little out of hand tearing down fences and getting out. I took a 9mm 124 gr. When I got out of the truck and seen the size of the hog (1050lb) I seriously doubted the bullet would do it. The hog was lured in with corn, as she was eating her head would bob up and down, from 5 yds away as I pulled the trigger she raised her head quickly causing me to put the shot through the snout instead of the head. Defiently not a vital organ shot. Long story short we had to chase the hog into the high weeds to finally get a gut shot on her as she went running buy. The hog went about 7 - 10 yds before going down, did kick and squeel for roughly 5- 10 min before dying.

I'd be crazy to say that we have the magic bullet that does everyting cause we don't. Our Fang Face ( not the one pictured in the ad) is a serious street round where as our Air Freedom Round was designed for interior walls and airplanes. Each one designed for a particular situation.

We have just released rounds last Dec so no Departments have adopted it yet but several here and some abroad are taking a look at it.
Sorry this reply was so long but I hope I answered a lot of the peoples questions. I'll check in again to see if this reply has raised any more questions.

jm
 
No reason to carry a .380 with all the small 9mm around like the Kahr MK & PM. Same size with more power.
 
I have an older Astra Constable. Sound little gun. Thin and trim.
I carried it for quite a few years and never felt under gunned. I bought a Kel-Tec P40 and the Astra stays at home now. More power is nice, but rest assured, a hit with the high quality .380 hollow point will make a soul wish he were not born. I used Hornady 90 grain hollow points and never looked back. Hope this helps.
 
Ditto Zorba. I see no reason to go with the .380. I think it is an obsolete cartridge myself. When you can carry a Kahr MK9 or MK40 that is equal or smaller in size to .380 pistols why would you want to buy a .380 other than fun (like a Walther PPK - and even there I would go with a .32).

Since a .380 is not a quantum leap over the .32 in stopping power and you want to go really light and small, a Keltec P32 is simply an amazingly easy gun to conceal. Put it in a good pocket holster and let it disappear in you pocket.

If you already have a good .380 fine, but if you are shopping, there are better choices.
 
Tim, I just went through this myself. Decided on the Kahr MK9 Elite. From my perspective, it offers the best all around balance between effectiveness and size. The smallest in the lineup I was considering was the Guardian 380, the largest was the MK9.

The KelTec P32 is almost identical in overall dimensions, off by about 1/4" in length, height, and width, but given a choice between 9mm and .32, I'll go with the 9, for the power of that round, and also for variety of ammo choice.

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=100296

This website is missing some models (like the NAA Guardian .380), but it is still a very nice comparison.
http://www.smallestguns.com/
 
Just my wife's choice???

Interesting subject.

I originally picked up a Bersa 383 in 380 acp for my wife (who is in the process of getting her pistol permit here in NY). I usually carry my sp101 in 357 for CCW.. However, after having worked with this pleasant pistol a few things became apparent.

First, in this pistol, the 380 caliber with all loads are very easy to shoot and recover from. Loads from 90 grain FMJ to Remingtons 102 grain BHP were all digested without a hitch. Over 300 rounds to date. She just doesn't enjoy the 9mmP and above.

Second, this pistol is very accurate and with its better loads (Rem 102s and Win SXTs), it gave groups of 2 - 3" rested at 25 yards. Of note, these loads were centered on the target with the Remingtons only 2" higher.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is sure the 9mm and above are all better stopping cartridges but for my wife this is a gun she will carry often and shoot often (as opposed to carry often, shoot little). It is very reliable, give a good account of itself from 7 to 25 yards, holds a reasonable amount of ammo 8 or 10 and she likes it.

As a matter of fact when she gets her permit I will have to go look for another one as I to really enjoy shooting it and would not feel this least bit undergunned carrying it. JMO....RW
 
380 carry

:eek: I picked up a NIB AMT DAO 380 from an estate sale 2 weeks ago, Its about 6 or 7 years old, from when there quality control was pretty good.

Palm sized 5+1 - 380, 100% reliable through its first 200rds, Trigger is smooth, pretty close to my S&W 342ti, I'd guess it at 10-12lbs, shoots to P.O.I at 10-12ft.

I like it alot, using an old M/D enterprises pocket holster I had for a colt pony.

I ordered new mag,recoil and firing pin springs from wolf because of its age.

Currently carring it with 85g fed. classic JHP's.
:p
 
Ravenwolf

My point exactly, The Bersa Thunder 380 is such a joy to shoot Plus it is a good carry gun, I have lost mine to my wife for the reasons you mention, The 9mm just isn't fun for her to shoot, I am sure the Magtech Golds are going to be fine in the protection dept also, I have to get another if I want mine back. I went out Saturday and I told my wife that she is going to have to give up that 380, I strapped on the 45 after the look I got, and for the occasion I felt Bulked up, I am a large man with large hands and the 380 fits me nicely. I own 380 thru 45 and use the Pt111 the least though I may look into a Ruger 9 . In conclusion I guess I am a firm believer in 380's for carry.

Bobcat
 
.380 for ccw

Heres my experience. I owned a Bersa thunder and a Llama Micromax 380's.. The Bersa is no doubtfully a fine gun and shot well but I feel the Micromax is a better gun and shoots even better. I know a lot of people poo-poos the Llama but after a lil work like polishing the feed ramp and repairing the slide and safety pins from workign their way after many hundred rounds this weapon is one of my favorites..

Frank
 
I frequently carry a NAA Guardian 380 loaded with Hydrashoks. I prefer a 45ACP, but some times the smaller sized pistol is all that I can get away with. Watch-Six
 
I've carried a stainless American Walther PPK in .380 off and on for years. I carry the little gun when I'm going out in a suit--Galco shoulder rig does the trick. I load mine up with Fiocchi FMJ's--the weapon fires them flawlessly at the range.

Never once have I had to produce the gun under duress.

Wouldn't hesitate to call on it if I needed to.

When I'm going out with just a sport coat or a jacket and feel the need to carry, it's always something bigger--USP 40c or a Walther P99 in 9mm--on my hip. It's not because I don't have faith in the .380, it's just that it's only one tool in the tool box and sometimes there's other tools that can do the job better.
 
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