380 vs 32 Auto

N

Nathan

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380 vs 32 Auto vs 40 S&W for pocket carry

Well, I'm seriously trading up on my pocket carry rig.

I have a nice setup of a P32 in 32 Auto. I have a leather pocket holster and a nice spare mag carrier. I carry FMJ's to get the best possible penetration. This is a pretty feeble combo, but I know I would not want to get shot with it.

So, I'm thinking. . .I really want an ultra thin CCW. . .like .75" ish and small enough for the pocket.

Is there a 380 load that will penetrate 12" and expand? Is it worth the effort to switch over to a CW380 or the like. . .Probably a CW380.
 
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In your situation...I have a P32 and wanted more punch...I went with a PF-9. I like it, but there are lots of small 9's out there now. I carry mine IWB, but it goes pretty easy in cargo pants pockets. I still pack the little 32 sometimes. I don't know about .380 Auto, but a good 9x19 defensive round out of my "big" Kel-Tec will certainly penetrate a foot.
 
There are a few options in 9mm that are about the same size as the small .380's. If stepping up, why not bypass .380 and get 9mm, like the Kahr CM9. Granted the .380 is not as underpowered as it used to be with the newer hollow point ammo...
 
The .380 ACP is not "gutless", even in FMJ, but if the added power of the 9mm P is available in the same or only a slightly larger package, the 9mm would be the better choice.

Jim
 
Can someone tell me what 9mm that I should be looking into that is under 0.8" wide?
 
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The gunwriter J.B. Wood called the 32 and 380 two peas in a pod. No real difference between them. At least with FMJ ammo.

Here is a pretty good youtube vid of the 380. I have no problems with using a 32. But then again I am a fan of the 22 for defense. Just having a gun with you is a step in the right direction.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soNdX36P-3E
 
The CW380 is a fine little handgun. I mean...that thing is small. Im keeping a lookout for a used one at a good price. I have a Colt Mustan for a true pocket pistol, but I would like the little Kahr to drop in a pocket while I'm doing those dirty jobs around the house and out around the property.

As far as the power of the .32's and .380's, the guns that shoot them are usually about the same, so I would definitely go with the .380. I was carrying Buffalo Bore Flat Nose Hard Cast 100gr +P, but have since switched to Underwood Ammo's version of the same round. Actually a little faster and less expensive. I usually carry .45 or 9mm, but I certainly wouldnt want to get hit by those nasty little rounds from Underwood. Good luck with your search.
 
For handguns, while bigger is always considered better, is caliber as important as the ability to place many rounds quickly on target?
Are single shot tests meaningful for a self defense round?
 
The .380 gives you heavier projectiles, a little more power, and a wider variety of platforms with a wider reliable selection of modern bullet designs. Except for in the smallest guns, it will usually be a better choice than .32 acp.

Of course, .32 acp is nothing to sneeze at. People knock it but it can definitely do the job if you do yours. It just seems to be a relic from another time, when available materials and technology made it the right choice for a light-duty sidearm. If you've never handled or shot an old Walther PP/PPK or CZ 50/70, I recommend checking one out. From Hitler's suicide shot to the fictional adventures of James Bond, .32 acp has a sweet spot in firearms history.

I'd also consider the other posters recommending 9mm. If you can bare the size increase, it really does mark a step up in power. Some experts consider it the bare minimum for self defense and a lot of civilians and professionals trust their lives to it every day.
 
.32 ACP is marginal

Anything you can do to upgrade is worthwhile. There are premium .380 loads out there that have me rethinking my position on .380 performance.
 
Well, if I go any bigger, I would go Kahr CM40. Actually, that would be a great deal, if it is light enough to wear in gym shorts and the like. I just wonder if it will be too big for a FR or rr pocket gun. My S&W 640 is my large pocket large firepower tool. I really don't want to be that big...

....and there is the hard to shoot factor as pocket guns get more powerful.
 
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Back to the Future...

I picked up a used Interarms-imported Walther PPK/S in .380 the other day - saw it in a gun store, used only lightly, perhaps 20 years or so old (don't know for sure), and I picked it up to check out some .380 ammunition.

I own and carry a Kahr P380 for riding on a motorcycle, so was interested in comparing and contrasting.

I generally carry either Federal Hydra-Shok or the Hornady 90 gr FTX rounds in the Kahr, but this series of tests has sort of aimed me more toward the Hydra-Shok (or one of the other 3 top performers in the test series) as opposed to many of the more well-known options.

Caveat: I don't accept the outcomes and findings of these tests to be the last word in terms of .380 performance, however, I think they findings are at least a datapoint worth your consideration. The testing *appears* to have been performed with some control, consistency, and objectivity.

Your mileage may vary - but here are the results of one guy's work on "the best performing modern .380 rounds":

http://shootingthebull.net/blog/final-results-of-the-380-acp-ammo-quest/
 
I have no issues with carrying .380, but I just don't see any significance on size over the the mirco 9s. I wouldn't go with a .380 simply because the ammo is overpriced IMO. I like to practice with my carry a lot, and don't see a point to pay more for less when the diameter of the round is the same, so in thickness there is literally no benefit to .380 over 9
 
.380 acp

Look at the Walther PK380. Slap on a set of Talon grip overlays and you're in business.

.380 +P ammo gives it the power of a 9mm without the bulk.

I would not recommend a steady diet of +P but for carry, it's the way to go.
 


even the +p loads have less ft lbs than a standard 9mm round. although probably of little difference, what's the benefit from sacrificing anything? the 9mm +p maxes out at 38.5k psi where a .380 runs at max 21kpsi, although there is no specified +p, they usually run around *24kpsi. there just isn't a way to equal the 9mm, especially when your talking about a .380 from a short barrel.

I don't have any dislikes against any caliber, I just haven't heard a justification foor the more expensive but less lethal .380 over the 9mm. whats the dimensions of the smallest 9mm compared to the smallest .380, is there really a difference?

*buffalo bore has 380 +p loadings up to 25.8kpsi
 
Problem is more about the firearms those two come in than the cartridge. Typically, they have crappy sights(if there are sights), crappy triggers and are too small for normal hands.
An FMJ won't expand. Wee bullets need to expand. Mind you, wee bullets beat a knife every time.
 
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