.380 vs .45 -

R

roboat

Inactive
I have a Kel-tec P3AT .380 7+1 and I have questions about shot placement and stopping power vs a big gun.

If a BG with a .45 is within range, say 20 feet, but not facing me (yet)
and I decide to engage him with my .380, where should I place my shots?
 
Regardless of the caliber used by your or your attacker, most experts would advise that you aim for center of mass.
 
Facing away from you, there's no threat to you. Despite the fact that he has a firearm, if you shoot him in the back, you're fornicated. The 'Code of the West' is still alive, well and just as stupid.
 
So maybe the BG is about to shoot a family member. There could be plenty of reasons to not run away and that would justify shooting with his back turned.
 
Facing away from you, there's no threat to you. Despite the fact that he has a firearm, if you shoot him in the back, you're fornicated. The 'Code of the West' is still alive, well and just as stupid.
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In some states, TX is one I know of for certain, you can use deadly force on behalf of another under the same sorts of circumstances that they could use deadly force on their own behalf.

There is nothing in the deadly force statutes in TX that would indicate that shooting someone in the back would invalidate an otherwise valid claim of legal self-defense.
 
Meed more information

I don't mind reading about what people envision in their nightmares of personal defense. AFTER ALL, you can gain defensive experience by getting into a lot of fights or by reading and thinking through what others invision as catastrophic events. I guarantee you that if you practice the former you will pick-up many physical (ohwee's), mental ones hurt a lot less.

However, it's hard to practice mental gymnastics with only half a story, Kinda like half a training exercise, it really doesn't get you anywhere!

In this one caliber isn't and tactics are important.

Good Luck, Be Safe
 
Thanks. I did not intend to pose a wild hypothetical. I didn't phrase my question right.

If a BG has a large caliber, and you have a .380 and the element of surprise, is it likely you that you can disable him before he shoots you?

Or is more likely that he will NOT be incapacitated and will instead return deadly fire?

It seems this general situation could cover a wide variety of encounters: attempted carjacking, street robbery, etc. where the armed BG is not expecting you to be armed.

I apologize if my question is still inappropriate for this forum. Still learning the ropes here.
 
Scattergun, just read your post. Thanks.
You may have answered my concern when you said caliber is not important. That would greatly simplify things.
 
Let my now say more

Roboat,

I deliberately keep my previous answer short, waiting for more info. NOW here is the rest of the story. I think what you are asking is "DOES OVERWELMING FIREPOWER WIN SIMPLY BY IT'S POTENTIAL." Short answer NO.

I said "caliber is not important" because you have chose in your nightmare to confront the boogie man with a .380. That is, what it is. Hopefully NOT ONE OF US would by choice go into harms way with a handgun of any caliber, we would choose something more substantial "like a 105mm beehive round", or a good battle rifle or a scattergun.

The problem is that living out side of a combat zone, in a world in condition white, it requires us to live with other precedences besides immediate survival. These other things (jobs, public perception, kids, distractions, in some manner even our own comfort) get in the way of our personal protection goals. AND THEN THE WORLD CHANGES FROM CONDITION WHITE AT PEACE, AND BECOMES CONDITION RED, (in the SHI_!). And there we are with a .380, and a predator with "a big old gun" 20 feet away.
Is that an adequate SITREP?

If so here is my answer,

Rule #1 In a gunfight, have a gun, any gun will due. .380 is a minimum defensive caliber, but we talked about that above.

Rule#2 In a gunfight never stop, never quiet, never surrender. The mere presence of superior firepower does not guarantee you will lose.

Rule#3 If it is time to fight, strike him first with as much firepower as you have.

At 20 ft with a small handgun and your hands trembling and epinephrine coursing thru your body, hits are going to be hard to get, my best advise is pick the biggest piece of meat and shoot the hell out of it, if that does not work reload and pick another spot and shoot the hell out of it.

Trust me, it is VERY hard to instantly ratchet up our souls to be savage and aggressive while living in the normal peaceful world, your survival will depend on how quickly you accomplish that, more than the power factor of the handgun in your holster. Be nice to have a couple of extra mags with this one, sometimes FerFAL is right.

Hope this helps

Good Luck, Be Safe!
 
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Facing away from you, there's no threat to you. Despite the fact that he has a firearm, if you shoot him in the back, you're fornicated. The 'Code of the West' is still alive, well and just as stupid.
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What?

So if the bad guy will, as soon as he turns around, shoot me, I have to wait until he does so, to defend myself?
 
Size wont matter when you get a few freebies

If he has a gun and you have a _________ but does not know your their, but you HAVE to stop him for someone else's protection. You should take ______ (fork, knife, letter opener, bat, improvised club, brick, paper weight etc) and visit upon him (in the softest spot closest to the spine) strikes with such force and repetition that they drop said gun allowing you & other victum time to grab his gun and run away with you.
I have always thought of the "protect my self and others" as every lawful citizens responsibility against villains and criminals but I am sure someone can justify the run away and eventual call the cops look at things too.
 
A reply about running away

RAHATTO,

Years and years ago one of my firearms mentors forced me to write rules for concealed carry, a lesson I wish others would be forced to do. Over the years I have refined them, borrowing when I found better. I would like to give credit, just can't remember what I pinched form whom!

As a LEO there is a code for concealed carry it differs as a civilian.


Please have a go at rule #3

My Five Rules for CONCEALED Carry


1. My concealed handgun is for protection of life only.

Draw it only in preparation to protect myself or my family from the willful and wanton life-threatening actions of another.


2. Know exactly when I can use my gun.

A predator must have or reasonably appear to have:

the ability to inflict serious bodily harm or death upon me. (He is armed)

the opportunity to inflict serious bodily harm. (distance, body type, position)

his intent indicates that he means to inflict serious bodily harm or death upon me. (mere words are not enough) When all 3 of these element are in place simultaneously, THIS IS A THREAT STIMULUS!
The response to threat stimulus ; zero muzzle, flash sight picture, exercise trigger control, deliver a minimum response.

3 If I can move away safely - THEN RUN
If I force a confrontation I risk the possibility of myself or a family member being killed, criminal liability, arrest. I will flee if I cansafely, fight only as a last resort.
The BEST gunfight that ever was, was the one that never happened!


4 Display my gun, go to jail.

I should expect to be arrested by the police at gunpoint, and be charged with a crime anytime I expose my concealed handgun to another citizen in public! I must continue to perfect a carry method that keeps my pistol reliably hidden from the general public view. Before I deliberately expose my pistol in public, I must ask myself "is this issue worth going to Jail".

5. Don't let my emotions get the best of me.

THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR YOU. If, despite my efforts, I do get into some kind of heated dispute with another while I am armed, never mention, imply, or exhibit my pistol to intimidate. (SEE EVAN'S STUFF, AND READ AGAIN & AGAIN)

To all of those I have browed from, take pity on me, for your words were far better than mine.

Good Luck & Be Safe
 
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If a BG has a large caliber, and you have a .380 and the element of surprise, is it likely you that you can disable him before he shoots you?
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In a hostile situation, the caliber of the weapon(s) is one of the least important parts of the equation.
 
to answer what looks like the intent of the question, I think 8 rounds of .380 would drop your BG with a 45. however, if you had cover available, i would recommend using it in case he can turn and get a round or two out. a mag of 380 should be enough to kill the attacker, but we are talking about stopping power right? you want him to go down and drop the gun. even if you have the 45 and him the 380 there could be a chance of him turning on you and shooting back. shot placement is #1. I have a p3at myself and know from experience 20 feet is a long distance to that little gun, also you need to shoot it often with the ammo you intend to carry. i had a lot of extractor problems with mine for a while. there is a kel-tec owners group (google KTOG) and most problems on those little guns are easy to fix. if not there is always the warranty. Missing shot 1 and standing there with a jammed gun would certainly not be the answer. Hope I was helpful.
 
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