Five rounds of .38 Special VS Fourteen rounds of .380ACP?

F

FUD

Moderator
This topic has been INDIRECTLY covered a number of times in other threads but I decided to ask it directly ...

I own a Browning BDA380, which is a double stack, 14-round (13+1) traditional DA/SA pistol chambered in the .380ACP caliber. For those that are not familiar with it, think of it as a slightly smaller, junior version of the hi-cap 9mm pistols -- it's not really a pocket gun and it's a little bit large even for concealed carry but depending on your mode of dress, it can be done because people carry even bigger firearms.

Here's the issue ... My wife is not really a shooter but she does know how shoot & safely handle a firearm. She is a pretty good shot with the BDA380 even at 75 feet. She does not do so well with my .38 specials or 9mm's. Ideal, I would prefer her to be a better shot with a larger caliver gun but having a full-time job and being a full-time mother, I'm lucky that I can get her to come out to tha range as often as I currently do -- at least she isn't an anti like her sisters.

I think that my wife is better armed with fourteen rounds of .380ACP than with five rounds of .38 special from my Taurus revolver especially when some of those .38's might miss their mark and more/most of the .380's will be on target. Or, put another way, fourteen solids hits with a .380ACP is a better stopper than five scattered hits with a .38 special.

Am I correct in my way of thinking?

(Just as an FYI for those that might be interested, Browning no longer makes the BDA380 but Beretta is still making a version of it and pre-ban hi-cap mags for it are still available.)
 
I'm a big .38 (especially +P) wheelgun fan myself, but I'd have to vote for what she's good with. If that's the .380, so be it. Better a hit with a .380 than miss with .38.

------------------
"...and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."
Luke 22:36
"An armed society is a polite society."
Robert Heinlein
"Power corrupts. Absolute power - is kinda cool!"
Fred Reed
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by mk86fcc: ... Better a hit with a .380 than miss with .38.[/quote]But what about 14 hits with a .380 compared to 5 hits with a .38?
 
If it were me, I would feel better with the 14 X .380. But one point to consider--semi-autos are more complicated than revolvers. Magazines, rack the slide, safety on/off, SA/DA, etc.

If your wife doesn't practice enough to be able to operate a semi-auto in her sleep, she may be safer with the revolver. It has more intuitive operation. You'll have to ak yourself if you trust her 100% to be able to operate the gun in times of stress. What are the chances she'll forget about the safety, forget to rack the slide, whatever.

If you feel confident with her ability to operate the semi-auto, go for it. Any concerns, you may want to have her use the revolver.
 
Dave, she handles the pistol at the range like a pro -- carrying on a conversation with me while loading, racking, decocking, etc. The issue is not her ability with the gun but the effectiveness of fourteen .380's VS the effectiveness of five .38's against a BG especially if the .380's will be more on target.
 
I think your wife would be much better off with the 14 shot .389ACP which she shoots well rather than a five shot .38 Special she does not do so well with. The .380ACP cartridge has been used as a military round by several countries. It will get the job done in the hands of a good shot and spare 13 round magazines are a real plus.
 
If she's comfortable with the .380 then that's what she should carry. The ammo capacity thing is a non-issue. The first one or two shots will most likely tell the tale.

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Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
 
Fud,

I am not a fan of the 9x17; however, I'd go with the .380 ACP under the circumstances you've described.

Regards.
 
FUD,

Give it up man!

Just give it up. :D geeze

------------------
God, Guns and Guts made this country a great country!

oberkommando sez:
"We lost the first and third and now they are after the Second!(no pun intended)"
 
If she can consistently hit as well with the .38 as the the .380, my preference would be for it. However, I'd have to say that 14 v. 5 is in itself a compelling arguement. Bottom line - whatever she's the most comfortable with is the one she should carry. (My preference for the wheel gun is based largely on the immediate-action drill following a misfire - i.e., pull the trigger again. :D )

------------------
"...and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."
Luke 22:36
"An armed society is a polite society."
Robert Heinlein
"Power corrupts. Absolute power - is kinda cool!"
Fred Reed
 
FUD,

.380 is my pocket gun of choice. Against non-armored targets dressed for semi-tropical climates, it sounds like a winner. Hornady makes good loads for .380 too, and Hydrashocks are always an excellent way to end an unwanted social encounter.

Good luck,

Ledbetter
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by KaMaKaZe: ... Give it up man! ...[/quote]Exactly what are you talking about? I'm a little slow sometimes -- lack of sleep, you know.
 
.38 Special equals five .357 calibre holes in and five .357 calibre out.

.380 equals 14 .355 calibre holes in and 14 .355 calibre holes out.

It really is a no-brainer. I would caveat this to say the .380 will probably need more TLC/maintenance assuming she is carrying in a purse.
 
Most DGUs are deterrent anyway, so carrying a gun is most of the game.

Training is the issue. One can train to shoot either well. If you can't go to a pro for training, then go for the one that she likes.

Most DGUs that involved shooting only go to 2 to 3 rounds so the debate between 5 and 14 isn't the probabilistic reality anyway.
 
I think that standard .38Sp and .380 are pretty closely matched, so I think that fourteen rounds should easily be as effective as five of the .38Sp. If she's a decent shot with the .380, and puts even half of those rounds in a BG, that should stop most attacks.
 
Hmmmm....the 380 is a Mouse Gun. Period.

If one can learn to shoot a 380 one can certainly learn to shoot a .38.

Capacity really is a non-issue for civilian personal defense.

Personally if it were my wife I would encourage her to learn & master the .38 and then work uo to a low-end .357 load like the Winchester 110 grain .357 semi-jacketed hollow point.

[This message has been edited by WebHobbit (edited September 11, 2000).]
 
If you compare a snubby revolver to a typical semi-auto, the .380 and .38 spl are nearly identical. For example, in the 2" barrels the .38 spl is not any more effective than a semi-auto with a 3" barrel (most semi-autos have AT LEAST a 3" barrel). Thus, you are better off with 14 rounds of .380 than only 5 of .38 spl since the 2" snubs are not any more effective than .380's anyway. From a 3" revolver, the .38 spl does gain more power than the .380 ACP, but IMO I would rather have a few more rounds than the increase in power (in the case of multiple perps)...
 
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