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how lethal is the .380 acp round?
- Thread starter 357 mag
- Start date
There is no doubt that a more powerful round is better but Shot placement is still what is going to determine how fast the target goes down. If shot placement is the same the target will most likely go down faster if hit with the more powerful round. I know a cop that shot a BG 4 times with a .45, 185 HP rounds, didn't knok him down, the guy turned and walked across the street and fell. Still alive to this day. None of the rounds hit him in the head, neck, or backbone.
How about the Mississippi woman who was shot thru the brain with a 380 (thru & thru), survived, and then made tea for the investigating officer.
If the same shot had been made with a 9mm para bullet, which is heavier and travels significantly faster, it is likely that the victim would be immediately (and permanently) stopped.
The bullet went thru her brain in a very lucky path that did not hit the lobes. the 9mm is the same dia. as the 380 and would have had the exact same outcome. It being faster and heavier would not have made a difference. the dia. is what mattered in that shot.
LockedBreech
New member
How about the Mississippi woman who was shot thru the brain with a 380 (thru & thru), survived, and then made tea for the investigating officer.
If the same shot had been made with a 9mm para bullet, which is heavier and travels significantly faster, it is likely that the victim would be immediately (and permanently) stopped.
Have carried the Sig P238, ankle BUG, but prefer the PPK in 32 ACP for that role. Better cartridge.
Carry a 9mm, 40 cal, 44 spl or 45, and survival chances improve.
Phineas Gage took a gunpowder-propelled railroad spike to the brain and lived. Flukes happen. The vast majority of folks shot in the head or heart aren't getting up, .380 or .45 ACP.
I made a neat hand-sized group with my LCP at ~20 yards today. Shot placement. I can put those rounds where I need them, quickly, and while one .380 round is marginal, seven of them delivered rapidly center mass will do the trick enough for me to get the heck out of there and call 911
Beagle45ACP
New member
Lethal enough for me to carry one with confidence.
Lethal enough that I would prefer to not be shot with one.
Even though I haven't gotten my CCW yet, once I do, I'll be looking into a .380 because of this line of thought right here.