Pocket pistol options: 380, 9mm, 40

There are some 380 loads that get 15in reliably.

And the solid copper rounds from Lehigh so very good penetration.

The ARX as well.
 
I've pocketed my Kahr CM9 on occasion. It's quite doable.

Anything kahr I run from. Jamtastic junk.
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My CM9 has been flawless from day one with a wide variety of ammo. More reliable than my Glock 19, in fact.

Likewise, my father's MK9 has been flawless.

I know there have been issues with .40SW and .45ACP Kahrs, but the 9mm versions tend to be good-to-go.
 
My CM9 has had 400 flawless rounds through it as well, as in not one single fail to do anything, I can't say the same about my Colt 1991. Anyway I digress, as I eluded to earlier, .380's absolutely excel at pocket carry, yes I can pocket carry the CM9, heck I use to pocket carry my 2" SP101 but they did not do it nearly as well as my Bodyguard for example.
 
Jean pockets are not conducive to larger than 380, others are:
Cabela's 7 pocket hiker pants
008086
 
I will use a 380 as a back up, almost never as a primary. I prefer 9mm. I have big pockets and I have been using MP 9 compact as a pocket carry for my back up. This set up works 97 % of the time. I pulled 97% out of the air but it should be close.;)
 
Don P All opinions and I agree with Bill
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So, you think a 380 can incapacitate as quickly as a 45 on a torso hit?
Is that position supported by history or caliber selection by military & police?

The military was historically as happy with 38 caliber as 45 ...:rolleyes:
US police agencies issue 380 caliber pistols instead of 9mm, 40, 45 ... :rolleyes:

Nope.
 
To be fair if a .380 bullet expands fully and penetrates it really shouldn't be much smaller than a 9mm bullet. There are modern .380 loads that can meet both expansion and penetration criteria. Non-CNS or critical organ hits aren't likely to do much .45 or .380.
 
To be fair if a .380 bullet expands fully and penetrates it really shouldn't be much smaller than a 9mm bullet. There are modern .380 loads that can meet both expansion and penetration criteria. Non-CNS or critical organ hits aren't likely to do much .45 or .380.
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I agree. While I prefer a compact 9 with 10+1, I sometimes carry a 380 with 6+1 when circumstances require. I recognize it is a compromise, but I don't lose enough to worry much about it.
 
OK guys- read it again, carefully.
Think about it. Try to understand what I said.

"NO handgun can be relied upon to immediately physically incapacitate unless there is a central nervous system shot. A .380 CNS works as well as a .45."

Hint- key words are "immediately physically incapacitate."
Sheesh!:rolleyes:
 
I have carried a kel-tec P32 for years pocket carry in the summer time especially. In the winter I pocket carry a PF9 or S&W 642 in my coat pocket. The .32 in hand beats the .40S&W on the dresser at home.
 
I carry crossdraw and have no problem concealing everything from a SIG P238 380 up to a SIG P245/Springfield XDm 45, but my primary warm-weather carry is a Kahr CM9. It has been flawless since day one, and I consider it to be one of the finest light carry handguns made. It can be used as a pocket gun if necessary as well, but if I am pocket carrying, it is for a reason.

I pocket carry 380's when I am in flimsier workout shorts or working around the yard/property. Even the very-light CM9 seems a bit too heavy for wear with gym shorts. 380's serve their purpose.

As a side note, in the warmer months I carry Underwood Ammo's 380 +P 90gr XTP JHP, and the few months it might be cool enough in Texas for thick clothes, I carry Underwood's 380 +P 100gr Flat Nose. I've just started to look into their Xtreme Penetrator load as a possible alternative.
 
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If I pocket carry my PF9 which is not very often, it's in a holster. Even though it has a looooong DA trigger pull, I just can't bring myself to carry it with the trigger exposed.
 
The Beretta Pico is another good choice and is especially thin, a good feature for any pocket gun. It has many other desirable features too such as good sights, DAO and a hammer, slide stop and integrated laser (if one likes lasers).
 
If you want to find out how a .380 performs, how about some real live data. I LOVE my Beretta 84B and shoot it very well. These test results convinced me that with the right bullet choice, this little 4" barreled .380 with 14 round capacity didn't leave me undergunned.

http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#380ACP

And 9mm:

http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#9mm

And .40:

http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#40SW

And .45:

http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#45ACP
 
So, you think a 380 can incapacitate as quickly as a 45 on a torso hit?
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Here is what I agree with,
As I said in another thread-
NO handgun can be relied upon to immediately physically incapacitate unless there is a central nervous system shot. A .380 CNS works as well as a .45.
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OK guys- read it again, carefully.
Think about it. Try to understand what I said.

"NO handgun can be relied upon to immediately physically incapacitate unless there is a central nervous system shot. A .380 CNS works as well as a .45."

Hint- key words are "immediately physically incapacitate."
Sheesh!
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I concur as to the reference for folks to read the entire response again with regards to the part of a CNS hit:eek::eek::rolleyes::rolleyes:
 
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