Why a .380?

M

maustypsu

New member
From a quick ballistics chart check it looks like .38 Spl and +p have the performance edge when it comes to energy, penetration and weight.

You can get a .38 revolver that weighs as little as 13ozs that can be pocket carried.

So why carry a .380? Is it capacity? It just fits you better? Better concealment?

Just curious with the wave of ultra light .38's why guys still carry .380's. Not assuming it's a bad thing or trying to start a ballistics war. Just curious what else might go into consideration.

May end up being a reason to buy another gun, so help a fellow gun nut out!!!
 
I bought my .380 (Bersa) because the gun itself was cheaper than a J-Frame (not including Charter or Taurus guns), three more shots, and I can shoot semi-auto's better than revolvers.

I imagine most of the fascination with the .380 is because it's small, easy to shoot, and semi-auto. Revolvers scare or even sicken some people. After considering the tradeoffs I made the switch to an airweight J-Frame and am steadily growing to love it.
 
People choose .380 pistols for the same reason that they choose 9MM pistols over .357 Mags or .45 pistols over .44 Mags, etc, etc. -- They like the features of a specific pistol over the features of a revolver.

I love them all -- revolvers and pistols -- and caliber for me is really an after-thought. I shoot different pistols because I like different features and abilities for different circumstances.
 
Meant for carry

I love them all
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I agree totally. I wanted to clarify that I'm referring to carrying with the intent of SD.

Shoot 'em all!!! I'll shoot anything from a .22 to a .500 and enjoy any time I hear a "boom".

I guess I'm asking if availability and size were the big draw of a .380 before (big assumption), why are they still popular with the light weight .38's available?

Again, looking for an excuse to buy another gun so please beat up my assumptions...

Thanks -
 
People choose revolvers for simplicity or because they feel they are more reliable.

People choose .38spl over .380 because it tends to penetrate more deeply, especially with expanding bullets that are on the heavy side. .380ACP won't usually penetrate to the FBI recommended minimum depth with expanding bullets and can't handle bullets as heavy as .38spl can.

People chose .380ACP pistols because they offer more capacity than a small .38 revolver, they're usually more shootable and because with light bullets the two calibers are very similar in performance. .380ACP pistols are also flatter and generally smaller and more concealable than the smallest .38spl revolvers and can also be a good bit lighter.
 
When I was looking for a single "Pocket" gun, I couldn't decide, so I thought long and hard, doing my research, and thinking long and hard. I had to save money too.

That was way before the Luger LCP.

There was the cheaper priced Kel-tec .380 which had a spotty rep. The Rohrbaugh .380 which was way out of my price range that I wanted to spend. Then the seecamp .380, and the NAA .380 which I knew little about at the time, but all good "Pocket" guns

The Bersa Thunder was also an option, but not a very good pocket gun, but it still could be carried in the pocket.

At the same time I was considering a S&W Airweight (.38 +P) after shooting an Airlite .357 (13oz) with +Ps and one .357Rem "OUCH!" I put it in my pocket and walk around the range and it really seemed to fit very well in my not loose, but not tight jeans.

I finally got the S&W 638 Airweight Bodyguard .38 +P for the power, and reliability. And I haven't even had the urge to get a .380, especially now.

If, I did get a .380 it would be the LCP hands down, but I don't need one so it's way down the road. But at least I have ammo for one just in case.
 
I have a .38 S&W Airweight. Great gun. Pocket carry? For me it doesn't work too well. The cylinder greats a quite a bulge in my pocket that looks like, well, a revolver in my pocket.

That's were the .380 comes in. To me, the Ruger LCP is a great platform that is an excellent deep concealment option with a good cartridge. It's certainly isn't a .38 special but since there are trade offs involved, having a gun, even a .380, is better than not having a gun at all.
 
Yeah, I think the whole idea behind .380acp (or at least behind its popularity) is the fact that, using that caliber, you can get a pocket-sized gun that beats the heck out of .22lr and .25acp. It may fall short when compared to .38sp, but the guns that use it are generally a bit smaller and more concealable.
 
I have a J-frame (S&W Model 60) and tried to slip it into my briefcase with no printing (I live in a never get a CCW state and work in another never get a CCW state). The LCP I bought fits in a pocket of my briefcase and you dont see it. Thats why the 380.
 
The 380 either P3AT or LCP is smaller than a Jframe, less difficult to hide in pocket.

IMO: non +p 38 VS 380 the difference in power isn't much.

Mag-Na-Ported ported S&W 442:
Winchester Silvertip 110 gr. 821 fps = 165# KE
Ruger LCP:
Hydra Shok 90 gr. @ 878 fps = 154# KE

+p gives the 38 a larger advantage:
Winchester PDX +P 130 gr. @ 848 fps = 207# KE
 
Already noted, but to pile on, I am looking for a polymer .380 only for pocket carry. The lightweight nature, along with decent caliber and SD ammo make it a perfect fit for a lot of people wanting this same thing. If you're going to go with a waist holster, the 380 round makes less sense, the tiny 9mm's are better thin IMO, a Kahr PM9 for instance. I can't comfortably fit any of the small revolvers in my pocket.
 
Why? Because I can fire my .380 better and faster than I can with my snub
.38 and I have double the firepower.

Not a knock on the J frame, just my answer to your question.

I also do not believe that there is a large difference in performance between the two rounds when the .38 is fired from a snub.

Stink.
 
Don't they make a small pocket 9mm Luger?

Why bother with .380? 9mm Luger is more powerful than a .38spl and .380 (9mmx17).

2mm, BFD!
 
I guess I'm asking if availability and size were the big draw of a .380 before (big assumption), why are they still popular with the light weight .38's available?
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I occasionally carry a Bersa Thunder.380 or a Taurus 85UL.

The Bersa holds 3 more rounds. It is a full 10 oz. heavier, but is still light at 23 oz. It's a DA/SA with a MUCH lighter trigger pull in either mode with a 1.5" longer barrel and less perceived recoil - makes it easier/more accurate to shoot. It's slightly larger, but flatter, which - for me - makes it easier to conceal in comparable OWB holsters. It reloads faster.

Although the .38 spcl. +p round generally has better ballistics than the .380 ACP, the modern .380 ACP rounds are nothing to sneeze at.

Bottom line - carry what you shoot best.
 
I do not like the .380 for a defensive round. I don't like the 38 or the 9mm either.

I can't see choosing:
a 10 ounce Ruger LCP that's a bit over 5" long and weighs 10 ounces when you can get . . . .
a Kahr PM9 that is a bit over 5" long and weighs 14 ounces and shoots a 9mm.

Or . . . choose a Kahr PM40 in 40 S&W that is a bit over 5" long and weighs under 16 ounces.

But that is just me. I think every law abiding citizen should get their weapon of choice.
 
I have a 3AT and a .38 snubby. The Kel Tec is so easy to conceal it's ridiculous but the snub is a close second. I today's ammo crazed world I would not suggest a .380 of any brand since bullets for them are scarcer than hens teeth.
 
Airweight / LCP / PM9

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