Why buy a 380?

M

meric35

Inactive
This question isn't to start a caliber war, but I am wondering why so many people like the 380 over it's cheaper cousin the 9X18? I recently was looking at a new Bersa or a Used Radon P64/CZ 82. I decided on the P64 mainly because the cost and the size. I was able to purchase my P64 and 20 boxes of Silver Bear ammo for the cost of a Bersa Thunder alone. This gave me a lot of range time to become very familiar with the gun.

Is the something else about the 380 round that I am missing? The data appears that the round is similar if not identical to a 9X18. Only the 9X18 is cheaper.

Thanks
 
I added a .380 for pocket carry.

For me, anything too big to carry in my pocket should be chambered in at least 9mm.
 
Can you fit your 9mm Makarov comfortably in an ankle holster, or in your front pocket? Enter the .380. They're unfomfortable enough to shoot in .380, bump it up to 9mm or even 9x18mm and you're not practicing a whole lot with it.

~LT
 
Can you fit your 9mm Makarov comfortably in an ankle holster, or in your front pocket
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My P64 very easily fits in an ankle holster or my front poket. It is smaller than a PPK.

As far as practing I have already used 10 of the 20 boxes of ammo in just the last month. I generally can only fire 2 boxes through it before my hand quits on me. But in self defense it only hold six rounds anyway.

So again it comes down to cost and ballistics is the 380 round that much better? I have never fired a 380 round so I do not know anything other than a data sheet on them.


Thanks
 
No, the .380 round isn't better than a 9mm .....its just a size issue ....where some people want a smaller and lighter gun ...so they go to a .380 ...

It isn't a bad choice / just not something I need pesonally ...

If you aren't reloading ...then yes, the .380 will cost you more to shoot it. If you reload the .380 and 9mm its a wash ....
 
I can make my .380 hit harder than a 9X18 Makarov if I use Buffalo Bore ammo.

9X18 Makarov +P Ammo - 115 gr. Hard Cast - FN (1,000 fps/ME 255 ft. lbs.)

9X18 Makarov +P Ammo - 95 gr. JHP (1,125 fps/ME 267 ft. lbs.)

Compared to Buffalo Bore's .380 loadings:

380 Auto +P Ammo - 100 gr. Hardcast F.N. (1150fps/ M.E. 294 ft. lbs.)

380 Auto +P Ammo - 95 gr. Jacketed Hollow Point (1125fps M.E. 267 ft.lbs.

Maybe you've got an argument with cost, but there are far more choices of .380's out there to choose from and the ballistics of the .380 vs. the 9mm Makarov are a wash.

The .380 has great value as a "starter gun" if you will. My wife was terrified of guns and very recoil and sound sensitive. She loves her Bersa .380 as the recoil and bang are rather mild. I hope to get her to graduate to at least a 9mm some day, but for now her .380 is better than her pepper spray.

If you aren't reloading ...then yes, the .380 will cost you more to shoot it. If you reload the .380 and 9mm its a wash
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But man those tiny .380 cases are not fun to reload. Granted I have big fingers, but damn I don't enjoy reloading .380s.
 
Other than pocket carry, the main reason is that you can buy a BRAND NEW .380, made by a Western manufacturer, with a full warranty.

Not everyone wants 20+ year old ComBloc surplus, regardless of how cheap it is.
 
With Ruger really trying hard to bridge the gap, we might see the 9x18mm fall further from the light.

Ruger LC9-
lc900.jpg


~LT
 
Used to be the .380 got the nod because of size, particularly for pocket carry BUT with the recent addition of smaller 9mms it's not so much of any issue anymore. I had a Ruger LCP and traded towards a Kahr PM9, which I pocket carry religiously.
 
With the new smaller 9MM's that are out it's a very valid question.
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Yes but those smaller 9mms have alot more recoil than those small .380s

Consider:

Bersa Thunder Concealed Carry weighs 17.9 oz and produces 3.6 ft-lbs of recoil.

Kahr CW9 9mm weighs 17.7 oz and produces 7.7 ft-lbs of recoil.

So the compact 9mm produces twice the recoil of the .380. For experienced shooters this isn't an issue, but for people who are learning there is definitely a market for the .380

When it comes to a hand gun you've got to pick 2 of the 3:

1. Small size/light weight
2. Low recoil
3. Stopping power

You pick 2 of those and the third will be a compromise. The .380 combines small size with low recoil at the expense of stopping power. The 9mm combines small size with stopping power at the expense of recoil.
 
They are sooo cute? Cause everyone else is buying one? Cause I like to spend the same on ammo as my 1911 takes? :) they are small and fit in a pocket. Why not?
 
Yes but those smaller 9mms have alot more recoil than those small .380s

Consider:

Bersa Thunder Concealed Carry weighs 17.9 oz and produces 3.6 ft-lbs of recoil.

Kahr CW9 9mm weighs 17.7 oz and produces 7.7 ft-lbs of recoil.
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That makes sense. My P64 is around 26 oz loaded so it is heavier and the recoil is very noticable even after I replaced the recoil springs. So I can understand wanting a lower recoil gun.

Thanks
 
For some, me included, the .380 ACP makes sense. I don't know why people care if some of us like the .380. A center mass hit with the Buffalo Bore 100 grain hard cast FP will work for sure. Using the "logic" employed against it, why get a 9mm when you can get a .40 or a 10mm.
 
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380 vs 9 mak is a no brainer. There is no factory support for any gun chambered in 9 mak. If something breaks, you're on your own.
 
I bought a .380 as a pocket gun. The Ruger LCP fits that role for me pretty well.

I would not buy a .380 in a 9mm sized gun however. I'm just very picky about pocket carry and and feel that most "pocket guns", like a j-frame snubby, are too big to pocket carry.
 
My LCP is a featherweight, is reliable, and is backed by a manufacturer with a reputation for excellent customer service. It is significantly smaller and lighter than the previous smallest gun in our house - a Beretta Bobcat - and that is chambered in .22LR.

Frankly, I also don't see what the fuss is about LCP recoil. I shoot the thing all day without problems.
 
LawScholar said:
My LCP is a featherweight, is reliable, and is backed by a manufacturer with a reputation for excellent customer service. It is significantly smaller and lighter than the previous smallest gun in our house - a Beretta Bobcat - and that is chambered in .22LR.

Frankly, I also don't see what the fuss is about LCP recoil. I shoot the thing all day without problems.
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+1 for the LCP. Mine has been 100% reliable for over 500 rounds of mixed ammo. I carry it everywhere.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Tablet using Tapatalk Pro.
 
For me, anything too big to carry in my pocket should be chambered in at least 9mm.
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What Sixer said.

There's no 9mm Makarov pistol that I know of that comes close to the small size of the Kahr P380. (As for 9x19mm, everything but the Rohrbaugh is substantially larger than the P380, LCP, and the like.)
 
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