quote:

Originally posted by egregore:
Its niche is mostly for pocket-sized guns like the LCP, which aren't really "fun" at the range.

That would be my thought.

I have an LCP chambered in .380 ACP. Carries comfortably in a front pocket or, in gym shorts, like this:



I carry it when anything larger is precluded for whatever reason(s).

The presumption that .380 is now some red-headed stepchild seems odd to me.

Never before have I seen so many small weapons available in the chambering, and all of the ammo makers have a defensive/tactical load for the caliber.

It used to be if you wanted a 380, not only did everyone laugh at you, but you could only get one in a ppk or fancy berretta 8x style weapon, and you'd only be able to load it with ball.

With all the ladies getting strapped I would say we are in a .380 rennisance of sorts.

Enjoy your weapon, for it fulfills the first rule of gunfighting: Have a gun.

Carry the LCP Max 380, very light, since gym shorts are normal here it's easy to conceal in the pocket and since it's not a range toy, ammo costs really isn't a big thing, especially when you get into self defense rounds for carry.

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:
A less capable cartridge for more money than 9mm.
No longer a gun size advantage.
Fewer gun options than 9mm.

220-9er hit it right on the head.
Rod

I have an LCP Custom in a pocket somewhere everyday regardless of what might be on my belt. I have the LCP Max and have about 200 flawless rounds through it and might carry it one day. Nothing wrong with a S&W Bodyguard either, true double action.

FWIW I think we may see an uptick in .380 as the number of older gun owners increases. .380 has a lighter recoil depending on pistol configuration. Tip barrels like the Beretta's are a decent option for folk that cannot rack slides, the Eze line from S&W also reduces the amount of effort required to rack the slide.

quote:

Originally posted by sigfreund:
Every decision relating to self-defense and its weapons involves compromises. For the person who cannot properly and effectively operate or shoot a 380 Auto-sized handgun in 9mm Luger, then a useful compromise is to choose the less powerful cartridge. For anyone else, though, a 9mm makes more sense.

Is it possible to have a defensive handgun that’s too powerful? Yes. Dirty Harry would have been better off with an S&W model 27 or 19 in 357 Magnum rather than a 29 in 44 Mag. But that isn’t true of choosing 9mm over 380.

I think it's been some time since you have shot full house 357 Magnums from a model 19. I suspect they may actually hurt more than a 44 Magnum out of a model 29. However never having been foolish enough to test drive a model 29 it's just a guess. It's why my model 19 has nice big fat Pachmayr grips on it. While a bit ugly they do make the recoil much more manageable. It's also why my model 620 has 500 Magnum grips on it.

People just don't have a clue as to how powerful a 357 Magnum can be and consider the 9mm Para to be "hot". It's not. The good news is that is powerful enough to do the job and it's relatively easy to control in a light weight handgun.

As for the 380, it's a good choice for those who can't manage or tolerate too much recoil. The downside is that shot placement becomes critical, so weekly practice is advisable. As for the cost for 380 ammunition, just like the 410 it's something that is very inexpensive to reload and very expensive to purchase new. If you are going to carry a 380 you should really be set up to load 380.

quote:

Originally posted by Scooter123:
However never having been foolish enough to test drive a model 29 it's just a guess.

There’s the difference between you and me: My comments aren’t guesses. I have owned models 19/66 and models 29/629 since the early 1970s, and although it’s been a few years since I have fired either, at one time they got the majority of my handgun workouts. I am therefore very familiar with what they’re like to shoot, including with full power factory loads.

But my point wasn’t based merely on felt recoil, but rather ballistic effectiveness, and for defensive use against human beings the 357 S&W Magnum cartridge is more than good enough without unnecessarily excessive power that increases the danger to others. Being aware of what’s beyond our target is a fundamental firearms safety rule that applies to all cartridges, but some pose more dangers than others. If, however, one can’t handle shooting a model 19, (and I’m pretty sure that DH could have), that’s why I also mentioned a model 27: same size as a 29, heavier than a 29 (I believe, but won’t bother checking), and a less powerful cartridge = less felt recoil as a bonus.

None of which, of course, has anything to do with this thread.

99% of the time I can carry a P365 which has better ballistics, more capacity, and shoots better than any .380 I've ever fired. With that in mind, there's no real reason for me to carry a .380 at this point.

quote:

Originally posted by Scooter123:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by sigfreund:

As for the 380, it's a good choice for those who can't manage or tolerate too much recoil. The downside is that shot placement becomes critical, so weekly practice is advisable.

Is that a nice way of calling me old?
I’m 55, not 85.

quote:

Originally posted by Vaftocr:

quote:

Originally posted by Scooter123:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by sigfreund:

As for the 380, it's a good choice for those who can't manage or tolerate too much recoil. The downside is that shot placement becomes critical, so weekly practice is advisable.

Is that a nice way of calling me old?
I’m 55, not 85.

I'm now 69 years old. Still hard to believe that, I still remember being 28 like it was yesterday. One thing I have learned is that disabilities don't always come with age. All I'm saying is saying is that for some it may be their only choice. When, of if, that happens it is possible to compensate by insuring that you can place every shot where it's effective.

While I don't personally carry a 380 pistol the day may come when it's my only choice.

Mrs. Mike carries one for her EDC. Yes it’s a little cartridge, but I don’t wanna get shot by one. And she’s a damn fine shot

There’s still love for the 380. I consider it the minimum caliber and carry it in non permissive environments. Kahr PM380 still works for me

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:

quote:

Originally posted by 400m:
My P238 is so manageable and more than accurate enough. Not to mention it is easy to hide. I enjoy carrying mine.

I love mine too. Colt gets most of the credit for its clever design, but SIG gets credit for its good quality of manufacture.

I like the P238 as well. Also, it fits my wife's hand.
But, yeah... the 9mm is more capable than the .380 so it's not very popular anymore.

I love my little .380s. I have a Glock 42, Remington RM380 and Ruger LCP.

I’d like to eventually get an LCP Max. Mine see a lot of carry time at the ball field and a backup when I’m in uniform, which is rare these days.

Love mine!

^^^^^
Nice pistol! I’ve long wished that SIG would make a long slide version of the P238.

I had a beautiful G42 and posted pics of her a couple of times. But, when I added the Wilson Combat grip module to my P365, it became my main carry gun.

Still have a LCP Max 380 in my front pocket, but it's a back-up. I love it and plan to keep it as long as I can carry.

Bob

This message has been edited. Last edited by: straightshooter1,

Everytime I leave my house, there is a 380 auto in my hip pocket. I have no plans to change.

Dirty Harry Callahan shot 'Light Special Loads' out of his Model 29.

I was a bit disappointed to learn that my second favorite bad-ass hero used bunny-fart ammo in "Magnum Force", 1973.

Next, we'll find out Homer Simpson has been drinking Duff Lite all these years.