380 as Primary Carry?

[TimtheRef]

How many of you carry a P/CW/CT380 as your primary or solo EDC pistol? If so, what are some of the reasons you trust the .380 as a solid defensive round? Not trying to start the caliber war again, and I know "bigger holes bleed faster," but I'm also continually checking in on what has become my go to choice due to size/weight/concealability. However, I have been grabbing my CM9 more often after what happened in CA last week. So there's that.

[Newman31Bravo]

How many of you carry a P/CW/CT380 as your primary or solo EDC pistol? If so, what are some of the reasons you trust the .380 as a solid defensive round? Not trying to start the caliber war again, and I know "bigger holes bleed faster," but I'm also continually checking in on what has become my go to choice due to size/weight/concealability. However, I have been grabbing my CM9 more often after what happened in CA last week. So there's that.

The CM9 is a small pistol defiantly small enough to hide good. I just picked up a Glock 42 with night sights in a trade and I like it so I will carry it, I look at it as better than a sharp stick [emoji23] I'm just a glass half full kind of guy. But in all seriousness even a 9mm is not going to fight off two terrorist with rifles and body armor (just saying). But I will gladly die trying. Back on topic, the .380 in my opinion is not too bad and it's even easier to hide cause of the size of the subcompact pistols that chamber it. If I shoot someone square in the face with a .380 they will drop same with major organs it just might take a few more rounds.


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[b4uqzme]

I occasionally, albeit rarely, carry my MDE380 as a primary. Reason? It's better than nothing.

[yqtszhj]

At arms length a .380 in the right place will do it. I carried a .380 lcp for a long time till I went to a j-frame then most recently a 9mm lcr. I just like the shape of the revolver over rhe semiautomatic (for now anyway). Oh and I always front pocket carry.

[RonW]

How many of you carry a P/CW/CT380 as your primary or solo EDC pistol? If so, what are some of the reasons you trust the .380 as a solid defensive round?

With that being said, Massad Ayoob said in his book "Deadly Force", that .380 is the absolute minimal caliber considered for self defense. He went on to mention that we should use a caliber proven to stop lethal assaults quickly. That would be 9mm - .45auto

Now me personally I have carried .380 (M&P Bodyguard & Bersa thunder .380) as my primary after I initially received my CHL. I quickly sold them as my then new at the time M&P Shield 9 was no bigger or smaller, yet more powerful & lighter than the Bersa. 9mm ammo overall is less expensive than .380. Then after researching online such as You Tube & historical data regarding .380 in shootings I have determined that .380 is not for me. I sold my Bodyguard & purchased a Kahr CM9 as my "pocket" pistol. My Primary is a Kahr K9 however...

I do believe that a gun is better than no gun however there are too many stories/evidence that .380 & smaller calibers, just don't get the job done, and how much is your life worth?

[GROTMAN]

Didn't know they made a 9 mm lcp. Fall through winter I mostly carry my pm9 but wear shorts a lot spring and summer and then usually have the lcp on me. As b4uqzme said its better than nothing.

[yqtszhj]

Didn't know they made a 9 mm lcp. Fall through winter I mostly carry my pm9 but wear shorts a lot spring and summer and then usually have the lcp on me. As b4uqzme said its better than nothing.

You got me, lcr 9mm.

[DXTAC]

380 as Primary Carry?

With the advancements in ammo technology the 380 is a very viable option for EDC. I EDC my CW380 loaded with Polycase ARX and am actually considering selling my CW45 as I find it's much easier to conceal the 380 and the Poly hits fast and hard and leaves a rather impressive wound cavity.
The way I look at it is I would rather carry and be very proficient with my 380 every day than sometimes carry my 45. I do carry 1 extra mag so I carry 6+1 and an extra 6. I may look into the magguts for an extra two rounds. That's my 2 cents.


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[DavidR]

380 as Primary Carry?

There have been advances in 380 ammo that significantly improve it's effectiveness. I value penetration over expansion so I carry either Lehigh XP or XD in my LCP and am comfortable that within 7 yards it is lethal.

Truthfully I'd like to carry a 9mm but being small, lean and living in a hot climate, the only thing that works for me is to pocket carry a 380.


Dave

[kenemoore]

To quote my coworker: it is way better than a pointy stick

[muggsy]

I carry my P380 when ever I can't carry my CM9. It makes the same size 9MM holes and with the right ammo gets more than adequate penetration. Getting shot by a .380 will ruin anyone's day. I've never had anyone volunteer to stand in front of my P380 to prove me wrong.

[berettabone]

I would feel vastly underpowered carrying .380......................yeah, I know, I wouldn't want to stand in front of one.................I wouldn't want to stand in front of a .22 cal either, but I wouldn't carry one of those either. All this fancy Lehigh this, XTP that................crock. If you put a .380 between someone's eyes, it would definitely do the trick. If you can put 4 or 5 quick ones to the heart, that may do the trick. If your under 15 yds. it may do the trick. If you carry the .380, I hope you can do all of the above under pressure, otherwise, it may not be good enough. I would rather have overkill, and be able to do it with a much larger caliber. More damage.......even if your a lousy shot, .380's might not do much to legs, arms, etc. Big booolits do................................................ ...AMHO.

[RonW]

Ghandi was assassinated with a Beretta M1934 .380. He was shot 3 times point blank range in the chest & died several hours later. In Massad Ayoob's book "deadly Force" there was a shooting he mentioned where the good guy had a .380 that was being charged by a lunatic that attacked him & his wife, it took 7 out of the 8 hollow point .380's in his Sig P230 to stop the guy..

I'm sorry but as far as .380 for my personal protection or my wife's? Count me out...

[Shoop]

9mm has about a third more foot pounds of energy. I think a .380 is fine. If you're so worried about it you should carry a .45 .. but don't miss.

Anyway, when it comes to pistols knockdown power is a myth. You have to hit the vitals to stop a crazed attacker.

The real benefit of a pocket .380 is that you will actually be carrying the thing when you need it. Most people don't actually carry all the time especially people who only have large pistols.

[SlowBurn]

380 as Primary Carry?

The real benefit of a pocket .380 is that you will actually be carrying the thing when you need it. Most people don't actually carry all the time especially people who only have large pistols.

+1. That's me. Never have carried my G17 much. Discovered pocket 380s 2-3 years ago and now "healed" virtually all the time.

Hope never to find out if a 380 is enough, but there are numerous instances where having one stopped attacks and robberies... news reports and security footage on YouTube and elsewhere. At least it'll be at hand instead of in the car.