.380 vs 9mm carry gun

[oldrookie]

I can only reply with regards to the LC9 and the difference to a .380. I just purchase an LC9 and have a couple hundred rounds through it. Being a compact carry and in 9mm, it took awhile to get used to being a little snappy. Through practice I have found it very manageable. I have been around revolvers prior to this purchase and the trigger on the LC9 is double action and a bid long. Again, I find it manageable. Overall, I am pleased with my purchase. Very concealable as well. My son has a Taurus in .380 and I have put several rounds through it as well. I think if you shoot both calibers you will come away with your own preference. Good luck with your purchase and have fun "testing" both.

 

[nakinate]

Where did all the ".380 is worthless for self defense" people go?

 

[wesnellans]

Where did all the ".380 is worthless for self defense" people go?

To research facts?

 

[nakinate]

To research facts?

haha, if they were interested in that then they wouldn't have written their previous posts.

 

[Jeremy1066]

Hello. I am new to the site but have been following for a while. I just received my LTCH and have been carrying my Taurus 380 Revolver. A little hard to conceal. I have practiced with it a few times and it is not fun to shoot at all. I am looking to buy a S&W Shield 9mm or a Ruger LC9. Leaning more towards the Shield. Just wanted some feedback on either of these.

I'm not familiar with the Shield or LC9, but I would definitely go with 9mm. That being said, a micro 9mm probably won't be much fun to shoot either. You should try holding something a little bigger like a Glock 26/19 or an M&P9c to see if its comfortable for you.

 

[Jeremy1066]

Where did all the ".380 is worthless for self defense" people go?

To research facts?

haha, if they were interested in that then they wouldn't have written their previous posts.

Or they are scratching their heads, wondering how they got sucked into another worthless caliber debate.

 

[nakinate]

The funny thing about this is that it's not much of a debate. 9mm is a more effective round, but they went to the extreme of saying .380 was worthless. If they had said 9mm is better, but .380 has it's place, then I would have been fine with it. But no, people have to take all or nothing stances.

 

[Cameramonkey]

The funny thing about this is that it's not much of a debate. 9mm is a more effective round, but they went to the extreme of saying .380 was worthless. If they had said 9mm is better, but .380 has it's place, then I would have been fine with it. But no, people have to take all or nothing stances.

Exactly. Even .22LR isn't WORTHLESS. While it may not be optimal, it can sometimes get the job done.

The only time I've seen 22 go worthless lay bad was when a 600lb guy wearing a jean jacket was walking down the road and he heard a pop as a car drove by and felt a sting next to his belly button. He opened his denim coat, pulled up his shirt and saw something fall. I was a bullet. Some gang bangers tried to do a drive by with a 22 pistol and between the denim, tshirt and the give of all his flab, he was able to literally catch a bullet with only a burn and abrasion.

 

[Jeremy1066]

Exactly. Even .22LR isn't WORTHLESS. While it may not be optimal, it can sometimes get the job done.

The only time I've seen 22 go worthless lay bad was when a 600lb guy wearing a jean jacket was walking down the road and he heard a pop as a car drove by and felt a sting next to his belly button. He opened his denim coat, pulled up his shirt and saw something fall. I was a bullet. Some gang bangers tried to do a drive by with a 22 pistol and between the denim, tshirt and the give of all his flab, he was able to literally catch a bullet with only a burn and abrasion.

So what you are saying is...gangbangers aren't the brightest bulbs in the chandelier?

 

[Jeremy1066]

The funny thing about this is that it's not much of a debate. 9mm is a more effective round, but they went to the extreme of saying .380 was worthless. If they had said 9mm is better, but .380 has it's place, then I would have been fine with it. But no, people have to take all or nothing stances.

Agreed. A .380 is much better than nothing, and just because I personally wouldn't carry that caliber for protection if i had other options, I would never call it worthless.

 

[nakinate]

Exactly. Even .22LR isn't WORTHLESS. While it may not be optimal, it can sometimes get the job done.

The only time I've seen 22 go worthless lay bad was when a 600lb guy wearing a jean jacket was walking down the road and he heard a pop as a car drove by and felt a sting next to his belly button. He opened his denim coat, pulled up his shirt and saw something fall. I was a bullet. Some gang bangers tried to do a drive by with a 22 pistol and between the denim, tshirt and the give of all his flab, he was able to literally catch a bullet with only a burn and abrasion.

600 lb. guys don't walk around. They lay in bed.

 

[hoosierfishing]

And 300lb crackheads don't exist either. People who say otherwise, don't deal with criminals on a weekly basis.

 

[lucky4034]

The .380 is the absolute smallest I'd go with a carry gun. It is *not* the same as a 9mm, but it does have sufficient power to break bone and to penetrate well. The problem is hollowpoint penetration can be insufficient depending on where it hits, angle, etc. I'm still on the fence on if its better to carry FMJ, in which case it penetrates very well in most conditions and can even over penetrate, or JHP, which sometimes doesn't penetrate sufficiently.

Unless you have arthritis, need a DEEP conceal gun, or have some other specialty requirement, I see no compelling reason to purchase a .380. I don't see any reason to carry a micro-gun either, especially as your only gun. If you're going to carry IWB, there's plenty of guns that are big enough to be accurate, comfortable to shoot, have adequate capacity, and in a less marginal caliber. The Shield is a great example, but not the only one. It carries very well, has good sights, a reasonable trigger, etc.

This... get something more versatile and get it in 9mm if its going to be your only gun. I would not want to defend my house with a Ruger LC380 (or LC9 for that matter). As a backup... or a deep conceal for movie theaters or whatever...fine. Its hard enough to find 1 gun to fill all needs... a micro compact .380 definitely isn't it.

Get a CZ Rami

 

[Morgan88]

Choose either one. IMHO you probably will change your mind later anyway? Jump in like the rest of us and get the addiction.

 

[Spike Jones 5 2002]

What is "NWIN"?

What is "NWIN"?

Shot the ruger lc9 and did not like it. Personally I carry a glock 26, but I love shooting it. 2nd choice would be a much smaller m&p shield in 9mm. Go to the range and shoot the guns first so you don't have buyers remorse. Or if you are in nwin go to a meet and shoot, there are so many guns to try out, you will be able to decide what you like and handle better. Good luck.

 

[nakinate]

What is "NWIN"?

Northwest Indiana would be my guess.

 

[Willegene]

Choose either one. IMHO you probably will change your mind later anyway? Jump in like the rest of us and get the addiction.

Yes, I feel this will be true!

 

[Cameramonkey]

600 lb. guys don't walk around. They lay in bed.

Typo... so sue me. should have been 400.

 

[James20]

I pocket carry a cm9 and even in jeans it's comfortable. With the size of these little 9mms now I'd pick 9 over .380 anyday

 

[Giddaltti]

I love my TCP .380 and with todays ammo choices you cant go wrong. A couple weeks back I picked my daughter from a concer and we drove over to McD's. I pulled up to get my order all the while a big fat man was arguing and being aggressive. I guess he was complaining about his food. Right then I realized my .380 would have done little if the situation had esclated. I just purchased a .40 Shield and will not feel as vulnerable as I did that night.