.380 Ball for Self-Defense round

[Badgersmilk]

Few internet people seem to realize it's hard to carry full size auto's and large frame revolvers when wearing shorts.

When it's 90+ deg. out, and 80%+ humidity every day wearing anything other than shorts on a Saturday is going to draw attention when you pass out.

A .380 in the pocket is A LOT more protection than a 12 gauge with slugs laying at home. 

[Hazcat]

BINGO!  and I use .380 Speer Gold Dot JHP rounds.

[tombogan03884]

Few internet people seem to realize it's hard to carry full size auto's and large frame revolvers when wearing shorts.

When it's 90+ deg. out, and 80%+ humidity every day wearing anything other than shorts on a Saturday is going to draw attention when you pass out.

A .380 in the pocket is A LOT more protection than a 12 gauge with slugs laying at home.  

I haven't had any trouble under those conditions with my Govt. model 1911, or the  .357 Magnums  that I've been carrying for 25 years. More problems with access in winter.

Actually I don't see what the big deal is with concealment and shorts, If they cover your ass they will cover the barrel of a concealed pistol.

[fightingquaker13]

. Now if it came down to knife vs gun i wouldnt feel out of place carrying a .380. Its better than throwing rocks.

Which is all that can, or needs, to be said about a .380 or .32. A nine is better, a .45 better still. But if you can get a tiny one, like a kel tec and you will carry it when you would leave a larger gun at home, than a .380 beats a rock every damn time.
FQ13

[cooptire]

"The gun you have is better than the gun at home" is a given. I'm still curious about everyone's thoughts on FMJ vs. hollow point, in the .380 only. It appears that a guy with real world evidence is saying to carry FMJ rather than a hollow point. More thoughts.

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

My thought on FMJ versus HP is that while 9MM HP's have come along way over the last 20 years, the lighter powder charge and generally shorter barrels of modern 380's make HP performance a more "iffy" proposition in the 380 due to lower velocity.

[fightingquaker13]

My thought on FMJ versus HP is that while 9MM HP's have come along way over the last 20 years, the lighter powder charge and generally shorter barrels of modern 380's make HP performance a more "iffy" proposition in the 380 due to lower velocity.

I think it depends on your gun. There is zero difference (where it matters) between an HP that fails to expand and ball. What DOES matter is which yor gun will feed reliably. If it shoots ball without a hiccup and has some jams with HPs, there's your question answered. The thing is that if you shoot someone with a .380 you're probably not going to shoot them just once anyway regardless of what you load. I would let the gun decide what ammo is "best" by seeing what cycles best.
just my .02
FQ13

[Badgersmilk]

Considering a "self defense" situation is going to take place WELL (did I say WELLLLLLL) under 10 yards, a .380 with hollow points will do very well with even half decent shot placement.  

As far as penetrating clothing, I'd have plenty of confidence in a .380 HP penetrating anything North Face, or Columbia produces.  But I've seen some THICK leather biker jackets that may cause issues...  So again GO FOR THE HEAD SHOT, and dont be stingy about investing three or four rounds in the guy!  & as long as we're sticking with the .380 caliber.  My choice would be the same .380 Gold Dot JHP's Haz is using.

[ericire12]

Here is some .380 gelitan tests done out of a Kel-Tec P-380

http://www.goldenloki.com/ammo/gel/380acp/gel380acp.htm





*PS - Cor Bon DPX  80gr 
   
Expansion: .645

[Hazcat]

Hmmm 16 or 17 inch penetration with ball.  I may start loading alternate JHP and ball in mine.