CCW/Home Defense 380 opinions

[fightingquaker13]

Once again, I will agree with Eric. If you are carying in a purse, get the nine. Plenty of mid range models ($550+/-), chreap and available ammo, and more oomph than the .380. Failing that, a .38 will do the job if you want a revolver. There seems to be little reason to buy an underpowered caliber that is finicky about ammo that is expemsive and hard to find. My advice? Buy a Smith J frame or a Glock 26  and call it a day. You won't be sorry either way.
FQ13

[bluesman001]

Thanks for understanding, cuz I sure as shit don't want to make any enemies here (at least until after I win the 6 guns - lol).

I appreciate everybody, and no harm/no foul - we're all here for the same thing, to get on everybody else's nerves!!!

[bluesman001]

The October Gunsite Newsletter has a discussion about the new line of small .380's. It would be interesting to see the full report.

http://www.gunsite.com/news.html

Thanks for the link, I am reading it now!

[PegLeg45]

Thanks for understanding, cuz I sure as shit don't want to make any enemies here (at least until after I win the 6 guns - lol).

I appreciate everybody, and no harm/no foul - we're all here for the same thing, to get on everybody else's nerves!!!

You'll have to work a lot harder than that to make enemies on here.     

[Ping]

Bluesman001, you will not make any enemies here but you might be critiqued as to your opinion about self defense about this particular person.  Never mind that, as was mentioned, you do not want to go below .380.  As for a woman she could be able to handle a .40 Smith and Wesson or a .45 ACP. Both of my boys, 12-14, and my wife can handle both loads with a Glock. My wife carries a Rugur LCP, .380 Caliber, daily. Depends on the impact of the caliber and what fits her hands better. Could be something else, even a Bersa .380. Just like a Walther but cheaper. But they also make them in 9mm and has a bit more stopping power depending on ammo. Not so much recoil.
Recoil seems so much as a consideration of a defense weapon. If you have a Glock 19 or a Glock 26, you have a sub-gun that is in 9 mm and .40 SW respectively. But the Glock 19 has a bit lesser recoil. But if you compare it to a Glock 19 with a Glock 30SF. You are trading for a 9mm and a .45 ACP with a similar amount of recoil with more man-stopping power of the .45 ACP.
Apples and oranges. Just a matter of perspective and what they are able to deal with in recoil perspectively. 

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[MAUSERMAN]

I have heard the slides on those guns are hard to rack for some women. Maybe a Sig 226 would be a better choice. MY girl shoots a G19 and her 92fs and has gotten very good with both. The 380acp is a good round just hard to find, i would rather have a 9mm  just beacause theres a lot more choices of SD ammo in 9mm.

[ericire12]

Ping, IMO the Glock .45s have less perceived recoil then the 9mm...... I think it is because they are heavier.

[twyacht]

Ping, IMO the Glock .45s have less perceived recoil then the 9mm...... I think it is because they are heavier.

I can attest to that with my G21, as it is a railroad tie with a grip and trigger. Doubletaps are easily saucer size at 7 yds, and target acquistion during rapid fire, ie plates at the range, , are sweet.

Sorry for the drift,

To the OP, recoil is left for the shooter to determine. My Walther PPK/S, vs. Kel-Tec P3AT are different with the same rounds.
It will be up to her to find the balance of control with regards to recoil, as the .380 for SD will usually require more than one shot.

[ericire12]

To the OP, recoil is left for the shooter to determine. My Walther PPK/S, vs. Kel-Tec P3AT are different with the same rounds.

Yes, but the PPK is more then 3xs the weight and has a longer barrel

[fightingquaker13]

Again, I hate to sound like a broken record, but lose the .380. The only excuse to own one is the size. Given that there are 9mms and even .45s the same size, there is zero excuse to own one. Yes recoil in a 9mm is going to be stronger and you have to train to deal with it for a double tap. But the difference between .380 and 9mm in a pocket pistol is minimal. Neither are fun to shoot at the range, but you just have HTFU and deal with it. Its like going to the dentist. Once you've put a couple of hundred rounds through it you will be familar with the gun. In an actual SD scenario, recoil won't even be felt and is a non-issue as long as you can control muzzle flip. I learned yesterday (see my almost mugged in Charleston thread), the hard way, that SD situations happen quick and close. Forget my agonizing over AK vs AR. I am now considering trading in my 9mm Glocks on .45s. I dealt with two big, very amped up guys at ten feet. No way in hell would I think .380 was enough gun to take both of them in those conditions. You want big, simple, accurate enough, and goes bang every time, wthout having to worry about cocking or safeties or anything else that requiers fine motor skills. Point, click, and boom, large hole results. Choose your brand,pistol or revolver,  just don't mess around because the BGs sure won't.
FQ13