CCW/Home Defense 380 opinions

[ellis4538]

I carry the Ruger in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster when I can't carry anything else.  Is it the best choice?  NO! But I have no problem under the circumstances.  BTW I carry MagTech 77 gr. HP in it.

JMHO

Richard

[fightingquaker13]

I just want to say again, that having had my hand on my gun while being scared stupid in a real life SD situation the other day, that KISS is golden. It was a half second to remember to pop the the snap on my IWB holster. If I had to draw and fire at ten feet, I probably would have flubbed a safety. Whatever make or caliber you get, get something idiot proof, because if you're anything like me, when the adreniline starts pumping, you will be an idiot. Don't sabotage yourself. You will be at close range and have two seconds to make the call. Do not complicate your life, or get an underpowered round.
FQ13 (just my .02)

[ericire12]

I dont know if this has been mentioned yet, but the .380s with the longer barrels (Bersa) will give better penetration and more reliable expansion.

[bulldog75]

Bersa makes a great 380. I tell most people to try a .38 special. Taurus and Smith and Wessons are great. Charter arms sells some great little revolvers. I tell my wife that a auto in the purse is not a good thing if you have to shoot through it, a revolver will shoot through it and keep going.

You can load a revolver today and in five years and pick it up and go to town on somebody. I do not want to rely on most springs in most autos when they have been compressed for five years.

I use to carry the old 4506 smith and wesson at the first department I worked for and it was a monster, it was like strapping on a concrete block to your hip. I carried a S&W model 66 for 5 years and loved it but the qualifications have changed and it is hard to qualify with something other than a large capacity auto. I have qualified since the change with my 66 but the cost of ammo made me go with the auto. Department pays for 9mm and 40 ammo not .357

The first thing to have in a gun fight is a gun, the rest will take care of itself.

[ECHOONE]

  Unfortunately way to much emphasis is put on sighted shooting,I'm not saying it's not a needed practice,just that instructors put way to much claim into it.I'm a Vet and I did a tour of duty so I think I'm qualified enough to say that in CQC or Close in SD you are not going to use your sights! This has been proven over and over again in interviews & debriefings of LEO'S in there after action incidents.With the lack of time for reaction,adrenaline dump,stress, & low light conditions just to name a few of the variables that are all happening at the same instant, a person reacting  to a threat isn't going to have time to look at there sights,there already behind,trying to catchup,if the threat has a gun,your only chance of catching up is to move off the X as your shooting and that isn't going to allow you the time of locating your front sight.
  Proper SD tactics That are going to save your life will not be biased to just one particular technique,it will be a regiment of several techniques that are required for every aspect that may arise,which is why we always must keep on training,Point shooting is just as valuable and as important as aimed shooting,anyone who doesn't think so is a fool and is neglecting to see the value,which will only lead to there own demise.Never discard a tool you can use.

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

 Unfortunately way to much emphasis is put on sighted shooting,I'm not saying it's not a needed practice,just that instructors put way to much claim into it.I'm a Vet and I did a tour of duty so I think I'm qualified enough to say that in CQC or Close in SD you are not going to use your sights! This has been proven over and over again in interviews & debriefings of LEO'S in there after action incidents.With the lack of time for reaction,adrenaline dump,stress, & low light conditions just to name a few of the variables that are all happening at the same instant, a person reacting  to a threat isn't going to have time to look at there sights,there already behind,trying to catchup,if the threat has a gun,your only chance of catching up is to move off the X as your shooting and that isn't going to allow you the time of locating your front sight.
  Proper SD tactics That are going to save your life will not be biased to just one particular technique,it will be a regiment of several techniques that are required for every aspect that may arise,which is why we always must keep on training,Point shooting is just as valuable and as important as aimed shooting,anyone who doesn't think so is a fool and is neglecting to see the value,which will only lead to there own demise.Never discard a tool you can use.

Which probably goes a long way toward explaining why 3 cops in a tenement hallway can fire 46 or so rounds and only hit the suspect 3 times.
Only a fool who WANTS to get sued will fire with out SOME sort of aiming, even if it just pushing the muzzle against your attacker.

[twyacht]

For those with a variety of calibers at their disposal, I'm positive the consensus for home defense is larger than a .380 caliber.

However, I carry my Kel-Tec P3AT most of the time, or my Walther PPK/S, in sunny, hot, humid, can't turn the damn AC off yet,..oh nevermind,...

Anyway, if a .380 was all I had for home defense, I darn sure would be making range trips, like several a month if possible, and keeping nothing but top shelf, fresh, premium JHP's in it. Snap caps, drawing techniques, spare mags, a PLAN, safe room, etc,...

Hard to do with ammo being scarce, but I would invest in Golden Sabre's, Speer Gold Dot, Cor-Bon DPX, type stuff for the home,
just like I do on the street.

Keep shooting until the threat has stopped, and be ready to reload and keep going.

And if this doesn't help, if you get a tax refund, buy a caliber that begins with the number .4 ......or at least .357...

.02 cents worth.

[ECHOONE]

 CC is an enormous responsibility and undertaking in and of it self,caliber selection is a very personal depending on each persons criteria. I personally feel .38 spl for cc is as low as one should go,I know all to well it's all determined in your shoot placement,but I also know your bullets dynamics and size are going to matter when your placement is off by a little due to your adrenaline /stress and sitrep at any given occurence!I'd try to get her up to a small 9mm if I were you.
                            Good Luck!

[Walter45Auto]

I just want to say again, that having had my hand on my gun while being scared stupid in a real life SD situation the other day, that KISS is golden. It was a half second to remember to pop the the snap on my IWB holster. If I had to draw and fire at ten feet, I probably would have flubbed a safety. Whatever make or caliber you get, get something idiot proof, because if you're anything like me, when the adreniline starts pumping, you will be an idiot. Don't sabotage yourself. You will be at close range and have two seconds to make the call. Do not complicate your life, or get an underpowered round.
FQ13 (just my .02)

That's why revolvers are so nice for SD....... Put bullets in cylinder, close cylinder, conceal, draw, fire.

[Kid Shelleen]

My old lady wants to get a Sig P232 due to its size/weight for carrying as well as fit to her hand.  I wanted some input on whether or not this is an appropriate caliber for personal protection (CCW) and home defense.  I personally have a Hi-Point C-9, and would love to have a 1911 .45.  Please give input and opinions pro or con (in reference to the .380.)  Thanks

(This may be in wrong section, please forgive.)

I can completely relate to your dilema.

My wife is very comfortable with our Glock 17 for home defense, but her everyday carry is a Bersa Thunder CC in .380 acp. She is a very petite lady and she has been exposed to a very wide variety of firearms. She has never been comfortable with any caliber over 9mm.

She trains frequently with her Bersa and she is both very comfortable and very proficient with it. She carries it every day along with an extra magazine. The Glock is actually an easier shooter (less recoil) but it's too big for daily carry. I am very comfortable that my wife can protect herself and my daughter, should the need ever arise. Like so many others have posted, todays .380 ammunition is quite adequate for self defense. I personally believe that confidence, comfort, competence and shot placement are equally as important as caliber selection.

My only concern for your situation would be the current shortage of .380 ammunition and the high prices that you must pay when you do find it. Fortunately we had a large supply of range ammunition prior to the current shortages. Keeping our practice ammo stock at levels we are comfortable with has been very expensive.