Is a .380 enough to defend yourself?

[thehairlessone!]

In a life or death situation. Say someone is coming at you and you have time to get one shot off to save your life. Would you trust your life to a .380?

I normally carry a xds .45 but was thinking about a 380 bodyguard too because of the size when around alot of people, hot days,etc.

Any opinions?

Obvisously any gun can kill someone. 22's kill alot of people but in a real life or death struggle you arent going to have time to aim most likely just point.

rick

[Jackson357]

I'd say a .380 is better than nothing at all. At least your carrying something. Go to YouTube & watch the ballistics of the Speer Gold Dots.

[critter69]

We wraped a gal milk jug with carpet and padding and shot it with a 380. I would not have wanted to be that water jug. Its what I carry now, Hope I never have to find out but I feel confedent that it will get the job done.

[temple droptine]

I carry a .380 back up on duty. Speer gold dots are te way to go

[thehairlessone!]

i watched a couple today. Dont think it was speer but they had good penetration. I was impressed

rick

[Z7_Matt]

The only reason I carry a 380 is because it's better than nothing.

[ecallarman]

you put enough rounds down range at the perp any caliber will get the job done.

[thehairlessone!]

you put enough rounds down range at the perp any caliber will get the job done.

.

I had a guy attack me with a knife one time. 20 plus years ago. He was about 10 yds away or so at a party. I knew he had the knife but he was within range before I even knew what happened ( he was very tall which made it faster ) All I had time to do was duck and tackle him. Luckily I was able to beat the crap out of him till the police arrived but if I would have had a gun i might have been able to get 1 or two shots off at the very most.



In most situations I would bet you arent really even going to have time to aim very well.

rick

[thomason]

I carry a .380 because it's easy to keep concealed, hope I never have to use it.
Walther PPK .380

[boh347]

Yup I carry a .380.

[Kankles]

Yup I carry a .380.

Yup me too

[ecallarman]

.

I had a guy attack me with a knife one time. 20 plus years ago. He was about 10 yds away or so at a party. I knew he had the knife but he was within range before I even knew what happened ( he was very tall which made it faster ) All I had time to do was duck and tackle him. Luckily I was able to beat the crap out of him till the police arrived but if I would have had a gun i might have been able to get 1 or two shots off at the very most.



In most situations I would bet you arent really even going to have time to aim very well.

rick

I agree 100% about having time to aim properly.

[thehairlessone!]

penetration tests are impressive. It looks like it would do plenty of damage if you ever had to use it.

rick

[down2hunt]

Bodyguard .380 here and I love it.

[BigTex.308]

With quality hollow points any pistol (well let's limit it to .380 .38 9mm .40 &.45) is going to be really similar.

Handguns just aren't man stoppers.


The caliber debate has gone on for years and will continue to go on until I'm old and grey.

My opinion is, carry the gun that you are comfortable with, can shoot accurately, and will actually carry with you.

For me the only calibers worth carrying are 9 & 45. 380 gets a thumbs up due to the ease of concealability.


.380 will be fine. I carry one approximately 20% of the time.



Just practice and always take it with you.




Ike