Do you trust .380 ACP?

[Frederick]

I've been known to carry a .380 autoloader, but have in the past carried .38 revolver because i trusted the stopping power of the .38 +p more than the .380. but the .380 would be a lot easier to get follow up shots with, and ammo capacity isn't an issue. Granted, with training, you can get pretty quick with .38 revolver reloads. But i remember the lessons of Newhall and the 1986 miami shootout. in the Newhall Incident, four officers stopped 2 suspects. all 4 officers were killed in the ensuing gunbattle, one of them was killed while reloading his revolver. The suspect ran up to him, and put a bullet in his brain from behind. He didn't have a speedloader for his .38.

So i was hoping to pick ya'lls brain, lot of experience in these boards. maybe get a different perspective on the matter. they say the .380 is a marginal round, how do you feel about it? the FBI wrote it off as insufficient, and in winter idk how it would perform. these days, they have really good pocket 9 MM options such as the Sig p365. it's still not a pocket pistol, like the .380 or .38 can be.

Do you trust the .380 with your life?

 

[tynyphil]

Yes. It’s all about the ammo. Take a look at Black Hill’s Honey Badger. I now have it in all my carry guns. 380, 9, and 45

 

[bigred1]

Might be just me but I consider the 380 a get off me round.

 

[Glock 'em down]

No, not really. But, they'll all kill ya deader'n hell. However, by totin' the mighty .380, you are at least fulfilling Rule #1...HAVE A GUN!

In case you are unfamiliar with the list of rules...

Rules for a Gunfight

Rules for a Gunfight

sightm1911.com

 

[ConstitutionCowboy]

I put my trust in how well I can place my shots. Caliber does play a significant role in some instances, but there is not a whole lot of difference between a misplaced slug from a .45 and a misplaced slug from 380.

Practice, practice, practice!

Woody

 

[OneMoreEvan]

My Shield EZ in .380 was enough to scare off the crackhead in the alley when I was taking my trash to the dumpster. I didn't have to use it, but just the sight of it was enough to convince him he had better things to do. Carrying anything means you're ready for 99% of the situations you may encounter. I'm not a police officer and I'm not planning on going into any gunfights in my free time, so I'm okay with .380

 

[wolfkpr]

I figure its really not enough for general service, but it is better than .22, .25, .32- or anything else ive seen the fit into a 9 ounce pocket gun. If i can- i carry something bigger, but there are times you have to wear a tucked in shirt, etc- and .380 is better than nothing, for the times when i cant get away with something bigger.

 

[Ready_fire_aim]

I carry pocket .380 all the time. Primarily for comfort and convenience. Especially wearing gym shorts in summer.

As previously said, I also consider it a “get off me” gun. As in last resort, I feel super threatened and the person is right on me…

Now if I’m running towards the sound of gunfire to be a hero… I’d absolutely want a bigger round and more capacity

 

[fatcpa]

Buffalo Bore +P 100 gr hard cast flat points hit pretty hard.

 

[TinkerTanker]

Wife and DIL carry 380 Sigs. I wouldn't stand between either woman and a pair of new shoes, just sayin'.
380 might not be a 44, but I don't want to get shot with either.