In this arguement, I tend to agree with eldeguello, a 9mm or .380 isn' t the " ideal" self protectoin tool, however, I also agree with Grits Grisham (famous writer for G&A) that a " .22lr in the eye is more deadly than a .45acp in the knee" . A .45 in capable hands is probably one of the best personal protection devices available, but if you can' t hit what you NEED to, it does you no good to have that much poower, where a .380 under control would be much more effective. THAT SAID, I don' t feel that there is any real reason that ANYONE can' t control a .45acp, my fiance does quite splendidly and she' s a) 5' 5.5" (really only 5' 5" ) b)112# (but only claims 110 of it ), and c) a quite feminine woman, and her kid brother has since he was a 10 year old sting bean.

It' s beyond me as to why, but .380autos have traditionally been a favorite backup of law enforcement, which I think does say something: either they don' t have a clue what they are doing, or the round might be more worthy than most give it credit.