.380 acp
 

I was wondering what everyone thought about this round for self defense??
The pistols that carry it are smaller and easier to conceal. I am looking at a Walther PPK/s made by S&W.

RE: .380 acp
 

It's too light. You are trying to defend yourself which means stopping the person trying to harm you. Unless you are able to inflict a deadly shot the first time, which is rare when you are under stress, you are going to be undergunned when trying to stop someone trying to harm you.

RE: .380 acp
 

Not a fan either. Most pistols that are chambered in 380, 40, 357 sig, 9mm, are all the same size. But the 380 lacks the power the rest do. I think they suck azz, but thats my opinion.

RE: .380 acp
 

With today's ammo choices although not my first pick it is capable of getting the job done. Don't let people lead you to believe otherwise.
If you have your carry permit and take the repsonsibility like you should
the 380 or for that matter a 22lr will do the job.

RE: .380 acp
 

Amoung experts in defense shootings, its is excepted that the 380 is the minimum caliber size to do the job. With good shooting skills, it will suffice.

RE: .380 acp
 

Those are very nice little guns. ANY gun is better than no gun! IF you are able to carry any handgun you want for defense, all rounds smaller than .45 ACP are about the same-you have to hit a real vital spot with them! So a .22 LR is just as goodas the .380, maybe even better, because the .22's are generally more accurate. Also, .22's are a lot cheaper to shoot, so you can practice a lot more for the same cost!

RE: .380 acp
 

The goal in self defense is to STOP the fight. That does not mean you have to kill. The mere presence of a gun can stop a fight. And if the bad guy is hit it can stop the fight. I know I certainly would not want to be shot by a 380. I would just make sure that you load it up with a premium round. Good luck

RE: .380 acp
 

the 380 is not too bad. I think people foreget that it is not a shoot out you are prepairing for, but a close encounter. I have seen the proof that a 32 with the right ammo has the same energy at 10yds as the 9mm.

RE: .380 acp
 

i have no experience at all using a firearm to defend myself

but a 380acp is better than a emty hand, and way better if the person holdin it is really good with it.

early

RE: .380 acp
 

A friend of mine used to carry a 380. but doesnt anymore after an incident where he was being robbed. My friend managed to to get all 7 rounds into the attacker but it didnt stop him fast enough and the attacker got 3 shots off where 2 of the shots struck my friend in the leg and shoulder. now he carries nothing but a 45.