If you are goin to shoot often then get the 9mm the ammo is cheaper than 380 by $5 or more depends on the round
380 vs 9mm
Is there that big of difference in these two rounds? Me and my girlfriend are going to be taking our concealed weapon test soon and trying to decide which gun to get. We are both smaller framed so that is why I am considering the 380. I have it narrowed Down to lcp or the lc9. Just afraid I won't be able to conceal the 9 as good as the 380. I don't wear big jackets mostly tshirts or a pull over. I've heard people say that with the new technology there is not much difference between these two rounds. I know the 380 would be better than nothing but will it be good enough ever time?
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.380 is a good caliber, I believe 9 mm is better but it doesn't matter. I have had a small .45 for nearly a year, awesome gun but in t shirt and jeans it's hard to conceal for me which leads to me carrying it maybe only 75% of the time.Is there that big of difference in these two rounds? Me and my girlfriend are going to be taking our concealed weapon test soon and trying to decide which gun to get. We are both smaller framed so that is why I am considering the 380. I have it narrowed Down to lcp or the lc9. Just afraid I won't be able to conceal the 9 as good as the 380. I don't wear big jackets mostly tshirts or a pull over. I've heard people say that with the new technology there is not much difference between these two rounds. I know the 380 would be better than nothing but will it be good enough ever time?
Now I have an LC9 and it's awesome and perfect size, so i carry it 100% of the time. If i had to chose would I rather shoot somebody with a 9 or .45? I'd go with a 12 gauge, ha, seriously though of course the .45 but what if it was a time I didn't carry bc it wasn't comy?
What I'm trying to say is get something u will CARRY 100% of the time, .25, .32, .380, 9, .45, doesn't matter just carry.
It's kinda like hunting.....It's all about SHOT PLACEMENT!!!!!
If you put the rounds where they are supposed to go then the 380 isnt a bad round. I have owned both but in the end I have a G26 in 9mm. I can put several rounds on target quickly and thats what you want when wanting to stop someone. Which ever one you get, buy a crap load of ammo and PRACTICE ALOT!!!!!
If you put the rounds where they are supposed to go then the 380 isnt a bad round. I have owned both but in the end I have a G26 in 9mm. I can put several rounds on target quickly and thats what you want when wanting to stop someone. Which ever one you get, buy a crap load of ammo and PRACTICE ALOT!!!!!
Its not the size that matters, its where you put it! I own both. Wife has a Ruger lcp and I have a XDm. Her lcp is so dang loud it would scare the dickens out of someone. Way louder then my XDm due to shorter barrel I imagine .....see size doesn't matter ...lol
Oh and the XDm will hit anywhere you want it to go but it is only a winter carry gun due to its size
Oh and the XDm will hit anywhere you want it to go but it is only a winter carry gun due to its size
Like what was said before, buy what you will carry 100% of the time. If it were me i'd have a Glock 26 for the winter and an LCP for summer
Don't plan on good shot placement. Case studies show you will be lucky to even hit your target. I used to carry the TCP .380 but moved to the LC9.
The LC9 is a better gun IMO plus the 9mm is a better round.
The LC9 is a better gun IMO plus the 9mm is a better round.
This is cause people buy a gun shoot it once and put it in the night stand and never touch it. I know I shoot enough that I'm going to hit what I'm aiming at, no matter what stress im under.....at least once out of 11 rounds, and if that wont work I'll swap to my 33rd mag:biggrin:Don't plan on good shot placement. Case studies show you will be lucky to even hit your target. I used to carry the TCP .380 but moved to the LC9.
The LC9 is a better gun IMO plus the 9mm is a better round.
Im going to go Handel both guns and wut ever feels best is wut I'll go with. If I'm going to carry it a lot it will probably be the lcp b/c like I said I'm a smaller guy
Don't bet on it. I investigated a case as a member of the Prosecuting Attorney's OIST (Officer Involved Shooting Team). A bad guy was stopped on the street by an officer assigned to PIO. When the PIO guy asked bad guy for identification, bad guy hit officer in mouth, knocking him down. BG then reached down and took the officer's service revolver from his holster and, standing astradle of the officer, shot down at the officer at point blank range. At about this time, another officer rolled up, got out of his patrol unit and shouted at BG to put the gun down. This officer regularly shot in competitions, was an NRA Distinguished Master. BG turned toward this officer and opened fire. He fired the five remaining shots left in Officer no. 1's revolver at the second officer. The second officer fired all six rounds in his Model 10 S&W at BG. This was all at a range of less than 21 feet. They killed a Buick, a pick-up and badly wounded an Elm tree, but none of the 11 shots found meat. When BG ran out of ammo, Officer No. 1 jumped up and took him down and cuffed him. That's right. Standing directly over Officer 1, shooting straight down at him, BG missed.I know I shoot enough that I'm going to hit what I'm aiming at, no matter what stress im under.....at least once out of 11 rounds, and if that wont work I'll swap to my 33rd mag:biggrin:
When the poo poo hits the fan, most any officer that's been in a shoot out at close range will tell you, its spray and pray. That having been said, I'll go along with the others. Get something that you'll carry at all times. My .500 mag is a heck of a stopper, I'm sure, but it won't do me any good locked away in a gun safe and its way too big to carry. (Wheels might help.) Carry what you're comfortable with and practice CORRECT SHOOTING FORM regularly. This will help to build muscle memory and may help to hit something when you need to.
The 9mm will have more power than the 380, but a 380 in the pocket is better than a 9mm on the shelf at home because it was too big to carry. I guess I'd rather have ANY gun if the SHTF than NO gun.
I carry a Kel Tec P3AT a LOT, but I also know that there are better options out there, but it sure is easy to slip the KT in a front pocket.
I am a Glock fan and have both a G26 9mm and G27 40SW. These aren't very hard to conceal and have considerably more power than the 380.
9mm will also be your cheapest to practice with.
I carry a Kel Tec P3AT a LOT, but I also know that there are better options out there, but it sure is easy to slip the KT in a front pocket.
I am a Glock fan and have both a G26 9mm and G27 40SW. These aren't very hard to conceal and have considerably more power than the 380.
9mm will also be your cheapest to practice with.
Like said above, whatever you buy make sure it is something you will carry all the time. Just bc 45 has good knock down doesnt mean it is right for you. This is the reasone I carry a j frame and a speedstrip every time I go somewhere. But, between the two choices listed above I would chose 9mm and I would carry 124gr Gold Dot ammo. Whether I hit what I am aiming at or not I want the maximum energy I can get with a firearm I am willing to carry all the time. There have been a lot of people walk away from a shot from a 380.
I can shoot the nuts off a knat at 20ft but I know things will be different when things get ugly!
A 9mm and a .380 are the same diameter, so they will put the same size hole in the target. Bullet weight and powder charge are the difference. I don't think they make a factory .380 load over 95gr, but I know they make up to a 147g 9mm. As stated above, practice is crucial. And if you are doing a lot of practice, or just shooting, 9mm is the cheapest center fire pistol round due to its worldwide popularity (supply and demand). I carry every single day. The two guns I carry are the S&W Bodyguard .380 and a full size S&W M&P9. My M&P shoots like a dream compared to my Bodyguard and that is because of the full size frame vs. a subcompact. Finding one gun to fit all your needs is a balancing test for sure. A good carrying platform is crucial for carrying comfortably and keeping it concealed. By that I mean a good "carry/pistol" belt and a good holster. For a holster, I would recommend either the Crossbreed Super Tuck for inside the waist band carry (IWB) or the Desantis Nemesis for a pocket holster. I know that people are carrying full sized 1911's with ease in the crossbreed. Youtube the crossbreed and you will find reviews on several gun types and even some female reviewers.
Try to find a friend or a store that will let you shoot their guns. I know one of our local stores that has an indoor range will rent the range for $25 and rent you a gun of your choice for $10.
Poke_53 may be correct about people walking away from a .380, but that could be said for even for a poorly placed 12gauge shotgun blast. I personally know that one single .380 round put a guy in ground in Bentonville this summer. A well placed shot is a well placed shot. Period.
So the short answer is caliber doesn’t matter that much(especially between a .380 and 9mm) as long as you are comfortable with your gun and you can put your bullets where they count.
Try to find a friend or a store that will let you shoot their guns. I know one of our local stores that has an indoor range will rent the range for $25 and rent you a gun of your choice for $10.
Poke_53 may be correct about people walking away from a .380, but that could be said for even for a poorly placed 12gauge shotgun blast. I personally know that one single .380 round put a guy in ground in Bentonville this summer. A well placed shot is a well placed shot. Period.
So the short answer is caliber doesn’t matter that much(especially between a .380 and 9mm) as long as you are comfortable with your gun and you can put your bullets where they count.
Of course anyone would take a well placed shot over ft/lbs anyday of the week. What it boils down to is your comfort level with the firearm and experience level with the firearm coupled with how you react in an active shhooter situation. IMO bigger better faster as long as you can handle it and are comfortable. I would take a well placed 22 round over 7rds of anything that is not well placed. Just make sure you can shoot effectively and accurate but the biggest thing is to be able to do it in a stressful situation. So the more you shoot the round the more comfortable you will be if you have to draw on someone. Also this is a good read:
http://hunting.about.com/od/guns/l/aast9mmv380a.htm
http://hunting.about.com/od/guns/l/aast9mmv380a.htm
Thanks guys. Stil a lot of mixed views on this. Guess that's to be expected. Maybe the lc9 will be easy to conceal inside the waiste of my pants. Not sure about my girlfriend tho. She's 5'5" and 130lbs and never has on loose clothes. Guess she could start carrying a purse.
Here is a good video review of the 380. It is long but it is from a reputable source in the firearms industry. This guy sounds like a kid that just like o shoot video of his opinion but he is in bed with several major brands to review items and different configurations.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEmF430-buc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEmF430-buc
back in the mid-90's i worked at University hospital while i was going to school. I transported patients and bodies. I got a call to pick a guy to transport him somewhere (x-ray or somethin). he had been shot 7 times with a 9mm the night before. 2 shots in the chest and 5 in the left leg. He got up and walked over and got into the wheelchair I brought
. I said that day I would own something bigger.
Bottom line I would go with what is comfy.
. I said that day I would own something bigger.Bottom line I would go with what is comfy.
" I am considering the 380. I have it narrowed Down to lcp or the lc9. Just afraid I won't be able to conceal the 9 as good as the 380. "
There's your answer. I think you are correct in thinking this, I looked at both the same pistols as you did and this was my deciding factor. Just go buy the 380 !
There's your answer. I think you are correct in thinking this, I looked at both the same pistols as you did and this was my deciding factor. Just go buy the 380 !
Ruger lc9 is less than 1" longer, Less than 1" taller, .08" wider and it comes with 7rd mag capacity. Seems to be an easy choice. I actually have a kahr arms cw9 I use to carry everywhere. With the right holster I could carry it on my hip or my pants pocket. One weekend I carried it when I drove to Dallas. Carried perfect with no issues and I felt protected at all times.
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