Why buy a 380?

meric35 · January 19, 2011, 02:57 PM

This question isn't to start a caliber war, but I am wondering why so many people like the 380 over it's cheaper cousin the 9X18? I recently was looking at a new Bersa or a Used Radon P64/CZ 82. I decided on the P64 mainly because the cost and the size. I was able to purchase my P64 and 20 boxes of Silver Bear ammo for the cost of a Bersa Thunder alone. This gave me a lot of range time to become very familiar with the gun.

Is the something else about the 380 round that I am missing? The data appears that the round is similar if not identical to a 9X18. Only the 9X18 is cheaper.

Thanks

Sixer · January 19, 2011, 03:04 PM

I added a .380 for pocket carry.

For me, anything too big to carry in my pocket should be chambered in at least 9mm.

LordTio3 · January 19, 2011, 03:08 PM

Can you fit your 9mm Makarov comfortably in an ankle holster, or in your front pocket? Enter the .380. They're unfomfortable enough to shoot in .380, bump it up to 9mm or even 9x18mm and you're not practicing a whole lot with it.

~LT

meric35 · January 19, 2011, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Can you fit your 9mm Makarov comfortably in an ankle holster, or in your front pocket

My P64 very easily fits in an ankle holster or my front poket. It is smaller than a PPK.

As far as practing I have already used 10 of the 20 boxes of ammo in just the last month. I generally can only fire 2 boxes through it before my hand quits on me. But in self defense it only hold six rounds anyway.

So again it comes down to cost and ballistics is the 380 round that much better? I have never fired a 380 round so I do not know anything other than a data sheet on them.

Thanks

BigJimP · January 19, 2011, 03:20 PM

No, the .380 round isn't better than a 9mm .....its just a size issue ....where some people want a smaller and lighter gun ...so they go to a .380 ...

It isn't a bad choice / just not something I need pesonally ...

If you aren't reloading ...then yes, the .380 will cost you more to shoot it. If you reload the .380 and 9mm its a wash ....

AirForceShooter · January 19, 2011, 03:28 PM

With the new smaller 9MM's that are out it's a very valid question.

AFS

Falcon642 · January 19, 2011, 03:33 PM

I can make my .380 hit harder than a 9X18 Makarov if I use Buffalo Bore ammo.

9X18 Makarov +P Ammo - 115 gr. Hard Cast - FN (1,000 fps/ME 255 ft. lbs.)

9X18 Makarov +P Ammo - 95 gr. JHP (1,125 fps/ME 267 ft. lbs.)

Compared to Buffalo Bore's .380 loadings:

380 Auto +P Ammo - 100 gr. Hardcast F.N. (1150fps/ M.E. 294 ft. lbs.)

380 Auto +P Ammo - 95 gr. Jacketed Hollow Point (1125fps M.E. 267 ft.lbs.

Maybe you've got an argument with cost, but there are far more choices of .380's out there to choose from and the ballistics of the .380 vs. the 9mm Makarov are a wash.

The .380 has great value as a "starter gun" if you will. My wife was terrified of guns and very recoil and sound sensitive. She loves her Bersa .380 as the recoil and bang are rather mild. I hope to get her to graduate to at least a 9mm some day, but for now her .380 is better than her pepper spray.

Quote:

If you aren't reloading ...then yes, the .380 will cost you more to shoot it. If you reload the .380 and 9mm its a wash

But man those tiny .380 cases are not fun to reload. Granted I have big fingers, but damn I don't enjoy reloading .380s.

carguychris · January 19, 2011, 03:34 PM

Other than pocket carry, the main reason is that you can buy a BRAND NEW .380, made by a Western manufacturer, with a full warranty.

Not everyone wants 20+ year old ComBloc surplus, regardless of how cheap it is.

LordTio3 · January 19, 2011, 03:34 PM

With Ruger really trying hard to bridge the gap, we might see the 9x18mm fall further from the light.

Ruger LC9-

~LT

bamiller · January 19, 2011, 04:00 PM

Used to be the .380 got the nod because of size, particularly for pocket carry BUT with the recent addition of smaller 9mms it's not so much of any issue anymore. I had a Ruger LCP and traded towards a Kahr PM9, which I pocket carry religiously.

Falcon642 · January 19, 2011, 04:00 PM

Quote:

With the new smaller 9MM's that are out it's a very valid question.

Yes but those smaller 9mms have alot more recoil than those small .380s

Consider:

Bersa Thunder Concealed Carry weighs 17.9 oz and produces 3.6 ft-lbs of recoil.

Kahr CW9 9mm weighs 17.7 oz and produces 7.7 ft-lbs of recoil.

So the compact 9mm produces twice the recoil of the .380. For experienced shooters this isn't an issue, but for people who are learning there is definitely a market for the .380

When it comes to a hand gun you've got to pick 2 of the 3:

1. Small size/light weight
2. Low recoil
3. Stopping power

You pick 2 of those and the third will be a compromise. The .380 combines small size with low recoil at the expense of stopping power. The 9mm combines small size with stopping power at the expense of recoil.

markj · January 19, 2011, 04:03 PM

They are sooo cute? Cause everyone else is buying one? Cause I like to spend the same on ammo as my 1911 takes?

they are small and fit in a pocket. Why not?

meric35 · January 19, 2011, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Yes but those smaller 9mms have alot more recoil than those small .380s

Consider:

Bersa Thunder Concealed Carry weighs 17.9 oz and produces 3.6 ft-lbs of recoil.

Kahr CW9 9mm weighs 17.7 oz and produces 7.7 ft-lbs of recoil.

That makes sense. My P64 is around 26 oz loaded so it is heavier and the recoil is very noticable even after I replaced the recoil springs. So I can understand wanting a lower recoil gun.

Thanks

jmortimer · January 19, 2011, 05:05 PM

For some, me included, the .380 ACP makes sense. I don't know why people care if some of us like the .380. A center mass hit with the Buffalo Bore 100 grain hard cast FP will work for sure. Using the "logic" employed against it, why get a 9mm when you can get a .40 or a 10mm.

hardworker · January 19, 2011, 06:15 PM

380 vs 9 mak is a no brainer. There is no factory support for any gun chambered in 9 mak. If something breaks, you're on your own.

1goodshot · January 19, 2011, 06:27 PM

I bought a 380 because I like the gun, its a Sig 232. It feels so good in my hand and I shoot it well.

Kreyzhorse · January 19, 2011, 07:51 PM

I bought a .380 as a pocket gun. The Ruger LCP fits that role for me pretty well.

I would not buy a .380 in a 9mm sized gun however. I'm just very picky about pocket carry and and feel that most "pocket guns", like a j-frame snubby, are too big to pocket carry.

LockedBreech · January 19, 2011, 07:54 PM

My LCP is a featherweight, is reliable, and is backed by a manufacturer with a reputation for excellent customer service. It is significantly smaller and lighter than the previous smallest gun in our house - a Beretta Bobcat - and that is chambered in .22LR.

Frankly, I also don't see what the fuss is about LCP recoil. I shoot the thing all day without problems.

LouCap · January 19, 2011, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LawScholar

My LCP is a featherweight, is reliable, and is backed by a manufacturer with a reputation for excellent customer service. It is significantly smaller and lighter than the previous smallest gun in our house - a Beretta Bobcat - and that is chambered in .22LR.

Frankly, I also don't see what the fuss is about LCP recoil. I shoot the thing all day without problems.

+1 for the LCP. Mine has been 100% reliable for over 500 rounds of mixed ammo. I carry it everywhere.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Tablet using Tapatalk Pro.

AustinTX · January 19, 2011, 08:40 PM

Quote:

For me, anything too big to carry in my pocket should be chambered in at least 9mm.

What Sixer said.

There's no 9mm Makarov pistol that I know of that comes close to the small size of the Kahr P380. (As for 9x19mm, everything but the Rohrbaugh is substantially larger than the P380, LCP, and the like.)

HawkeyeNRAlifer · January 19, 2011, 08:50 PM

I hate to jump on a already crowed bandwagon, but I bought a .380 because a 12 gauge pump wouldn't fit in my cargo shorts. Lord knows I tried! The LCP is a compromise, size was the most important item on my list.

cobblestone · January 19, 2011, 08:50 PM

I just enjoy shooting my bersa. The luxury of choices, why buy a caliber when an argument for any other exists?

orionengnr · January 19, 2011, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Yes but those smaller 9mms have alot more recoil than those small .380s

You have obviously never shot a PM9 and an LCP (of which I own both) or a P3AT and a P11 (which I used to own).

The 9mms are far more pleasant to shoot than the .380s.

Falcon642 · January 19, 2011, 09:12 PM

Quote:

You have obviously never shot a PM9 and an LCP (of which I own both) or a P3AT and a P11 (which I used to own).

Comparing apples to oranges. The LCP is about 6 ounces lighter than the PM9.

LCP - 9.4 oz
PM9 - 15.9 oz

The PM9 is 66% heavier than the LCP. Go find and shoot a 9mm that weighs the same as the LCP and then tell me the 9mm is more pleasant to shoot than the .380

Same applies for the P3AT and P11

P3AT - 8.3 oz
P-11 14.4 oz

I won't argue that the LCP and P3AT are snappy, but thats the fault of the lightweight gun not the caliber. I couldn't even find a 9mm that weighs as little as the LCP, even 9mm derringers weigh 15 oz.

orionengnr · January 19, 2011, 10:33 PM

Yes...it is also the result of the blowback design of the .380s.

January 19, 2011, 02:57 PM	#1
meric35 Member Join Date: January 17, 2011 Location: St. Charles MO Posts: 16	Why buy a 380? This question isn't to start a caliber war, but I am wondering why so many people like the 380 over it's cheaper cousin the 9X18? I recently was looking at a new Bersa or a Used Radon P64/CZ 82. I decided on the P64 mainly because the cost and the size. I was able to purchase my P64 and 20 boxes of Silver Bear ammo for the cost of a Bersa Thunder alone. This gave me a lot of range time to become very familiar with the gun. Is the something else about the 380 round that I am missing? The data appears that the round is similar if not identical to a 9X18. Only the 9X18 is cheaper. Thanks

January 19, 2011, 03:04 PM	#2
Sixer Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,891	I added a .380 for pocket carry. For me, anything too big to carry in my pocket should be chambered in at least 9mm. __________________ Hopp Custom Leather <------ click for HOLSTER awesomeness!! -There is no theory of evolution... Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.

January 19, 2011, 03:08 PM	#3
LordTio3 Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2010 Location: Bloomington, Indiana Posts: 850	Can you fit your 9mm Makarov comfortably in an ankle holster, or in your front pocket? Enter the .380. They're unfomfortable enough to shoot in .380, bump it up to 9mm or even 9x18mm and you're not practicing a whole lot with it. ~LT __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ- Greek:"Come and take them..." Meaning: Here we peaceably stand as armed and free men, willing to defend that peace, and ready to make war upon anyone who threatens that freedom.

January 19, 2011, 03:34 PM	#8
carguychris Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2007 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 7,523	Other than pocket carry, the main reason is that you can buy a BRAND NEW .380, made by a Western manufacturer, with a full warranty. Not everyone wants 20+ year old ComBloc surplus, regardless of how cheap it is. __________________ "Smokey, this is not 'Nam. This is bowling. There are rules... MARK IT ZERO!!" - Walter Sobchak

January 19, 2011, 03:34 PM	#9
LordTio3 Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2010 Location: Bloomington, Indiana Posts: 850	With Ruger really trying hard to bridge the gap, we might see the 9x18mm fall further from the light. Ruger LC9- ~LT __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ- Greek:"Come and take them..." Meaning: Here we peaceably stand as armed and free men, willing to defend that peace, and ready to make war upon anyone who threatens that freedom.

January 19, 2011, 03:20 PM	#5
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	No, the .380 round isn't better than a 9mm .....its just a size issue ....where some people want a smaller and lighter gun ...so they go to a .380 ... It isn't a bad choice / just not something I need pesonally ... If you aren't reloading ...then yes, the .380 will cost you more to shoot it. If you reload the .380 and 9mm its a wash ....

January 19, 2011, 03:28 PM	#6
AirForceShooter Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2005 Location: Sarasota (sort of) Florida Posts: 1,296	With the new smaller 9MM's that are out it's a very valid question. AFS

January 19, 2011, 04:00 PM	#10
bamiller Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2010 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 455	Used to be the .380 got the nod because of size, particularly for pocket carry BUT with the recent addition of smaller 9mms it's not so much of any issue anymore. I had a Ruger LCP and traded towards a Kahr PM9, which I pocket carry religiously.

January 19, 2011, 04:03 PM	#12
markj Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2005 Location: Crescent Iowa Posts: 2,971	They are sooo cute? Cause everyone else is buying one? Cause I like to spend the same on ammo as my 1911 takes? they are small and fit in a pocket. Why not?

January 19, 2011, 05:05 PM	#14
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,763	For some, me included, the .380 ACP makes sense. I don't know why people care if some of us like the .380. A center mass hit with the Buffalo Bore 100 grain hard cast FP will work for sure. Using the "logic" employed against it, why get a 9mm when you can get a .40 or a 10mm. Last edited by jmortimer; January 19, 2011 at 09:45 PM.

January 19, 2011, 06:15 PM	#15
hardworker Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2010 Posts: 820	380 vs 9 mak is a no brainer. There is no factory support for any gun chambered in 9 mak. If something breaks, you're on your own.

January 19, 2011, 06:27 PM	#16
1goodshot Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2001 Location: chandler,az Posts: 929	I bought a 380 because I like the gun, its a Sig 232. It feels so good in my hand and I shoot it well.

January 19, 2011, 07:51 PM	#17
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	I bought a .380 as a pocket gun. The Ruger LCP fits that role for me pretty well. I would not buy a .380 in a 9mm sized gun however. I'm just very picky about pocket carry and and feel that most "pocket guns", like a j-frame snubby, are too big to pocket carry. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

January 19, 2011, 07:54 PM	#18
LockedBreech Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2009 Location: Rocky Mountain West Posts: 3,395	My LCP is a featherweight, is reliable, and is backed by a manufacturer with a reputation for excellent customer service. It is significantly smaller and lighter than the previous smallest gun in our house - a Beretta Bobcat - and that is chambered in .22LR. Frankly, I also don't see what the fuss is about LCP recoil. I shoot the thing all day without problems.

January 19, 2011, 08:50 PM	#21
HawkeyeNRAlifer Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 316	I hate to jump on a already crowed bandwagon, but I bought a .380 because a 12 gauge pump wouldn't fit in my cargo shorts. Lord knows I tried! The LCP is a compromise, size was the most important item on my list.

January 19, 2011, 08:50 PM	#22
cobblestone Junior Member Join Date: January 15, 2011 Posts: 4	I just enjoy shooting my bersa. The luxury of choices, why buy a caliber when an argument for any other exists?

January 19, 2011, 10:33 PM	#25
orionengnr Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2004 Posts: 5,173	apples and oranges... Yes...it is also the result of the blowback design of the .380s.