.380 ACP: The Biggest Little Caliber
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- Опубликовано: 3 июн 2019
- These days, .380 ACP pocket pistols vastly outnumber semi-autos in all the other so-called "mouse gun" calibers combined. But that's a relatively recent phenomenon. In this edition of our ongoing Pocket Pistol Series, we're looking at the history of .380 ACP and the pros and cons of .380 pocket pistols when compared to smaller calibers as well as subcompact single stack 9mm pistols.
Watch the rest of the Pocket Pistol Series here! • Pocket Pistols
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A .380 that you have with you is superior to any other caliber you don't have with you.
I’m a cop. I’ve been at shootings involving a .380 and some have been fatal, some not. Just like any other caliber, shot placement is king.
Isn't it funny that he didn't use the Portland Oregon Police ammo I was an armed guard here 23 years ago and I asked them what their duty carry ammo was. Federal Personal Defense Hydra-Shok JHP label numbers 1000fps and 200ft-lb at the muzzle 940 and175 at 25yards.
Good point, friend.
probably ammo as well, so often you hear stories of cops lighting someone up and they live. Not sure if cops use hollow point defensive and a hollow point probably turns a 20% chance to die shot into a 80% chance to die shot.
im the emperor of china
Im A cOp, My OpInIon Is VaLiD
I have largely shifted from 9mm to .380 ACP because of size, and at close-in combat range, the .380 is sufficient to the need.
I have both I like both modern .380 can have way more velocity than even 20 years ago
I highly recommend the Hornady XTP ammo, it is the best performance in ballistics gel.
Modern 380 is amazing. I recommend Norma MHP's, they fly faster than my 9mm+P HP's, and while they don't hit as hard, it's still well above the 310 ft/lbs.
@@supergoodadvice853 I do have to say you should look at gel tests, as much as I love norma those bullets have an incredibly low expansion rate. I think somewhere around 75% of them do not expand, in which case you are shooting jhp in effect. Expansion is difficult to achieve with 380 due to the lower energies and Hornady xtp 380 and federal HST 380 are the only ones I've seen work basically 100% of the time in 380.
@@EmmaHopman I have, and I do prefer the way my specific rounds work. They don't over penetrate, and even though they have a hard time expanding all the way, they'll still spin around until they stop, helping create that petal effect.
Mark Twain practicing proper trigger discipline!
Mark Twain was based AF
Huckleberry's packing heat, y'all
He carried a gun for years as a newspaper man!
His name is Samuel Clemens you damn philistines!
Lol Gary I thought your picture was bill Clinton!
Damn, one must live in a bad neighborhood if they need to pack a .25 ACP in their swim trunks for a dip in the local YMCA pool.
And, in my opinion, quite foolish. The water will overtime remove the lube from the gun, probably mess up the ammo, and rust the internals. Especially considering that it’s chlorine water. Plus, you know he doesn’t have the gun secured in any type of holster. At best he has it in swim trunks with cargo pockets that velcro shut so the gun can’t fall out.
Here Im just glad you spelled piranhas correctly.
Great song btw.
@@JohnW-yv6yp My thoughts exactly, but I'm pretty sure it was a joke comment.
I work at a YMCA in a major city, and you see and experience all sorts of people. Needless to say, it is not unlikely you will come into contact with some unstable people. Though I've never seen any serious violent occurrences, it's not your Lifetime Fitness luxury for sure.
Would you wear your seat belt to drive there? It's just a short trip to the Y, do you really think you will need your seat belt? ALWAYS be armed. ALWAYS means...ALWAYS. How many people ever thought they would "need" a gun at any of the places where they needed a gun? Church? "What kind of neighborhood do you live in if you need to carry a gun to church?" Beauty salon? City administrative offices? Think of the places we have heard of shootings. THOSE are the places you need to be armed. At home? YES. 100% of home invasions happen...at home. ALWAYS. BE. ARMED.
I didn't realize the P3AT was supposed to be "three eighty" for an embarrassingly long time.
Huh... I didn't realize that until about 5 seconds ago. That's dumb. But so am I, apparently.
I was today years old when I also realized this.
Lol. Maybe y'all are smart in some *other* way.
I'm pretty sure you aren't the only one.
@@getoffmylawn8986 love the name
Pocket pistols are selling like hotcakes. Very few "gun trainers" seem to recognize this, insisting on larger bulky pistols, usually automatics. Your pocket pistols series is very much in alignment with what the customers really want. Kudos guys!
I like pocket pistols but if you look at the data compact and subcompact 9mm sell 10 to 1 over 380. It’s really not even close.
Pocket pistols are more fun imo
i hate pocket guns. there cool until you need to fire one and its recoiling all over the dam place. larger heavy pistils have less recoil due to there wight.
@@gogereaver349it’s not the guns fault you have bad recoil control my guy i. have a s&w shield in .40 and it has some recoil sure, but it’s not impossible to shoot. pocket pistols are nowhere as bad as you make it seem.
@@acid6urns lol ok.
I've been carrying for 20 years. I've needed it for self defense 4 times but never had to fire it. Just letting them know I could match whatever level they wanted to take the situation to was enough for everyone to go home alive. The perfect ending.
That’s an enlightened outlook on self-defense if I ever heard one.
We need to hear more stories like this
That seems like a lot of times. It amounts to a credible death or serious bodily injury threat every 5 years Did you ever actually upholster the firearm and not shoot? That takes a lot of discipline. Did cops ever get involved?
@@notphilivey 3 times here, I have threatened/pointed to use a gun against actual criminals in about 30 years.. 3 robberies /assualts against me precluded. Nobody shot
You point a gun at an ass-hole , they usually go away.. No proof is required, snowflake.There will be no record of it.
Criminals are jackals/ cowards , they do crimes of opportunity, most of the crimes they DON"T commit are because of actual threat's of real harm/arrest to themselves.
Now what happened to the next people those same criminals accousted ? IDK
So why do ask such questions?
@@notphilivey I would also like to know this.
Laughed my ass off when you showed that picture of Mark Twain holding up a Colt 1903, which is a real picture by the way.
Benjamin Danielsen
I'm not certain but: I've read that, for most of his life, Twain ALWAYS was "Armed".
My favorite Twain quote?
"Better to have a gun and not need it, then to need a gun and not have it!"
Twain traveled extensively in some wild places back in the day.Great pic...how many writers carry today? Happy Birthday Hunter Thompson, who was often armed.
Yep! What else should we expect from the man who said:
"Wisdom is the product of Experience, and Experience is often the product of Poor Choices."
@@adamsmith3413 Didn't he use a 44 Mag (mentioned highly in the book Fear and Loathing) to off himself?Back in his prime days "Dirty Harry" was King. every gun-nut and even non-gun-nuts wanted one or thought them great.
2000 to 2010 was a crazy time for pocket carry options. Thanks for acknowledging Keltec for starting the .380 pocket gun craze. Thanks again for doing this series.
I guess if you don't consider 1903-1968 as a pocket auto craze...
@@mattmarzula true but I wasn't around to see it.
I rocked the 32 keltec w a pocket clip around 03.
Actually, he said that the keltec didn’t set it off. The ruger did.
I carry a Browning 380 1911. I find that the 4.25" barrel and Hornady Critical Defense gets plenty of penetration, excellent expansion, and it's lightweight and comfortable. Also it fits my hand really nicely. It's not super tiny like most pocket 380s. It's a little on the expensive side but it's exactly what I wanted in an EDC and I don't regret it one bit. 🤘
Same here. Absolutely love the gun and it’s extremely accurate
@@damont4091 how do you like the trigger? Can it be improved?
Here in Brazil, .380 ACP was the largest pistol caliber allowed for civilians from 1987 to 2019.
This cartridge was rarely used here in subcompact pistols, but in high-capacity, full-size pistols are the norm, like Taurus PT-58 HC, Imbel GC (both 19 + 1 rounds) and Glock 25 and 28 (versions of Glock 19 and 26 in .380 ACP made for Brazilian market).
Its peak was in the 1990´s, because law enforcement personnel was still issued with .38 Special revolvers. Many police officers bought high-capacity .380 ACP pistols to get more firepower than provided by the service revolver.
yup high capacity and the available quick mag change in a stressful situation is incredibly important
In Mexico too. Weird
2:15 the ban on saturday night specials wasn't enacted to prevent crime. It was to make it harder for poor black people to be armed. This was during the civil rights movement. Many civil rights leaders strongly encouraged black people to be armed. The ban on affordable guns was a direct response.
The fact that the ban did nothing to prevent violent crime is no surprise. It wasn't actually intended to prevent crime at all.
Hence my use of the word "supposedly."
The ban wasn't specifically race motivated. But more likely "class" motivated. Poor folks of ANY color haveing acess to serviceable weapons being has always been a strong motivator for the "upper crust" to come up with ANY sort of prohibitions possible to disarm them. This has been true of every civilization that's likely ever existed. And 1960's America wasnt any different.
Alot of the weapons that GCA 68 act strictly targeted weren't just so-called Saturday night specials. But military surplus and medium quality semi-auto pocket pistols, revolvers, and long guns made by such illustrious companies as Beretta and Sauer. Not just the cheap RG's and Herters sorts handguns.
For example.
At one time. Before 1968.
A poor farmer, of ANY race, in rural Va. or West Virginia. Could purchase a mil-surp .303 Enfield, 6.5 Carcano, or 7mm Mauser AND ammunition. Via catalog mail order. For just a little money. And have a fairly serviceable, proven, weapon to use for home defense, varmint control, or hunting. AND it would be mailed straight to their home address. After 1968.
Not only were such private purchases rendered a thing of the past.
But the market of mil-surp firearms totally changed. The prices went up per item, the quality generally began to decline and any mil-surp handguns that got imported had to meet the new points system criteria. Some couldnt. Not due to their designs being poor quality or unsafe. They just simply couldn't muster ALL of the required features to pass the Feds GCA 68 points system.
Also. As an aside. I recall once reading some time ago. That the framework for the 1968 Gun Control Act. Was taken in part from a 1930's Nazi Germany gun ban edict. The framers of GCA 68 basicly sat down. And canvased all close contemporary, known, sources, of private arms control legislation that had been enacted not just in the U.S. . But in other nations as well. And some of those pieces of legislation were proclamations and edicts from the mid 1920's Weimar Republic era and 1930's Nazi Germany. From my readings. One of the reasons they scrutinized these sorry documents and pieces of legislation from those historically tragic era's. Was due in part to the fact that it was fairly well understood how the Nazi party had arisen out of the social and political turmoil at the end of WW1. The would be builders of GCA 1968 viewed the U.S. as undergoing a similar social and political upheaval. AND it was at the height of the Cold War with communist Russia. So.
They studied what steps the Weimar Republic and Nazis took to retain power and control over their populations. How their steps either failed or succeded. Right down to the legislation used to disarm the public and keep weapons out of the hands of what their respective governments had deemed to be "undesirable social and political elements". And after ALL of their scrutinizing, debateing, and political maneuvering with one another. The U.S. Federal government legislaters. Came up with the Gun Control Act of 1968.
Savage1776 Indeed. But at least one still has a chance to own one. Provideing one is wealthy OR doesnt have to pay a mortgage. And this is what the general public doesnt understand. Through the good graces of our politicians and news media. Not to mention Hollywod cinema. The general public has a HUGE lack of understanding about their own firearms laws AND about firearms in general. Hence the new (as of May 6 2019), talk amongst legislators about banning civilian firearm suppressor ownership. Half of THOSE politicians pushing for a ban have an extremely obvious lack in understanding of the current firearms laws of the United States and just simply don't understand how difficult it is to obtain and own a suppressor. And the other half. Already has a dedicated predisposition toward prohibiting private firearm ownership and are near constantly and actively seeking to strike the Second Amendment from the Bill of Rights anyway.
@@LuckyGunner exactly
Ok then why is HIpoint pistols so cheap ?
It's always a trade off and it changes over time. I'm in my mid-60's and prefer a .380 G42 for concealed carry. I tried the small 9mm pistols, but they tended to jump around more than the .380. To me rounds on target is much more important than stopping power. But, practice with whatever you carry. Remember, the best concealed carry handgun is the one you'll take with you. For home defense I like the Walther PPQ in 9mm. I have a few of them in various strategic locations around the house.
100% people like pocket guns until they actually fire it.
I think you're onto something. I'm 56 mow and have bought both a G42 and a SW442 for when I get a little older. I am still very happy, quite capable, and happy to carry my G26 with a G17 backup mag like i have every day since 2008...but i realize the time will come when I want to/should make a few adjustments. Kudos to you for protecting yourself and your loved ones! 👊
Not only are .380 pocket pistols ubiquitous, they are everywhere.
I'm not sure if this is a joke
That's what ubiquitous means???
I'm 16 lol not gonna lie lol freal blid what that word mean dawg lol? My generation don't need to learn nothin freal lol
In my pocket most of the time.
@@SzymczykProductions This comment terrifies me.
Really good timing for this series. Micro pistols are catching on more than ever, and I’m carrying one myself quite a bit these days.
My first handgun was a Llama 380 1911 coming up on 42 years ago. I've just added a Bersa Thunder 380 Plus 15+1 as my everyday carry. It has a fixed barrel, with the right amount of weight to shoot one handed with little to no rise. Making it a very smooth shooter.
Thank you for giving the kel tec p-3at the credit it almost never gets but deserves.
For real. This is one of the very few times I've heard it publicly acknowledged how the Ruger LCP looked "Suspiciously like the Kel-Tec." Usually videos and magazines just gloss right over that.
Thank you for a very informative 380 pistol video, I like the fact that you presented the historical background of the 380, including the international uses.
Next up for pocket pistols: Alaskan Survival Derringer in .45-70.
I got a T/C Encore pistol in .308 they can borrow...
@cmiller8492 ... I'm listening.
Um magnum research already has a 45-70 revolver.
Oh God not again I refuse to participate this time
I think it's stupid a 45 ACP is probably more powerful out of a derringer than a 4570 out of 2in barrel you're not going to get 35% of the power out of a 4570 with 2in of barrel a.45 ACP out of a 2in barrel you're going to get about75% of your power just because it's a big bullet doesn't mean it's real powerful if you're shooting it out of a 2in barrel!
I carried a P-3AT for like a decade and I never once noticed it sounds like 380 when you say it out loud.
Admiral Percy To me it looks like “pocket threat,” see it? P-thre-at. L9l
Meanwhile I've only heard it spoken aloud because I've never been super interested in the gun myself and only hear people talk about it and thought it was "P380".
Thanks so much to you guys at Lucky Gunner for all the different caliber tests you've done on hollow points. Your printed results have been my Bible for shopping for hollow points.
GREAT comprehensive stuff as usual, a terrific series, looking forward to the.380 “showdown” thanks for posting!👍🏼
Thanks for doing this series. Its been a favorite of mine and I look forward to each new episode.
For Me, the Kahr CT380 has become the BEST 380 micro pistol fit (I like my Makarovs, hence micro). Easy and consistent to shoot, noticably smaller than the 9s, larger than the 2 finger 380s. And I can pas Col Ben's Concealed Carry drill, with a reload, at 7 yards.
Thank you for this series, done in your usual thoughtful and informative way.
Very informative video. I look forward to all your videos please keep up the good work thanks
My Ruger LCP (second generation) is the ONLY handgun I own that has NEVER malfunctioned -- and that statement includes my revolvers. It has been my "always gun" for eight years. Thank you, John Browning, for this superb cartridge.
To avoid confusion, it's NOT an LCP II. It's the DAO model with a hyphen in the serial number,, and I would not trade it for the single action.
Truly appreciative of the quality content and unbiased delivery of information.
Wonderful video. In your .380 load testing from a few years ago I did not see the Underwood Extreme Defender. I did extensive RUclips research, watching many gel tests of many different rounds, and this is the defensive round I am going to use because it is NOT a hollow point. The machined grooves in the bullet cause the soft tissue to "splash" outward away from the bullet, rather than relying on the bullet to expand like a hollow point, while the .380 does not quite have the "oomf" to shoot a hollow point far enough while it expands. This splashing action causes a very good wound cavity of 2 inches and more. I highly recommend trying this load. Thank you for the extensive information on the .380!!
Goddamnit I just LOVE everything y'all are doing at LG. Just placed my first ammo purchase with y'all as well. Keep them coming buddy!
I really enjoy the history lesson of the rounds. That would be an interesting series to keep doing with as many different kinds of rounds as you can do
I've had a .380 Colt Mustang Plus 2 for about 20 years and it's 1 of my favorite CCW guns when it's hot out.
Loving this pocket pistol series. Keep them coming!
Thanks!
Yes......I'm a big fan of the 380 pocket pistols myself.......having had several. My wife enjoys shooting the S&W EZ even though you really can't consider it a pocket rocket.
This pocket pistol series JUST GOT REAL!
It's been great so far, but I'm really looking forward to the .380 'shootout', and the .380 vs .38 Special videos!
Keep up the great work!!!
38spl is a little more powerful
Definitely 38 spl.. Has more power and you can also use better bullet profiles in a low velocity round with a larger meplat. Things like the full wadcutters and soft lead semi wadcutter hollow points so even if they don't expand you still have the shard shoulder cutting edge of the semi wadcutter. As well as you don't have to worry about feeding them
@@Deadtileyedie but like any revolver THEYRE FAT , fat fat fat and even in a J Frame they’re still fatter by far than an auto and with in most cases less rounds.
@@Valorius um There isn’t one. There is no standard, as specified by SAAMI, for .380 ACP +P. It simply doesn’t exist. ANY ammo, claiming to be .380 ACP +P, is, by very definition, nonstandard. We don’t know how high the pressure levels may be. The only thing we do know, is that the pressure levels are almost certainly higher than what SAAMI has established as the standard. There are buffalo bore,doubletapp,Underwood and a few others labeled as such. Even buffalo bore acknowledges this and says its DEFINITELY not safe in every 380 and even if so it will absolutely shorten the ife span of the weapon. In my opinion with the micro 9s available why try to hot rod 380 and make it harder to control in small pocket pistols 380 shine in. Also most newer 380s are 6+1??? 38s are usually 5 or 6 shots so that's not double the ammo at all. No to mention most 38s are going to be more reliable and accurate than most micro 380s by design. On the other hand 38 spl DOES have a SAAMI +p designation as well as a +p+. Also if you're talking about boutique ammo then buffalo bore and others also produce standard pressure 38 spl loads pushing a 158 gr soft lead hollow point semi woodcutter at 850 fps/353foot lbs energy, which out preforms any standard 380 load by a good bit and is right behind The "+p" 380. A +p 38 spl will push a 158 gr @ over 1000 ft per second with over 350 lbs energy. Then the +p+ will be 20% more powerful. Not to mention neither standard pressure 380 or 38 spl jhps expand reliably so its better off in my opinion using a solid getting the penetration. In that case a 150 gr full wadcutter with it's full flat nose is proven to have better In line penetration and the larger surface area(meplat) also has sharper shoulders which cuts a larger full caliber hole instead of 380 fmj which ice pick through leaving a tiny hole and is more likely to ricochet of harder material instead of crushing through like a wadcutter. They are also designed very accurate since they are "targetloads" and have insanely light controllable recoil. Improving follow up shots and control. Also most shootings end in less than 3 shots so a 5 or 6 shot with training should be more than enough. Then throw In a few speedloaders and you should be fine.
@@Valorius your are VERY wrong. A buffalo bore 380 "+p" shoot a 100gr 1061 feet per second and around 275 lbs energy from a lcp(2.75" barrel). A buffalo bore 158 gr 38 spl +p pushes a 158 gr @ 1115 feet per second that's over 425 ft lbs energy from a sw model 60 3 inch barrel j frame(that also gives you the option of one of the most effective rds ever 357.. So the 38 spl +p from equal ammo loaders and barrel lengths. 38 all +p will out preform it by quite a bit. We won't even get into +p+. Also the 38 spl +p FBI load is one PROVEN statically in actual shootings to be VERY effective. 380 "+p" not so much. It also has much lower sectional density.idk where you got your numbers from but they are all off bud.
I love this channel so much.....zero fluff, maximum production quality
Awesome as always, this series has been great, thank you very much for it!
Great video. I find the pocket pistol series to be very useful. I'm considering buying a .380 - this was a very good video.
You really do a great job on this series...my wife is 71 and in great shape but has trouble with the slide.....we found her a S&W EZ380 and she fell in love with it.........great little gun
Glad to see the next episode in this series arrive. I'm a big fan of your channel and, from a glance in my safe, it appears I'm a big fan of pocket pistols. Kel-Tec P32, Kahr CW380, Sig P238, Ruger LCP, and Sig P938. I have other small guns in 32, 380, & 9mm but not quite pocket size.
Absolutely love the channel, appreciate the videos and information, really is second to none 👍👍
Great series. I'm considering a .380 ACP, this helps a LOT!
These are some of the best videos currently on RUclips IMO. I ask when you do the .380 shootout to please include the S&W 380 EZ. I am really interested to see how .380 performs in a 3.6" barrel
Better!
Your videos are well done and seem well researched, not the typical infomercial. I plan to keep going through the series, thanks.
I had a P3AT and loved it. I now have a Walther CCP M2 380 and love it also. Keep up the good work here on Lucky Gunner. You do a great job!!
I'm looking forward to the .380acp & .38spl videos. The pocket pistol-sized Kahr PM9 is worth a video as well.
You always do a great job on these videos ! Great information and well thought out delivery !
As usual you present an excellent easy to follow narrative. When I bought my .380 I wasn’t sure I would like a small pistol. I saw a used Taurus in a pawn shop and asked the clerk if I could try the fit in my hands. I didn’t hand it back to him but I did hand over my money. I love it and it goes with me tucked in an ankle holster. If I did not have it already, after watching this post I would be on the hunt for one today. Thank you for a wonderful post.
you fire a pocket 9mm even a big name like glock and you will hate it. 380 not so mutch.
I have recently discovered this channel and really appreciate your common-sense- and science-based approach.
Thank you, another very informative installment
I'm really surprised that you didn't include the Lehigh Defense bullet either from Lehigh or underwood. It gives great penetration regardless of denim and excellent cavitation. That is the only ammo I use for carry in my LCP2. It's reliable and I don't feel undergunned when I'm not carrying my G26
Your "informational" videos like this one are all well done, interesting and appreciated. Thanks
Great video. You explain things so clear and concise in your videos. Always very informative. Thank you
Love my Smith and Wesson Bodyguard in .380, it's hammer fired and has a steel guide rod. I use 95 grain fmj and hollow points. I feel so much better carrying this pocket rocket over not carrying at all.
I love my BG380, too. Use the Hornady XTPs in mine.
I love bodyguard because Double Action....cause 380 is prone to failed primer strikes
You should check out underwood extreme defenders/penetrators. I'm not a 380 fan but if I did carry one thats what I would choose!
I love mine too wish the trigger was a tad better tho
I switch between an LCP max, (a recent upgrade in sights and grip), a snubbie, and a Glock 43x in an appendix holster. I routinely carry the LCP max in places where firearms are legal but not popular. I carry the LCP with the 12 round magazine, and a spare. 25 rounds of .380.
Excellent job with the historical perspective. I came here to be entertained and left with a thorough education. Outstanding video series!
Your young enough to keep it fresh with great content and mature beyond your years bringing it like no other!
Just love your channel.
These videos are always great. You hit every point in a clear concise way
In 1989 Myself and two friends were involved in a street-fight when we were attacked by 5 gang members for being in the wrong neighborhood (not being racist, they were actual gang members, later verified by police when they were caught). During the course of the scuffle, one of them pulled a pistol and shot one of my friends two times, once in the stomach and once in the chest, and then all five of them ran away. My other friend waited with my friend that had been shot, while I ran to find a payphone and call 911. I found one several blocks away at a 7-11. When I returned to the scene, my friend that had been shot was dead. About 10-15 minutes had lapsed between the time I left and the time I returned. We later found out from recovery of the shell casings, and verified through the course of the trial (all five of the gang members were caught), that my friend had been shot with a .380. People that talk about .380 not being "enough" for self-defense don't know what they are talking about. No amount of debate, ballistics testing, or supposed real-world accounts of people that got shot with .380 ACP and lived (of course I know it happens, I'm talking about people that try to imply that that is the usual result, with death being the exception), will EVER convince me that .380 is not powerful enough for self-defense.
I've owned and used a Bersa Thunder .380 since 1996 for a small carry gun (backup). It is mega-reliable, accurate, and simple to use. I highly recommend this firearm. I also own and use a Bersa Thunder 9mm for my main carry firearm and it's the same story. These guns are outstanding.
I keep a bersa .380 behind the seat in my truck. It has popped many turtles at up to 75 feet.
Sold my Bersa thunder .380 and have regretted it ever since. The thunder was so accurate and reliable and easy to conceal that I qualified with it for my CCL. I'll be getting another one soon.
Very professionally done video and very informative as well . Thank you . I'm a .380 guy myself .
I love 380 acp. A Walther ppk/s is one of the first non 22 handguns I fired. It was one of my dad's carry guns and is now one of mine. Grew up shooting that gun every weekend and learned to appreciate 380 at a young age
Ive been involved in weapons a long time.. I think the .380 is a very underrated cartridge. I have several "summer" CCW pistols. With the right ammo, its better to leave the house with something then nothing at all.
Burn in Hell Lyndon Johnson. You know what you did.
He also has them voting Demorat for 200 years
LBJ was the crappiest President of the 20th century, and that says a lot.
He has a real nice Presidential Library -
@@jshepard152 Two old guys,(80's) were arguing the other day about who was the worse president; LBJ or Obama. Damn, I thought when you got that old you would know better.
@@jshepard152 his Masonic luciferian constituents had JFK killed!
Love this guys videos, so clear, concise, and impartial for the most part.
LOL ... "Because the metric system is less confusing." That was brilliantly delivered! It actually took me just a second to catch on. Then here I sat, trying not to laugh with strained abs and laughing in spite of myself. SO worth it! :D
Great video on the subject. Can’t wait to see the snub nose revolver vs 380 pistol video. There are hardly any good videos of “pocket revolver vs pocket semi auto.” Thanks for contiuing to put out quality content.
I can say, right now, the 38 Spl +P beats the 380 ballistically, hands down. However, 380 has size and weight advantages.
I want to see that, too. My 642, BG38 (38 spl revolvers) and BG380 (.380 semi) are the only guns I own that are small enough for me (female; small pockets) to pocket carry unless in a jacket pocket. The .380 is easiest of all, but I haven't shot it enough to trust it yet.
I have a Ruger LCR in .357. It hurts my hand enough that I only shoot 38 spl at the range. I bought it to shoot from inside my coat pocket....there is no exposed hammer to get snagged.
@@828enigma6 what about .380+p
@@828enigma6 not to mention you get a .357 mag snub that's the same size and you really got the .380 beat
This pocket pistol series has been thoroughly educational, eye-opening. It's greatly appreciated!
Have you ever shot a S&W 380EZ? I bought one on a whim. It's by no means compact. But it's a fine shooting piece in my opinion.
Yes, it's a great pistol
Lucky Gunner Ammo the Walter pk 380 is very similar.
Very clear and concise, excellent video. Thank you!
looking at self defense options especially in these times and i just have to say a huge thank you to the gun tech community for being so informed & responsible it’s really made narrowing down choices easy and safe!
not sure if i’d go with .380 just because getting a handgun where i live is nigh impossible however good knowledge to hold onto 👍
People who claim 380 isn’t a good round have never been shot with one
I imagine if your marksmanship is good shooting someone in the testicles heart and head even with a .380 Acp will stop them
@Hiram Abiff Watch out for those hammers though Hiram...
Why is this argument constantly regurgitated when someone is defending ‘their’ caliber?Yeah, a .22 short will display effective terminal ballistic characteristics if your shot placement is just right. The debate is not ‘can this caliber be used successfully for self-defense?’ - if you do your job, it’ll do what its supposed to. The real argument against .380 is this: what can it do that a 9mm can’t do better? The overall size of the pistol can be reduced by what, 5%? And for that I get a round with a significantly reduced muzzle energy and generally less reliable hollow point expansion? It just seems like an inefficient choice given the variety of small 9mm pistols available today. If there’s something I’m missing, I’d like to hear a logical counter argument, but I can’t see the appeal.
@@PrintsCharming13 The smallest 9mm I was able to shoot somewhat reliably was a sccy and that was only when it was fully loaded. The last few shots were significantly lighter and harder to manage. The smallest 380 I can use is the lcp2. The length is 10% smaller, the height is 27% shorter 28% thinner, and it's 30% lighter empty. And those numbers are similar to other small 9mm guns like the lc9s and the M&P9 shield.
Those are significant numbers. Trying to hide an object on your body can be tricky and even an extra inch shorter means you can carry it in more situations. It doesn't matter how big your bullets are, or how reliable your pistol is if it's sitting at home. It's also just generally more comfortable. That's what small caliber guns do better.
Also with modern ammo choices like the extreme penetrator, expansion is unnecessary and they have had impressive results in both gel and the meat-target.
There is also flexibility. In the winter with a jacket a 9mm or even 45 may be a good option, but in the summer on the beach in a t-shirt and trunks I want something tiny and at home I'm reaching for the shotgun.
And like you said, any caliber will do it's job if you do yours.
Have you been shot with a .380? I’m not being a smart ass, I’m genuinely curious if you know this from first hand experience
Great piece on the overall position of 380 in today's market. The gun comparison should be excellent.
Love this series! You do a great job
Danm , This was a Great video!
Subbed!
Thank You Sir!
My Kahr CW380 defies all the rules about .380’s. Small, light, soft shooting (comparatively), extra accurate (I can knock down the pie plates faster than with a 9mm) and extra reliable. Loaded with Hornady Critical Defense and in a DeSantis pocket holster, it can be carried year ‘round in any pocket.
Ditto. Funny that Chris makes the comment that urban life made it not polite to carry a gun. I call my CW380 my polite gun.
Jake Lonergan I have the CT380, love it! Enough grip for 3 fingers, 3” barrel, P+ rated, and I can hit what I’m shooting at.
Very informative and well done video. I live in Florida and dress in shorts and a t-shirt most of the time. As a result, I carry a Kahr P380 in a Desantis holster. I think the .380 round is just fine . I’m tired of the 9mm snobs.
Same here in NC with an LCP II.
Just got a S and W .380 EZ and love it. Only 50 rounds through it, but no malfunctions. Feels good in the hand, accurate and fun to shoot. Highly recommended.
Seems like a great gun. Wish it was allowed in California.
Love my .380 haven't left home without it in 6 years, actually been looking at a 22 mag revolver to back her up 🙏🔫🇺🇸
Can't wait for the next .380 video. Even though it's not a pocket pistol, I'd love to see the S&W .380 EZ thrown in the comparison.
Hell yes. That pistol is one I'm currently looking at buying
You should totally cover 9x18 Mak and the Makarov line, since a fair bit of people still carry them for the size.
The best clearest presentation on 380 I've seen. I am far from and expert but 380 guns seem to be particular about what you feed them. Mine has sights on it but they are useless as they are so tiny.
I bought my Colt Pony Pocketlite in 1996 when released for use as a backup. I've offered countless range buddies the opportunity to shoot it and it's been a straight no across the board. I remember one of the only other double action options was the AMT Backup.
Nice job. Thorough and informative. Though not a major ammo manufacturer, Precision One has a .380 that seems to perform consistently well in the ballistic gel realm. Just saying. Thanks for your hard work!
The .380 is more than sufficient for general self defense. In the right pistols, it exhibits practically no recoil which aids in shot placement and that is the most important aspect of handgun effectiveness. As an added bonus, most of the guns that allow the .380 to be a soft shooter, also happen to be the ones with the longer barrels which maximizes the velocity of the ammunition, aiding in penetration and/or expansion of fired projectiles. And, while there are some very small 9x19mm pistols on the market now, there are even smaller/lighter options available in .380 ACP.
380 is king for pocket guns. a 9mm equivalent need to be thicker and heavier to compensate for the power of the round. and it will be more of a handful even with additional weight
@@hotdog9262 pocket guns even full size guns with pretty much zero recoil.
One of the best review. Thank you.
Thank you for this Great upload, very helpful.
I believe the 380 packs a slight better punch but considering a mid size 380 like Bersa Thunder plus which holds 15rds and is not that small. To my surprise this was not mentioned from a pro's perspective.
Good review & solid information. Have been carrying my Walther PPK .380 & it is as solid a gun as needed. Thanks
Thanks for the video. This one came across very well.
I don't always carry a .380 (my summertime carry is, coincidentally, one y'all have done an article on: the CZ 83) but my personal go to in this caliber is Wilson Combat's loading of the XTP bullet.
What a fantastic presentation. Great job. I love love love .380 ammo. My Glock 42 with Hornady Critical Defense rounds is great protection.
Yes,that was also my past choice,but it has been recommended to go MAX pen ,or even a bit beyond for 380 auto.The hornady is only near minimum penetration
Nancy M-R my next 380 purchase
@@u.p.woodtick3296 , you will love it. It's the perfect size, not too small, not too large. Recoil is negligible, super accurate. I put a Hogue grip on mine and it made it even more fun to shoot, definitely more comfortable for my hands and it even helps keep me from shooting left. Even with a 9-round ETS magazine, it's still invisible for CC. The 9-rounder adds less than 1/2 inch in length to the grip.
.380 ACP is one of my favorite plinking rounds. Even though it's more expensive than 9mm, some of my favorite pistols are chambered in .380, specifically the excellent Beretta 84FS Cheetah and the Walther PPK/S. In the "pocket pistol" category, the SIG P238 is a fantastic option in .380.
Between my buddy and I, we own those 3- 380s. Fun days in my backyard. (I've also got 3 steel CZs in 9 and 3 steel SIGs in 40.)
I have a Fatih 13 (Turkish Beretta 84 clone), a double-stack Makarov, and a S&W Bodyguard in 380. But I'm starting to like 32acp more right now. Too bad you can't buy 32 ammo anywhere anymore
My Cheetah 🐆 84fs is the only gun I really carry
Outstanding video.. Very informative.
Many disparage the .380 round, but I think the same comment applies to .380 that proponents often make about .40 caliber: "I'd hate to be shot by one."
If John Browning thought it was good enough, it's good enough for me. I will take his expertise over anyone on the internet, period.
That is why you fail.
You have to consider that he thought it was good enough back when the avg. American weighed a third of what they do now.
I can't tell if this is sarcasm, or a Fudd statement I need to send to wokejohnnybravo
That has to be a joke or this guy is too old
@@domenik8339 380 can penetrate over 20 inches of ballistic gel. There were no HP rounds back then and also today not in every country they are legal.
I spent 13-years working as an RN in in a level-II trauma center. I've seen what the .380 can do. I would not want to get shot by one.
@Stephen Anthony 💀💀
@Charles Bue - The carjacker I shot with my .380 was taken to the ER even though he was already dead. The carjacker had a .40 with a 30 round extended magazine and fired 26 rounds during our firefight. Sometimes it’s the Indian and not the arrows. My son got hit by the .40 3 times and my friend was hit in the mouth. They are both doing well today because he chose FMJ’s and I chose Critical Defense. I also cary a Governor in .45 long colt but it doesn’t conceal well and I always have the .380 on me.
@Charles Bue you know ending up in the Er is fine for a self defense gun right lol
@@boxelder9167 Damn, man. Glad you’re okay. And glad that perp took the asphalt temperature challenge. Nice work and God Bless.
@@KonaLife - Thanks. It was intense. The biggest thing I discovered was that you don’t know that you are in a firefight until you are in a firefight.
The guy who attacked me was a 3 time convicted armed carjacker who was released after serving 7 years (probably because they released a bunch of people for COVID). His last carjacking he kidnapped a little girl. They caught it all on the traffic camera so I had no problems with claiming self defense.
.380 and 9mm are my favorite pistol calibers .380 being my most favorite
I own a G42 and love it for both a carry pisol and just for plinking targets. A truly pleasurable gun to shoot
The pocket pistol bomb was huge in the last 10 years now the craze seems to be pocketable 9mm
Except they're much heavier and they are more difficult to conceal.
@sgbobsg That's true but I didn't buy my .380 to be a range gun. It's my carry gun. I have a Glock 9mm that I can shoot at the range. The other issue with 9mm pocket guns is the recoil is worse and they're slower shot to shot on target. There's just more muzzle rise.
@sgbobsg Below .380 there is a difference in one shot stops, lethality and failure to stop statistics.
Do you think a person shot in the same place with a .380, 9mm or .38spec, and the round goes completely thru will know the difference, I doubt it.
Thank you for your balanced presentation.
John Moses Browning is the Einstein of guns. And yes, he called it a CLIP, meaning a detachable magazine, since magazines are not detachable.