Posted by
short barrel:
It's been said that with modern ammunition, all center fire handgun ammunition is sufficient; that the new designs are almost equal inefficiency, one caliber vs. another.
I don't think i've ever heard that from a credible source. In fact, Grant Cunningham, the author of the article linked in the OP refers, to the near equivalence of the "major" calibers, and acknowledges that the .380 falls short:
In Ellifritz’s studies, the “major” calibers are pretty darned close to each other in terms of actual performance. Close enough, in fact, that they are in a statistical dead heat. The .380, on the other hand, is definitely not the performer that the bigger cartridges are. But the little .380 is still remarkably effective and a whole lot better than anything smaller. ...
Is the .380 half as good as the 9mm? If the data is accurate, it’s actually better than that.
Right.
Nothing you can stuff into a .380 case will propel a bullet with enough energy that it is sufficient or efficient.
That will depend on circumstance--on what the assailant is wearing, on the direction from which you hit him, on whether you first hit an arm, on the attacker's physical and psychological condition....; Cunningham acknowledges that it is inferior to the others in terms of penetration, but he opines that it's not
that bad, and he points out that it does have advantages in terms of recoil in very small guns.
I've said it here before more than once. I have tested and tested the .380. The best one I came up with was the factory 100 grain hard cast, which is still vastly inefficient. You can't compare a .380 to a 9mm or anything else.
All my testing was done because I desperately wanted to carry one, due to it's size and ease of carry.
Thanks for the input.
We can site some occurrences where it saved someone's life. We can talk about the one-stop-shot ballistics that show the 380 is at least in the running.
Yes, people do seem to like to do that.
But the reality is, a .380 is not a thing to carry around believing it will get you out of whatever trouble you imagine you might encounter.
The fact of the matter is, if I ever have to draw and shoot, I am not under the impression that my 9MM will necessarily suffice, or that any other pistol would do so.
First, I have to detect and recognize threat in time. Then I have to draw quickly enough to handle the situation. You can bet that he will not be standing still, or I will most likely have no business shooting at him.
Then, if shooting remains necessary after the draw, I have to shoot fast enough and well enough to stop the subject, who will most likely be moving fast. If a psychological stop does not occur, I have to hit something vital. I've had enough training to know that that will be less a factor of "good shooting" and marksmanship, and more a factor of how a balance of speed and precision will result in effective locations of hits in a stochastic (random) manner.
I have not, however, had so much training that I am not worried about the outcome. No, I do not walk around believing that my firearm will get me out of whatever trouble I imagine I might encounter. Rather, I will try my best for avoidance. The firearm is there only as a last resort.
And should the need ever arise, it will be in a good holster--OWB when I can dress for it, and IWB (same deign) if necessary.
Walt Sherrill made reason for that very clear:
Pocket carry is certainly more convenient, but I've come to believe it is much slower than IWB or belt slide carry, and that just adds time delays when time is already your enemy.
If you have (or have access to) a timer like those used in the gun games, the next time you go to the range have someone time just how long it takes you to bring a pocket gun into play. Listen for the beep and then present your weapon (to shooting level) and fire one shot. Do it as you would were you walking down the street -- not with your hand in your pocket.
I think you (and others here who do use pocket carry) will be surprised -- and possibly disheartened by how much time is needed to get that first shot off. (And since you've got the time, see how long it takes for you to do it, while hitting a nearby target with 2 rounds or 4 rounds, etc.)
Anyone who avails himself or herself of a good defensive pistol shooting course will notice immediately that the equipment requirements rule out pocket guns and pocket carry, though there are sessions for back-up guns here and there.
A number of people I know started out carrying guns in their pockets; some said they had to in their professions. They all happened to choose .380s.
It didn't take them very long to change their minds--and their equipment.
)
