Explain the .380 trend...

[sokygunner]

I am wondering why .380s are as popular as they are right now, on this forum, on other forums, in stores, and some magazines. I realize the .380 can be a fairly decent self defense round and usually comes in weapons that are easy to carry concealed or otherwise. I know that the new Ruger .380 is very popular in the media these days, although from all outward appearances it is extremely similar to a Keltec. I have no experience with the Ruger but I am in posession of a Keltec .380 that is very reliable and easy to carry in a pocket. I also have a lot of experience with the Colt pocketlite and mustang .380 as well as the walther ppk/s. Good guns all. But I don't carry them for self defense when I can get a small 9mm or even a .40 that is close to if not the exact same size as some of the popular .380's on the market today. Why are people flocking to the .380 all the sudden? Gun trends seem to come in waves, a year or two ago we were still in the midst of a 1911 frenzy, hence Taurus coming out with thier 1911. Now everybody wants a .380, I just would like to here some reasons for carrying that when a J-frame .357 is available, as are small 9mm and .40 weapons. I'm open to all different reasons, I would just like to hear some of them. Thanks.

 

[Big Daddy Grim]

I think is thanks to Obama crazyness and all the new little guns coming out like the LCP but I don't relly know I don't even have one any more.

 

[gwnorth]

I think you've already alluded to it, by your mention of some of those pistols (Colt hammerless, PPK,...). The .380acp has been a popular round for near 100 years. I am not convinced that it is in fact any more popular now then it ever was. The ammo shortage or the appearance of it may make it seem so, but that is a false perspective. Some places are still saying, and have been that 9mm is as scarce or more so, or in some other area, it's .38spl and .357 that's scarece, still others say .45acp is non existant. So just how rare is .380acp - maybe non-existant in some areas, much less scarce in others? But "the internets" get filled up with talk of how scarce it is, coupled with lots of buzz about new guns like the LCR, and suddenly .380acp is "popular" again, when in fact, it never wasn't to begin with.

 

[sokygunner]

I'm just curious as to why it actually became "popular again" Ammo supplies in any caliber are hit and miss all across the country. Ok, try this question...Why did a company such as Ruger, feel that it would all the sudden be profitable to introduce a new .380? What type of market research did they do to arrive at such a conclusion? Did they go the the SHOT show or NRA convention and start polling people about what type of new gun they should introduce and in what caliber?

 

[gwnorth]

I'm guessing, but I would think that Ruger looked at the steady popularity of guns like SIG P230/P232, Kel-Tec, PPK, Bersa and realized they were missing out big time on .380acp pocket pistol sales. As I say, I honestly do not think it has gotten popular "again" - I don't think it was ever really unpopular.

All Ruger did was take an already recognized market, and added their own twist of small size and extreme light weight. But the market for .380acp pistols was always there, they just decided they wanted a piece of it.

I bought a new P232 a few weeks ago, from a store I deal with a lot. Gabbing with the owner at the time, I asked him how well the P232 did for sales. He said he always tried to keep a few on hand, as he always has been able to move them. Said the same thing for PPKs and the Bersa's - they always sell, and always have.

 

[HippieMagic]

I see more .380 ammo than anything around here... some stacks look untouched... .380 or .32

 

[sokygunner]

Ok, how about this...Why would a person chose a .380 over a similar size gun in 9mm or .40?

 

[gwnorth]

Well, personally, for myself, because the ergonomics and fit to my hand of the P232 is just superb. It just feels very natural in my hand and points like no other pistol I own. And I think it is an extremely well made, durable and reliable pistol.

For comparison, I was also looking at a CZ RAMI (and probably still will buy one of those too, when I can find an acceptable deal on a BD model), but while small, it is not as easily concealable on my frame as my P232. The RAMI is blocker, thinker (being double stack), with squared off features. While the P232 is sleek, slim (as in thin) and has all tangle-free rounded corners.

I also have no issue with the .380acp as a personal defense round. Honestly, I consider it perfectly acceptable and capable for close quarters personal defense. So I chose the pistol that I liked the best and which felt the best to shoot - I don't see any compelling need to step up in calibre just for the sake of doing so.

 

[huntsman]

Explain the .380 trend...

I don't know why it's happening but it is, Browning is bring back the BDA.

Maybe this will bring down the cost of the ammo (compared to 9MM) if they ever get back to normal production.

 

[Antihero]

Ok, how about this...Why would a person chose a .380 over a similar size gun in 9mm or .40?

I personally wouldnt. The only gun i have in 380 is a P3AT and if they built it in something bigger id have that instead.

 

[DasFriek]

For me its all about size,id love a LCP in 9mm and also have a manual saftey on it.
Only the Keltec PF9 and SCCY are the only ones making a small pocket sized 9mm.
So imo people are buying the .380's for thier size and concealability but settle on the caliber and would prefer a 9mm.
Whats fueling it all is the amount of states allowing ccw permits in the last few years.

 

[WRGADog]

My Kahr P380 is so small and light

I sometimes forget I am carrying it in my front pocket. The PM9 is somewhat bigger but stll very easy to conceal. In fact the PM9 is usually my constant companion. For me the Kahr is the best small 9mm made (after you put 200 to 300 rounds through),

 

[doc2rn]

I love my Sig 232 and 238 I have the best of both worlds. Carry either and your prepared. Dont believe me try one. I have carpal tunnel and ganglionic cysts in both wrists but still can shoot anything up to a 9mm. The ones that are out are 45 lc's, 357 mag, 44s, scadnium framed 38s, and 40s including necked down 357 sigs. Yeah I can still shoot them but I pay for it later, so why hurt yourself besides like everyone else I have been training with .22lr.

 

[SwampWolf]

I am not convinced that it is in fact any more popular now then it ever was. The ammo shortage or the appearance of it may make it seem so, but that is a false perspective.

I think you're wrong about that. For whatever reason, the public's demand for a small .380 auto has skyrocketed. Factories can't keep up with demand (as I understand it, Seecamp has stop taking orders for their .380 model because they're years behind) and there are long waiting lists for pistols like the little Ruger LCP. The current market for these type pistols is unprecedented.

I suspect part of the reason is that as more states allow ccw, more people are becoming enamored with the concept of a self-defense pistol that has ample (adequate?) power, is light and compact, making it easy to conceal and comfortable to tote.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Originally posted by mljdeckard: I USED to say that a .380 is the bare minimum to carry, particularly for people who absolutely must have a deep-carry piece. (NOT for regular guys who are just too lazy to adjust their wardrobe and lifestyle to carrying the weapon they shoot the best.) But then in about 1995 I think, I was blown away by the sub-compact Glock. Suddenly, it was possible to carry a tiny gun in 9mm, .40, .45, or .357 SIG. WOW. concealability AND power. These were followed by a lot of other sub-compacts in bigger cartridges. Now there are Kel-tecs, Ruger, Rohrbaugh, etc. in 9mm that are quite reliable. I've never heard anyone give a convincing reason to carry a .380 INSTEAD OF one of these options.

I dont necissarily agree with everything that mljdeckard said in the above but it is a wise statement indeed about the laziness factor. There are more people getting their concealed carry licenses than ever before and you better believe the majority of them are getting one of two styles of handguns: pocket 380s (such as P3AT, LCP, Bersas) or lightweight revolvers (642/442, Taurus UltraLite, Charter Arms) Both of these guns are small and light enough to just throw in the pocket. I tend to think of pocket carry as something that the not so serious gun toters do. Granted there is hot weather and people dont like wearing cover garments. The micro pistol is a too convenient solution for a problem that is anything but convenient.

I think the best 380 pocket pistol is either the Seecamp or the NAA Guardian. The vast majority of people looking for a pocket gun wont even consider one. True the Guardian costs a little more but that is not the reason nobody wants it. It is the weight. It is only 18 ounces here people. But that is almost twice as much as their precious LCP. Same thing with the revolvers. I tend to think the steel frames are the way to go but the first thing you hear out of an obviously inexperienced [with guns] person's mouth is that it is way to heavy. Yes it is 50% heavier than your precious 642. I suppose in the end it will all be figured out on an individual basis.

As for the end of the first statement in this post it is true. WHY must you insist on the P3AT when the PF9 is also available? Why the the LCP when there are 9mm Kahrs all over? Why a Bersa and not the Taurus Slim 9mm? Why a Sig 238 and not a Glock 27? I have no questions for the revolver shooters because I find the difference in the weight of a 642 and a model 60 which fire the same cartridge to not be as significant as the difference in power between a 9mm and a 380.

Also on this note I really do love 380 pistols but they are the ones that nobody really wants such as the Sig 230 and 232, Beretta 84 (and all Cheetahs) Browning BDA. They would even be good carry guns but I guess they are just too big.

 

[6x6pinz]

I don't know why the appearance of the 380 being so popular is out there right now. I have been and always will be a 380 enthusiast, along with the 32. I just like the style or looks if you will of a Walther ppk, whether it be my P230sl or any of my many other 32,380 or even 9x18 look a likes. My wife says she does not know if I own more than one pistol as most of them look a like. I know the smaller pistols like the ppk, bersa, sig 230 series... are all fixed barrels but can not think of any 9mm's off the top of my head that are fixed. I don't know if the way the fixed barrel feels is more appealing to some or if it just the smaller caliber seems less intimidating to new pistol owners.

 

[KegCommando]

380 is a much bigger number than 45, 40 and 9.

And bigger is better.

 

[wditto]

KegCommando is cheating.......

 

[earlthegoat2]

know the smaller pistols like the ppk, bersa, sig 230 series... Are all fixed barrels but can not think of any 9mm's off the top of my head that are fixed.

hk p7

 

[denfoote]

Ok, how about this...Why would a person chose a .380 over a similar size gun in 9mm or .40?

My PPK/S fits my hand better than anything else I own.

 

[Just One Shot]

I have an LCP .380, Springfield XD 9 HC and an XD .40 Tactical that are my primary carry guns.

I choose the LCP when I can't comfortably conceal the larger guns or if concealment is going to be uncomfortable with the clothing I'll be wearing for what ever function I'm attending.

The LCP is a great CCW for times when the clothing is light and the shirt is tucked in. I can drop it in my sticky holster and drop it the pocket of my pants when I'm going to church, work or even out to eat.

Due to a long time back problem I find myself carrying the little LCP more and more. The weight of the larger handguns (even with the polymer frames) tend to make my back ache after an extended period of time.

 

[1911Tuner]

The guns chambered for it are small, light, and easy to carry all day. The majority of the folks who want to carry a gun aren't willing...or possibly not able...to tote a 40-ounce major caliber pistol for 12-16 hours...and in truth, it's hard on backs and hips...not to mention clothing.

While the .380 does lack in power compared to a .45 ACP...it's a gun that can be there with a lot less effort...and the .22 derringer in your pocket beats the .44 Magnum that's at home in the safe should the demon single you out for a beat-down.

The other point is that people have successfully defended their lives with minor caliber and/or small handguns for well over a century. John Browning himself favored the 1902 Pocket Model in .32 ACP for personal defense...not the full-sized 1911...because it was easy to carry.

 

[searcher451]

I think that the OP answered the issue in his post: "I realize the .380 can be a fairly decent self defense round and usually comes in weapons that are easy to carry concealed."

Given the unavailability of .380 ACP ammo, however, it makes you wonder how any manufacturer can come out with a .380 offering and expect it to sell well. For example, Walther's PK380 line has been delayed for some months now, and speculation is that the paucity of ammo is one of the reasons why it's not currently on the shelves.

 

[HexHead]

The .380 is more popular than before because lots of people are getting carry permits and they think they want really small pistols that are easy to conceal. Many manufacturers are jumping on the bandwagon releasing new models to satisfy that demand. Part of what's driving that is the ease of just copying the Keltec P3AT, since they didn't bother to get a patent on it. Ruger and Taurus are taking that route. SIG came out with a copy of the old Colt Mustang and Walther is coming out with a .380 version of their little P22.

The irony here is that the little KelTec and it's clones, as well as the lightweight snubbie revolvers, are not easy guns to shoot well and are not considered by many to be a good choice for beginners.

As to the shortage of ammo, the manufacturers got caught with their pants down. The proliferation of new models had caused an unprecedented demand for a cartridge they normally didn't spend a lot of time producing in favor of the far more popular 9mm Luger.

 

[oneounceload]

Ok, how about this...Why would a person chose a .380 over a similar size gun in 9mm or .40?

In small pocket pistols - Less recoil, most 9mm and 40's are NOT the same size (Rohrbaugh notwithstanding). Even in the larger 380's like the Colt, Beretta, etc. - it is easier ti shoot well with less recoil. A 380 has equal ballistics (close enough) to a standard 38, but can usually carry 2 or more rounds compared to a Jframe. For pocket carry, it's hard to beat, unless you have the almost $1200 for the Rohrbaugh

Quote:
know the smaller pistols like the ppk, bersa, sig 230 series... Are all fixed barrels but can not think of any 9mm's off the top of my head that are fixed.
hk p7

great example