magyvor said:
IF, in a worst case scenario, a BG (lets say 6'5", 320lbs) is an imminent threat to my life, and I have to use my 380 to stop that threat, the 3 rounds I can put center mass in about 1 second, should at the very least make him take notice.....now I have 5 rounds left, and when they hit him in the face, Im sure the threat will stop. I really believe this. oh yeah, the other 7 rounds in my spare mag should help too if need be
All I have to say about that is if you can whip that smoke wagon out of concealment and put three rounds center mass in "about 1 second" with a Bersa!!!! I guess that is all you need. Have you practiced that?
The reason I stopped carrying pocket / small pistols as a primary weapon is precisely because no amount of practice enabled me to present, accurately, and rapidly fire the smaller weapon with near the speed and precision that I could produce with a full size or commander size 1911. So, I made the decision to do everything I could to carry the full size 1911 at all times.
I've tried a Walther PPK/S, a Kel -Tec P32, and a Kahr PM9. Now I understand it's necessary to carry a small pistol from time to time, I still stick the Kahr in my pocket on the rare occasion. But do you really want to be trying to wrestle a fistful of pistol out of your jeans pocket when the bad guy is rapidly approaching?
And in the end, what's better? A marginal hit with a .380 or a marginal hit with a 9mm, .40S&W, et al. I think just as important as shooting the largest caliber you can handle is your ability to present the chosen weapon and place fast and accurate fire on the target.
For me, long trigger pulls, small nubby sights, ultra short barells, and grips smaller than my hand all stuffed inside a holster that's inside my pocket all add up to about 40-50% more time needed to present and fire the weapon. Forget accurate and rapid fire when I'm trying to move!
Get a friend with a stop watch to time you. Draw fire till empty, reload, and fire till empty. I bet if you haven't actually practiced that multiple times it will take you 20 seconds!! I bet it'll take you three seconds plus to get the darn thing out of your pocket from a hands by your side or hands in the air position! That might make you reconsider what and how you carry.
Once again! I know some people can only carry small compact weapons, but if you can carry something else, you should!
My 2c.