imported post
There's nothing at all wrong with a .380, IMO. To shoot one, or hear one go off, you really can't tell it from a 9mm. We used to practice with .380s on stop signs (not mounted ones), and they will penetrate sheet metal just fine, so stories of bullets bouncing off attackers' skulls are either patent nonsense or are the result of someone engaging at a ridiculous distance.
Also, aim for the sternum - lots of nearby vital organs and blood vessels. There's no civil immunity if you cause"collateral damage" (in an otherwise justified shooting) by missing a head shot and hitting someone/something unintended.
My one concern is that a lot of .380 pistols don't handle hollow-point ammo well. Practice with the these if it's the self-defense ammo you intend to use, to make sure that it won't hang up on the ramp when you need it. That or stick to FMJ rounds - overpenetration shouldn't be a problem in this caliber.
-ljp
There's nothing at all wrong with a .380, IMO. To shoot one, or hear one go off, you really can't tell it from a 9mm. We used to practice with .380s on stop signs (not mounted ones), and they will penetrate sheet metal just fine, so stories of bullets bouncing off attackers' skulls are either patent nonsense or are the result of someone engaging at a ridiculous distance.
Also, aim for the sternum - lots of nearby vital organs and blood vessels. There's no civil immunity if you cause"collateral damage" (in an otherwise justified shooting) by missing a head shot and hitting someone/something unintended.
My one concern is that a lot of .380 pistols don't handle hollow-point ammo well. Practice with the these if it's the self-defense ammo you intend to use, to make sure that it won't hang up on the ramp when you need it. That or stick to FMJ rounds - overpenetration shouldn't be a problem in this caliber.
-ljp