Aaron1124
Regular Member
imported post
Which do you carry for self defense, and why?
Which do you carry for self defense, and why?
Whoever told you that didn't do you any favors. I would not take this advice to anything other than the dust bin.from what i was taught; be innocent of instigation, hollow points show a hostile intent, standard load, standard round shows a defensive posture.
from what i was taught; be innocent of instigation, hollow points show a hostile intent, standard load, standard round shows a defensive posture.
And thats why I carry a .40I carry a .380 and I've been told by multiple people (not just schmoe's on the street) that JHP in .380 is pointless, especially in heavier clothing weather. There's not enough force behind a .380 to mushroom the bullet in JHP so all it does is collect fabric from passing through the material and using a large amount of energy just passing through the clothing that it wouldn't lose with FMJ. It's a pretty overwhelming consensus that some rounds (.380 in particular) should always be FMJ. You're NOT going to overpenetrate with a .380!
How much of a difference does heavy clothing make? Obviously with more layers, you'll be more protected, but when compared to the velocity of the round coming at you, is it really enough to make a difference?I wouldn't say that a .380 is useless, but I do consider it to be a close-contact weapon Same with my .22BUG that I carry Stingers in ... weapon of last resort and close contact.
But, with that said, if I need a client to carry due to stalking or violent ex, I provide the .380 ... small enough for most women who are unfamiliar with guns to shoot and not big enough to intimidate them. (I am a PI and do protection so I have a different objective with certain guns at times.) DD carries the .380 w/JHPmost of the time. I carry a 9mm w/JHPmost of the time, but step up to a .45 w/ballwhen in the metro and here's the latest reason why)
As for .380 stopping power, well, enough rounds will stop most things. The question is whether you will have enough time to deliver the amount of rounds necessary to stop the threat. Heck, even a .45 to the chest is not enough to stop a big man on drugs ... but as far as a run-of-the-mill robber, it should be enough protection as you are basically dealing with a coward.
When it is winter time, and folks are in leather coats and heavy winter clothing, I will change all out to ball ammo for penetration.
How does SHOOTING somebody show anything BUT "hostile intent"?from what i was taught; be innocent of instigation, hollow points show a hostile intent, standard load, standard round shows a defensive posture.
I know it has been said a number of times here, but it does some good to repeat. Saying "shoot to kill"may not be the smartest way to characterise your intent. I know lots of people prefer to say "shoot to stop the threat." Sometimes, stopping the threat involvesa fatal shot, sometimes not.I use Starfire JHPs of the 180gr .40 variety. I want to know that if I have a reason to shoot someone, it's gonna be a nasty hole to patch up, if they survive long enough to make it to a trauma center.
Shoot to kill, because killing is the surest way to ensure the offender is no longer a threat. It also ensures that there is only one story that can be told; yours.
Two in the chest, one in the head.