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.32 or .380 for pocket gun

  • .32

    Votes: 25 18.7%
  • .380

    Votes: 109 81.3%

.32 vs .380 for CCW

37K views 44 replies 33 participants last post by  Packard 
#1 ·
I was reading a recommendation on pocket guns and the author stated his opinion that 9mm was the best choice for a pocket gun and that .32 was preferable over .380. Now I dont know too much about muzzle velocity, penetration depths etc, but I thought a .380 would be preferable over a .32 for a pocket gun.

Ring in with your opinion in the poll and leave comments too please.
 
#5 ·
I sometimes carry my .380 PPK/S, so I voted .380. For a gun that size, it doesn't make much sense to me to go any lower. Now, I've heard that for some of the smaller guns like the Kel Tec, recoil could be a factor and some prefer the .32 for that reason.

My $.02
 
#6 · (Edited)
I carry a KelTec P3AT as a pocket gun. I don't see how anyone can think a .380 is less effective than a .32. The .380 is bigger, heavier and more powerful. That's like saying a .40 is less effective than a 9mm.

I do grant that the .380 kicks harder in equivalent guns, but it's not like it's a .44 Magnum or anything.

I have yet to see a 9mm as thin and light as my P3AT.
 
#8 ·
At this stage I use/prefer 9mm, but the wife didn't like the "recoil" & my 92FS is a big gun (I'm looking for a smaller CCW).... so I picked her up a BERSA in .380 and she luvs it.

I shot it last Fri. You definately have got to use a firm grip & it seems fairly acurate to about 5-8yrd. But I found that any further than that, the .380 gets a little "wild" in accuracy downrange.

I'm attributing that it's probably more the small short/fixed barrel on the BERSA and my grip due to my large paws than the actual caliber drawbacks. But I also never had any illusions it would only be used as a "target" weapon, since we were shooting Winchester 95grn FMJ target rounds.

The wifey wants it for protection when she gets her CCP, so I picked up some Federal Premium Personal Defense Low Recoil Ammo 90grn JHP, and sofar the .380 seems at this point......to fit the bill.:smt023

AH......good coffee today:mrgreen:
 
#9 ·
I carry the KT-3AT and I have shot it a lot. To me it is the perfect conceal gun. So far as bang for the buck it has it over a .32 anyday of the week. It's what I call a card table gun as you measure it in feet not yards for accuracy. They due recoil with a snap but if your use to the .357 it doesn't take long to get in tune with them.
 
G
#13 ·
I read what I would characterize as hype about calibers like 22 Mag or 32 ACP and how they are more effective than this or that caliber as they penetrate deeper but frankly I'm always skepitical when the writers advice is contrary to elementary physics. Without getting into the big and slow vrs small and fast debate lets say that big and fast is better than small and fast.
 
#14 ·
Not really sure how anyone could believe a .32 bullet that weighs less and is going slower can have better terminal ballistics than a .380 bullet that weighs more and is going faster. The dumber-than-average Joe can figure that one out. Hell, if smaller/lighter/slower is better, then I guess a spitwad shot out of a straw will drop someone faster than a .50AE. Good thing my 5th grade teachers didn't think that way or I'd be in jail.


Spitwads can seriously sting though, lol.
 
#15 ·
if one likes to carry only a pocket pistol (i suggest 380) then is it correct to assume that they are usually not in an environment that they need to have a hip holster (bigger gun)?
assuming this is correct then if they do run into trouble wouldn't it stand to be true that the distances involved would be less than 5 yards?
if so then isn't it possible that the 380 is plenty good enough for such short distances?
near the turn of the century, in the big cities, didn't most 'gentlemen' carry a derringer - even 'cane guns' - in today's technology we can now carry a weapon smaller in size than the derringers and instead of 2 shots we have 7 available!!!
 
#16 ·
It's been years since I had a 380auto, and quite frankly never even looked at a .32 as a SD option. Over the last ten to twelve years, I'd now consider a .380 as a viable alternative again. As for the .32---well, they say something is better than nothing, but if I had to choose, I'd think about going with even the 22lr first. Just my opinion-all ballistics put aside.
 
#17 ·
An instructor I talk to dailys a .380 PPK and says that he instructs the students planning on carrying .380s to unload at least 4 rounds into the assailant with either hardball or JHPs. This makes sense, I've seen balistics tests for .380 hjps and most have decent expanding qualitys and apparently the Hornady XTP is meant to have a lesser expanstion to aid penetration. The instructor carrys Federal Hydra-shok. I think that's what I'd use in my P230.
 
G
#18 ·
I carry a KelTec P3AT as a pocket gun. I don't see how anyone can think a .380 is less effective than a .32. The .380 is bigger, heavier and more powerful. That's like saying a .40 is less effective than a 9mm.

I do grant that the .380 kicks harder in equivalent guns, but it's not like it's a .44 Magnum or anything.

I have yet to see a 9mm as thin and light as my P3AT.
Say's it all.
 
#20 ·
I carry a KelTec P3AT as a pocket gun. I don't see how anyone can think a .380 is less effective than a .32. The .380 is bigger, heavier and more powerful. That's like saying a .40 is less effective than a 9mm.

I do grant that the .380 kicks harder in equivalent guns, but it's not like it's a .44 Magnum or anything.

I have yet to see a 9mm as thin and light as my P3AT.
+1 with Mike Keltec or LCP
 
#21 ·
Dunno if this hread is still active or noit, but from what I've heard the .32 is a great round for a coat gun. I think it's kinda an older round and was more popular in thefirst half of the twentieth century. Story from my grandfather is that his father (my great grandfather) carried a small Beretta .32 in his trench coat during the depression. Back then people would beat you down for a few pennies or so I was told so it was really a matter of personel protection to be carrying. My grandfather actually had that Beretta until he sold it about ten years ago, I sure do wish he kept it though.

.380 is basically a shortened 9mm, correct me if I'm wrong. I'd rather carry a .32 because in my opinion that's an ideal pocket gun round. I see the argument of stopping power, or lack thereof, in choosing a caliber, but any bullet's going to do damage, even a .22 could easily kill someone. Overall I think the .32would be the perfect blend of what you're looking for.
 
#22 ·
Dunno if this hread is still active or noit, but from what I've heard the .32 is a great round for a coat gun. I think it's kinda an older round and was more popular in thefirst half of the twentieth century. Story from my grandfather is that his father (my great grandfather) carried a small Beretta .32 in his trench coat during the depression. Back then people would beat you down for a few pennies or so I was told so it was really a matter of personel protection to be carrying. My grandfather actually had that Beretta until he sold it about ten years ago, I sure do wish he kept it though.

.380 is basically a shortened 9mm, correct me if I'm wrong. I'd rather carry a .32 because in my opinion that's an ideal pocket gun round. I see the argument of stopping power, or lack thereof, in choosing a caliber, but any bullet's going to do damage, even a .22 could easily kill someone. Overall I think the .32would be the perfect blend of what you're looking for.
So what makes the .32 the "ideal pocket gun round"? The fact that it has been around longer?
 
#24 ·
Ha Ha...

Now I carry a 380 almost every day... Kel-Tec P-3AT... Things change...

I prefer my XD45C, but it's a little thick for pocket carry...

JW
 
#26 ·
Seen a 327 first time0 at a gun show last week. Not sure what to think about them.

I have a Bersa 380 that I keep in my pocket or in my truck as a backup. I would much rather have that than a 32. I had had an old smith chambered in 32 and stopped using it simply because the 380 was much better. It's basically a 9x17 and in a light gun it's recoil isn't much to deal with if one is used to the 45 that is always in an IWB attached to me. The 380 is usually between the console and my seat and easier to get to when in the drivers seat and would easily deal with the short range to the other side of the truck.

It was a simple matter of taking both the 380 and the 32 out and shooting them at equal distances that showed me what was best.
 
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