[ron54]

I have read some articles recently questioning the 380 as a self defense round. Not looking to get into a discussion about other calibers here. Just want to keep it to 380 as an effective self defense round in either JHP or FMJ form. The school of thought behind all this is, due to it being a lower power load there is an expansion vs penetration issue. On one hand tests show that if the self defense ammo expands as it should, penetration suffers. They then question is it now actually less effective than FMJ that penetrates far better, and more likely to disable the bad guy. So the solution they say is to mix ( alternate ) between FMJ & JHP in the same magazine, that you load and carry or use for self defense. So you get the best of both worlds. It seems to make sense in theory, but is it practical in real world use ? Myself, I prefer to use a decent self defense ammo, and count on it to do its job and be effective. But you know it has got me thinking..............!!!!

 

[Toney]

With less than a 3" barrel I dont think it matters not one bit.

I have tested a lot of loads one deer necks and heads, until you get to a 4" 357 your just shooting pea shooters, and even then a 357 is not impressive at all.

All the auto rounds leave a entrance hole that's lost in the hair, exit holds not much better if there is one.

Shot a deer that was getting up with my 45 in the Boilermaker at just yards!!!
Had to put one in its neck to!!!

The only mixed load I carry will be two 357, 38 wadercuters, and acouple shot shells in a revolver

 

[Toney]

PS.... a redrider will shoot a eye out!!!!

 

[ron54]

You know there are so many different ways to wrangle the subject, it becomes a mixed bag. There is also the thought like you said that anything up to a 357 is a pea shooter, and I would agree with that. And I have read that pretty much anything less than a rifle round isn't ideal for self defense. So whatever hand gun you can realistically carry for self defense is a compromise. Some more so than others, and it becomes what is most practical and comfortable for each individual. And then there's always the danger of shooting your eye out...............holey crap, what's a person to do !!!!!!

 

[xPSYCHOTRONx]

I cant remember wete i saw it but it was video of ballistic gel testing of 9mm vs 380. In both fmj and hp the difference was minimal. The difference was the 9mm had better range but anything 25ft and under the dmg was vvery much alike. I also when i was a kid shot a .32 into a hanging hognthat had some sort of sickness so it was inetible. The .32 was penetrating great a couple even went throught at like 15 to 25 feet.
I will try to track down were i saw the video.

 

[ron54]

As a practical matter then it could be a moot point, shooting at flesh and bone at close up distances. In the end its probably so close it may not make much if any difference..........

 

[John70]

Perhaps this is the site you saw.

 

[xPSYCHOTRONx]

I have seen that one but it was a time laps high speed camera showing the clear gel and the shot going through showing expansion etc.. i believe it also showed a few other popular defense/fmj rounds.

 

[ron54]

Here is another take on the subject..........

 

[Hawk99TA]

Great vids.

 

[nawaz]

nice

I have read some articles recently questioning the 380 as a self defense round. Not looking to get into a discussion about other calibers here. Just want to keep it to 380 as an effective self defense round in either JHP or FMJ form. The school of thought behind all this is, due to it being a lower power load there is an expansion vs penetration issue. On one hand tests show that if the self defense ammo expands as it should, penetration suffers.

 

[BillACP]

I'm sure those on the receiving end of Wild Bill's .36 Navy Colt could offer a few words on the effectiveness of similar bullet size / fps / energy. Seriously, it's not about caliber but shot placement & I fully relied on my Mauser HSc .380 as a BUG & off-duty - still carry a .380 today. Most of the fatalities I saw from gun shot wounds were from .32 cal down to .22's...just the rate of expiration may vary. I knew a BG who took a .44 mag to the head & survived...his intelligence didn't suffer from the process.

 

[ron54]

I look at it this way.....your looking to stop and or end a threat.......not necessarily to blow someone away.......and get yourself out if the situation......and someone on the receiving end of a center of mass self defense 380 round or two I believe will think more than twice about continuing with their undesirable actions ....my opinion of course !

 

[xsailer]

I hear ya Ron but there's always that odd SOB that hasn't enough sense to sit or lie down and give it a rest.

 

[ron54]

I hear ya Ron but there's always that odd SOB that hasn't enough sense to sit or lie down and give a rest.

And for those hard asses you treat them to all the rounds in your mag..... ?

 

[ron54]

Oh....then you run.....!!

 

[SlowBurn]

Oh....then you run.....!!

Run!.. is option #1 for me if possible.

 

[ron54]

Run!.. is option #1 for me if possible.

That's probably the best option......if as you said is possible

 

[lefty60]

Learn to shoot, what ever you choose to carry, as accurately as you can. It is well proven that the only shot that is sure to stop is a brain/nervous system disconnect.

Do ya wanna play, or do ya need to stop the bad guy????

Shoot him in the face, until he "stops". Center of mass/hip shots are BS, while you're "playing" with him, he may very well "kill" you.

I saw a guy that was shot "center of mass" with a 30-06 hunting load. Nothing left inside of his chest that was not "mush", he still walked to a tree and sat down against it to die.

I could list more examples. You be the judge. :cower:

 

[ron54]

Tuff stuff there lefty.........between you and bobber the bad guy wouldn't stand a chance..........your gonna disconnect his brain and bobs going after his nads.........that's what you call a really bad day.....