Quote Originally Posted by Hotsauce View Post
The gun left at home because it showed too much through your clothes has no stopping power.

.380's are a much slimmer frame, and when 'melted' really print much less through your clothes.

John C.
x2. My point exactly!!!

What's the difference between 9mm & .380 ACP (aka 9mm Short or Stubby)??? Mainly; velocity, because the 9mm has a longer jacket casing therefore contains more gun powder to increase velocity. The 9mm & .380 ACP share the exact same bullet. The 9mm may be a better round at a greater distance due to its velocity, but the .380 ACP will kill you just the same as a 9mm at close combat range. In fact, the 9mm may even go through the person and cause collateral damage hurting an innocent bystander.

For the sake of argument, personal carry guns are meant for close combat range (when you are threatened by a robber/mugger in close quarters). If you are trying to pick off your threat (robber/mugger) at long range; then you are now in an offensive sniper mode, not defensive (and YOU need to be arrested). If you are in a long distance fire fight with gunfire, then you need to seek cover and call the frickin' Police!!!

For close combat range stopping power, ease of concealability as a pocket pistol during the Summer, and overall lightweight-- the .380 ACP caliber is a hands down winner over the 9mm (afterall they use the same exact bullet). My ammunition of choice is the exotic .380 ACP Black Talon bullets used only as defensive carry rounds (never for plinking). If you're gonna' carry any caliber bigger than .380, then you might as well carry a .45 ACP (perhaps a small Para-Ordnance WartHog in .45 ACP). Just my 2-cents.