It’s time to take a closer look at the .380 pistol as either a backup weapon, undercover gun, CCW, or for off duty carry. To that end, I visited Gander Outdoors in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where I spoke with Justin N., a sales associate in the firearms department. Justin showed me some of the more popular offerings by various handgun manufacturers and pointed out the various features each had to offer. While many may consider the .380 ACP round to be less than desirable or perhaps lacking stopping power, it’s important to consider that it has the same bullet diameter, .355 inch, as that of a 9mm round. If you examine both rounds side by side, you’ll note that the only difference is the .380 case length is shorter, making the round lighter. Most .380 ammunition weighs between 70-90 grains, versus the 9mm bullets whose weights are 90-147 grains
The .380 ACP, Automatic Colt Pistol cartridge, was developed by John Browning in 1908. The .380 ACP round is also known as: 380 Auto; 9mm Browning, 9mm Short, and 9X17. The cartridge is basically a cut down version of the 9mm Parabellum. This “pocket gun” has been popular throughout history and has been one of Colt’s most successful 20th Century models. Some of the most notorious outlaws of the 1920s and 30s, including John Dillinger, were known to carry the .380 pistol in their pockets. A few others of note: Al Capone, Clyde Barrow, and Bonnie Parker.
Velocity
Since the .380 case is shorter and therefore carries less powder than the 9mm, the .380 round’s muzzle velocity ranges from 700-900 fps. Conversely, with more powder capacity, the 9mm’s velocity is anywhere from 950-1,200 fps. Makes sense, and that’s why .380 pistols are smaller and have shorter barrels (less than three inches).
Smaller gun means less recoil, right? Not necessarily. Felt recoil is actually a good thing, vis-à-vis Newton’s rule: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Much of the recoil depends on the construction of the gun itself. Those made of steel and alloy handle recoil better than those made of almost polymer materials. Also, size of the bullet, i.e., the grain, requires more powder and thus a heavier recoil.
Stopping power
With a .380 you ask? Well, as with any gun, of primary importance is bullet placement. A .380 pistol is generally used as a close-in weapon. One wouldn’t normally be taking shots with it beyond 7 yards. Using jacketed hollow points from only several feet away increases your chances of immobilizing your adversary, particularly with multiple shots. Many of today’s ammunition manufacturers have engineered their rounds to penetrate 10-12 inches of ballistic gel.
Advantages
The small profile of the .380 pistol is a distinct advantage over its larger cousins. More often than not, carrying the gun in the pants pocket barely prints at all, unless you’re wearing skin tight pants. And the lighter weight of the .380 doesn’t cause it to pull on the fabric. Years ago, I used to carry a 5-shot bodyguard revolver in my pants pocket. The cylinder caused the gun to have a larger print on my clothing than it should have considering the gun’s size. By comparison, the smaller, single stack ammo .380 pistol is much easier to conceal and slips in and out of the pocket much easier than the revolver, barely leaving an outline. Moreover, the pistol carries anywhere from 6-8 rounds which can be important in a life or death situation.
Recommendations
Although not a definitive list, certain .380 pistols have proven to be reliable and popular for backup and concealed carry. The following weapons, in no particular order, are worthy of your consideration. The first .380 pistol is the Glock 42. If you carry a full-size Glock, this subcompact G42 is a no-brainer in terms of its operation. It’s super concealable and its single stack ammo, 6+1, makes it a great backup. No learning curve needed to transition from your duty weapon to backup. Overall length is 5.94 inches.
Next is the Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard. It’s light weight and constructed of a high-strength polymer frame with a black, matte-coated stainless-steel slide and barrel. It carries 6+1 rounds with an overall length of 5.25 inches. The gun weighs just 12.3 ounces unloaded. Perfect pocket gun.
The Sig Sauer P238 .380 Auto has a stainless-steel slide and carries 7+1 rounds. While many .380 autos feature double action triggers, the P238 single-action trigger allows for greater accuracy. The thumb safety, magazine release, and slide stop lever are all in familiar places. Its overall length of 5.5 inches makes it very concealable.
The Beretta Pico is the thinnest .380 ACP semiauto on today’s market at only 0.725 inches. It features adjustable sights, a low-recoil mechanism, and a durable finish. Its weight is a mere 11.5 ounces and is just 5.1 inches in length. The capacity is 6+1.
The Walther PK380 is particularly suited for shooters with small hands, as it features a small ergonomic grip and an overall weight of a little over 1 pound. It also has a custom accessory rail for mounting a laser or flashlight and has an extended paddle-style ambidextrous magazine release. The gun has a capacity of 8 rounds and is 6.5 inches long.
The above described weapons are but a few of the many offered by today’s gun manufacturers. The small “pocket rockets” as the .380s have often been referred to, are a viable alternative to bigger, bulkier guns. Not to be used as a primary duty weapon, the .380s are perfect for undercover, backup, off-duty, or CCW. Teamed with the right ammo, these subcompacts can be a valuable part of your personal arsenal.
Stay Safe, Brothers and Sisters!
John Wills
John M. Wills is a former Chicago police officer and retired FBI agent. He is a freelance writer and award-winning author in a variety of genres, including novels, short stories and poetry. John also writes book reviews for the New York Journal of Books, and is a member of the National Book Critics Circle. His new book, The Year Without Christmas, is available now. Visit John at: www.johnmwills.com.
