.380 VS 9mm for CC

[Squib]

Let me begin by saying I was very surprised to not find this topic when I did a search of the archives. It has been my experience this topic gets hammered 2 or 3 times a year on most forums.

I have had my CW9 for a couple of months now and I become more enamored with it each time I shoot. On top of the handling and accuracy, it is also a very good CC pistol. I carry owb and I'm finicky about how things feel and work.

So, my question. I have a .380 which I have been carrying; small and comfortable simply carried in my pocket. However, I no longer have any confidence in this pistol since, recently, it has begun to toss out the occasional FTE. Despite a long trip to CS it still throws out an FTE no and then. The complete anthesis of the Kahr. I don't want to slander the other pistol, so I'll just refer to it as a Taurus TCP 738. I'll be selling it soon. But, do I need to replace it with a slightly larger CW9 in the stable? Or, should I just go with the the larger round and pistol and simply do away with the more ephemeral .380? Many thanks.

[Bawanna]

Let me begin by saying I was very surprised to not find this topic when I did a search of the archives. It has been my experience this topic gets hammered 2 or 3 times a year on most forums.

I have had my CW9 for a couple of months now and I become more enamored with it each time I shoot. On top of the handling and accuracy, it is also a very good CC pistol. I carry owb and I'm finicky about how things feel and work.

So, my question. I have a .380 which I have been carrying; small and comfortable simply carried in my pocket. However, I no longer have any confidence in this pistol since, recently, it has begun to toss out the occasional FTE. Despite a long trip to CS it still throws out an FTE no and then. The complete anthesis of the Kahr. I don't want to slander the other pistol, so I'll just refer to it as a Taurus TCP 738. I'll be selling it soon. But, do I need to replace it with a slightly larger CW9 in the stable? Or, should I just go with the the larger round and pistol and simply do away with the more ephemeral .380? Many thanks.

Personal opinion forthcoming. For what it's worth, theres no room in my gun wardrobe for a 380. You already have the 9 so you need to decide if you want another CCW size gun or go with a full size/mid size for carry or range. Assuming your not concerned with staying with just one major caliber, (the 9 makes it barely).
My choice for small of course is the PM45. My next mid/full size will be a Smith M&P 45 compact. Course the list is very long and ever changing so things could change in an hour but that's where I'm at this minute.

[mr surveyor]

I would take a 100% reliable .22 cal handgun over any potentially malfunctioning other handgun (.380, 9mm, .45 or whatever). That being said, I also believe in carrying the largest caliber handgun you can effectively shoot (particularly follow up shots) and conceal. If you can consistantly put 5rounds COM at 7 yards with a .22 faster than you can recover for a follow up shot with a .40 cal, then the .22 cal may be a better choice. If you will pocket carry that .32 or .380 every day, that's much better than the .45 you leave at home due to dress restrictions of the day. You have to remember that defensive uses of firearms are normally less than 15 yards.... most being 7 or so yards down to belly distance and "point and shoot til the threat subsides" being the name of the game. Malfunctions and misses don't count on the scoreboard.

I generally consider caliber wars to be pure macho BS, although I do stand by the idea of carrying the largest caliber you can effectively shoot... and WILL CARRY!

I think I'm rambling, so I'll stop here:D


surv

[kahrseye]

I've had numerous .380's and I feel I don't want to carry anything smaller than a 9mm. The .380 listed in my profile is my girlfriends. She went from a .32 to a .380 and couldn't be happier. If you're looking for a 9mm and want to pocket carry it....I'd suggest the PM9. You have the advantage of readily accessible ammo, and at reasonable cost. If you want something bigger, I'd have to agree with Bawanna. Go for the PM45. It's not much bigger and is literally a "fire breathing dragon." Don't let that scare you. It's my favorit gun to shoot. Accurate and not alot of recoil...much less than you would imagine. And believe it or not, I pocket carry it quite often.

[jfrey]

IMHO I would sell the .380 and look for something like a CW45 or a G36. If you want to stick with the 9mm, find a good Browning Hi-Power. You have a great CC pistol already so get something good for the range. There are plenty of good options for carrying the CW9 other than in your pocket.

[The Habernatho]

I'd say it depends on the situation. I have a PM9 and P380, and I think they both serve a purpose. At my job where its a "Gun-Free" zone, the P380 in a rear pocket holster w/ a spare mag is all I carry. Any other time, the PM9 is in my front pocket. Also when I jog, all I carry is an LCP w/ CT, because that's the gun I don't care if I get sweat on. I guess for me every gun fits a unique niche, and that's how I justify the purchase. I would always rather have a larger caliber on me but sometimes thats not practical. That being said, I am confident in the .380 to get me out of trouble as so long as I do my part.

[Popeye]

I have a KTP3at that I've come to appreciate especially on hot days. It's been 100% since breakin, but when it's life is over I'll either send it back to KT for repair or I'll turn it into the police for $50 worth of food or cash. which ever there doing at the time. I will never knowingly sell a gun that is not working properly to anyone. When it's gone I more than likely will not replace it with another .380. My PM9 and XD9sc will become my full time CC pieces.
If I lived in a neighborhood that called for a 45 cal that's what I'd carry but a 9mm will do just fine around here. The last gun battle in the hood was 1776 I believe, and George Washington I think was involved in it.:)

[jlottmc]

FTW, there is a reason I got rid of my 380. Ammo was just too hard to find. Personally, I like .357 and larger, but to each their own. I would step up to the 9mm for a number of reasons though. Chief among them is the ammo availability, and the fact that Kahr has a 380 sized 9mm. The step up is noticeable as well downrange. Just my 2 cents.

[Dietrich]

I once owned a Bersa .380 that I really enjoyed.It went bang when you pulled the trigger and was dependable to a fault.Then came the ammo shortage and even though I had over a thousand rounds stockpiled,I found myself not using the gun because I wasn`t sure I could replace the ammo. I do not deal well with frustration.I ended up trading it in on my PM9 and I haven`t ever regretted it.I have nothing against .380s but I don`t see another one in my future.I can carry my PM9 more easily than I could carry the Bersa and I have the benefit of a more powerful cartridge.

[jreXD9]

I don't understand why folks pocket carry a .380 when they can carry a 9mm (PM9) almost as easily.

[jlottmc]

Those were my thoughts too. I like the PM40, and the PM45 a bit better though. Just my bit.

[Popeye]

I don't understand why folks pocket carry a .380 when they can carry a 9mm (PM9) almost as easily.

Well I think that almost could be the all the difference some people may need to make CC in there daily lives a reality. If given the choice I certainly carry my PM9 over my P3at,but if I take that a step farther I will certainly carry my XD9sc over the PM9 if I can. It's almost the same size but it's not. However 13+1 appeals to me more that 6+1. Purely a matter of what you can get away with when.