ATXchl81 wrote:Why do people keep spreading this crap? If you look into any of the data, most handgun wounds are survivable. You think you're going to shoot someone with your .45, they're going to go flying back, and drop -- that just doesn't happen. Some handgun calibers give you a little bigger hole and a little more penetrating power, which gives a little more likelihood of hitting a vital. That's it. Placement is still key.A determined guy with a pipe can do a lot of damage and, while no pistol round is a sure thing for an instant stop, the .380 relies more on a psychological stop (the bad guy freaks out that he's been shot) rather than a disabling physical stop than do more powerful rounds.
Food for thought: when you need a gun, you need all the gun you can manage.
The schools of thought on this subject are pretty entrenched on both sides. My personal belief is the .380 is a solid defensive round. I have seen first hand what they can do to ballistic gelatin and find the penetration with Federal HydraShoks to be adequate to the task of killing someone if it comes to that. In some cases a person high on PCP or other drug may not even be stopped by a venerable .45 instantly. Whatever caliber you carry, I say get comfortable with it and try to develop a strategy for various scenarios and how best to deal with them.
A Ruger LCP is what I carry when my Glock 26 or 27 are not practical (ie. Summer months when no one is wearing thick bulky jackets or coats that could impede penetration). In those instances, either Glock is usually in my glovebox in case I need more firepower. Winter months I plan to switch to one of the Glocks in my Blackhawk Serpa holster. It fits me well and the additional punch should aid in penetration of thicker fabrics.