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If I am attacked and all I have is a .380 then I will wish I had a 9. If I have a 9 then I will wish I had a .40. If I have a .40 then I will wish I had a .45. If I have a .45 then I will wish I had a rifle. If I have a rifle then I will wish I had a rifle with the word magnum somewhere on the barrel. With it continuing onwards. No matter what I have on hand, when I need it I will want something bigger/badder/better. For me the .380 is a BUG, and my primary carry will always by 9x19 or larger but I will not discourage anyone from carrying a gun, even a .22, but I will encourage them to consider something with a bit more mass/energy.

Let me clarify what I was trying to get across when describing the transfer of energy concept. The whole basis of using a firearm for self defense is the transfer of energy, When and where the energy is transferred is more important than how much is transferred overall. If all of the energy is transferred to a love handle rather than center of mass or before penetrating more than two inches then odds are the target will continue to be a threat. The operator of the weapon will determine where the energy transfer takes place (this is shot placement). But when comparing performance between two cartridges discharging nearly identical bullets then the amount of energy will help determine when that energy transfer takes place, this translates to penetration meaning more energy equals more penetration. However the difference between the two cartridges in standard loads is minimal, with the 380 in some cases being slightly better than the 38 special.

Excaliber wrote:

G.A. Heath wrote:Off the top of my head I believe the 90 and 95 grain .380 loads typically deliver around 200 to 205 ft-lbs of energy. The .38 Special typically delivers slightly less than that, with I believe exception of the 110 grain loads which provides around 225 ft-lbs of energy. Typical .380+p loads typically deliver around 230 ft-lbs, if memory serves while, the .38 special +p hits significantly harder somewhere closer to 350 ft-lbs. Now these are just off the top of my head and I would need to consult loading manuals or manufacturers data. All the values I mention should be calculated for the muzzle energy. Normally comparing energy between different calibers is pointless due to bullet diameter, however both cartridges use .35 caliber bullets (.380 is .355 and 38 special is .357) negating any real difference that bullet diameter would play. I do not have access to any loading manuals at the moment to refer to, but any quality loading manual should confirm the data and be more accurate than my memory.

Energy in foot-pounds is of primarily mathematical interest has never been shown to correlate with wounding characteristics under field conditions. There are too many other factors involved. Caliber, velocity, bullet construction (and expansion or lack thereof), penetration in living tissue, and projectile integrity or fragmentation all come into play.

Energy does come into play as the energy transferred from the bullet to the target is what determines the amount of damage (Including how quickly it stops said target). Regarding the 38sp. Vs. .380 the Caliber doesn't matter as the difference is 2 thousandths of an inch. Velocity and bullet weight are what determine energy. Take two bullets of the same weight, but different velocities, the one with the greater velocity will have greater energy. Take a 90 grain 380 traveling at 1000fps, this combination will result in around 200 ft-lbf of energy. Take a 130 grain 38 special traveling at 800fps, you will see around 185 ft-lbf of energy. Both bullets will effectively make the same size hole, and have comparable energy. The 380 should penetrate deeper due to it having a significantly higher velocity. Now if we are using ball ammo or similar hollow points the 38 special will stop quicker in the target meaning that it does have a better transfer of energy and causes more shock. Unfortunately hydrostatic shock from a handgun is practically non-existent.

Both calibers are minimal calibers which have comparable ballistics until you get into +p loads, at that point the larger case of the 38 special lets it accept more powder and perform much better than the .380. in +p My point is that saying the 38 special is a better performer than the .380 doesn't hold water as both are nearly identical for ballistic purposes until you get into the +p loads.

Now I will readily admit that the 38 special has more bodies to its credit than the .380, but the 38 special has seen service as a duty firearm in many departments and the .380 has not really been popular until recently.

Off the top of my head I believe the 90 and 95 grain .380 loads typically deliver around 200 to 205 ft-lbs of energy. The .38 Special typically delivers slightly less than that, with I believe exception of the 110 grain loads which provides around 225 ft-lbs of energy. Typical .380+p loads typically deliver around 230 ft-lbs, if memory serves while, the .38 special +p hits significantly harder somewhere closer to 350 ft-lbs. Now these are just off the top of my head and I would need to consult loading manuals or manufacturers data. All the values I mention should be calculated for the muzzle energy. Normally comparing energy between different calibers is pointless due to bullet diameter, however both cartridges use .35 caliber bullets (.380 is .355 and 38 special is .357) negating any real difference that bullet diameter would play. I do not have access to any loading manuals at the moment to refer to, but any quality loading manual should confirm the data and be more accurate than my memory.

For folks who claim they prefer the more powerful .38 special over the .380, I assume your talking about +P loads. The .380 actually matches or outperforms most .38 special non +P loads, now some standard loads might out perform the .380 but the difference really isn't that much.

For me anything that makes a 9mm hole is the minimum for carry. 19mm is the absolute minimum case length I will carry as a primary gun with 17mm being the shortest case length I will tolerate for a Back Up Gun (bug). So, in my case, a .380 is relegated to the role of a BUG. I typically carry a .45 as a primary, but on occasion I will carry a .40 or a 9mm as a primary. Now the role of a primary handgun is to give you a chance to fight your way to a rifle or safety. The purpose of a bug is to give you options if you need to get out by the skin of your teeth. Any carry weapon needs good ammo, but that doesn't mean that an even smaller caliber handgun will not work if its the only thing you have. Remember the .380 is not ideal for self defense, just like the 9mm, the .38 special, the .40, and even the .45. The reason they are not ideal is because they are handgun calibers which are unsuited for serious self defense use. Since we are already carrying handguns instead of rifles we are already willing to compromise, the only question is how much are we willing to compromise.