Search for a good .380

[TomsTXCHL]

I had a ruger lcp, but it hurt my hand after about 50 rounds

But apart from the qualifying test, when would you ever need (or want) to shoot 50 rounds with it?

To attain and maintain proficiency.

Well, of course. But that doesn't have to mean 50 rounds one-right-after-the-other does it.

We shoot a mag or two, let someone else shoot, visit etc. before getting on the line to shoot again. Never 50 rounds at a time--that's all I was reacting to.

I would further argue that to simulate a real-world encounter that it'd be better to shoot as cold as you can be anyway (meaning longish pauses between mags at the range), not to mention that indeed after some significant number of shots your hand is bound to get tired, and then how good is THAT re: proficiency?

[asbandr]

When I go to the range, if I go with someone, I'll shoot a mag or two then let them shoot. If I'm by myself I shoot a mag, examine my handiwork ;) and load and go again. So I am taking pauses, but not long drawn out have a cup of coffee kind of pauses. And when I'm shooting I'm not just trying to unload a box of ammo, I'm focusing on what I'm doing that I can improve on. So shoot a mag, I'm shooting low and to the left, so I'll spend the next mag focusing more on my grip. Anyhow, this post is about the OP choosing a .380, not the method in which I shoot or how much.

[jbarn]

I had a ruger lcp, but it hurt my hand after about 50 rounds

But apart from the qualifying test, when would you ever need (or want) to shoot 50 rounds with it?

To attain and maintain proficiency.

Well, of course. But that doesn't have to mean 50 rounds one-right-after-the-other does it.

We shoot a mag or two, let someone else shoot, visit etc. before getting on the line to shoot again. Never 50 rounds at a time--that's all I was reacting to.

I would further argue that to simulate a real-world encounter that it'd be better to shoot as cold as you can be anyway (meaning longish pauses between mags at the range), not to mention that indeed after some significant number of shots your hand is bound to get tired, and then how good is THAT re: proficiency?

Muscle memory is obtained after many, many repititions. Shooting a mag and resting diminishes that, depending on the time interval and intensity of training. When I go to shooting schools I use my carry gun. We often shoot 600 rounds in a couple of days. Would not want to do that with a gun that hurts. ;)

When I was a baby policemen, most officers carried .357 magnums with full house magnum ammo. At that time, we qualified for the department monthly. To save money, the Dept had us shoot .38 ammo. However, for our yearly state quals we had to use those full powered .357 rounds. Lots of folks who shot very high scores with the .38's saw those scores drop significantly with .357 magnums.

If the gun hurts to shoot you won't practice with it adequately, and you are more likely to flinch or jerk when you do shoot it.

[ELB]

... And when I'm shooting I'm not just trying to unload a box of ammo, I'm focusing on what I'm doing that I can improve on. So shoot a mag, I'm shooting low and to the left, so I'll spend the next mag focusing more on my grip....

This is an excellent way to practice. There is a lot of recent research into training that supports this. A few intensively focused repetitions that concentrate on weeding out errors makes you much more proficient than repetitions for repetitions sake, especially when fatigue and pain set in. (Bonus -- it's cheaper too).

[TomsTXCHL]

... And when I'm shooting I'm not just trying to unload a box of ammo, I'm focusing on what I'm doing that I can improve on. So shoot a mag, I'm shooting low and to the left, so I'll spend the next mag focusing more on my grip....

This is an excellent way to practice. There is a lot of recent research into training that supports this. A few intensively focused repetitions that concentrate on weeding out errors makes you much more proficient than repetitions for repetitions sake, especially when fatigue and pain set in. (Bonus -- it's cheaper too).

What ELB said.