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.380 vs 9mm

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 5:57 pm
by Seburiel
Alright, this is definitely a noob question, here; but what is the real difference between .380 and 9mm (aside from the imperial/metric measurements) stopping power/range/accuracy, etc.

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 6:07 pm
by mdek
basically, it's the same diameter bullet, but with a shorter case than 9x19. Since I've never actually shot .380, I can only really refer you to wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.380_ACP
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9_mm_Luger_Parabellum

Hopefully someone will come by and give you some more relevant info.

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 6:15 pm
by Seburiel
Actually, that's quite satisfactory!
(Must remember...wikipedia is my friend...)

Thanks!

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 6:19 pm
by MoJo
The .380 is also known as the 9mm Short it is a low powered cartridge that was brought out to use in pocket pistols. The .380 is the absolute lowest powered round that I consider usable for self defense. The 9mm or 9X19 or 9mm parabellum is a full powered military cartridge that with proper bullets and power levels will hold its own compared with other self defense cartridges. Both have their uses the .380 as a back up or hide out gun the 9mm as a primary gun.

Hope this helps.

Re: .380 vs 9mm

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 7:19 pm
by nuparadigm
Seburiel wrote:Alright, this is definitely a noob question, here; but what is the real difference between .380 and 9mm (aside from the imperial/metric measurements) stopping power/range/accuracy, etc.
People (above) have already addressed stopping power.

Accuracy, while heavily dependent upon the launching platform of the bullet, is generally better in a 9mm than in a .380. There are many other technical (read: "measurement" and case capacity) factors which ensure the 9mm's greater inherent accuracy. Most of those factors are concerned with the projectile itself: how it is shaped and how much it weighs.

I believe that the consensus around here would be that, for CHL purposes, a person would be better-off with a 9X19 than with a 9mmCorto (.380).

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 7:50 pm
by Seburiel
Again, much thanks.
I am now the proud owner of a pair of kel-tec pf-9s!
They're awesome.

Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 7:57 pm
by Lumberjack98
Congrats on the PF-9s. Make sure that you post a range report.

Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 7:48 am
by hoss4570
Well, there both better than a sharp stick, but not by much. Get a .45..................... ;-) ;-) :fire :fire

Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 8:25 am
by Liberty
hoss4570 wrote:Well, there both better than a sharp stick, but not by much. Get a .45..................... ;-) ;-) :fire :fire
Sigh ...I was going to type a huge rebuttle about this statement, Then I remembered we've all seen it before.

Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 8:27 am
by hoss4570
Sorry if I offended you, I'm only stating the facts................ ;-) ;-) :fire :fire

Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 9:13 am
by Liberty
hoss4570 wrote:Sorry if I offended you, I'm only stating the facts................ ;-) ;-) :fire :fire
I wasn't offended, but the 9mm vs .45 issue has been hashed and rehashed many times. Its probably not worth making more hash.

Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 9:28 am
by WarHawk-AVG
Liberty wrote:
hoss4570 wrote:Sorry if I offended you, I'm only stating the facts................ ;-) ;-) :fire :fire
I wasn't offended, but the 9mm vs .45 issue has been hashed and rehashed many times. Its probably not worth making more hash.
Ohh I want to start the 9,455,643,233 AR vs AK thread

hahaha

The VT shootings PROVE 9mm is a deadly round!

Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 3:38 pm
by hoss4570
Molon_labe wrote:
The VT shootings PROVE 9mm is a deadly round!
Oh I know that, I was just picking on you 9mm folks. I carry a .45 because I like a .45. 9mm folks carry a .9mm because they like .9mm. I have a .380 that I carry sometimes. I was only having a little fun. Like Ford vs Chevy, you know??? :fire :fire

Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 4:25 pm
by lrb111
Molon_labe wrote:
Liberty wrote:
hoss4570 wrote:Sorry if I offended you, I'm only stating the facts................ ;-) ;-) :fire :fire
I wasn't offended, but the 9mm vs .45 issue has been hashed and rehashed many times. Its probably not worth making more hash.
Ohh I want to start the 9,455,643,233 AR vs AK thread

hahaha

The VT shootings PROVE 9mm is a deadly round!
How do we know that the 9mm wasn't just for show, and the Walther .22LR wasn't the primary shooter. Everyone "knows" that the .22lr has killed more folks in the US than any other caliber.

Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 4:55 pm
by CHL/LEO
Everyone "knows" that the .22lr has killed more folks in the US than any other caliber.
For over 30 years I've heard this statement but have never seen any data to back it up. At one time it might have been fact but I'm not sure it is anymore.