Concealed Carry opinion wanted.. 851 vs TCP or others

[olfarhors]

HMM! years since I reloaded and things change, apparently a lot if this is true!
I think ( and have bad memory) but isn't about the top energy level of a 380 in the 200-240 pound range?
of course if you compare a humped up 380 reload to a slow 38 spl. light load 158 grain it may be equal or close, but this isn't really  true comparison.
as usual you can skew the results to say a lot of different things.
I like the little 380 but i accept its limitations.

[Ogre]

I just can't see 380 doing what a 158 gr lswchp can do ><

I agree. I think the .380 is an effective round, and might even be as good as an older .38spcl non-+p load. However, I just don't see it packing the same wallup as a Speer Gold Dot .38spcl +p or the 158gr lswchp. My Bersa .380 is a nice shooting gun, and it's an effective concealed carry weapon, but I don't think it can outdo (or even tie) my Taurus 85 on anything other than accuracy at over 7yds. (And my snubby groups well-enough at 7 and 15yds anyway).

[badge851]

According Handgun Magazine Ballistic Charts, the smaller .380 acp or 9mm Kurtz is equal to the .38spl in all areas, so your not losing anything by carrying a .380 pocket gun. For deep concealment my TCP is easier to conceal than my Brothers S&W BodyGuard because of the wheelie's cylinder bulge.

I would much rather have a snubnose 38 Special firing 158gr LSWCHP, than any 380 with 'pipsqueak' 95gr bullets.

[dutchmaster38]

My TCP is loaded with Winchester PDX1 JHP .380 loads, and are pretty darned potent, believe me! Although .380's are not as potent as their big brother the 9mm, they are definitely equal to the .38 spl. Read the ballistics chart I posted...

[olfarhors]

I would much rather have a snubnose 38 Special firing 158gr LSWCHP, than any 380 with 'pipsqueak' 95gr bullets.
[/quote]

True! but I had much rather have my 738 loaded with pipsqueak 95 grain hollow points in my front pocket than to have my 38 snubby loaded with 158 grain plus p ammo at home in the drawer of the night stand.
plus i can throw 13 rounds out of it a lot quicker than you can fire 7 rounds out of the 38.
the point is that the 738 is a pocket pistol, the 38 snubby really isn't!
 this comparison is like you comparing your 38 spl 158 grain swchp to my dan wesson 41 magnum with 210 grain jacketed hollow points in it. yep mines a lot more potent but are you going to be able to have it with you all the time?

[sherlock]

Last Friday I picked up my 738.  I wanted something I could wear with dress clothes and could disappear and be comfortable in my front pocket or jacket.  For a civilian (like me) it is likely that a confrontation would happen within a few yards.  At a close distance 200 ft-lbf from good ammunition will deliver enough kinetic force to stop most assailants.  This might mean 2-3 rounds but with a 738  but you have that it on you because its small and accurate to boot, its a great, natural point and shoot gun. A quick magazine drop and reload and you have the ability to stop 2-3 more BG's depending on placement, YMMV.