380 versus 9mm (questions)

[Shoots4Fun]

I have multiple questions and I’ll try to put them as succinctly as possible.
Background: I have a Bersa 380 which I enjoy shooting a lot. Almost everyone I take shooting loves it too. I sometimes carry it, but mostly just target shoot with it at the range. I have some ammo stashed away, but have gotten so frustrated with the availability of the 380 ammo for it recently, that I find myself shooting it less. But, it shoots so smooth and easy, that I want to shoot it more. My only real handgun comparison is my experience with my G27 which is much snappier and more powerful of course. Different in every way.

My next purchase will be a full size 9mm. I’m working to save up for one, but have gotten so frustrated with the 380 ammo availability that I have considered accelerating my purchase by selling the beloved Bersa.

Question: I have read a lot about the stopping power of the 380 versus 9mm, so my question isn’t so much about that. I know the 9mm is better, to varying degrees, for stopping power and personal protection. What are people’s opinions and experience here with the 9mm and 380? What about shooting a 9mm handgun compared to a 380? I know the handguns will vary in their shooting and recoil based on their style and manufacturer, but is there a general answer such as the 9mm is more similar to the 380 or more like the 40 cal?

The 380 ammo seems to be a very popular caliber for the many pocket pistols and back-up pistols. I know I’m not the only one looking for it constantly. Does anyone expect that production for this will ever be ramped up to catch up with demand or will the standard 9mm production always take precedence?

Any advice or insight would be appreciated…

[hemicharger]

.380 is a good caliber for a pocket pistol. I carry my Ruger LCP everyday. But the 380 is no match for 9mm or .40 s&w. I suggest you try out a few 9mm or .40 handguns out yourself so you can feel which one you shoot better. My HD and SHTF gun is a G19 with night sights, TLR1 and enough 17rd mags to fill a room. But my opinion is just one of many that you will get on here.

[redneckmedic]

9mm is from my understanding the most widely used handgun ammo in the world. (not including .22LR) Second, don't loose sleep over stopping power, if you look at the difference btwn 9mm and 45 acp you will see that the cavitation isn't significant, so the .380 and 9mm would be even smaller.

http://ingunowners.com/forums/genera...own_power.html

The internal damage is generally called Cavitation and the damage depends on if it hits soft organs or hard organs. It also matter what else it hits, if it tumbles, or divides, or plays plinko.



.380

A Critical Choice

Most of my GSW patients have had hardly any blood and there was no stopping power. Minus my self inflicted ones. Think of the external damage as this. Paper punching. The hole is generally all the same. But cavitation is a direct influence on both mass and velocity. And the result is a temp. cavity that expands (destroying tissues) before closing.

[mjrducky]

If you really want to get rid of the Bersa because of the 380 ammo in short supply consider a small 9MM that you can pocket carry if you so choose. I will carry the taurus slim sometimes when I want more then my 380 and yet it still fits in my pocket. However I have seen the 380 coming around from time to time in the local gun stores so its just a matter of time if you just hang on. How long I'm not sure.

[Mickard]

In your opinion and experience, was the Taurus more expenisve than the Bersa? Which Taurus did you get to carry? I liked the small footprint you show, but was unsure of the model number (if I missed it)

[CandRFan]

If at all possible..I'd just like to say that maybe you should hold onto that Bersa that you enjoy shooting so much instead of selling it to get a 9mm, partially out of frustration of finding .380 ammo.

9mm and the guns that shoot it aren't going anywhere soon. I'm sure that many Ingo'ers have a gun that they've sold off that they regret.

I don't know what to tell you about finding .380 ammo...it's a problem a lot of people are having though. It's easy for me to say, since I'm sitting on plenty of .380, but I'd just suggest trying to hold out and keep saving for that 9mm instead of selling a beloved gun.

[LPMan59]

.380 can be found. Gander Mountain had some today for $20/50 rounds. not the greatest price, but cheaper than what most members here sell it for.

[IndyGunworks]

Originally Posted by Shoots4Fun

accelerating my purchase by selling the beloved Bersa.

that quote alone tells me that you will kick yourself in the but for a very long time if you sell the bersa.... they are great guns and will only get more expensive in the future.

as for the availability keep checking online and find some instock... if you look often enough you will find it for a good price... also check your walmarts and miejers daily and you WILL find some, you just have to be persistant.

as for the stopping power? its more about shot placement... a gunshot to the leg is not lethal with either a .380 or 44 mag (unless you hit an artery) same goes for a shot to the heart, you get hit in the heart or head with either round your dead. the only differance is going to be SHOCK value of the round... the 9mm is going to be more noticable to the person getting shot.

would you like to get shot with a .380?

[dice dealer]

DUDE ..

Do not sell your .380 ...just chill ammo is slowly coming down in price ...

If you want a 9 or a 40 .( personally i like the 9)
save for it and buy it ....

The taurus 709 is a nice gun for a cheaper price .

you will hate yourself if you sell the bersa

[pute62]

I have a Bersa and must admit it's one of the best guns I ever traded for. It's great to carry in the summer and I always figure I can hit with it so it beats throwing rocks.Now that the big ammo crunch is coming to a close I've been told that the companies are going to start working harder on the 380 ammo shortage. I also have a Beretta Cougar in 9mm and it is a sweet gun to shoot. The way it is made it actually has less recoil than my Bersa. Weight has alot to do with how bad the recoil is so if your looking at a mid sized 9mm, I don't think it will be any worse than the 380.