Kevin kicking but in .380

[Shooter25]

Start poking holes in people with high velocity projectiles, and they tend to knock off whatever stupid act they were involved in. Would I prefer a .380? No, but I would not feel "naked" or undergunned with one either.

[wingnuut]

I will take a 380 anyday over a switch blade!

[REDLINE]

I will take a 380 anyday over a switch blade!

I'm with the analysis but I still have no use for 380 Auto.

[loadedround]

Guys, there's an old commercial that says "don't leave home without it". That applies to my Ruger LCP in .380 ACP. This pistol is so light that I just drop in my front pocket of my shorts and forget about it. In 90+ degree weather in my area, I wear as little clothes as possible and its so easy to conceal. Some of the new HP ammo available makes it a potent little cartridge and it's there if I need it. Haven't found a way to conceal a 10 mm or 45 ACP framed 1911 in my shorts yet. 

[sqlbullet]

Guys, there's an old commercial that says "don't leave home without it". That applies to my Ruger LCP in .380 ACP. This pistol is so light that I just drop in my front pocket of my shorts and forget about it. In 90+ degree weather in my area, I wear as little clothes as possible and its so easy to conceal. Some of the new HP ammo available makes it a potent little cartridge and it's there if I need it. Haven't found a way to conceal a 10 mm or 45 ACP framed 1911 in my shorts yet. 

Very true.  Even a converted AMT Backup is large compared to an LCP or a 3AT.

[REDLINE]

Guys, there's an old commercial that says "don't leave home without it". That applies to my Ruger LCP in .380 ACP. This pistol is so light that I just drop in my front pocket of my shorts and forget about it. In 90+ degree weather in my area, I wear as little clothes as possible and its so easy to conceal. Some of the new HP ammo available makes it a potent little cartridge and it's there if I need it. Haven't found a way to conceal a 10 mm or 45 ACP framed 1911 in my shorts yet. 

Ruger LCP 380 Auto ---- Length = 5.16", Height = 3.60", Width = .820", Capacity = 6+1
Kahr PM9 9mm ---------- Length = 5.42", Height = 4.00", Width = .900", Capacity = 6+1
Sig Sauer P290 9mm ---- Length = 5.50", Height = 3.90", Width = .900", Capacity = 6+1
Kimber Solo 9mm -------- Length = 5.50", Height = 3.90", Width = .995", Capacity = 6+1
Diamondback DB9 9mm - Length = 5.60", Height = 4.00", Width = .800", Capacity = 6+1
Beretta Nano 9mm ------ Length = 5.63", Height = 4.17", Width = .900", Capacity = 6+1
KEL TEC PF-9 9mm ----- Length = 5.85", Height = 4.30", Width = .880", Capacity = 7+1
Walther PPS 9mm -------Length = 6.30", Height = 4.40", Width = .910", Capacity = 7+1
S&W M&P Shield 9mm --Length = 6.10", Height = 4.60", Width = .950", Capacity = 7+1
Glock G33 357 SIG ------Length = 6.54", Height = 4.17", Width = 1.18", Capacity = 9+1 (just for comparison to make it easier for some to judge)
Springfield EMP 9mm -- Length = 6.50", Height = 5.00", Width = ??, Capacity = 9+1 (smallest 1911 I could find)

With so many great viable 9mm options so close to the LCP 380, it is the equvalent of going to a tiny bit more size for double the firepower per round.  Just the way I look at.  Your opinion may vary.  Sometimes I think a lot of people don't realize all the great micro-9 choices available.  There's probably more, those are just what I could think up at the moment.

[mirage]

Guys, there's an old commercial that says "don't leave home without it". That applies to my Ruger LCP in .380 ACP. This pistol is so light that I just drop in my front pocket of my shorts and forget about it. In 90+ degree weather in my area, I wear as little clothes as possible and its so easy to conceal. Some of the new HP ammo available makes it a potent little cartridge and it's there if I need it. Haven't found a way to conceal a 10 mm or 45 ACP framed 1911 in my shorts yet. 

Same here, I carry the Ruger LCP all day long in the front pocket.  I'm just not able to carry my G26, or G20 at work.  It's a hot work environment, I deal with customer's through out the day, and I'm afraid my firearm will un-conceal itself, and freak out some customer's.  I'm not willing to take a chance.  When I am off from work during the hot summer my LCP is with me also. I know it's a mouse gun, but at least I'm able to carry concealed.

[loadedround]

Redline:
I don't dispute what you are saying but I would like to point out two points not covered in your post.
1. Compare the weight of the LCP to the other 9mm firearms.

2. Compare the FPS and energy of the 380 and 9mm with similar bullet weights out of a mouse gun barrel at 5-7 yds. Not much difference is there? Shot placement is what's important, not velocity or capacity. I know how to use my LCP and thank you, with proper ammo, it will remain in my side pocket.

[REDLINE]

Redline:
I don't dispute what you are saying but I would like to point out two points not covered in your post.
1. Compare the weight of the LCP to the other 9mm firearms.

I can understand some people weighing the weight in with the pros and cons.  Well not really, but I'm not going to tell anyone else what they do or don't have to think however they want to think about it.  For me, I don't.  A micro 9, the way I see it, is a nonissue weight wise, especially collectively with all other pros and cons.  To each their own.

2. Compare the FPS and energy of the 380 and 9mm with similar bullet weights out of a mouse gun barrel at 5-7 yds. Not much difference is there? Shot placement is what's important, not velocity or capacity. I know how to use my LCP and thank you, with proper ammo, it will remain in my side pocket.

First of all 9 and 380 don't shoot similar bullet weights.  Second of all you don't cherry pick a bullet weight in this scenario to try to make it "fair".  Whatever bullet weight anyone deems best for the particular cartridge(s) is what should be compared.  It's the bullet at whatever speed it impacts that directly relates to terminal performance.  If we're talking mouse guns, like we are, fine, we can and should limit the discussion to mouse guns.  But limiting the load you can compare when discussing self defense use is foolhardy.


Two common loads:

Chrono results of a 380 Auto Speer Gold Dot 90gr shot from a LCP = 930 fps and 173 ft-lbs
Chrono results of a 9mm Speer Gold Dot 124 gr +P Short Barrel shot from a Kahr PM9 = 1120 fps and 345 ft-lbs

That's a big difference.  That's double the energy with the 9 with a much heavier bullet to boot that will easily outpenetrate the 380 load that is already considered marginal at best for general self defense.

In the above comparison the LCP weighs in at 9.4 ounces without ammo or a mag.  The Kahr PM9 comes in at 14.0 ounces without ammo or a mag.  I realize this is a single example.  But in this specific case between these two guns, the weight difference is 4.6 ounces, empty gun to empty gun.

IMO 4.6 ounces is nowhere near enough extra weight to give up half the firepower, especially against a round like the 380 Auto that is only marginal to begin with toward general self defense.  But, to each their own.  If you feel differently, that's fine too.  It's your life.  I'll safeguard my life the way I see fit and you yours.  Nothing wrong with that.  Cheers!