Yes, there are a lot of 9mm fans out there...for many good reasons, cost, availability, improved ballistics, the list goes on and on...and they're right.
I, however, grew up with revolvers. I like semi-autos and have owned .45's, .40's, (my wife's G-26), .380's, etc... However, I prefer a small revolver and have a Ruger SP101 in .357 and a Ruger LCR in .38 +P.
You're correct in stating that a 9mm is not much bigger than a .380...it's only 2mm longer in the casing and carrys a slightly larger (heavier grain) bullet. However, those 2mm have an increased pressure sufficient to crack a .380 frame if you try to upgrade to a 9mm (as it did with the Beretta Model 84 Cheetah).
If you read up on ballistics, the .38 +P, while slower in speed than a 9mm, can and will actually penetrate deeper...making it a viable round. Plus, as stated elsewhere, it has less flash and a faster f/u 2nd shot.
I will admit that I've gotten rid of my .380's...and my wife carry's a .38 +P instead of a 9mm...but we still have the semi-autos for at home.
If you read up on some of the big cities coroner's reports online, the difference they are seeing in their shooting deaths (gang banger's shootings) they can predict whether it's a 9mm/.380 round (8-9+ holes with body movement after being shot) vs. .40 (2-3 shots and very little body movement) vs. .357 or .45 (1, sometimes 2 shots...with no or very little body movement after being shot). But, according to them the 'mutiple shots' usually came from another gang member (spray-n-pray method) whereas the 1 or 2 shots from a heavier caliber were typically from a trained individual who only needed to fire 1 or 2 shots.
In Fort Wayne, the last couple of 'bad guys' the cops shot were shot with 9mm rounds...and it did the trick. Of course, when the bad guys are pointing a gun at the cop, what does the bad guy expect? This ain't tiddly-winks!
"Well, are you boys going to draw those pistols or stand there and whistle dixie?" ~ THE OUTLAW JOSIE WALES
I, however, grew up with revolvers. I like semi-autos and have owned .45's, .40's, (my wife's G-26), .380's, etc... However, I prefer a small revolver and have a Ruger SP101 in .357 and a Ruger LCR in .38 +P.
You're correct in stating that a 9mm is not much bigger than a .380...it's only 2mm longer in the casing and carrys a slightly larger (heavier grain) bullet. However, those 2mm have an increased pressure sufficient to crack a .380 frame if you try to upgrade to a 9mm (as it did with the Beretta Model 84 Cheetah).
If you read up on ballistics, the .38 +P, while slower in speed than a 9mm, can and will actually penetrate deeper...making it a viable round. Plus, as stated elsewhere, it has less flash and a faster f/u 2nd shot.
I will admit that I've gotten rid of my .380's...and my wife carry's a .38 +P instead of a 9mm...but we still have the semi-autos for at home.
If you read up on some of the big cities coroner's reports online, the difference they are seeing in their shooting deaths (gang banger's shootings) they can predict whether it's a 9mm/.380 round (8-9+ holes with body movement after being shot) vs. .40 (2-3 shots and very little body movement) vs. .357 or .45 (1, sometimes 2 shots...with no or very little body movement after being shot). But, according to them the 'mutiple shots' usually came from another gang member (spray-n-pray method) whereas the 1 or 2 shots from a heavier caliber were typically from a trained individual who only needed to fire 1 or 2 shots.
In Fort Wayne, the last couple of 'bad guys' the cops shot were shot with 9mm rounds...and it did the trick. Of course, when the bad guys are pointing a gun at the cop, what does the bad guy expect? This ain't tiddly-winks!
"Well, are you boys going to draw those pistols or stand there and whistle dixie?" ~ THE OUTLAW JOSIE WALES
but seriously
why with modern ballistic tech would I limit myself to 8 or so rounds in a pistol when I can carry 15-17 and do it cheaper at that with more control. on a side note I'm trying to get burl to drop his .45 in gravel.
