Is a 9mm still a decent self-defense handgun? What about a 380?

Question

I know people who carry 40's, but I want something smaller.

Answer 1

Carrying a handgun for self-defense is a delusion. If I want your behind or your wife or your money, you'll never see me coming or have a clue, and if I even suspect you got iron, I'll kill you without warning with a slug in the back of your head and then take what I want. Only the police and a drunken fool would telegraph his approach. A professional never will. Not only that - I figure you got a gun, you got more of what it is that I want, and I'll target you first! Put that in your pipe and smoke it, hotshot!

Answer 2

Bound's hubby here:

For any semi-auto to function properly, full metal jacket round nose ammo is used for reliability. Full metal jacketed ammo can have a greater risk of ricochet and over-penetration. To make the round more effective, and reduce the risk of ricochet and over-penetration, people may use hollow-pointed bullets. Use of hollow-points in a semi-auto requires that the pistol be throated to improve its reliability to feed. Most any semi-auto handgun you use will require these modifications for reliability.

You can use a .380 or a 9mm as a self-defense gun ... however, you will need to do thorough testing with the ammo you want to use, and may need to modify the handgun to be reliable with other than full metal jacketed ammo.

Personally, I would recommend you consider a small medium to large bore revolver over a semi-auto in this instance. You seem to want smaller. Revolvers will shoot any bullet easily without modification. Consider a .38/.357 steel framed revolver (3 to 4 inch barrel). If a revolver is not to your liking, I would seriously consider a .45 either full sized or compact.

Good luck!

Answer 3

its the shot placement yes a 9m/m is very good given the statistic more people have been killed by the 9 then any other calibers combined i prefer the 40 cal over it because it will not penetrate as deep the 380 is marginal good backup gun as one mentioned Glocks are decent so are colts and Smiths when i travel in very remote oil fields i carry either my S/W Mod 29 or the full 10m/m

Answer 4

I prefer the SW 40 as an acceptable intermediate bewteen the easy shooting 9mm and the harder shooting .45 It also gives mid-range stopping power between the 2 calibers. I'm sure Rosie O'Donnels body guards carry SW 40's.

Answer 5

9mm is cheap, available and a good self defense caliber. learn to use it, and practice.

some good advice. self-defense scenarios are very close range. shoot 'em fast, shoot 'em often.

i think a 9mm with some good Corbon will do the job and won't break the bank or the wrist.

Answer 6

They are both worthless in terms of self defense if you really are interested in self defense and MUST have something smaller in size to carry, get a .357 revolver. S&W makes one that is made of scandium and is very lightweight.

Answer 7

i am familiar with both. if you want something small go for a .380 or a 9mm compact. check out springfield armory thier compact line is awesome. I have a s&w380 and it is perfect for the house and not that expensive either.....

Answer 8

any one is good to have.and the smaller the better so you can
hide it on yourself or whatever you want to carry it in.but whatever
you get should have extra safey locks,or something.you don't
want to hurt youself by mistake,or any other person.but you do
want it to put down the one,that you want down for the count..

Answer 9

it is all about shot placement, if you are unable hit it, then any caliber is worthless, i would say a 9mm is aviable self defense weapon, a rule i learned in the military, know your weapon,

Answer 10

I have yet to meet anyone who has ever had to pull out a handgun in self defense (private citizens). Carry what you like....you won't need it, and probably wouldn't be able to perform with it if you ever actually did. It's just to feel "cool", so it really doesn't matter.