9mm vs 380

[Canon1d4]

I'm getting ready to buy another gun, something like a pocket pistol. I need something to carry when I can't carry a real gun. I'm looking at the Sig 938 and the 238. I'm not much of a fan of either 9mm or 380, I normally carry a Kimber CDPII ultra .45, but sometimes it would be nice to have something smaller according to how I dress. I was wondering if anyone had any real life experience with the 380. The 380 is about 1/2" shorter than the 9mm, so it would be easier to drop in a pocket. I worry about the results though if you actually had to use it. Your thought will be appreciated.

[RPBrown]

I have carried a P3AT for some time as a BUG or a quick throw in your pocket for a quick trip to the store gun. However, my wife was looking for a new carry pistol and she found the P938. Liked the feel and that it was a 9mm (which is what she prefers) so we went to the range and rented one for her to try. She loved it. I also tried it and found it to be a very good little pistol. Santa actually brought us each one so I am retiring the Kel-Tec to the safe after the break in of the Sig.

[aaangel]

what's the old sayin'..? a .380 in your pocket is better than a kimber in your safe. you can't go wrong with a ruger LCP

[Pawpaw]

I have both the P238 and the P938. I'm not going to sell the P238 anytime soon, but I only carry the P938.

That extra .4 inches of overall length is a total non-issue. In fact, I had to check the specs on the Sig website to confirm the difference was that much.

[RJGold]

I'm getting ready to buy another gun, something like a pocket pistol. I need something to carry when I can't carry a real gun. I'm looking at the Sig 938 and the 238. I'm not much of a fan of either 9mm or 380, I normally carry a Kimber CDPII ultra .45, but sometimes it would be nice to have something smaller according to how I dress. I was wondering if anyone had any real life experience with the 380. The 380 is about 1/2" shorter than the 9mm, so it would be easier to drop in a pocket. I worry about the results though if you actually had to use it. Your thought will be appreciated.

I carry an XDm 9mm Compact as my every day carry weapon I have no issue with a 9mm as my every day weapon. The link below seems to confirm that shot placement is key (within reason) and capacity will take you farther than "knock down power" based on statistics from LEOs in shooting incidents.

http://looserounds.com/2014/09/21/fbi-9 ... -division/

I also own a Smith and Wesson Bodyguard .380 which I carry occasionally during the summer when I'm wearing shorts or lighter clothes. I hear a lot of talk about .380 not having enough punch etc. but I have no issue counting on it for self defense. I think well placed shots from a .380 will stop threats effectively.

My two cents...

[Canon1d4]

I appreciate all the replies, I think that I will go for the p938. I don't think that the extra bit of length will matter, and the 9mm will give at least better piece of mind.

[winters]

I know its not as small as the little 380's but I like my walther 9mm pps pretty well. I don't like the recoil of the 380's.

[charliee]

I front pocket carry a P938, cocked and locked with Federal HST 124 grain. I have put 500 rounds thru it with no problems at all. I also like my Kahr CM9. Very slightly lighter and double action only. If you front pocket carry the P938 I would strongly recommend a pocket holster that covers the thumb safety. I got mine from Vetter Holsters.

[patterson]

I would go for the Sig P224

[Dadtodabone]

Another vote for the P938

[Canon1d4]

Bought the P938 this afternoon. Went to the indoor range to give it a run through and they were closed. I don't want to carry it before I run some ammo through it, but I do have it in my pocket as we speak. I also bought a Blackhawk pocket holster for now. I will most likely get a better holster as time permits. The P938 that I bought is not listed on the Sig website though. Mine is the engraved one.

I'm trying to decide what ammo to carry in it now. I carry Speer Gold Dot short barrel rounds in my CDPII ultra. The shop guy said he used Civil Defense ammo in his but these are +P and I don't know how that will work in such a small gun. Any advice on which rounds would be appreciated.

[Pawpaw]

I keep mine loaded with Hornady Critical Defense 115 gr. My reasoning is that from such a short barrel I want the lighter bullet so it can get up as much speed as possible before it leaves the muzzle.

Besides, it was designed for short barrels and the shape promotes reliable feeding.

[Itnkrman]

Go to Youtube and look up "Ammo Quest 9mm". There's a series of 8-12 videos with a demo of different kinds of ammo through short barrel 9mm's.

Here's an example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4I9G9Fkv_w

After you've seen the intro a couple of times you can FFW to the important stuff. Pretty interesting conclusions. Based on his test results, I've starting carrying the Federal HST 124g. (I would carry the 147g if I could find it.) This isn't the only good choice, just my decision.

Perhaps I should start another thread, but I'd be interested in your experience and feedback vs. his conclusions.

[The Annoyed Man]

I appreciate all the replies, I think that I will go for the p938. I don't think that the extra bit of length will matter, and the 9mm will give at least better piece of mind.

Wise move. In my case the pocket gun is a Kahr PM9, but it disappears into a pocket. My EDC is a XDS-45, which can also be pocketed in a pinch if absolutely necessary. But given how easy it is to conceal the Kahr, a .380 is pointless. In fact it is not significantly bigger than the P3AT I used to own, and in which I lacked confidence.

[C-dub]

Looks like a great little BUG. I've never carried a BUG, but began considering something smaller for more discrete carry when the wardrobe designates it and for possible use as a BUG. I was going to mention the gun I've been thinking about, the little XD-S 9mm 3.3". That's if you wanted to do 9mm. I haven't decided that yet or to go with the .45ACP that is the same size. Almost had one here a little while ago, but it was sold out from under me.