Posted: 10/21/2006 2:22:18 PM EDT
| Alright guys i have a walther p99 .40cal for when i have like a button up shirt on or somthing like that but when i am in a t shirt i print with it big time. so i am looking to get eaither a ppk or a compact revolver like a 38 or possibly a 357. i like the idea of a semi auto but a 380 is so small i dont think it would be as effective if i had a 38 or 357. so any help would be great |
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I have a S&W 638 Airweight snubbie loaded w/ .38 +P Gold Dots that I slip in my pocket if I can't carry my G19 or 1911 for some reason. I wouldn't worry about a little printing, though. No one pays attention, and if they did, people wear so many cell phones, PDAs, Ipods and pagers on their belts that nobody would think twice about it. Personally, I carry a G19 under a t-shirt, and if it prints a little, I don't sweat it. Heck, today I wore it in a comp-tac CTAC tuckable holster with my shirt tucked over my glock (which leaves the kydex clips that clip over my belt showing) at an extended family gathering, and no one noticed. A few people even TOUCHED it with their hands accidently and never thought anything of it. We talked about shooting, so they know I shoot and have my CHL. People are oblivious; don't sweat a little printing. |
| all i want to know if what do you guys think about revolver (.38 or 357) vs a semi auto 380, is a 380 enought to put a person down good, i have a walther p99 40 for when i can conceal it but when i cant i would like to get a walther ppk or a sig p230 but i dont know if the 380 will be enough, i rather have semi auto but not if the round wont put a person down, basically which is a better way to go 38/357 revolver or a 380 semi |
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> all i want to know if what do you guys think about revolver (.38 or 357) vs a semi auto 380, is a 380 enought to put a person down good, i have a walther p99 40 for when i can conceal it but when i cant i would like to get a walther ppk or a sig p230 but i dont know if the 380 will be enough, i rather have semi auto but not if the round wont put a person down, basically which is a better way to go 38/357 revolver or a 380 semi Well, you have to remember that the .38 and .380 projectiles themselves aren't very big. You'll always have higher pressures out of an automatic than a revolver. Now, as far as "putting a person down," I would say that the .357 will outperform a .38(0). This isn't really based on any serious study, just my own experience with the .357. The .357 is a smaller projectile, but it sure is a screamer. I've shot a fair share of jacketed hollow point .357 at various kinds of targets, and it's a nasty round. Why not consider a compact size .40? I think the .40 is really a great compromise between the indesputable knock-down power of the .45, and the more compact nature of pistols chambered for smaller rounds. The .40 shot through an automatic will surely have the umph you want to ensure disability of the target. Some people are dead set on semi-autos, but personally for me, if you need more than 5 shots out of that revolver, you're up shit's creek without a paddle. Everyone's got their tastes and opinions, however. Just my $0.02. |
| If it's printing you're worried about, have you thought about a 1911. My Springfield Champion is easier to conceal than my HK P2000 just because the frame/grip is a bit thinner. A smaller 1911 would be even better. You'll get two more rounds out of it than a revo too. I carry regularly under just a t-shirt or a golf shirt. |
| all other small semi autos that i have held and shot are not comfortable, and i dont want to spend a ton of money on a gun that will only be carried when i cant carry my p99 like i said what will work better for a ccw when i cant carry my p99 a 357 revolver, or a 380 semi auto, and if you say the semi auto is a better choice over a revolver will the 380 be enought to put a person down |
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So your real question is about wound ballistics. From what I understand, most police departments have moved away from 9mm because service has proven that it has sub-standard stopping power. Does that mean that it wouldn't put a person down, definitely not, but in terms of percentages, there are better calibers. That said, as a primary carry gun, I personally would stay away from a .380 because it will perform worse than 9mm. Go with the .357 or a .38 Special +P. Here's some stats: .380ACP Federal Hydra-Shok 90gr.JHP: Velocity: 1007fps Muzzle energy: 200 ft-lbs Penetration(10%gel): 10.5" .38Spec Winchester +P 158gr.LHP: Velocity: 996fps Muzzle energy:342 ft-lbs Penetration(10%gel): 15.2" .357Mag. Remington 125gr.SJHP: Velocity: 1468fps Muzzle energy: 583 ft-lbs Penetration(10%gel): 13" Just for comparison's sake, here's .45 ACP: .45ACP Fed, Rem, Win. 230 FMJ: Velocity: 839 Muzzle enegery: 360 ft-lbs Penetration(10%gel): 27" Source of this data: http://www.chuckhawks.com/handgun_power_chart.htm |
| wow i dont get some of you all i wanted to know is out of these two what would be better a 357 revolver or a semi auto 380, would the advantage of a semi auto be great enought to make up for the small round? or just not a good idea to use the 380 because of the lack of power to put a man down, i dont care what u suggested i have held and shot them all like i have said and i didnt like them piriod these are the two things other then a full size 1911 and my walther p99 that are comfortable so i just want to get a secound handgun for when i cant carry my p99 |
way to go by comparing a FJM round to a bunch of JHP's. thats like comparing apples to..... buildings.... |
It really matters the most where you hit them, if you can't hit them with the .357 then don't get a 357. The 380 is really the min. you would want to carry, but if you hit them in the right spot, they'll go down especially with the new Corbon 380 rounds. The 357 is going to have more knock down. But its really up to you want you want, what fits you the best, what can you be accurate with, which fits you criteria the best? So it’s up to you.
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| A S&W J frame is obviously going to be easier to conceal. I carry mine everywhere. However, I did own a .40cal P-99 and had no problem concealing it under a t-shirt IWB @1:00 with a Galco holster. There are many holsters out there that will conceal the P99. It's easier to conceal than the G19/23 I think because it has a thinner grip and slide. Personally I wouldn't trust my life to .380 but many folks do. It's your business and your life. |