I plan to pocket carry soon, and really know nothing about pistols and handgun calibers. (I do have a .22 Colt Woodsman but that is it.)

I would like to decide on the caliber first, and from there go through the choices of what subcompact handgun I am going to purchase.

What are the pros and cons of 9mm vs .380 ?

9mm ammo is generally cheaper, right ?

and 9mm is a little bit larger bullet, so the ballistics are somewhat "better"?

Please post on here what you think about these two calibers as a subcompact "pocket carry" handgun. At this point I don't think I am real concerned with ballistics. I am more concerned with daily carrying comfortably in a cargo pocket.

I want to shoot a respectable score in the CC class but still have as small a handgun as possible.

For me, I get the smallest weapon I can get that is comfortable to shoot. I don't want a weapon that has a poor recoil to weight ratio and is not fun at the range.

I'd get a 9, but that's just me. .380 would be a backup weapon.

380=small and low recoil, not a lot of power. 9mm will be bigger gun, more powerful, so more recoil. Shoot both and then decide. 9 mm ammo is more plentiful and cheaper, but 380 cal guns are fewer choices, but the guns themselves tend to be cheaper.

.380 vs 9mm Hornady Critical Defense


380 gel test slomo

9mm gel test slomo

Ironic that your're posting this because I literally went through the same issue.

First thing...go to a range and shoot the 9 mm as well as the 380. You will know what feels right.

Not even a week ago, I was convinced my concealed carry was going to be a 9 mm. That said, I'm not too experienced and I quickly realized the 9 mm was too much for me. I opted for the 380.

In time, I strongly believe I'll go 'bigger,' but that's just me.

Go with your gut....good luck

I have both and carry whichever depending on what I'm wearing that day. I prefer to carry my XD9 with extended mag for the confidence factor but I have to carry IWB and some of my slacks do not fit correctly. My Sig P238 is a great shooting little gun and is very versatile on however I choose to carry

I'll jump in. Not a sexy choice these days but for pocket carry a very good choice would be a J frame S&W revolver in .38 special in a Desantis pocket holster. Reliable, no action to work or worry with FTF or FTE. I carry this set up with a quick load strip of extra ammo when I pocket carry, works well for me. For your choices you've asked about, I'd stick w 9mm over .380.

http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#ballistics

The link above should give you some solid, reliable info on caliber and ammo choice. Personally, I'd go with a 9mm over .380. Cheaper ammo, more variety, and capable of better performance.

I would also suggest getting two pistols. Get a larger pistol first for your home, range use, and practicing fundamentals. A mid sized pistol, like the Glock 19, is fun to shoot, easier on the hands, and has better sights than a pocket gun, and can still be concealed fairly easily. Then, after you do get your CHL, get a pocket gun if you decide you still need one.

I can't say I would go with the 9mm but that is only because all my pistols are 45 acp. If you are set on 9mm vs.380 you should go with the 9mm for the reasons listed above.

Just make sure you get something you will actually carry. I prefer 9MM, but I found the typical carry 9 was just too much to comfortably keep in my pocket all day. A .380 in the pocket with the serviceable defense ammo is better than a 9mm in the safe.

I carry the Ruger LCP .380. My mom has the LC9. No way I would pocket carry her 9 like I do my .380. I have to dress nice for work and I hate b.a.g.g.y (word censored) clothes and find that the LCP is even a little bulky in most of my pant pockets, but I carry it anyway.

I would feel a lot better getting into a shootout with a 9 vs my .380, but it's all a compromise.

The way I see it:

Chances of ever drawing the weapon to use are slim. Chances of pulling the trigger slightly slimmer. The chances of engaging in. a gunfight and needing real stopping power yet slimmer. I realize that could bite me in the ass, but, like I said, that's the trade off I'm comfortable with because it means I WILL be carrying something.

.380 for spandex cycling carry.

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I'll jump in. Not a sexy choice these days but for pocket carry a very good choice would be a J frame S&W revolver in .38 special in a Desantis pocket holster. Reliable, no action to work or worry with FTF or FTE. I carry this set up with a quick load strip of extra ammo when I pocket carry, works well for me. For your choices you've asked about, I'd stick w 9mm over .380.

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I use the same set up, pocket carry a J Frame 442 with a speed loader, most of the time. Recently bought a Ruger LCR in .327 Federal Mag and as my proficiency with that firearm gets a little better I'll working that into my rotation.
OP, go with whatever you feel comfortable with. Like others have said, and if the option is available to you, try out three or four different calibers and pistols before you decide on one.

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and 9mm is a little bit larger bullet, so the ballistics are somewhat "better"?

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Aren't they the same size bullet just with different amounts of powder? or am I losing my mind (entirely possible)

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and 9mm is a little bit larger bullet, so the ballistics are somewhat "better"?

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Aren't they the same size bullet just with different amounts of powder? or am I losing my mind (entirely possible)

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Same diameter but 9mm bullets are heavier. Just looking briefly at my ammo shelves, my .380 rounds run 88-100 grains and the first 9mm I grabbed off the shelf are 115 grains.

If you wish to compare/contrast, check out the Sig P238 (.380) vs. the Sig 938 (9 mm). Both are quite small and built to concealed carry. In my case, I opted for the P238....in spite of the fact I really wanted the P938. Someday, I'll get that 9 mm, but for today I'm comfortable with the 380

I like to be comfortable with whatever I shoot, even for a concealed carry. Therefore, less recoil, etc. A .38S revolver, shield 9 mm - something like that.

I don't prefer snappy pistols. I want something I can consistently practice with and be proficient with especially in a situation with the adrenaline going.

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http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#ballistics

The link above should give you some solid, reliable info on caliber and ammo choice. Personally, I'd go with a 9mm over .380. Cheaper ammo, more variety, and capable of better performance.

I would also suggest getting two pistols. Get a larger pistol first for your home, range use, and practicing fundamentals. A mid sized pistol, like the Glock 19, is fun to shoot, easier on the hands, and has better sights than a pocket gun, and can still be concealed fairly easily. Then, after you do get your CHL, get a pocket gun if you decide you still need one.

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I endorse Mavericks strategy. Don't decide between two, decide about two.

Smaller is better for concealed carry, in my experience. Love Glock's new .380. My everyday pistol is a keltec .32, because it can hide anywhere. The Glock is much bigger and more difficult to hide, but man it's sweet. I tried carrying a .45 back in the day and then a 9mm single stack, but both were still too big and I left them at home most of the time. The .32 packs anywhere - shorts pocket, jacket, waistband, in the boot. The G42 is good in waist and boot, but too large for pants pocket. Don't worry too much about ammo costs, I think that's an academic argument. You will find good deals from time to time and stock up when you do. Whatever you wind up with, practice regularly so you're very comfortable with it. Also, pistols hold their value pretty well - if you don't like your first purchase (I didn't) you can flip it for close to what you paid and tried somethign else. Find a gun show near you and go fondle the hardware - its a great way to compare products back to back to back.

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I like to be comfortable with whatever I shoot, even for a concealed carry. Therefore, less recoil, etc. A .38S revolver, shield 9 mm - something like that.

I don't prefer snappy pistols. I want something I can consistently practice with and be proficient with especially in a situation with the adrenaline going.

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+1 you should definitely be comfortable shooting any gun you plan on carrying. I have an xds 45 for when I really want deep concealment. But now that open carry is legal I find myself carrying my 1911 more frequently. (Before people freak out I carry it concealed) it just makes me feel better about the printing the butt causes.

On a side note. Does anyone have a wilson cqb compact that they carry? I have a full sized ed brown, but was wanting something a little more concealable.

Allen, for the right dollars, I've got a great little Sig P238 I'd sell ya... (no Obummer background check needed.)

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and 9mm is a little bit larger bullet, so the ballistics are somewhat "better"?

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Aren't they the same size bullet just with different amounts of powder? or am I losing my mind (entirely possible)

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.380 has a shorter case. 9x17, compared to 9x19 for what most people refer to as 9mm.

Every 380 I've shot has had a "snappier" recoil than a 9mm of comparable size.

Small word from the OR, I have cleaned up 2 people THIS week who received 7 and 4 .380 wounds and went home the same day. They where not grazes.

Personally I don't think the gun counts as self defence if the attacker has any real mass.

Shoot a Berea Thunder... just don't count the first 500 rounds against it.

Once broken in its like spreading cake icing on concrete.

And those wee little bullets probably going to put you down (at the range commonly associated with real life civilian drawdowns) when my group is smaller than a CD regardless of stance or movement.

Squeeze Baby Squeeze

Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.







I currently use a flock 22 as my daily concealed carry, so probably ignore everything previously stated. Hahaha.

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and 9mm is a little bit larger bullet, so the ballistics are somewhat "better"?

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Aren't they the same size bullet just with different amounts of powder? or am I losing my mind (entirely possible)

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.380 has a shorter case. 9x17, compared to 9x19 for what most people refer to as 9mm.

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Yep - shorter case and lighter bullet

Thanks for all the replies. You guys have convinced me to take a different approach. I was hoping to narrow down to the caliber BEFORE beginning to try out handguns. But in reading some of these replies, I think I will shoot both calibers before narrowing it down.

I do have the same reservations as some of you about the .380 being so light, but then have the same goal of making sure my pocket carry is comfortable and small enough that I actually carry it every day.

One thing I still have in my back pocket is that my wife wants to take a CC class, so it could be possible that I end up with something that she likes.

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Just make sure you get something you will actually carry. I prefer 9MM, but I found the typical carry 9 was just too much to comfortably keep in my pocket all day. A .380 in the pocket with the serviceable defense ammo is better than a 9mm in the safe.

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This. You mentioned carrying comfortably being one of your biggest factors. You will be able to carry a .380 more comfortably.

I would still recommend you shoot both and decide, though.

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Small word from the OR, I have cleaned up 2 people THIS week who received 7 and 4 .380 wounds and went home the same day. They where not grazes.

Personally I don't think the gun counts as self defence if the attacker has any real mass.

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were they FMJ rounds?


Hornady Critical Defense round looks pretty messy in a .380 jelly test. I don't think I could hang with one of those in my gut.

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Small word from the OR, I have cleaned up 2 people THIS week who received 7 and 4 .380 wounds and went home the same day. They where not grazes.

Personally I don't think the gun counts as self defence if the attacker has any real mass.

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were they FMJ rounds?


Hornady Critical Defense round looks pretty messy in a .380 jelly test. I don't think I could hang with one of those in my gut.

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Here's the video....

http://www.hornady.com/store/380-Auto-90-gr-Critical-Defense/

I too would be interested in knowing what kind of bullets they were.

For home defense with 20 rd mags



Concealed carry with 8 rd mags

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Shoot a Berea Thunder... just don't count the first 500 rounds against it.

Once broken in its like spreading cake icing on concrete.

And those wee little bullets probably going to put you down (at the range commonly associated with real life civilian drawdowns) when my group is smaller than a CD regardless of stance or movement.

Squeeze Baby Squeeze

Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.







I currently use a flock 22 as my daily concealed carry, so probably ignore everything previously stated. Hahaha.

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Which Bersa Thunder? I didnt like shooting the CC very much, its too small, I havent shot the regular size so I cant compare. I like the feel of the double stack Plus in my hand but that might be less comfortable to conceal.