My son-in-law has finally decided that him and my daughter need to get their carry license's. He wants to buy her a 380 because he's afraid she won't like the recoil of anything bigger. I never could get my daughter interested in hunting, fishing or shooting when she was growing up so she's never shot a pistol. I've never shot a 380 but I've shot a lot of 9mm's. I found the 9mm recoil to be very mild. Is there that much differenc between in recoil between the 380 and 9mm? I don't thing my daughter will have any problem with the 9mm recoil. She's not wimpy at all. She's very athletic and works out all the time. Her hands are almost as big as mine.

If her hands are bigger, she might not mind the recoil. I suggest letting her shoot one and see. I have small hands, so the .380 is much better for me for carry purposes.

I really think she needs to shoot a couple of different ones before you decide. If she isn't crazy about shooting to begin with, you don't want to put her off with the wrong gun.

Just my opinion. Good Luck!

IMHO hand size has more to do with grip size, not recoil. 9mm and 380 are close in recoil and the guns that shoot them are close in size and weight. the difference in gun fit would be more important then the difference in 9mm or 380.

Try guns before buying. Go to a range that rents or shoot a friends gun. Buying a gun on reputation and not liking it or wanting to carry/shoot it will do no good. As for caliber I'd go with either a 9mm or.38 as a minimum. They may even decide they like a .40. The .380 is a minimum carry round but can be hard to find. For a while the only way to get a box of .380's in some areas was to buy a new gun with them because there were no rounds available and shops couldn't sell a gun with no ammo.

I doubt the 380 and 9mm are close in recoil when a 380 operates at around 15-16k with a light bullet whereas the 9mm operates at a much higher pressure with heavier bullets. About the only truth to that would be in the very small and very light 380's where the recoil can be very snappy.

I would definitely have her try both out and in as many different brands as possible and most important have her wear a very good set of earmuffs because just a loud blast alone with will give a novice shooter the impression that gun is a kicker.

The "world climate" being what it is, I've long since put up my .380ACP for an off duty gun. If these are the only choices, I'd go w/ a 9mm as the 9mm are very similiar in size to the 380 these days. Alot of the 9mm are the same size as the 40S&W, so why not try those too?

One thing you have to watch for when using the small autos for smaller frame and sized persons.Is do they have the hand strengh to operate the slide.

The smaller 9 and 40 autos have very strong recoil springs and small slides to grab on to. I find many women have hard time pulling them back. So I recommend a good 5 shot revolver for them.

Sounds like you've met my wife. The only semi she likes is my Ruger .22's.

quote:

Originally posted by SmokinJ:
I doubt the 380 and 9mm are close in recoil when a 380 operates at around 15-16k with a light bullet whereas the 9mm operates at a much higher pressure with heavier bullets. About the only truth to that would be in the very small and very light 380's where the recoil can be very snappy.

I would definitely have her try both out and in as many different brands as possible and most important have her wear a very good set of earmuffs because just a loud blast alone with will give a novice shooter the impression that gun is a kicker.

Another factor to consider is that many .380s are blow-back pistols while 9mms are almost always locked-breech. The only blow-back 9 mils I can think of are low-end stuff like High-Point. Blow-back pistols tend to accentuate the recoil, while locked breech pistols ameliorate it. This is not to say there aren't advantages to blow-back pistols.

I would not discount your daughter's ability to handle recoil, Silverado. It could well work to her advantage that she's not shot much until now. It may well be she hasn't developed any bad habits, or internalized the notion she needs to be scared of recoil.

I have a J-frame Smith in .357 I really like. I've known several women who like it, too. Tiny things, who nobody got around to informing that a .357 Mag was something they were supposed to be scared of. So they weren't.

Didn't know that Smith made a J frame .357, what model is it?

Go here for the 357 mag J-frame:

http://www.smith-wesson.com/we..._757767_757751_image

China Fleet Sailor,

Good point on most 380's being blow back. I remember shooting an Astra 380 and it was snappy. For that matter my Walther PP in 32 let's you know that you shot it. None of them are brutal by any means, but lots more then shooting a 22 RF or even the 22 Mag RF.

Thanks SmokinJ for the link. Guess I'm behind the times, I don't carry much anymore. Bet that thing is a hoot to shoot.

My daughter shoots a Sig 229 in .40 with no problems, got her ccw and used it to qualify. The s$w MP's are nice and you can adjust grip size to some extent. The J frame .357's give me the flinches just thinking about them. I have a 3" 66 and it is a hand full!
C.G.B.

I've been teaching ccw classes for 15 yrs and I find that most women are happier and shoot better with a locked breach 9mm than a blow-back .380. Ruger is introducing a new, small, thin, 9mm similar to the Kel-tec PF9.

Sig just released a new small light 9mm.

I like the new S&W bodygaurd in 380 with the laser sight built in not bad for 390 dollars

There is a difference between the 9mm and the 380. Any of the small .380's are going to kick more 'cause of less weight. I carry a Kel Tec P3AT and it is a great CC weapon, but does have some drawbacks.

I strongly suggest taking your daughter and hubby to a gun range that has a lot of different makes of both.

Kimber is introducing a Kahr sized 9mm called the 'SOLO'.
In any case try to find someplace to test fire these guns and let your daughter choose !

You know..... with the new compact pistols in 9mm. I don't really see a need for the .380 any more!

theres not a guy on this forum whos in danger of being raped, unless they got computers in jail, and 95% would be scared outa thier wits carrying a 380.
so whats the deal here

quote:

95% would be scared outa thier wits carrying a 380

Not so my main carry gun is a sig 232 380 and I feel its capible to do what its intended for most self defence shots are between 5 and 7 feet with that said I dont think a 380 or a 45 to the brain makes much difference..Can I carry larger of course but I found when I carried a 45 it became a task to conceal and make it fit comfortibly and when it just didnt suit me I left it home so what use would it of done me.

quote:

Originally posted by cgbach:
The J frame .357's give me the flinches just thinking about them. I have a 3" 66 and it is a hand full!
C.G.B.

The all-steel J frames aren't bad. The ones with the 3" barrel, full-lug barrel and adjustable sights. I personally find them a near perfect mix of portability and shootability. They don't bite that bad even with .357 mag loads, and they're sweet natured with .38 special loads. I think that's why the girls I've let shoot it like it so much. They start off with light special loads, then work up to the heavier stuff and they're still using the same gun.

I don't think I'd like to shoot a .357 Mag out of anything much lighter, though.

I also have to agree the .380 is obsolete. There are tons of them floating around. I have one. But I picked it up at a time when there weren't any real options. Now there are better choices. I don't plan to get rid of it. It's not quite the relic my Type 26 9mm Nambu revolver is. But it is obsolescing rapidly.

quote:

Originally posted by Express_Rifles:

quote:

95% would be scared outa thier wits carrying a 380

Not so my main carry gun is a sig 232 380 and I feel its capible to do what its intended for most self defence shots are between 5 and 7 feet with that said I dont think a 380 or a 45 to the brain makes much difference..Can I carry larger of course but I found when I carried a 45 it became a task to conceal and make it fit comfortibly and when it just didnt suit me I left it home so what use would it of done me.

I like my .380, too, for the same reason you like yours. It carries well. It slips into my pocket like a pack of chewing gum.

It's just the gun to have, when you don't think you'll need a gun.

Now all we need to do is talk Glock into shipping their model 25 in 380 to the states...

I like my .380. The gun, not the round. If at the time anyone offered a more capable cartridge in the same sized package, as in I didn't feel like I was sharing my pants with an anvil, I'd have bought it. No one did then. Now they do.

I don't plan on getting rid of mine. I can understand that you don't plan on getting rid of yours. But what I can't understand is why you think someone should offer a new one? I mean, other than one of those locales where full-up military rounds are illegal for civilian sale.

I just like the 380 always have I know there are better but im comfortible with my 380 for its purpose..As it being better then sliced bread or a 9mm or 40 cal not close

quote:

Originally posted by Express_Rifles:
I just like the 380 always have I know there are better but im comfortible with my 380 for its purpose..As it being better then sliced bread or a 9mm or 40 cal not close

To each their own. I have to admit I have a soft spot for the .380. I even know some people who use it for a trail gun.

I just can't recommend it as something I'd stake my life on.

I dont stake my life on anything because if it can go wrong it will go wrong or has already gone wrong.If I was going to reccomend a caliber for your Daughter Id skip these 2 and go straight to 40 caliber if she can handle it and find one that suits here if 9mm is good 40 is better.

I highly recommend that for most wifes,daughters, and most untrained males that they get a S&W revolver.

A 5 shot S&W Bodyguard, is much more reliable, and small enough to be carried daily.

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
I highly recommend that for most wifes,daughters, and most untrained males that they get a S&W revolver.

A 5 shot S&W Bodyguard, is much more reliable, and small enough to be carried daily.

+1

442, 642, 638 etc

ireally like 380's it will be there when you need it
if the girl wants to gain about 100 kilos so she can hide a 45 long slide thats fine
but anytime you pull any gun most peopl are going leave
only the president can be prepared for everything

I like the 380 myself its a decent round for protection not the best but it works just like with hunting rifles 375 h&H 416 of sorts work for ele but there is better.

quote:

Originally posted by DaMan:
You know..... with the new compact pistols in 9mm. I don't really see a need for the .380 any more!

I agree, so please send me all your spare ammo and I'll dispose of it properly.

Put lots of different guns in her hands and let her choose. Otherwise she won't like it. If she doesn't like it, she won't carry it, and it won't matter. Having said that, NE 450 has a good suggestion for one of the first things to put in her hands.

And if she is anything like my Wife and daughers, have something pink, and gold, and silver, and green, and with pretty swirlies in the polymer. It's suprising how I can hand my wife two identical pistols, but the one with the pretty colors always feels better in her hand.

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
I highly recommend that for most wifes,daughters, and most untrained males that they get a S&W revolver.

A 5 shot S&W Bodyguard, is much more reliable, and small enough to be carried daily.

There used to be a company that made concealment grips for the J-frame Smith. The right-hand grip had a sort of hook that latched onto your belt when you slipped it into your waist band.

I think they've gone out of business, but it shouldn't be hard to approximate if you understand the concept.

The cylinder on a revolver can be a little difficult to hide but these grips made hiding the little gun a lot easier.

On the other hand, the swing-out cylinder on a double-action revolver does make reloading easier if you've been shot and need to reload one-handed.

quote:

Originally posted by DaMan:
You know..... with the new compact pistols in 9mm. I don't really see a need for the .380 any more!

quote:

Originally posted by Greg K:
I agree, so please send me all your spare ammo and I'll dispose of it properly.

Sorry! Got rid of my only .380 ACP years ago (along with the ammo).

A PITA to reload and underpowered. Not a round I would recommend.

quote:

A PITA to reload and underpowered. Not a round I would recommend.

No worse than my 32ACP to reload.

My KelTec 380 goes where no man has gone before and will for a long time. It's a cute little thing, so the older gals say. Er.............?

The 9mm would be a better choice. Better still try a .38 special. Airweight may be the ticket. My thought is to try lots of options. She needs to be comfortable with HER CHOICE NOT YOURS.

IF--

You must have an SMALL autoloader--

1.) Rohrbaugh 9MM

then everything else

Before my daughter went away to college I had her take the 3 day Gunsite course. I knew I would not be close enough to get to her in an emergency. She has grown up hunting and shooting however most has been with long guns and actully carrying and utilizing a handgun requires a great deal of confidence. Her carry gun is a HK P7 9mm it is an extrememly safe gun and very accurate. It has no controls to have to manipulate. The shooter only needs to squeeze the grip to cock it and relax the grip to render it uncocked. It might be something to look at.
As far as choosing between a 380 and a 9mm, I seriuosly doubt your daughter would notice the difference. The 9mm has the advantage of great self defense cartridges available with the added benefit of cheap ball ammo for practice. And practice to the key to buiding confidence with a handgun.