[David]

I SHOULD be getting my renewal CHL in the mail soon, so I have a dilemma. I am having trouble deciding if I should carry a Bersa Thunder Plus (15 + 1) or a Bersa BP9cc (8 + 1). What is your opinion? Would 15 + 1 of a .380 be less or more beneficial than an 8 + 1 of 9mm?

 

[DocNugent]

Depends upon your accuracy and how many BGs are in the gang.

I went with the Plus.

 

[David]

Depends upon your accuracy and how many BGs are in the gang.

I went with the Plus.

Curious... have you ever worked in an ER? I'm curious to know how effective a .380 is compared to a 9mm. I know that almost all victims of gunshots will go to the ER (or should), but does the .380 cause significant enough damage to stop an attack? Not kill, mind you... just stop an attack.

 

[DocNugent]

Curious... have you ever worked in an ER? I'm curious to know how effective a .380 is compared to a 9mm. I know that almost all victims of gunshots will go to the ER (or should), but does the .380 cause significant enough damage to stop an attack? Not kill, mind you... just stop an attack.

Although my initials are M.D., I'm a retired shrink (Ph.D.), not a physician.

A good basic article on stopping power is this one:
http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2010/03/brad-kozak/choosing-a-handgun-part-vi-stopping-power/

I can't find the reference right now, but there was an alternative view that better fits my understanding of human psychology: The main factor in whether an individual is stopped is that individual's thoughts about being shot. Some can receive a single .22" hole and run away absolutely sure that they are dying; others can finish the mission with multiple 7.62mm holes in their chest.

From my perspective, there's not enough difference between a .380 and a 9mm to overcome the unknown reaction the BG will have to being hit.

OICBW.

 

[traveler220]

Stopping pPower

If you want real stopping power, nothing beats JHP .357. Even 45's can't match them. Anything larger is too big to CC.

 

[David]

If you want real stopping power, nothing beats JHP .357. Even 45's can't match them. Anything larger is too big to CC.

Overkill.

Not only will that caliber "stop" the attacker, but it will also stop four or five people behind him.

 

[Deadwood]

Take a look at the 9uc. It holds 13+1 conceals nicely and has a great trigger.
Also 9mm is cheaper to shoot than 380 ammo.

 

[bhale187]

If you want real stopping power, nothing beats JHP .357. Even 45's can't match them. Anything larger is too big to CC.

Quite a common misperception there.

Here's a good example. TPR Mark Coates.

Coates got 5 point blank 357 mag JHP (145gr silvertips I think) rounds into the chest of a man who had shot him during a traffic stop with a 22lr pistol. The suspect not only lived, but drove away. None of the 5 rounds in the man's chest penetrated deep enough to hit a vital organ.

 

[Bear]

Any caliber will work fine, as long as you hit the target in the right place. BTW .380 is a 9mm. Its know as a 9mm Kurz. or "short"

 

[David]

Any caliber will work fine, as long as you hit the target in the right place. BTW .380 is a 9mm. Its know as a 9mm Kurz. or "short"

Yes, I understand that, but my curiosity was if the Kurtz or Short would be sufficient to stop the attack. From my research, it seems that most attacks are stopped as soon as the attacker SEES the gun, much less feels the effects from it.

 

[bersastud]

Ok look at it this way a 380 bullet. I like the DPX copper round if traveling at 1000FPS that is 681.82 MPH I think it will get you attention

Like other poster said People react to being shot different ways . Some will drop like a rock, others will run, another might keep coming. Just because you have a gun. Doesn't mean 100% of time you will win .
My self I have no problem with a 380 for SD Like I said I like the DPX bullet by Buffalo Bore or Corbon. Remember their is no offical +P in 380 that is ad hype.

 

[David]

Ok look at it this way a 380 bullet. I like the DPX copper round if traveling at 1000FPS that is 681.82 MPH I think it will get you attention

Like other poster said People react to being shot different ways . Some will drop like a rock, others will run, another might keep coming. Just because you have a gun. Doesn't mean 100% of time you will win .
My self I have no problem with a 380 for SD Like I said I like the DPX bullet by Buffalo Bore or Corbon. Remember their is no offical +P in 380 that is ad hype.

You sound familiar.

 

[jc57]

I SHOULD be getting my renewal CHL in the mail soon, so I have a dilemma. I am having trouble deciding if I should carry a Bersa Thunder Plus (15 + 1) or a Bersa BP9cc (8 + 1). What is your opinion? Would 15 + 1 of a .380 be less or more beneficial than an 8 + 1 of 9mm?

Given the choice between just those two, I would choose the BP9cc, *assuming you can shoot both equally well*.

Now consider that I quite frequently carry a BT 380 with 9+1 or 7+1 of .380, or a 5-shot .38 snubnose, so you'd be better armed than me in either case.

 

[BT380]

Carry what you can shoot and hit what you aim at. It does not matter if you carry a cannon, if you can't hit it, you can't stop it.

If you cannot control the recoil either one will not do you any good.

 

[bmarg711]

I SHOULD be getting my renewal CHL in the mail soon, so I have a dilemma. I am having trouble deciding if I should carry a Bersa Thunder Plus (15 + 1) or a Bersa BP9cc (8 + 1). What is your opinion? Would 15 + 1 of a .380 be less or more beneficial than an 8 + 1 of 9mm?

Pick the one thst you are most confident, accurate and comfortable with. 380 will stop someone. 380 is a 9x17, 9mm is 9x19..(makarov is the in between at 9x18). Moral of the story is that it wont matter what you are shooting if you dont hit what you are aiming at.

 

[shortydoowop138]

Just aim for the balls.. Might sound cruel but that'll get his attn real fast..

 

[RudeDog]

check out the you tube link I posted on EDC ammo thread, they compare Hornady .380 critical defense vs. zombie ammo.

 

[franco45]

I often carry my Thunder 380 with an LCP in my pocket for backup. In the summer the LCP is my main carry. The Thunder Plus is 15+1. That would eliminate the need for the LCP. (even though I would probably still carry it).