380 Auto for self defense?

I did a similar test with my Bodyguard 380 (10-11 yrs ago) using Lehigh XP and XD; and with ARX rounds. Real world terminal performance on several ham blocks was impressive and sometimes explosive. Don’t underestimate the 380, it’ll get the job done.

I carry the bersa thunder 380 for my edc. Paired with underwood extreme defender ammunition. Accurate, reliable, 3.5 inch barrel higher muzzle velocity than most pocket pistols, hits harder penetrates farther. Complete faith in it's defensive capabilities.

I've carried a 380 as my EDC for the past 24 years. Knowing its strengths and limitations, I know what I can and cannot do in a self-defense situation. So many believe in preparing for a gun fight. I, on the other hand, prepare for saving my ass. Philosophy makes a difference!

If someone is shooting at you from a car which is maybe the most common type of attempted murder/murder shooting to take place in the US, it is definitely self defense to shoot them inside their car. Of course some jurisdictions do not see legal self defense in any scenario.
As far as expansion with the 380, you do not want it to expand anymore than those 2 bullets. Hornady has it perfect. If they expand anymore than that they will not penetrate far enough. That said, those rounds are excellent and the one shot stopping percentage of a 380 is not that far below a 9mm believe it or not. And a good 380 round like those 2 will probably work ok through a car door or windshield if need be...there is tons of this data on youtube...
Excellent video, this was very good data as well, and much appreciated. Thanks!

I know of one SD incident in which 2 rounds of .380 from a P3AT saved the day. The bad guy with the knife got to go to the hospital and the good guy got to go home to his family (shook up but not physically harmed).

Holy smoke! The .380 is much more effective than I thought it would be, on both the gel and the ham. I admit to being kinda snobbish about the round, but you opened my eyes. Thank you!

100% right on. Great pocket pistol. Effective for what is designed for. If I am looking for tight groups at long ranges I will grab something else out of the safe.

I have a ruger security 380 and love it 😀

I've never carried a 380 but I know that it will be good for any defensive situation someone might find themselves in. People like to come up with all sorts of scenarios but the reality of the situation is we don't live in Mogadishu or any other place that is hostile where people are gunning each other down with fully automatic rifles. Even in a really bad situation where someone might want to kill you for your atm withdrawal, the .380 will definitely make the criminal think about what they're doing.

My LCP max is my daily carry. Not worried at all about .380

Those who poo poo the 380 as a defensive round need to stand on the receiving end of it and THEN give their review lol. I live in South Texas and multiple layers of clothing is rare. I daily carry 380 in an LCP with the FTX and I'm confident based on my current environment. Nicely done!

The ourpose of the 380 is that its small and light enough where it takes the excuse of "i dont feel like carrying a gun with me just to check the mail or walk the dog" off the table and gives you the option if having SOMETHING vs nothing bc you didnt want to carry a 9mm

Thank you for the tests. Some really good info.

Great informative video. I carry an LCP 380 for occasional off duty back up and as a primary for dog walking,Mtn biking in non sketchy areas.
Picked up a box of XTP this evening. Will test it out tomorrow for function.

Enjoyed your video. Thanks for posting! God bless you.

Love my P365 in 380. 12+1 rds of self defense and self confidence. Super accurate and very low recoil.

First of all the 380’is not a duty round, so so much for police input. What the 380 is , is a whole lot better than the old 25 or 32 pistols . A 380 in your pocket will be there to save your life, and if you carry a quality pistol it will do the job.I carried a stainless Ppk 380 for years. Accurate and reliable and enough power for ccw use. Eventually retired it for a Colt Mustang Pocketlite that is around 7 ounces lighter and with its locked breech mechanism , more pleasant to shoot, and just as accurate. Ask people who actually used one in a self defense shooting and they will tell you it did the job.

This is great info…I carry critical duty in my P10 generally…but I’m getting older and have spine issues…very happy with these results…thank you for the post…

I have both of these guns (LCP MAX, GX4) along with an LCP II in 380 and an LCP II in 22lr. To me, the perceived recoil of the 380 variants is slightly higher than the GX4. I think this is because the GX4 has enough extra mass to negate some of the higher power inherent in the 9mm. The LCP II in particular seems to 'squirm around' more on firing and is kind of unpleasant to shoot more than a dozen rounds or so at the range.

As for carrying, when I'm wearing heavier, looser pants I pocket carry the GX4. For lighter, tighter pants I will slip the LCP II or LCP MAX in my pocket. The LCP II in particular is very skinny and doesn't 'print' very much when carried in your pocket.

Ty for this vid! Just got a 42 with the American Gunner rounds you tested for it. Your vid gave me more confidence I chose correctly!