It is better to have one than not, and with most people wardrobes many guns are too hard to conceal, or too cumbersome to carry. . I'm 6'4'' and 220, and would have a hard time concealing any of my larger bore guns, ones that I used to consider the only thing to carry. I still carry the larger frames at times, but no matter what I am wearing (swim trunks, flip-flops and no shirt) I can hide the . 380 and carry it comfortably. . can you do that with any . 40, 10mm, . 45 on the market?
A . 45 IMHO is the best caliber for defense against people, but if you don't have it on your person since it too bulky then it does no good. Yes a . 380 is a relatively small caliber, but it will work great even in life and death circumstances (which is the only reason to shoot someone anyhow). Like I said if you think otherwise would you be willing to get shot with one to prove your point (regardless of adrenaline level)? (That is a 100% hypothetical question, which is ALL it needs to be).
. 22LR has killed more people than ANY other caliber, I would rather carry a . 22 than nothing as well.
When looking at different calibers for different reasons you have to consider 3 things. Penetration, knockdown power, and killing power. This is why I like the . 45, on a human target you get great penetration, but generally doesn't exit(due to the large diameter and slow velocity), which leads to knockdown power since the all of the energy is dispersed in the target. A 10mm has more penetration, and does more wound track damage, but since it will generally pass thru a human target (smaller diameter and high velocity) the knockdown power is lower than that of a . 45, thou it has more killing power due to the wound track damage. This is why I have a 10mm in my truck, more apt to have issues with wildlife than humans, and a . 45 in my DD, and a . 40 or . 357 here and there
The . 380 may not have the best penetration, but penetrate it will and all of its energy is dispersed in the target, making it an okay round for shooting humans. Like a . 22, it has the small size and initial energy to penetrate, but then lacks the energy to exit and will quite likely "rattle" around inside a rib cage rather than exit, which is probably going to kill at a rapid rate, one of the reasons the . 22LR has killed so many people.
I'm not trying to start an argument, just point out the data that I looked at prior to buying my . 380 as I used to think the same way.
But like you said its all personal preference, carry what you want. . What I love about this country!
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