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.380 ACP, a “Manstopper?”

.380 ACP, a "Manstopper?" - TheArmsGuide.com

August 5, 2020 by Kevin 52 Comments

There exists a continuing debate about the effectiveness of the .380 ACP cartridge in self-defense scenarios. Because I possess, and exercise, my concealed carry permit, I’ve also put a great deal of thought into the caliber of the pistol I  choose for CCW. My limitations to what I can effectively carry vary depending on my location and dress.

As such, I have adopted more than one option for carry. There are occasions where it simply isn’t feasible to carry anything larger than a slim subcompact. While there are exceptions, it is generally easier to find small, highly concealable options in .380 ACP. In my decision of whether or not to include a .380 pistol as a concealed carry option, I considered elements of shooting in self-defense scenarios, such as shot placement and “stopping power.”

Stopping Power

I don’t have a background in ballistics, however, as a student of human biology and a tutor in anatomy and physiology, I do have a background in how the human body functions from what my professors have taught me. From that standpoint, “stopping power” has two definitions:

1. Disabled nervous system

As the central nervous system directly controls a person’s ability to command their muscles, disabling it would effectively “stop” an attack. The application in self defense is that shots to an attacker’s brain, brain stem, or spinal cord would render the assailant physically incapable of continuing their attack.

2. Catastrophic blood pressure loss

In the event of a catastrophic blood pressure drop, the vital blood supply to the brain is decreased so significantly that it causes unconsciousness. Rendering an attacker unconscious “stops” their ability to continue an attack. Shots to the aorta, the heart itself, the thoracic or abdominal aorta, or the femoral artery could cause a blood pressure drop considerable enough to incapacitate an assailant.

The Range Test

With these principals of human anatomy and physiology in mind, I took to the range to see how effective, if at all, my shots would be with a .380 pistol. I affixed an anatomical overlay over a silhouette target and fired my first shots through the Smith and Wesson Bodyguard 380 and evaluated the target afterward. You can see how the range experience turned out by watching the video with this post.

After 6 shots, three grouped at the head (the goal being stopping an attacker through ceasing the central nervous system’s communication with the assailant’s body) and three grouped near the heart (the goal being stopping the attacker through causing a catastrophic loss in blood pressure), I came to a conclusion.

While I am not implying that .380 (or any caliber, for that matter) is the best caliber for self-defense, I do think it can be used effectively. However, as .380 ACP is not regarded for its penetration, I would want to put as many rounds as possible at my attacker, targeting the heart and major arteries in the area to maximize my odds of disabling their assault. It was less challenging to place shots effectively in the chest cavity, and the concern of under-penetrating the target was lessened when not attempting to cause catastrophic blood pressure loss rather than CNS deactivation.

This exercise was to closer simulate shooting in a self-defense scenario and does not constitute a training exercise for my self defense shooting practice. I am also not recommending a caliber for self defense. However, as a result of this shooting “experiment,” I determined that if I feel my choice is either no firearm, or a pocket pistol like the S&W Bodyguard, I’d rather have that than nothing.

Filed Under: Handguns

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About the Author

Avatar for Kevin

Kevin Kevin is an avid hunter and military history enthusiast. He participates in WWII reenactments every year and boasts a large antique firearms collection. The Winchester 1873 and Colt M1911 are two of his favorites. Kevin enjoys researching the best products on the market to keep The Arms Guide reader up to date and informed.

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Comments

  1. Avatar for KevinArmedAmericans says

    November 25, 2015 at 10:39 am

    380 ACP ammo test: three types of Full Metal Jacket FMJ bullets in ClearBallistics gel
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbSLqdiX_bA
    380 Full Metal Jacket in Ballistic Gel
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkscBbMGp5k
    380 XTP ballistic gel test
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O15fRBdo-38
    AMMO TEST: .380 ACP Remington Golden Saber 102 gr JHP
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATTBudWGunI
    380 ACP: HPR HyperClean XTP test JHP in Taurus TCP 738 and ClearBallistics gelatin
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH2eFby2T9E
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-rBxHadw3I
    Killing a wild hog in one shot with a .380 hollow point
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7u6-9VXiBDw
    Testing the Powerful 380 cal and 45 acp VS Wild Hog
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5X8V2a_zp8

    Reply
  2. Avatar for KevinI like IDPA says

    November 25, 2015 at 2:50 pm

    I prefer a 45, but praticality dictates a 9 sometimes or occassionally a .380. It is better than no gun. If I wear a suit a Ruger LCP is good to have in my pocket. I live in a university town and occassionally attend functions. I always carry the .380 then. No one is ever the wiser. It does have its place.

    Reply
  3. Avatar for KevinJohnLloydScharf says

    November 26, 2015 at 1:23 pm

    jimmyshot 
    A .380 does a better job of incapacitation. If you mean KILL say KILL, not “stop”:
    Number of Rounds To Incapacitate:2.45 rounds-9mm Lugar2.36 rounds-.40 S&W2.20 rounds-.25 ACP2.08 rounds-.45 ACP1.86 rounds-.38 Special1.76 rounds-.380 ACP1.71 rounds-.44 Magnum1.70 rounds-.356 Magnum or Sig1.52 rounds-.321.40 rounds-typical center fire rifle1.38 rounds-.22 LR, Long, or Short1.22 rounds-typical Shotgun, 90% of which are 12 gauge

    Reply
  4. Avatar for KevinJohnLloydScharf says

    November 26, 2015 at 1:29 pm

    If .40 S&W is the main firearm, now, that explains why the FBI says police miss 70-80% of the time. ercentage of Hits Fatal:21%-.32 LONG,ACP24%-9mm Luger25%-40 S&W25%-.25 ACP26%-.44 Magnum29%-.380 ACP29%-.38 Special29%-.45 ACP34%-.22 LR,LONG,SHORT34%-.357 (Magnum & Sig)65%-Shotfun(All/90% 12 gauge)68%-Rifle(All Centerfire)

    Reply
  5. Avatar for KevinJohnLloydScharf says

    November 26, 2015 at 1:30 pm

    ercentage of Hits Fatal:21%-.32 LONG,ACP24%-9mm Luger25%-40 S&W25%-.25 ACP26%-.44 Magnum29%-.380 ACP29%-.38 Special29%-.45 ACP34%-.22 LR,LONG,SHORT34%-.357 (Magnum & Sig)65%-Shotfun(All/90% 12 gauge)68%-Rifle(All Centerfire)

    Reply
  6. Avatar for Kevindavidjohn5420 says

    December 14, 2015 at 5:34 pm

    ArmedAmericans JoeFabeetz Concealment and Surprise are a far more important and potential life-saving component than massive calibers.
    In practice .380 saved my life , knocked assailant backwards through a shot in the shoulder and the next round mangled his tibia and left him incapacitated and in deep shock until the ambulance arrived. With .380 fire at least 3-5 shots to even the odds and use the right ammo.

    Reply
  7. Avatar for KevinRick D says

    July 26, 2016 at 8:45 am

    Go price a box of .380 compared to 9mm. Save your money and just buy a 9mm

    Reply
    • Avatar for KevinSome Goy says

      August 1, 2016 at 2:54 am

      especially with all of the small single stack 9mms available now.

      Reply
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