As a long time shooter

[solo1]

and reloader, I get a big laugh from gun forums these days.  Lots of new 'expert'  shooters out there.
For example: Jes for fun.

Question.  I have plenty of guns but I'm looking for a very small, lightweight .380 pistol to carry in a pocket holster for quick trips to the 7/11. What would you suggest?

The fun begins.  I won't bother with quotes.

Gee, the .380 has a wrist breaking kick. You're beetr off with a .22 short in a N frame S&W revolver.
Hell, that is a weak cartridge, poor choice.
Don't say that.  I killed a moose with one shot with my .380
Go for a .38 instead.  That has enough power to shoot through walls and plate glass windows, and a 3/4" steel plate
Nah, the .40 is your best bet.
You're wrong. the .38 has more power.
No, it doesn't  Yes it does and you can load it to ++++P in a small snub nose. At least 2000fps with a 158 grain bullet. More power than a .40
Why fool around, the old time .45 acp is the best.
If you go .45acp, you might as well go 45 long colt.
On and On, ad nauseum

And the winner is.........................................................45/70 BFR.  Lightweight at four pounds, compact for pocket holster, takes up little space and you can hide it above the sun visor, AND it will shoot through four elephants end wise. Cheap ammo too


Like i said, it's hilarious.  

[Jess from VA]

I think I'd stay off that forum.  Unless you need some laughs.

[Patrick]

These are all on the internet ?

Well, then they all have to be right !  Can't put anything on the 'net that ain't true you know.

It just goes to show that there are a lot of stupid people in this world.

[Hooter]

.380 is and always has been my backup weapon when I'm working. Never quite had it break my wrist yet and qualify with it 3 times a year. I'm now dumber for reading that post.

[solo1]

.380 is and always has been my backup weapon when I'm working. Never quite had it break my wrist yet and qualify with it 3 times a year. I'm now dumber for reading that post.

I use a Glock model 42 .380 in a pocket holster.  Nice soft recoil and reliable.  Sometimes i carry my Glock model 22. in 40 I like Glocks.

The above post was all in fun but I actually read that someone was serious saying that a .38 special was more powerful than a .40 S&W.  When called on it, he came back and said, "well you can reload a .38 special to exceed a .40.  Yeah, right!  Yeah, you could reload and shoot it.................once.

Scratch one snubbie or practically any .38 special revolver . Yes, i know that you can shoot .38's in a .357

[Gavin_Sons]

As a gun advocate myself I do not read or join any shooting forums. I'd rather not know how many idiots have guns. I was raised shooting and practicing safety with firearms. My dad would not let me deer hunt with a gun until I killed my first deer with a bow. Needless to say that only took an hour my first trip out by myself. Actually killed my first 8 deer with a bow. I also carry a glock 42 and love that little gun. Haven't found a round yet it wont shoot.

[Hooter]

   I knew it was the fun thing.....but you know as well as I do that this is how some think...I have 38s and 357s and 1 Model 29 and others. My duty weapon is a Glock 40 and I like it.

[Jess from VA]

I shoot (made for reloading) hardcast lead 158gr SWC .38s (.357s) bullets from my wrist rocket slingshot.  People think the oblong/cylindrical shape affects accuracy, but it doesn't affect mine.  I'm already highly inaccurate with a slingshot, even with perfectly round ammo.  Just aim a little high and sling 'em downrange.

I rarely hit a squirrel, but I scare a lot of them.   

When I do hit one, they stay hit.  

[Patrick]

Depending on the situation I like the little .380.   JoAnn is small and likes her little Walther PPKS.  I'm not a real big fan of that cartridge, but, that gun is reliable and it sure beats trying to throw a stone.  A small cartridge that can be shot somewhat accurately sure beats something that causes flinching.

[CajunRider]

Gee, the .380 has a wrist breaking kick. You're beetr off with a .22 short in a N frame S&W revolver.

                       

[solo1]

As long time shooters, I think that we are all frustrated viewing videos and comments by newcomers. I especially hate to see ones like the BF letting his GF shoot a .500 smith and then laughing his arse off when she can't handle it.  I wonder how another arsehole can live with himself when HIS GF did the same but reacted by pulling another shot when it was in  full recoil and shooting herself in the head

The internet is full of idiots who don't know safety, think guns are toys, and know nothing about reloading, but think that they are experts.

Gavin, i too, started hunting squirrels with my father who taught me safety like unloading when crossing a fence, point the firearm in a safe direction, make sure there is a tree trunk behind the squirrel. etc.

I graduated to bowhunting around Allegan Michigan, then hunted the upper lower, then  a 7MM mag hunting mule deer in Wyoming.

I miss hunting because of arthritis but it's just as well, Too many idiots probably now.

Hooter, you have a real treasure in the N frame model 29 Smith.   I gave something similar to my son, a three screw Super Blackhawk, beautiful blued finish for a Ruger.  I got my last deer with it.

[Hooter]

You ever get time to come back to Allegan hunting let me know. Lived here all my life and have some good hunting right in my back yard.

[solo1]

Time is what I got plenty of ( I hope). Energy and ambition are something else.

Don't hold your breath but I might give the Miata a workout and drive up to Allegan to maybe have a gab session.  Too bad RJ doesn't live as close as I do.

wayne

[rocketray]

SMITH & WESSON BODYGUARD .380--very,very concealable w/built-in laser--perfect for statistical average 12 ft gunfight/ make the bad guy go away!!

[Varmintmist]

and reloader, I get a big laugh from gun forums these days.  Lots of new 'expert'  shooters out there.
For example: Jes for fun.

Look for a good gun board that wont put up with the mall ninjas and they can be fun.

Internet gun advice is the same as internet motorcycle or kayak advice, you take it with a grain of salt and the knowledge that some folks have their holy grail and cannot accept that their own personal choice is not going to work for everyone.

EG Harley

eg, A 2400.00 fat fishing kayak with pedal propulsion is not the ticket for taking a 5 day river trip in, nor is a 18' composite sea kayak what you want to paddle ponds and puddles in, but you will find folks who say "you MUST" every time someone asks about a kayak.

[solo1]

I only lurk on these gun boards for laughs.

I believe that I have enough experience and knowledge to determine what to choose for my needs and what to do to be safe.  As an NRA instructor for over 40 years I've not seen everything, but a lot.

A few days go, i was exchanging emails with Brian Dillon of Dillon Reloading Presses.  We were in agreement about some of the 'new' shooters today.

[Spirited-6]

Damn, I have a Ruger 380 that I`ve never fired. Guess I need to pull the trigger. 

[Gavin_Sons]

SMITH & WESSON BODYGUARD .380--very,very concealable w/built-in laser--perfect for statistical average 12 ft gunfight/ make the bad guy go away!!

Had one, laser is worthless to me. Sold it to a friend and bought the glock. Glock 42 is 10 times the gun the bodyguard is.i can hit a beer can every time at 30 feet. Bodyguard, I was lucky to hit one at 5 feet. For a self defense gun I want accuracy not something that just goes bang. Maybe I had a dud

[CajunRider]

Had one, laser is worthless to me. Sold it to a friend and bought the glock. Glock 42 is 10 times the gun the bodyguard is.i can hit a beer can every time at 30 feet. Bodyguard, I was lucky to hit one at 5 feet. For a self defense gun I want accuracy not something that just goes bang. Maybe I had a dud

It's possible you just had a bad gun... or "dud"... Machines aren't always perfect.  But it's also possible the Bodyguard just didn't FIT you. 

I can pluck quarters are 20 steps with my Ruger... can't hit the broad side of a barn with a Glock. 

Best I can figure is that I can't get comfortable with Glock handles.

Of course, it's also possible that I'm just crazy...         

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I got a huge laugh out of that lead post Wayne.
Recently during a discussion of deer hunting equipment I was informed that deer slugs from shotguns carry farther than any high-power rifle will....

[solo1]

I got a huge laugh out of that lead post Wayne.
Recently during a discussion of deer hunting equipment I was informed that deer slugs from shotguns carry farther than any high-power rifle will....

I didn't exaggerate too much although there always have been idiots around.  I had one 'friend' at the range tell me, "Wayne, please take me to the hospital if my .303 Enfield blows up.  I've reloaded it to 7mm mag power."  I told him that he could take his own arse to the hospital since I was leaving. He had second thoughts after I talked to him.

Another one, in a small group I was hunting with, started to pull his 12 gauge pump out of the back seat of his car, by the muzzle, the action was closed, AND it was loaded. I stopped him.  Excuse...........the safety was on. I said "Unload the damn thing and open the action when you put it in the car!!!"

[0leman]

Many years ago, in my poorer youth, I reloaded 38sp brass with mag primers and enough powder for a 357.   38sp brass was free from LEO's and 375 brass cost.   About every 50 or so rounds one of the 38sp brass would split.  Since I was shooting 500 rounds every couple weeks, it was a lot cheaper.  I did have a couple of boxes of 375's loaded up.

I had a box of those 38sp rounds sitting in my truck's window one day,  Someone stole them.  I always wondered if their gun had issues. 

[solo1]

That wasn't a good practice if you had a .38 special revolver laying around.  Also .375 H and H is different from .357.(slightly, )  Lkie you, I have trouble with transposing letters when I type,  

[0leman]

That wasn't a good practice if you had a .38 special revolver laying around.  Also .375 H and H is different from .357.(slightly, )  Lkie you, I have trouble with transposing letters when I type,   

Yeah I have problems with fat fingers and do transpose number a lot.  Always have.  A 375 in a pistol would be fun to shoot.   Maybe.

AT the time I was loading up 38sp brass I didn't have a 38sp.  But I was young and didn't think of the problems it could cause.   I did live through it.   

[MAD6Gun]

 Years ago I was out at our club range with my brother and a friend. We had been out there for awhile when a young couple walked up. Now to get in our range you have to have the combination to the gate and "drive" in. Since they walked up I found that suspicious. I walked out to the gate and saw their car outside. You can't be on the range unless you are a member. To make a long story short I asked them if they were members. He said not yet but was  being "sponsored' by a current member. While I was talking to them his girlfriend turned and was pointing a 22 rifle at me. Bolt was closed so I assumed it was loaded. I kindly asked her to point it downrange please. Soon after they both left. Needless to say as far as I know he never became a  member. Couldn't follow the rules......