# .380 vs 9 mm - You Decide **URL:** \ **Category:** Guns\ **Created:** [November 17, 2019, 12:00am UTC](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/t/380-vs-9-mm-you-decide/16262 "2019-11-17T00:00:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dawn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/community.usconcealedcarry.com/dawn/32/24_2.png) [@Dawn](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/u/Dawn)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2019, 12:00am UTC](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/t/380-vs-9-mm-you-decide/16262/1 "2019-11-17T00:00:14Z")
There’s an age-old debate about the best ammo size. Here, lets specifically talk about .380 and 9 mm. Joel T. Nadler does a great comparison of the two in his blog post: [https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/blog/380-vs-9mm-a-comparison-of-eight-handguns/](https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/blog/380-vs-9mm-a-comparison-of-eight-handguns/) I’ve got one of each (.380 and 9 mm) - I won’t say what exact firearms I have, but you can probably guess if you’ve seen my other posts throughout the Community. ## Which is your preference? State why below! _Poll ([view on site](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/t/380-vs-9-mm-you-decide/16262/1))_ ---
**Author:** ![Robert8](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/community.usconcealedcarry.com/robert8/32/1471_2.png) [@Robert8](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/u/Robert8)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2019, 12:46am UTC](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/t/380-vs-9-mm-you-decide/16262/2 "2019-11-17T00:46:53Z")
@Dawn. The best ammunition size is the size that you like, can easily afford, and are good at hitting your targets at various distances. ---
**Author:** ![CHRIS4](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/community.usconcealedcarry.com/chris4/32/3301_2.png) [@CHRIS4](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/u/CHRIS4)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2019, 1:01am UTC](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/t/380-vs-9-mm-you-decide/16262/4 "2019-11-17T01:01:09Z")
On my EDCs the company has made 9mm conversion sets so I can practice with my gear ‘cheaper.’ Funny thing is, back when 9 was the “new” military round - it was enough; now it’s moreso. (And 380 got expensive.) So now I’ve got three SIGs with 9 and am still net 3 9mm guns… I sold the Uzi. ---
**Author:** ![John150](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/community.usconcealedcarry.com/john150/32/10802_2.png) [@John150](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/u/John150)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2019, 1:20am UTC](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/t/380-vs-9-mm-you-decide/16262/5 "2019-11-17T01:20:46Z")
While the .380 is a good round, I prefer the 9mm. Mainly due to the price point. If I was pocket carrying or on ankle, I might consider a .380 for that. Just not a fan of either carry position. ---
**Author:** ![Robert8](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/community.usconcealedcarry.com/robert8/32/1471_2.png) [@Robert8](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/u/Robert8)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2019, 1:37am UTC](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/t/380-vs-9-mm-you-decide/16262/6 "2019-11-17T01:37:29Z")
Yes Sir James right you are ---
**Author:** ![Henry\_A](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/community.usconcealedcarry.com/henry_a/32/1404_2.png) [@Henry\_A](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/u/Henry_A)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2019, 2:08am UTC](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/t/380-vs-9-mm-you-decide/16262/7 "2019-11-17T02:08:41Z")
I chose 9mm primarily because I have no experience with anything else. However, it is my firm belief that a .380 will kill you just as dead😳, so, I do not see how you can go wrong with either caliber, IMHO… ---
**Author:** ![Jerzees](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/community.usconcealedcarry.com/jerzees/32/111382_2.png) [@Jerzees](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/u/Jerzees)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2019, 4:48am UTC](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/t/380-vs-9-mm-you-decide/16262/8 "2019-11-17T04:48:56Z")
9 mm of course… why? there is a reason: ![9mmvs38](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/dd_dev/original/2X/5/5c8d3a8cdbeae5ed0b261514ce10ee43e65db1f7.png) 🙃 ok, ok… just kidding 😉 **as price-per-round, the 9mm is unbeatable** ---
**Author:** ![45IPAC](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/community.usconcealedcarry.com/45ipac/32/2855_2.png) [@45IPAC](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/u/45IPAC)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2019, 2:19pm UTC](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/t/380-vs-9-mm-you-decide/16262/9 "2019-11-17T14:19:05Z")
Of these 2, 9 mm would be my choice. Ammo selection, availability, and price point. Add in the physics of velocity vs expansion, and the 9 would be a better choice for me. If I wanted to carry such a small round😏(sorry, I couldn’t resist😂) ---
**Author:** ![Fred\_G](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/community.usconcealedcarry.com/fred_g/32/1702_2.png) [@Fred\_G](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/u/Fred_G)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2019, 5:09pm UTC](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/t/380-vs-9-mm-you-decide/16262/10 "2019-11-17T17:09:27Z")
9mm or bigger for me. I have owned .380’s, and might in the future, but I think 9mm is better. Note: I am not volunteering to be shot with a BB gun either. 😀 ---
**Author:** ![Sheepdog556](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/community.usconcealedcarry.com/sheepdog556/32/13138_2.png) [@Sheepdog556](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/u/Sheepdog556)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2019, 9:00pm UTC](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/t/380-vs-9-mm-you-decide/16262/11 "2019-11-17T21:00:32Z")
My wife shoots a 380 so I have one as my back up. It has come a long way but it just doesn’t have the penetration of the 9mm. I think it’s place is inside 5yds. The 9mm has the penetration I’m ok with and the availability to properly train with a firearm. ---
**Author:** ![Joe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Joe](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/u/Joe)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 7:36am UTC](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/t/380-vs-9-mm-you-decide/16262/12 "2019-11-18T07:36:35Z")
But that is me, 2 9’s and a .380 for my wife. I also like the 9x18 and the 7.62x25, both have their place. ---
**Author:** ![MikeBKY](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/community.usconcealedcarry.com/mikebky/32/2592_2.png) [@MikeBKY](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/u/MikeBKY)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 10:36am UTC](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/t/380-vs-9-mm-you-decide/16262/13 "2019-11-18T10:36:36Z")
I have debated this issue and always land on 9mm for two main reasons. First, 9mm is available pretty much anywhere in the world. Second, it is very cost effective. ---
**Author:** ![Paul1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/community.usconcealedcarry.com/paul1/32/13244_2.png) [@Paul1](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/u/Paul1)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 2:32pm UTC](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/t/380-vs-9-mm-you-decide/16262/14 "2019-11-18T14:32:21Z")
Just what caliber does a Bad Guy prefer to be shot with? The answer is neither. In my simple mind it comes down to, which round can I consistently deliver on target? For me, it’s the round I can practice with. Because the cost of .380 is double that of 9mm, I have settled on the 9. 2,600+ rounds over the past couple years, in two different pistols. Don’t get your underwear wrapped around the axle arguing about the ballistics. Carry the gun you’re comfortable and proficient with. ---
**Author:** ![Dawn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/community.usconcealedcarry.com/dawn/32/24_2.png) [@Dawn](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/u/Dawn)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 3:09pm UTC](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/t/380-vs-9-mm-you-decide/16262/15 "2019-11-18T15:09:45Z")
> [@Paul1](#): > > Just what caliber does a Bad Guy prefer to be shot with? Great point, @Paul1!! ---
**Author:** ![Jerzees](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/community.usconcealedcarry.com/jerzees/32/111382_2.png) [@Jerzees](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/u/Jerzees)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 3:14pm UTC](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/t/380-vs-9-mm-you-decide/16262/16 "2019-11-18T15:14:37Z")
> [@Dawn](#): > > > Just what caliber does a Bad Guy prefer to be shot with? > > Great point, @Paul1!! so… Ask first, then shoot? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![BJP](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/community.usconcealedcarry.com/bjp/32/1555_2.png) [@BJP](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/u/BJP)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 3:48pm UTC](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/t/380-vs-9-mm-you-decide/16262/17 "2019-11-18T15:48:04Z")
9 is good enough for the FBI it is good enough for me. the wife likes her 380s and that is better than not having anything . ---
**Author:** ![Debra\_A](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/community.usconcealedcarry.com/debra_a/32/8461_2.png) [@Debra\_A](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/u/Debra_A)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 4:18pm UTC](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/t/380-vs-9-mm-you-decide/16262/18 "2019-11-18T16:18:55Z")
I carry a 9mm away from home, and a .380 at home. The .380 works best in my house coat pocket.😁 ---
**Author:** ![Dawn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/community.usconcealedcarry.com/dawn/32/24_2.png) [@Dawn](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/u/Dawn)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2019, 7:07pm UTC](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/t/380-vs-9-mm-you-decide/16262/19 "2019-11-18T19:07:25Z")
When you look at them this closely, they look very similar in size, diameter, casing size: ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/dd_dev/original/2X/c/c40a73a5ec006a476b772f24b40ad4298d8801df.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![KenM](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/community.usconcealedcarry.com/kenm/32/28390_2.png) [@KenM](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/u/KenM)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2019, 4:20am UTC](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/t/380-vs-9-mm-you-decide/16262/20 "2019-11-19T04:20:02Z")
I always felt 9mm was the minimum until I fired my friends .380 which I was surprised at first on the recoil. Same goes for the old school surplus Makarovs I suppose. I switched to 9mm this year with my Glock 26, I bought my 9mm upper and using EndoMags with my standard AR15 lower and I just finished my Glock 22 conversion to 9mm. I have the following calibers and plan on keeping it reserved to this .22lr 9mm .40SW .45ACP .223 rem 5.56mm .300 Blackout 12Ga .308 ---
**Author:** ![MikeBKY](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/community.usconcealedcarry.com/mikebky/32/2592_2.png) [@MikeBKY](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/u/MikeBKY)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2019, 1:18pm UTC](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/t/380-vs-9-mm-you-decide/16262/21 "2019-11-19T13:18:28Z")
9mm also known as 9x19 and the .380 is 9x17. A 9 will not cycle through a .380 firearm. A .380 may cycle through a 9 mm firearm but it’s not a good idea. As a policy matter, I know several local PDs that have policy of nothing smaller than .380 for off duty or backup carry. [Next page](https://community.usconcealedcarry.com/t/380-vs-9-mm-you-decide/16262.md?page=2)