9mm Parabellum vs .380 ACP in self defense handguns, is really necessary the most powerful 9mm Luger?

Here, look at the charts below and draw your own conclusion.

http://ballistics101.com/9mm.php

http://ballistics101.com/380_acp.php

@AmericanViking. The ballistics are not even remotely close.

depends how you want to look at it.

Ballistically the 9mm wins hands down. More velocity, more mass, therefore more energy. It is a self defense round that most are comfortable with. The 9 also has more ammo choices available, easier to find, and usually costs a little less.

The .380 wins in the size department. Virtually all .380's are subcompacts, really small and really light. These are a joy to carry, often you hardly notice it's on you. They can make a 9mm close to this small, but not quite.

So from a numbers standpoint the 9mm all the way. However a pistol that's less of a burden to carry is also more likely to actually be carried. The .380 may have an advantage here for some people. Granted this is dependent on the exact firearm, the person, their build, how they dress, etc. But in some cases the .380 can be a winner here due to the small size of the firearm.

I guess it depends on how good you are with it.

Fundamentally, if you have some sort of pocket snubby semi - auto and you are running super hot +P .380 ACP in it, enough to make the gun jumpy in your hand and hard to stay on target ... then I'm not sure you've bought yourself much over a slightly larger 9mm.

However, if you can double tap on a pie plate at 10 yards from the draw in less than 2 seconds with a .380? Eh - I'd not have too many concerns about exactly how fast the round was moving.

At the end of the day, missing what you are shooting at because you picked a spec sheet instead of something you are willing to practice with may still protect you because you've convinced the assailant that you are going to try and shoot him and that's a discomforting thought. However, it's not what I count on.

Thinkingblade

380 Vs 9mm Ballistics

9mm Vs 380

Your average 9mm round will have about 80% more energy than your average .380 round. That extra energy equals better stopping power.

9mm ammo is also much less expensive to shoot and practice with.

The only reason you should consider .380 is if you wish to get a very small concealed carry gun, so you can carry at all times, whereas a bigger 9mm gun would result in you leaving it at home sometimes. And if that is the case, that you need a smaller pistol so you can carry, then more power to you and your choice of .380.

I own a 9mm handgun and I own several .380 ACP handguns.

The .380 ACP handguns are simply more convenient to carry.

Since the first rule of a gunfight is to bring a gun, I've often decided in favor of convenience over firepower.

Only in recent years have small and compact 9mm designs become available.

For decades, small & convenient pistols were chambered for cartridges that weren't powerhouses.

Even with newer 9mm designs, the stronger recoil may turn-off some buyers. So a .380 ACP pistol may be preferred by some buyers who are looking for something that will also be pleasant to shoot during target-practice sessions.

Hornady recently introduced 9x18mm Makarov to their "Critical Defense" product line.

With 9x18mm Makarov, a person could split the ballistic difference between .380 ACP and 9x19mm cartridges and use inexpensive FMJ ammunition for target-practice.

Many pistols chambered for 9x18mm are inexpensive to purchase and are compact or sub-compact in size. They're viable contenders in the concealed-carry market (in my opinion).

Bottom line? Buy what you want, based upon your selection criteria and the priority you assign to 'stopping power' vs. 'convenient to carry'.

Personally i would go for the 9mm, the 9 and the 380 are so similar in size and even ballistics that it's very close decision, but if you got a 9 there would be way more options in firearms if you wanted to keep one caliber as a platform. and as somebody already pointed out that the 380 is well liked because it usually comes in very low profile concealed carry options, that would probably be the only benefit i could think of, but even then, it's not much smaller than alot of 9mm you can get.... but i think in any close range situation they would both end up gettin the job done.

380 is fine for self defense. I carry one every day with Hornady Critical Defense in it.

Is 9mm better?- Yes. But generally it is a larger gun and more difficult to conceal. Modern self defense jhp loads in 380 will penetrate 9-14" and will mushroom out and inflict a lot of damage. A fmj load may penetrate 16-24" with little damage.

Edit: For normal every day carry I use a Bersa Thunder 380. It is sufficient. "IF" for some reason I suspect I have more than just a chance of a conflict...I will carry a hi-cap 9mm.

For some reason your trying to justify a round that pure ballistic data & real world reports comes up small. The .380acp never has or will match 9mm Para performance. Nor can you load it to match the better loads. The 9mm para has far wider selection of defensive loadings. Costs less as well. The current crop of sub compact 9mm paras ( like the one in my holster as I type) are as small as your .380 class guns & with better control than you get with a mouse gun. A Walther PPS beats the Old PPK every time. You fail to note energy in your ballistic notes. Mass matters. 90 grains does not cut it.Those buffalo loads don't even break 290 ft/ lbs. My carry Remington 124 grain 9mmP+ Golden Saber Is near 400 ft/lbs. at the muzzle.

Between .380 and 9mm, I vote for the 9. However, I happened on to a .32 TomCat, Beretta that suits me for a minimum back up piece for my .357 Mag revolver, or my .45 Auto. Plus I'm a good shot and always practice for head shots because there isn't a bullet proof vest for the face. Just in case he is wearing one for the chest area. Good day.