Hello all, here is today's article posted on TheArmoryLife.com. It is titled “Can Your .380 Fight a Rifle?” and can be found at https://www.thearmorylife.com/can-your-380-fight-a-rifle/.
Can Your .380 Fight a Rifle?
- Thread starter Mike H.
- Start date
I can reliably hit a 4” target at 25 yds with a 380, but if someone had a rifle and I had to defend myself with a 380, I’d be engaging from cover or concealment, since you’d need to move then engage if in the open. Push comes to shove, if not available, hitting the deck to return fire. Statistically though, infinitesimal chance.
Dobbinsky
Operator
Our Master Guns was a sniper in Vietnam. He later made the MCST (Marine Corps Shooting Team). I knew him after that when he was close to retiring in the early 80's. I saw what that man could do with a .380 in an indoor range. Let me just say that he could scare the hell out of a bullseye! The average Joe with a rifle might re-consider a gun battle with him and his .380.
Smiledon#57
Operator
I am old school. 22 magnum for range time, mostly. M1911a1 for EDC while the Operator the home.
If I "see" the rifleman shooting, than I may get a lucky shot. Outside of that, I will find cover.
If I "see" the rifleman shooting, than I may get a lucky shot. Outside of that, I will find cover.
PieterCoetzee
Operator
While not a 380, my concealed carry/off duty gun used to be a Glock 35 with a 357Sig barrel and a RMR optic. Body hits at 200m was normal even for moderate shooters. I believe its a combination of the RMR and flat shooting cartridge. Im retired now; but generally still carry a full size handgun. The exception is on formal occasions where dress matters and threat is low. Then is an opportunity to wear my PPK...
As for needing to shoot that far, I can only suggest anyone look at Active Shooter incidents. If limiting your skills to 15m means not engaging OR moving closer for the shot; why not practice at longer ranges. School hallways can be 100m long and shopping centers maybe 10 times that long. School Resource Officers dont walk around the hallways with a rifle, Being able to engage a shooter at distance with a handgun could save lives. Likewise the next time youre shopping look at the length of a supermarket aisle.
Break contact, yep thats an option, assuming you can, and assuming youre alone. What if you cant run away? What if you feel that tap on the shoulder from heaven saying, "Its up to you..."
Best
Pieter
As for needing to shoot that far, I can only suggest anyone look at Active Shooter incidents. If limiting your skills to 15m means not engaging OR moving closer for the shot; why not practice at longer ranges. School hallways can be 100m long and shopping centers maybe 10 times that long. School Resource Officers dont walk around the hallways with a rifle, Being able to engage a shooter at distance with a handgun could save lives. Likewise the next time youre shopping look at the length of a supermarket aisle.
Break contact, yep thats an option, assuming you can, and assuming youre alone. What if you cant run away? What if you feel that tap on the shoulder from heaven saying, "Its up to you..."
Best
Pieter
Hawgleg44
Operator
yes indeed at a high rate of speed.
UC_Guy 1971
Master Class
I carry a Ruger LCP Max. A lot; it's sooooooo light. Also, I can hit a man size target at 25 yards. Inside of 10 I can keep them in the 10-ring (the small one, not the one they have for archery). Having said that I have never had rounds coming my way at the time.
I want to add that if I end up in a rifle fight and the only thing I have is my .380. Well, Karma is a bitch, and I must have done something seriously wrong in another life.
I want to add that if I end up in a rifle fight and the only thing I have is my .380. Well, Karma is a bitch, and I must have done something seriously wrong in another life.