On Sun, 20 Dec 2009 23:58:11 -0800, Gunner Asch
wrote:

On Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:11:44 -0600, Don Foreman
wrote:

A small .380 is my choice because it's very easy to
pocket so I may grab it when I wouldn't bother with a .45. It'd be
a fatally poor choice for a gunfight

Bingo.

So if you carry a rabbits foot and hope/pray, given your lack of
external threat...you should be perfectly safe, correct? So why bother
carrying?

Bingo. I usually don't. No rabbit's foot required, just threat
assessment. YMMV.

Im a bit nonplussed because of people carrying a "fatally poor choice
for a gunfight" because they may become involved in a gunfight at some
time in their lives.

I explained that I don't expect to ever be involved in a gunfight as a
senior civilian.

There are other choices of similar size in more appropriate
calibers..which is why Im fascinated by folks claiming that the "fatally
poor choice" they made is better than those other more appropriate
calibers.

Appropriate? If "appropriate" means maximum stop/drop power you
should be armed with a rifle or shotgun. Perhaps you are, and your
situation may require that. To me, "appropriate" means suitable for
my circumstances which is one step up from a can of pepper spray.

Its well known that there are pocket sized 9mm Paras, .40s, 45s, 357s
and so forth that are about the same size as the average .380.

I have a Para LDA in 9mmp and a Colt Officer's .45. Both are somewhat
bulkier than my .380 so at present I'm not motivated to carry either.
If that changes, they're available to me and I'm skilled with them.