After just getting used to carrying all the time, and liking the extra reassurance that it gives, I really hate not having my Kel-Tec on me.
Stupid, stupid.
On the positive side, we were out in the desert a few days back and I got to try two new types of JHP self defense ammo in the Kel-Tec. Self Defense .380 has been impossible to find for the past 6 months, so I was happy to visit a few stores with some MagTech and Corbon JHP stuff in stock.
I bought a few (expensive) boxes and took it out for some shooting. I learned early to make sure to test your ammo before it becomes your carry load, for obvious reasons that if it causes a misfeed, then you're SOL and might as well not have the gun in the first place. Makes sense.
So I put 20 rounds of both thru the gun with zero problems. And it was amazingly accurate - shooting both close up targets (7-10 meters - yes the metric system is better) and stuff farther away at 25 m. I setup a man-size target at that latter distance and was able to put 6 rounds into it quickly - center of mass with an acceptable grouping size. This *is* a pistol for close in distance, so I was happily surprised at the results.
The ammo was:
- CorBon DPX- 80 grain JHP - solid copper bullet intended to minimize penetration and maximize expansion. This stuff was expensive at $30 a box for 20 rounds. Ouch. They claim it retains 100% of bullet weight and has a higher fps. Mostly greek to me, but ok.
- MagTech Guardian Gold - 85 grain JHP +p load (technically) - traditional HP design, and much cheaper at $13 a box.
I'm just happy to have self defense stuff again. I've been carrying around the same 6 rounds of Remmington Golden Sabre for 8 months.
Anyone have any thoughts on their preferred .380 loads for small guns like this? How many rounds do you put thru in testing? At $30 a box, I was hesitant to do more with the CorBon stuff, but maybe I'm being cheap.
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I carry a Kel-Tec .380 as well, most days. I have been very happy with Golden Sabres in my carry guns, but will always grab the Gold Dot HP's if I can. They are all hard to find right now though. I, too, am from Washington, but from the dry side of the mountains. I have liked reading your blog, and like the perspective you bring from being an anti-gun individual previously. Thanks for your posts.
ReplyDeleteFritz,
ReplyDeleteExercise in thought patterns. I would say you aren't disarmed, you are the weapon. Firearms are the primary TOOL we use, but not the actual weapon.
When I can't carry a firearm, I usually have a knife. If I can't carry a knife, I usually have a pen. I always wear a belt, usually with a large buckle. But IF I don't think of those items are tools to defend myself...then I am disarmed.
Not sure if you were thinking that way or not, just a mental status check
Inventory what you are carrying, what is around you...what can you use as a tool for self defense?
bob - Good points. I do have my knife. and a belt that has serious hardware (you could rappel with it - seriously).
ReplyDeleteAnon - cheers!