Obviously, greater capacity was the goal for this new cartridge. But it came at the expense of ballistic performance as it relates to self defense; my opinion. For me a .380 is the absolute minimum for effective self defense. Yes, better bullet designs and other ammunition advances have improved the performance of the .380 but it should still be relegated to a last choice option. The 9mm has benefited from those same ammunition advancements. But it is forced to perform near the bare minimum FBI protocols when chambered in short barreled subcompact handguns. Yes, these incredibly small handguns are the current trend or fad, however you want to look at it. I would choose the 9mm over the .380 any day but wouldn't consider either if other options are available. This .30 Super Carry is supposed to bridge the gap between the .380 and 9mm. I think Federal is splitting hairs on this one. Adding yet another marginally effective cartridge to the self defense market, that only really provides for greater capacity, isn't going to help the armed citizen when that moment of truth comes around. Looking at shooting statistics, that extra capacity doesn't matter when most shootings are finished at gunshot number three. Most armed citizens will be lucky just to have enough time to get one shot off during that life or death incident. That one shot needs to have the potential to either stop the threat or significantly debilitate the attacker to the point of increasing the survival rate of the victim. Marginal self defense cartridges, while easier to carry around town and comfortable to shoot at the range, are not reliable threat stoppers. An outside the vital zone strike with one of these rounds doesn't debilitate effectively either. The .380, 9mm, and the new .30 Super Carry only expand to around .5 inches while reaching minimal FBI penetration standards. If you're going to carry one of these cartridges, you better hope you can get that first, if not the only round fired, into a vital zone before your attacker wins the engagement. I'll stick with my .45ACP. I know it will expand to about 1 inch and easily reaches FBI penetration standards. Even if my first or only round fired doesn't strike a vital zone, if I'm on target anywhere, my attacker will be significantly debilitated by the .45ACP. And that may be all the advantage I need to win the engagement. Capacity plays virtually no role in most self defense situations. If you need 12, 15, 17, or more rounds in your handgun magazine, you should consider carrying a long gun instead.
Just my opinion.
Feel free to respond with your opinion.