The Peruvian folks I spoke to who actually know and understand guns carry high capacity .380 autos. They think that 10+ rounds of .380 acp is a better choice than a five-shot .38 revolver.

It depends on what type of .38 round we are talking about. .38 Special, .38 Colt, or even a .357 magnum round can be used in those revolvers chambered for the round.

The government limits the caliber of handgun that Peruvians can own. Peruvian citizens are not allowed to own any “military caliber” weapons.

This is why .38 Super is so popular in the Latin American nations. Lots of illegal aliens found in the Sonoran desert with a .38 Super round in their head.

All calibers from .22lr to .45 acp were equally effective at deterrence, because the pain from any gunshot wound is severe.

Generally speaking, in all locales all firearms of whatever type are the use of lethal force at whatever range.

Handgun permits also require a shooting test. The qualification is shot on a silhouette target at 50 feet. Five shots are fired. One hit anywhere on the silhouette (or paying the tester 20 Peruvian Soles…approximately $7 dollars) passes the test.

To qualify for concealed carry in Illinois, you must pass a marksmanship test with the handgun that is the most stringent, as far as I know, in the nation. Ten shots each at 5 yards, 7 yards and 10 yards. (A yard equals about a meter to you Europeans.) At least 21 of the thirty shots must be in the seven ring of the man-sized silhouette.

PS. The .380 Walther PPK was James Bond’s choice of pistol. It’s 6+1, but if you can shoot like Bond that’s all you need. Don’t know why Q didn’t foresee the need for more rounds.