Don't believe everything you "hear" .
A 380 jacketed hollow point will penetrate deep enough to use as self defense....it's what they were designed to do !
Hornady 90 gr. XTP JHP penetrated-
4 layers Denham cloth and 14 1/2 inches ballistic jell .
Winchester 95 gr. RN FMJ penetrated
4 layers Denham cloth 19 inches ballistics jell, 2 one gallon jugs of water and lodged in the wooden stand frame
Winchester 95 gr. Flat Point FMJ penetrated-
4 layers Denham cloth , 19 inches ballistics jell and one and one half one gallon jugs of water.
Now I'm a fairly big guy , six feet , one inch and 215 pounds....I just measured from front to back of my torso, and added an inch... and that came to 14 inches from front to back. Seems 14 1/2 inches is about perfect for front to back penetration .
I would say that Hornady HP ammo would have to hit a solid bone not to exit and the penetration is spot on unless you want to kill the bad guy and his buddy standing behind him.
Over penetration is actually more of a concern .
Use the Hornady 90 grain XTP , or something similar, with confidence the bullet will penetrate and not over penetrate...I've watched the tests
Gary