380 carry ammo

Hornady 90gr XTP

BE SURE YOUR GUN FEEDS AND FUNCTIONS WITH IT!


https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/



.380 ballistic gel test results.

The Speer 90gr Gold Dot is also excellent.

FMJ in mine.

For the past few years I have used either Win Ranger SXT or Hornady Critical Defense. Both have worked perfectly so far in testing mode. YMMV, always test in your gun before relying on any ammo for SD.

Stay safe.

Choose carefully and wisely.
I have had penetration problems with a couple of premium brand hollow points.
I also choose to carry FMJ'S in my LCP.

Winchester Flat nose. Worry about over penetration and may go to hp.

I carry Hornady American Gunner XTP in my LCP MAXs, but I used to carry SIG Elite flat nose FMJ. It's a tough call because penetration is marginal (12-13") with the XTP bullet, while serious overpenetration is the case with pretty much any FMJ. Gotta go with what makes you more comfortable.

XTP's or GoldDots for me. In reality, however, you need to find a cartridge that cycles in your pistol. The Super-Expando bullet is a 1000% 1-shot manstopper... except if it jams your pistol.

Hornady Critical Defense or Precision One XTP in my LCP max. Both have a good reputation and run in my copy.

Just ball ammo since the best expanding ammo barely expands, it's very expensive and hard to find.

First, I have not done much testing with the current "designer" 380 ACP hollow points, but in the past, most hollow points I tested in my 380 ACP guns failed to expand reliably. I might have just shot FMJ ball ammunition.

So, I shoot FMJ ball ammunition in my 380 ACP guns. It functions reliably in all my 380 ACP guns(I have several) and it will penetrate many layers of clothing.

My S&W Walther PPK does not function well with hollow point bullets. It is 100% with FMJ bullets.

My mid 1980's vintage Mustang and early 1980 Beretta Model 84 digest about anything, but hollow point bullets do not expand reliably.

My Kel Tec P3AT is just too small to be accurate.I guess if I need a deep cover very short range firearm, it would be my choice.

My Glock 42 is too ammunition sensitive. It will not function with my reloads while all my other 380 ACP guns digest them just fine. I'm not a big fan of striker fired pistols but the Glocks make a good range toy. I have a 17, 42 and 43.

My Kimber Micros perform as well as my Colt Mustang. Until I got the flat wire recol spring for my Sig2 238, it would not last many rounds between gun failure due to Sig's poor choice of recoil springs. I still do not trust the gun.

I have a 1917 vintage Colt 1908 that has been reliable with FMJ ammunition. As it was my grandfather's gun that he carried in France during the Great War, I do not shoot it much. I have no idea how it does with hollow point bullets. It will remain a Sunday afternoon plinker for the memory of my grandfather.

P.S. I have several other Walther PP series guns except another PPK, but they are all chambered in 32 ACP. While the 32 ACP is kind of anemic for self defense, I'd like to have a current production PPK chambered in 32 ACP.

IIRC Paul Harrell does a 380 SD ammo
test with an LCP on yoofloob and his
"meat target "

Spicy FMJ, usually Fiocchi or S&B.

Ranger99 said:

IIRC Paul Harrell does a 380 SD ammo
test with an LCP on yoofloob and his
"meat target "

Click to expand...

That's the expensive ammo that no one can find. Unless we want to order it off gunbroker and pay $2 a shot.

FMJ.

XTP or critical defense.

The only 380 I have that sees carry use is a Beretta 84F.
It is loaded with Underwood+P XTP's.

Armored farmer said:

Choose carefully and wisely.
I have had penetration problems with a couple of premium brand hollow points.
I also choose to carry FMJ'S in my LCP.
View attachment 1126144

Click to expand...

So why is the magazine loaded with hollow points?

Haha you got me...
That's an old pic.
About two phones ago.

N555 said:

That's the expensive ammo that no one can find. Unless we want to order it off gunbroker and pay $2 a shot.

Click to expand...

I just got a box of Hornady 90gr critical defense from PSA for $1/shot. They seem to have plenty.

Hey it looks like critical defense 380 is back for about $1 a shot, add sales tax, add shipping probably looking like at least $1.20 a shot unless you buy a lot.
FMJ reloads are like 25 cents each.
RMR 95gr FMJ bullets are about 12cents each if you only buy 500, with sales tax.
Primers are about 10 cents, 1 to 3 cents worth of powder.

FMJ. Works best in my gun, that's all. Would be fine with an XTP load if I can test enough of them for reliability.

I am skeptical of traditional FMJ and hollow points in .380 for some of the reasons already mentioned in this thread. The projectiles are light and the velocities are relatively slow. Rounds that expand don't penetrate adequately. They usually get tested only against bare gelatin and denim covered gelatin, which totally ignores common barriers such as pocket clutter, cartilage and bones, without even getting into barriers like windshields. Anyway, I have been doing some gonzo-style testing over the last few years involving any .380 ammo I can get my hands on. I have posted 7 recent ones (3 today) on another forum, including entries from Lehigh, Buffalo Bore, Hornady, Federal and CCI. If you are interested, it is here: https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/17837796 FWIW, I also ran the same test with a 90 grain factory Speer Gold Dot before I started putting the water jugs behind the wood and steel sheet metal, and the round flattened and disappeared into the dirt between the first and second sheets of sheet metal.

When I carry a .380 on my walks I only use fmj. I use either the 95gr or 100gr from freedom munitions. Not worried about penetration this will get the job done.

Underwood defenders in my wife’s.