.380 Auto availability

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jakemccoy

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(I did a search but couldn't find anything current and on point exactly.)

I'm thinking about getting a Ruger LCP or something similar.

How is the availability/pricing for .380 Auto in FMJ (for target) and JHP (for carry)?

In other words, is the availability so bad that I should avoid getting the LCP right now?

By the way, I'm not interested in reloading.
 
Since most manufacturers run .380 on the 9mm production lines, the less popular cartridge is never going to be inexpensive. At best it is done in sprint runs a few times a year.

If I owned a .380, I'd be reloading for it pronto. Since you aren't interested in that, you should probably pass up any .380.
 
Off topic but what the heck, does anybody recommend a good pocket handgun in 9mm?

I mean like Ruger LCP size, not Glock 26 size. I'll do a search, but since I'm here, I thought I'd ask.
 
I just bought several boxes of independence FMJ for $18.99/50rnds, The local shop had 1000's of rounds of it on the shelves, plus several other brands (blazer, fiocchi, Speer). I haven't had to buy any JHP's for awhile so I did not look at those, but there was some Speer and Magtech there as well (I have a few hundred rounds of Rem. Golden Sabers that will last me quite awhile for SD ammo).

Availability and pricing is highly variable across the country though, or so it seems from posts. I have not noticed any local "shortage" for at least the past 4-5 months in my area - plenty of FMJ and a fair amount of defense JHPs as well.
 
I finally got a Cabelas order so I'm pretty well set, did take about 6 months. Check here http://www.ammoengine.com/find/ammo/.380_ACP for a price comparison and availability.

jakemccoy, don't know how big your pockets are (or how deep!) but the Walther PPS is a pretty sweet pistol. Had a chance to run 50 rounds of 9mm thru one. Here's one link http://www.waltherpistols.com/item/68805_Walther_Hand_Guns_Pistols_Walther_WAP10001_PPS_Auto.aspx I'm sure you can find more. Too much for my wallet but very nice.

Dave
 
Dont know about him , but whose pockets are that deep ? WOW that is exspensive!!!!
I'll stick with my CZ-83 !
 
I was at a gun show today in Nebraska and had no trouble finding .380 ammo, but prices varied greatly. The least expensive for a 50 round box of FMJ's was $15.95, which wasn't bad, and the most costly were $35.00, which was insane. LM
 
Since most manufacturers run .380 on the 9mm production lines, the less popular cartridge is never going to be inexpensive. At best it is done in sprint runs a few times a year.
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I don't think this is true any more, and the .380 is only going to become more popular
If I owned a .380, I'd be reloading for it pronto. Since you aren't interested in that, you should probably pass up any .380.
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Yeah, but the same argument could be said about plenty other cartridges. I would also add the caveat ..."you should probably pass up any .380, or just expect to pay for it.".
 
I managed to find some Magtech FMJ on the shelves of a local gunshop today (not one I go to often - ironically it's the closest one to my house but I usually visit shops after work and it's not close to where I work). $20 for 50/rnds. A LITTLE steep, but not compared to some other places I've seen (one local shop has it for $35 for 50/rounds - Wal-mart hasn't had any in weeks).

The ammo was for my little LCP though. After I shoot it a bit for familiarity and general function testing, I don't envision shooting that gun that much. There are far more fun guns to shoot in the safe.
 
$18.99 at my LGS here in Seymour,IN. Independence or WWB 50 ct.-not too bad-plenty available. Keeps my P3AT happy.
 
It's available locally here but it's very much over priced at 28.00 a box of 50 in FMJ.
Found some Hornady CD for 25.00 Saturday at an Academy.
I think the price will start coming down soon.
You can also order from Midway,Natchez,etc. and even if you have to wait on it you wont get scalped like most stores are presently doing.
I would not myself pass on a .380 as they are one of the most concealable and lightest handgun on the market today with enough juju to make a bad guys day not so good if it had to be pressed into service.
There are some really good deals out there on these very types of little pocket sized pistols.
 
Since most manufacturers run .380 on the 9mm production lines, the less popular cartridge is never going to be inexpensive. At best it is done in sprint runs a few times a year.
Click to expand...
I don't think this is true any more, and the .380 is only going to become more popular
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I'm curious what the basis for this opinion is.

The fact that most manufacturers do run .380 on 9mm production lines is true, the fact that they switch over from 9mm and do a brief period of manufacture before returning to 9mm is true, and the total sales of 9mm vs .380 is grossly disproportionate. 9mm is purchased by the railcar load. .380 has never had that level of popularity, and with the advent of smaller pocket 9mms, there's no reason to think that it will eclipse 9mm even in the civilian market.

Mike
 
Where I'm at availability isn't that bad. I can never find it at walmart. But I can pretty reliably find it at my local gunshop in fmj and jhp form. Prices for fmj range from $15-20 per 50 and jhps are usually $20-25 per 25. It's as expensive as .45 and sort of hard to find, but not bad.

Off topic but what the heck, does anybody recommend a good pocket handgun in 9mm?

I mean like Ruger LCP size, not Glock 26 size.
Click to expand...

The only true pocket 9 I can think of is the Kahr pm9. I personally don't feel like shelling out $600+ for a tiny gun so I stick with my lcp for pocket carry.
 
Well,

Don't know about ammo availability in your area, but the fact is that is has just been hard to find all over recently..

But I wouldn't let that bother me as to buying a new 380cal. pistol because more and more of it seems to be slowing creeping back on the store shelves recently.

I bought a hundred round box of Winchester VP380 (truncated fmj's) just last week at a near by Wally World..

Then I purchased a new Ruger LCP380 last weekend and while there was able to purchase two 20rd boxes of the ULTRA RARE Hydra Shok's..

I needed the Hydra Shoks for my LWS380 which is only approved for Hydra Shoks or Winchester Silvertips, but the LCP will feed and function apparently with almost any quality round.

FWIW my limited experience with my new Ruger LCP has been fantastic.. Accurate, reliable, priced right. (I paid $275.00)..

Getcha' one,

Jesse
 
I couldn't believe what I saw on Saturday, my local shop had Prvi for $32.00 a box and he had 10 boxes.

To think I was pissed last fall when I paid $26.00 for WWB from him.
 
Do not buy way over priced ammo. We have to make it clear to them that it won't sell.
 
I'm paying $16-$17 for FMJ per 50. JHP are going for $19-25 per 20 or so depending on the brand. Supply is plentiful on both. $30 for a box of FMJ is crazy these days. Maybe last year when it was very hard to get $30 was the going rate. This year the supply seems to be back up and running so there's no need to pay those crazy prices. If you don't want to pay through the nose, just order a bunch online and avoid those shops with the insane markup.
 
Ben86 Do not buy way over priced ammo. We have to make it clear to them that it won't sell.
Today 02:53 PM
Click to expand...

Exactly, don't buy it. Anything over $20 for 50 is too much. They had lots of it at the MI Cabella's last week for $18.95.
 
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