Accuracy of the .380ACP

[OilyPablo]

I think Hickok 45 reaches out beyond 50. I've seen him ringing the gong with a .380.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W4AVpxvGgg

 

[M2 Carbine]

I remember a clip, I think it was in a thread on here somewhere, of a guy hitting steel at 50 yards with a P238.

I had a lot of problems with my SIG P238 but accuracy wasn't one of them.

24 inch square steel at 52 yards. Standing. Two hands.
Due to the problems of my age (74) I figure most of my shooting groups are about twice as large as they should be.
So, even though I don't think I missed the steel, the little gun would probably shoot about 12 inches at 50 yards.

 

[2wheels]

@M2Carbine

That ain't bad shooting, I really need to find myself a range where I can try out my 238 at longer distances.

 

[ns66]

Have you guys noticed any difference in accuracy between FMJ and HP rounds loaded to the same "power" (no +P)? Just got back from the range again and I noticed that Fiocchi 95gr FMJs gave the best accuracy results while 85gr Winchester Silver Tips and 88gr Remington Hollow Points produced worse groupings.

i won't be surprised if FMJ is more accurate than HP since it has even and smooth bullet profile, as compared to HP hard to make bullet head perfectly symmetric

 

[Drifting Fate]

I had a Sig P230 which would one-hole anything I put through it out to 10M.

It was given away in a trade as I had "too many" .380's, but I will always remember it as a laser-accurate pistol. So, from my experience, with it and other .380's, the cartridge is VERY accurate.

 

[MedWheeler]

I remember a clip, I think it was in a thread on here somewhere, of a guy hitting steel at 50 yards with a P238.

Lucky throw. Was he upset with the gun or something?

 

[CornCod]

There are exceptions, but most guns made for .380acp use the simple blowback system of operation and simple blowback guns have less moving parts and strong springs, which make for good accuracy.

 

[RickMD]

...simple blowback guns have less moving parts and strong springs, which make for good accuracy.

I don't see where either one has a thing to do with accuracy.

 

[MedWheeler]

Rick, all other factors being equal, a pistol with a barrel that is part of the frame will generally be more accurate than a locked-breeched gun, which has a barrel that travels at least part of the way along with the slide. The difference in accuracy, however, can be so slight as to not be noticeable to the vast majority of us.
That's probably the point CornCod was trying to make.

 

[2wheels]

Lucky throw. Was he upset with the gun or something?

Early model, before they worked out the bugs

 

[rtrwv]

Damn! I thought I was doing well at 5 yards!:banghead: back to the firing board!

 

[firecrackerktm]

I had a Makarov 380 that was as or more accurate than any other pistol I had.

I took my first CCW test with it and almost failed because the instructor thought I missed the target completely with two rounds, but on close examination they found I had put three rounds through the same hole. That's what I call accurate!

I also have a Makarov but I am not that good with it! However, I am only slightly better with my p229 and that may be mostly from long familiarity. The Mak shoots great, much better than any of the super small 380s, probably because it is not super small.

The 238 is on my wish list for a better concealable baby gun, though. Loved that one. LCP and bodyguard, not so much.

 

[kokapelli]

I also have a Makarov but I am not that good with it! However, I am only slightly better with my p229 and that may be mostly from long familiarity. The Mak shoots great, much better than any of the super small 380s, probably because it is not super small.

The 238 is on my wish list for a better concealable baby gun, though. Loved that one. LCP and bodyguard, not so much.

I also have a P238 and it has much less felt recoil than the Mak, but not as accurate.