For those who carry 380 ACP...

[EHL]

Switch between a P3AT and Walther PPK/S. They are loaded with 102 grain Golden Sabers and Winchester Ranger T's respectively.

 

[browningguy]

A Bersa Thunder two tone and a S&W BG, both with Hornady 90 gr. FTX, but I am going to try the Buffalo Bore.

 

[stratman26]

S&w Bodyguard 380 with hornady critical defense

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

Ruger LCP with 90 grain Gold Dot HP"s.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

LCP and FMJ, I have not found any (yet) that won't feed fire and eject.

... and this silly little plastic pistol with practically non existent sights seems to put holes right where I point it.

Gotta love that.

 

[smallbore]

When I carry it, a Sig P232 loaded with Hornady Critical Defense.

 

[Pilot]

Beretta M85FS. It is often my summer carry as a primary.

 

[Shear_stress]

LCP and FMJ, I have not found any (yet) that won't feed fire and eject.

... and this silly little plastic pistol with practically non existent sights seems to put holes right where I point it.

Gotta love that.

Ditto. I've really had good luck with this pistol, despite looking far and wide for something "nicer" to replace it.

As for FMJ versus HP, I feel that, when it comes to the .380 you can have penetration or you can have expansion, but you can't have both.

 

[357 Terms]

I bought my ex a 238 when they first came out. ( she got it in the divorce, reliability issues keep me from missing either)

Anyway, I was shocked at how little penetration I got with HP's ( specifically Cor-bons 90grn HP's) in wet newsprint.

This was before Hornady came out with the CD line so I never tested them.

I still believe that FMJ is the only way to get a reliable amount of penetration.

 

[Random Discharge]

What sheerstress says: "As for FMJ versus HP, I feel that, when it comes to the .380 you can have penetration or you can have expansion, but you can't have both. "

I only use FMJ 380. Feeds good too.

 

[jim243]

Backup - Bersa Thunder .380. 95 grain Remington HP, super accurate.

Primary - CZ 75 P-01 HP Handloads.


Jim

 

[Hunter125]

How do the Critcal Defense loads penetrate? Wasn't that kind of the point of them? Just curious, that's what my dad carries in an LCP.

 

[DAdams]

Seecamp LWS 380 Winchester Silvertips. 85 gr in a DeSantis Nemesis holster.

 

[almherdfan]

P3AT w/laser loaded with Gold Dots or PDX. I've used Hornady Critical Defense & may do so again in the future.

 

[huntsman]

How do the Critcal Defense loads penetrate? Wasn't that kind of the point of them? Just curious, that's what my dad carries in an LCP.

About 5" through heavy clothing acording to an American Riflemen test

 

[pps]

Hunter125
Member


How do the Critcal Defense loads penetrate? Wasn't that kind of the point of them? Just curious, that's what my dad carries in an LCP.
__________________

I just tested these in .380 this morning. 10% ballistics gel, 4 layers denim. Without hitting bone, 13.25" With the 4 layers of denim and a 1 1/2' bone embedded 1/2" into the gel....the critical defense literally blows itself apart into worthless fragments and penetrated only 1".... not a typo...1"

I'm uploading a 17min video as we speak, I'll post a link here. Compared Critical Defense to Buffalo Bore 80 grain Barnes bullet at 1223 from my cz83. The Barns went 5" after splitting the bone into 2 pieces.

 

[Hypnogator]

I keep my LCP stoked with Cor-Bon DPXs. Will have to try the Buffalo Bore now that they're loading Barnes bullets, as well. The DPXs give good penetration and outstanding expansion.

If I were going strictly for penetration, I would carry the Winchester flat-point FMJs for the broader meplat.

 

[clem629]

380 Carry

Kel Tec P3AT Hard chrome slide.
Gold dot.
Why P3AT? It was the most pocketable piece when I bought it. Only carry it when circumstances do not permit a larger primary carry.
I believe gold dot to be the best choice in fuel.

 

[smitty704]

Ruger LCP loaded with Hornady CD 95g. My LCP is my BUG for my primary G19 gen 4.

The LCP is a great little pistol. I carry it in my front right pocket in a Bkackhawk! size 1 pocket holster. My LCP is occasionally my primary where I can't carry a larger pistol(work mostly). You can't see the LCP even if you were trying to.

 

[M1key]

How thick is the human skull?

M

 

[loneviking]

Bowning BDA loaded with Buffalo Bore hollowpoints. The BDA is the softest shooting .380 I've found and the specs for the BB ammo were made with a BDA. Fun to shoot and an effective round.

 

[Cokeman]

Kahr P380 with FMJs. I just keep it loaded with what I shoot.

 

[TennJed]

TCP 738
95 gr lead rn with 2.9gr Bullseye

 

[Bill_G]

LCP. first round is Rem 102gr Golden saber followed by all FMJ after that.

 

[bannockburn]

KelTec P3AT with FMJ ammo.