Serious .380 Ammo

[MedWheeler]

I've carried the commonly-available (and affordable) Remington-UMC 95-grain FNEB ammo before with no worries. It's essentially a semi-jacketed flat-tipped round with an otherwise round shape (not conical, like a semi-wadcutter.)

I'm no longer carrying a .380 as a primary, but would be fine with doing so if I didn't have the other choices I do. I won't disparage anyone who does carry one.

 

[C0untZer0]

I know this is not exactly on the topic of 380 ammo, but the pocket nines have gotten very close to the size of the 380 pistols.

The R9 is 13.5 ounces empty

The magazine is 1.6 ounces

Fully loaded with seven rounds of 115gr ammo, the pistol weighs 17.8 ounces.

I got these measurements from actually weighing it on a scale.

I took a digital caliper to my R9 and from the top of the rear sights to the bottom of the heel mag release measures exactly 4.00"

I have it loaded with 147gr Winchester Ranger "T" series RA9T

Rohrbaugh R9
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 2.9 in
Length: 5.2 in
Height: 4.0 in
Width: .90 in
Weight: 13.5 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

Beretta Pico
Caliber: 380 ACP
Barrel: 2.7 in
Length: 5.1 in
Height: 4.0 in
Width: .725 in
Weight: 11.5 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

Ruger LCP
Caliber: 380 ACP
Barrel: 2.75 in
Length: 5.16 in
Height: 3.6 in
Width: .82 in
Weight: 9.40 oz
Capacity: 6+1 Rounds

Bersa Thunder
Caliber: 380 ACP
Barrel: 3.5 in
Length: 6.6 in
Height: 4.9 in
Width: 1.3 in
Weight: 20 oz
Capacity: 7+1 Rounds

If I were to carry a 380 I probably would go with the Golden Sabre cartridge.

 

[snooperman]

+1 , on what COuntzer0 just stated. If you can not afford the expensive but well made Rohrbaugh r9 there are other small 9mm "pocket" size guns that are a big leap up from the puny 380. Just a thought.

 

[snooperman]

You might want to look at Corbon 380 or Buffalo bore JHP if the 380 is your preference.

 

[ku4hx]

Rounds from 38spl on down are FMJ or cast only propositions in my book.

There's just not enough energy AND mass to make me comfortable with the penetration or lack thereof using JHP ammunition.

My p32 has fiocchi FMJ in the mag and my LCR 38 will likely get a wadcutter or SWC of some sort

+1 ... If you can't reach the vitals, you may as well be throwing rocks.

 

[Mohave-Tec]

I have a KAHR CM9 9mm. It is the only pistol I have that it and a Desantis holster will pocket carry comfortably besides my KelTec P3AT 380. Shooting the KelTec is like trying to hold on to a squirrel with rabies. The KAHR is vastly more controllable and packs a much greater wallop. Besides, +P ammo in many 380s can be a very dangerous proposition for the shooter.

 

[tarosean]

That may be true for you, but many CCW holders are limited to guns whose recoil they can manage and which they can reliably conceal in the outfits they must wear, and that combination can preclude guns in larger calibers.

In my state I could open carry a .44 Magnum (that's for the woods) or a duty-sized semi-auto with an oversized magazine (that's for things we don't discuss on THR), but either could draw attention that I might not want. If I'm carrying a minuscule .380 it's because I want to carry concealed, and my mode of dress means anything bigger will pose concealment issues. I don't feel under gunned carrying 15 (7+1 + another 7) 100-grain FMJ rounds in a gun with which I can make hits if I have to.

If you would feel under gunned with a .380 by all means carry something bigger as your primary, but don't belittle those who do--one of us might save your bacon with a .380 one day.

This....


I spend the weekend carrying a PPK loaded with XTP 90g. Never felt under gunned when my mode of dress disallowed my 4" 1911 that I normally carry.

 

[MCMXI]

but many CCW holders are limited to guns whose recoil they can manage

My limited experience with .380 Auto pocket pistols is that they're among some of the most uncomfortable to shoot in terms of felt recoil. Choosing a pistol for CC based on size or weight makes a lot of sense, but people should also be cognizant of the fact that there's a price to pay, and the .380 Auto is no exception.

 

[beatledog7]

Agreed regarding .380 mouse gun recoil, but as you noted, that's often not the key factor.

 

[R.W.Dale]

My limited experience with .380 Auto pocket pistols is that they're among some of the most uncomfortable to shoot in terms of felt recoil. Choosing a pistol for CC based on size or weight makes a lot of sense, but people should also be cognizant of the fact that there's a price to pay, and the .380 Auto is no exception.

This is a little bit of a gripe I have with manufacturers and the current 380 craze. IME 90% of folks buying such guns would better served if they could get that same pistol in 32acp. Same weight, more ammo, less recoil and with ball (see comments above)essentially the same terminal performance

 

[beatledog7]

I need to correct a previous post. The TCP I've begun carrying has a capacity of 6+1 vice 7+1. So I'm carrying 13 vice 15 rounds. Guess I'll have to find a another place to hide a mag so I'll have 19.

 

[MedWheeler]

RW Dale writes:

This is a little bit of a gripe I have with manufacturers and the current 380 craze. IME 90% of folks buying such guns would better served if they could get that same pistol in 32acp. Same weight, more ammo, less recoil and with ball (see comments above)essentially the same terminal performance.

Exactly why I chose the P32 over its .380 brother when shopping for a deep-conceal piece.

Mohave-tec writes (edited for clarification):

Shooting the KelTec (in .380) is like trying to hold on to a squirrel with rabies.

I like that analogy. The P32 can still be a squirrel, but it's at least not a rabid one.

 

[lloveless]

" But to choose 380 of any kind over most larger calibers as your primary defense round is just plain ridiculous."

It sure beats the Iver Johnson TP-22 I used to carry and felt well armed. First two are hollow points, FMJ for all subsequent shots including spare mag.
ll

 

[Shawn Dodson]

Penetrating 10 inches and expanding for the duration trumps 13 inches and no expansion all day long.

A well-placed bullet that stops short of reaching a vital organ is as ineffective as a poorly placed bullet whose wound track misses a vital organ.

A bullet that first passes through the musculature of an arm can lose as much as 30% of it's total penetration potential. Thus a bullet that penetrates 10" may now penetrate 7" TOTAL. If 3-4 inches of that penetration potential is used up in perforating an arm then there's only 3-4" penetration potential to reach and damages vitals in the torso.

 

[481]

I know that the .380 is a small and minimal round. So what I am looking for is some suggestions on New Factory Ammo that produce Serious results. Shooting it in a Beretta .380.

Ronin

"Serious" in a .380 means using an FMJ.

JHP's, if they expand, will not produce enough penetration to be considered a "serious" option given the likelihood of having to shoot through the upraised arms of an assailant and at a less than optimal angle of presentation.

 

[benzuncle]

.380ACP Recoil

Having owned a blow-back designed 380 caliber prior to purchasing a SIG P238 I know what recoil is. With the P238 recoil is not an issue.

 

[jimbo555]

A Beretta 84bb is the 380 I chose. 14 rounds on hand,soft shooting and very accurate. I find it easy to conceal.

 

[.357 magnum]

Get a 9mm

I was in LE for years and you are under-gunned in any life threatening situation. Please just use a 9mm instead.

The Best to you and Yours!

Frank

 

[MICHAEL T]

I use Corbon DPX in all my carry pistols from 32 to 45

 

[MICHAEL T]

mods please remove double post

 

[Mohave-Tec]

Mouse gun thread. :banghead:

 

[Speedo66]

I think everyone agrees a larger caliber makes a better defense gun.

However, if it's a question of carrying a "mouse" gun, and not carrying your Super Magnum Atom Smasher, the mouse gun wins every time.

If nothing else, it'll at least tick off the person receiving the mouse droppings.

 

[C0untZer0]

One of the things I want is a projectile that can go through a jean jacket, a shirt, a T-shirt, a bicep, another layer of T-shirt, another layer of shirt, another layer of jean jacket, another layer of jean jacket, another layer of shirt, another layer of T-shirt and still reach vital organs.

It's called a cross shot.

I don't assume I'll have a frontal shot.

Some of the other things that I want keep me from carrying a 10mm or a .44 Magnum.

Perforating vital tissue is the number one determinant in incapacitating an assailant, so I always set that criteria first, then choose the largest expanding round that meet the minimum penetration requirement.

 

[tarosean]

One of the things I want is a projectile that can go through a jean jacket, a shirt, a T-shirt, a bicep, another layer of T-shirt, another layer of shirt, another layer of jean jacket, another layer of jean jacket, another layer of shirt, another layer of T-shirt and still reach vital organs.

Okay Count how many layers do you think someone in South FL or Gulf Coast TX is wearing 99% of the calendar year. Location factors into decisions too...

 

[sirgilligan]

I load a quality FMJ and a quality JHP, every other one.
My brother shot a .380 ACP into three milk jugs of water, and it shot though all three using FMJ.