.380 ammo is clearly quite expensive now for what you get, likely inflated due to massive demand for this caliber that's almost exclusively used for concealed carry where having a tiny gun that's easy & comfortable to conceal trumps stopping power. We've all seen plenty who mock 9mm Luger as inadequate to stop a bad guy, so .380 (aka 9mm Short) is surely a joke to that crowd.
I can only guess that Arizona allowing concealed carry with no permit for the last 3 months has further increased .380 ammo demand. Unlike Alaska & Vermont, Arizona has a huge population and they generally lack the advantage of wearing a parka that could hide a 1911. I'm guessing something like a Ruger LCP & similar tiny guns (in .380) are wildly popular with folks who want to hide a gun while wearing shorts & t-shirt.
American Rifleman did a cover story on .380 pistols about 10 months ago and one reader got his reply published in which he asked if they noticed any problem with such an article, specifically that .380 ammo had been an endangered species for the last couple years.
I recall Gun Tests magazine also publishing a review of some .380 guns this year and also commenting on how they had trouble just getting enough .380 ammo to conduct their tests.
Actually im one of "those guys" who feels a 9mm is inadequate as a main carry weapon, With the .380 close behind.
I like the .380 as its actually pretty powerful when your trading power off for size. I wouldn't have felt that way last year until i bought a .380
Of course a 9mm is adequate as a main gun, But i feel you can get more powerful guns in the same size so that train of thought usually pushes 9mm into the back up gun role in my mind.
So i do like the .380 and 9mm, But in the roles of a back up gun. Or as a main gun when pocket carry is all you can do.
Im a .45acp guy which this thread is about, So you can see why my views on smaller calibers is skewed compared to actual knowledge. Of course a .380 and 9mm is a fine SD calibers, Just not for me. But i do need a pocket gun so i will soon be buying one of those calibers to go along with my main carry full sized 1911.
It sounds like im lucky to be able to buy $15 a box .45acp locally, But Walmart has that everywhere also so i dont see an issue of availability.
Thats alot better than the $20 a box price if you was lucky to find it 6 months ago. My big beef is .40 costs is just as high as .45 now with a big jump over 9mm costs.
But to stay on topic, Even if it went back to $20 or even $30 a box ill still carry .45acp as my main caliber. I just wont be able to practice as much.
Or id start reloading, Id do that now if space wasn't an issue.
