What ammo for P-3AT?

[Bob79]

I ended up ordering one of these little bad boys, and now I'm gonna make me a phone call to Natchez. I know a particular P-3AT might (for whatever reason) like different ammo than another P-3AT, but I'm looking at getting pointed in the right direction.

So my main questions are: What ammo has generally not worked well in this gun so I don't waste time on it? Meaning is there a certain brand/type that several people have had issues with?

On the flip-side, what brands have seemed to work well in this gun?

I think I've read somewhere that the 102 grain stuff seems to run poorly though it? I know a lot of people say to carry FMJ in .32 and .380, but I'm not fond of it. I don't necessarily worry about the HP expanding and doing more damage, I just don't know where the FMJ is going to go once it exits someone. I mean I like it to do 10.5 to 13 inches penetration, but what if you hit the shoulder or arm and theres only 6-7 inches of meat there? O-well I'm getting off the subject......

 

[George Hill]

Good question.

 

[mountainclmbr]

The Speer Gold Dots are a "bonded" bullet and has low muzzle flash. In low-light conditions the flash can blind you and prevent effective follow-up shots.

 

[Dave R]

Mine does not like Russian .380 ("Brown Bear.")

It does like Speer Gold Dots.

I have been a fan of the 102gr. Golden Sabre in the past, but I have not tried it in my P-3AT. I'm mostly running handloads through it now.

 

[Akurat]

Remington Golden Saber 102gr.

Also, for those of you carrying Cor-bon in your P3AT, please don't miss this:

http://www.ktrange.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=1523

 

[Titus]

I use the 102 gr. Golden Saber for carry, though I haven't had any functioning problems with any of the (factory) loads I've tried in it.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Wolf and Bear seem to cause a lot of trouble S&B works fine in most pistols You need to test and see what works for your gun. Ive changed all my 380s over to the Rem 102 for carry .

 

[Ric]

I'm a Gold Dot junkie myself
45,38,and 380

 

[Lennyjoe]

So far I have shot Winchester White box, Federal American Eagle, Winchester STX and Federal Hydra Shock out of my P3AT without any problems.

 

[gbundersea]

Carry ammo: Mine has been flawless with Gold Dot, even when intentionally left dirty.
Bought a box of Golden Saber, but haven't tested yet.

Plinking:
Winchester White Box works well in mine as long as the gun is clean. When dirty, it has about a 5% FTE rate.

Remington UMC has performed very well, clean or dirty.

 

[kokapelli]

I have been very satisfied with Gold Dot, but yesterday I switched over to the Spanish Santa Barbra ammo for its higher velocity. I have fired over 200 rounds of the Santa Barbra ammo through my two P-3ATs and am satisfied that it is reliable in these pistols.
However I don't think this ammo should be used for practice, because it is very hot and produces more recoil than most other 380 ammo. Santa Barbra ammo is available at Sportsman's guide

 

[22luvr]

I guess I'm a bit unconventional, but...

I carry UMC 95 gr FMJ in mine. Why? I want penetration under just about any condition and this ammo has never failed after hundreds of rounds. Also, It appears to be more accurate than others.

Also, where I'm apt to have to use my P-3AT, I would seriously doubt I'd have to worry about what potentially could be behind my intended target.

As Clint Smith of Thunder Ranch fame once said: "Make mine ball; at least if it goes completely through, there will be two holes oozing precious vital fluids."

 

[goalie]

I a with 22luvr on this one. I shoot ball out of my P3AT as well. With that little gun, I need all the penetration I can get to ensure hits on vital organs and, hopefully, the CNS.

 

[wally]

Another vote for 102gr Golden Saber. My P3AT is fine with any brass cased ammo and is jam-o-matic with any steel cased ammo (Wolf, Silver Bear, Barnual, Brown Bear). Wolf .380 works fine in my CZ83 and Beretta 85 which lacks an extractor! Go figure.

Hottest .380 I know about is the "Spanish" SJSP from www.sportsmansguide.com (and some other places). My P3AT loves it, but its hot enough that I worry about the gun holding up with a steady diet of it.

--wally.

 

[CZ-100]

I use the Winchester 95 grain FMJ

 

[mod12]

ammo for p3at

i carry win white box valu pak. 95 gr. truncated cone flat meplat. 10.5" penetration in wet pack. inexpensive and an added plus, i practice with the ammo i carry, has performed flawlessly in my p3at

 

[Clark]

I have been working up handloads with:
1) Power Pistol and 90 gr. Gold Dots
2) 800X and 115 gr. Win JHP

The chamber walls are thin, and the case support over the feed ramp is poor, making load work ups an undertaking requiring some care.

 

[Hypnogator]

Now there's a case with a hernia!

 

[kokapelli]

Clark:
The winchester 115 grain should hammer your hand pretty hard!

 

[gau5]

60 gr Magsafe

Measured 2 of the 60 gr pills going 1271 and 1301 fps.
I like the frangables and will load 2 or 4 with 2 Fiocchi ball on the bottom. I recycled one magsafe in the mag and then a ball round on top to check functioning. My 3at is 100% reliable (after the usual 2 round trips to the factory) with all loads tried so far including this one.

 

[kokapelli]

gau5gunner:

I found this article about Magsafe self defense ammo very interesting.

After you read it, I would like to know if you still feel the same?

 

[kokapelli]

"Now there's a case with a hernia!"

Yep! And I don't think even Dr Clark can save it.

 

[gau5]

Well, I just wont aim for the arm!
or maybe I'll stack 4 ball followed by the Magsafe.
But hey, that Hydra Shock didn't do too well either. I am thinking the .380 and any other pistol cartridge is a weak "stopper" to begin with.
Either way, the mag will be emptied.