Initially designed as a pocket pistol cartridge, the .380 ACP has been used in personal defense applications for over a century. This affects the velocity of a projectile, as does the projectiles weight. Type your email address and well send Out Of Stock. Get 10% Off - Subscribe to Our Email List, Toll-Free: +1-800-504-5897 In stock now, 137 I haven't used the Jesse James line of ammo, but I've also not heard great reports about it. Plus, the recoil of 380 Auto is significantly lower which allows you to take more precise shots on target. Thanks for the article and very well written. Prvi Partizan PPU .380 Auto Ammunition 94 Grain FM Fiocchi Range Dynamics .380 ACP Ammo 95 Grain FMJ. projectile testing in 10per cent test medium shows enlarged wound chanels at speeds well under 2000fps. I want to see the actual stopping power when it hits the chest or head. The heavier (weight) the gun, the more action force necessary for the gun to experience recoil and transfer that force to your shooting hand. The larger a round can expand, the more damage it will do. Many people reference these rounds without the period, simply using 380 ACP or 380 ammo. Why Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) for .380 ACP Usually, this is a no brainer, always JHP (although we may disagree on which one). This bullet weighs 90 grains. It shoots 12" groups at 15 yard with FMJ ammo (5 brands including SIG) It loves every hollow point I have tried. In stock now, 89 I have a P238 with the exact same problem. Very few handguns can achieve this speed, and .380 ACP rounds certainly cant. My pistol does not like 95-105 FMJ rounds of the 6 brands I tested (including SIG). Finding the balance between expansion and penetration in the powder puff .380 is a pretty tricky act to pull off apparently. 380 ACP (Auto) Ammo For Sale Live Inventory Initially designed as a pocket pistol cartridge, the .380 ACP has been used in personal defense applications for over a century. Since its initial release in 1908, 380 ammunition has had many different name variations. JHP ammo is also less likely to over-penetrate, making it the better choice for self-defense. Brownings design stemmed from his previous .38 Automatic Colt Pistol (ACP) cartridge, which are made for blowback pistols. List Price: $84.99. The 380 in this platform is very pleasant to short. Shoots with out any flaws, spot on and exploded the soda cans I was shooting. To me, it's a false economy. There are two .380 Ammunition manufacturers that make excellent defensive rounds for this caliber. Key Specifications Item Number: 220583 Caliber: .380 ACP, also known as .380 Auto, 9mm Browning, 9mm Browning Court, 9x17mm and 9mm Short Bullet Weight: 92 Grain Bullet Type: Full metal jacket Case: Brass Corrosive: No Reloadable: Yes Primer: Boxer Muzzle Velocity: 955 FPS Muzzle Energy: 187 ft.-lbs. .30in is 7.62mm. First manufactured in 1908, 380 ACP ammo features a bullet with a .355 inch diameter, which weighs between 85-95 grain (gr) and sits in a straight-walled, rimless shell. Never really met a 380 OR 9 mm that fit my hand properly, which is why I stick to Colt or reproduction Colt 1851 Navy. Order was easy, arrived quick, ammo shoots good. The .380 Automatic Colt Pistol (ACP) is a common concealed carry round used in small, lightweight pistols. Bullets are measured in grains, so when researching ammunition, look at what the projectile weighs before and after the test. Otherwise, as a new 380 shooter (well, carrier), thanks for the defense rounds recomendations. Jacketed Hollow Point Ammo, 20rds - .380 Auto Corbon 90gr. This is especially true for concealed carry firearms. It features a 2.7-inch barrel, internal hammer, and double-action trigger set to a five-pound pull. Have used Fiocchi 115gr 9 mm in another pistol, also worked fine. The round either hits or misses the target as in plinking or falling plates; or, in the case of paper targets, I obtain a record of the relative accuracy of the gun/ammo/shooter 'system', that hopefully gets me 'on paper', and ideally creates one ragged hole where the X-ring used to be. had 2 misfires out of 150 rounds fired in one day, good cheap target ammo. After 300, I need to clean it if I want to keep things running smoothly. Typical .380 ammunition, also called .380 Auto ammo, features an 85-95 grain (gr) bullet that measures .355 inch in diameter and 0.984 inch in cartridge length. The .380 actually performs more like a .45 round than its closer-in-size cartridge, the .32 ACP. These hollowpoint rounds are reliable in both firearm operation and terminal performance. The tip of the bullet is literally hollow. Today, 380 ACP ammo remains popular for firearm owners looking for a lightweight, concealed carry, and self-defense caliber with manageable recoil. In stock now, 32 The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. That's also why when you fire a .45 with a light bullet (165g) at higher velocity than a .45 230g at 830 fps, the felt recoil is so much less. Very clean ammo, smooth, no issues. I do a lot of shooting and this you can't beat. $35.95. Jacketed hollow point or JHP ammunition is the most popular self-defense rounds, and is often premium made ammo with years of engineering invested in each bullets design. TMJ cartridges are mandatory in some shooting ranges. Sign up and get exclusive access to promotions, sales events, pre-order sales & more! JHP Ammo, 50rds 380 Auto Speer LE Gold Dot 90gr. ( 2) Write a Review Ask a Question. If using a 380 ACP concealed carry weapon (CCW), load it with jacketed hollow points (JHP), which expand on impact, creating a larger wound and more internal damage. Very good ammo. It still has more kick than Federal or MagTech. I put the first 50 rounds through the weapon and had 2 FTF's. Speer Gold Dot 90 Grain JHP. The .380 ACP round, also called the .380 Auto (among other designations), is a popular handgun cartridge that has been used for self defense, hunting, military, and law-enforcement purposes. The expansion of projectiles is critical for blood loss and even pain compliance. Even 9mm pocket pistols have strong recoil and muzzle blasts, making them hard to control, even for experienced shooters. PMC is great range gear. Ideally, you want a round that can penetrate 12- to 18-inches of 10% ballistic gel. This spawned a movement and soon other lightweight, concealed carry pistols hit the market with increased demand, including offerings from Diamondback, Ruger, Smith & Wesson, and Sig Sauer. Those two were the best performers out of all of the .380 rounds tested. Rounds we fired for the first time : Hornady Critical Defense and Sig V-Crown. .380 ACP 90 Grain Gold Dot Hollow Point Nickel Plated Brass Cases Reloadable Test Barrel Length 3.75" Muzzle Velocity 990 fps Muzzle Energy 196 ft/lbs Uses: Self Defense, Personal Protection, Duty Use 1000 round case. No, the recoil is very mild. 380 ACP Ammo is a popular self-defense cartridge trusted by law enforcement and CCW owners alike. $41.00. Then figure out the rounds you like the best at the rangePHYSICS don't go awaya big bullet in a tiny gun is not of much use and certainly not FUNplacementPLACEMENTplacementLASER ROUND practice sure opened my eyesin a good waythanks for all the good info PEW PEW. COMPACT SIZE380 ammunition is designed to be small and compact, making it an ideal choice for use in small or concealed carry handguns. Defensive ammunition is purpose-built. In stock now. Armscor Precision .380 ACP Ammo 95 Grain FMJ 100 R Remington UMC Mega Pack .380 ACP Ammunition 95 Grain FMJ 955 fps. Note: This information comes from the manufacturer and is for informational purposes only. For my Ruger LCP2, I choose Lehigh bullets by Black Hills ammo, or Underwood ammo. The problem with pistols chambered in 380 ACP is that they can be finicky with the ammo they will reliably shoot. Lastly, trauma to the central nervous system will typically result in the death of an attacker, as well as near-instant incapacitation. The round is a solid performer that penetrates and even expands to an impressive degree. It is a technical term, but most readers will understand. Caliber: .380 auto (AKA: .380, .380 acp) 50 Rounds High Quality Self Defense Ammo Bullet Weight: 100 gr. Other common variations include .380 acp and .380 auto. They all seem to have the same POI. We're committed to providing cheap prices every day, on everything. The round you choose must be able to accomplish these tasks to incapacitate an attacker. While it's a potent cartridge, it can still be used in handguns small enough to conceal as well as in pistols weighing less than a pound. He currently teaches concealed carry courses and enjoys spending time in Floridas Nature Coast. This was mainly thanks to law enforcement agencies beginning to adopt smaller, more concealable handguns for backup and off-duty use. Good article. Best .380 ACP Hollow Points- The 380 guns in my house technically belong to my wife because the ones we own recoil lighter and are easier for her to shoot. A "projectile" is any generic object in ballistic flight. And their Federal 380 ammo is some of the most affordable and dependable ammunition available. Remington Ammunition. And while its smaller and not as effective as larger handgun calibers, such as the 9mm, .40 S&W, and the .45 ACP, its performance numbers are not that far off. In stock now, 52 MagTech makes descent range ammo, at around 25 cents per round, that burns clean relative to other cheap ammo. Because while the .380 is comparable to larger rounds, it is weaker. I shot 5 rounds of 4 brands of JHP into one 2.5" group at 15 yards. Many hunters use the round for rabbits, birds, and vermin like groundhogs and opossum. Cost Range. I would say it has pretty well stood the test of time. In stock now, 30 Yeah, but he said 380, and he dislikes the recoil kick. For me it was a tie. The JHP round expands more on impact, creating more stopping power, and is less likely to over-penetrate in a self-defense scenario. PDX1 Bonded JHP Ammo. .30 cal does not equal 9mm in metric. Fifteen yard groups are basket ball size. Avoid FMJ for carry and/or defense. Well, it's been 8 months and Steve never came back. The stopping power myth is so widespread that it has seeped into gun culture. I also advise staying away from gimmick projectiles that look cool but function poorly. As well as your favorite brands like Remington .380 ACP Ammo, Magtech .380 ACP Ammo, Winchester .380 ACP Ammo and more! Bullets, as discussed in this type of article are not in flight. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. In stock now, 44 BTW: that pistol is a beast to clear a jam. receipt, and we'll cover the cost of return shipping. It is a solid copper projectile that gives the performance of a hollow point with the prenatal of a FMJ. Remington UMC Ammunition 380 ACP 88 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point. I carry a Ruger LCP .380 & they seem to shoot well & very accurate. I warned y'all about using Remington. Shop from top brands including Hornady, Sig Sauer and Federal to get high-quality rounds for your handgun. A copper jacket provides additional strength to the lead-cored hollow point bullet. It makes me happy and builds my confidence in the gun, the ammo, and myself; and I firmly believe that confidence in all 3 of those elements is essential to good shooting for fun, competition, or urgent self-defense. I may have only one gun, and changing "me" requires a certain amount of re-training; so the easiest thing to start with is to change to an ammo with a documented history of good accuracy in most guns. it creates ballistic's close to 9mm. When looking for bulk .380 ammo, this is often the cartridge people opt for. It isn't always as common as 9mm or 45 ACP, so this can somewhat limit options, although it's still widely available. Any of the above 5 rounds exceed 12" penetration (usually 14-16"), always expand VERY well, and they go boom every time. With a hollow point and a notched jacket, this .380 ACP Ammo from Winchester deliver maximum stopping power. ", 363 N. Sam Houston Parkway E What the JHP loads really offer is better overall reliability and accuracy through better quality control processes. I may earn a small part of the sale from links to any products or services on this site. I read another one around when I got my LCP gen 1, so 2015ish?, where they FBI protocol gelatin tested everything and found that the 90gr Hornady XTP is the ideal bullet for a sub-3" barrel 380 ACP pistol. Ruger LCP: The Ruger LCP has become the go-to for super small, concealed carry firearms. Denim can cause some rounds to fail at proper expansion. Although many manufacturers make subcompact and ultra-light handguns for a variety of calibers that are similar in size to guns chambered for .380 ammo, they dont handle as effectively. But like I said, they all performed about the same and you can safely run any decent ammo maker's 90gr XTP in your sub-3" barrel 380. Search. Today, its still an excellent choice for concealed carry and even as a primary sidearm. Product Details. It has a low recoil and minimal muzzle blast, making it a favorite among novice shooters. I pull the trigger. But there is a novel new round that works quite well, as also reported in Ammo Quest---the 90gr Xtreme Penetrator made by both Lehigh and Underwood. Additionally, 380 ACP ammo often has softer felt recoil compared to other ammunition, meaning the kick you get from the gun is less than from more powerful calibers. QUESTION:Is 380 ammo effective for self-defense? W/ Free Ammo Can $135.00 Per Box Rating: (1) Sold Out LAX Factory New 380 Auto 100 gr Round Nose Flat Point (RNFP) 500ct. Since their inception, conventional hollow point pistol bullets have performed well, but have never delivered 100% reliability, especially in self-defense situations. Some of the most popular of these small caliber pistols include: Although its adversaries may not like to admit it, .380 ACP ammo is lethal. Personalize your experience. I dont shoot just ballistic gel anymore because it doesnt show what will happen in the human body. Also Beretta recommends ammunition for the Tomcat not have muzzle energy >130 ft pounds, which further limits ammunition choices. The Underwood Defender is my choice. Email me when stock is available SKU: 380ACP80MK20 Categories: Handgun Ammunition, Modern Pistol Ammunition, Self Defense Tags: 380 ammo, 380 Auto, 380 CCW ammo, 380 hollow points. I'd like to see one of those Bullets stop threats in a number of ways. Click below for a FREE LESSON! Shooters Share Their Thoughts About AmmoToGo.com, 20rds 380 Auto Barnes TAC-XPD 80gr. Kel-Tec P-3AT: The first ultra-compact .380 pistol specifically designed for concealed carry, the Kel-Tec P-3AT is the firearm that rose the .380 ACP into what it is today. I would think, as you commented, that just the presence of the firearm can stop all but the most crazed individuals. Take a look at some of the videos that have been posted. The 380 ACP ammunition produces low recoil and remains popular today as a small caliber for pocket pistols and other concealed carry weapons (CCW), as well as for backyard plinking. I manually unloaded the clip and loaded it with Federal ammo and it performed perfectly with no jams. Its known for its accuracy and the newest models come stock with night sights. Jhp 20-pack, 20, JHP, Armscor Precision Inc USA .380 ACP 95 Grain Full Metal Jacket Brass Cased Pistol Ammunition, 50, FMJ, Federal Premium Personal Defense Punch 380 Auto 85 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point Brass Cased Centerfire Pistol Ammunition, 20, JHP, Speer Gold Dot .380 ACP 90 Grain Gold Dot Hollow Point Centerfire Pistol Ammunition, 20, JHP, Federal Premium Personal Defense Hydra-Shok Low Recoil 380 Auto 90 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point Centerfire Pistol Ammunition, 20, JHP. XTP Ammo, 250rds 380 Auto Hornady American Gunner 90gr. This is top quality ammo and will work in all firearms chambered in ACP such as the Glock 42, Ruger LCP, Smith & Wesson Shield EZ, Sig Sauer . One point worth mentioning, if not already mentioned, is that a .380 nicely fits into the pocket of a pair of pants and in an emergency, both the pants and any burning on the leg can well be secondary. Login Register. towards your level. Weve built dozens of ARs and well cover all the best AR-15 upgrades such as handguards, triggers, BCGs, gas blocks, and more.