.380 vs. 9mm Mak

[Wazimu]

Based on the present ammo market, which gun should I consider first - a .380 or 9mm Mak. I'm looking at the CZ 82 and 83. I'm not so much interested in ballistics of the 2 cartridges, just the ability to find some ammo and shoot the thing.

Another option is to just dump this choice altogether and jump to 9mm Luger, but I like those CZ pistols.

 

[JettaKnight]

There's enough 9x18 ammo around. The CZ likes the Silver Bear, but even CCI and others make 9x18 cartridges, even plenty of hollow points.

9x17 is a bit more expensive.

 

[andfc]

Normally I haven't had much difficulty getting 9x18, and recently I've still been able to find it, and it's been easier to get cheap range ammo than any of my calibers other than 12g. There are definitely a lot fewer options out there for defensive ammo than with .380, but the price and normal availability of surplus ammo (and the price difference of an 82 versus the 83's I've seen for sale) make me happy with the CZ-82, but I also wouldn't hesitate to get an 83 if I came across one at the right price.

It's a great design and definitely a bargain, although it's really not that much smaller than a Glock 19 if you'd rather have a standard service caliber.

 

[Jerchap2]

I still see 9mm Luger and 380 auto at Wal-Mart from time to time. Just have to be there at the right time.

 

[Taktical]

I just picked up a couple of white box winchesters 115s 9mm at wally world last week. Must have hit it at the right time.

 

[wizard_of_ahs]

I keep missing the .380

 

[snorko]

I have CZ 82/83s in both calibers and love both. If you tend to order ammo on-line, availability is almost a non-issue. Case price on 9x18mm is typically better. Since any ammo is hard to find right now, I would leave it up to whichever you can find for the better price and in better condition.

For instance, I was in Bradis several weeks ago and they had surplus pistols in both model/calibers. the condition of the 9x18mm 82's was superior at that time. Price was just over $300 OTD, these have gone up like everything else.

Also, remember they use the same magazines which can be pricey and hard to find as well.

 

[Westside]

I still see 9mm Luger and 380 auto at Wal-Mart from time to time. Just have to be there at the right time.

9mm MAK and 9mm Luger are two different cartridges.

9×18mm Makarov - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

9×19mm Parabellum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[kludge]

Now that I've seen good quality SD ammo for the Mak, it's a tossup for me.

 

[np241or]

I have had trouble finding any 380 ammo here in south bend, i am in orange beach,Alabama and went to wallyworld in surounding areas ,one had at least 80 boxes of winchester 50rnd for 17.97. No 9mm anywhere.

 

[bhowell34]

How do you like the double stacked Macks andfc? I've heard good and bad about them

 

[andfc]

I don't have any experience with double stack Makarovs, but I like the regular single stack version. It's not as ergonomic as a CZ-82, but it's still comfortable to shoot and accurate.

Since this thread started, 9x18 has gotten a bit cheaper, so a Mak or CZ-82 makes a lot of sense to have something around you can actually afford to take to the range.

 

[243rem700]

Ammo availability is a big benefit to the 9x18 cartridge, except in defense ammo. .380 has better availability in that department.