Buying a .380

[BKExpress]

Gentlemen,

I'm buying a .380 just because I don't have one and have never had one...I have most of the other calibers so why not??? Anyway, what ammo recommendations do you guys and gals have. I am getting the Ruger LCP with Lasermax if that makes any difference. I will need practice and self defense ammo. I'm thinking I'm going to stash it in a backpack that goes with me from time to time.

 

[Mackey]

Nothin wrong with owning a 380. I have a Markarov in 380.
Ammo? Hardball for training AND self defense (to improve penetration).

 

[redfox033]

I run cheap PPU ammo through my sig P238 all the time. Shoots great.

 

[venenoindy]

Nothin wrong with owning a 380. I have a Markarov in 380.
Ammo? Hardball for training AND self defense (to improve penetration).

I did some research and I do agree about fmj, most of the hp's did show un sufficient penetration regardless of brand and weight. But the fmj's did the job just fine and that is what carry in my .380.

 

[jd4320t]

I recently did the same thing, I got a Kahr CW380. My advice is buy any ammo you find. I haven't seen it in a store for close to a month.

 

[SERparacord]

Nothin wrong with owning a 380. I have a Markarov in 380.
Ammo? Hardball for training AND self defense (to improve penetration).

I did some research and I do agree about fmj, most of the hp's did show un sufficient penetration regardless of brand and weight. But the fmj's did the job just fine and that is what carry in my .380.

+3

 

[88E30M50]

I have a couple of .380s. My carry ammo has always been Hornady Critical Defense but I'm starting to wonder if it does make more sense to carry FMJ. I cannot recommend any specific FMJ ammo since I reload all of mine. If you are intrested in reloading, .380 is a great caliber to reload for. You can reload .380 for around $5 per box of 50 and even less if you are careful where you shop. It uses very little powder and rather light bullets and makes a great plinking round for reloading. Plus, you save a ton reloading .380 over buying commercial.

 

[Bunnykid68]

Did someone say cheap 380 ammo? Where can one get cheap 380 ammo?

 

[SERparacord]

Did someone say cheap 380 ammo? Where can one get cheap 380 ammo?

 

[88E30M50]

Did someone say cheap 380 ammo? Where can one get cheap 380 ammo?

It appears magically from a machine I have. All I need to do is feed this thing primers, lead, cases and powder and it gives me a fresh round for less than ten cents each time I pull the handle

 

[fastwally]

I use Speer Gold Dot.

 

[looney2ns]

I suggest buying the LCP with the Crimson Trace laser grip. No second thoughts or additional movements to activate the laser.

Hornady Critical Defense in my LCP.

 

[lizerdking]

I suggest buying the LCP with the Crimson Trace laser grip. No second thoughts or additional movements to activate the laser.

Hornady Critical Defense in my LCP.

HCD Did terrible, as did the golden sabers i carry.

I use Speer Gold Dot.

Better, but wasn't considered the greatest.


[video=youtube;GNtPHYwcDts]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNtPHYwcDts&list=PLgNSGOEQko_MjOCGyqlMTiM2 njdQQRbdg&index=1[/video]


Shooting the bull had a great series on 380 ammo... I still need to replace the golden sabers that are in mine, just haven't gotten around to it since it's still winter and the lcp lives in the safe currently.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgNSGOEQko_MjOCGyqlMTiM2njdQQRbdg

 

[bulldogg]

I had a .380 yrs ago and been thinking about getting another one. Just have not made my mind up on a chois yet.

 

[BKExpress]

I picked up some Federal home defense ammo. I do reload, but may not shoot this enough to buy dies. Thanks for all the info.

 

[SubUrbanCamo317]

Watch the videos and make your own opinions.

Critical Defense.
Hornady Critical Defense .380 ACP 90 gr Ammo Test - YouTube

Speer Gold Dot
Speer Gold Dot .380 ACP 90 gr Ammo Test - YouTube

Winchester PDX1
.380 ACP Winchester PDX1 Ammo Gel Test - YouTube

Remington Golden Sabre
AMMO TEST: .380 ACP Remington Golden Saber 102 gr JHP - YouTube

Winchester Ranger T series
.380 ACP Winchester Ranger T-Series JHP Ammo Test - YouTube

Federal Hydra-shok
Federal .380 ACP 90 gr Hydra-Shok JHP: SIM-TEST* w/denim - YouTube

Underwood hollow points
Underwood Ammo 380 Auto +P GDHP Gel Test - YouTube

Buffalo Barnes .380
Buffalo Barnes 380 Auto +P Clothing and Gel Tests - YouTube

AND FINALLY! FMJ .380
.380 Full Metal Jacket in Ballistic Gel - YouTube

 

[sliptap]

I personally carry some homemade +P 102GR Golden Sabres reloads in my P3AT. In my "homemade" ballistic tests (of wet newspaper), they expanded every time and had reasonable penetration. I carry some 90 grain FMJs in my backup magazine.

I have seen some good reviews on the Buffalo Bore 90 GR JHP. If I was going to carry factory ammo, that is what I would personally choose. I wouldn't feed your pistol a steady diet of it though, as I'm sure they are pushing the pressure envelope:

380 +P Buffalo Bore Ballistic Gel Test - YouTube

This might also help you make a decision:

http://www.brassfetcher.com/380ACP/380 ACP 10% gelatin results.pdf

I haven't read great things about the standard pressure Golden Sabres, Critical Defense, Gold Dots, or Rangers. I've seen some ok reviews on the Hydrashock and some of Corbon's stuff, but wasn't exactly impressed.

 

[The Bubba Effect]

I have an LCP that I have ran hundreds of rounds of fiocchi fmj through it. It seems to like it well enough. I started carrying fmj for self defense, then went to critical defense, now I'm back to fmj. I think I need the penetration more than the expansion in a .380.

 

[Harleyrider_50]

I did some research and I do agree about fmj, most of the hp's did show un sufficient penetration regardless of brand and weight. But the fmj's did the job just fine and that is what carry in my .380.

.......Ser'ously ?...............SOOooooo......?.......be will'n ta ......stand a hunnerd ft away an' let sumbody spit 5 or 6 at'cha ?......

 

[SubUrbanCamo317]

.......Ser'ously ?...............SOOooooo......?.......be will'n ta ......stand a hunnerd ft away an' let sumbody spit 5 or 6 at'cha ?......

If you think about it a .380 in the hand is better than a 45 in the safe. Regardless of caliber it WILL hurt when you get shot. (I experienced a .22lr and a stray 7.62X39 in my arm) Trust me when i say this, the only time your gonna dump 2 or more mags in self defense is when the attacker is hyped up on bath salts or PCP.