Is .380 powerful enough for defensive carry?

[MilitaryArms]

I've seen a lot of discussions about .380 and how effective it is as a defensive cartridge. I decided to do some testing of the .380 to see how both hollow points and ball rounds penetrated in 10% gel. I also compared it to my favorite 9mm carry load, Critical Duty.

[video=youtube;soNdX36P-3E]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soNdX36P-3E[/video]

 

[The Bubba Effect]

Timely video for me, thanks!

I often carry a .380 and I used to carry ball before recently switching to critical defense. I have been wondering if I gave up too much penetration for expansion. Looks like I'm switching back to ball for the .380. Thanks for helping me make a more informed choice!

 

[rockhopper46038]

Interesting. I do believe that I will start carrying ball ammo in my Bodyguard .380 BUG. Gold Dot was my default round, but this video is pretty convincing to me. Thanks for filming this for us.

 

[TopDog]

Another great video. Confirms what I had been taught that .380 hollow points don't perform well. I don't own a .380 but know people who do, this information will go help prepare some of those people.

 

[Collin]

Interesting video, I'd enjoy more of this type of testing on your channel (I subscribe). Specifically, I've heard many say .45 ball is a good choice for defensive loads (effective as GI load...) - love to see that tested. Also heard 9mm ball overpenetrates. Maybe you could shed some light on those suspicions for us?

Keep up the good work and content!

 

[gunman41mag]

I think the 380 can get the job done, but shot placement is very important

 

[BigMoose]

Worked for George Zimmerman.

I belive it was a hornady hollow point round too.

 

[1911ly]

I feel if you can handle a bigger gun it is a better ideal. I had a 380 for a while and switched back to a 9mm. for the last few years I have carried a .45acp. I bought a S&W 640 .357 for a bug. I carry it a lot in hot weather instead of the 45. I do applaud your video. Really informative! Thanks

 

[1911ly]

Worked for George Zimmerman.

I belive it was a hornady hollow point round too.

yeah. But a pellet gun would probably work from point blank range too. Yeah a 380 will kill too.

 

[shooter521]

I think to dismiss all .380 JHP rounds a "a poor choice" based on the performance of one round in one test is painting with a bit of a broad brush. There are LOTS of choices in .380 defensive ammo out there, including Golden Saber, PDX1 and Critical Defense, which have been shown to do quite well in gel testing. You should revisit this topic with additional testing.

Also, I wonder if the relative lack of expansion in the 9mm Critical Duty is due to it being fired out of such a short barrel? I have been told by Hornady reps that Critical Duty is intended for use in full-size pistols, which I take to mean it requires a certain velocity threshold to perform properly. The Critical Duty rounds I've seen tested have exhibited much better expansion, and were extremely consistent even through a variety of barriers.

 

[whitetailbowhunter]

Great video! Thanks for testing this.

 

[M67]

Worked for George Zimmerman.

I belive it was a hornady hollow point round too.

Zimmerman had a PF9, so nope, not a 380.


James Bond on the other hand.....

 

[foszoe]

I think to dismiss all .380 JHP rounds a "a poor choice" based on the performance of one round in one test is painting with a bit of a broad brush. There are LOTS of choices in .380 defensive ammo out there, including Golden Saber, PDX1 and Critical Defense, which have been shown to do quite well in gel testing. You should revisit this topic with additional testing.

Also, I wonder if the relative lack of expansion in the 9mm Critical Duty is due to it being fired out of such a short barrel? I have been told by Hornady reps that Critical Duty is intended for use in full-size pistols, which I take to mean it requires a certain velocity threshold to perform properly. The Critical Duty rounds I've seen tested have exhibited much better expansion, and were extremely consistent even through a variety of barriers.

Yes.

Hornady Critical Defense is what should have been tested as its meant for smaller concealed carry PD firearms.

Critical Duty is exactly what the name sounds like....meant for a duty carry firearm.

 

[dhw9am]

Tired Old Argument

I've seen a lot of discussions about .380 and how effective it is as a defensive cartridge. I decided to do some testing of the .380 to see how both hollow points and ball rounds penetrated in 10% gel. I also compared it to my favorite 9mm carry load, Critical Duty.

[video=youtube;soNdX36P-3E]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soNdX36P-3E[/video]

Since most self defense battles are between one and twenty feet, does it really matter?
Hit someone in the chest or face from ten feet, with either a 380 or 9MM and you won't have to worry about measuring wound channels.

 

[Birds Away]

Carry what you shoot best. Even if it makes you slightly less comfortable. I think too many people base their carry decisions on comfort and style. I wonder, in that millisecond that you realize you are going to have to rely on that carry gun, how comfortable you will be with your choice at that moment? I lug around an all steel gun every day. It isn't always the most comfortable. It is always the best option for me because through much trial and error I realize it is what I shoot best. If a .380 is what you shoot best, after trying many others, then that's what you should carry. That .50BMG round won't do you any good if you can't hit with it.

 

[buckstopshere]

Awesome video! Thanks so much for putting it together. Well done

 

[HoughMade]

That was an interesting test.

My go to ammo testing YouTube page is tnoutdoors9. He uses the 4 layers of denim as in the FBI testing protocol. Here are some .380 acp tests. As the MAC test found, the JHPs come in under 12 inches, sometime well under the 8" area. The only one that went over 12" was the first where the cavity got plugged and there was no expansion. The FMJ passed through the 19" block- same kind of result.

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

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

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

.380 Full Metal Jacket in Ballistic Gel - YouTube

 

[crispy]

HCD went 11.25" AFTER having gone through four layers of denim.

Considering they feed perfectly in every single one of my .380s. That's good enough for me.

 

[ghitch75]

nice vid......i'll stick with my 95gr HP Montana Gold's at just under 1100fps from my Government.....fired from 12ft they go through 3 gallon milk jugs with water......

 

[MtnBiker6510]

I personally prefer Buffalo Bore 100gr Hardcast Lead Solids in my CC 380. Thanks for putting this together. Great information.