Also after I started case gauging my reloads I'd find that every so often I'd find a round that had been loaded to 9mm Luger specs but in.380 AUTO or 9mm Makarov brass. Naturally I pull those and redo them but it makes me wonder how many skipped past me before I was case gauging all my rounds. Since the casing of the.380acp (also known as a 9x17mm) is shorter than the 9mm luger/parabellum (also known as the 9x19mm), the.380 will go too far into the chamber. This means the firing pin will not strike the primer because the.380 is 2mm further into the chamber than the 9mm.
Over the past ten years or so, there have been two interesting trends develop in defensive pistols.
The first is the rise of the pocket-sized .380 pistol, epitomized by guns like the Kel-Tec P3AT and the Ruger LCP.
The second is the rise of the single stack or subcompact 9mm pistol, like the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield and the Glock 48.
Its easy to see why these two types of guns are so popular. They’re small, lightweight, and easy to carry, yet they have enough firepower to keep you safe when things get dicey. But neither type is perfect.If you carry a pocket .380, you can have a gun with you pretty much anywhere you go. This is due to the pocket .380’s small size compared to that of the generally bigger and heavier 9mm subcompact. But, you’re giving up a significant advantage in magazine capacity and penetration.
The 9mm subcompact has a significant edge in firepower over the pocket .380, but the added size and weight can make it impractical to carry in some situations. Some 9mm subcompacts can also be difficult to shoot. Recognizing the limitations of both the pocket .380 and the subcompact 9mm, gun manufacturers sought to develop a gun that had the best of both worlds. This led them to develop the compact .380 pistol.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the compact .380 to see if it is a legitimate option for concealed carry. We’ll also test several compact .380 models to see if one stands out from the crowd.
Why Choose A Compact 380 Pistol?
Popular compact .380 models include the Walther PK380 and Ruger LC380. They are about the same size as a subcompact 9mm, but they fire the lower-powered .380 ACP round common to pocket pistols. At first glance, these pistols don’t seem to make a lot of sense. If you can carry around a 9mm Ruger LC9, why would you want to carry a similarly-sized Ruger LC380 that shoots a lower-powered .380 ACP cartridge?
Sometimes, Less Is More
My current choice in carry guns is a 9mm S&W Shield. I carry mine on my hip in a Blade-Tech holster. I’ve carried this gun for about a half- dozen years now. While it’s been a proven performer for me, something interesting happened on a recent shooting outing with my father. My dad, in his mid-70s, just couldn’t summon the strength to grasp the slide of my Shield and pull it back to charge the gun. He was fine with the recoil and could shoot the gun once I got it rolling for him, but getting into battery after emptying a magazine was too much for him.
This mirrored my experience working in a gun shop here in Florida. When people came into the store looking for a defensive pistol, we’d initially steer them toward something like a Glock 19. But many retirees found those guns difficult to operate. They were also hesitant about the long, stiff trigger on most defensive revolvers. As a result, many of them ultimately settled on the Sig Sauer P238 because (a) it’s small and cute, (b) it comes in a rainbow of colors, and (c) they could operate all the controls on it much easier than they could on a Glock 19.Would that gun be my first choice for a defensive pistol? No. Was it a bad choice for my customers? Considering that I saw a fair number of them return to the range to practice with their new guns, I’d say they made the correct choice.
Compact 380s: “Marginally Effective” Doesn’t Mean “Ineffective”
9x19mm vs. 9x17mm: That 2mm makes a big difference.
Compact .380 pistols, like the ones in our test, are not the best choice for a self-defense pistol. The .380ACP round is marginally effective as a defensive cartridge. It is underpowered compared to 9mm or other common defensive rounds, and as such, it struggles to meet FBI ballistics standards.
However, that doesn’t mean that .380ACP is an ineffective defensive round. All of the pistols in our tests were easily capable of placing their shots inside of a 6-inch circle at 15 yards. This means that if the shooter can make the shot, they can make it with any of these pistols.
Also, on average, all of these pistols require less physical effort than a compact 9mm. We tested a Glock 19 using the same scales we used for slide effort and trigger pull to see how it would compare with these guns. At over 26 pounds of effort for the slide and a 6.75 average trigger pull, a Glock 19 would need more physical strength to manipulate the basic controls of the pistol than either that either the Ruger LC380, Shield 380EZ or the Walther PK380.
Let’s take a look once more at the strengths and weaknesses of each gun in our test, and see what judgement calls we make.
Strengths: Capacity, Price, Small Size, Slide Effort
Weaknesses: Reliability, Trigger
With it’s 10+1 capacity and small size, the Sccy packs a lot of punch into a compact .380 package. However, the trigger on the pistol is quite stubborn, and you’ll need to make sure your magazines work well with your gun.
Strengths: Trigger, Slide Effort, Reliability
Weaknesses: Large Size
Accurate, reliable and easy to use, the 380EZ is a top performer in this class. Carrying it daily may require more changes in lifestyle than other guns on this list, but if you’re looking for an easy to use home defense pistol, look in this gun’s direction.
Ruger LC380
Strengths: Concealability
Weaknesses: Reliability with hollow points
One of the first-movers in this field, the LC380 turned in a solid performance in every area of our tests. If you’re concerned about your ability to manage the recoil of a 9mm, and need a gun to protect at home and when you’re out and about, try the LC380 on for size.
Walther PK380
Strengths: Slide Effort, Trigger Pull, Accuracy
Weaknesses: Large Size, Ergonomics
The Walther is a gun that I really, really wanted to like, and with a great trigger, easy-to-rack slide and best-in-class accuracy, the only thing that’s holding me back from liking it a lot is the unusual operation of it’s manual safety.
Strengths: Small Size, Concealability
Weaknesses: Slide Effort
One step up in size from a pocket pistol, the Kahr feels great in the hand, which is not surprising, considering Kahr’s long history of producing quality compact pistols. The Kahr is a good choice for people who need a little something to keep them safe on the road, and then also serve as a home defense pistol as well.
Final Thoughts
While .380ACP may not be everybody’s first choice in a defensive pistol, it’s been proven to be effective when used correctly when it counts. Choose your pistol, then choose your ammo, and above all, make the decision to practice regularly and improve your ability to make the shot on-demand and under pressure. A pistol is not a security blanket: They are not there to make you FEEL safe, there are there to make you BE safe, so be ready to use them if needed.
What do you think? Did we get it right? Sound off in the comments below!
The .380 ACP is enjoying a very healthy resurgence in this modern age. The best 380 ACP ammo might be more popular now than when it first came out in the early 20th century. Initially designed for use in simple blowback pistols, it really found its stride in the last decade or so thanks to advances in metal alloys and polymers.
The original steel-frame pistols in .380 ACP were much heavier than modern pistols in the caliber, which is why the .25 ACP and .32 ACP were used; they were the only real way to get a truly micro compact, deep concealment pistol: the tradeoff for pistol weight and dimensions was caliber.
380 ACP Ammo Quick Answer Box:
Why Is 380 ACP Ammo Expensive?
Several years ago, my very first deep-concealment pistol was a Beretta 950 chambered in .25 ACP. It was fun to shoot, but the problem was the cost of ammo. Although the .25 ACP and the 9mm look similar in shape, the .25 ACP wasn’t nearly as effective and cost almost $5 more per box.
The same holds true for .380 ACP ammunition. It costs more to manufacture than its slightly bigger parabellum brother. But even with a recent surge in popularity, the amount of .380 ACP manufacturers produce and the caliber’s ballistics can’t touch that of the 9mm. What keeps the cost of the 9mm down is being the NATO standard pistol round and being used by the majority of U.S. law enforcement agencies. Ask any manufacturer, they make more 9mm, which allows them to keep the costs lower. The higher pricing of the .380 ACP cartridge comes down to simple supply and demand.
.380 ACP vs. 9mm: What’s The Difference?
Unlike the multitude of .30 caliber rifle rounds which share a common bullet but have different cases to change the performance of the bullet, the .380 ACP and 9mm Luger don’t fire the same projectile. The .380 ACP bullet is shorter and lighter to accommodate the 2mm shorter case of the .380. The result is a cartridge which is lighter by necessity to ensure that the projectile is short enough to function properly.
This leads to considerably lighter bullet weights loaded in .380 ACP than 9mm, with 95 grain being the most common weight (or very close to that) for FMJ, MC, and LRN bullets. Hollow points commonly range from 85 grain to 102 grain. The three most common bullet weights for the 9mm are 115gr, 124gr, and 147gr. These two calibers share a common .355” diameter, however, they are not intended for the same purposes.
Generally speaking, 9mm ammo will give you increased power. It’s faster and will often penetrate deeper into a soft target than 380 ACP will.
Is .380 ACP A Good Self-Defense Option?
When carrying concealed, it’s best to choose a weapon that is chambered in a caliber that you can safely and effectively fire in a high-stress situation. For many, the small imprint and high-capacity of handguns that fire .380 ACP cartridges fit the bill nicely.
If it is the heat of summer and a pocket pistol is all I can realistically carry concealed, 380 ACP is a very good self-defense option. Its ballistics are superior to a .22LR, .25 ACP, or any of the other calibers used in pocket pistols over the years. The performance is most similar to the .38 Special, it can be used in platforms even smaller and lighter than snubnosed revolvers. Plus, it gives me higher capacity.
A popular myth persists that tiny pistols and revolvers are good for smaller frame shooters, especially small female shooters. I’m debunking this erroneous myth. Sub-compact and Micro pistols, which are the most prevalent offerings of the .380 ACP caliber, are often very hard to shoot. Many shooters find these small framed pistols too small to hold correctly.
These tiny pistols and revolvers also have significant recoil due to their light weight and lack of mass. They are also generally inaccurate beyond five feet due to extremely short barrels and low profile fixed sights. Pocket pistols are intended to be carried in a pocket and pulled without snagging on clothing. They are ideal for being fired at very close range targets.
Smaller framed shooters (or those with large hands) should consider a larger .380 ACP pistol (based on a full-size pistol). Otherwise, step up to one of the numerous 9mm pistols which feature a grip large enough to shoot effectively. Find a gun range that lets you rent, so you can try a variety of pistols. This is always a smart idea, so you can find what works best for you.
Best 380 Range Training Ammo
.380 Auto Federal American Eagle 95 Grain FMJ
Federal American Eagle is popular because it is inexpensive, has brass cases and goes ‘bang’ when you pull the trigger. I recommend buying the best 380 ammo you can for two reasons. When training, if you use junk ammunition, you will get junk results. I like to spend time shooting guns, not cleaning them. Shooting cheap dirty ammo means the gun owner spends much more time spent cleaning afterward.
The AE 95gr FMJ is a fine choice to break in a new weapon, as well as maintaining proficiency with your chosen weapon. It is advertised at 980 feet per second and 203 ft/lbs at the muzzle. The AE 95 gr FMJ shows 937 feet per second at 25 yards, 899 feet per second at 50 yards, 865 feet per second at 75 yards, and 835 feet per second at 100 yards. The .380 ACP is most similar to the .38 Special in performance, but the concealment and capacity advantage is valuable.
Fiocchi 380 Auto 95 Grain FMJ
Fiocchi 380 Auto does advertise higher performance at the muzzle with 1,000 fps and 215 ft/lbs of energy than its competitors, but who’s counting? Fiocchi fires cleanly and is as accurate as any of the other prominent brands. It is also easy to purchase inexpensively. Fiocchi uses a reloadable brass case and will work fine in any modern .380 ACP pistol.
Best 380 Self Defense Ammo
Federal Premium Low Recoil 380 Auto 90 Grain Hydra-Shok JHP
In a firearm which has already traded capacity and stopping power for concealability, why would anyone opt for low recoil ammunition with reduced power? I can think of one good reason, the ease of ability to fire a follow-up shot. Full power rounds make follow-up shots all but impossible for less-skilled shooters using diminutive pocket pistols, which is exactly the reason Federal Premium created their Low Recoil offerings with their Hydra Shok ® bullets. Low Recoil ammo equals less stopping power traded for enhanced ability to take the follow-up shot. Sometimes the follow-up shot makes all the difference in self-defense situations.
The Federal Premium Low Recoil 380 Auto 90 Grain Hydra-Shok JHP still carries very decent ballistics with 1,000fps and 200 ft/lbs at the muzzle.
Hornady 380 ACP 90 Grain Critical Defense FTX
The ammunition which is currently in all of my handguns, Hornady Critical Defense ® FTX ® is a great choice for defensive posturing in environments where you may need to fire through at targets wearing thick clothing (cold climates) and through glass. Makers of the JHP bullet molded it with a polymer plug in the cavity. This keeps it from clogging when making initial contact with objects other than flesh.
The ballistics for it are identical to the Low Recoil Hydra Shok ®, and are fairly consistent with other .380 ACP loads of 90gr. A wise king once said: “there is nothing new under the sun.”
Should You Buy A 380 ACP Handgun?
Best .380 Rounds
.380 ACP handguns have become very popular in the 21st century after a fairly significant hiatus after their introduction in 1908.
Thanks to manufacturers like Glock, Ruger and Smith & Wesson changing the game with polymer pocket pistols, the useful caliber was revitalized and now more popular than ever. The .380 ACP is a viable cartridge as long as you take the time to understand it. Meaning, you take the time to understand its limitations and don’t ask more than it is capable of delivering.
Can I Shoot .380 Rounds In My 9mm Pistol Handgun
For deep concealment, especially in the hot months, a .380 ACP pocket pistol is ideal. It lacks the bulk and concealment limitations of a full sized pistol. For example, a Ruger LCP, or Glock 42 pistol tucked into an IWB holster conceals easily under a tee-shirt. In the situations where attire allows for nothing else, the .380 ACP provides a comfortable and reliable pocket pistol option. You are much better off with pocket pistol in .380 ACP than forgoing carrying altogether because of legitimate discomfort.