Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Semi-Automatic Pistols > Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols
o

Notices

Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols All Variants of the Smith & Wesson M&P Auto Pistols


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-26-2015, 11:08 AM
Paparoot Paparoot is offline
Member
Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380???  
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Southwest Florida
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default Best ammo value for BG380???

My wife's 380 has a whole laundry list of issues which I have discussed on this forum. Probably should sell it but we are hard headed and do like the size and accuracy so we will continue to work through the issues.

One thing is that it is "picky" about ammo. Ask someone in a gun shop and they will always steer you to the $32 per 50 round boxes. That isn't going to happen with as much as we smoke in any given week.

We have tried most everything out there with mixed results (we order mostly from Ammunition Depot and Palmetto).

Given our experience there are two certainties...

1. All the Russian brands (Tula, Wolf, Silver Bear) with steel cases mean FTE consistently. (LOL: Not sure what to do with the rest of this stuff!)
2. Hollow points and flat noses are unreliable.

That means RN, FMJ has to be our choice.

What brands do any of you find to be the best for the BG380?

Thanks as always.
__________________
Be safe. Shoot straight.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-26-2015, 11:49 AM
Rickgus Rickgus is offline
Member
Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380???  
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 117
Likes: 93
Liked 50 Times in 31 Posts
Default

Paparoot - Check out my reply post to M&P Bodyguard FTF last round, page 2 of this forum. I replied to BigMax about the sale of PMC Bronze ammo from Target USA Sports. I did a sample order to show amount, and shipping to my state. I had issues with Remington UMC ammo, but my LGS steered me onto the PMC Bronze which my BG seems to like. Look at the reviews on the PMC ammo on Target USA, Cabela's and Gandermountain and you will see this ammo is highly rated.

I agree with you, the Bodyguard 380 is very picky about the ammo it likes. Good luck and let us know how you make out with ammo selections. - Rick
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-26-2015, 12:07 PM
1CZFAN's Avatar
1CZFAN 1CZFAN is offline
Member
Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380???  
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 25
Likes: 6
Liked 17 Times in 6 Posts
Default

PMC is good also look for PPU online and Perfecta @ Walmart when they have them.

As for hollow points I use Corbon Pow-Ball ammo for S/D.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-26-2015, 03:28 PM
martybee's Avatar
martybee martybee is offline
Member
Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380???  
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: STL Area: Belleville, IL
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 2,446
Liked 777 Times in 407 Posts
Default

Freedom Munitions is my choice. 380 Auto 100 gr FMJRNFP.
My BG380 eats 'em up. The price is great too. $15.85 a box of 50 rds.
Over 500 fired and absolutely zero issues!
mb
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-26-2015, 03:50 PM
robertrwalsh robertrwalsh is offline
SWCA Member
Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380???  
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Peoples Republic of Calif
Posts: 4,642
Likes: 1,226
Liked 5,984 Times in 2,132 Posts
Default

Being a fussy eater is common with .380 automatics. I know a couple of people who carry a hollowpoint up the spout and fmj in the magazines for that reason.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-26-2015, 03:57 PM
USAF385's Avatar
USAF385 USAF385 is offline
US Veteran
Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380???  
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: NEPA Endless Mountains
Posts: 3,919
Likes: 561
Liked 2,190 Times in 754 Posts
Default

If the gun is for carry, there's no way I'd keep it with a "laundry list of issues". I'd trade it. Either for another BG or some other .380. And I've been through a lot of different .380s trying to find "the one".

Quote:
Originally Posted by robertrwalsh View Post
Being a fussy eater is common with .380 automatics. I know a couple of people who carry a hollowpoint up the spout and fmj in the magazines for that reason.
And many, like myself, carry all FMJ due to penetration issues with JHP .380.
__________________
- The Federalist #46 -
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 03-26-2015, 04:47 PM
Florida J Frame Florida J Frame is offline
US Veteran
Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380???  
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 305
Liked 815 Times in 350 Posts
Default

Ruger LCP with HPR 90 gr JHP. Good penetration, good expansion and no issues.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #8  
Old 03-26-2015, 05:13 PM
lmacrichter lmacrichter is offline
Member
Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380???  
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 202
Likes: 68
Liked 45 Times in 34 Posts
Default

Traded mine on a Sig 238. No issues with the Sig and it eats what ever I feed it. Cost a little more but I think you get what pay for. I too loved the BG but just too many problems with it.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #9  
Old 03-26-2015, 05:26 PM
handlebar's Avatar
handlebar handlebar is offline
Member
Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380???  
Join Date: May 2006
Location: south Florida
Posts: 317
Likes: 9
Liked 226 Times in 83 Posts
Default

I use Freedom munitions 100gr fmj flat point. they make new or reloaded. I buy the new.
__________________
handlebar-proud to be American
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 03-26-2015, 09:54 PM
JWH321 JWH321 is offline
Member
Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380???  
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 287
Likes: 3
Liked 135 Times in 90 Posts
Default

Fiocchi seems to work in mine. Still $20 a box, though.

I mostly shoot my handloads. Berrys RN 100 grn with Starline brass, Titegroup powder and CCI primers. I've had no issues.

Last edited by JWH321; 03-26-2015 at 09:59 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 03-26-2015, 11:00 PM
cporfe's Avatar
cporfe cporfe is offline
Member
Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380???  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
Liked 269 Times in 73 Posts
Default

I seem to be the only BG owner with no real problems. I run Remington FMJs for practice, then switch to Winchester silvertip for carry. I've fired 100 rounds of silvertip with zero problems. It did take a 100 rounds of Remington and Winchester White box to smooth things out first. Yes Silvertips are to expensive for practice, but not too expensive for carry.

Just my thoughts. Good luck on the BG as a carry.
Chris
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 03-26-2015, 11:21 PM
Dave from Pa's Avatar
Dave from Pa Dave from Pa is offline
SWCA Member
Absent Comrade
Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380???  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SW Pa.
Posts: 1,424
Likes: 808
Liked 1,244 Times in 502 Posts
Default

Never had an issue with mine,fired almost 500 rds,mostly Fed Am. Eagle FMJ With some Rem. And WW thrown in.
__________________
SWCA#2288
SWHF#407
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 03-27-2015, 12:47 PM
Paparoot Paparoot is offline
Member
Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380???  
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Southwest Florida
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Thanks for all the suggestions. I agree that the better the ammo then the better the functioning of the BG. However I am surprised that the Freedom Munitions 380acp flat nose seems to work for some of you. I have used their 9mm w/o issue but we stayed away from the flat nose because that design has been spotty for us. May order a couple boxes and see. Right now our choice is the PMC 90grain.

Bought some ProMags for it to see if that helps some of our issues too.

Yes, the BG was purchased for "purse carry" but hasn't seen action except at the range...because of the laundry list of issues.

My wife now carries one of my Rugers or her small Beretta or Taurus.

The BG is the most concealable so we keep trying to find the right combinations...including ammo.
__________________
Be safe. Shoot straight.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 03-27-2015, 01:32 PM
CaptRon956 CaptRon956 is offline
Banned
Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380???  
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 646
Likes: 542
Liked 546 Times in 277 Posts
Default

Bass pro shop has Remington UMC 250 rnd bulk packs for $96 bux. On a side note, my M&P .380 is my EDC and my carry ammo is Hornady's American Gunner XTP's... and in all honestly, I havent experienced a failure with that brand ammo.

Remington UMC .380 Auto Handgun Ammo Mega Pack | Bass Pro Shops

Last edited by CaptRon956; 03-27-2015 at 01:34 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 03-27-2015, 01:55 PM
Rickgus Rickgus is offline
Member
Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380???  
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 117
Likes: 93
Liked 50 Times in 31 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptRon956 View Post
Bass pro shop has Remington UMC 250 rnd bulk packs for $96 bux. On a side note, my M&P .380 is my EDC and my carry ammo is Hornady's American Gunner XTP's... and in all honestly, I havent experienced a failure with that brand ammo.

Remington UMC .380 Auto Handgun Ammo Mega Pack | Bass Pro Shops
Capt Ron - Have you fired the Remington UMC rounds in your BG? These were a nightmare for my BG. My LCP will exhaust whatever UMC rounds I have left, but, after that no more for us! We were having FTFeeds, FTE's and sparks blowing out the ejection port of the BG. Our LGS steered us on to the PMC Bronze and have not had any issues since. You made reference to not having any failures with "that brand of ammo" which I thought you were referring to the Hornady's American Gunner XTP's. If I was mistaken and you meant not having failures with the Remington UMC's, I was wrong and you must have had better luck with them than we did! I also bought a box of these in the 9mm; I hope my only 9mm, my Glock 19 will shoot them without issue! Yes, these small pocket pistols are very picky about the ammo we feed them! One might have great results with a certain brand, and that brand may not work well for someone else! I can only add my two cents on our experience with them! I just checked out your link and the $96 equates to $19.20/box of 50, but they are offering free shipping on orders $50 or more. It is a good deal if your BG will swallow them. Mine won't but maybe yours had better luck! Take care - Rick

Last edited by Rickgus; 03-27-2015 at 02:16 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 03-27-2015, 02:15 PM
xrayduke xrayduke is offline
Member
Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380???  
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 5
Likes: 5
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Default

I have had success with Perfecta from Wal-Mart.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #17  
Old 03-27-2015, 02:31 PM
Rickgus Rickgus is offline
Member
Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380???  
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 117
Likes: 93
Liked 50 Times in 31 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by xrayduke View Post
I have had success with Perfecta from Wal-Mart.
Xrayduke - Funny you should mention that. We were having problems with our BG (see above reply post) and our LGS fired PMC Bronze, Perfectas and some reloads a friend of his supplies him with, all without failures! I wished our Walmart would carry them, but they don't seem like they want to sell anything out the cabinet. Looks like the same ammo sits there with nothing being restocked! You're right, I would not hesitate at all firing Perfectas if I could only get my hands on some!
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 03-28-2015, 12:39 PM
Jamie Jamie is offline
Member
Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380???  
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 383
Likes: 7
Liked 45 Times in 28 Posts
Default

While I understand the reality of some guns being "picky", any commercially available ammo should be 'eaten' by any quality gun. If it were my gun, it would be going back to S&W for repair, period.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 03-28-2015, 03:23 PM
Iwant2shootlikehickock45 Iwant2shootlikehickock45 is offline
Member
Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380??? Best ammo value for BG380???  
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 98
Likes: 6
Liked 34 Times in 19 Posts
Default

the only problem mine had had when shooting blazer steel casings. The slide would not lock open on the last round with these
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
WTB BG380 macski222 WANTED to Buy 1 09-05-2013 07:58 PM
Help please, a new BG380 (or is it new?) fsbo Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols 9 03-20-2013 04:33 PM
New BG380 drover Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols 10 07-04-2011 04:51 PM
Best self defense ammo for my BG380 top gun 638 Ammo 12 02-23-2011 04:47 PM
BG380 gutterman Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols 3 12-30-2010 06:24 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:57 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)