.380 duty ammo

SW CQB 45 · Jul 29, 2011

OMG!!!! .380 ammo is high in price.

in 1986 a night cleaning crew stole a bunch of guns for a "chain" store which sold guns, one of the guns was a new Colt Mustang. In 2004, this gun was recovered on an arrest. the case was filed and accepted however the 1986 report could not be located due to a program change and report was missing so owner could not be verified.

this is where I come into the picture. In Nov 2010, I located this gun in our evidence just sitting. I reviewed the ATF report and determined this gun was stolen from the dealer and was never transferred.

I contact the dealer who verified it was their gun but since they no longer sold handguns, they did not know what to do with it. Finally and months go by, this gun was donated to the police department and assigned to me.

its very dirty and sloppy 1986 Colt manufacture but I dont think its been shot much. Likely has many stories being stolen for 8 years.

Since I have no time with a .380 bug....what is the ammo I should look at for duty use? this gun is blue steel frame and slide all original.

Prefer hollow points for duty use.

I guess I need to get reloading components as FMJ for quals and practice is HIGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

g

safearm · Jul 29, 2011

I have used both Corbon PowrBall and Hornady Critical Defense in my .380s. Both are totally reliable, and actually feed BETTER than FMJ in my PPK. The Hornady is easy to find and less expensive than the Corbon, so it's what I have used the most.

SW CQB 45 · Jul 29, 2011

Safearm....thanks for the info.

Do u have a site for best price on the hornady?

Thanks in advance

gunlovingirl · Jul 29, 2011

+1 for Powrball.

Erich · Jul 29, 2011

I've seen three shooting cases in which .380 hollow points failed to adequately penetrate. Never seen that happen with .380 ball - which is what I carry when I carry a .380. Use your "new" gun in good health.

ol' geeser · Jul 29, 2011

Surely you mean to carry it as a back up as opposed to "duty"?

safearm · Jul 29, 2011

I buy my ammo through my local gunshop. It's the least I can do to help keep them in business.

SW CQB 45 · Jul 29, 2011

yep, this gun will be a back up to duty.

I drive a desk and when in plain clothes....be in my maxpedition.

when off duty...be on my person and carried as primary.

thats interesting on H/P not penetrating. guess the short barrel length scrubs of velocity quick.

I may have to carry H/Ps in one mag and FMJs in another.

I need to find a suitable holster for off duty carry.

for those that carry a little semi auto....is the front pocket or back pocket preferred?

TIA

Goony · Jul 29, 2011

SW CQB 45 said:
thats interesting on H/P not penetrating. guess the short barrel length scrubs of velocity quick.

I may have to carry H/Ps in one mag and FMJs in another.
TIA

Hornady's claim for their Critical Defense ammo design is that it will penetrate even heavy clothing (like a leather jacket) and then still reliably expand once it enters the body.

SW CQB 45 · Jul 29, 2011

Goony said:
Hornady's claim for their Critical Defense ammo design is that it will penetrate even heavy clothing (like a leather jacket) and then still reliably expand once it enters the body.

great....I need to look at their offerings for .380!

thanks

BUFF · Jul 29, 2011

"for those that carry a little semi auto....is the front pocket or back pocket preferred?"

The idea of carrying something cocked and locked in a pocket gives me the willies.

OFT II · Jul 29, 2011

BUFF said:
"for those that carry a little semi auto....is the front pocket or back pocket preferred?"

The idea of carrying something cocked and locked in a pocket gives me the willies.

The front pocket the most!!!

SW CQB 45 · Jul 29, 2011

BUFF said:
"for those that carry a little semi auto....is the front pocket or back pocket preferred?"

The idea of carrying something cocked and locked in a pocket gives me the willies.

I forgot to mention, plan to carry in a holster designed for the pocket.

I also thought about that too with the hammer back.

Was leaning toward back pocket carry in a holster designed not to print "piece"!

jimmyj · Jul 29, 2011

I was issued a Browning BDA .380. I used PMC JHP ammo. I was very satified with the ammo and weapon.

handgunner356 · Jul 29, 2011

The Remington Golden Saber is one of the heavier rounds at 102grs and feeds well in all my 380s'. Winchester also makes a Ranger LE 95gr JHP which is priced right for 50rds if you can find somewhere to get it.

ArchAngelCD · Jul 30, 2011

I know a few guys who carry a .380 and they have all changed over to Hornady Critical Defense .380 ammo. it seems to be the best ammo available for short barrel .380's.

GF · Aug 1, 2011

handgunner356 said:
The Remington Golden Saber is one of the heavier rounds at 102grs and feeds well in all my 380s'. Winchester also makes a Ranger LE 95gr JHP which is priced right for 50rds if you can find somewhere to get it.

I use both the Remington & Winchester mentioned and they feed and cycle without fail in my PPK.

And that's important.

GF

Pointblank2U · Aug 4, 2011

The .380 is always going to be a comprise between ideal penetration and ideal expansion. I've seen a lot of tests by a lot of different people with most of the known brands. The round that is consistently "satisfactory" is the Gold Dot.

Pigirondan · Aug 4, 2011

Buffalo Bore.

chief38 · Aug 8, 2011

I don't carry a .380 normally, but if I did I would use Buffalo Bore ammo. Their stuff is heads & tales above the regular factory stuff! Check out the spec's on their web site.

Chief38

.380 duty ammo

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