.380 Leigh Extreme penetrator
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Before you use gimmick ammo in any gun, let alone an autoloader intended for life-or-death application, ask yourself this: "Is this the cartridge that the manufacturer used for testing this gun to bring it to market?"
Lehigh extreme defender and penetrator
I have never used in the .380 but have used both types in my Model 36 (loadings from Underwood).. Frankly, I like them both although I am generally more of a Gold Dot/Federal HST fan. I frequently carry the 36 around the farm and the 100 grain standard load in the defender has always worked well.
I don't know if this is any help and welcome.
I have never used in the .380 but have used both types in my Model 36 (loadings from Underwood).. Frankly, I like them both although I am generally more of a Gold Dot/Federal HST fan. I frequently carry the 36 around the farm and the 100 grain standard load in the defender has always worked well.
I don't know if this is any help and welcome.
SuperMan
Member
...apparently you weren't around back in the 1950s when all we had was lead bullets and FMJs for semis... When SuperVel came out if everyone had your philosophy we would still be using lead...
I'm using the Underwood .380 Xtreme Defender load in a Kahr P380. Ran a box through it...was very accurate and 100% feeder...
Now using their loads in all my self-defense guns...9mm, .38 Super and 10mm...
Bob
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Protected One
Member
Has anyone used Leigh Extreme penetrator in a Smith M&P Bodyguard. If so ad you noticed any damage to the gun?....
Those Extreme P make a .380 more affective.tks this is my first post..
There's no danger of damaging the gun by using the Lehigh ammo. There is however, danger of hitting an unintended victim if the round over-penetrates (as they do in bare gel test) during an actual self-defense shooting.
Some people are proponents of using ball (fmj) ammo for carry in .380's, to insures adequate penetration. If I were considering fmj I would use Lehigh extreme penetrator instead because it produces a more damaging wound track.
Personally, I choose Hornady Critical Defense for my Bodyguard .380.
ColRJBrinkman
US Veteran
I use Underwood's +P 90gr Extreme Penetrator in my MP 380 Bodyguard and after 250 rounds of this ammo, I have had ZERO issues. Also of all the 380 ammo, this round meets or exceeds FBI standards of penetration and actually makes the 380 more of a lethal weapon. I also use Underwood's +P 120gr Extreme Defender in my 45 Shield.
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Whitwabit
US Veteran
I use the Critical Defense in my Sig P238 also and I did test shooting into water jugs thru 4 layers of heavy weight denim and they open completely in all 6 of the ones I shot ..
Some of the ballistic test on YouTube I have seen on the Underwood ammo had massive over penetration .. it might be a good woods ammo in 9mm or larger caliber but I didn't feel I could use it safely for defensive carry use from the tests I watched !!
ColRJBrinkman
US Veteran
Yes the ones using Underwood Extreme Penetrator do often over penetrate and those rounds are not usually recommended in 9mm and bigger calibers unless hunting. The Extreme Penetrator is perfect for the 380 acp. Use the Extreme Defender for 9mm and bigger calibers as the fluting of the bullet is designed for more tissue expansion and not as great penetration.
Again FBI 5 layer / gel ballistics is just that. Does not account for clothing + skin + fat + muscle + bone + body fluid. A skinny 95 lb threat vs a 6'6" 280 lb muscle thug vs a 500 lb thug all represent a challenge to shooter.
I shoot UW 90gr +P Extreme Penetrator in my 380 Bodyguard and their 120gr +P Extreme Defender in my 45 Shield.
ColRJBrinkman
US Veteran
That's with Lehigh. Underwood is a different story as its a +P round and for the 380acp has to be the Extreme Penetrator not the Extreme Defense. MAC (Military Arms Channel) has a comparison of both the Lehigh and the Underwood for the 380.
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