PMC .380 JHP

[jimmyj]

Yeras ago I was issued a Browning BDA .380 for a undercover assignment.
A good friend, gunshop owner, master gunsmith, and former Vetnam Vet (army ranger) recommended PMC 90 grain JHP ammo. I tested it and it was AWESOME !
Currently medical isssues preclude a full size weapon and large caliber. I recently qualified witha compact 9mm. But it was a very painful range day.
I have a Beretta Model 84 .380 which I am thinking of using during my recup time.
I have been looking for PMC .380 90 grain JHP but have found only FMJ.
Is JHP ammo available ?

 

[TJm15.38]

I did a quick search on a couple of sites and was unable to find PMC 90-grain HP. I did find some Magtech 95-grain HP. I'm only shooting FMJ in my .380's as I question whether HP is going to properly expand from my short barrels.

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[TX-Dennis]

Today's best bet in .380 JHPs is Hornady Critical Defense. The only PMC .380 I've seen is 95 grain FMJ.

 

[chief38]

I do own a .380 acp but have never carried it for SD. I can't imagine I ever would, however I am fully aware that it has become quite popular once again for many reasons. First of them is that there are now a plethora of small .380 compact pistols easy to conceal. Secondly, they have very light recoil which can be important to women, senior citizens and beginners. Those two attributes for many, outweigh the small, light weight and lesser performing bullets they shoot. Hey, any bullet is better than no bullet!

When it comes to the .380 I feel completely different about what ammo for carry than let's say in a 9mm or .38 spl. I have not been impressed with .380 hollow point performance, including the different hollow point configurations that work very well in 9mm, .38 spl. Not only do they not expand reliably, they lack what is more important than expansion and that is penetration and of course reliable feeding.

I usually recommend the Federal 95 grain FMJ for a short barreled .380 acp. It will never expand but will usually have adequate penetration and give the most reliable performance in feeding. They usually shoot very close to POA as well. The 95 grain bullets should also penetrate better than the lighter weight bullets and if you are carrying a .380 for SD, my opinion is that the Federal 95 grain FMJ will perform reliably and consistently. Recoil is not objectionable and it fits my criteria of: #1 is reliability. #2 is penetration and #3 would be expansion.

While the 95 grain FMJ is not an "exotic or exiting new round" it will usually feed quite reliably in any gun, penetrate decently enough to do the job and will shoot POA = POI in most small light weight carry pistols. Just my opinions of course and YMMV. Remember, when carrying a very small and light gun, we must accept the sacrifice in the performance of the ammunition it shoots. It's all about physics.

 

[CajunBass]

I think you might be disapointed by the recoil of the Browning BDA/Beretta series. I had one not too long ago, and that thing kicked like a 9mm with it's blowback action. Beautiful gun, but not fun to shoot for me anyway (not to mention tiny sights).

I've got a bad back and arthritus, so I like light weight and low recoil. I carry a 380 every day. Either an EZ 380 PC, or a Sig 365-380. They're both light, are recoil operated, not blowback, have good night sights, good triggers, and offer low recoil. Not 22 recoil, but it's not far from it.

Of the two I like the EZ better. It (and I hate this expression) just fits my hand. All the controls fall right under my thumb. The slide release actually releases the slide. Hit the mag release and the mag flies out. It's my Goldilocks gun. Just right. The Sig is a little smaller and offers more mag capacity. Neither one are really pocket guns but it doesn't sound like you were thinking pocket carry anyway.

I carry Hornady Critical Defense ammo in both. It shoots straight and feeds reliably. Is it the best? No idea, and I hope I never find out.